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If you don't know who Rep. Steve King (R) is you might want to look him up, then again you might not want to look up a man with such a ferocious character and views that seems to point to xenophobia and hatred of linguistic diversity.

Recently, I came across the website ProEnglish amidst some research I was doing on Bilingual education. I was surprised to see some very objectionable content on this website especially about Puerto Rico, and at one point an article on the site even claimed that Puerto Ricans "lacked linguistic ability" I'm afraid I don't understand how any people can lack linguistic ability, simply because they can't speak English doesn't mean they lack any linguistic ability, at least no more than Rep. Steve King does, so let's be honest in that respect.

Subsequently, I came across a horrid video on the website where Rep. Steve King claims that English embodies freedom, and that because of this horrendously racist and ignorant claim that this should make English the official language in all of the USA. These claims are horrible. Terrible. Deplorable! Who would make such a claim! He speaks of the wonderful "free" nature of English, as if it somehow embodies freedom. Well, unfortunately for Steve it's how one uses the language that makes it embody good things, not the language itself. As is typical for a politician Rep. King is using the free nature of English to promote something quite less than freedom, and is promoting a world of hegemonic domination by the Western English speaking world, and one that would destroy many of the beautiful languages of the world for no other reason than ignorance and fear of languages other than English. It seems that my comments were also censored by the video owner on youtube, because someone couldn't take my comments. Apparently the person hosting the videos on their youtube account doesn't believe in  freedom of speech, and doesn't believe in the power of language to create community, to interact, and to create dialogue. I find the censorship of my comments abhorrent and unacceptable. If Steve King or anyone that is affiliated with him happens to be hosting the videos, then they ought to be ashamed for something so undemocratic. Although as luck would have it the videos have very few views, which I think is only becoming of something that preaches such intolerance and ignorance.

I would also like to take the time to remind Rep. King that English is not autochthnous to the Americas, and that as a result we should have respect for that fact. Everyone should learn Navajo, Cherokee, or just allow people to speak whatever language they like. Linguistic diversity presents its certain problems, but it has a richness of culture and thought that should never be forgotten. I suppose Rep. King has also forgotten the roots of English in French and the numerous loan words from Arabic that are part of the English language. All languages are official, and no language should dominate any other in the USA, because  no language has the right to oppress any other. 

I will include the first part of the video below for clarification purpose, and in the case that I have misquoted any of Steve's words the video below will clarify:
 

In a recent article from New Scientist and one from the BBC  it was reported in a new study that monkeys appear to have the ability to recognize grammatical structures. the study tested the reaction monkeys had to learning the addition of a morpheme either as a prefix or a suffix, and when the suffix or prefix or the established morpheme was added the monkeys established then the researchers threw a curve to see if the monkeys would catch that the pattern was thrown out incorrectly.

The research appears to indicate that this implies that monkeys has an innate ability to recognize grammatical structures. However, I would say more accurately it means that monkeys can recognize patterns, and therefore pick out incorrect attempts to work within these patterns. Although I am not saying that the monkey isn't capable of recognizing grammar, but rather that the experiment does not accurately test or assess the grammar abilities of the monkey.

In a recent article by Scientific American High Fructose corn syrup has been discovered to impair memory. The substance which is in many foods that are processed today is touted widely by corn growers and supporters as perfectly safe, and many ad campaigns in the US have also pointed to the very safe nature of the substance, which of course is dubious, especially when many of the products paired with High Fructose corn syrup also contain carcinogens and preservatives, which really should not be on the market is the FDA had an sense. It is becoming more and more advisable to avoid corn syrup whenever possible and opt out for the healthier choices. Finding products made from real cane sugar really makes sense, although the taste takes a little bit of time to adjust to.

