Flexibility of American language

 

Language is created by the people, not something sternly and harshly imposed on them (unless they are a conquered people like the American Indians) ... People try to communicate with one another expressing their individuality and personality, their learned behaviors, and their point of view so as to influence or give feedback their understanding with one another.

 

Rules and syntax of language, its grammar and its origins are fine up to a point, but should never take precedent over the person's right to communicate as a free and valuable input to the total voice being heard by the participants.

 

The American language differs greatly from the English language is the amount of freedom afforded its user in using native language and dialects.  I love the country folks' idioms and ways of communicating surely and simply with no pretense or artificiality.

 

I learned a new word today expanding my vocabulary and one that emphasizes a flexibility in American language that I have not yet explored ... I like creating new words .... "outsane" .... "clutterly" ... LOL well here is a whole new way to be creative with your American language. Have you ever used tmesis? The spell checker doesn't recognize it as a word .... (discrimination and prejudice at work, LOL)... It is a new challenge to think of an example yourself. The American language is the spirit of spontaneity and the essence of life itself, natural. ... Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! ... goes the WONDERFUL song lyrics ... then, oh it is so atrocious! You will always sound precocious  ... LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg6vc66foXE  (video of song and Disney super star, Julie Andrews, singing spiritedly)

 

tmesis

PRONUNCIATION:

(tuh-MEE-sis, TMEE-sis)

MEANING:

noun: Stuffing a word into the middle of another word.
     Examples: a-whole-nother, abso-bloody-lutely.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek tmesis (a cutting), from temnein (to cut). Ultimately from the Indo-European root tem- (to cut), which is also the source of tonsure, temple, contemplate, epitome, tome, anatomy, and atomy. First recorded use: 1586.

USAGE:

"I don't like tmesis; it's abso-bloody-lutely ri-flipping-diculous."
Gazza's Decline is a Sad Waste of Talent; Daily Star (London, UK); Oct 25, 2010.

 

 

Thought for Today .... Influence ...

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." (Oscar Wilde)  "Be selective about your external influences." (Brian Tracy)

Esoterica: Excessive influence, even from the work of others in art magazines or books, can lead to malfunctions of the creative spirit. Fen Lansdowne, the brilliant and widely-published bird painter who recently passed away, suffered from a lifelong malady called "The Imposter Syndrome." Comparing himself to others sent Fen into a dark and angry funk that sometimes lasted weeks. When he figured out the cure, it was pretty straightforward: Watch birds. Do drawings. Paint birds.

Fact is, the pursuit of art is a delicate balance between influence and self-assertiveness. As self-realized artists we all have different levels of tolerance for this mystery. Influence is like Scotch; it's good to know your personal limit.

(the above was in an email that artist Robert Genn writes to me daily) ...

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Fw: Writing .... What's It All About

 

I first read something to understand the message ... I do not judge the vocabulary used, the grammar accuracy, spelling or anything other than appreciating the fact that the writer wanted to share their message content with me doing so in their manner, time, and ability to write what they felt worthy of their time to communicate. We all differ in our inclination to write, our education, experience, and ability to write, and our time available to write.

 

Then perhaps I re-read, if time allows and if impressed with the style, imagination, and ability of the writer displayed by what I read, I appreciate the writing more by studying it, perhaps mentally and intellectually assessing it by standards of writing in general or compare it to other works I have read, and in that way, I do learn to improve my own writing, or if possible, ask the writer about what he has written.

 

I am certainly not an accomplished writer although I fortunately have many friends who pride themselves on their authorship, intellectual literacy, and published works. I just simply enjoy writing, but in the past I didn't, not until I learned writing is a great way of sharing something you believe others might want to know or read; it is thoughtfulness, sharing, and also reaching out socially in a way that maybe will increase your circle of friends and self respect. This requires courage because what you write may be obviously achieve the opposite of your intent. However, if it does not accomplish the purpose of your intent then you have not failed because just by writing you do improve your own thinking and may have better results the next time you write. So until the next time, writing, and what's it all about, is an experience in mutual caring, consideration, and communication.

The Ups and Downs in Life

 

 

A friend invited me to go with her and her husband to see a litter of Pekingese and to help her to decide whether or not to buy one of the puppies. They were late arriving, and when they did arrive they explained they had been in a minor car accident; a jeep rear ended them just about a mile from my home.  Accidents are one of the downs in life, having to deal with the insurance claim, the vehicle repairs to the broken tail light and dented bumper with scratches, and upset to plans.  But they were happy nevertheless and we were still going to go look at the 8 week old Pekingese puppies, perhaps just what they wanted and have been searching for. This evening was an up occasion for us.

