Generation Like | Youtube Stars

 In today’s society, social media is one of the most common online platforms for advertisers to reach out to their targeted audience in emerging markets. Gen Z’s social media ecosystem heavily relies on these platforms in a view to communicating with others. This extreme dependency was reinforced by a Pew survey (2014-2015), demonstrating that a staggering 94% of teens access their social media on a daily basis, of which 71% used more than one social media site. One of the most popular social media sites is YouTube, launched in 2005. YouTube not only allows teenagers to share their passion with the world but also allows teenagers to feels a sense of connection and value in their society. The world of technology has revolutionized to suit its customers best, however, what many teens may or may not notice is the complex implication and role that advertisers hold in this environment. This raises the questions whether YouTube stars are being exploited or empowered and the ripple effect it causes on its customers.

In the documentary ‘Generation Like’ (2014), Rushkoff observed several American teenagers in order to frame the intricate interrelationships between big-name brands and their young target audience. The film portrayed several normal teenagers stating that ‘social media makes them feel empowered.'

YouTube stars such as Tyler Oakley and Steven Fernandez, earn millions of likes for every video they publish on the YouTube platform. For many advertisers, this is a gold mine for views and viral popularity; giving advertising companies an opportunity that is exceptional to send out a message, and thus, encourage these stars to promote their products in return for their sponsorship. In this film, they have illuminated how they form partnerships with particular brands in order for companies to reach out to their customer. For example, in several videos, Oakley promotes and motivates the consumption of tacos from Taco Bell. Not only does this incite his viewers to purchase their own, but it also allows for a mass-media message to be sent out. Therefore, in many cases, advertisers take advantage of one’s popularity for their own benefit, which exploits their platform, and arguably empowers their consumers.

The personal connections that these YouTube stars make with their audience is what makes their business successful. Their subtle or non-subtle promotions and partnerships, allows companies to enlarge their audience, thus, their profits made.

Even though many YouTube stars may project themselves as being empowered by the opportunities they receive from sharing their passions with the world from the social media environment. However, big-name companies cause these stars to conform to an ideology or a non-existent interest of a certain product, causing our ‘synthetic’ generation to enlarge even more. While many believe, social media shows the reality and allows for a global connection, we must consider that the ‘behind the scenes’ of this massive industry is nothing more than exploitations stringed together with popularity in order to produce dollar bills.  

Stereotypes

In one way or another, most individuals interact with some medium of advert infotainment throughout their daily life. Specifically, advertisements are a form of mass media which plays a pivotal role in projecting certain aspects of humanity. The main purpose of an advertisement is to persuade the audience. However, some advert campaigns may drag along certain generalizations to certain communities to give meaning or be used as a means of persuasive technique or other humoristic effects. When an advertisement generalizes a particular group (gender, age, religion, ethnic group) to achieve this, certain people have been stereotyped. The extent to which stereotypical applies to different advertisement varies, and this raises the controversial question Do you think that advertisers have a moral duty to avoid stereotypic people?

            In my estimation, I believe that advertisers have some moral obligation to avoid stereotyping people. When an advertisement is sent out to the public, it automatically has a vast influence on their ‘reason’ as it may change their perspective on individuals and different subjects. As a result, some individuals and subjects may be viewed more negatively and stricter than before; setting a social ‘norm’ or ‘standard’ in one’s society. The aftermath that an advertisement generates is immense as it evolves a society’s ‘new’ way of thinking. Therefore, I believe that advertisements must be carefully reviewed to minimize major influences in one’s beliefs, values, and society. I am not stating, however, that all advertisements must avoid stereotyping. To my way of thinking, some advertisements will always have some stereotypical elements embroidered within their purpose, which is inevitable. However, I do believe that greater attention must be gathered when reflecting on the impact of an advertisement. Once an advertisement is considered more carefully from various perspectives, the implications on one’s society may be less threatening and concerning; creating an evolution in the way we perceive reality. 

Her Future Begins On Two Wheels

This print ad, published by Child Fund International, reveals several pivotal notions about the cultural, social and historical context of its production. The overarching value of the ad is to inform affluent individuals regarding the situation of impoverished children, and to persuade them to donate to charity. The ad promotes and persuades more economically developed countries and its individuals to donate and sponsor their Dream Bike Program. Some economists argue that the gap between the wealthy and poor be a myth, and over the years has become a closer reality. However, this ad claims that more economically developed countries (MEDC) such as the United States and the United Kingdom have the responsibility to ‘nurture’ and ‘guide’ these less economically developed countries (LEDC) such as India, presented in the ad. Not only does this reinforce the enormous pressure that it being weighted on MEDC countries, but it also depicts society’s expectations towards the western input on restoring goods in other nations.

