Cultural Differences (H.T.G.G.L.T.A)

For today's blog, I picked the scene where John had finally declared that Yolanda needed to see a  shrink, as he felt like she was "too intelligent for her own good." Although Yolanda was obviously very upset over this, it was still HER choice, a choice she could have very well declined.
 In the more  conservative cultures, if a husband were to think for the slightest second that his wife was going insane, that would have been the end of the story.
Unlike John, our more traditional husband wouldn't be wasting time with compromises, or make a list of the pros and cons of marrying his wife. Rather he would either remarry or get rid of his wife all together. He'd deal with the issue in whichever way he sees fit, and in that context, Yolanda wouldn't have anything to say about it, as males have an unequal amount of power towards their wives.

Dying Languages/The world of slang

⇸http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/enduring-voices.com⇷

For tonight's blog, I've selected the aboriginal languages located in Northern Australia, often referred to as the "island continent." Besides the fact that it's flashy red color(due to it's severe degree in threat levels) immediately attracted my attention on the website's map, I chose the area's linguistic history because of its large size and infamous isolation from the rest of the world. 
2) As it's thoroughly explained on its profile, the aboriginal tongues of Northern Australia are known for being one of the world's most critically endangered languages. This is primarily due to the fact that aboriginal languages are small and scattered, as a result of a long history of conflicts with withe settlers. 
Many struggled to maintain their identity, languages and cultures, while others hadn't even survived the contact all together. According to The Enduring Voices Team's recordings, their are only 3 speakers left of the Magati Ke language left, along with the only remaining speaker of the Amurdag tongue, a language which had officially been reported instinct 25 years ago. 
3) It would be nice to think that the remaining speakers of Magati Ke could dedicate the rest of their lives trying to keep their language alive, or that the Australian government could study and officially record every aspect of these various, complex languages in order to teach to generations to come, but the truth of of the matter is The Enduring Voices Team's recordings are likely the last that will be made of these languages, as some of the speakers wouldn't even be considered fluent. 
The last remaining speaker of Amurdag, for instance, had not used this specific language in over 50 years, remembering the words with great difficulty. Another women from Sunday Island was declared the last speaker of a language called Djawi. As heart breaking as it may be, due to its ridiculously low percentage of speakers, there isn't a lot of suggestions or realistic actions that can be taken to help save these dying languages. 

4) Slang words from my generation? Lmfao kk, dis should be #fun. 

 I can't even
Expressing a severe degree of annoyance towards something, similar to the "I am so done right now" slang phrase. You see, as us teenagers love to be dramatic, a hyperbolic expression like this is absolutely perf.
"Omg guys, I have to study for like 2 tests this week. I can't even." 

Doe
Well, it's basically a common abbreviation for the word "though", expect it's like, 10 times cooler.
"Yo that test doe!" "He hasn't texted me back doe..." "Yeah, but that girl is hot doeeeeee" 

Turn Up 
An infamous term that seems to have recently surfaced social media, it is generally used to describe the validation of an upcoming event. This can also be used ironically.
"Ashely's throwing a party for spring break! TURN UP DOE" "Ew, summer school tomorrow? Lol turn up." 

Can I get an Amen? 
In the religious world of being a teenager, getting extra praise for something that has happened in our continuously dramatic little lives is part of our Gospel, which is why we declare this phrase whenever we think we've said something #awesome."OMG guys Bob just texted me. Can I get an amen?" "I finally got that guy Dexter to do my math homework for me. Can I get an amen!"

Killin' it 
Since teenagers think that we're constantly doing incredibly awesome things, whether you're twerking your pride away on the dance floor or playing beer pong every weekend, a certain phrase needed to be invented:
"Ooooo girl be killin' it with dat ass doe" "Screw mid terms, let's get drunk today! #killin'it" 

YAAAAS 
My personal favorite slang word, you're bound to have heard this one before. Strictly put in capital letters, teenagers have successfully reinvented the word "yes" by radically emphasizing the excitement of a situation or general approval towards something in particular.
"Alex asked me out to the Prom...YAAAS!" "Should I buy this dress? YAAAS."Spring break finally started, YAAS"