In a related article from Science Daily caffeine has been discovered to reverse effects of memory impairment, and the equivalent of 5 cups a day has been found to help significantly with this impairment, which would mean a very effective treatment for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In incredibly interesting thing to think about, which of course makes me even more fond of my morning coffee. Although it does make me wonder what the effects of soda are on the memory overall, does the caffeine and fructose boost help or hinder?

A really nice spoof of the High Fructose Corn Syrup Commercial 

As a long time internet user I am interested in the development that takes places everyday within a virtual world where people have an increasingly limitless method of communication, and each day new surprises and method of communication across borders, cultures, and languages are created. Each day something new surprises me. Technology which once would have been seen as needless and more than superfluous has found our way into the everyday life. It has all created wonderful benefits and other terrible consequences.

I will list just a few of these changes that are taking place on the web:

Twitter: Twitter is one of those programs that has become popular, because it can connect people quickly, and doesn't overwhelm users with too many features. Simplicity is the backing which keeps it going. Recently, this connection tool was used to orchestrate protests in Iran as well as help the media around the world get a very good idea of what was happening in the country. People in Iran could share what their government didn't want them to share. Perhaps most troubling for all governments of the world is that with globalization it becomes almost impossible to have full control over what goes in and out of a country.

Youtube: Youtube has been changing rapidly ever since it began. Now people use Youtube almost everyday to listen to music, see family videos, learn something new, or for entertainment better than the Television. Youtube has allowed us to produce our own entertainment and to publish it so that thousands of people can see it. Building communities around real people and support for every group that needs some. Although trolls will never leave the internet people are able to look past everything that detracts and build real communities around each other, communities that support other people, and have done genuinely good things. More recently, Youtube has announced the introduction of their Beta Channels, which are an increasingly hated *new* feature, although they have been in development for more than a year. These profiles lack a lot of functionality and usability. The motive behind the change is one that is designed to make Youtube more profitable, but also cut down on bandwidth usage, which according to some reports is near $2 million a day. It will be interesting to see how Youtube deals with user discontent over a broken design that needs to be repaired.

The Pirate Bay: This file sharing site has also been a challenge to world institutions, especially copyright, which is in some sense fair and in other senses not. While I believe that paying for art is a good practice many corporations have exploited copyright to make a killing. People are no longer willing to pay more than an album is worth, and the Pirate bay gave people a way to fight back against this injustice. The owners were recently sued and slapped with fines and prison sentences. Unfortunate, considering Swedish law and the injustices that were numerous through the trial process. In a decision that will ultimately lead to the downfall of the bay the owners are arranging a deal to sell it to a gaming company. Of course, the owners were left with little choice in the matter, after their loss in the trial, it will mark a giant change on the internet. However, I hope it will spur people to create a bigger and better network that will back against those that take too much advantage of consumers for their own benefit. In a way you could see an unethical element to both sides, however TBP certainly didn't get a change at a fair fight. Corporations simply don't deserve to win because they have more money.

Livemocha: This doesn't really fit with the other, but why not. I am impressed with this website time and a again. They have introduced paid courses now, which are at an affordable price, and it looks as if they will introduce a paid tutoring system soon  as well. The lessons on the website are not perfect, in fact, they tend to be be filled with some errors which keep learners on their toes, and may be utterly confusing for a novice to comprehend. The website is an excellent supplement to traditional classes or intensive self-study. It is also a wonderful place to make new friends.

  

According to a recent article in Science Daily Circadian Rhythms may be important in remembering what you learn.

I'm strapped for time but you ca read the whole article over at Science Daily.  Maybe you'll find it interesting. I'll try to write more when I've got some spare time. 

In a previous blog I described the news of a language without numbers. Apparently according to further studies languages without counting numbers do not deprive the human mind of the ability to count, and people are still able to work with numbers. To what extent or how this is measured is puzzling. I question how a study can be done to accurately divine whether or not numbers are an innate human function that do not require language or fingers and toe communication. If I say bring me a handful or something equal to the fingers of the hand there is still use of language and commonality of respective numbered objects to get the job done. I'm wondering how the study worked.

