A Perception of Intelligence, How Language affects our Brain, and Bilingual Speakers.

Hi everyone, I found the readings we had for this blog very interesting and if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading them! Interesting stuff!

The article “Yorkshire named top twang as Brummie brogue comes bottom” displays and explains results of an experiment in the U.K. The victims of the experiment were shown 3 different accents in the U.K and had to judge/rate the accent in terms of intelligence. Some of these trials were used with models and they rated the intelligence of the model from 1-10 based on their accent. The results are particularly surprising as the article explains that the Yorkshire accent to most people (based on the trials) is the most intelligent sounding accent, whilst the Brummie(Birmingham) accent came rock bottom. The article very much relates to many things we learnt in class such as code switching, power in language and diction. The stereotype the article focuses on, is that the Yorkshire accent “is rated as the most intelligent sounding,” whilst the people with the “distinctive Brummie accent were seen as stupid”. This very much addresses the stereotypes associated with language, diction and dialect (specifically focusing on a regional stereotype). The article also briefly touches on power in language and indirectly brings up the question; Who gets to decide what is right?  Normally the wealthy or just a majority of people which in this case, the majority of people (from the testing’s) found the Brummie accent less intelligent sounding when compared to two other accents and of course the clever Yorkshire accent. Of course the tests were probably just a minority of people but depending on who the people were and depending on their background, the results could have ultimately been very different.

The average intelligence ratings given by the study participants, out of 10, were: Yorkshire: 6.71; RP: 6.67; silence: 5.99; and Birmingham: 5.6.

You say up, I say Yesterday. Joan O’C Hamilton touches on a few points regarding how and if language shapes how we think as individuals and collectively. Regarding what we had done in class previously, we had asked 3 questions of which I thought related the most to this reading. Do you project the same identity in all the languages you speak? Which language would you choose to best express complex ideas or personal experiences? What language do you think in?  These three questions connect significantly to this reading. Highlighting the second question, Hamilton indicates that the language you learn or have when growing up has a great influence of personal experiences or memories. “Boroditsky’s research suggests, that the mechanics of using a language such as English…also tends to more vividly imprint that agent in the speakers memory”.(p.464) This brings up code switching and relates back to the bilingual poems we read and analyzed in class. For example, in one the poems the author remembers a memory in Spanish yet she writes in English (only code switching in a certain scenario, or to fill a conceptual gap). The reading continues to talk about bilingual speakers, cultural evolution (“linguistic relativity”),”relationships of time, space and gender”(p.466) , I however thought that code switching and ways of thinking were the most important and related the most to our class lessons.

In the excerpt Bilingual Mind: Understanding How the Brain Speaks Two Languages, Jeffrey Kluger explains the benefits of speaking/learning two languages, otherwise being bilingual. Kluger explains that a bilingual speaker can often respond quicker and are perceivably more intelligent. This allows bilingual people to code switch and develop a different “code for

language and gesturing”(p.126). He also highlights that relationship identities are often easier to create between bilingual people. Most of the excerpt relates to bilingual people and cognition, especially the affect of bilingual people on their kids. The article is more centered toward a psychology specified audience, but does incorporate some element of code switching and identities.

If you read until the end, I salute you! - Till next time.

Mother Tongue - Amy Tan - Preach

In Amy Tans writing "Mother Tongue", a variety of issues are touched upon that are directed upon non-native English speakers. The most prevalent one to me was the stereotypes that people are subjected to. The most common stereotype that many people address to today is the stereotype that all people with Asian ethnicity are very intelligent. This is mainly because of the assumptions from previous knowledge of others and also due to the fact that studies and work is increasingly more rigorous in Asia rather than other countries located elsewhere. This is seemingly wrong to assume. Over 60% of teachers worldwide base marks on ethnicity and “class” rather than quality of work reports Oxford University. If you can’t figure out the wrong in that, then you in fact are stereotypical. Children with names of African or Asian ethnicity were given 15% lower marks reports the Dailymail.

I can often relate to this myself. As I am from South Africa, an issue appeared before me one day whilst I was in mall. I went inside a shop called “Mr.Harveys Parts of Junk” to browse what was to offer. After I saw want I wanted I approached the cashier (who was white) and handed him the toy. He responded with, “20 rand. Only 20 rand. You like Paper (of which he did a gesture) or Plastic (of which he repeated slowly).” Now I can understand that maybe he was a bit deluded but he changed his dialogue after I responded. He didn’t expect me to have perfect English and hence why he spoke to me in broken English. A minority of Black people in South Africa cannot speak perfect English (in terms of punctuation etc.) and instead speak broken English or use hand gestures. The shopkeeper on previous assumptions and very much a stereotype thought I couldn’t speak English based on my skin color. Now similar to Tans issue with her mum and the stockbroker, I can say that it was the only time I had ever been treated that way.

