SOCIAL HISTORICAL

Attitudes and events on a larger scale

Cultural

SOURCE: Infogram

Traditions, values, and ideologies

CULTURAL CONTEXT. While the mechanics of a language are the foundation of learning it, understanding the cultural background is also crucial to utilizing it fully.

McKinley Garner

In the current day in age, the process by which someone learns a language goes something like this: learn the 100 most common verbs, learn all other words slowly, and learn the conjugation of these verbs from most to least common all at the same time. This process is slow, but eventually people will understand the language — to some extent.

However, there is one major disadvantage here: the people that learn the language this way won’t understand the culture of the people who hold the language as their native tongue.

While on the surface level this may not seem very important, language culture enhances the learning experience and overall fluency in said language. According to a 2006 Department of Education study, understanding the culture of a language helps to increase fluency. In addition, the article mentioned that understanding a language makes it easier to learn certain characters and where they come from, and also how certain words in said language came to be.

This is just one example of the goals of culture-based language learning: teaching students not only how to speak a language, but how to understand it and its people. For years SPA has offered advanced level courses in the four languages available to students. These classes don’t even consider grammar learning and only focus on a cultural aspect of said language, as students are assumed to have fluency to some extent from previous levels. Even in lower levels of language classes, SPA students learn small parts about the culture of the language while developing proficiency. The progression of learning a language at SPA also encourages students to take it for their full high school career, although it can be challenging to pursue multiple languages due to scheduling and lack of demand for lower level classes.

Students at SPA should appreciate the opportunity that they have to learn language in a culture-focused setting and challenge themselves to seek out cultural experiences. From philosophy to revolution, students can go beyond language proficiency and develop their understanding of other contexts. This allows them to stand out compared to other students who are learning languages, giving them an advantage in their non-native language’s world. For students looking to learn languages not offered at SPA, there are plenty of resources online like Duolingo and YouTube, which offer flash card and fluency exercises.

Let Speaker Day be the beginnning and not the end of gender discussions

Speaker Day is a welcome return to a long-standing tradition where students have the opportunity to diversify their perspectives; this year, the goal is to learn about gender.

Although the way one perceives gender is often already internalized, the vast diversity of gender identities makes it important to actively discuss them. As the Council of Europe writes, the outside interpretation of someone’s gender directly affects the way one interacts with them.

Hearing different perspectives from speakers with experience regarding gender equality is the first step to addressing issues of gender inequality. However, take other opportunities as well to have discussions about gender identity and experiences. Actively confronting gender-based issues is necessary to foster respect for different identities.

Read more about Speaker Day on pg. 1.

Take direct action in civic engagement to make a change

The Capitol is only 10-15 minutes away from SPA; take advantage of geographic privilege to get involved locally.

Organized protest and engaging with the government has a large-scale impact. For example, while SPA has taken action internally to provide menstrual products, the bill introduced in January to bring menstrual products in public schools was influenced by student protests at the Capitol.

Additionally, although Minnesota is fortunate enough to not be hit hard by birth control restrictions, take action to support organizations that are more heavily impacted. When volunteering, consider lending a hand to organizations like Planned Parenthood that have a larger reach.

Read more about Walgreens’ birth control policy on pg. 2 and pg. 6.

Campus censorship: how should colleges approach free speech policy?

Whether seeing an old friend, or making a joke about not seeing someone very often, most people use the expression “Long time no see.” However, some believe that the expression originates from pidgin English, and that it makes a mockery out of those who are not fluent English speakers. For example, Stanford University proposes no longer using the expression, and instead saying “I haven’t seen you in a while.” In a valiant effort to honor and respect non-native English speakers, Stanford is attempting to rewrite its students’ vocabularies and create “good” and “bad” words.

Students across the country are being told by their schools that there is correct and incorrect language. There is absolutely merit to fighting against hate speech, and attempt- ing to form consequences for words that do cause damage and are intended to harm. However, what universities are proposing is a violation of the First Amendment.

However, this doesn’t mean colleges are trying to completely limit free speech. As Cornell’s policy statement says, “Responsible enjoyment and exercise of these rights includes respect for the rights of all. Infringement upon the rights of others, including the rights to speak and to be heard, or interference with the peaceful and lawful use and enjoyment of University premises, facilities, and programs, violate this principle.” They aren’t trying to tell students what can and cannot be said, but are simply providing guidelines as to how to treat it as a right and not a privilege. And after Stanford came under fire for prohibiting teachers from using social media, they have backtracked and are easing up on their rules.

Protecting the wellbeing of students is a valiant mission. Ensuring that hate speech does not run rampant on a school’s campus or social media is a good thing. But it’s not feasible or reasonable to try and change an entire population’s vocabulary. Students should be allowed to voice their opinions, both in and out of class. That’s their First

Amendment right.

But universities still have a mission to protect their students, and have an obligation to step in when things go too far. When slurs or threatening language come into play, that’s the correct time for universities to take action, and possibly implement discipline.

More importantly, education can help students make decisions about their speech. Explain why some words are offensive, and why it’s better not to use them. But punishing students for things they don’t understand is counter-productive. Step in when needed, but allow for the community to grow and change as people, not because of the rules.