The article describes the communication barrier between counting words and the problems it present. I still however find the idea dubious in that these direct claims are trying to perhaps become the antithesis to the Saphir-Worf Hypothesis. I'm one to believe that this hypothesis is altogether asserting a small deal of truth. I would also imagine that counting words up to at least 20 have some form of existence if not in the traditional Western fashion that there are either names or ways to describe the human body. Numbers are innate in the sense that you either have or do not have.

Still very interesting research with a very daring conclusion from what is found. You can read the entire article at New Scientist.

In a very interesting article from Radio Netherlands interviews a professor from Essex university about language rights and the loss of languages in the world today. What rights do you have to speak your own native language. If we are losing languages at an ever increasing rate what will our world like with the loss of these people and their languages? The radio interview brings up quite a fascinating dialog with another man who resides in Brussels speaking both French and Dutch, and the interplay between languages there. In all a very interesting interview and well worth a listen or read.
They also mention the Manifesto for a Common Language, which I wrote about in a previous blog entry. With some very interesting thoughts about this proposal. The very strongly worded Manifesto is brought up in its wish for a common language between all citizens in Spain, but again as I stated before the professor is perhaps in agreement with me to the fact that such a proposal is in a way absurd. I would assume more so asserting the power of Spanish rather than a true call for a common language. Instead of using language as a dividing principle it may perhaps be used more effectively to unite different people instead of cause political turmoil.


(Image of an Ahmaric character table courtesy of chrys (lascribe.net))

Recently, in an About.com blog article I read of a new Spanish initiative that sounds somewhat suspicious in its motives. And again from About a link to a Manifesto for a common language can be found at  El Mundo.

A brief translation of the first few sentences:

Manifesto for a Common Language
For many years there has been reason to be concerned about our country, and the institutional situation of the Castilian language (Spanish), it is unique and among the official common languages of all Spanish Citizens. Of course, we are not merely concerned with cultural unease - our language enjoys a strength that is enviable and increasing in the whole world, only superseded by Chinese and English. -

As the about.com article is keen to point out there are many different languages spoken within Spain, and the bilingual proficiency is not well kept.

Although for tourism reason I suppose it is good to promote the use of Castilian as well as other languages such as Basque. Certainly, for the best outcome for the Spanish people it is wise for them to speak the most common language. The lingua franca if you will of the peninsula. However, the Manifesto lacks a great deal of compassion, as noted by a commentator in the about.com article as a purely political move. I do not disagree that a common language is good generally speaking, but can also be a strong detriment is pushed too far into one direction.

In some ways, I consider the move to be a compassionate turn for the betterment of Spanish culture and tourism, and in other ways I find it to be a cruel and under handed way to attempt to abolish the minority languages and cultures of the peninsula.

Nevertheless, I am not fearful that these languages will be in any danger as time passes with or without a manifesto seeking a common language.

(Image Courtesy Iker. a photo of an Old tower in Zarautz, Basque Country. )

Yes, the interesting thought that speaking another language will change your personality.

Like this very nice Czech proverb explains:

Kolik jazyků znáš, tolikrát jsi člověkem.
You live a new life for every new language you speak.
If you know only one language, you live only once.
(Czech proverb) Source: Omniglot

Learning a language really can change your life and your outlook on the world. Adding some culture and some new words to your brain as well. Better yet, according to a recent study it seems that bilingual people have a personality change when they slip into a different language. Although I have no idea how you measure personality by what language one speaks it at least makes sense in a translation sort of sense. That is if you've got the words to be complain, moan, and whine it's likely you will. Whereas speaking another tongue, as your second language, no matter how well you speak it is likely to invoke a more thoughtful speech process than the flippant tone of your native tongue. Some interesting research, but then again I may also be misconstruing some of its findings to an extent. Whatever the case you can read the article about "How switching language can change your personality" right on over at New Scientist.