Stereotypes are a common problem in todays society, and whilst I have never really been “stereotyped” I can still say it destroy someone.  I have colored skin and from South Africa yet I speak English as well as you would get in South Africa. Never make assumptions, unless you are studying economics.

Preach.




Sources

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2180585/Ethnic-minority-pupils-underachievement-tackled-blind-marking-bid-remove-teachers-prejudice.html

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/RR853.pdf

Defining the Standard usage of English - The Less Tedious Edition Vol.1

Hey everyone, 

Its one of those days where I either bore(or interest you depending on what you like) you on the subject of rules of the English language and the standard usage of English. 

After reading Bill Bryson's except from Good English and Bad, I had extended my knowledge about the english language. Bryson underlines how crazy and complicated the English language we know today actually is(and how it was before). From linear transcripts of developed Latin to Nordic and Greek adaptions the English language has come a long way. The excerpt itself was a bit tedious to read, but if you are really really interested go for it. Bryson does explore the rules of English and highlights the looseness of it in terms of how English can be written and spoken. For example the word weird can be spelt wierd, unlike some languages such as Arabic or French.

English is a unique language and its distinctions from other languages in terms of rules and dialects make it my favorite. Most learners of English find it easier than their mother tongue! Furthermore, we can deduct that english is growing and developing based on what most of us want(the majority) rather than the standard linear definitions in our dictionaries or Word documents. We clearly all have lapses in grammar in oral communication or writings and this is  fine. It just is fine. Some may say English has developed into a broken language filled with slang and abbreviations, but in my opinion its for the better. English is evolving and will keep evolving throughout generations of mankind. English is a language, not a set rule or law.

Names? Who am I?

Our names are for the most part unique to us and are one of the little things we keep in our lifetime. We use or hear our name every day, but what's so important about it? Do our names keep our identity? I will let you answer those questions for yourself, but for now i have a job to do....


My name is Owais, no not the water Oasis,

I knew my first name before i knew how to tie my own laces.

Yes, It might sound kind of lame,

But its part of my religion, A Muslim name.


A little wolf or blessed i may be,

My first name is part of me.

Jadwat. Originated from South Africa or from the UK,

Its my Last name, thats all ill say.



Its mine, its mine , its mine i say,

You can say it anytime, at night or in the day.

I see my name as my personal identity,

If you think not you are the definition of insanity.


But, how do you end a rhyme?

If i end here, would it only be 14 lines?

My name is my imprint like my fingerprint on my thumb,

Or maybe it was just randomly given to me by my mum?


So i hope you enjoyed that shot creative rhyme rap/poem that i wrote about my name and its origins. If you didn't understand or get it ill give you the rundown. Firstly a lot of people get confused when they meet me( they think my name is Oasis -  the water company) just thought i would put that out there. Moving on, Owais can be spelt Uwais but yes it is a Muslim name. As i am from South Africa and it is a colony of Britain, i found it necessary to include that it is of both origin(My Last name). The direct translation from the Qur'an of Owais can be blessed/gifted or little wolf. Lastly not much to the history of my name but i would consider it to be a vital part of my identity. I hope you enjoyed!


Until next time! #ButI'mNotARapper

AD - McDonalds - America

Hey y'all, I'll get straight to it.

Alright so my objective for this blog post is to explain an ad/text that appeals to a specific culture.

Being me, i of course took an ad from McDonalds ( how original , i know). The ad below is simply advertising the 4th of July which of course is an American holiday and celebration. Obviously from this we can see that patriots and basically everyone who eats at McDonalds( who doesn't am i right?) will be attracted to this ad. McDonalds try to include everyone in their target audience, by just lowering their prices. As many would see the food is cheaper rather than promoting the meal as part of a national holiday special.

To further highlight the target audience, they have used a symbolic hat(Uncle Sam - the mascot/figure of America)on their mascot. Smart marketing, am i right? They also used colors of the American flag to make it even clearer if it wasn't already. I guess i can conclude that , McDonalds does a wonderful job when it comes to advertising and attracting different people from around the world!

Me, Myself and I.

Hey, Hi, Hello. 

My name is Owais Jadwat and i go to Raha International School in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. I’m from South Africa and I'm 15 years old. This is my 7th year at Raha and my 14th year in the Middle East.

My hobbies include hanging out with my friends, playing video games, and watching football. I support Liverpool Football Club and Kaizer Chiefs.

I hope to successfully pass Grade 11 and the Diploma Program. In the future I would like to pursue a career in marketing/advertising or go into entrepreneurship.

Language plays a vital role in my life as it helps me communicate with peers and family quickly and efficiently. I use language every day and without it communication and power would be hard to express. Studying language can not only benefit us in the future but can help us as a community and personally help me to write and speak with appropriate and extended vocabulary. I have never had a language barrier in my life, as English is my first language. Secondly, since i have lived in the middle east most of my life, i have managed to learn some Arabic (enough to communicate). Ergo, i can conclude i have never felt excluded due to a language barrier.

Heres a picture of the Squad at Prom.