-13°C makes you think funny

Ones language and manner of speaking perpetually evolve. New words are added to our lexicon, a regional relocation may adjust an accent, we assimilate the speaking mannerisms of those with who with constantly associate, and our general perception of our surroundings effects how we convey our thoughts. Its like David Eddings wrote, “Words are the essence of thought, without words there is no thought.” Being my anthropologically minded self, its only natural that I would have an interest in linguistics. I’m now finding myself applying my academic knowledge to the real world as it assists me in learning Mongolian and teaching English. It’s utterly fascinating! However, the most intriguing thing for me has been the greater understanding and analysis of my own personal Cassandrized English.

Imagine living in a setting were your every word was scrutinized with the utmost caution. Slang cannot be utilized as it is a moot point (isn’t taught, isn’t needed). Your rate of delivery must be studied and deliberate. Enunciation is a must. Vocabulary is specific (and British O_o). Writing must also be immaculate. Signs such as #, &, @, simply cannot be used. SPELLING! (Again the British method is preferred). Anything you write, anything you say will be memorized verbatim.
“Teacher, what is divter in English?”
“Uuum…notebook.”
“Za, umnotebook.”
“No, no, no, just notebook.”
“Oo, za. Jusnotebook.”
“Bish, bish. Divter anglar notebook baidag.”
“OK, notebook?”
“YES! Very good, ikh sain!” :::dies:::

As I child I used to use the interjection “um” continuously, until my father got tired of it and told me I would have to give him a quarter for every “um” uttered. I can’t recall if he ever collected, but the “um” stage of my life was over. The timing worked out nicely as we moved to southern California, and I was now in that awkward preteen stage. “Like” was so totally the new “um!” The “like” stage of my life was extensive, and monstrous. I was unaware that I even used the word; let alone how frequently I used it. Again my father intervened, yelling at me, in the middle of some story or tirade of mine, about how he couldn’t stand it, I sounded like an idiot and used “like” almost every other word. I was a junior in HS. It was then that I realized “I like truly did like sound like a ditz.” 6 or so years later, while like has not been completely eradicated (and may never be for those of us 90s generational youth), it is vastly diminished. For the first time in my life my speech actually reflects the fact that I have some intelligence. (Though some would complain that I am to verbose and put on Hermione-esq know-it-all airs :::coughMeredithcough::: ^_~). However, “so” has become my new interjection word of choice in the English classroom. I don’t know why. I don’t know how. But I finally looked up the Mongolian word for “interjection” just to explain that it is unnecessary to repeat my “so.”

The Cho also boasts a varied international community thanks to the European VSO volunteers. This has also been a most depressing blow to my English, as apparently I have an accent, and a moderately confusing one at that (if I am talking in my normal conversational manner, when in official or foreigner mode, I’m completely comprehensible, thank goodness!). I can only assume my “strange” accent is a piecemeal adulteration of the various regions I’ve lived in over the years. I pronounce the words “killed” and “kilt” the same. Words with a long “O” (or is it a short “O”…I’ve forgotten) are also pronounced oddly. Vocabulary such as “wicked” (very/cool), “cream rinse” (conditioner), “dude” (if you don’t know what that means, stop reading this blog, leave the cave you have been living in and go watch Dude, Where’s My Car…you will be okay), also throws people off. I’ve now added various Mongolian words that I will unconsciously sprinkle into conversation, not an issue now as everyone here who speaks English knows these words. But upon my return to the States…yanna! Who knows how altered my personal version will have become.

Also, I finally understand what Mongolians are saying out in the streets as they go about their lives......the same things Americans say when they are going about their lives. The talk about work, what they are going to buy, whats new with their families, which resturant makes the best buuz. I feel cheated somehow, not that I was expecting to discover the meaning of life but still..."hey stop, lets take a taxi its too cold to walk.".......turns out Mongolia and American aren't that compleately different after all.