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FUN WITH PHONEMES

By Rémi Samson

When my nephew was learning to write in French, he couldn’t believe there was an “s” in “tsunami.” At the time, I couldn’t have made sense of this if I hadn’t been studying phonology – the science of speech sounds and sound changes in a language.

Phonology studies phonemes – the smallest units of speech that distinguish one word from another. For example, the “b” sound in the word “bat” is what separates “bat” from “pat,” “cat” and “fat.” Those sounds – “b,” “p,” “c” and “f,” point to four different phonemes in English.

Not all languages have the same phonemes. You’ll often hear Spanish speakers alternate between “b” and “v,” pointing to a single phoneme for different sounds. English has a “th” sound that is both voiced (“them”) and unvoiced (“theme”). Think also of the guttural sounds of Arabic and German, like in the expressions “Ahlan wa sahlan” (welcome) and “Gute nacht” (goodnight).

When learning to articulate the sounds of a foreign language, it’s natural to fall back on the habits of our native tongue. That’s why some French speakers say “ze” instead of “the,” and some English speakers pronounce “rue” (“street”) as “roo.” Articulation challenges also explain why young kids simplify words by saying “tee” and “say” instead of “tree” and “stay.” Those simplifications aren’t random, so parents learn to understand their kids’ gibberish.

Chances are, if you ask any French speaker from Quebec, they’ll deny that there’s an “s” between the “t” and “u” in the word “tuque,” or that there’s a “z” between the “d” and “i” in “paradis.” After all, the words aren’t written that way. Yet, if you listen carefully, you’ll inevitably hear those sounds. (Try it, it’s fun!) This background phonological process happens in Quebec French, but not in the French spoken in France. And phonetic transcriptions of foreign words, like the Japanese “tsunami,” are an exception. Hence my (Francophone from Quebec) nephew’s surprise. Mystery solved.

Rémi Samson worked as a lawyer with the Supreme Court of Canada for over two decades. He is passionate about the ways language, law and power intersect.

Excited, delighted and thrilled!

The Glebe

according to Zeus

A GUINEA PIG’S PERSPECTIVE ON THE GLEBE

Quibblers and NGP form historic coalition!

The Quibbler Party announced earlier today that a coalition had been formed with the No Guinea Pigs (NGP) Party, and it’s expected to last several years. The NGP, restricted to the notoriously industrious hamsters, is well known for publicly disparaging the Quibbler guinea pig party for being lazy, in particular because they are constitutionally unable to use an exercise wheel.

The NGP is rumoured to have approached the Quibblers. Some find this preposterous given most hamsters spend winter slumbering in half hibernation and are more likely to have been the ones approached and even taken advantage of. Many worry the sleepy hamsters did not grasp the full impact of their agreement, a view bolstered by the fact that several hamsters were photographed sleeping in the Chateau Laurier lobby, where the deal was allegedly made.

A review by our junior correspondent shows at least one initiative definitively favours the larger rodents. “The 2016 StatsHam Hutchhold Survey shows that over 98.9 per cent of hamsters have excellent eyesight, whereas 99.9 per cent of guinea pigs are shortsighted. Therefore, the latter will benefit disproportionately from the proposed Free Fancy Frames Fund (F-4),” explained Junior.

However, the historic agreement does have at least two shared key priorities that might have tipped the scales for the hams. “Well-groomed fur with a sheen has always been a priority for both hamsters and guinea pigs,” explained a Quibbler, speaking of the Brush, Bath & Beyond Benefit (B-4). Additionally, the hamster caucus, when polled, seemed to show a lot of support for the Chin Scratch Initiative (CSI). “After a long day on the wheel, we each are entitled to a soothing chin scratch,” explained Buzz Hamgrove, leader of the Canadian Hamster Equity Association of Trade (CHEAT).

Only time will tell the true benefits of the coalition. In the meantime, guinea pigs and hamsters alike have been signing up in droves for the F-4, B-4 and CSI.

