English on the Global Market.

Communication is the key to our very existence. Without the ability to communicate with one another we are ultimately useless to society. Can you imagine if Martin Luther King Jr, Newton, Edison, Franklin, all couldn’t communicate? Would we have the freedoms we do now? Would we know what gravity was? Would we have electricity? These are just a few examples of the power of communication. I mean if these men didn’t have the ability to communicate their ideas, theories and thoughts what would this world be? While my example might be a tad farfetched it is accurate. Communication has lead us to become the civilization we are today, without it we would be nothing. My point you ask? It’s simple if you live somewhere and do not speak the language then you are unable to efficiently communicate. Meaning even if you have the best idea, the greatest plan or the most cleaver invention your voice will not be heard. Non English speakers face a world of adversity especially in the global economy which is primarily and English dominated language. While it may seem strange that the GLOBAL economy could be dominated by one language when it is in fact global is a sign of the sheer power the United States has. Everything is translated into English our technology, our books everything we have. The global market and economy has realized what a power house the United States of America is. They also all understand that it is a show of respect when dealing with someone to speak their language. How disrespectful is it to walk up to someone and speak to them in a language they cannot understand. I think English as a whole is doing great for the global economy it is bringing people together it is allowing them to share in the familiarity of one language. I think many cultures are doing well with this adjustment, I notice more and more Asian cultural trying to learn our language. They want to fit in, they want their voices to be hear they want to show that they to have important things to say. Most importantly when those things are said they want them to be understood. The world is accepting that English is a language that must be learned, everyone wants to live here, we are the land of the free. We have equal rights for mostly everyone; we have the freedom to choose, we have the right to vote, we have freedom of speech, we are the country all other aspire to be. We have a very complex language one that doesn’t make sense to even the best of scholarly professionals but none the less it is our language. The global market has realized this, the effects the United States has had on the global market is undeniable. I mean what other language is spoken more than English?

A Million Meanings...

Love its one word with many meanings. Isnt it funny how one word can mean so many different things to so many different people. Love is not the only word like this; most words have many different meanings each unique. This is a very important concept to understand because as intellectuals’, as college students as literate people we are required to write. We write papers, notes, essays, stories and so much more, so we must be a wear of how our words will translate off the parchment. We need to realize that the words we speak, the words we write have meaning, what we mean may not be what others hear. The words we chose in so many ways represent and reflect upon us as individuals. For example earlier this week MTV held the video music awards. A young country star won her first award for best video. Before she could recite the words she so carefully chose for the evening’s events another performer rushed the stage. He was upset that his choice did not win; he thought the young star was miss-awarded. His choice of words reflects upon himself. It was not so much the words he was saying; because everyone is entitled to their own opinions it was the manner in which he chooses to express his words. Rushing the stage and intimidating a young woman is no way to conduct yourself, so regardless of the words he was saying his presentation made all his words bad. Later in the night that young lady was giving the chance to again give her speech this time without any interruptions. Her words were heard by millions, she choose to express them in a respectful manner. My point is our words and how we express our words directly reflect upon us, knowing this wouldn’t you want your words to reflect positively. We are all unique so the words we choose will vary, as will the means in which our words will be conveyed. Some people find it easier to write a letter, while others may prefer to sing, yet some might like to just verbally talk while others rely on instant messaging and texting. It doesn’t matter the medium you use as much as the words you convey. Think about wedding proposals, it doesn’t matter where you ask, it matters how you ask. If your just casually sitting there “oh hey you wanna get married” and you push a ring across the table at her, she might (hopefully) think twice. Where if you take the time and actually hold her hand and ask her “will you marry me” and then you present her with a ring she will have fonder memories of the night. The message is intended to be the same, yet due to its presentation the message can become lost. It is rather complex if you think about it, this communication thing we have going on. Not only must you think about the words your about to say in regards to other people, but you must pay close attention to how you express them.

Dear Mr. Lutz....

Dear Mr. Lutz,

I have just read your essay titled “Doublespeak”. It was a great essay I believe in the sense that it held my interest for the entire length of the article. I do however feel as though you might be a tad bit guilty of the own “doublespeak” you speak of. I felt that you were quick to judge those who use doublespeak and maybe your view was a tad bit sheltered. While I agree it is wrong to lie, or mislead someone with malicious intent. I do not believe it is so bad to lie, or avoid the truth in order to protect ones feelings. Like if for example someone asks you how they look fat today. You can tell they look a tad bit larger than they once did but instead you avoid the topic. I think this is okay. It protects their feelings and focuses on a good aspect of them selves. Another form of doublespeak that you seem to take issue with involves one boasting their own self image by padding their titles or accomplishments. I personally do not understand the harm in saying you are a “waste management specialist” rather than a simple “trash man”. What is the difference you know what you do, but waste management specialist sounds so much nicer. In many ways this is how the world works, for example I do hiring from time to time for my sisters company. When I am hiring I get dozens of resumes, if I have two individuals that I am interested in I will take more notice to the one who claims to be a “sales professional” rather than just a “salesman”. While the title is the same, and the description is the same it just sounds better the other way. It also has to do with money, one would assume a sales professional would make more than that of a average salesman. Lutz also talks about jargon another form of doublespeak which is primarily used by those of us in a professional field such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants. However each of us can be guilty of this, for example those slang we use with our friends by your definition fall under the jargon category. It is not a bad thing, it is just a matter of being a wear of such differences. The last time of doublespeak you speak of no pun intended is called gobbledygook, is that correct? Well I agree that this is wrong, if someone doesn’t know something they should simply be able to say so, without wasting everyone’s time by just saying a bunch of hideously used words. But this is life, doublespeak is a matter of life, it sucks yes but so does global warming, and obesity but hell we still have to live with both those things. My point is I see where you are coming from, and I agree overall doublespeak in the political world is wrong. It is used to mislead the American people, the people responsible for running our country; the people we entrust purposely mislead us. This is wrong and I wish you would have focused your essay more on this, and provided more exampled that pertained to the political realm.

