Dance isn’t just dance, it’s magical. Something that sets you free.

What is dance?

Dance holds a different meaning for every individual. From a simple leg shake or head bob to a string of exaggerated movements, any rhythmic motion counts as dance. What the connoisseurs realize is that dance exists in everything we do in daily life. Every regular movement can be turned into a dance piece that tells a story, delivers a message or expresses emotions. It amuses me how dance is used as a mode of communication that is purely dependent on interpretation. Sequences of varied but coordinated movements of distinct body parts have such great potential to unlock what is difficult to frame through words.  On a personal level, while this may seem quite eccentric, allowing the music to flow through me begets a unique sense of freedom. Every choreographer’s attempt at displaying this freedom is what forms a piece of choreography. 

Dance is about creating patterns of movement that sync with the patterns of beats in the music. It requires a sense of coordination, ability to process music and identify rhythms. 

Impulse to dance is an instinctual part of being human.

CBCDOCS

A study conducted by Professor Zentner at the University of Inssbruck, Austria, found that infants spontaneously move to music and the better the synchronization the happier they were (CBC, n.d.). A study conducted by Duke University found that babies react to music even inside womb. My love for dance always made me wonder if I was born dancing- now it makes sense!

Frivolity to necessity- why do we dance? 

To understand this, we need to discuss the idea of collective effervescence which refers to the sense of exhilaration we feel when performing an act collectively (Aeon Video, 2018). When we are united by a common purpose we are impacted by collective effervescence. Being in a stadium that suddenly erupts into cheer and applause is an example of the notion. It’s the happiness one feels in a moment that is shared with others.

In a more general sense, having been born into already existing groups of individuals (or societies), it is inevitable that we adapt to a certain standard of living set by one of these groups. Eventually we meld with the group or try to fit in, creating excitement that draws us together. Dance is an accelerator of collective effervescence. Whether it’s ritualistic dances or TikTok dances, the element of togetherness acts like a social glue and uplifts us.

Dance becomes a means of connecting to broader meanings and deeper emotional experiences—particularly ones associated with positivity 

Forbes

Delving deeper into human tendencies, studies have shown that we often try to sync our movements with those around us. When listening to music, we subconsciously try to find a common rhythm. Watching other people move activates a region in our brain that helps us replicate those movements. This process of synchronization releases neurohormones that make us “feel good”. The dopamine, serotonin and endorphins trigger an elevated sense of delight that gets us dancing.  

Motion to emotion- hidden meaning in movement

1.Cultural/historical role of dance

When we discuss cultures, we primarily discuss traditional food, traditional attire and festivals. There are certain cultures that we most easily recognize through music and dance. The Spanish salsa dancer is an icon that we connect to Spanish culture. The hip-hop dancer’s handstand is immediately associated with the hip hop culture of New York, America. Some forms of dance that were once unique to one country or culture have been adopted globally. For example, ballroom dancing from the European Baroque period is recognized as the go-to formal dance form. The myriad of dance forms we have today are classified under the larger umbrellas of hip-hop, contemporary, ballet and so on. Each of these branch out into multiple other forms that were born at different places around the world. In some cultures, dance is used as celebration. In others it is ritualistic. Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, are performed to tell stories of the gods and demons. Since the beginning of the film industry,  Indian films are iconic for their dance numbers. The development of dance and its integration into culture is one reason why it’s so essential to representation and preservation.  

2. Modern era of dance

With social media comes easier networking which has greatly benefited the dance community. Online classes, workshops, YouTube, Instagram reels and TikTok videos have all presented dancers with multiple platforms to share their common love of the art. Many dancers have gained fame by sharing 15 second dance videos on social media, eventually expanding their network to collaborate with others who share the same interest. A large part of American, Latin and Asian TV shows are dance themed. From ‘Dance Moms’ to ‘World of Dance in Americ’a and from ‘Nach Baliye’ to ‘Jhalak Dikhlaja’ in India, these shows have spotlighted dance. Dance now supports many livelihoods in all classes of society. There are also numerous movies based on dancers’ journey such as Step Up (a classic), Full Out, Work It, Feel The Beat, Into The Beat and more. 

3. Personal development from dance

Apart from the enjoyment or entertainment aspect, the practice of dance has healing abilities and offers many interpersonal skills. 