#Hashtag  
Technological term used in a sarcastic way to embellish a point being made.
"Kyrsten's dating that hot brazilian exchange student? #WHATEVER." "This picture is sooo old #throwback" 
"Ugh can't wait for dinner tonight #starving #hungrygirls2k14" "KYRSTEN DUMBED ALVARO! #OMG #YAAAS"

Dat
The teenage version of the word "that" used in virtually any contexts.
"Dat ass doe #killin'it" "Dat time we listened to Drake and drank vodka out of plastic bottles #throwback" 

Swerve 
Used in a variety of different ways, the word is usually placed at the beginning or end of the sentence in an exclamatory manner.
"Oh dat hotties single doe? SWERVE." "Swerve, I got more likes than you!" "Oh girl, you just got #SWERVED." 

Turnt
Originating from our previously studied slang term "TURN UP," turnt basically means fun in typical teenage fashion. "Bruh are we gonna get turnt for this party or what?" "Watch out, here comes the Turnt Queen!"

5) To be honest, I'm curious to see how long can our generation's tongue will last over the years to come. Will our generation's language be kept alive? It's hard to tell really, especially when you think back to previous generations and how they've managed to survive. I mean who really says "groovy" anymore, or uses the term "A gase" to express that their having a lot of fun? 
It seems to me like the majority of the people exercising the 60's slang words are the very ones who grew up with them. Just like our grandparents, I believe that the only way our generation can keep it's language alive is by speaking our common slangs until the day we die. In 20 years from now, will our kids be using the same slang our generation has picked up on? Or will they strike their independence by creating their own terms, abbreviations and dramatic hyperboles? 
With today's world constantly changing, the odds for newly developed terms are quite high. As the world evolves, new sayings will naturally emerge, which in a way are part of history itself, as each generation can be identified and embodied by the very words that represented that time in life. It's a natural process that allows each generation to be unique in it's own given way. 

Antojos

Connotation of the word craving: Longing

The nobel prize winning writer/poet Julia Alvarez chose to present the title of the very first chapter in Spanish as a dedication to her native land. Seeing as she was torn away from her home due to political unrest at a young age, her life was forever changed as she suddenly entered into a completely different culture. Not to mention that "the meaning of language" is one of the main themes expressed in this story. It would therefor make sense to at least include a/several literal aspects directly relating to the author's mother tongue.

 

Thesis Statement

To assist us with our statement today, we we will be relying on "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" by Gloria Anzaldua. Now let's ask ourselves this: Why is it that two different interpretations result from a single text when the material is given to two people? As we've recently discussed a lot about culture, the manner in which a person reads as well as their personal interpretations all fall under the same tree. We're all different. We all have our own language, experiences, identity and unique personalities, all of which effect the way we interpret a given text. As crazy as it may seem, regardless of the 7.125 billion people on earth, there never was nor will there ever be a person that is exactly like you. You are truly unique.

The beauty of bilingualism

        Espaillat's use of parenthesis to translate several words into Spanish delivers a sense of acceptance towards its vast audience. As we've concluded last time, incorporating more than one language in a literal/musical piece allows the author to identify themselves, as well as unify both/several different cultures together. Although Espaillat and Alvarez's techniques are both based on the same concept, their approaches were a bit different: Alvarez was portraying her life story through translated words and meanings, all in different kinds of Spanish. She embodied her entire text with personal struggles towards growing up in a dual cultural society. Espaillat's doesn't have this need to constantly switch languages in order to prove her point.
        
As it's been proven over and over again, growing up with two different languages will inevitably result in a mixture of both cultures. Espaillat's   father may have been able to keep both languages separate, but contrary to her he didn't grow up with English. I personally grew up with both English and French, attending an all time  french-speaking school while having to speak English with my father back home. And let me tell ya, it's absolutely impossible to not manifest both languages together, especially as a child. Because you identify yourself with this sort of, personally unified language, you become one with both cultures. The fun part about it all is inventing your own language by mixing both in a single sentence. The Frenglish language was established between me and my older brother by the time I was nine.