            Furthermore, the advert is generalizing the population and the economic state of India, as it only sheds light on the lack of transport and need for education. In other words, the advert, published in the United States, concludes that every child in India is in ‘need’ of more necessities. Even though the ad is published with the intentions to raise money for the poor, by doing so it creates a stereotype regarding all LEDC countries recalling that without their help they do not have a ‘future.' While the ad is promoting a more caring and supportive society and environment for others in need, it suggests greater and more pivotal values which lead to increased pressure and expectations upon MEDC countries to fulfill, rather than supporting their economic development and growth.

            In addition, woman are also empowered in this print ad. Noticeably, a young girl is displayed on her journey to chase her dreams to go to university. A common stereotype that has been instilled in our society is that women have little to no value in developing countries. They either stay at home to cook or clean the floors. In this ad, however, they depict a young Indian girl on her way to receive an education, and overcoming the daily struggles of reaching her school. Furthermore, the ad suggest that they allow the new generation of women in India to receive an education, expressed through the slogan “Her future … towards her dream.” 

Pitch Reflection

I have completed this pitch presentation with Shriya Baweja and Luiza Helena regarding the Casio Keytar product (The UK, 1980’s).

The aim of this task was to create an advertising campaign and pitch the product to persuade the company (Casio) was entirely fit for their purpose. Our agency Inspire Your Desire aimed to convince the company by employing several appeals during our speech.

While presenting our pitch, we primarily focused on the use of ethos, both in our speech and our pitch. As a group, we decided to showcase the reputation of our agency, to assure the company our ability to make the campaign successful and worthwhile at the beginning of our pitch. We have achieved this by introducing our agency with our goals, who we are as a team, our perception of advertisement and listing specific awards that our agency won over the years. We included this intentionally to develop a credible and reliable character towards the company. Another ethos rhetoric that we incorporated were the Beatles. Given the timeframe of the 1980’s and a musical instrument, we ought that including a favorite British rock band in the advertisement was an essential and pivotal element to persuade our intended audience and to show awareness of the cultural context.

Another persuasive technique that was incorporated in the pitch was repetition. As a group, we came up with a slogan that would reflect the enthusiastic and exclusive identity of the product “Now be a star with your very own Keytar.” We included this slogan to convince the company that the advertisement would centralize the central identity and reputation of the good. Other appeals that we mentioned during our endorsement was the need for autonomy, the need for something new and logos (neurological impacts).

Overall, we tried to incorporate persuasive language throughout our speech, to reinforce the purpose of the pitch and unite the script as one. We focused on using specific phrases that would automatically lead the company to believe that the campaign is refreshing and credible, such as “Think again… We know… Yes, that’s right! … We strive…”. We expressed this diction in an enthusiastic manner to transfer the same enthusiasm and excitement of the campaign to our audience. Moreover, I believe that this technique was effective as it exhibits a particular perspective on the product, allowing the company to engage with the topic.

Knowledge of the awareness of audience and context influenced our approach to this task. For instance, our context was the UK, during the 1980s. Therefore, we chose for a text type that was popular during this framework: TV commercials and podcasts. Also, we supposed that having a British rock band that was globally known would introduce greater authenticity to the product. Also, we also focused on persuading the company that a musical instrument would not narrow down their options for a broad target audience.

I believe that our group worked very efficiently to complete this task to our best extent, and I’m proud of what we were able to achieve in the time given. During class, we were able to manage our time to finish the task on time successfully. Overall, we collaborated efficiently and were able to distribute the workload equally. Personally, as we worked fluently and were able to collaboratively effectively, I do not think I’d change anything regarding preparing for the task. However, I believe I focused too much on the development of the script, compared to presenting. When presenting, I felt nervous which made me rely on my cue cards too much. Therefore, I was not able to engage with the audience as much as I wanted too. Thus, if I were to complete this presentation again, I would equally manage my time in both the preparation and rehearsing of the task. Then, I’d be able to present without relying on my cue cards and present with greater engagement and communication skills. 

Rhetoric in Advertisements

The intended audience of this Nespresso advertisement are coffee consumers, particularly towards an affluent clientele of a higher income to affirm the brand’s image. In general, young adults tend to express their social status by their looks and physical appearance. However, adults aged 35-50 prioritize their social status by their possessions. As espresso has a focused brand image on luxury coffee and espresso machines, the possession of Nespresso is exclusive and valuable, thus, attracted by higher social class adults.

