February 18, 2010

melting

In the recent years, my concept of language has been reduced to abstractions—from classifications (genative, dative, idontgiveative) to formulas (VP→ (NP) V (NP)),to oohs and aaahs. With each linguistics class, the puzzle of language is broken into smaller and smaller pieces, making it harder and harder to put together. Simples sentences, everyday conversations, small talk—all labor intensive efforts. Verb where go, noun? What? But my linguistics education is just a scapegoat, the red-headed middle child that I regret having and subsequently blame all my misery on. The truth is, if I’m to be very honest with myself, my brain is melting