English has many nice words, but too many people use too many of them. From L. Reichard White at lewrockwell.com:
We didn’t see that you had to name everything to make it exist, and that the name you gave something made it what it was.
In his fascinating book “ Neither Wolf nor Dog, On Forgotten Roads With an Indian Elder” researcher and author Kent Nerburn answers an ad and discovers Lakota Elder Dan who, after thinking deeply and for many years, has decided we pale-face could use some help.
Stuck in the boonies, researcher Nerburn buys a cheap recorder and carefully transcribes what Elder Dan has to say, here about the English language – – –
He [Lakota Elder Dan] had taken on his formal manner again. He was once more the solitary orator, speaking the truths that he had worked out over so many years, with only an old friend, a white man, and a sleeping Labrador to hear him. I said a silent prayer to the gods of technology that my little discount-store tape recorder would catch his words so I could pass them on.
“I am going to say some things that you should think about.” He drew in a large breath and began. “I grew up speaking the language of my people. It wasn’t until school I had to learn English. They just marched us into the classroom and started talking in English. We had to learn. “I remember how funny it sounded when I first heard it. There were so many words. The teacher could talk for an hour and not even stop. She could talk about anything. She didn’t need to move her hands, even. She just talked. Some days I would sit and watch her just to see all the words she said. One other boy once told me he thought she said as many words in a day as there were stars in the sky. I never forgot that.
“When I learned English I realized it was a trick. You could use it to say the same thing a hundred ways. What was important to Indian people was saying something the best way. In English you had to learn to say things a hundred ways. I never heard anything like it. I still watch white people talk and I’m surprised at all the words. Sometimes they will say the same thing over and over and over in different ways. They are like a hunter who rushes all over the forest hoping to bump into something instead of sitting quietly until he can capture it.
Love that meme of the wise old Indian stating that only the Yankee man could ruin it.
When we speak in emojis and grunts as part of the “progressive” utopia, it won’t be a problem anymore.
English is a construct of the white male patriarchy.
(sarc)
Saw a beautiful doe in cornfield earlier on walkabout!
Once at the park while wearing the awesome Trebark camo, got within 8 feet of some does having a meal.
Looking forward to when the comrades start the Hobbes/Marx WAR of ALL against ALL.
Get some commie.
Well yes and no, but it’s often used that way by the militaryindustrialcongressional complex.
Also, herd of deer in middle of town. They eat my tomato blossoms, peaches, petunias etc. If I get too close a few of ’em stamp a front foot and snort to warn me. I carry a sling shot for protection.
Old commies will tell you, “They promised us workers’ paradise but gave us the other place instead.”
-lrw
@ Anon,
Rarely see a buck but did see one near the creek, at least a six pointer.
Cleared the creek with one leap!
The park is where I saw the does and they will run right through there in broad daylight, put some table scraps in that open part of the cornfield for first come first served animals.
Breaking-No Room For Commie.