            The advertisement notably introduces ethos by appealing the presence and authority of the well-respected actor, filmmaker, and activist George Clooney to stimulate a believable character of persuasion. In the ad, George Clooney convinces the intended audience to purchase Nespresso, because his judgment on quality coffee is respected, thus, trustworthy and reliable. As the celebrity is a well-credited actor of a higher social class adult, thus, automatically influences the consumer purchase, position of the brand and attracts new users. 

            Additionally, the advertisement also provokes emotions through its use of setting and characters. Throughout the advert, George Clooney identifies the value of luxury coffee. The brand’s image is primarily visualized in the advert; set in a highly exclusive and wealthy scenery where gestures and movement throughout are elegant, graceful and sophisticated. The use of private setting and exclusive and wealthy characters evokes a luxurious and authorizing feeling. By doing so, the advertisement attracts their intended audience and their media message. Additionally, the slogan of the campaign is to "Experience the quality of Nespresso, and you'll let no one compromise your pleasure". As the women prefers to have another espresso rather than meeting George Clooney, it illuminates and highlights the intense sensation and valuability of Nespresso coffee. Eventhough this situation is highly unrealistic, the setting and character appeals to the intended audience which evokes a prioritized and exclusive emotion. 

Letter to the Editor- 'Twtr? Its Majorly Bad!'

15 October 2016

To the editor:

I am writing in response to the article “Twtr? It's Majorly Bad!’ to express my concern and opinion regarding your arguments. I personally believe that the article generates a one-sided and negative attitude towards technology, as stated that it is pivotal to “protect standards of English from the influence of text message and social media slang”.

Firstly, I’d like to remind you that textspeak is not the only major factor that may or may not affect a student’s grasp of spelling and grammar. The English language, and language in general, will always evolve. Therefore, solely blaming textspeak on mistakes and errors that students make is unnecessary, perhaps, invalid.

In the article, Caroline Jorden stated that “a generation of children are leaving school without a proper grasp of spelling and grammar because of the impact of so-called textspeak”. Not all students are as active on social media and technology as others, therefore, not all students leave without proper knowledge on spelling and grammar. I understand to some extend that textspeak may be introduced in a student’s academics, however, this is a subjective decision made by the students. Additionally, does this mean that our entire generation does this? In my opinion, the answer is no. As a student myself, I believe that we can distinguish when to use which type of language. In order for students to write abbreviations, they must first be able to spell the word and place it in a sentence, in order to apply and create shortcuts of the words. I also disagree that students grow up with “limited vocabularies because they spend so much free time on sites such as Twitter and Facebook.”. These sites are not full of textspeak, in fact, only 10% is. Not only do these sites expose students to a wide variety of text types and styles, it also allows them to read a variety of vocabulary. In fact, due to technology, students have a greater accessibility to literature compared to twenty years ago. Therefore, technology is not a literary monster that shreds and demolishes the history of spelling and grammar.

Furthermore, language is evolutionary, it is inevitable and absurd to attempt preventing this phenomenon from happening. Yes, technology is speeding up this process, however, it allows for a greater understanding and further communication amongst a community. Mrs. Jordan stated that “We should teach English in a traditional way. The correct use of grammar and spelling is important but there is going to be a whole generation which is not necessarily able to do that.”. Language has an evolutionary nature, therefore, “the traditional way” essentially has to adapt to the environment that its exposed to. Grammar and spelling is crucial in the English language, however, it must evolve parallel to language in order to prevent further complications.

The article itself provides a good understanding of the impact that technology has on language, however, I urge you to open up the arguments to a more open-minded nature. I recommend that you reconsider the validity of each argument, as expressed in this letter.

Sincerely,

Fleur Vande Kerckhove

Last Interview with Ann Christy

At the BRT show, we had a chance to interview Ann Christy, the Flemish music phenomena, before her last performance due to her battle with cervical cancer. We had an opportunity to discuss and evaluate her singing career, musical intentions and the impact of her music on the Belgian society.

Fleur Vande Kerckhove: Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve had to miss her for a while, but she’s back. Please welcome the one and only Ann Christy!

…

Vande Kerckhove: Good afternoon Ann, as we all know, the past few months have been extremely rough for you regarding your health—we won’t dig into any further details. However, how are you feeling, do you see a light at the end of the tunnel?

