letter to the editor

To whomever it may concern. In light of resent discussions concerning the so-called death of standard English, I am writing this to reflect my opinions and knowledge on the matter. The idea of a correct and wrong form of speech is absurd, language is always evolving just as human civilization is. It was no more than 400 years ago that building a ship of steel was only illusions seen by mad men and only 20 years ago that teachers informed students they would never carry a calculator in the pocket. Ask yourself, do you honestly believe that you are right, and all others are wrong?

What, if anything, makes good English. If its speaking and writing like a sophisticated high-ranking powerful lord from the early 19^th century then I certainly don’t wish to be good at it. This isn’t the 1800s. we have commercial airplanes, powerful computers at our disposal for every need and freedom of speech. No one can say that what you say is wrong. Civilization was built communication and grew as language did. It is form of connection between people, and a connection is not something you can call incorrect! The idea is outrageous. Speech was made to join people, there was no right or wrong. Telling someone that their word for an item is incorrect would be saying their language doesn’t exist. In the end it comes down to who fuses about it, you’ll be fighting a losing battle trying to make your speech the only correct one. This is just another barrier, no matter how much you try you can’t choose what others say and write.

Yale shouldn’t be concerned with the change in the language used. It is a simple change, and change seems to be advocated a lot. People should not concern themselves with the change that affects others. If they are contempt of modern speech, then they should shouldn’t use language that is a result. The language changed for effectiveness, if someone read an English book from the 8^th century they wouldn’t understand any of it. However, that is proper English. The version that is used now is also a result of change. Realistically we should embrace the birth of the new proper English as it will change again in 40 years. When all the living are a hundred they will complain the youth doesn’t use our slang anymore, instead they will have their own language.

The language of silence

You cannot speak a language which cannot be heard. It’s a short simple statement yet, it sounds surreal. Try it, try to teach a new word to a person without saying the word. They might guess the “correct” pronunciation, but what makes your version correct. I am impressed. Some people can draw a whole language in the air with their hands and others can reply just the same.

I don’t remember the first time I met my cousin, he was 10 years older than myself, adopted, and he was born deaf. The oldest memory I have of him is when I was 5. I don’t remember the occasion or how he looked then, but I remember that I was excited to see my cousin Emil, who was deaf. I walked outside looking for anything that wasn’t talk between the boring adults, eventually I found my cousin Emma. She was Emil’s younger sister, 4 years younger than me and adopted, but not from the same country as Emil. I talked to her for a long time, she was always good with kids, then I found myself inside the house again sitting on a sofa upstairs across from Emil. At the time I didn’t know what he looked like so didn’t know it was him. I smiled and asked politely what his name was. Emma laughed and asked me if I didn’t remember my cousin Emil. She moved her hands, and suddenly Emil looked at and chuckled with a small smile. I was baffled. My young self, thought that someone who was deaf could not understand any language. I didn’t ask into the language, I think that at the time I just openly excepted the existences of the language without asking questions. Instead I ask Emma how to ask for someone’s age. I forget the signs as quickly as I learned them however I was successful in asking for Emil’s age. He was 16.

The next week in school all I could talk about was my cousin who was deaf. Looking back, it seems immoral to use a person’s disability to boast your own popularity. I didn’t really use it for that. I was just intrigued at the existence of a language that didn’t need a voice. I puzzled myself with many questions, can I create my own language? Are there languages that don’t use your hands or voice? I was captivated. Back then I didn’t think very critically towards it, however I remember telling my parents that I know more about the world. I believed that knowing the existence of a new language improved my knowledge. I can talk to more people is what I told myself. Of course, I never learned the language, but I believe that it broadens my acceptance to other people. It doesn’t mean that I accept you as a good person. It just means that I hate you a little less from the beginning.

reasons to despise school

I always scout new ways to despise school systems. Most people I know, that know me, say that I am extremely pessimistic. Whether it’s uniforms, being taught useless information, or teachers being selfish and irrational, I always sniff it out.

Recently, due to reading for my English lessons, I have discovered another factor. Even though it is as much cultural, as it is the schools, I will focus on the school part. Teachers, students and even the subjects themselves shove you into, nice, little boxes. You shall be an engineer, because you’re good at math’s. Another shall be a teacher, because they average in most subjects. Students with east-Asian ethnicity, are stereotyped into mathematical subjects. Those with below-average grades, become recommended as “hard working laborers”. While there is nothing wrong with this, and it might be true, I don’t acknowledge that students’ futures are decided within 6-8 years of their first class. From the first bell they are taught how to neatly follow orders, and flow into the community. Its also been proven that students who wear uniforms, question new “orders” less. You must conform to the system, so you can be placed in a nice, little box. I have dubbed them, the dream killing boxes.

Obviously its vital you concentrate, towards what you excel at and hone those skills. However, that shouldn’t shadow your desires and passion. When my aunt was 16, she needed to select her future. 5 out of 6 of her teachers, told her to become an engineer, due to her skills in mathematics. The final professor told her to choose whatever she wanted, which was to become a midwife. She was told it was impossible, by her peers, teachers, and her mother. Now she has been working as a midwife for 7 years. She did it, because she wanted to, but also to prove everyone wrong. It required 3 additional years of studying, along with community and service work, but she was accepted. Of course, it’s different for all countries, but I’m focusing on school and human rights of choice.

Personally, I believe the school shouldn’t advise students towards future workplaces. I respect the efforts to hone the students’ talents, and to provide insight to the modern world. However, students must decide their passion themselves. Some say they should wake up to the real world. I refrain from caring. But if I must provide a slither of positiveness. It would be, to let them dream outside the box a little longer.

who am I?

Newton's first law of motion states that in object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by

an external force. in a way I would say that, I haven't felt this force yet. I spent most of my childhood

in a city called Esbjerg, in Denmark. Growing up I always switched schools due to my strengths and

weaknesses. I started in a special language school because my speech was terrible, I jumped directly

into grade from kg thanks to my math skills, and finally I did 6 years in Abu Dhabi until I went back

to boarding school in Denmark. I have always looked at language as something that has barriers. My

cousin, who is 25, was born deaf and I could almost never communicate with him, however we still

played games together and had a lot of fun. Looking at my experiences I see great value in studying

language. Communication was the base at which society was built and so, I want to know more…