November 2024 Vol 6 Issue 11
Tell Your Story Newsletter (TYSN):
Teaching English as a Second Language
Let us help you tell your story!
Welcome Mid-November 2024!
November seemed to sneak in my back door, prior to this issue, bringing with it several days of overcast skies and brisk winds . . . . But since then, much of the first half of this month has more frequently seen days of above-seasonal warmth and sunshine. November has often felt like September and has thereby earned our collective gratitude for deferring seasonal snow and cold.
Since mid-October, Saskatchewanians’ emotions have run high, due to the Provincial election; today’s Municipal election; and a Federal one to follow (date TBA). If these weren’t sufficiently engrossing, social and traditional media have been abuzz over the extremity of the US election and all of the negative global implications it brings.
And yet, Canada remains a democracy where we defend a just rule-of-law, despite the incursions of bullies and their increasing authoritarianism in our world.
In “Article One” this issue, we return to language issues. I summarize a blog posting of trilingual Canadian, Alexandre Chemla, on the advantages and disadvantages of having a “global language” (i.e. English).
In these challenging times, the status of the English language does not seem to be threatened. But what are the implications of its dominant status? What have we gained—and lost—as users of English, worldwide?
In “Storytellers’ Corner,” as the year winds down, I visit an official (and a second, unofficial) word of the year (2024).
Have you heard of these? And what other words have developed in the English vocabulary throughout the past 12 months? That segment provides some answers.
And in “Shop News,” I return to the popular feature of “Entrepreneur of the Month” (this month: editor, Dawn Loewen) and find new organizations and people to thank in my multifaceted career.
If you’re feeling troubled by the “news,” good readers, I remind you of a meme that recently circulated on social media. It quotes The Talmud and was used by US Vice President Kamala Harris in her recent concession speech:
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now.
Love mercy now.
Walk humbly now.
You are not obligated to complete the work,
but neither are you free to abandon it.”
As we approach the final month of 2024, may you also continue resolutely with your work, and with the witness it bears to the justice, mercy and humility that still flourish in our community–and beyond.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Principal,
Storytelling Communications
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IN THIS ISSUE:
ARTICLE ONE: What are some (dis)advantages of having a global language? Alexandre Chemla weighs in
STORYTELLERS’ CORNER: What is the word of the year for 2024?
SHOP NEWS
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Article One: What are the (dis)advantages of having a global language? Canadian Alexandre Chemla weighs in . . .
On the Government of Canada’s Language Portal and under its “Our Languages” blog, I recently read a posting by Alexandre Chemla, a trilingual (now former-) student at the U of Ottawa who studied environmental studies (in both the English and French languages). Chemla values languages that connect him to his family history–that is, both French and Italian.
He presents two clear advantages and two clear disadvantages in learning and using a “global language,” like English. He recalls that his mother showed him his maternal grandfather’s work card used during the Second World War.
Chemla’s grandfather had left his village in Calabria (S. Italy—incidentally, where friends Steve Cavan and Kathleen James-Cavan have recently retired; but I digress . . .). Chemla’s grandfather sought work elsewhere in Europe. During World War Two, his German work card notably lacked any English translation. It was instead translated into French—the language that then occupied the global position that English now does.
Chemla found himself pondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of having “global” or “universal” languages? This question should matter to anyone who, like me, studies or teaches languages, in general, and English-as-a-Second Language (ESL), in particular.
He observes two advantages:
(i) A global language allows people from different cultures to communicate. Language is the foundation for cultural identity, so having one with global reach enables people to understand each others’ cultures.
As an example, he recalls in the 2010s speaking to an Argentinian university student, after watching a live European football game in Buenos Aires.
English was not the native language of either man. Despite coming from different countries, they could still connect culturally through their ability to speak English.
(ii) A global language facilitates international trade. Chemla acknowledges that “with the rise of globalization and neo-liberalism since the 1970s, wide-scale international trade between different countries has occurred.” This is fairly obvious.