GMSElemAdGR19BW.pdf 3 2019-10-18 3:52 PM

Adverbs and the World Cup

By Michael Kofi Ngongi

Canada’s men’s soccer team recently qualified for the FIFA World Cup and did so convincingly, after an emphatic victory over Jamaica.

If you’re like me, you remember your primary school teacher instructing you that adverbs modify and describe verbs, and mostly end in “ly.” Where verbs inform us of the action in question, adverbs tell us how said action was, is or will be performed. A verb is sufficient to inform us that when Canada’s men’s soccer team has qualified for the World Cup. However, it takes an adverb to let us know they did so convincingly.

But adverbs don’t only tell us how an action’s performed; they also tell us when it’s performed. So, for example, Canada qualified recently, we’re celebrating now, and we will celebrate some more later. And that’s not all, because adverbs, as it turns out, are quite versatile. They also tell us where the action is performed: while the game was played outside at chilly BMO Field, we watched it sitting comfortably inside, in the TV room downstairs. Adverbs also help us describe the degree or extent of an action or feeling. Canada’s going to the World Cup, and we’re veryhappy.

M A word of caution about the adverb very (and others like it). Very is very useful in helping us indicate that something is done or felt to a high degree. But it does so at times in a somewhat underwhelming manner, in a way that weakens the feeling we seek to convey. At such times, it is incumbent upon us to search for words that can convey the feeling with more oomph.

So, let’s try that again: Canada’s going to the World Cup, and we’re excited, delighted and thrilled!

C Y CM MY CY CMY K

Michael Kofi Ngongi is a new Canadian originally from Cameroon, another bilingual country. He has experience in international development and is a freelance writer interested in language.

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Let’s get moving!

By Emilie Paradis

Ever feel like your body is so heavy to the point that just walking up the stairs feels like you are climbing a mountain? Do you feel so restricted in your ability to move that going through your day requires extra effort and power?

Physical limitation can drain you of energy, vitality and joy. We should be able at any age to move freely, to feel secure when walking outside and to do simple tasks like grabbing objects off the floor or extending our arms to store carry-on in the overhead compartment of an airplane (because we can travel again!)

Fact is, lack of mobility, pain and fatigue are often related to being sedentary.

The human body consists of more than 600 muscles and about 360 joints. Obviously, our amazing machine is meant to move – that’s essential to being healthy inside and out! The rapidity of movement execution changes as we get older, but age should not get the blame for all our aches and pains nor be used as an excuse to stop moving or enjoying life.

Technology has brought many great changes that allow us to increase productivity and efficiency and save time. This digital era may have eased certain aspects of our lives, but it has also had a tremendous impact on our lifestyle and caused us to be more sedentary. With that in mind, tech companies have created many tools such as watches to bring awareness and encourage us to take more steps. Who would have thought that we would need a gadget that tells us if we moved enough during the day?

Repetitive movements and holding the same posture for too long eventually cause restrictions to our mobility. One of the best examples is the long-term use of cell phones, commonly known as “Tech neck syndrome.” The slow but certain forward projection of the head increases its weight, creating tension on the neck and back muscles and inevitably changing the posture. This can generate local and referred pain and can affect mobility of the upper body and vision.

Mobility is defined as the quality or state of being mobile or movable. The ability to move is a combination of flexibility, strength and motor control. Most of us can move from point A to B, but the question is how much energy is needed and how effectively, safely and painlessly can you get there?

There is no better remedy than movement to make you feel healthier and to increase your present and long-term energy level! Spring has arrived, and we now can go back to a “normal” life. Why not take this season of new beginnings to integrate movement into your life and create healthy habits?

Regardless of the current state of your body and your age, the ability to move can always be improved. Starting with a short 10-minute walk every other day, gradually increasing the length and the pace of the walk will make a difference. Dance to your favourite songs, take the stairs or park the car a bit further away. Gardening, mowing the lawn and washing the car are great ways to get active outdoors. As for rainy days or if you are a bit shy, YouTube is filled with free exercise videos that you can do in the comfort of your home.

