ABRACADABRA

 ABRACADABRA

I am no conjurer nor do I intend becoming one. Still, such tongue-twisting labels become favourites of students of Biology for naming their Biology teachers; Students are baffled by liberal use of such terms in Biology ; they tend to believe that the teachers are intent on baffling. If properly laid out , Biology is among the most fascinating branches of knowledge by virtue of the innate ‘design’ of structures ‘formulated by the creator or Nature’, conceiving the probability of immense potential essential for survival. As one keeps getting into the deep corridors of the subject more awe and admiration for Nature’s ‘forethought’ keeps amplifying by the hour. Yet, almost till date Biology is looked down upon as a segment with ‘nothing to learn by effort’, as there are no  formulae  to derive or equations to solve. Honestly, such formulae and equations unfold before us when we try interpreting a range of biochemical interactions, by-products, metabolites [substances derived from usable matter] and their value to humans. On the face of it Biology is dubbed as an exercise of memorizing names/ terms/ spelling and drawing diagrams –as a mundane duty of learning.   Somewhere along the line such an impression has set in and keeps many minds and brains from venturing into Biology. If my contention needs proof, may I draw attention to the fact that several students and parents deem it fit to opt for Biotechnology course in Engineering institutes. The ‘bait’ for them is the term ‘technology’ though tagged to the ‘untouchable’ biology.  The honesty of truth should alert us that with no strong foundation in the domains  of Physiology in Biological systems, any technology would just be a claim; it cannot obviously help the cause of Biotechnology as the very purpose of this branch of knowledge  aims at alleviating human suffering by evolving the most tangible solutions without the attendant ‘side-effects’. The ‘euphoria’ for technology has swallowed the ability to delineate urgency from accuracy or precision in knowledge. Leaving aside such social malady of our times, let us revert to ‘ABRACADABRA’ –the title of this write –up. Why I chose this title needs explanation. The title is a magician’s expression before performing any magic [ಮಾಟ ಮಂತ್ರ ಲಿಪಿ= Kannada சூ மந்திரக்காளி=Tamil , മാന്ത്രികപദം=MALAYALAM  మాంత్రికుని మంత్రం TELUGU,

As such, the word appears new and seems to wield some mystic power which helps the magician to carry the audience. Also, the students in I B.Sc [Biology] see a magician like behaviour of biology teachers who utter such terms effortlessly and keep students on tenterhooks by unabated leashing of terminology. Unlike ‘abracadabra’ of the magician, terms in biology are rich in meaning and are judiciously coined for precision.

The nightmare gripping the student is almost the handiwork of injudicious teachers who never explain the meaning / significance of such terms. Instead they bulldoze statements with very little concern for the learner. It is traceable to the impoverished communication skills of teachers who have no skill or inclination for ‘paraphrasing’ statements to help the student grasp the idea. Indirectly, it also suggests that such teachers are not adept in ‘deciphering’ technical terms by appropriate identification of components therein to derive the intended meaning. Instead, they perform ‘parrot repeats’ without making ideas easier for grasp and remembering. Ideas not well understood promote traits of fierce memorizing and senseless repeat of terms in examinations. If terms are well explained on the first occasion of their usage, learning turns simpler and delightful. Teachers of low skills take oppressive postures causing both fear and disdain among learners.

It is quite puzzling that if Biology has an abracadabra –type language the same should apply to Law since the latter too makes use of terms framed in Gk or Latin. I am not aware of any murmur about Law terms or their rigidity in functional application. Commonly we find terms  “Suo motu”, “Sine die”, prorogued, “Fait accompli”, “Mutatis mutandis”, “ex-parte” and so on. The sanctity of law seems to sustain itself from the strength of rigidity that goes with the ‘legal parlance” Same is the need and validity for technical terms in Biology. Any teaching to be worthy, ought to stick to the moral duty of appropriate clarity and instant explanations of terms, making the exercise of learning free from anxieties / uncertainties. I hope the ‘ABRACADABRA’ is relevant only for the magician and not for any sensible learning. How could Biology be any different?

Prof. K. Raman      

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