• Writer and athlete Christopher Bergland found from studies that dance based movement can help with depression to improve quality of life (Steenbarger, 2020). Many individuals have used dance as a form of therapy. 
• Dancer and psychologist Peter Lovatt found that dance improves creativity and reading skills. 
• Sia’s choreographer Ryan Heffington highlights in his TedTalk “How Dance Can Unleash Your Inner Joy”.
• A Forbes article on the psychology of dance fascinatingly highlights the relation between changing mindsets using the corresponding physical activity (Steenbarger, 2020). It discusses how the idea of extreme stillness employed in meditation to develop a quiet and controlled mind can be applied conversely. For example, if you wish to become a dynamic investor in stocks, you may want to purse high intensity dance training to energetic music. The physical aspect has potential to translate into the particular mindset that needs to be achieved. 
• This video shows how Tango can equip one with leadership skills:

Why do some people dislike dancing?

Are you someone who enjoys dancing or is comfortable dancing? I would expect the majority to say no and the most obvious reasons for this include the fear of feeling clumsy or awkward and the discomfort attached to having an audience (TNN, 2018).  Dancing is conventionally supposed to be liberating but some of us are simply not accustomed to it, thus the overpowering self-consciousness that restricts us from moving when a dance number booms over the speakers. However, some cases are rooted in a medical condition/disorder- ‘beat deafness’. Humans tend to at least sway or nod to music but those experiencing beat deafness feel so urge to move to any sort of rhythm. “The blind man cannot imagine the truth of something like color because he has never seen or experienced them” (Jake, 2021). Similarly, beat deaf individuals cannot dance because they have never even experienced the effect of rhythm. Beat deafness can also be compared to tone deafness.

Examining brain activity when exposed to sensory stimulation, a process is “neural entrainment” is triggered (TNN, 2018).   Entrainment allows the timing of upcoming beats to be predicted, which is how we learn sequences of moves and are able to perform them repeatedly. The bursts of synchronized brain activity caused by this process can continue even without any music due to interactions between already excited neurons. For beat deaf people, this is not possible. Their nervous system doesn’t support entrainment, depriving them of the coordination and concentration needed to move to the beat. 

To add some statistics to the picture…

A study from McGill University found that three percent of people suffer from congenital amusia (…which might become my drag name), and that means they can’t perceive music through either pitch, timing, or rhythm.

LinkedIn

More interestingly, there exists such a thing as the fear of dancing- chorophobia (CBC, n.d.). This is the extreme condition where one feels “paralyzed with fear and anxiety”, as Canadian director Michael Allcock described it. Chorophopic individuals do not even consider their fear as a lack of skill. Allcock has explored this phobia further to create his documentary “Fear of Dancing” that reveals what terrifies people. The direction explains all things “Fear of Dancing” in his interview. While this does seem like a problematic fear that reveals underlying issues pertaining to motor skills, those who are afraid to dance or are beat deaf can overcome it with professional guidance and practice.

Wrap-up and Extra resources

I have always believed that anyone and everyone can dance. With more practice and experience, one will begin to realize the inner emotion that dance elicits. Naturally flowing with the beats is a truly transcendent experience!

• Want to see how everyday movements can be made into a choreography? https://www.ted.com/talks/ryan_heffington_how_dance_can_unleash_your_inner_joy?language=en OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap73L6qLmB0
• Want to learn about dance science? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylq7PZVSOvE
• Want to start learning how to dance? https://www.youtube.com/@steezystudio

Questions

1. Do you enjoy dancing? If yes, what is it about dancing particularly that you enjoy? If not, why don’t you like it? 
2. Is dance a significant part of your culture? Is there a specific purpose to this dance (celebration, ritual, etc.,)? Can you name these forms of dance? 
3. Have you every experienced collective effervescence?
4. Considering the versatility of dance, where do you think you could apply dance in your life? Could you link it to any of your other hobbies? 

In today’s fast-paced world, many of us are continuously connecting with people via numerous channels, including as texts, emails, and social media. As a result, we frequently use slang and abbreviations to rapidly and efficiently communicate. Despite the fact that these short cuts might be helpful, it’s crucial to find a balance between utilizing them responsibly and overusing them to the point where they harm communication.

Let’s start by defining what we mean by slang and abbreviations. Slang describes words or expressions that are not accepted as part of the English language yet are often used in casual discussions. On the other hand, abbreviations are condensed versions of words or phrases, such “ASAP” for “as soon as possible.” Even though they can be helpful in some situations, these can also be overused to the point where they are unclear or even improper.

