tә-mä´tō/tә-mā´tō

[nfotxn]

One key technique to speaking Scottish is to frequently use the incorrect vowel sound. Also elongate the enunciation of that sound, almost logarithmically , to increase your emphasis. There is no ceiling as to how elongated your incorrect vowel sounds can be although it is wise not to abuse this property as you will find yourself spending hours saying but a feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew veeeeeeeeeeery importaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant words.

I think there's a reason dyslexia is such a big problem here. The dialect, however romanticized and idealized abroad probably makes it really hard to comprehend basic grammar skills. Honestly, there are commercials For Schools That Will Help You Learn during the evening news and I believe I heard a figure like 35% of the adult population suffers or something.

Today I got to spend 45mins outside of the kitchen in the lobby covering for somebody on their break. As I have problems understanding British strangers I'm usually just cooking, cleaning and lifting. I understand that I am appreciated because most of my co-workers have an aversion to hardwork. Whereas once I get going I really enjoy doing the "hard jobs" as they pass the time quickly. Tangent aside this meant a little bit of people watching, which as an bonnified on-again-off-again social outsider I tend to enjoy. Of interest was an older woman who could have been my granny (or anybody's) who'd go from table to table where there were kids and talk with them. You could tell in her eyes that she was very lonely and her demeanor was entirely grandmotherly. It was pleasing to see the people she visited tolerate her friendliness. Of course the first question I asked myself is "would it be tolerated the same way back home?". I can't say for sure but I would guess probably not. The attitudes towards elderly people here are far more humane. That much is for certain. Most seniors just want somebody to talk to.

I find the generational segregation and exhaultation of the ephebe in Globalized Consumer Culture awfully alarming sometimes.

Comments

[notofthisworld.livejournal.com]

> bonnified

You mean, Bona fide?

Gee, you're a fine one to be a-criticising someone's English. ;-)

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the hint. But I hope you aren't being passive-aggressive 'cause I really do try to write well knowing that semantics queens like yourself and others are reading.

[notofthisworld.livejournal.com]

Gee, can't anyone read smileys anymore?

No, I wasn't having a go at you. It was just funny because it was in the context of you talking about the poor spelling of Scotsmen.

Perhaps Scotland is starting to rub off on you already, hey?

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

No ;)

[notofthisworld.livejournal.com]

And I like your writing, by the way.

[shawnsyms.livejournal.com]

You could have just as easily mean "bonnified" as in "made bonny" (bonny as in handsome, such as bonny lads and lassies). I'd rather assume something is nuance than a "mistake" — something we all make anyway. I knew what you meant and just kept on reading...

[gusmacroy.livejournal.com]

so much potential hulking in the back of the Culloden McDonald's. I want to tap it like a thick shake and slurp it down.

[mattycub.livejournal.com]

You totally wrote this post just so you could use the word ephebe.

[ranger1.livejournal.com]

..and the funky letters in the title. Work those modifer keys baby. Ooh yeah.

[chrisglass.livejournal.com]

I had to look that one up.

I still don't think I could pronounce it or use it in a sentence.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Actually I put the whole ephebe bit in afterwards. I didn't mean to sound pretentious or anything, I just wanted to include that thought.

[danlmarmot.livejournal.com]

I find the generational segregation...

Hm. Segregation is too powerful of a word here, it strongly suggests there's an official policy in place. Do you think that governments should mandate that you should stay near your family? How would you feel if the province of Ontario required you to stay in Hamilton?

The linkage with Consumer Culture isn't valid either. Places often have skewed age profiles: London in the 1500's, Ireland in the 1850's, Florida in the 1990's. Some places attract young people, some attract old, for many reasons. Criticizing people's desire or need to move around strikes me as misguided, and verging on elitist. People have moved around for hundreds of years.

And besides, if not Consumer Culture, than what do you propose we replace it with?

[abearius.livejournal.com]

Dewd! What got the hair across your ass tonight? Did you drink too much vintage whine [sic] or something?

BTW, the hair is gaudy, but the color is perfect for the background.

[danlmarmot.livejournal.com]

Oh, I was being contrarian (and a bit bitchy, sorry Brodie). I just don't think everything can be linked to the Big Evil Mass Consumer Culture.

It makes a handy scapegoat at times, but really, is there another viable alternative?

A bit tangental...

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

I was unclear that Consumer Culture is not an entirely bad thing. However it undeniably fosters a very self-servial mindset focused entirely on idealized image. Personally I'm not a consumer denialist but I also think that there are much better ways of doing things and hope that I'm not alone in this belief.

I still have to get my hands on a copy of Natural Capitalism which I hope addresses the mental environment as much as it does (seemingly) with the physical one.

heh

[sunflower1969.livejournal.com]

when I was working in London summer of 1990 I was a telephone operator at a London hotel.

Because I spoke so fast (a byproduct of my east coast USA upbringing), a lot of the natives couldn't understand me.

Because they couldn't understand me, a lot of them therefore assumed I was Scottish.

Re: heh

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, being from Southern Ontario people assume I'm an American because we pretty much sound the same here. A lot of Scots definitely speak quickly.

[abearius.livejournal.com]

Brodie, do they have a Haggis Happy Meal in Inverness? Have you proposed this? You could become famous, especially if you develop the "Secret Liver Sauce" packet that goes with it.

I've lived in the same neighborhood for a long time and have gotten to see people who've retired, been widowed, etc. look for ways to fill their lives after a significant change of circumstances. It always hits a responsive chord in me when I see people meet the task of redefining their lives when they thought they'd gotten it all settled. I've not seen a case that was heart-rending, though some are poignant; people, even old ladies, rise to this challenge pretty well. This same thing even happens to the rich, especially in those cases when they come to realize that they don't have much to offer the world by way of compassion,character, or human kindness.

Regardless of any social criticism one way or the other, you're noticing something very worthwhile about this woman's life. She is clearly lonely and misses her grandchildren [if she has/had any] or the opportunity to express the affections to which a grandmother would be entitled [if she does have grandchildren]. There could be a really interesting story there, too.

Most people who are alone just want someone to talk with. That observation is right on the mark.

[nfotxn.livejournal.com]

Brodie, do they have a Haggis Happy Meal in Inverness? Have you proposed this? You could become famous, especially if you develop the "Secret Liver Sauce" packet that goes with it.

It's a bit of an urban legend the whole "McHaggis" thing. After having asked about it the fact is that it never has and never will exist. The Scottish don't even like Haggis that much as a whole.

But I do wanna be famous! Weeee.

[clauditorium.livejournal.com]

Wow, it sounds like you are genuinely learning from your travels - cool.
Getting any?