ENGLISH and RUNNING

 ENGLISH and RUNNING

Does the title look bizarre? Sure, for, the topic [English] is such. Yes, the language has the bizarre ‘structuring’ that learners ‘fall’ under two categories – those who fall in love and those who fall by fear. Of late in our country, among learners of English, the second category- [falling by fear] outnumber the former. What do I suggest by ‘of late’? Till about 1970s, those falling in love with English were in significant number. Coming to the caption “English and Running”, the term ‘running ‘indicates the attitude of learner to the language. While some ‘run into’, many ‘run away’ from it. What brings about such a variation among the learners?

The honest answer to the question hinges on ‘how well the nuances of planning the structure’ of statements is taught in the formative days. If not, at least the ‘rudiments’ of the rules of ‘positioning’ the subject, predicate and the use of verb relevant to the tense must be clearly explained to dispel the scope of fear in learners’ mind.  A few teachers cater to the requirement by liberal use of examples and slowly infusing the rules of grammar-working. On the contrary, several teachers try to impose the ‘rule’ of say so or write so without making the learner minds clear of the ‘parts of speech’. Unless such components are laid bare, the language ‘looks bizarre and the learner bewildered’.

How does it work?

Teachers who wish to succeed teaching English at the lowest levels ought to acquire the patience to ‘persuasive’ approach by taking care to repeat words in a slow pace as to help the learner shed inhibition for outright unfamiliar terms. The strategy of imparting ‘knowledge skill’ requires slow input, repeat trials to ensure ‘familiarity’ to the learner. Basically, the element of fear / apprehension emerges from strange voice/ vocabulary steeply complex by pronunciation. Systematic repetition clears the ‘surprise element’ from unfamiliarity. Teachers who lack skills of perseverance try ‘bull -dozing’,  causing frustration for learners. Once the pattern in the alignment and the way of using verbs are learnt by verification with examples, the effect of expression is picked up.  Till such time, patience can help better than aggressive implementation of rules of grammar.

The very planning of nursery rhymes merely rests on the above principle of familiarizing the learner instead of imposing rules of grammar. Though such rhymes may not serve ‘knowledge-building’, they do cater to build rapport between teachers and the taught. Any effort for teaching must consider the feasibility of approach for all its intricacies. The most useful approach is to place self in the slot of ‘learner’ who begins.  It would help our emotional sympathy to learners while tuning our practice of ‘familiarizing’ the language for its words, usage and grammar. Those who have gathered the right nuances run into the core and those who fail to grasp these elements determining the structuring of language choose to run away from it. Either way English learning can make our kids run ← or→.

Prof. K. Raman 

FORGOTTEN SERVICES

 FORGOTTEN SERVICES

As a nation, we have made grand strides in several fronts like housing, transport, health care and communication. Yet, somewhere along the line, small services of such requirements for mending foot wear, Children dress, lead-coating to brass / copper vessels and umbrellas with distorted frame of metals with-in, seem to have vanished into the oblivion. To use an expression from “Biology”, such services were marvelous examples of ‘Commensalism’ where two different organisms exist by mutual help. Honestly, there is a silent demand for such ‘mending services’ in most towns and cities. We have come under the penumbra of social habits which dissuade using ‘repaired’ or corrected items which symbolize poverty.  How much of usable utilities are discarded by the mere importance accorded to ‘social assessment’.  Let us not forget that on all major events of social gatherings like Weddings, we need those mega containers to hold high volume food items without spoilage. Friends may dismiss my contention that these days we get things done by agencies [Wedding contractors] and we need no such vessels. True, but how many of our ancestral vessels are lying unused in our lumber stock or have been dispensed with for a throw-away price of negligible value. Now we cannot hope to buy even a pair of them except by a hefty payment. To keep them unused or part with them for paltry amounts is a colossal injustice.