Overusing slang and abbreviations can have a negative effect on professional communication, which is one of the primary problems. For instance, it’s crucial to use official language while composing a business email and to stay away from slang and confusing abbreviations. Using “u” in place of “you” or “lol” in place of “laugh out loud” might give the impression that you are irresponsible and unprofessional in this situation.

Having said that, it’s also critical to understand when and when slang and abbreviations are suitable for use. For instance, using shorthand or abbreviations that everyone knows while messaging friends or family members may be appropriate. Similar to this, employing slang and abbreviations in casual settings, like social media, may show off your individuality and set a more laid-back tone.

Therefore, how do you find the right balance? The idea is to keep the audience and environment in mind. Lean on the side of safety and use normal language if you are not certain if a specific abbreviation or slang phrase is suitable. Think about the tone you want your message to have as well. Using slang or abbreviations might help you communicate a more relaxed, pleasant tone when communicating to a close friend. However, if you are writing a formal email to a prospective employer, it is best to use standard language and avoid any slang or abbreviations that might come off as unprofessional.

Knowing these abbreviations could greatly improve your communication skills:

https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/15-english-abbreviations-you-need-to-know/

Some (frequently asked questions) FAQs :

1. Is it ever appropriate to use slang or abbreviations in academic writing, or should I always use formal language?
2. How often do you use slang / abbreviations?
3. Does the use of abbreviations on text truly save as much time as people think?

 When naming disasters, hurricanes, and the strains of the novel coronavirus, scientists have to consider the broader implications of certain names. Think about it this way: how much difference could naming the virus strain omicron, rather than something like “China-virus” or “Wuhan-virus, make? As we have seen, a lot.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200214-coronavirus-swine-flu-and-sars-how-viruses-get-their-names

The significance of a name in great literary works doesn’t only need to be its denotative meaning. Names can be purely symbolic or add intertextuality to the characters and the themes. Names can carry history, heritage, culture, and societal biases. In Wuthering Heights, believed by many, including me, to be one of the best writings ever to be put on page, the names ‘Heathcliff’ and ‘Cathy’ have an immense effect on the themes of the novel.

Heathcliff, our misunderstood super-villain

Heathcliff’s name is an amalgamation of two common nouns. The heath part of it is a direct reference to a type of ecosystem found in the British moorlands, the very moorlands that our main characters traversed together in early childhood and reunite on as entangled spirits. It also “Catherine’s internment”, the place where she’s buried. The second part of his name is referenced in Cathy’s infamous speech, in “My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath”. His entire name, then, is inextricable from Cathy – he is nothing without her, and he is the place where she lived and where she died. It all comes back to them and their all-consuming and destructive love for each other. Cathy says it best: “He’s more myself than I am.”

He’s more myself than I am.
Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.

Cathy, in her impassioned plea to Nelly.

The naturalistic aspect of his name cannot be ignored either. The setting is, arguably, as much of a main character than any of them are contributing to their isolation, manifesting their broiling emotions, and becoming a wild refuge from Heathcliff and Cathy’s oppressive reality. The book covers of Wuthering Heights are the perfect emblem of this.

The next generation of the Earnshaw’s and the Lintons are all named after their forefathers (and mothers). To have Catherine’s daughter, referred to as Cathy 2.0 from now on, bear her mother’s name has more functionality than just confusing the reader. The children bear their fathers (and mothers!) sins by bearing their names. Despite this metaphorical chain around their necks, the second part of the novel functions as the second generation’s attempts to break free – to escape the march towards the destruction their parents begot.

The second Cathy, Linton and Hareton get the happy ending their parents wanted but did not deserve. They are the ones to break free of the narrative imposed on them by birth, and by ending it for themselves, they end it for their namesakes as well.

Questions:

1.

1. Are there any characters in your favourite media whose names impact the plot or the thematic meaning? If yes, how so?
2. What do your names mean? Why did you parents give you that name, and do they have any bearing in your life?

Friends! Here are a couple articles I’ve bookmarked and wanted to share on topics related to your posts, discussions, and our course. Check them out if interested.

“How Our Brains Cope With Speaking More Than One Language” (BBC News)

“Logos Hope, world’s largest floating book fair, coming to the UAE” (The National)

In Dubai April 18 – 23 !!!!

Disclaimer!!! The following blog contains animated violent scenes and spoilers from the anime Attack on Titan.

