Interesting Links for 02-08-2021

[andrewducker]

Salem Almuzaini's account of brutal torture in Saudi captivity reveals extent of MBS regime's brutal conduct

(tags:saudiarabia torture )

"Sometimes Behaves So Strangely" - how looping words can turn them into music

(tags:music language video )

On Latin in state schools

(tags:Latin languages school UK )

The transphobes tried to claim Terry Pratchett as one of their own yesterday. It did not go down well!

(tags:terrypratchett transgender LGBT )

Comments

[dewline]

3. Perhaps it would be ideal if Latin - and other "second" languages, whatever our "first" language might be - should be an elective, available to all from the start of their education. The earlier it's made available for elective study, the better it'll be.

4. That tactic deserved to fail. Trying to claim Atwood's works to their purpose while the author herself is alive to rebuke them for it. And then trying to seize Pratchett's works as their propaganda? Tch.

[ninetydegrees]

"On Latin in state schools"

Living in a country where you can take Latin and/or Ancient Greek as an elective in your second year of middle school in lots of schools (this is mostly dependent of whether there is a teacher to teach it, and not a private/state school thing), this needs to be 1) a choice -from the kid, not their legal guardian, but we know how this goes 2) not something that will add too much extra homework, or it will remain elitist. It doesn't work like this here, which is a shame. In the end, we always end up selecting kids who already do well with their mandatory courses unless they are really motivated, thus keeping it an elitist thing.

That being said, I studied Latin for 5 years then gave it up in my last year of high school. I've never regretted either.

[naath]

The first 'choice' I had at school was French or German at 13. You could offer more languages, but you'd need to provide teachers for same. Latin was optional for us at 14 after 1 mandatory year of it (a year in which I believe I took 13 subjects, English schools are different to US ones in terms of what you take when) (I liked Latin, I learned a lot of English grammar and linguistics)

Not at all sure how you can solve the 'problem' that academically gifted students (and/or those with the time and money to spend on studying) will be able to take more classes, or read more in their personal time. One can try to even out the problem of kids not having space to study, or needing to work by providing money to families of school aged children, or 'just' (haha) take the kids away from their parents and give them all the same environment in state managed boarding schools. (Can you tell I a)hate my parents and b)read too much Plato) [really I support the money option]

[calimac]

I had been thinking of how unfortunate it is that Terry Pratchett is no longer around to reply personally, but then I read that thread and thought that, while it remains unfortunate that he's no longer around, his heirs and fans are responding to things in his absence pretty well.

[alithea]

Yes, while none of us physically live forever, it is clear his influence is still alive and well and that's a fitting tribute.

I couldn't believe the eejit tried to lecture his own daughter though...

[anna_wing]

A compulsory second language that's actually still spoken would be a much more efficient way of acquiring the various benefits of studying another language.

I suffered an almost total lack of grammar teaching in my early schooling, being of the generation when that fell out of fashion. For poor pupils, without help from their families, or resources like English-language books at home, and for whom English was a second language, it was a serious disadvantage. Learning Spanish for work purposes showed me how much easier it is to learn a new language in a structured way.

[andrewducker]

I'd tend to agree. Teach people Spanish or Italian and you'd get the same effect *and* be able to talk to millions of people!

[anef]

Schools need money for a lot of things: music, sports, early teaching in modern languages. My degree was in Classics and I love Latin and Greek, but I think those three are more relevant to the majority of pupils.

[andrewducker]

Totally agreed. I'm all in favour of more options, but the money needs to be there!