The vessel upkeep by lead-coating was once a regular routine done at our door steps just on the road edge by digging a hole to hold charcoal; the burning charcoal was ‘fanned’ by blowing air through a mini bellow operated by the person’s wife. Only if the vessel is heated to high temperature lead-coating can be done by spreading a   uniform layer of molten lead swiftly and deftly over the interior of the hot vessel to make the inner surface lead-coated and fit for food storing. In local parlance, the craft was named ‘kalaai smear’ or ‘eeya poochu’ the equivalent of ‘spreading or coating with lead’ A small family of 2 adults and two children , a bellow, lead metal stock, smearing powder[Ammonium chloride] , charcoal and tools to clasp hot vessel were the  kit of the Lead-coating artisan. The culture of using lead-coated vessels has already been given a ‘go-by’ and such families are rare to be seen now-a-days. With Stainless steel  as the most popular domestic utensils, the need for lead coating is a distant dream; naturally the craftsmen have had an unceremonious exit from the avocation. It is hard to locate such service providers even by man hunt.    

CORNER COBBLER

Another working group was that of the Cobbler, who used to sit along footpaths, with fond hopes of someone making use of their services. They prefer to stay at intersections of roads, so as to enhance the scope of picking up more work. As the customer has to wait for completion of work, they select platforms along corners and sit from morning to night. The then cobblers used to mend all defects in footwear, stitch together torn off pieces and carry out patch work to hide defects in soles of footwear/ shoes or replace buckles or drill new holes to facilitate use of buckles.  People   were not unhappy of having to use mended footwear. Their consideration was for justification to any expenditure. So long as the material was good enough for the purpose, they were mentally reconciled to their use.  All such practical advantages have no value for the present-day youth; they deem it apt to be the most ‘presentable’ at any cost. They are not unhappy to invest large sums of money on such outfits as footwear. There is a huge shift in attitude and even the ‘downtrodden’ feel it an insult to accept old dress, used foot wear and the like. In place of use and throw, the practice of use or throw has come about. So, the very working group [cobblers] has wound itself up from such activity.   In all metros, the urgency to rush for work keeps the clan [cobblers] alive. Along the route to stations and at the stations, these men sit in a row and have a long stream of visitors in the mornings for getting their shoes polished; the customer stands, planting the feet alternately on the ‘low’ work bench. By quick polishing they help the visitor to  catch the train in time. Other than this work force, there is a gross decline of them for want of patronage by consumers.

Prof. K. Raman

 

TAILORS

 TAILORS

OLD SCENARIO

Of the different functionaries known to us, Tailors are a clan worthy of keen consideration. Times were when tailors use to push a trolley mounted with a sewing machine and look for assignments at our door steps. Even more common were the ones carrying a sewing machine with a hand rotor to propel the stitching device. They had in their kit, a range of threads of different hues to convince the women folk who would themselves ascertain if the man has the right shade of stitching thread; if not, would insist on the right material for assigning the work. More than the art of tailoring, carrying ‘tailor-made’ answers to the volley of questions flung at him was the first need for a tailor to win assignments.

Quite amazing it is, if we see how in a matter of hours, those tailors use ‘model’ items or sample items to adapt to the new fabric, cut the cloth and stitch them to dimension , fix the buttons/ button holes or hooks and catch and so on.  With all the intricacies of work and the stiff demands from those customers, the men used to stay under a shelter 2 feet wide and briskly churn out item after item. Whether intelligent or not the home-makers are clever. Peeping through the window they assess the working speed and the local patronage shown to the tailor. Once convinced of the man’s efficiency, 7 or 8 women from houses on either side of the work-spot, hand over work to the ‘unknown’ tailor. It all begins with two women who spot the ‘tailor’ and offer assignments on strict terms; those tailors are no less intelligent. The tailors have the nuances of quick working, amiable disposition towards prospective supports and try to strike a decent bargain of fair workmanship on terms of nominal wages. The strategy of cashing in on the opportunity relates to employing the most polite language taking utmost care in utterance of words even on the face of harsh bargains by women. This was the modus operandi decades ago.

NOW

Now-a-days women throng tailor shops devoted for women costumes. Of late, costumes for women are rich in vacant spots with windows, window bars and such criss-cross connections running in different directions. Cut and waste is the modern method in stitching of women garments. 

Men seldom try to make use of the services of street tailors and they prefer to visit shops where a team of men are functioning with no time to even look up. Their legs and hands co-ordinate to follow the stitch line and the coded info scribed in tailor chalk. Men rely on the ‘hear-say‘, about tailor’s ability and assign work to men recommended by friends. Friends are as much dull heads as the man himself. Men are tolerant to the vagaries of stitching; ‘enough if something is worn’ is their attitude. They don’t waste their time looking for matching garment. Imagine, what would it be if men were to wear exact match for pants and shirts? Would just look like class 5 civic services uniform. Looking for the ‘best tailor’ is also just a myth as everyone goofs up on and off.  This time it is for us. No one is safe.