Sasha! Are you that much of a scaredy-cat? Is it that hard for you to leave this forest and get along with others?

Artur Braus

Outside the Walls and the Sea

According to his father’s writings, although humanity has not yet perished beyond the wall and sea, the inhabitants of this Island, the Eldians, are despised by those who live beyond the sea. According to history, several Eldians were left behind in Marley, treated as second-class citizens when the great war occurred, and the Eldians were defeated. The king fled with some Eldians and built the walls on Paradis Island. Marley dispatched warriors to destroy the walls to make the Island Eldians atone for sins and a violent past they knew nothing of. It was evident after a trip to Marley that the world wasn’t ready to give the Eldians of Paradis Island a chance. As a result, Eren makes a unilateral decision compelling the military to join him in attacking Marley.

The Lost Hunter

Sasha Braus was a comic relief character for much of her screen time because she frequently professed her love of food. However, through a flashback of a conversation she has with her father, Artur Braus, we are introduced to the concept of the forest.

In this conversation, the forest here doesn’t only refer to the physical space but also outdated traditions, violence, hunting, and killing. Sasha believes it is outrageous that she and her family must abandon the forest and their identity for something that is not their fault. Her father, however, no longer sees the forest as a home; in his eyes, the forest is a home for the self-centered who can deny others help. Even if these people once looked down on him, Artur is still willing to give them a chance.

After this conversation, Sasha departs for military training to escape the forest. She is not willing to die in the forest. She is not willing to die while hunting. On a mission, she has to go back to her hometown. When she arrives, all is deserted but for the house where a young child is trapped and helpless as a titan attacks her mother. Despite only having a bow in hand and none of her usual weaponry, Sasha risks her life in order to save the girl. Sasha is no longer the selfish girl she used to be.

However, during the attack on Marley, the best thing that could have happened to Sasha’s character occurred. She died.

The Ones Who Leave the Forest

Gabi, a trained Eldian warrior, killed Sasha as revenge for the attack on Marley and the people Sasha killed. Unlike Falco, another trained warrior, she believes strongly in her country Marley and that Eldians, including herself, must atone for their sins. During her conversation with Kaya, who offered them a place to stay, knowing that they were Eldians, we can see how much Gabi repeats the same rhetoric, even if it doesn’t make sense.

For the longest time, Gabi chooses to stay in the forest. Although sharing the same racial background as the islanders, she refuses to recognize them as fellow humans but rather as devils who must atone for the sins of their forefathers. However, it is essential to note that she views the existence of the Island Eldians as an obstacle that stands between her and her freedom. As long as the Paradis devils are still alive, in her opinion, the world will never respect the “Good Eldians.” Deep down, she is aware that there is no hope for her and her people to be free if it turns out the island devils are innocent people. This truth will destroy the world as she knows it. If the world’s hatred towards the Eldians is unjustified, to begin with, then there is no winning and no freedom. Thus, she must continually remind herself that Paradis’s people are wicked and that she is not like them. But there comes a time where she is no longer able to deny the truth.

As Gabi starts to accept the truth of the world, we can see the cycle of hatred continued by Kaya, who is unable to forgive Gabi for killing Sasha. Sasha has been dear to Kaya ever since Sasha saved her, so she can’t comprehend why someone would kill her. Thus she decides that Gabi must be the devil because someone must be the devil.

Sasha died in the forest, but her death served as caution and a reminder of the truth of the violence and war in the world. No matter how well-meaning she was. She still died in the forest. A place in which no child should reside.

Leaving the forest can be many things. It can be leaving prejudice and discrimination behind. It can be seeking peace amid violence. It can be hearing out those seeking peace instead of holding to misconceptions. 

The Ones Who Don’t Leave the Forest

While it might be a mere coincidence but Floch Forster’s last name alludes to someone who works in a forest or is involved in forestry. Therefore, it is no surprise that Floch meets his death in the forest. Floch begins to envision himself as a leader of the future nation after being the lone survivor of a mission. Despite how his confidence and arrogance grow, he is still a coward, holding onto the forest out the fear of reencountering death. He believes there will come a day when he and his people won’t have to fight if he stays in the forest long enough for the enemy to be eradicated. As a result, Floch Forster willingly dies in the forest.

