Many of you don't know this, but I was a language education major in college. No, really. It would have just been French, but I wanted to eat and have a place to live, so I chose French Teaching.
If you are a language person at all, you are probably familiar with the term 'circumlocution.' Most definitions have it as some type of unnecessary roundabout verbosity--for example, saying "the great round shining orb on high" instead of "the sun." Now, while that particular definition is somewhat laughable, the language teacher's definition is more postive: circumlocution as a means of expressing oneself when one doesn't have the proper words to do so. The language teacher in me was thrilled to see Dakin use this the other morning:
Me (walking in his room in the morning): Hi.
Dakin: Double bass. (he loves instruments)
Me: Double bass.
Dakin: Trumpet.
Me: Trumpet.
Dakin: sahfkshkf.
Me: What?
Dakin: shoisahlifwo.
Me: Huh?
Dakin: (putting his wrists together and clapping them): Crash! Crash!
Me: Oh! Cymbals!!
Sigh. My little circumlocutor. **Smiles**
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3 comments:
I didn't know that's what you studied. I studied Spanish, but just Spanish, not Spanish teaching or Spanish translation. So I'm back at school getting a useable degree. You were smart. :) I did study French for 2 1/2 years and loved it. I didn't get to use it much so forgot almost everything.
I've loved all the little conversations with Dakin lately.
Hi! I just found your blog through the Rigg's. My name is Cherisse and our Lucy (2 years old) has SMa Type 1. I would love to keep in touch with you guys and hope that it is okay if I put you on my friend list!
darling! he's got great language skills! aren't you glad you majored in french teaching! i bet you never thought you'd use your degree in such creative ways!
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