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The Language Works ~ Journal Entries ~ Spencer 1 |
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S1~2: Parents, Grand Parents, Food, and Memories
"My grandma died when I was a kid… And those of you who know me
know that I'm on the "look out" for another one. Somebody's, anybody's grandma
to cook for me and make me feel everything's gonna be OK."
Many people don’t recall memories with their grandparents, but you will recall memories with your parents...
Anthony Bourdain: Southern Italy Episode 8 Season 10 (Parts Unknown) (31:30)
1) Have you had any similar experiences with your parents or grandparents? Please tell your story.
2) When you are in "the kitchen" preparing food, do you allow others "in" to help you? When or Why not?
3) What did your mother and father (including grandparents) make or do for you (food, activity, etc.)?
4) Is there anything that you eat that brings back memories? Which meal was best as you were growing up? Tell.
5) Can family members be close friends? Which friends or family members help you in difficult times? Explain.
6) Do you miss someone who has left your life or passed away? What memories do you have of them? Can you share?
7) Are there any stories you can share about your youth (good and bad)? Why are they important to you?
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S1~3: Oranges and Borrowed Language
Most oranges are orange and there are more than 400 varieties grown around the world. Each type is unique. Take a look at this website and tell what you think: https://www.purewow.com/food/types-of-oranges
"Borrowed language" is a concept that can describe a word or multiple words borrowed from another language. This refers to the broader process where a language incorporates words, phrases, or even grammatical structures from another language. On a deeper level, English has borrowed heavily from French, Latin, and other languages resulting in a rich vocabulary.
The Chinese term "Mandarin" was adopted (borrowed) by the French to describe the orange fruit. Mandarin is a form of the Chinese language itself. It is spoken by 70% of the Chinese people today. Further, the word "tangerine" was originally an adjective pertaining to Tangier in Morocco. And again, there is a type of orange related to a specific type and location like the "Florida navel". In addition, loanwords (one word) can be contrasted with borrowed language (more than one word). Consider that loanwords = one word (sushi) while borrowed language = phrases, compound nouns, and other such multiple word forms (Bottoms up!).
The idea of borrowed language is an important and colorful addition to any form of communication. English is flexible. There’s no need to split hairs. Maybe it’s important to agree to disagree and move on in matters of borrowed language...
1) In general, how do you think the first languages evolved? (birds, monkeys, nature) Use your imagination. 2) Where do you think your native language came from? Near or far? Another country? From religion? Tell. 3) Do you really care about naming food (or anything) exactly as you think they are? Why? What made you think this way? 4) What loan words would you change if you could? (like spaghetti could be just “getty”) If so, what would it be? 5) In your day-to-day life do you often think about language (your own or others) ? Why or why not? 6) If you owned an orange farm with a restaurant, what menu would you make? Be specific. 7) Have you ever dreamed of food? Of oranges? Of cake? Of buffet? Of any food? Why do you think so? Explain...
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S1~5: Democracy and Billionaires
We can’t speak about democracy without talking about the extreme rich and the extreme poor. The "haves and the have-nots" in social media would have us "educated" about the pets of the rich and famous or other pop media rather than unemployment, homelessness, minimum-wage jobs, and a failing heath system. OK… If you are a wealthy person, you may be yawning just now. In the inauguration of Trump, there were a number of billionaires socializing in the limelight: 1) Elon Musk (460 Billion) 2) Jeff Bezos (250 Billion) 3) Mark Zuckerberg ( 220 Billion) The oligarchy = a small group of wealthy people controlling smaller groups of their population Common Folk = often living from month to month on meager salaries/wages/hourly pay Maybe Andrew Carnegie would have something to say… But it’s a dog eat dog world… or is it?