Ann Christy: There are days where I can see the light, and there are days that are pitch black. Psychologically, I believe that there is still a long road of challenges I will have to conquer, which is holding me back at times. Yet, for me, the best medicine is my audience, the applause, the love, the emotions. Making it here today has been a huge accomplishment for me, and I’m grateful … very grateful.

Vande Kerckhove: For each and one of us, young and old, your music has a solid and warm place in the heart of the Belgian community. I’d like to go back a few years, and discuss where it all began; your collaboration with ‘The Adams’. How did this start your music career?

Christy: Hah, my carrier was one of trial and error. I started singing with the orchestra of ‘The Adams’, where I found my first true love; Marc Hoyois, the drummer. As I collaborated with The Adams, I was able to experience what it meant to sing and perform in the heart of my country; Ancienne Belgique in Brussels. The world of music opened wide-eyed with passion and ambition. Two years later, in 1968, I then won the Knokke-Cup “Caméra d’argent’ and I took part in the Festival of Inssbruck. After that, I then took part in the preselections of the Eurovision song festival with my single “Dag Vreemde Man” (Hi Strange Man).

Vande Kerckhove: And that’s when you developed hatred towards festivals?

Christy: I wouldn’t necessarily use the word ‘hatred’, more or less I believe that festivals don’t have the ability to capture you as an artist. In 1975 I finally made it on stage in Stockholm, with my single  “Gelukkig Zijn” (To Be Happy), yet I only came 15^th place. I don’t like to participate in festivals anymore. I find it challenging to present yourselves in three minutes. In three minutes you can also demolish your career.

Vande Kerckhove: After the Eurovision, you then stepped away from festivals for good. What struggles arose by doing so?

Christy: After 1975, I experienced the struggle of defining my music. Who was I writing to? What was my aim? My repertoire isn’t suitable for galas, and I also don’t quite belong to what one calls cabaret. I sit in-between the two, and that’s where I’ve settled.

Vande Kerckhove: In 1980, however, you published a cover of “The Rose” by Bette Midler. What was the intended impact of this song?

 Christy: This particular song, is about the confrontation of love and hate, as “Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed.” (De Roos). The relevance and simplicity of the song is what captures everyone’s attention. I wrote songs that everyone can relate to at a personal level at some point in their lives. The simplicity and purity of the song allows my audience to sing along with ease, yet connect and relate the songs to their personal history. The chorus is simple and repetitive as each section starts with “Men zegt dat liefde…”. This song, for many people, created a sensation of understanding and emotional awareness.

Vande Kerckhove: Why do you think your songs, in general, had such a big influence on the Belgian society?

Christy: The only way I know I have succeeded with a song, is when I see my audience singing along with passion in their voices. Before 1965, popular ‘Schlager’ songs were published, however, they were songs to make fame and money while they didn't connect with a community. I wanted to create timeless, iconic, classic songs, and by doing so I wrote songs that grasped people’s emotions, that touched their hearts. People were astonished that music had the ability to do so, and that, for me, is the art of music…

Vande Kerckhove: Speaking of which, do you still plan on creating music? … Regarding your current situation.

Christy: I will never stop striving to create better songs. Being able to write songs with lyrics that matter to my society, is the only purpose I have. I will never give up on my passion. My passion is what shapes me, and what traces my cultural love for the Belgian society.

Vande Kerckhove: Thank you Ann, your determination and strength to strive is very inspiring. We wish you all the best in what the future serves.

15^th April 1984.

(Ann Christy passed away three months later at the age of 38.)

Does language define who we are?

Analytical Consolidation of Language and Identity: Take a stance on whether you agree or disagree with this statement. Write an argument that supports your position.  Make reference to concepts or readings from the course as evidence.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Prompt:
Language shapes our identity, but doesn’t define who we are.

Language and identity reflect complex interrelationships and interactions within one’s surrounding and communications. According to Merriam-Webster, language is “any one of the systems of human language that are used and understood by a particular group of people”. Furthermore, language is considered a “tool of trade” (Mother Tongue, Tan) which can portray and evoke particular emotions, ideas, truths and images. Identity, on the other hand, is a stable and dynamic definition of “who someone is” (Merriam-Webster, 2008). An identity is not a sudden ‘thing’ that you acquire, it is a cumulative evolution of different accomplishments. This concept of having an evolving identity can be categorized into four main notions; a master, interactional, personal and relational identity. A master identity is stable and unchanging (gender, age, ethnicity, etc.), whereas an interactional identity may change in your role within a communicative context. Similarly, a personal identity is stable and unique (characteristics such as loving, caring, etc.), whereas a relational identity is highly variable depending on the situation you’re in. Contrarily to the prompt, language not only shapes our evolving identity but also defines who we are, as language defines the ways in which we envision and perceive ourselves towards the world. 