        In her poem, the author had mentioned that a child learns by pointing at things and saying them out loud. Now this wouldn't be varied when it concerns a monolingual child, but a bilingual individual will say that word out loud  without a second thought on whichever language comes out first.The irony is expressed in the title itself, "Bilingual Sestina", as the author describes the importance of childhood memory by proving that the separation of both languages is nearly impossible. When she refers to English as Inglais, she's showing the reader that although her mind might have learned to say English, her Spanish heart naturally refers to it as Inglais. 

        She represents a figurative meaning when she refers to someone's tongue, when she tells the reader about how she's had to speak different languages while strictly keeping them apart. Instead of naturally unifying them both, she was obligated to keep them separate, thereby being forced to develop two different tongues. She represents a literal meaning of the phrase "Searching for my tongue" when she was gradually forgetting how to speak her first language Guajarti, afraid that by neglecting her mother tongue it would eventually "rot" away. The strong imagery is presented through her life stories and personal experiences. 

        I'm not exactly sure why the author chose to discuss the nature of bilingualism through a poem, rather than an article, memoir or even a journal. Perhaps because she wanted to reflect her life story and struggles with identity through a stronger technique? Poems are known for their dramatic effects and strong literal meanings, after all.

Why would someone want to write a poem or a song in more than one language?

The first thought that crossed my mind when I read today's question was unity.
As we've previously discussed the value and importance of one's identity/culture, it's easy to understand why one would chose to incorporate two languages in a single song, or sometimes even poems: They attract a larger audience. They've successfully blended two different cultures through a musical/literary piece. Not only are they representing, as well as portraying their songs/poems with their own culture, they're also unifying both groups in a unique, entertaining way.

Is robbing a people from its language more violent than war?

Regardless of how you look at it, your language is the very foundation of who you are. And although we aren't dealing with a physical war, cultural genocide is just as evil.
Robbing a people of its language is a serious violation of human rights.Who are we to dictate the linguistic choices of a people? Your language represents your culture, your country, what you grew up learning. It fills this primary need that we all have, the need to belong to a native people. It's such a natural instinct that it seems so wrong to take it away. The fact that someone doesn't have the basic right to identity themselves with their own language is just as morally wrong as declaring a war.

How to tame a wild tongue

❖What themes does the text explore?

The text explores a variety of themes (chicano spanish, alienation, linguistic terrorism, growing up in a dual society, sexism) all of which are related to cultural identity.

❖Who are the characters? 

The characters include the women talking about her past (first-person narrative) and her family. The people she's met and mentioned throughout her story could also be considered as characters. 

❖What is the conflict?

Academic culture VS Native culture. The endless struggle of not having the right to define your own identity. Her and thousands of others linguistic fight towards a dual culture society.The primary need to belong to a native, specific kind of people has been robbed from right under them, and they are left feeling like less of a human being. "In childhood we are told that our language is wrong. Repeated attacks on our native tongue diminish our sense of self."

❖What is the setting?

The author explains her experiences of growing up in a dual cultural society during the second half of the 20th century. The setting mostly takes place at the Mexican-American border/San Francisco, excluding the times where she flashes back to a certain memory. For example, during one of the first scenes she states that her knuckles would be beaten with sharp ruler if she was caught speaking Spanish during recess in an American school. 

❖What passages or lines stand out to you?

I'm glad you asked! This text is filled with powerful lines and passages that simply can't go unnoticed:

"We are robbed of our female being by the masculine plural. Language is a male discourse."

"We are your linguistic nightmare [...] Because we speak with tongues of fire, we are culturally crucified."

"Because we internalize how are language has been used against us by the dominant culture, we use our language differences against each other." 

           "Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity- I am my language. Until I can take pride in my language, I cannot take pride in myself. Until I can accept as legitimate Chicano Texas Spanish, Tex-Mex and all the other languages I speak, I cannot accept the legitimacy of myself [...] my tongue will be illegitimate."

"When I saw poetry written in Tex-Mex for the first time, a feeling of pure joy flashed through me. I felt like we really existed as a people."

"At the risk of loosing my job, I swore my students to secrecy and slipped in Chicano short stories, poems, and a play." 