Outside the Forest

The concept of the forest brought to mind Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” which I immensely enjoyed. This short story explores a utopia called Omelas that is maintained by the suffering of a small child. Each adolescent must witness the tortured child for themselves at a particular age. Although the reality has scarred all young people, many decide to continue their lives as usual while accepting the child’s suffering as necessary and inescapable. However, those who can’t live with the truth, leave Omelas. Le Guin, interestingly, never refers to the world outside of Omelas. Similar to the ones who leave Omelas, those who leave the forest are stepping into the unknown. The fear of the unfamiliar holds back those who remain.

It is important to recognize that the act of leaving the forest on its own neither causes the forest to vanish nor does it protect those who are lost in it. The forest might continue to expand, trapping everyone inside. Similarly, if walking away from Omelas doesn’t free the child from its suffering, is deciding not to contribute to the injustice sufficient?

All we know is that the forest is a part of nature. It will never disappear.

---

Questions

1- If you have seen Attack on Titan, what did you think of the ending and the cycle of violence theme?

2- Is there a route out of the forest, or will it remain as long as there are people around?

3- Have you ever come across characters whose deaths had a more significant impact on the plot? Who are they and what did they add to the narrative?

4- Do you think that recognizing bias and hatred will be sufficient to achieve any form of peace?

In many languages, sarcasm conveys emotions and intentions. It is essentially saying something different from what is meant. It is usually used to convey humor, mockery, or criticism. Without understanding the context, it can be difficult to understand it. Sarcasm can be expressed through tone of voice, facial expressions, or words.

In English, sarcasm is used to convey humor as well as irony . It can usually be seen being used subtly and indirectly to make fun of someone. For example, if someone says, “I love spending my entire weekend cleaning the house,” after being asked to complete a chore, they are subtly implying that they aren’t happy. Sarcasm in English can usually be detected if someone’s voice’s pitch changes, specifically becoming slightly lower.

Sarcasm in Arabic is usually used as an indirect insult. Arabic is much more aggressive in tone than other languages when expressing sarcasm. If someone says, “Wow, you are so clever,” in a sarcastic tone after someone makes a mistake, they are expressing their disappointment and disapproval of what has happened as a result. At times sarcasm can be used to ignore or quickly end conversations by keeping on repeating words like “nice” very quickly.

Japanese sarcasm is much more subtle than other languages and sometimes hard to notice. It is often conveyed through implication or irony. For example, if someone says, “I’m so glad you finally made it,” in a sarcastic tone of voice after someone arrives late, they are using sarcasm to express their frustration with the other person’s tardiness. The phrase “You are really skilled, aren’t you?” may be interpreted as a compliment, for non-native speakers and at times native speakers as well . However, understanding the subtleties of Japanese sarcasm can greatly enhance one’s ability to communicate effectively with Japanese speakers and to appreciate the humor and irony that it can convey.

Questions:

1. Has there been a situation where you couldn’t make out if someone was being sarcastic ?
2. Can you give a scenario where you have used sarcasm?

Sources :

https://omniglot.com/language/articles/sarcasm.htm

Do other languages indicate sarcasm in speech the same way as English?
by u/regular_gonzalez in askscience

I fear I can’t hear without subtitles, and apparently, I’m not alone in this sentiment. We’re all becoming increasingly reliant on subtitles to understand what’s going on in film, tv, and other media for several reasons. Firstly, subtitles make it easier to keep up with what’s happening on screen as they prevent you from missing slight but crucial details in dialogue. To some, they minimize the already minimal effort we have to put in as we consume and enjoy visual media, enhancing the experience but to others, reading while watching seems counterintuitive. For those of us with short attention spans (thank you Tiktok), the constant attentiveness subtitled media requires can help maintain focus. Anyhow, our increasing dependence on subtitles/closed-captioning isn’t entirely our fault. 

By the way, the difference between subtitles and closed-captioning is that closed-captioning is intended for people who have difficulty hearing, so it includes background noises, sound effects, etc. while subtitles assume the viewer can hear background noises and effects, and transcribe/translate just the dialogue. 

In fact, advancements in technology have really altered the viewer (listener) experience. The use of tiny portable mics hidden on actors means that they don’t have to project their voices to reach a fixed microphone hidden out of frame. This allows for more naturalistic enunciation and more realistic performances but often results in dialogue that is difficult to interpret. Moreover, the sophisticated audio technology of our times loses a lot of its quality when sound is forced through mobile, laptop, or television speakers. Subtitles are also sometimes essential in deciphering partially made-up languages or real accents that perhaps sound made-up.