Business transactions require effective and accurate communication. The outcome is opportunities for economic growth on both sides.
By contrast, barriers caused by linguistic differences have been seen and statistically shown to decrease trade between countries.
Chemla also observes two major disadvantages:
(i) The dominance of a language like English has meant that “scientists who access a vast amount of literature from around the world” find challenges in publishing on it, “when they are non-native speakers [and writers] of English.”
Scientists need to clearly communicate “their findings, conclusions and methods,” which isn’t easy when they fail to speak and write idiomatic English.
Chemla writes: “Scientists who want their work to be globally recognized need to attend English conferences or discussions and read English scientific papers.” He cites “The Atlantic” (2015) as assessing that “80% of scientific papers are published in English.”
(ii) The global dominance of one language (i.e. English) threatens minority languages. A BBC article that Chemla cites says that “some 400 languages have become extinct” in the last century (1921-2021). This amounts to “one language every three months.”
The same source says that “50% of all remaining languages will become extinct” in the next century. He asserts that this is worrisome, because “an extinct language means the loss of a unique culture.”
Chemla says that while speakers of a global language may access “greater opportunities for employment, education and overall success,” those gains should not be part of a “takeover of minority languages by a global language.”
He rightly says that having English as our “global language” has both advantages and disadvantages.
What other advantages and disadvantages arise from the domination of a “global language?”
What does it mean that English continues to be the world’s “global language” (and in the context of this blog, of education and entrepreneurship)?
How might the digital language of AI or the languages of billions of Asians (e.g. Mandarin and Hindi) eclipse English? What implications would follow?
And now it’s your turn: when should we start studying other, less dominant (or minority) languages?
And when should we teach them to our children and grandchildren, rather than relying wholly on English and a monolinguistic culture?
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STORYTELLERS’ CORNER . . . . |
STORYTELLERS’ CORNER: Words, Stories, Riddles and Jokes on Writing and Editing . . .
This month: What is the word of the year for 2024?
The American “Collins Dictionary” has declared the word “brat ” to be the 2024 word of the year. The word, adopted by the Anglo-Indian singer, “Charli XCX,” as the name for her sixth album, has been redefined: it means “characterized by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.”
Some other words that have been added to the English language this year follow. (This is not an exhaustive list.) Would you use these in common parlance?
–“Prompt” (verb)—instruction given to an AI program to influence or determine the content it generates. (“There is a job posting on Indeed.com for an AI prompt writer.”)
–“Bed rotting” (noun) – spending many hours in bed during the day, often with snacks or an electronic device, as retreating from activity or stress. (“The teenager celebrated his graduation from high school with a two-day episode of bed rotting.”)
–“Girl dinner” (noun) –an often attractively presented collection of snacks that involve little preparation, such as a small charcuterie enough to provide a meal for one. (“Feminists have queried the use of the term ‘girl dinner’ for a light meal.”)
–“Mid” (adjective) –mediocre or disappointing. (“It turned out to be a mid event, despite all the hoopla and promotion.”)
–“Bussin’” (adjective) – great; wonderful; amazing. (“It was a bussin awards show.”)
–“The ick” (a noun) –a sudden feeling of disgust or dislike, often in response to the actions of someone else. (“Hearing about his exploits gave me the ick.”)
–“Pretty privilege” (noun) – an unearned societal advantage that a person has, by fitting into the beauties of their culture. (“Until she developed cancer, many non-royalists thought Kate Middleton was a figure of pretty privilege“).
–“Barbicore” (noun) – an aesthetic or style featuring playful pink outfits and décor, etc., modelled on the wardrobe of the Barbie doll. (“After raising three young daughters during the last decade, Jean-Paul felt he’d had enough of Barbicore culture.”)
However, I’d like to suggest an alternative “word of the year”–a term stronger than “brat.” It left the digital pen of British dictionary writer, Susie Dent, and dates to the 17th century: “recrudescence.”
“Recrudescence” means “the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve.”