1) Do you think "American" (the USA) democracy deserves its name? Is it changing? What is MAGA? Explain. 2) Is there an oligarchy in the USA or in your country? What do you call it? How much power do they have? Explain. 3) Are you a fan of Elon Musk? What has he done to elevate humanity? What are his positive points? Any negative? 4) Do you ever use Amazon.com? What do you buy online? Are products less expensive? How/Why? 5) How do social media companies make their profits? Is it all advertising? Is it a service you enjoy? Explain it? 6) Tell about your good and bad or strange and funny experiences using social media (Facebook, TicToc, etc.). Explain. 7) What kind of things do the extreme rich do for entertainment? What about the extreme poor? What about you? |
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© COPYRIGHT The Language Works and its licensors 2006 ~ 3025. All rights reserved. |
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S1~1: How to Make a Journal Entry (Click underlined words for links)
Writing a journal for English study, in my opinion, is essential. You can see it as a reflection of your inner speech.
Yet, each person has his or her own style: clothing, food, personality, friends, life choices, everything…
So journal writing is the same. People are unique. Your journal will reflect this and the process should be celebrated:
how about a cocktail or just a walk in the park. Brainstorm and jot down ideas and words. Don’t think about grammar
or spelling nor punctuation nor format. Make a paragraph or two. The important thing is that you enjoy it. So write.
1) Does writing (in your own language) come easy to you? Do you have any qualms about writing? Tell.
2) What subjects are you interested in? What do you want to learn about? Explain.
3) Is there anyone in your family or perhaps a friend that has a "knack" for writing? Explain.
4) Do you have any favorite writers, poets, essayists, playwrights, or directors? Tell.
5) Can you name a play written by Shakespeare? What is it about? Tell.
6) How do you think television dramas are written? Do you think writers collaborate or create them themselves?
7) Do you think it’s possible for an AI (Artificial Intelligence) program to write a best-selling novel or poetry? Explain.
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~ TLW ~ Short Essays ~ Let's Discuss ~ Group One ~ |
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S1~4: Greenland vs Graceland: A Comparative Study
Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is the largest of three constituent parts of the kingdom, the other two being metropolitan Denmark and the Faroe Islands; the citizens of all territories are full citizens of Denmark. With the melting of the ice due to global warming, its abundance of mineral wealth has taken the interest of the Trump administration in the USA. There has also been speculation that its strategic position between Europe, North America, and the Arctic zone has significance. But it’s doubtful that Greenland is of such great interest to China and Russia on such a level since there are global checks and balances to preserve the sovereignty of free nations. It’s possible to suggest Greenland is a "goldmine" in this day and age of rare-earth elements (REE) necessary for many products based on technology.
Graceland is a mansion on a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, once owned by American singer Elvis Presley. It has nothing to do with Greenland. Maybe Graceland has little value beyond the forests lingering here and there. On the other hand, It is a mecca for tourism. Therefore, there is a certain kind of "goldmine" in that respect. The comparison is by opposition. People want resources from Greenland, but people want memories from Graceland. One can easily recognize the difference. The former emphasizes greed and profit. The latter, an illusion of the past (and maybe greed and profit as well). Making these somewhat random comparisons can illuminate the place we find ourselves in history.
1) Is it ethical (or even legal) for one country to buy another country? How does Greenland react to such attempts? 2) Why does "melting ice" have anything to do with an "abundance of mineral wealth"? Explain. 3) Why are rare-earth elements necessary for tech development? What are the negative sides to mining them? 4) Why is Greenland "strategic" in the present world? Are there any other such strategic countries/places in the world? 5) Do you like Elvis Presley? What comes to mind when you think about early rock and roll? Tell. 6) Have you or would you ever want to travel to Graceland or any other person’s home after they have passed? 7) How would you explain the enthusiasm for young artists especially on the pop scene? Who are such fans? Explain. |
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Contents:
1) How to Make a Journal Entry
2) Parents, Grand Parents, Food, and Memories
3) Oranges and Borrowed Language
4) Greenland vs Graceland: A Comparative Study
5) Democracy and Billionaires |