"It was the Mexican movies I saw at the drive in- the Thursday Night Special of $1.00 a carload- that gave me a sense of belonging."

                                                             How it is said

❖What is the structure of the text?

The structure seems to follow the women's past experience and upbringing as a little girl (With the occasional explanation on Chicano language history and personal opinions/notes from the author) up until her years as a high school teacher.

❖Who is the storyteller (narrator)?

The women/the author, first-person narrative. 

❖What do you notice about the language/word choices?

Aside from the untranslated spanish, you could definitely tell that the author isn't originally English. Although her writing is perfectible understandable, a few minor errors here and there make it obvious, for example: "Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity."

❖What literary devices does the author use? How do they enhance the message?

Through critical proverbs and flashbacks. At one point, right after talking about the two mandatory speech classes all Chicano students were required to take in order to get rid of their accents, the author reminds us "Attacks on one's form of expression with the intent to censor are a violation of the First Amendment." A powerful, judiciary reminder, this not only enhanced the message, it also emphasized the violation of human rights that is constantly taking place throughout the text. 

                                           Context of Authorship

❖What do you know about the time and place in which the text was written?

Relating to the story: Immigration raised ever since the torn of Mexico during a high-casualty civil war in the 20th century. The low-class view towards Mexicans only enhanced itself, as they remained concentrated in low-wage jobs. This can relate to the text by suggestion that this poor image of mexicans influenced the ruthless attitude and low-tolerance towards their culture. 

Not directly relating: John F. Kennedy's assassination, The Great Depression, the infamous rise of the universally known boy band The Beatles, The Vietnamese War.

❖What do you know about the author?

Before googling her? Not much. Just that she came from both American and Spanish culture and that she grew up on the Mexican-Texas border.

❖What do you know about the author’s cultures or communities and/or those that impact the author?

As the author mentioned, she attended American school, although her family was originally Spanish. Balancing between her academic and personal life, both English and Spanish cultures are reflected. They impacted the author by giving her a first hand look into the linguistic terrorism currently taking place across the Untied States.

                                          Context of Readership

❖Have you had any experiences that connect to this story?

Fortunately no, I have not. From an early age I've been encouraged to not only express my cultural identity, but continuously expand it as well.       

❖Is this text relevant to you?  Why or why not?  Do you feel that you are the intended audience?

 Yes and no. Although I feel like Chicano speaking people were very much targeted, I believe that everyone else was too, as a means to make us more aware of these cultural violations and various languages that should be considered legitimate. This text isn't exactly relevant to me because I've never had any experiences that could connect me to this story, I've never been in a situation where I've had to fight for my cultural identity.

❖What about your identity/culture help you understand this text OR prevent you from understanding it? 

Once again, my identity/culture have prevented me from personally connecting with the story when regarding the "cultural robbery" that has/is taking place. 

How to better understand your reading material

In order to better comprehend a text, the reader must take his time. Be sure to understand your material from more than just one angle. Once you've become more familiar with the characters, try to imagine the different opinions and perspectives regarding the story's context.
Now although this might not always be relevant, knowing the author's origins/culture could help the reader better understand their text. After all, it is a critical factor that could most definitely influence an individual's writing. Another important trick is apprehending your story's settings, as well as devices. Make sure you know your literary techniques! They will help you detect everything from metaphors, alliterations, hyperboles ect. All of which play a significant role when it comes to better understanding your reading material.
"Reading, because we control it, is adaptable to our needs and rhytms. We are free to indulge our subjective associative impulse; the term I coin for this is deep reading: The slow and meditative possession of a book. We don't just read words, we dream our lives in their vicinity."
- Sven Birkerts in The Gutenberg Elegies (1994)

The media's influence on stereotypes

In today's day and age, mass media has proven to play a critical role in modern life. And although we rarely ever notice, stereotypical propaganda is everywhere. From reality shows to your favorite tv commercials, even animated cartoons you'd watch as a child. Because people usually gather their knowledge about the world around them though simplified information that is easily obtained through our wide variety of social networks,  it's very easy to manipulate people's perspectives and opinions, especially when dealing with foreign countries. But for tonight, let's focus on cultural characteristics that are directly identified with the stereotype. To be more specific, we'll be dealing with your every day commercials, and the secret messages hidden behind them.