References to Covid and cold and flu season may momentarily come to mind. But for many of us, “recrudescence” refers to the rise and/or return to power of abominable “leaders” like the one south of our border!
Communications newsletters (like this one) generally aim to be politically neutral. Not so, this month!
But based on your friendly comments and social media postings during the past year, I believe Dent’s word may strike a chord with you, good readers.
Just as authoritarian leadership will sadly last longer in our world than just four years, I believe “recrudescence” has staying power!
And now it’s your turn: What do you think of these commonly used words? And what is the word(s) of the year in your house? Please write in; I’d be delighted to hear from you.
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SHOP NEWS:
This month—a return to the popular “Entrepreneur of the month” segment!
Introducing, Dawn Loewen . . . a new recruit to my writers’ group, “Saskatoon Freelancers’ Roundtable.” Here is some of her story:
Dawn is a certified copy editor who has worked in the publishing industry since 1998. She specializes in detail work (copy editing and proofreading), though “copy editing” for her usually includes line editing and even some substantive suggestions, where the brief permits.
Her work spans everything from academic journal articles to fiction, World Bank reports to picture books.
Dawn tries to balance jobs that she says (to be frank) “pay well, but may be less exciting, with book editing, which does not pay well but is almost always fun and rewarding.”
She has worked on close to 200 books to date, in a wide variety of genres.
Lately, Dawn has worked a lot for Greystone Books and Nature Saskatchewan, as well as for self-publishing authors and professors.
She also enjoys a fulfilling collaboration with a local editor who prefers the “big picture” work and trusts her with the finer grades of editing sandpaper.
Dawn came to editing via a nontraditional route, earning a BSc in biology and physical geography from U of S and an MSc in ethnobotany from UVic. She received specific training in the form of editing courses from Simon Fraser (SFU) and elsewhere, countless seminars, and in-house mentoring.
After working for two different publishers, she turned to freelancing in 2004.
To learn more about Dawn, or to discuss your project with her, please visit https://loewenediting.com.
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A very deep “Thank You” goes this month to my church’s parish nurse, Laura Van Loon; and to mentors and advisors, Monica Kreuger, Adele Kulyk and Linda Catton, who have been supportive, when an aging family member of mine has long needed the care of a nursing (long-term care) home.
The advanced senior care system in SK (and beyond) is broken and tough to navigate. But whether over the past five+ years (or just a few weeks), these individuals have become not only trusted mentors but also valued friends.
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And special thanks to the nurses, care aides and communicators of the post-surgical and seniors’ transitional wards at Saskatoon City Hospital. Their kindness toward seniors has been remarkable and gratefully received.
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A hearty thanks goes out this month to “Chris” at Amazon.ca’s headquarters in BC.
Chris processed a return by phone of some seniors’ supplies that were delivered before I could cancel the order.
Most of us small-business owners would much rather shop locally to support each other. For instance, we would frequent Steep Hill Food Coop, instead of Superstore; and “Turning the Tide” instead of Amazon.ca!
But sometimes life circumstances see us needing to use a conglomerate like Amazon, with its capacity to deliver quickly!
Notwithstanding the concerns many of us have about such companies, I remain grateful that Chris stepped up to improve what otherwise was a frustrating day.
Thank you, Chris!
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I’m equally grateful this month for another engaging networking event, provided by the current team at Women Entrepreneurs of SK (WESK).
Last week’s “Open mic” session gave both experienced and newbie entrepreneurs a three-minute opportunity to speak about their businesses and receive feedback from WESK’s team of strategists.
The engagement that resulted was powerful, especially when entrepreneurs had differing experience levels. Recent photos are posted on LinkedIn.)
Thank you to WESK’s team: CEO Miriam Johnson, Jess Paul, Cara Cote, Jenelle Yochim and Michael Betteridge. (And sincere apologies if I missed anyone else on the team that evening.)
There are always new “thank yous” to share and new businesses and entrepreneurs to promote.
But this is a wrap for mid-November!
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