Language is a result of the evolution of human interaction, allowing individuals to communicate with each other in certain ways. The manner in which they do this reflects complex relationships with their culture, language, and most importantly their identity. Language first arose among 30,000 – 10,000 years ago among homo sapiens. In today’s society, there are approximately 6,500 different languages (“Let Them Die”, Kenan Malik), in which different groups of people have the ability to use their language as a “tool of trade” (Mother Tongue, Tan). For example, the English language was affected by different elements such as the Anglo-Saxon, the Norman Conquest, Shakespeare, The King James Bible, Science, English & Empire, the Age of the Dictionary, the Internet, etc. As these elements have had the ability to influence the English language, it has automatically impacted the way we use certain words and sentence structures; impacting our manners of communication. An individual’s way of speaking reflects that person’s identity, also known as an idiolect. As these elements develop and change over time, there is no ‘single standard English’ as the combination of idiolects, dialect, accents and regional dialects all participate in defining who you are as a person.

The language an individual is speaking defines the manner in which they communicate with their surroundings, thus impacting their overall master identity. Julia Alvarez portrays this concept in the text “Names/Nombres”, as she discusses the difficulty of changing her identity through communication. She portrays a shift in her interactional identity, as she changes her name Julia to Judy in order to adapt to the ‘manner of conversation’ in New York. Similarly, languages can only provide communication to a certain extent, as some languages may project certain vocabularies in a different way. For example, “the possibilities offered in a new language—the words and turns of phrase for which their own language doesn’t have any equivalents, the strange new rhythms and patterns of sounds” (Speaking in tongues, 2016). This is why author Jhumpa Lahiri and comedian David Sedaris both moved to another country in hopes of rendering another language, in order to refresh their manner of communication and eventually “create some sort identity” (Me Talk Pretty One Day, Sedaris). 

Similarly, when bilinguals are exposed to numerous languages over a period of time, a significant evolution in their identity is made as a result of a change in their communication system. In the poem “Bilingual Sestina”, Julia Alvarez identifies this change as her code-switching communication became part of her interactional and master identity throughout her journey of mastering both languages. Another example, is the Pirahã tribe, a topic that was discussed during ‘Theory of Knowledge’. The Pirahã language departs from the ‘normal’ conventions of all languages around the world. The Pirahã language is the only language that doesn’t use sub-coordinate clauses. For example, instead of saying “When I have finished eating, I would like to speak with you,” the Pirahã’s would say “I finish eating, I speak with you.” (Spiegel, 2006). As a result, the tribe’s communication and vision on the world is solely focused on the present and ignores any existence of the past and future –a very contrasting prospect compared to a Western culture. This supports that through language, an individual is exposed to certain concepts of culture and global features, and through communication, they automatically inherit these beliefs within their evolving identity. The way in which different individuals communicate with each other reflects on how they perceive themselves as a person, which helps build and carve their master identity.  

Through language, we have the ability to find and lose ourselves—our identity. Whether the language used is inherent or intentional, language develops a person’s theory of mind. This concludes the notion that humans are capable of understanding that what they think isn't always the same as what others think. The ‘Power of Language’ does not solely focus on the ability to evoke a certain idea and emotion, it allows us to further define our stable and dynamic identity shaped by communication and culture. As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “Language is the blood of the soul into which thoughts run and out of which they grow.”; whether you’re a polyglot, monolingual, bilingual or multilingual, language shapes your identity and therefore helps to define who you are, because your identity is you. 

Works Cited

HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

Germany, SPIEGEL ONLINE Hamburg. "Brazil's Pirahã Tribe: Living without Numbers or Time - SPIEGEL ONLINE." SPIEGEL ONLINE. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

@reidhoffman. "Shape Your Identity Or It Will Shape You - Reid Hoffman." Reid Hoffman RSS. N.p., 2015. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

Team, The ITunes U. "The History of English in Ten Minutes." OpenLearn. The Open University, 2011. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

"The Impact of Culture on Food-Related Behavior." - Annual Review of Nutrition, 6(1):345. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.

Bilingual Mind- A Summary

            In order to become fluent in a particular language, one must master 50,000 words. For bilinguals and trilingual, this learning process is repeated two-three times during their life. To understand how the ‘mind of the polyglot’ functions, scientists are researching the many ways language affects the behavior and structure of the brain.