All of these reasons apply to why we, as English speakers, might use subtitles while consuming English-language media. However, the role of subtitles in the increasing attention towards international media and the subsequently diminishing dominance of English-language media is also worthy of attention. In recent times, wide international audiences have been consuming foreign-language media ranging from interviews with BTS to immensely popular Netflix shows like Money Heist, Squid Game, Lupin, and Elite, with the aid of subtitles. Subtitles help cross the bridges between people, cultures, and languages. 

Bong Joon-Ho, the director of Parasite, the first non-English-language film ever to win Best Picture at the Oscars, famously said that “Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” The prevalence of subtitled media greatly reduces language barriers, providing audiences access to a whole wide world of content. For some of us (embarrassingly so), English subtitles enhance our understanding of media even in our own mother tongues. However, the inaccessibility of subtitles to those with sight issues as well as the complexities and incompleteness of translation cannot be ignored.

How big is the barrier, actually?

Translation theory is highly complex and true translation is deemed near impossible. I will not go into detail, as exploring the nuances and complexities of translation warrants the word count of at least a few dozen blog posts. This article, through the case of Squid Game, explains how Netflix often mistranslates subtitles, which detracts from the viewing experience and the message and misrepresents the culture and context the media is coming from. Languages differ in so many ways, and it is challenging to convey through translation completely the meaning, tone, and undertones of certain dialogues while abiding by their length constraints. Still, it is imperative for streaming platforms to improve the subtitling process to fulfill their responsibilities towards the people and cultures they represent, as well as to the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Click if you’d like to learn more about: 

• The Subtitles vs Dubbing Debate
• Why We All Need Subtitles Now 
• The Cognitive Effect of Subtitles 

Let me know:

• What is your experience with subtitles and do you find them to be an essential part of your viewing experience?
• What do you think is the importance of consuming diverse international media?

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634240/

Nolan is one of Hollywood’s most famous directors, with his movies grossing approximately 5 billion dollars at the box office, making him one of our time’s most important movie directors of his generation. His movies are ones that I hold very dearly, with instant classics such as Interstellar, The Dark Knight, and Inception.

However, a hidden pattern could be seen throughout Nolan’s movies, a pattern that is extremely interesting. Particularly, if you narrow this down to 5 of his 13 movies: Memento, Inception, The Prestige, Interstellar, and most recently Tenet. In all 5 of those movies, time is almost an important character within these works of art.

Nolan’s fascination with time isn’t a new concept, he has made it very obvious, even saying that :

I’m fascinated by the notion that we all feel the passage of time to be unfair to us, and yet, we are all ageing at exactly the same rate.

https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/understanding-christopher-nolans-obsession-with-time/

In every movie Nolan approaches the concept of time differently, thus I’ll be looking at how Nolan interacted with Time differently in 3 of his movies –

Inception

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/inception/2/

This award-winning movie is known for its complexity, as all Nolan movies are, with characters essentially entering dreams within dreams. However, as characters enter a new layer time passes differently, it slows down – a couple of seconds in the first layer translates to 3 hours in the 3rd layer. The characters are in a fight against time to complete their heist, a heist into Cillian Murphy’s memory. Here time is the antagonist of the story, as time is the biggest enemy for the protagonist, Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Intersteller

Once you’re a parent, you’re the ghost of your children’s future.

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/interstellar

This line from Cooper, portrayed by Matthew McCounghay, sticks with me every time I watch this movie. Especially since the movie takes this line so literally, as Cooper guides his daughter, like a ghost, from another dimension. Furthermore, the next time Cooper sees his daughter after this line she is on her deathbed while he is still a middle-aged man. Time made him a ghost for his daughter, but it also allowed him to see his daughter one more time. This shift happened due to time dilation, because Cooper was in proximity of a Black Hole, time sped up for him, so what was a few moments for him was 60 years for those back on Earth, again showing how Nolan uses the intricacies of time within his narratives.

Tenet

This movie is the summation of Nolan’s work with time. It is a movie I have watched 5 times and I am yet to fully understand it, it spurred hundreds of Youtube videos that attempt to explain, and yet I am still not 100% able to grasp the mechanics within it. This movie is built on the premise that “you have a future in the past”, and that time goes both ways not only one. It is truly a mind-numbing experience, however, Nolan’s logic throughout it is consistent and infalliable.

We all experience time, a concept that is a factor in every decision we make and every issue we face. Nolan took this concept and made it the beating heart of multiple beautiful works of art.

