Commonplacing

Nov 10

“[E]mbracing an interest in the learning of a second language doesn’t weaken a society but rather strengthens it. It doesn’t go against national unity and identity as is argued in some ethnocentric political circles by shortsighted cronies.” Francisco Marmolejo, “Deficiency in Foreign Language Competency: What Is Wrong with the U.S. Educational System?,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 9, 2010.

Nov 12

“Everything one needs to know to use the language clearly, correctly, and even stylishly is available in thousands of places, often free and rarely at a price of more than a few dollars. The nation is full of secondhand bookshops where $15 will get a used dictionary, an old copy of The Elements of Style, and a grammar handbook. Learning to write and speak clear, standard English is mostly a question of will. Some subjects require face-to-face instruction from an expert and hands-on practice under expert supervision. But when the subject is one’s own language, ignorance is a choice.” Art Scheck, “Old Books, Old Stories,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Nov. 12, 2009.

“There must be no arbitrariness in what is said. This matters above everything. If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language is not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried to success.” Confucius, quoted in Andrew Higgins and Anne E. Kornblut, “Ties that bind, and labels to keep in mind,” Washington Post Nov. 12, 2009, p. A10.

Jun 2

“… It is not the literal past, the ‘facts’ of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.” Brian Friel, Translations (London: Faber and Faber, 1981), 88.

I sometimes use this play in my history class to talk about language, memory, culture, and history. Here the drunken character Hugh, a hedge school teacher, sums up one of the more important points of the play.

The publisher changed the pagination without changing the edition, so the page number might be off for earlier printings of this play.

May 26

“Like a membranous barrier, type excluded them from the world of meaning.” Ken Kalfus, The Commissariat of Enlightenment (Harper Ecco 2004), 170

In reference to the comprehension semi-literate peasants had of words and names in print, even when they were able to put sounds to the letters.

Commonplacing

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