            A baby may not be able to speak a language fluently, however, they are able to identify certain sounds and combinations of language. Thus, they develop a babble of these combinations of sounds, which later narrows down to the native language in which the parents reply to them. When a child develops two languages at the same time, they are most likely to encounter situations such as the dog-chien dilemma, excelling in the Stroop test and code switching. This behavior may be seen in the brain. Some studies suggest that bilingual brains may have a thickening of the cortex (left inferior parietal), while others have found an increasing amount of white matter in the frontal regions of the brain, compared to monolingual brains.

            Bilingualism also comes with numerous advantages and disadvantages. Besides being able to communicate in two languages, bilingualism also has other advantages regarding the brain’s health. Studies have supported that bilinguals have dementia 4.1 years later than monolinguals, and Alzheimer’s 5.1 years later. Another study suggests that monolinguals are metabolically economical when completing cognitive missions. In particular, a common disadvantage of bilingualism is that many children struggle to increase their vocabulary in both languages to the same extent as monolinguals. However, this is considered a short-term disadvantage as most children catch up on this problem later in life. Even though multilingualism may not be the only way to stay cognitively healthy, it remains an area of scientific interest and research in order to find out why and how the brain has the capability and capacity to learn more than just one language. 

Works Cited

 Kluger, Jeffrey. "Understanding How the Brain Speaks Two Languages." Time Health. Time, 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. 

Mother Tongue

In response to the article ‘Mother Tongue’, by Amy Tan, the importance of a person’s home language is pivotal in order to shape one’s identity and roots to their cultural heritage. As you may or may not know already, my mother tongue is Dutch; specifically, the dialect ‘Flemish’. Growing up with the Dutch language for eleven years, I was able to easily express my thoughts, emotions, and ideas to others without any hindrance or language barriers. When I moved to Abu Dhabi, however, this ability completely transformed. I could no longer speak Dutch with whoever I wanted, I struggled with communication and expressing my ideas, let alone communicate my emotions. After a few years of speaking English at school, I noticed a change in my mother tongue;  I started to lose the standard level of the Dutch language. For example, when coming back to Belgium for the summer, I often made silly mistakes with verb conjugations and past tenses, my range of vocabulary had drastically decreased, and I essentially started mixing my second language with my first language during conversations.

       So what do you do? This is a question that many bilingual individuals will face when developing or mastering a second, perhaps third language. For Native-English speakers or any monolingual, this dilemma does not influence one’s speech or communication. This is because in most cases, a person is only exposed to one language, allowing them to fully master their vocabulary, grammar, spelling, etc. to their full extent. When I was a monolingual (Native-Dutch speaker) myself, I was mastering these aspects of the Dutch language. However, when moving to the UAE, I now was also exposed to the English language, while still developing my Standard-Dutch at the same time. After a few years of mastering the English language, it is common that bilingual individuals start to find a balance with their first, second and perhaps third language. In other words, I know that I will never be able to speak English to the extent and standard of a Native-English speaker, nor a Native-Dutch speaker; simply because I have found a fifty-fifty balance between the standards of both languages. 

So what’s the point of bilingualism then? Can’t you simply focus on one language instead? In theory, yes, why not? But in reality, this, for many bilinguals, isn’t a logical decision to make. The importance of your mother language is not only vital to your development as a person, it is also pivotal to the evolution of one’s identity and connection to their cultural roots. If I came to Abu Dhabi, and completely gave up on my mother language, would that still make me the person I am today? Would I feel any connection towards my heritage and culture at all? The answer to these questions are unknown territory, however, it is a fact that a language is often shaped by one’s culture. Therefore, I started taking Dutch classes, in order to improve my silly mistakes with verb conjugations and past tense, to increase my vocabulary and correct my use of English within my Dutch conversations. Personally, I value my English and Dutch language to the same extent, because it allows me to be the person I am and develop my personal and master identity. If I stayed in Belgium my entire life, I would’ve developed a completely different insight and perspective of the world, as I am solely exposed to the Belgian culture. In Abu Dhabi, however, I’ve gained an international and open-minded stance towards the world, allowing me to see certain aspects in a different manner, or with a second perspective.

           I’ve come to a point where I’ve personally learnt to embrace this difference, as my home language links me back to my identity before, and after I became bilingual. Having a mother tongue comes with a road paved with challenges and dilemmas. However, it opens doors to opportunities and experiences in order to carve your master and personal identity, as well as to continue your personal interaction with your cultural roots.

