Why I like being a linguist.

There are many reasons why I like being a linguist. Now that I've been a graduate student for several months, I feel I can finally make that statement and have it mean something.

Language is one of the most simultaneously basic, complex, and universal elements of all life forms. Wait a second - basic and complex? Yes; let me explain. Language in its most basic form is a collection of signals occurring in the brain that direct comprehension and production. Certain animals are often cited with regard to language for their strictly non-verbal cues. Bees signal each other to indicate where the food source is, and if it is a plentiful one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but bees are capable of these two communicative paradigms and no others; it is a simple system, but it serves their needs well. On the other hand, language systems can manifest their complexities via many ways - dense case systems (Russian, German, Latin), many noun classes (Swahili), numerous exceptions to grammatical rules (English), etc. Language is universal because communication of any kind cannot occur without at least some sort of system.

When a linguist speaks about language, there is almost an "a ha" moment when people not familiar with linguistics register what has just been said - perhaps explaining something fundamental, for example voiced vs. voiceless consonants or the similarity in tongue position and production of the sounds [r] and [l]. We try to speak with the least amount of jargon as possible, but often we have to sacrifice clarity for the non-linguist for increasing clarity for our colleagues. I think the goal should be moving toward balancing both of these.

But why do I like being a linguist? We have efficient, systematic ways of describing natural language phenomena, things that occur without conscious identification or description (for the most part). We can explain allomorphy of the English plural suffix, and why the plural of fish is 'fish', ox is 'oxen', cat is /kats/, dog is /dogz/. Most English speakers are aware of these strange "exceptions", but may not know how to explain these occurrences.

Being a Slavist means that as I continue reading the literature and hearing speakers discuss Slavic language phenomena, I become more and more familiar with the systematic ways of explaining Russian, Polish, etc. linguistic issues. It is fascinating and somewhat enlightening analyzing your native language, but doing the same for your L2 is absolutely one of the most rewarding things, ever. This weekend I have attended the 48th annual Southern Conference on Slavic Studies here in Gainesville, and it has been an invaluable experience for me. I am now familiar with the professional behavior standard in the field, as well as the broad variety of topics and questions available for review or exploration.

I can say confidently that I am proud to be a part of my field - I am proud to be a linguist, and I look forward to contributing my own research in the next few years.

Updates.

So, I haven't updated in a while... and actually, this post is almost like a tease because... if you're reading closely...

it's not really an update. It's not what I promised... you know, the whole argument about why non-Romance languages are superior to Romance ones...

But anyway, I've decided to school myself with lots of Russian lit, news/talk radio, and translation excercises for the rest of the summer. I'm finishing Анна Каренина, which I began reading years ago, and yesterday I began Преступение и Наказание. I picked a random book from the library and it's my goal to translate it before I can go back to school (coincidentally, it's a Russian iteration of Philip Roth's The Human Stain; has anyone read this book?). After speaking with Dr. Kleespies earlier this week, I've realized that my goals are attainable, but will require a lot more work than I have been doing. Rosetta Stone is cute, but it's not going to get me anywhere... I can see that very clearly now. I'm going to be working hard on both my linguistics coursework for the M.A. and also applying for a FLAS fellowship for next summer (with which, I will hopefully finally be able to visit Russia and Poland, and conduct my research as well as take intensive language courses there). This means sitting in on intermediate Russian (which I took last fall), beginning Polish, possibly independent study depending on scheduling, and re-evaluating at the end of the semester. I'm excited about all of it, a little worried, but less worried after talking to Dr. Kleespies. It was nice to hear someone say that these goals are both attainable and worthwhile, and not unreasonable ones for me.

R.

животные.

Well, we all knew this was coming. Wait, maybe you didn't. Maybe you don't know me at all. In the off chance that you're reading this and you don't know me, then it's possible that you're unaware of my love of animals. At any rate, I find this relevant because for the next week, I have sole custody of five beasts while my parents are in NY.

There are many different types of pets -- some that live in cages, some roam freely through your house, some are confined to a bowl, and some even come and go from your property as they please. My family has always had a cat since I was born, but the responsibilities are quite different when it is a family pet. A year ago, I inherited a cat after my grandpa passed away, brought her to Gainesville with me, and quickly realized that while I had cared for cats during my 21 years, I had never been the sole person in charge of one's care. I was the only person to provide the necessary materials for survival, as well as attention and emotional support (which, as some of you may know, is not the most fun thing at 5am). One thing that goes along with having many animals is numerous trips to the vet, which I was very familiar with... I always used to tag along when my parents went. It's an entirely different story, however, when you're alone with your animal in the exam room, standing over the cold metal table with your best friend peering up at you with wide eyes, waiting for whatever comes next. You know that blood tests, shots, other invasive events are necessary, yet you still look away when they put the needle in (this could, of course, be due to my aversion to needles). I had to take my cat to the vet several times over the course of senior year for different things -- blood tests, boarding, a cold -- but every time I sat in the waiting room with the carrier between my feet, I felt the same. My worry for my animal overshadowed everything else that happened to be going on in my life at the time -- when I was in that office, it was suddenly like all the other roles I played gracefully bowed out... student, daughter, friend... and all I was left with was a nervous girl with her elderly cat between her feet.

