What are YOU Writing?

DEAR GEK1036,

Re: Written Reflections


On the topic of written discourse, I have 3 points:

1) There must be some truth in all styles of writing (from English linearity--> Oriental Cicularity--> Arabian parallelism). If these styles have been shown to vary consistently across time and space, then they surely serve a purpose in its local literary context


2) Who knew "gentlemanly lotus" and "hermit Chrysanthemum" referred to groups of people not flowers? Unless you know some background to Chinese history or lived in the time of Tao Yuan-ming. What a revelation.

(And there I was thinking "lotus" , "chrysenthemum" and "peony" were women).

In reading any narrative, CONTEXT is important in considering the INTENTION of the piece.

Now that's something to consider the next time you read a Chinese poem from the Qing dynasty or a narrative from the Hindu Mahabhrata. Or listen to the Prime Minister's National Day Speech.


3) With regards rule-governed writing, here's my take on it:






In conclusion, I enjoy your classes and am looking foward to the next one. In addition, I hope to obtain an A grade and a calender. And for this, I thank you in advance.


Regards,
Ryna

Spoken Discourse: Analysing Your Chit-Chat Over Coffee

I'll keep it simple today cos' the New Years' steamboat and yu sheng is already out on the table screaming "Eat me! Eat me!". And the aroma of festive food is making my fingers type faster than usual.

Yes, I celebrate Chinese New Year too :) Interesting huh.



POINT ONE: Phone conversations

I was thinking as Dr Deng was speaking, it all depends on the INTENTION of our conversation.
If I were to call A, intending to chit-chat over good ol' times, I'd probably engage in a long preamble over the weather or "How are you's?".

On the flipside, if my intention to call A is to deliver an important msg. Then I'll cut straight to the point. That's the case with emergency calls to 999 (they're really rule-governed!)


POINT TWO: Listener Responses

Are really important as channels of feedback. I was talking to a friend from Nigeria over lunch and he actually repeated the same sentence twice, just because I didnt any feedback (ie, nod my head, say uh-huh, uhm). Only when I nodded and said "Yeah, that's true" did he accept it as an appropriate response.







POINT THREE: CHILDREN's STORY BOOKS

How many English/Chinese/Tamil/Malay story books did you read as a kid?
Looking back at some of the popular series of our generation, they definately do follow typically English or typically Asian narratives.

Im not essentializing works here, but the way we write today (let's say in the picture-narratives or pearfilm), is largely influenced by what we read as a kid.

Does the thief learn a lesson or does he go away scot free? Is there retribution for the bully? What do the children learn from this?

Really, cultural values are passed down from generation to generation and storytelling is one important MEDIUM by which its done!






YOU! yes YOU! DO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLL BELOW.
The question : How would you respond to "Ok, I have to go now" ?

Speech Events: Overheard At NUS!

ISSUE 1:
SO! I was thinking, here's a common conversation heard among undergraduates at NUS. I've decided to record it.




Now, don't tell me you've never heard THAT before.
For more crazy undergraduate banter, visit:

Overheard At NUS

Be prepared to laugh!

ISSUE 2:
Very often, we believe a speech event will go according to planned. Dr Deng mentioned a marriage proposal. My question is, what if it goes wrong?

Like the lady runs away or says "No!" to the poor guy. Or a lecturer's opening statement "Let's DANCE!" . Or a student jumps on his chair in the lecture hall and says "Enough of this!"

It shocks us, it is unexpected, out of the norm, it doesnt follow protocol. So what do we do?

Pay MORE attetion to such sequences. Why?