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quote:
Originally posted by kabloink
It's worse in Texas where I am at until we can sell a property and move back to our property in HI. Long story best left for another topic. The functional illiteracy rate here in Texas is approximately 33%. Which is rather shocking.
In comparison, I would have to say that the Hawaii educational system is far better if the illiteracy rate is only 1 in 6.
It is worse in Texas because of the major impact that illegals from Mexico have on the state. Take the illegals out of the surveys and I'll bet the rate is dramatically improved.
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quote:
Originally posted by PaulW
Are you sure it wasn't "congraduations" as a play on words?
Yes, I'm sure. It was congratulating a sports team. Had nothing to do with graduating.
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Earlier this year all the TV stations ran a series of pubic service announcements where local celebrities gave one word that symbolized what Hawaii statehood had meant to them - the word emblazoned on the screen in Harry Kim’s spot was “OPPURTUNITY.” It ran that way for weeks - scary!
use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without
I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
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I will "be kind," but one thing that bugs me are the signs I see everywhere around here with apostrophes in strange places! Example: "Taco's for sale!" This error is even made on business signs. The English language is a tough one to learn, but even I remember about apostrophes from my grammer school days in California. Oh well - I love it here anyway.
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The nightmare employers have finding workers may end soon enough when Lingle's first round of clerical layoffs occurs. (wink, wink)
When the local newscasters consistently mispronounce commonly used words and terms, THAT irritates me. These people should be setting the standard.
The most recently bothersome word for me was "Cannes," pronounced CAN. As you can guess she pronounced it CANS. Harrumph!!! Here are others:
Des Moines - you guessed it.
Illinois - same thing.
Album - was pronouced ALBLUM
Nuclear - (George W's favorite) NUKULAR
[
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] And still - it's all good. It's just part of the charm.
Carrie Rojo
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it." Galadriel - LOTR
Carrie Rojo
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future..." Galadriel LOTR
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I just saw "congradulations" on Konaweb. It's spreading!
That with the apostrophes, it's been happening all over the English-speaking world for quite a while now. It's so common that it'll probably be standard soon.
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Dang, gotta speak up...
As a former English teacher, and long-time voracious reader, I see strange usage everywhere. I once read a book where I felt like I ought to have highlighted every wrong usage and typo and sent it to the author and suggested he get an editor who could actually earn his/her salary.
First of all, remember that an overwhelming number of Hawai'ian school students are either immigrants, non-english speakers in their homes, or so embedded with local-speak that they are functionally learning a new language when entering school. That said, it takes several generations of committed folks to change that disadvantage, and I don't know that the will is there in all cases. A tough roe to hoe for the teachers.
Secondly, I do recognize that there are other ways of "reading" our environment, and gratefully listen to local folks who know more about that than I do. There is language, and then there is language. The balance is the problem, and the lack of bilingual-ness (made-up word!) prevents many Hawai'i kids from going on in life to greater careers without great effort.
Finally, for those who come here and want to understand the complexities of our island culture, I recommend two authors who write from local perspectives: Lois-Ann Yamanaka and Kiana Davenport.
Yamanaka:
Heads By Harry
Blu's Hanging
and others
Kiana:
Shark Dreams
Song of the Exile
You can't read these and not have some feelings of the difficulties that local folks encounter, and not come away with a greater appreciation for the local language and culture.
On the other hand, we can't ignore the importance of supporting education and the goals its speaks to, which include broadening the horizon and opportunity for the youth of our community.
Sorry to be so long-winded!!!
Jane
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pidgin, slang and/or broken english were NOT allowed in our home when we were growing up. mother double majored in english and early education. there are times and places for it we were told.
it hurts my ears when i hear a local newscaster mispronounce "street" as "shtreet" or "stream" as "shtream". another local caucasian newscaster continually mispronounces hawaiian words.
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
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I probably shouldn't but "A tough roe to hoe for the teachers. "? Hopefully the teachers aren't that political when teaching language skills.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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kani,
I think you had very enlightened parents, and have benefitted greatly from that! Your parents were very foresightful. I'm not excusing the lack of concern or attention to being able to speak/write/read the common language...
I find the literature very enlightening about things, and have appreciated that. Probably the most troublesome part of our adaptation to the islands was working in a state hospital IT department, and having to figure out "tech pidgin"!!
I love being here, and have great appreciation of the culture, but also know that lots of kids growing up here have added difficulty with communication when the broader world comes into their lives. We have to have some compassion for that, but also not expect failure or less than good effort.
Peace, and education...
Jane
edited to correct a typo