 

I got in their SUV and we were on the way to Cave Creek, Arizona (North of Phoenix) to possibly select their new Pekingese puppy, it had to be a girl puppy to be a mate for their AKC show quality male, Mofasha. After a short drive on Interstate I-17, then turning off at Care Free Highway, we arrived at a lovely new home. The air was crisp and clean, stars shining brightly in the winter's night sky. The Christmas wreath on the entry door hinted their was happiness in the home within.

 

We were welcomed by Chris and her family.  A Christmas tree with lights twinkled through the front window and holiday decorations, some still in boxes, seasonally added to our warm welcome. It was the most unusual home I have ever seen.  We entered into the front hall with a living room at street level and 8 or so steps leading up to the dining room and kitchen where the Pekingese puppies/parents were .... once in the kitchen you go down about 10 steps to a lower level family room or 10 steps up to the bedrooms and bath area (2 cats were sitting on the stairway looking at us quizzically).  The kitchen had an open balcony overlooking the family room with fireplace below and from elevated kitchen level and dining room, an open balcony looks down to the living room where we had entered.This home had more ups and downs than any I had ever visited before. Chris works for Farmers Insurance Agency, and I am sure she works with customers, their life's ups and downs daily.

 

Jeri and her husband were jubilant and immediately knew they had found their Pekingese puppy plus we were very surprised to learn Chris had another litter of 5 Pekingese puppies only 5 days old and there was one female in that litter also.  Jeri joyfully put a deposit on that one too so now we were all up, smiling, and satisfied with 2 new Pekingese puppies selected.  Chris showed us their pedigrees, we could see the puppies parents were exceptional in every way, and Jeri got the necessary AKC application registration papers after paying Chris for her new puppy. We said thank you, said our goodbyes then left with the warm new puppy cradled in Jeri's hands.

 

Safely returning to my home, I invited Jeri in to give her some puppy biscuits, an exercise gate to make a safe area for the new puppy, and some training pads. She looked at my Pekingese and held the one new expectant Mother soon to have a litter of Pekingese puppies just in time for Christmas, the same Mother of her male Pekingese, Mofasha, born last year.  We hugged one another and said goodbye.  Tonight was an up time in our lives and memories are made up of moments like these.

 

I laid down to go to sleep and did so quickly.  It had been a long day.  The next morning I thought about how many up and downs there are in our life just like the up and down stairs in Chris's many levels home.  The next time you are down, look for the stairs leading up.

 

 

 

 

IMAGINATION

 

I was watching an old Turner Classic Movie on my Cox cable high definition TV a few days ago ... "Miracle on 34th Street" where Santa Claus is teaching a young girl the art of imagination which she was never allowed to develop because her Mother didn't believe that was good and her child would grow up indulging in fantasies rather than functioning realistically ... Her Mother also didn't allow her to believe in Santa Claus and told her that it was only a myth (not allowing the young girl to be a child and play as others normally play)....Well the story is about this elderly man who allegedly is Santa Claus who is given a psychiatric exam and about to be fired as a dangerous maniac threat and instead teaches all the meaning of Christmas and of love.

 

In trying to explain imagination to the young girl, Santa explained that it was a nation.... just like the French Nation, the United Nations, or other nations in the world.... Imagine..Nation.  Imagination is a place where anything is possible, where dreams are made, and where you can explore and discover all you ever wanted to experience and be.  That is not the exact script but vaguely what he said to her so to start he had her pretend to be a monkey and she said "I don't know how to be a monkey" LOL That movie mixes hope with human desire for something to be true or the emotional need to believe against all reason which says it is can not be with elements of reality's realism in such a way it does underscore the value of imagination in our lives.. creativity and imagination .... a wonderful classic movie.  So when someone says you might as well believe in Santa Claus .... well, I still do.... and so does the rest of the world it seems. St. Nicholas ... AKA Chris Kringle ... etc and if someone thinks there is no Santa Claus, he might just prove them wrong this Christmas!

 

Clutter ... the Concept, the Condition, and the Cause

My persistent failing is too much clutter .... in everything I do.... so the quote below I need to take to heart and try to reduce my tendencies to clutter ...

"

Clutter.

In art, it's often what you take out, not what you put in. As a general rule, artists need to smile on simplicity and frown on the extraneous.

"

Clutter quote above would apply to home interior spaces, outdoor landscaping, writing prose or poetry, or dressing yourself to step out for that special event .... It even affects how you do your grocery shopping and how you eat.  Clutter takes control gradually until there you are captive in its clutter clutches!

