That seems to be pretty pertinent in my life right now.
When I enrolled in TESOL 4120 (better known as Introduction to Linguistics), I had no idea that it was going to challenge me the way it does. Yes, it's tough academically, and I've lovingly renamed my instructor "Arduous Linguistics Professor," but it's making a more well rounded person out of me.
(You should know that as I wrote that last paragraph, I silently named all of the parts of speech within the sentences. I've been brainwashed.)
It started with ALP's first email to the class. A packet of a syllabus was attached, along with her general classroom policies and a reminder to "procure our class packet" at Copyworks. I immediately felt intimidated by her words and policies. Much to my chagrin, she talks the way she writes. However, ALP's class is my favorite. Why? Because she's passionate about linguistics and teaching, and she's funny, and she has an odd accent after studying in Vienna and teaching British English to children.
I see it as a reminder that I need to be careful with my words.
Maybe it's that I am talking to someone I've just met, and my vocabulary intimidates them, just as ALP's did to me.
Maybe it's that I write a blog post and my words say what I intend for them to convey.
Maybe it's that I have posted a photo to Instagram and I haven't shared the whole story behind the caption.
Maybe it's that I'm having a bad pain day and my words (or lack thereof) are hurting one of my friends.
Or maybe it's that I just need to pay more attention to what I am speaking or writing. My brain travels about ten times faster than my mouth, and that can be a blessing and a curse.
In any case, I need to be more cognizant of the fact that words are powerful, which means I need to use them, and I need to use them well.
And, as a general thought, I need to be writing more.
With that, I believe I'll start my linguistics homework.