Thanks,
R. Fernandes

To Judge Or Not To Judge

Truth time, how many of us can honestly say we have never pre-judged someone based on their physical appearance? My hand is up, how about you guys? If you say no, then let me be the first to commend you on being one of the very rare gems of our society. Judgments come so easily, we are all raised with certain prejudice or ideas if you will, about others that are often hard to break. It is these ideas that we have, these preconceived notions we conger up that cause us to judge others. I am not saying it is right by any means, what I am saying is it is understandable. I understand why people judge others; I understand how easy it is to let the opinions and experiences of other people influence us. I know what it feels like to be judged and frankly it sucks. To have someone determine your abilities based solely on your appearance is a horrible, annoying feeling. As I have matured over the past few years my judgmental tendencies have decreased greatly. It was not easy; I mean geez thinking for myself is hard work! =) It is however the right thing to do, I do not like when I am judged. I hate when people tell me I can’t do something or expect less from me just because of my appearance. Therefore I try and respect everyone as I would like to be respected. As corny as it sounds it is one of the best mottos, treat others as you wish for them to treat you. No one wants to be judged, its un-fair and often those judgments are very un accurate.
I remember when I first started college I had just turned seventeen, and was starting my senior year in high school. As many instructors do on the first day, my instructor had us each stand up and introduce our selves. After my turn, the instructor felt the need to inform the class that I was the youngest student she had this semester, and how exciting it is that I am still in high school. As you may have guessed this did not seem to impress any of my fellow classmates. A large part of our grade for that class involved group projects, yet I always seemed to be left out during that process. Once I finally found a group to take me in, it was more of a chore to get them to allow me to do something then the actual work itself. I finally had enough when one lady told me that she lead a busy life and the only time she would have to get together and work on our project would be after my bed time, so I should find a different group! I went to the instructor and convinced her to allow me to work alone, she was apprehensive but I was determined. When it came time to present our projects a few weeks later I felt confident in my work. I knew I did my best and that was all I could have done. After I was done I noticed everyone just stared at me, it was a good ten seconds before anyone clapped. I knew at that moment I had shown them that I was in their league, I could keep up and that I deserved to be there. It was a great feeling that night, but I will never forget the way those people made me feel. Their opinions were formed based on my age, none of them took the time to get to know me for the person I am, which is a real shame.

A World Without Words

Communication is key to life. Without communication there is no civilization, and without civilization there is no world. Sense communication is so vital to us as a human race, it is understandable that amount of pressure that is placed upon one’s ability to communicate, or transfer ones thoughts if you will. One common misconception that I must admit I have both been guilty and victim of is thinking that if one is quiet they have nothing good to say. When in fact it is many of the quite folks who have the best thoughts, they just may not have the oral ability or skills to deliver those thoughts in a way that is understood and accepted by others. I know many people including myself are often very self conscious about speaking in front of people, I get all worried and flustered as to how I am going to sound. No one wants to sound dumb, and regardless of what we say we all really do care what others think on some level even if it is trivial.
I remember one time I had a job interview for a teaching position at a prominent pre-school in the Antelope Valley. It was a religious based program and while I have attended church before it has been a very long time for me. I was very worried, nervous and just downright scared. I remember reading the bible and going over verses the night before, I am not sure what I was excepting a test maybe? =) Anyway when I got there I had worked the whole situation up so much in my head that I was sweating and just terrified. Did I mention this was my first interview ever? They called me into a small room, it was me and a panel of five other people. Each person took terns asking me questions about various things, my life style, my beliefs, my family, my education and so on and so forth. I remember sitting there and I couldn’t get the words to come out right for anything. I was fumbling my words, saying um a bunch of times. I knew all the answers, but I just didn’t have the composure to deliver the responses. I lacked the ability to efficiently communicate. Looking back now I don’t know why they offered me a position, I know I looked like a fool. I remember one of the ladies on the panel actually asked me after if English was my first language because my verbal performance was so horrible. It’s easily understandable my last name is Fernandes, so I did not take too much offence to the question. It was just a terrible feeling to not be able to communicate efficiently; it really made me feel bad about myself.
A bit of a side note, but this makes me wonder how the deaf feel, or those who come to our country and do not speak the native language. They have nothing wrong with them; they just can’t communicate with us due to the fact that we speak differently based on geographic locations. I know how I felt during my thirty minute interview, I couldn’t image how non English speakers, and the deaf feel when they cannot express their ideas to us.