This week I am drawing on the board in my classroom a cartoon drawing of two towns and a space between.\u00a0 Really just a few lines and rectangles will represent the buildings and a few\u00a0 half circles and triangles will give roof lines.\u00a0 Then a road in front and a little car reminiscent of a VW Bug will give a feeling of motion.\u00a0 In the space between, some lines to show trees and underbrush.\u00a0 It’s amazing what you can do with a little chalk, and a bonus if some of it is colored.<\/p>\n
I ask the students to tell me a story about the picture and they actually see what I have drawn: two towns, a road, a forest, and a car moving along from one town to another.\u00a0 The problem is the car has to go through those woods to get to the other town.<\/p>\n
Next, I put names on the towns: first town “Chinese” other town\u00a0 “English” and the woods between?\u00a0 “Chinglish” a necessary step between the two languages.\u00a0 It is, among other things,\u00a0 Chinese forms or syntax with English words, and English words, but not the best ones for the situation.\u00a0 I hope that my students will move quickly through the woods and arrive at the next town.<\/p>\n
My problem is that I enjoy some of the creativity that comes from being in those woods.\u00a0 “It’s a happiness thing” appeared in an essay recently.\u00a0 I think it’s an “error” but it reminds of a certain famous person who spoke this way.\u00a0 Then I read this one: “we played cards, loudly laughed, and totally happied.”\u00a0\u00a0 I’m obligated to “correct” this, but I think it is quite clear, fresh and fun.\u00a0 What more can we ask of language?<\/p>\n
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