Prof. K. Raman 

PARROT

 PARROT

Though a number of birds like, Sparrow, Pigeon, Pea-cock are people’s delight, Parrots enjoy a place of pride in human minds. The bird’s moderate size, pleasant call, typical green feathers, cute curved beak reddish in colour and perfect round eyes and a black ring at the base of the near globose head and a flat top make a grand sight of the bird, besides a fair tail and an elegant lateral walk.  None can dislike the bird, leave alone hating it!

Most parrots feed on seeds, fruits, nuts and similar plant products. Some select species of parrot are known to feed on floral nectar / soft buds of plants. With very few exceptions, most of them nest in tree hollows [holes] or shallow cavities on brick walls or nest boxes when in captivity. Some reports suggest that about 50% of parrot population is held under captivity. A major reason for parrot trade relies on the unique ability of parrots to ‘imitate’ human voice with some training. People are attracted by the ‘speech ability’ of parrots and choose to domesticate them though by keeping them in cages – a sure ‘arresting’ of  bird.

Parrots are said to show ’Tripedalism’ – a capacity of using three body parts like feet, neck and beak, as limbs for climbing.

With some minor exceptions, most parrots are monogamous [the same pair of male/ female breed as a set]. The parental pair raises the young ones.

INTELLIGENCE / LEARNING

Some Grey parrots are known to ‘speak’ words; also know meaning for some words and form sentences. Beside the language ability, some kind of parrots [Kea] can handle tools and solve puzzles.

Among parrots, learning appears to be a social activity in the young age. Young ones learn in a group and from parents –the habit of locating and collecting food. Food-hunting training seems to last for a long time. Among parrots in the course of learning -2 categories arise—generalists and specialists. The latter have specific abilities. Young birds get trained for flight -- play flight /wild flight and for predator evasion [escaping from larger enemies like Eagle].

IMITATION OF SOUND and SPEECH

Most parrots are known to imitate human speech and also sound of other birds. In this faculty, Grey parrots rank first. A study by Irene Pepperberg – a bird scientist, suggested very high learning ability of 2 members [Grey parrots], Alex and N’ksi. Alex could identify objects, count them, describe them and would answer intricate questions like how many red squares, with an accuracy of over 80%.

The other bird N’ksi, is said to have had a vocabulary of 1000 words; had the ability to invent right words for the correct tense.

Parrots have no vocal cords; they generate sound by manipulating the wind pipe [trachea] opening. Why they imitate sounds is not known yet.

Parrots are temperamental. They need to feel ‘being cared’; lest should revert to aggressive /attacking behaviour. Maintaining them involves systematic spending of time and money to keep the ‘home happy’ for the bird and its owner.

Prof. K. Raman

 

SQUIRREL

 SQUIRREL

Though a common term, its authentic pronunciation is ‘SKVI-RUHL’. This tiny creature is dear to many for its sheer ‘fur pattern’, cute looks and brisk movements besides the shrill voice that alerts its clan of the presence of Cats and Snakes; possibly -they are predators of squirrel. Among other ‘rodents’, only these are tolerated by humans. At times they too may prove ‘nuisance’ by building nests inside our homes and deliver young ones in our territory. Such young ‘fledglings’ fall from the hide-out above , spreading all the 4 legs and stay static for a while before making timid clumsy movements , hiding behind items like TV or sofa causing quite some agony to humans . The human agony thereof pertains to safe-guarding the tinier animal from pets at home. For once, pets may turn disobedient at the sight of the young squirrel and ready to pounce on. Certainly, the very thought is agonizing.

With human settlements robbing off natural habitat for animals, squirrels have turned friendly with humans –more for food and shelter. Being timid, they keep off humans except when very familiar. If humans feed squirrels with food /nut/ eatables, the latter wait for such men and move to their proximity, more to gather food and [the squirrels] slowly shed fear and become quite friendly.

Squirrels are essentially [herbivores] vegetarian by food habits; they thrive on fruits and nuts and so depend on human support, especially with the shortening of the area of their natural food hunt.