Clutter is not only a concept but a state of mind.  My mind usually is filled to overflowing.  When I make a pot of soup I always fill the pot too full because my mind wants to continue to add interesting other ingredients. Clutter collects in closets, then in garages, and then the whole house room by room.  

My glass is never half empty or half full .... it is overflowing LOL .... Clutter is crazy .... clutter threatens and overtakes your sanity .... that is why asylums and hospitals are clean, sparsely furnished or not at all (you may just have a cell with four walls and not even a suitable toilet or sink facility .... but it is very therapeutic... your mind now unloads its state of confused chaotic clutter).  Zen and other meditation focuses on getting rid of mental and environment clutter with positive improvement to your spirit, mind, and body. 

Clutter is also how you manage or fail to manage your time .... work alcoholics' ( sufferers of obsessive/compulsive clutter disorder) fail to give necessary space and balance to their work and activities .. they are always VERY BUSY!  "Don't bother me .... I am busy!!!" .... They are too busy for their families, too busy for anything except thinking about their work.... needless to say they have a high divorce rate. 

Clutter seems to be more of a country charm thing than an urban sophisticate problem.  Clutter also seems to correlate with income level.  The poorer your are the less space you can afford for your "valuables" so they get crowded together.  The homeless always seem to push their grocery cart along the street piled high and overflowing with their possessions. If you are poor, whatever you have is a valuable possession and hard to replace plus you tend to receive things others didn't want and gave to you and it  is rude to not value their generosity. The richer you are the more empty your elite estates are perhaps because they have housekeepers who dislike doing the work it takes to clean a lot of accessories or a lot of furniture to move.  The rich are always away a lot traveling and socializing.  They consider the world their own to enjoy via their private jets and alternate residences.  They have learned to travel lightly. Collectors may also succumb to the dreaded clutter disorder because they don't seem to ever have enough in their collection.

Clutter is so common. Those afflicted with the big "C+"  have lots of company who share their same "C+" condition and problem. Being too materialistic, too sentimental, or too afraid to throw anything way, give it away, thinking you might one day need it are symptoms of the "C+" clutter-out-of-control unbalanced person.  Clutter is acquired and learned sometimes as a young child influenced to become similarly afflicted because that is how your family or favorite relative chose to live and maybe had their reasons for their exhibiting clutter in their home, their life, and their environment. As a child you saw nothing wrong with the cluttered mind, life, or lifestyle environment.  It was messy enough to be happy and clean enough to be healthy ..... it was filled with interesting things to see, play with, and enjoy.You learned full was a good thing, and empty a sad thing.

Well, now, I confess.  I am an incurable, clutterly insane, "C+" person.  But I'm happy... because that is the way I have always been and see no reason to change at my age.  But you should change if you believe clutter is bad for the many reasons I have given above.  Change is good, healthy, and helps you improve your life. If you change then perhaps I will too!

Grammar anyone? Language and Communication

In grammar, inflection or inflexion is the modification of a word to express different grammatical categories such as tense, grammatical mood, grammatical voice, aspect, person, number, gender and case. Conjugation is the inflection of verbs; declension is the inflection of nouns, adjectives and pronouns.

Acquiring a language as part of childhood development is an amazing feat yet one that almost all children learn at a very young age then the remaining school years teach the proper use of that language, its grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. 

English is said to be a very difficult language. TalMK has members whose native language is not English and yet they have communication competency and are able to speak and write English as well as other languages .... being bi-lingual or multi-lingual is becoming more common in America especially true for those now in kindergarten. 

One does not have to master any given language before learning foreign languages.... I didn't.  I still lack English language skills, but I did study the Russian and Chinese languages... Computer programming requires learning languages for that occupation.

Silent nonverbal communication is yet another language skill. Language is a concept?  Language is an idea and reflects the culture and customs of people who crafted their language. What do you think is the language of the future? What is the philosophy of it? Who will attempt to control it?  The computer is transitioning us to a new non-personal and safer way of interfacing with one another via the various social media choices and transacting business.  The visceral physical self is not present in communication with others .... less chance of infection? less need for language inflection? The interactive, integrated computer/communications/mass media now as one new direction defining language of the future?

A picture is a fact.
Ludwig Wittgenstein ........ and that is a fact!

http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/7/53/1647.abstract

As indicated early by Charles Darwin, languages behave and change very much like living species. They display high diversity, differentiate in space and time, emerge and disappear. ....... The similarities between observed and predicted patterns indicate that an ecological theory of language is emerging, supporting (on a quantitative basis) its ecological nature, although key differences are also present.

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