The irony of it all... I remember hating English and Afrikaans grammar at school. Now I find myself increasingly shifting towards linguistics in my studies. Go figure.
It's not a bad thing. My research question has many facets, as already stated to the point of redundancy. I realized however, that the one discipline that will most likely form the core of my investigation will be linguistics. I doubt that I will have to develop a technicist level of understanding of most of this big discipline's skills and knowledge base, because I am less concerned about how languages affect each other in terms of vocabulary, syntax etc. and want to focus specifically on issues of linguistic maintenance. How do languages survive? Can they survive?
That is why I decided to pick the English as a Global Language course for my next course.
That said, I will have to pick my other courses very carefully, in order for them to overlap and complement and have integrative potential TM with linguistics in order for them to be of use for my final project. Globalization, English Writing, Cultural studies, Heritage Resource Management, are some of the good possibilities available at Athabasca U.
That reminds me, Du Bois was provided as an example to us during this course of someone who managed to present research with a powerful writing style. I would like to develop my own style and approach over the next couple of years in order to do justice to the group I will be studying. Of course, it will be slightly complicated by the fact that I would like to do my final writing in both languages. Hopefully, although I will publish in Canada in English, I might be able to publish my Afrikaans paper in South Africa through Litnet.
Its actually so obvious why they require us to do MAIS602 so early on in the degree: Once you have a focus, a target, it becomes a simple matter of acquiring the necessary set of skills en route to the final destination. Wherever that may be... at least I have a compass heading now.
Eben
The Uncommon Tongue: A look at the state of Afrikaans as heritage language in Canada.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Guiding light
What lies behind the choice of topic? What drives my curiosity? Mr. Robbins would say something about my World View, which in turn is fed by my Needs. Others would talk about a Life Map, a narrative or storyline I have subconsciously constructed for myself.
Well, there are a few values that drive me. Some of them are in a constant state of conflict with each other. Therein lies the nature of the beast. We carry Order and Chaos. Both are necessary. In Nature and Nature we find the same.
A sense of purpose:
We are born into a specific experience. We are given a set of circumstances to deal with, to learn from. In my case I was born in 1976 - in South Africa. (South Africa in 1976 was an interesting place - maybe even more so than usual, and that's saying a lot.)
I was born into an Afrikaner-culture home (although Hollywood and Coca-Cola was banging on the door pretty loudly even then...) And if I choose to believe in Purpose, a Higher Being, or some Cosmic Force, I have to believe that this happened for a Reason.
I was born on the other side of the fence. In many ways. I have seen exploitation, I have seen hate. I have seen how easy it is to become the nightmare you fear. Yet I have also been enabled to talk and think in ways outside of the mainstream. Why?
Because of Diversity. Because we are different. Because I don't have to eat Big Mac's all day long. I don't have to drink Coca-Cola or wear Levi's (or even lederhosen for that matter!) every day.
Do you like cooking? I like cooking. Marthinus Versfeld noted in the Philosophers' Cookbook that preparing food involves a communion with the Universe, with the Ten Thousand Things the Taoists speak of. I love this idea. Unfortunately, when mentioning the Ten Thousand Things, people often forget to listen further because they are so busy imagining thousands of dollars and what Things they could buy with it.
I realized the very difference I had despised in school (English kids would make fun of our accents - tut tut!) that very thing was a treasure beyond my imagining at the time.
Afrikaans. The portal to a different reality. Like interdisciplinarity, languages allows for multiple (and sometimes even integrated) perspectives on the Truth. My language is part of the Ten Thousand Things. It is a living, breathing thing. To me, it is as necessary as breathing.
As the languages around the world are steamrollered out of existence by multiple forces, including the language I now type in, so the world is losing its grip on this universe. We are seeing less of the Truth, because we are moving in the direction of only being able to view the Truth from one point of view. And if that day comes, we might be so blinded by our arrogance, that we might believe there is only One Truth. We might even start to think that we know It.
We all choose our own paths. A Road. We 'carry the fire' in our own ways. For me it means many things, all coloured with shades of Freedom and Responsibility. Cherishing the beauty of Diversity is one of them.
As a well-known linguist explained at the end of his book :
"If it (English) is by then the only language left to be learned, it will have been the greatest intellectual disaster the planet has ever known." (Crystal 191)
Eben
Well, there are a few values that drive me. Some of them are in a constant state of conflict with each other. Therein lies the nature of the beast. We carry Order and Chaos. Both are necessary. In Nature and Nature we find the same.