Questions:

Do you see time as a hindrance in your life or as more of an opportunity?

What is your favorite Chris Nolan movie and why?

Christopher Nolan is my favorite director, do you have one? If so who and why?

Links Used:

https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/understanding-christopher-nolans-obsession-with-time/

What does it mean to write?

Almost all of us, in one form or another, write on a daily basis. Whether it be for university classes, personal diaries, texting, and all the other myriad forms of writing that exist today, one cannot deny the essentiality of writing. However, have you ever asked yourself what it means to write?

More often than not, we do not question the meaning behind our own actions. We simply do them. Perhaps, one can put this down to the fast paced nature of modern life. After all, we hardly have any time to relax ourselves, so how can one expect us to meditate, reflect, ruminate upon our actions and decisions? That hardly seems fair and the truth is that it is not fair. Alas, it is the world we live in.

To those of you who thought about such a question before (or perhaps one in a similar vein to it), what was your answer? Such a question could never have a universal answer because every single human being has a little unique style to them. Perhaps some of you used writing as a medium to communicate with, while some used it as a way to channel their emotions. There is no perfect answer here. Only your answer exists.

For those of you who may have never pondered such a topic before, let me help you by sharing my personal answer to it. To write is to discover the world hidden inside of our world, the world between the lines.

Is the writer the creator or the discoverer of the story?

For me, a writer’s job bears an uncanny similarity to that of a ferryman. You may ask yourself “how so? A writer uses words to convey the meaning of thing, while the ferryman gets people from one side of the river to another”.

Simply put, the characters in the story are the writers of the story. They are real and they do exist. They live their lives struggling with both mundanity and climaxes. They feel love, hate, joy, sorrow, anger, and sadness just like everyone else. At the end of their life, they are sent to cross a river with the help of a ferryman. From one riverbank to another.

During such a journey, they tell the ferryman of their lives. By the end of the long voyage, the ferryman would have come to know almost every detail of their story. Thus, the ferryman no longer is a ferryman. Rather, he becomes a scribe documenting his travelers’ lives. Case in point, the writer is the ferryman and the ferryman is the writer.

I personally find that writers do not create their own stories; rather, they draw upon their discoveries about the world we live in, whether these discoveries are imaginary or real. Those discoveries are the so called “characters” of the story (to the ferryman, they are known as travelers). Writers simply weave words to tell the story of those characters.

One personal experience of mine is when I knitted together the expression, “like the loneliness of a leaf in autumn”. During one particular autumn a few years back, I saw a leaf getting carried by the wind away from the tree that was all it has ever known. I asked myself, “Isn’t this leaf, whose fate moved from the stability of the tree to the erratic nature of the wind, lonely?”.

It may seem a fool’s errand to contemplate the emotional state of an inanimate object such as a leaf; however, that is not the point. The point here is the discovery of the world of the leaf in autumn. It is a cruel and lonely world away from its home and place of birth. It is that world that gave birth to my expression. I simply connected it all together. It is as Elizabeth Bowen says:

Characters are not created by writers. They pre-exist and have to be found.

– Elizabeth Bowen

Links

Characters and writers

Why do some writers write?

What does it mean to be a writer?

What do writers say about writing?

Questions

What is the meaning behind your writing?

Do you think writers discover or create?

Have you ever thought about writing beyond the scope of a book?

Knowing Different Languages

People are always interested in knowing about the number of languages a certain individual can speak. It is always fascinating and amazing to get in contact with people who are capable of speaking several languages. It introduces you to the diverse cultural insights, enhanced and smooth communication skills, and the complex critical thinking abilities those specific individuals would have, which are qualities truly everyone would desire. However, have you ever really thought of the importance of polishing your fluency and understanding of your mother tongue before proceeding to learning additional languages? Improving your accuracy and expression in your mother tongue goes far beyond just proper speech. Factors like ability to read and write also play a crucial role in determining one’s proficiency and expertise in a language. Unfortunately, nowadays, the drive to learn various languages has defeated the motivation to perfect our first language. Being a Pakistani, I have always been keen on learning more about my language. My family and I shifted to Kuwait when I was 7 years old, which restricted my ability to develop my reading and writing skills in Urdu. Although I was fluent in speaking Urdu, till date, I often struggle with reading complex passages like News headlines and other books that have overwhelming amounts of traditional Urdu vocabulary. 