Good English and Bad

Ever wondered why it is ungrammatical to say “I’m busy, are I not?”, yet “I’m busy aren’t I?” is considered perfect English? According to Bill Bryson (Good English and Bad, 1990), this consideration of deciding what exactly is good English and what is bad is an entirely prejudice choice. Bryson states that “English grammar is so complex and confusing for the one very simple reason that its rules and terminology are based on Latin – a language with which it has precious little in common” (pg. 145). As a result, there “are no officially appointed guardians for the English language” (pg. 147), and are what they are “because they are” (pg. 149). In the world of English, one of the main doubtless virtues is that “it is a fluid and democratic language” in which change and evolution are a natural process.

In order to conform English to a criteria of set rules, grammarians decided to model these rules from those of Latin grammar in the 17^th century. Bryson believes that the English grammar is complex as it is largely reliant on its rules and terminology based Latin. In Latin, for example, it is impossible to split an infinitive. Therefore, English authorities decided that the English grammar must conform to this rule as well. In the light of Bryson’s perspective, this decision is “patent absurdity” as both languages have very little in common. Essentially, the author is suggesting that because of these anomalies “the parts of speech must be so broadly defined as to be almost meaningless”. Because of these complexities, Bryson mocks the English grammar as due to these complexities “the authorities themselves often stumble”. The English language cannot simply be influenced by a subjective statement of Robert Lowth, or simply through arguments of conforming the rules to those of Latin. In reality, the English grammar and language are influenced by the speakers themselves, as well as authoritarian individuals who as a whole imply certain rules as the new norm.

Bryson’s discussion allows me to reflect and evaluate on own lapses in the English grammar. As English is my second language, understanding the English grammar at a first glance was very challenging and intimidating. Yet, after a few months of communicating in English, I simply accepted that certain grammatical rules were just the way they were. To this day, I continue to find some grammatical rules perplexing, but I had never pondered on why these rules were the way they were. I strongly agree with Bryson’s perspective that it is “patent absurdity” to conform the English grammar to Latin rules, as both have an entirely different structure in its parts of speech. Bryson’s discussions has engaged my opinion on the English language itself. In my opinion, I strongly believe that the English language should have the ability to evolve throughout history, without being locked inside a box of rules dictated by a ‘dead’ and ancient language. 

Works Cited

Bryson, Bill. (1990). Good English and Bad. In B. Bryson, The Mother Tongue (pp. 143-51)

A Good Name

            As previously mentioned on my blog, my full name is Fleur Vande Kerckhove, however, I simply like to go by Fleur. Originally, some historians state that the name ‘Fleur’—French for “Flower”—was first introduced in 1922 as John Galsworthy (1869-1933) bestowed it as a character in the novel ‘The Forsyte Saga’ (1). However, others state that the name ‘Fleur’ may have derived earlier from France during the Middle Ages (5^th -15^th century) (2). It’s pronounced as Fluur in Dutch and French, and Flur or Flure in English. My last name ‘Vande Kerckhove’ has no specific known origin, however, it may refer to the village 'Kerkhove' (Avelgem, Belgium), traditional ‘church gardens’ or a ‘cemetery’ (‘Kerkhof’).

            During my mother’s pregnancy, she was advised to stay in the hospital for six months and as a result had plenty of time to brainstorm a name for her second child. During her stay at the hospital, my parents always watched a Dutch televisions series called ‘Westenwind’ (1999-2003), also known as the modernized Dutch version of 'Romeo & Juliet’. The series focused on the Earl and Noordermeer family, who both owned a shipyard in the port of Rotterdam. For years on end, the feuding families try to thwart each other, until Fleur Noordermeer starts a relationship with Marco Earl. Eventually, the star-crossed lovers ultimately reconcile their families as a whole. Fleur Noordermeer was a successful, intelligent, independent woman who knew what she wanted in life. These characters played as a role-model profile for my parents, as they were characters they hoped to see in me when I grew up. Initially, my mother was going to name me ‘Floor’ (a common Dutch name, a form of Florence). However, I’m very glad and thankful she changed her mind to Fleur as ‘Floor’ would create some major international misunderstandings, especially in English.