A sense of purpose:
We are born into a specific experience. We are given a set of circumstances to deal with, to learn from. In my case I was born in 1976 - in South Africa. (South Africa in 1976 was an interesting place - maybe even more so than usual, and that's saying a lot.)
I was born into an Afrikaner-culture home (although Hollywood and Coca-Cola was banging on the door pretty loudly even then...) And if I choose to believe in Purpose, a Higher Being, or some Cosmic Force, I have to believe that this happened for a Reason.
I was born on the other side of the fence. In many ways. I have seen exploitation, I have seen hate. I have seen how easy it is to become the nightmare you fear. Yet I have also been enabled to talk and think in ways outside of the mainstream. Why?
Because of Diversity. Because we are different. Because I don't have to eat Big Mac's all day long. I don't have to drink Coca-Cola or wear Levi's (or even lederhosen for that matter!) every day.
Do you like cooking? I like cooking. Marthinus Versfeld noted in the Philosophers' Cookbook that preparing food involves a communion with the Universe, with the Ten Thousand Things the Taoists speak of. I love this idea. Unfortunately, when mentioning the Ten Thousand Things, people often forget to listen further because they are so busy imagining thousands of dollars and what Things they could buy with it.
I realized the very difference I had despised in school (English kids would make fun of our accents - tut tut!) that very thing was a treasure beyond my imagining at the time.
Afrikaans. The portal to a different reality. Like interdisciplinarity, languages allows for multiple (and sometimes even integrated) perspectives on the Truth. My language is part of the Ten Thousand Things. It is a living, breathing thing. To me, it is as necessary as breathing.
As the languages around the world are steamrollered out of existence by multiple forces, including the language I now type in, so the world is losing its grip on this universe. We are seeing less of the Truth, because we are moving in the direction of only being able to view the Truth from one point of view. And if that day comes, we might be so blinded by our arrogance, that we might believe there is only One Truth. We might even start to think that we know It.
We all choose our own paths. A Road. We 'carry the fire' in our own ways. For me it means many things, all coloured with shades of Freedom and Responsibility. Cherishing the beauty of Diversity is one of them.
As a well-known linguist explained at the end of his book :
"If it (English) is by then the only language left to be learned, it will have been the greatest intellectual disaster the planet has ever known." (Crystal 191)
Eben
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Where is my mind? (-map)
Here is a view of my FreeMind mindmap. It tries to show the Research Design as it evolved over the course of the ... ah... course.
If you click on it, you will notice that I haven't finished it yet. I only found out about this program today. Thanks Nichelle!
Eben
Ethics (being efficient, yet guided by strong principles)
Palys and Atchison seem to be no fans of the current Big Brother approach to ethical screening of research proposals. A strong centralization of power seems to be emerging, together with a very cozy relationship between universities + government + business. Academic autonomy seems to be left more and more in the murky waters of economic considerations, financial gain, and the power-knowledge structures which can so easily shut out dissident voices. A few unethical studies seemed to have provided the ammunition for this take-over, while the insidence of such academic endevours are few and far in between - virtually absent in the Social Sciences.
What's more is that the quantitative-favouring biomedical field has provided these ethics boards with an inappropriate yardstick with which to measure the social sciences. We cannot account for all the variables, we don't work in laboratories and our participants aren't predictable. We need the freedom to make choices in the field, at a moments' notice.
That said, some of the guidelines really added to some of the more commonsensical considerations. My first concern I worded like this:
"My biggest worry is that Afrikaans immigrants might be wary of ‘making a fuss’. Due to certain global tensions in regards to multiculturalism (especially in Europe), many Afrikaans immigrants might want to keep a low profile. My research topic might come across as some form of mobilization, something that might agitate and cause tension within the community, maybe even give Afrikaans-speakers (but especially Afrikaners) a ‘worse reputation’ than they already have. Many Afrikaners still carry an enormous amount of baggage regarding the policy of Apartheid, and may wish to stay an ‘invisible’ minority in Canada, in order to be soaked up into the social fabric of the majority."
My line of questioning would also need to be very sensitive. I would not want anyone to feel judged. The emphasis must fall on the actual exploration of the phenomenon, trying to understand it empathetically.
