Racial Discrimination

Like it or not, we live on a world that is rapidly increasing its rate of demographic change.  Ever since the Big Bang, there has been movement of sentient life forms (Observed by Charles Darwin) throughout the globe for various reasons, least of which was the mighty dollar … until today (This century).

Being a controversial subject, some would state that human movement has taken place for many centuries, but there has always been areas to easily and conveniently absorb that movement because of relatively small numbers … until today (This century).

The difference, today, is that global transportation enables anyone to move to the other side of the Earth in 24 hours, unlike in the past when cultures would take a generation to move across just one continent.  The result being stagnation of cultures within their own respective continents.

Unfortunately, geologically and environmentally, especially on the African continent, some cultures were dealt a poor hand which impeded a useful civilized development.  These people were black skinned.  Equally, the Indian continent suffered similarly and these people were brown.  Many indigenous peoples were also dark skinned, Australia is one example … America, another.

Today, geologically and especially environmentally, the Earth is experiencing rapid change, affecting, at least those cultures who were dealt the poor hand and, with the spread of electronic communication, they may observe the comfortable life of the white cultures who were dealt valuable aces and jokers. 

Thus, we have a situation of envious black and brown races believing it is their time to move again, but in greater numbers … for the mighty dollar.  They are, now, referred to as migrants; economic, illegal, and refugees.  Black, brown (Coloured) and poor … and usually uninvited.

When I, firstly, thought about writing this post, I had a slightly different subject in mind.  The upside down aspect of white Afrikaner people being killed in South Africa.  People who, I believe, according to the U.N., may not be given refugee status to move with the black and brown races to a safer continent.  Should we also be sympathetic to their plight … or is it a kind of karma.

Please comment.

A Piece Of Cardboard

It happened yesterday, and made getting asleep so very difficult that I had to write about it this morning … to someone.

Leaving the local Superstore, I was confronted by a woman sitting on a low wall looking quite sad.  She was colourfully well-dressed, complete with a hijab, and seemed healthy.  I was surprised, not so much by the Islamic dress, but by a an old piece of cardboard that she was holding tightly in front of her, upon which was written, “I AM POOR GIVE ME MONEY”.  I experienced the proverbial ‘double-take’ … and walked away.

That’s why I had difficulty sleeping — not because of the hijab (known to be worn by some Christians also) but because she was a Muslim and, therefore, without a doubt, a refugee … and ... I walked away.

I needed answers.  Why, on a cold November day, did she need to sit outside the Superstore, apparently ignored by most people?  Why didn’t she visit the local mosque and talk to a charitable imam.  The government gives welfare cheques to all refugees, why is it insufficient (It is greater than my pension)?  Does she have a husband who demands more money?

So many embarrassing questions that need to be addressed.

NB.  It must be noted that, personally, I have some acceptance of Canada’s refugee policies … it is illegal immigrants that make me extremely angry (whatever their ethnic origin).  Just saying.

Education 14 - Linguistics of Foreign Language Teaching

Teaching foreign languages may be considered by some as the prerogative of bilingual teachers.  This assumes (a) bilingualism, and (b) teacher training, but one important qualification is usually forgotten … linguistics.

     Bilingualism - Although a bilingual teacher should be able to teach reading and writing, listening and speaking must be the prerogative of the native language teacher.  This principle is also known for its importance with translators.

     Teacher Training - Knowledge of the subject is, of course, essential, but formal teacher training is crucial.  Registration at teaching colleges should center on graduates of major subjects, with concentration on teaching philosophies and practise.

Thus, from experience, one observes new teachers presenting themselves in front of classes with a teacher trainer hovering, necessarily, in the background.  Difficulties occur when a foreign language is the subject to be taught.  For example, a British teacher teaching English to British students would be a straight forward matter, but the same teacher teaching French to the same students will need additional qualifications and experience.  Equally, a Chinese teacher using English to teach Chinese to Bangladeshi students, a common example, will require even greater experience.

Linguistics, in these, and similar scenarios, is often ignored.  A common problem seen with learning a foreign language is accurate pronunciation in speaking and listening.  British students in London will have some difficulty if taught by a teacher from Edinburgh, and, obviously, Bangladeshi students will have even greater difficulty learning Chinese from a teacher using English as an implement (Even though English is an official language of the country).

Teachers of foreign languages are often unaware of linguistic principles and sometimes use their intuition towards success.  Others, usually, those without training, unfortunately, may develop unfair thoughts about their student's ability.  The answer is both interesting and simple, and therefore, enjoyable.

Linguistics teaches us that our speech varies enormously because of the distances that we live away from each other.  Over long periods of time, we create different words and phrases for the same thing.  Physically, our vocal cords adapt differently, such that one ethnic group is unable to make the ‘th’ sound, and another group will pronounce an ‘f’ as a ‘v’, etc.  Such detail includes those who may have many different words for one item, for example, the word ‘ice’ by the Inuit people, or the absence of the word ‘please' in the Chinese language. 

Such knowledge becomes enjoyable for most of us when it is realized that to overcome these problems we must study, not only the history and culture of the people, but the history and culture of the language.  In fact it is our duty to the students to diligently make this study.  Then, when you, next, face the student with an arm raised to ask the question, “Why are the words ‘meet’ and ‘meat’ spelt differently, but pronounced the same?” you could discuss Germanic origins, etc.  It is probable that listening to William Shakespeare would, then, be enjoyed.