            The reason to why I have such a lengthy and complex name is due to a cultural tradition based on my family orientation. When I was born on November 16^th, there was a viergeslacht (“four blood bond”) relationship on my mother’s side of the family. This means that when a female baby is born, her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother are all alive within the same bloodline. While most Belgians generally decide to have children later in life, this circumstance is very rare and special in our country and culture. Therefore, as a tradition, the baby is given a name which consists of all members of the four blood bond along with a photograph in the local newspaper. In my full name (Fleur Elise Christiane Marie), ‘Elise’ is my great-grandmother's name (Elsa), ‘Christiane’ stands for my grandmother’s name, and ‘Marie’ stands for my mother (Mieke).  

I am very proud of my name as it has contributed to my identity today, through embracing the richness and uniqueness of my name's origin. As I’ve traveled to other countries and lived abroad for six years, I’ve come to realize the ‘Power of a Name’. My name is a present-day representation of how I personally perceive myself in the world today. As Theodore Roethke once said “deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light”; the uniqueness of my name amongst others has allowed me to embrace my personality as well as reminding myself of my accomplishments. My name is not only a portrayal of my culture and tradition, it is who I was in the past, who’ve I’ve developed to be, and who I will become in the future.

  Works Cited

(1)Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Fleur." Behind the Name. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
(2)"Fleur Name Meaning & Origin." Baby Name Wizard. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Belgian Cultural Misconceptions

According to the IB Course Companion, culture “is a system of meaning for a group of people and it includes languages, laws, customs, myths, images, text, and daily practices.” (Chapter 3, 2014). Personally, I identify myself with the Belgian culture. The Belgian culture participates in uniting our main cultural communities: Flanders (Dutch-speaking) and Wallonia (French/German-speaking). Even though I was born and raised in Flanders, I still share the same cultural aspects shared by all Belgian communities.

In order to sustain life, individuals must obtain, acquire, provide and produce food every single day (1). The way in which they complete this reflects their interrelationship towards a specific cultural group, certain individuals, and their surrounding milieu (1). The Belgian cuisine is a vital cultural marker in the Belgian culture, as it has been characterized by our daily practices and traditions throughout history. Yet a common misconception is that Belgium “simply stole their traditional dishes from their neighboring countries” or that they “don’t even have a cuisine at all”. No, French fries are not French, chocolate pralines are not Swiss, and not all beer is from Germany.

 Despite its name, French fries are not French. In fact, the ‘French fry’ was actually discovered in Belgium in the late-1600s. According to historians, poor villagers living near the Meuse Valley actually also ate fried fish that they caught earlier that day (3). During the winter, the river froze and thus they used potatoes and other root plants to be fried and consumed instead. Then why is it called ‘French’, you may ask? During World War I (1914-18), American soldiers were introduced to the dish by the Belgian army (3). However, during 1914 the official language of the Belgian army was French, therefore, the Americans named the fried potatoes “French fries”.

        What about pralines? The Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus Jr. was the first to introduce praline in 1857 (2). His father, a Brussels pharmacist Jean Neuhaus used chocolate do cover medicine and its atrocious taste. Later in 1912, Neuhaus Jr. then replaced the medicine with chocolate filling, also known as the ‘praline’ (2). Belgium is also home to 1150 original Belgian beers, 146 breweries, and 44 beer companies (3).

      Nonetheless, our cuisine palette does not solely consist of fries, chocolate, and beer. The Belgian cuisine stretches from a wide variety of regional specialties to national classics. Including waterzooi (Gent), couque biscuits (Dinant), tarte au riz (Verviers), as well as carbonades flamandes/stoverij, moules-frites, chicons au gratin/gegratineerde witloof, tomates crevette and paling in’t groen just to name a few. On average, Belgians consume 32 tons of mussels, 170,000 tons of chocolate and 22 tons of waffle a year, ranking us in the top 10 consumers of regional trade. In Belgium, it’s a common tradition to invite relatives and friends accompanied by traditional specialties. Our cuisine doesn’t simply represent our country; it unites our communities to a stronger self. Although Belgium is a small, densely populated country, our cultural cuisine plays a dominant role in showcasing our traditions, customs, and etiquettes.

Understanding this cultural marker promotes more effective communication, as it enables each society to clarify different customs and traditions established throughout history. Each culture is unique to its own personal history and when we succeed to clarify misconceptions regarding cultural markers, it allows us to fully express our emotions and language with one another. 

Works Cited

(1) Axelson, M. L. The Impact of Culture on Food-Related Behavior. University of Maryland: Departement of Food, and Institution Administration, 1986. Print.

(2) Bussemaker, Jet. "Belgian Pralines: A Sweet but Not so Short History | Discover Benelux." Discover Benelux. The Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.

(3) White, Samuel. "Do French Fries Really Come From France?" Wonderopolis. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2016.