There are many group classes available in the Glebe. It can be a good way to help you commit to a new activity: tai chi, Pilates, yoga, stretching classes, strength training or bowling. Hire a qualified coach who can help and guide you safely in your goals to better mobility and health. Every move counts. It is an investment in your health, your quality of life, energy – and mental well-being. Like the old saying goes: “We don’t stop moving because we grow old; we grow old because we stop moving.”

Be healthy, be happy.

Emilie Paradis is co-owner of InStep Health and a holistic nutritionist, personal trainer and mobility coach.

COVID

and keeping fit

By Tom Sherwood

I see a lot of Glebe people in little squares on my laptop these days. Some are old friends from Carleton University or from St. Giles and Glebe-St. James churches. Some are neighbours. Some are new friends I have never met in person. We Zoom-exercise together three times a week.

The pandemic changed many things including family visits, religious gatherings and education. In addition to my family life, I have three public roles: United Church minister, university teacher and fitness instructor. It has been interesting to lead worship in new ways and connect with students and colleagues remotely, but the fitness field has been most fascinating.

Fitness instruction is not closely related to my ordination or PhD, but it does involve pedagogy and pastoral sensitivity. It is more obviously related to my earlier life as a university athlete and coach of competitive teams. I played university football and basketball during my B.A. and M.A. years at York and Carleton and then went into volunteer coaching. About 20 years ago, I reconnected with Greg Poole, the director of fitness programs at Carleton. We had played basketball against each other years earlier. I helped Poole design a pre-season fitness program for golfers, became interested in kinesiology and fitness, took the Fitness Ontario Leadership Program and began leading fitness classes. By 2018 or so, Carleton Fitness was asking me to do two things: lead fitness classes for an Alzheimer day program and lead “stretch and strength” classes for the 50s Plus or Senior Ravens population. Stretch and strength classes are not aerobic. The curriculum is designed to strengthen and stretch muscles in all the major muscle groups in order to improve mobility, flexibility, balance and strength. Along the way, I took Osteoporosis Canada Bone Fit training. My classes are also recognized as Heart Wise classes by the Ottawa Heart Institute. In fact, every class I lead includes at least two or three former heart-surgery patients. Some participants were referred by other medical professionals and physiotherapists for ongoing wellness beyond their initial schedule of rehabilitation; others simply work out regularly for their own reasons.

Zoom fitness classes are booming.

My last pre-pandemic class at Carleton was on March 13, 2020, with about 20 participants. We paused for a month but reopened in April with me leading classes from my home using a Zoom connection. It worked. I had equipment at home, and some participants did too. But most did not, so I adjusted the workouts to include more body-weight exercises and isometrics. When I realized that many people had resistance bands, acquired in earlier physiotherapy, I included more bands exercises. I encouraged people who didn’t have “weights” (dumbbells) around the house to find “weight” such as canned goods or books. With a lot of forgiveness and good will, the participants provided feedback and encouragement, and we developed an effective program.

Two years later, I am back on campus leading the classes, joined by a few participants who prefer to get out of the house and use university equipment. But if I have five or six people with me in the room, I have 20 to 30 more people in the Zoom connection, and – since we record and post the classes – many more tune in later for a workout at their convenience. This term, my classes have had participants in Europe, Israel, Florida, Minnesota and British Columbia as well as around Ottawa.

With this popularity, Carleton cannot drop the Zoom option for older adults, so the Senior Ravens program goes on without any breaks. I’ll be leading the

Seniors fitness at Carleton has adapted to COVID exigencies.

PHOTO: TOM SHERWOOD

hybrid program from Carleton Athletics in May and June, then Zoom-only from my home in July and August, then return to campus in September.

I am surprised and delighted to be doing this in my retirement years. The classes are extremely meaningful to the participants. They arrive in the program feeling fragile, concerned about fitness and wellness, mobility and autonomy. They learn safe and effective technique, but they also learn that they are not alone. They experience progress in the dynamics of stretching, balance, strength and endurance. But they also experience community. As we work out together, we also laugh together.