Issues of anonymity and confidentiality was raised and I think I was able to build enough safeguards into my methods. Hopefully, my participants will be reassured by it all. The most important thing to remember, is that I will be dealing with people. My language-people, and sometimes we can be especially cruel to our own (or completely compromised by only seeing their point of view).
The guiding light in my approach was articulated by Palys who said we should always "ask what standard we would expect a researcher to follow if the participant was our mother, son, or a close friend." (Palys 85)
(Atchison, Chris and Palys, Ted. Research Decisions: Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives - 4th Ed. Toronto: Nelson, 2008)
What's more is that the quantitative-favouring biomedical field has provided these ethics boards with an inappropriate yardstick with which to measure the social sciences. We cannot account for all the variables, we don't work in laboratories and our participants aren't predictable. We need the freedom to make choices in the field, at a moments' notice.
That said, some of the guidelines really added to some of the more commonsensical considerations. My first concern I worded like this:
"My biggest worry is that Afrikaans immigrants might be wary of ‘making a fuss’. Due to certain global tensions in regards to multiculturalism (especially in Europe), many Afrikaans immigrants might want to keep a low profile. My research topic might come across as some form of mobilization, something that might agitate and cause tension within the community, maybe even give Afrikaans-speakers (but especially Afrikaners) a ‘worse reputation’ than they already have. Many Afrikaners still carry an enormous amount of baggage regarding the policy of Apartheid, and may wish to stay an ‘invisible’ minority in Canada, in order to be soaked up into the social fabric of the majority."
My line of questioning would also need to be very sensitive. I would not want anyone to feel judged. The emphasis must fall on the actual exploration of the phenomenon, trying to understand it empathetically.
Issues of anonymity and confidentiality was raised and I think I was able to build enough safeguards into my methods. Hopefully, my participants will be reassured by it all. The most important thing to remember, is that I will be dealing with people. My language-people, and sometimes we can be especially cruel to our own (or completely compromised by only seeing their point of view).
The guiding light in my approach was articulated by Palys who said we should always "ask what standard we would expect a researcher to follow if the participant was our mother, son, or a close friend." (Palys 85)
(Atchison, Chris and Palys, Ted. Research Decisions: Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives - 4th Ed. Toronto: Nelson, 2008)
Stepping back...
When I view the whole journey up to this point, I can see the top of the funnel with its brainstorm of the topic and then the decisions that had to be made regarding which specific topic to pursue. The literature review unearthed a mountain of relevant information, but also pointed out gaps in the literature regarding my specific research topic.
I mean, its quite odd when you consider the Afrikaans community in Canada.
a.) They are very well educated.
b.) Almost all the households should be in the top income brackets.
c.) They put strong emphasis on education (often sending their children to private schools).
d.) Largely intact (low divorce rates) allowing for maximum support families.
e.) Yet they are unaware of the linguistic issues which could adversely affect their children's education, identity and connection with cultural roots.
This group has a lot of positives going for them, yet they are not doing any better than the poor linguistic groups. As a matter of fact, it seems the First Nations are starting to lead the way in raising awareness of the importance of mothertongue-based education.
The literature review reassured me that I should go ahead and persevere with this line of enquiry.
Eben
I mean, its quite odd when you consider the Afrikaans community in Canada.
a.) They are very well educated.
b.) Almost all the households should be in the top income brackets.
c.) They put strong emphasis on education (often sending their children to private schools).
d.) Largely intact (low divorce rates) allowing for maximum support families.
e.) Yet they are unaware of the linguistic issues which could adversely affect their children's education, identity and connection with cultural roots.
This group has a lot of positives going for them, yet they are not doing any better than the poor linguistic groups. As a matter of fact, it seems the First Nations are starting to lead the way in raising awareness of the importance of mothertongue-based education.
The literature review reassured me that I should go ahead and persevere with this line of enquiry.
Eben
STATS! "Please Lord no!"
But it wasn't so bad. It was bad. But not in a put-matchsticks-in-your-eyes-to-prop-up-your-eyelids-to-prevent-falling-asleep-bad.
Actually, there seems to be quite a few interesting observations one could make about the chapters on STATS:
1.) Oooh... it would be so easy to tell little/big lies with those numbers! Unless someone takes the time to look at the raw data, they will be blinded by the officious, authorative, nay... magical beauty of the little digits in front of them.