When the exam is over and the doctor tells you -- and only you -- the directions for administering medication and you drive home, you realize the kind of responsibility you've taken on. For some, I guess it could be overwhelming. But for me, it seems almost... natural. I can't imagine myself without some kind of creature to take care of, and I hope that's never the case. While animals can be a great deal of work, I wouldn't be myself without their company.

Next time, I will attempt to create controversy regarding the superiority of non-Romance languages to that of Romance languages. Should be fun, although I have a feeling I'm going to have to do some research on this one...

R.

Jewelry, Proposals, and Other Weird Stuff.

Interestingly enough, in my first real blog entry, I would like to discuss one of my absolute LEAST favorite things -- jewelry.

Uncomfortable, unnecessary, often gaudy and tasteless, usually used as a symbol for something else entirely (intangible feelings and emotions)... jewelry. And yet, so many people go gaga over it. I just don't understand. Am I missing something? Does wearing expensive pieces of metal really make one more attractive? Perhaps I missed the memo.

I recently read several of the books in the Twilight series (yes, yes, I know -- I'm 22 years old and a recent college grad, I should be dabbling in much more mature fare than this tween vampire romance business, but bare with me) and I was enthralled to find that Stephenie Meyer had written a character just as abhorrently opposed to and uncomfortable with the concept of jewelry as I was. Her heroine, Bella Swan, detests it and avoids it at almost all costs. She protests an expensive ring when she gets married, and is comforted just slightly by the fact that it is a vintage hand-me-down from the early 20th century. The moment she gets engaged, however, she is intensely aware of the presence of the ring on her finger -- even after she takes it off. I like the way Meyer describes her feelings toward it, almost like it possesses her. One small gem -- how does it hold so much power over her? Bella describes the way it makes her feel even when she is not wearing it -- heavy, weighing her down. After she tries it on for the first time, she quickly rips it off and hides it in its box. If you have read the books or know anything about the basic story, the forbidden love between her character and Edward is an extremely strong, passionate love, something that apparently transcends time and cannot be measured against normal (read: human) standards. Knowing that, knowing the love she felt for him -- and yet, still, the feelings she dealt with when he proposed and put the ring on her. I find this very interesting, even though it originates from a piece of teenage escapism. I think I know why it's interesting, too: I have a feeling that if I ever happen to find that person, and am thrust into that strange situation, I will probably feel the same way the heroine feels in that part of the book.

Is a more expensive ring going to more accurately represent your love? For some, I suppose (if you'd like a representative sample, you can visit the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Fla. on pretty much any day...) that this might be true. I don't quite understand the thought processes that occur in their heads; every time they glance at their lavish display, do they swell with pride? Do they shove it in everyone's face and act disappointed if the other party has a nonplussed reaction? (Much more on showing off/apathetic reactions later... they fascinate me, probably because I almost always have apathetic reactions to material things)... Does it lose appeal over time? Even if the band remains untarnished and the stones untouched, will it appear as pleasing to the person after they've been through the most awful, difficult parts of marriage?

I know that this is not all women. I know it. Not every woman that is proposed to automatically sees a dollar sign plastered on their new ring. I'm also aware that there are many different types of proposals, from casual to completely overdone. Some people (like my parents) simply talk about getting married, agree, and choose a simple ring together. I suppose the main reason I can't imagine the loud outbursts of a proposal is because I never grew up hearing such a story from MY mother... no ring box in the middle of a fancy restaurant, no kneeling on one knee, no captive audience to gauge your reaction and observe two strangers' decision (regardless of the outcome). When you think about it, proposals as a public spectacle have the potential to be extremely srange events. Probably wonderful for some, but awkwardly uncomfortable for others (particularly for those like myself, who don't like attention and most of the time happily avoid it).

And all this is coming from a GIRL'S (ahem, woman's) perspective, not a guy's. How ridiculous, right? I'm supposed to be DROOLING over wedding magazines, their very pages setting my ovaries on fire and instilling delusions of grandeur into my brain -- visions of my "dream wedding," whatever the hell that's supposed to be. No, I'm not that cynical (okay, maybe sometimes), I'm just... different. I guess, like many other things that I'm supposed to do and viewpoints I'm supposed to take as a woman, they are absent from my strange mind. And on that pleasant note, I leave you until next time.

R.

Beginnings

This is my very first blog post. I feel like I should have something exciting or important to say right off the bat, but I'm hoping that will come in time. I'm going to try my best not to rant constantly in here...but we'll see what happens.

R.