Studies* have shown that Squirrels are intelligent and do have good memory.  Recall, how swiftly they run into your house when we are less watchful; also they run [without confusion] to where the young ones are left and start feeding them and again disappear in a flash until dusk. These ‘certainties’ in their route into your house signify the squirrel’s memory of topography, route and ‘intelligent’ avoidance of intervention by humans.

Researchers have found that Squirrels have a complex language [voice-based] and variety of sounds to convey ideas between / among them. At the University of Exeter a set of squirrels were trained to collect and store or hide the nuts in specific places. After near two years, the squirrels when brought to re-locate the buried stuff, they remembered the path involving a complex network of curves, bends, blind ends etc. With no hesitation [confusion] traced their way in and dug out the hidden nuts. There appears to be a native wisdom about hiding different nuts in different locales and getting at them when needed. Squirrels are said to do so [segregating different nuts and independently hiding them].

In addition to the great memory, Squirrels are clever too in hiding their ‘food collection’ from other squirrels / competing animals in reaching the hideout or store of food. Quite interesting it is to learn that if squirrels suspect other animals watching them bury the nuts, they simply pretend to bury them in a place; but actually bury them in some other place and later precisely retrieve them for use.

A combination of memory and intelligence make the Squirrels smart in understanding whether or not humans are friendly. Some ‘orphaned squirrels’ raised by humans prefer to be close to humans and also relish the affection shown to them. All said and done, better that humans approach animals with abundant caution to stay safe from bites /nail scratch or animal -borne disease.

Yes, squirrels are worth enjoying from a distance. Sometimes mood-shift may prove harmful to either. If squirrel- human interaction needs substantiation remember the Epic Squirrel in Ramayana – to have done ‘his part’ to ‘Ram Sethu’.

Prof. K.Raman       * Ref: Tree hugger. Com -5176188.

AN APPEAL

 

AN APPEAL

While ‘Responses/ Comments’ are WELCOME, in respect of my Blog Postings,

I am to caution our readers of the need to AVOID using Names of persons- either                       

LIVING or DEAD

Thank you                                                         .              Prof. K. Raman

 

SCURRILOUS, SALACIOUS, LECHEROUS

 

SCURRILOUS, SALACIOUS, LECHEROUS

Again we take note of three words that connote unpleasant attitudes. This need not suggest that the language is rich in negative terms. Honestly, there are any number of terms that are positive, pleasant and soothing in effect. Such a prelude has been necessitated by the recent series of terms brought in our blog posts. So long as we treat blog writings as mere chances to acquire words, negative emotions need not creep in.

SCURRILOUS

The term “scurrilous” refers to the habit of using abusive language or words that spread hatred about someone. It is in a coarse language- not easy of utterance for many. Using an Improper language, causes a degree of loss of popularity for the person referred to among people whose thought is influenced by such improper terms. ’Scurrilous’ is an adjective and its noun form is ‘SCURRILITY’. Scurrility refers to the quality or state of being scurrilous [abusive].

Usage

Of late, some critics of religion /religious practices are not merely noisy but are scurrilous as well.

Most scurrilous gossips about popular persons are mere figments of imagination.

Unfortunately, scurrilous references are not easy to prove and it helps the survival and flourishing of scurrility unhindered.

SALACIOUS

The term ‘salacious’ is an adjective and is used to describe the nature of books/ magazines or films which tend to field information or material concerning sex or details thereof. Merriam Webster dictionary explains the term as ‘arousing or appealing to sexual desire or imagination’.

The noun form for ‘salacious’ is ‘Salacity’. It means the tendency or quality of being salacious.

Usage

Society’s appetite for ‘salacious’ material has helped the emergence of publications bordering on ‘yellow journalism’.

If someone awaits ‘salacious’ stuff, this is not the place or session.

LECHEROUS

The term ‘Lecherous’ means ‘showing too much interest in ’physical pleasure’

‘Lecherous’ is an adjective and is synonym of ‘Salacious’ The noun form of lecherous is ‘LECHERY’.  It means a steep inclination to desires of basal instincts

 Usage

Mr. Morris played the role of a lecherous villain in a recent movie.

It turned out that the counsel was himself a lecherous lawyer.

Prof. K.Raman