Introduction to Roman Urdu

However, does any of that even matter anymore? People have developed alternative ways of communicating in Urdu by the use of Roman Urdu. Roman Urdu script is the use of English characters for Urdu words and vocabulary. This is a widely adopted method in various social media platforms, along with everyday messaging, comments, reviews and other forms of texts that would normally be conveyed in traditional Urdu. The rise of Roman Urdu in Pakistan has further decreased the motivation to strengthen Urdu reading and writing proficiency for an individual. 

The Role of Roman Urdu in Pakistan

It’s important to question when and how Pakistan experienced a rise in Roman Urdu. As explained in this article, Roman Urdu serves the purpose of satisfying people’s socializing needs, and is therefore mainly used by individuals that are highly active on websites and other online platforms. These individuals are composed of Pakistan’s young population that find convenience in using the English keyboard instead of the Urdu letters and commands, therefore have developed the habit of sending Urdu messages, comments and other texts using English characters. The authors of the article make an important contribution that thoroughly explains the rapid increase of Roman Urdu. They explain how Roman Urdu is also greatly used for the purpose of information extraction and to perform other search techniques. Several people amongst the users of these online platforms face difficulties in efficiently comprehending the English language, therefore the development of Roman Urdu serves as an excellent channel to extract academic or other information that can deliver them their desired results. Although it acts as an effective and valuable tool to deliver important knowledge and information for people that lack English proficiency, others have also incorporated Roman Urdu into their lives by using it for other socializing purposes. Not only has Roman Urdu been incorporated for personal communication and simple search engines, its rising involvement in everyday life is evident through its use for other entertainment purposes like memes, tweets and Instagram stories and posts that once again target the young population. This shows that gradually, Roman Urdu is penetrating the most frequently used and famous platforms of social media, and will eventually secure a stable position in Pakistani society. 

Accuracy of Roman Urdu 

Now that we understand the purpose and use of Roman Urdu in Pakistan, it is important to analyze its accuracy and efficiency in conveying the message. This article presents and thoroughly explains the flexibility and adjustments of words and vocabulary that can be introduced in Roman Urdu unlike normal Urdu. Traditional Urdu has a fixed format of writing sentences, punctuations, lining, and formatting which adds an element of organization and clarity to the writing that also aids the process of reading and understanding, whilst giving the language its own unique characteristics. On the other hand, Roman Urdu can translate the same word in English characters, with no punctuation and specified rules for spellings and formats. Although the transition from Urdu to English characters is an effective one,  Roman Urdu takes away all the elegance and structure of the Urdu language. The meaning stays the same, but the way people may read and pronounce words can differ on several margins, which affects the articulation and diminishes the beauty and identity of the language. 

Will Roman Urdu Replace Traditional Urdu?

Although this may seem as an exaggerated question, considering the rapidly changing environment we are surrounded by, it does not take time for people’s language patterns and habits to evolve and take new forms. Several people are highly influenced by social media activities, and considering the vast use of social media amongst the young population, it will not be a surprise to notice the gradual elimination of traditional Urdu from the lives of the upcoming generations. They may know how to speak and communicate in Urdu, however, the ability to convey their thoughts into Urdu words and express their emotions in their mother tongue, may become a rare quality. 

I often see my parents or other people from the same age group that still use Urdu letters and words to text and communicate online, and I find it so fascinating to see their ease and convenience in using the Urdu keyboard and language. However, if we really think about it, this should not be a surprise to us. The question of “Do you know how to read and write in your language?” should not really be a common one. In fact, everyone should work towards strengthening and enhancing the understanding of their own language because that is their initial and ultimate personality. Their mother tongue is what shapes their personality and highly influences their thinking and life habits. Apart from just verbal communication in Urdu, I think it is essential to ensure its written presence in the books and other literature materials to secure the cultural significance of the language that beautifies and leaves a remarkable touch to the country as a whole. The quote below is a great conclusion to the point of knowing and communicating in your mother tongue.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.

~Nelson Mandela

Questions for discussion:

1. What do you think is the importance of being able to read, write, and speak in your mother tongue/ first language.
2. Do you believe that one can truly express themselves in a language other than their mother tongue?
3. Do you think the rise f English language in society can threaten/diminish the existence of other languages?

Links:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009913332030149X?casa_token=M5rlRCfswmgAAAAA:FSSRNaf523Cy_3t1B0VQuBehVKmEQUgWAssDjdDtAddrowgkKHnrXIKV_8YS8EB8-LrMYpQi

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9094176