Why is it that women always seem to be the main target in cleaning, cooking or cosmetic commercials, while men generally advertise cars, cigarettes, business products and investments? Truth is, the producer/author had a very specific purpose. They still expect women to automatically be the ones responsible for making everyday domestic purchases, while the men are being represented as the independent provider. At first glance, these kinds of observations can be quite tricky to detect during your average commercial. That's because they tend to broadcast the information being delivered in fast pace, while carefully delivering entertainment to their vast audiences.

You are what you think

Greetings and welcome to my very first blog post!

To be honest, I’ve always pictured my first blog as being a bit more exciting than a presentation of myself based on a school assignment. But hey, this will have to do.
Now how about we take a trip down memory lane. I was born and spent my entire childhood in  Nairobi, Kenya. I moved to New York City about 5 years ago, and let's just say that referring to these two cultures as "different" would be a massive understatement. 
As our entire student body is aware, we've been exclusively accepted to be a part of the IB Program as of this year. An educational system that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher teaching. And as we often forget how fortunate we are as students, being the first class in Lyceum Kennedy history to graduate from the IB Program is an honor in itself. My dreams for this year is to therefor surpass every challenge that will present itself, to make myself proud in ways that I could only ever dream of. 
As a child, all I've ever wanted to do was help. People, animals, our ecosystem, you name it. That's what happens when you grow up in a developing country. And although I haven't quite figured out what is it I want to be in the future, I know that I'll be happy. I know that I'll be waking up with a smile on my face every single morning, knowing that I'm doing something that I truly love. That much I can promise myself. 
Now call it a cliché, but as your typical self-conscious teenage girl, I probably don't care about myself as much as I should. And after all, we seem to be living in a extremist country when it comes to our judgmental society these days. My family and friends mean more than the world to me. My interests include astrology, comfy sweaters, philosophy, iced coffee, reading and social media. Genetically, I identify myself through my parents as well as my homeland. My mom is part French, part Swiss and my dad is Sudanese. English was my mother tongue, and although I've been surrounded by either french or african accents during the first 10 years of my life, I was always that peculiar kid in my class who sounded like Hannah Montana. 
I've never been personally invested in my father's culture the same way I've been with my mothers. You see, when it comes to my mom, I feel as though she's given me everything she could personally offer from her culture. She always made sure that my brother and I became  fluent by sending us to french speaking schools. We often visit relatives in Europe. I've been going to my grandparent's house since I was a baby. I've played on the same farm and walked the same streets my mom did as a child.
I find it very sad to think that I've never been to Sudan. I've never visited my fathers home, his environment, his roots, everything that made him into the person he is today. I don't fluently speak Arabic nor have I ever met his parents. In some ways it feels like a small part of me is missing, like I've somehow been robbed of my cultural heritage. 
Language plays a critical role in my life, and I have my parents to thank for that. Their stories inspire me everyday, they both worked hard and sacrificed for what they love. My father was a surgical doctor before he entered a mid-life crisis and switched to politics. At 18 my mom had decided to run as far away as she could from her small home town in Switzerland, out of fear of conformity. Before traveling the world, she lived in England for a year in order to learn english. Everyone talked, criticized, and judged. By the time she was 25, her parents had told her that she was mentally insane for getting engaged to a Sudanese man and settling in Africa, instead of marrying a Swiss banker when she had finished school and becoming an early housewife. Gosh, isn't it crazy to thing that I never would have existed, had she not followed her dream and instead accepted the destiny everyone else decided she was meant to have? 
When I grow up I want to follow in my mother's footsteps (well, at least most of them) I want to travel to countries I've never seen. I want to learn Arabic and pay a well deserved visit to Sudan. I want to breath in and experience every culture I can possibly grasp, because without it humanity would be nothing but a blank. It is the very art of human intellectual achievement, as culture represents every aspect, language, religion and custom ever created. It's a powerful thought, and a mind-blowing realization.