2.) Stats can really be an asset, even an integral part of the qualitative investigation, as long as the interplay between data and theory is maintained. This is what I would like to do, the survey questionnaire will have questions of relevance - generated in partnership with the participants during the pilot interviews - which means that my stats should be more accurate. But like Mr. Holmes I will check the stats again by doing more interviews thereafter, to see if my findings are still valid. To make sure the participants are accurately reflected in the numbers. The stats guide me towards emerging patterns, and away from my own 'filters'. I can lie to others with my stats, but it would be quite difficult to look at the stats myself and lie to myself. I might want to see certain things, ignore others, but the stats will show me quite clearly (I hope) how often or widespread the opinions or instances are. (And what negative instances there are).
3.) So, wider relevance: It is the real 'hook' of the quantitative statistical approach. We (the public) want to know how prevalent a phenomenon is before we bother to investigate/read up on it. The question is rather whether such quantitative approaches have been entirely valid in the past. I think we both know the answer to that question! Still, a quantitative facet to your research design can - if kept in check with qualitative core - lend extra weight to your results in terms of validity and reliability.
e
PS. One of the other students pointed me in the direction of an OpenSource stat program called PSPP.
Actually, there seems to be quite a few interesting observations one could make about the chapters on STATS:
1.) Oooh... it would be so easy to tell little/big lies with those numbers! Unless someone takes the time to look at the raw data, they will be blinded by the officious, authorative, nay... magical beauty of the little digits in front of them.
2.) Stats can really be an asset, even an integral part of the qualitative investigation, as long as the interplay between data and theory is maintained. This is what I would like to do, the survey questionnaire will have questions of relevance - generated in partnership with the participants during the pilot interviews - which means that my stats should be more accurate. But like Mr. Holmes I will check the stats again by doing more interviews thereafter, to see if my findings are still valid. To make sure the participants are accurately reflected in the numbers. The stats guide me towards emerging patterns, and away from my own 'filters'. I can lie to others with my stats, but it would be quite difficult to look at the stats myself and lie to myself. I might want to see certain things, ignore others, but the stats will show me quite clearly (I hope) how often or widespread the opinions or instances are. (And what negative instances there are).
3.) So, wider relevance: It is the real 'hook' of the quantitative statistical approach. We (the public) want to know how prevalent a phenomenon is before we bother to investigate/read up on it. The question is rather whether such quantitative approaches have been entirely valid in the past. I think we both know the answer to that question! Still, a quantitative facet to your research design can - if kept in check with qualitative core - lend extra weight to your results in terms of validity and reliability.
e
PS. One of the other students pointed me in the direction of an OpenSource stat program called PSPP.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Validity, and negative instances
Two concepts that really stood out for me towards the latter part of the course, was the inductive & deductive brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. Yep, you heard me correctly... my dear Watson. Palys and Atchison (Research Decisions) used Sherlock Holmes to illustrate the way induction and deduction can be used to draw more accurate conclusions. The way Sherlock used analytic induction at first, especially the way he looked for negative evidence, was particularly englightening. Sherlock has become somewhat of an analytical rolemodel for me. His methods and approaches are striking, but what really caused me to pause was his attitude towards the phenomenon. He is so careful to not form conclusions too early on. He's also so eager in trying to prove preliminary theories as unworkable (his own included). By the time he finally commits to a theory, every variable has been accounted for.
Now, studying linguistic issues - like most other complex social phenomena - excludes any possibility of such a thorough knowledge. After all, Holmes had to only solve a single crime in this case, involving a singel horse. His set of variables were contained to an infinitely bigger degree than mine. But one must try. I can only imagine that this kind of ability, the ability to reason so efficiently, must be cultivated over quite a long time.
Which begs the question: When the Final Project comes, will I have had enough practice?
E
Eben
Now, studying linguistic issues - like most other complex social phenomena - excludes any possibility of such a thorough knowledge. After all, Holmes had to only solve a single crime in this case, involving a singel horse. His set of variables were contained to an infinitely bigger degree than mine. But one must try. I can only imagine that this kind of ability, the ability to reason so efficiently, must be cultivated over quite a long time.
Which begs the question: When the Final Project comes, will I have had enough practice?
E
Eben
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