The Mother Tongue: Bill Bryson on the (Not so) Random Ways of the English Language

Bill Bryson's Mother Tongue was my choice for a book review this month, after April's trip to the United Kingdom. Bryson, a renowned Australian travel writer, deviates from his Aussie adventures towards British vs. American comparisons, to bring us an eclectic, literary, look at English as it progressed from Old English, and as it compares in the UK, North America and Australia.

Four and a half thousands differences exist, he tells us, between "British" and "American" English.  Spelling, the grammar aspect that drives my students crazy, differs so greatly since regions of England had different dialects and accents (and to some extent, still do today). Writers struggled and argued on how to best write the words they knew; later they argued how to simplify them. Even Shakespeare spelled his name multiple ways!  

American vs. British English

The first English dictionary was apparently written in 1721, by Nathaniel Bailey, but was largely incomprehensible to most. Samuel Johnson wrote the first dictionary for the common man, but thought his role to record the language, not correct it (hence spelling irregularities, like "fancy" and "phantom" for the "f" sound, "hark" but "hearken"). 

Noah Webster came along next, a lonely, boastful, religious, patriotic, unsuccessful American lawyer American from Hartford (Bryson 149) and changed the English spellings. At times, he simplified (colour to color) and at other times, he deviated from the pattern (radium and potassium are ok, but the British aluminium was changed to "aluminum". Some phrases such as "different than" instead of "different from" are classified as American in the modern world, but were decidedly British at the time of Dickens and Coleridge!

It's like language is an ever-changing trend, and different structures come "in and out" of style. While I thoroughly enjoyed this literary journey, I'd say this book is only for those who love literature and history and/or love random facts. They may be historical and "useless" now, but wow are they a conversation starter (okay, for some people...) If you're going to read one page in this book, read the Brit. vs. American chart on page 171 - and learn why a "boot" doesn't always go on your foot and an "estate car" isn't likely to take you anywhere fancy...

For those of you who want to check out Bill Bryson's more "travel" like books, read In Notes from A Small Island; a great adventure. His audio books are popular in the UK (due to the ridiculous amounts of time people spend in traffic). Notes on a Big Country, for example, compares life in America to life in the UK, through hilarious anecdotes.

Thanks, Uncle Steve, for this great book review recommendation!

Stay tuned for June's book review, coming soon!

Sneha & Kashan's Wedding: Culture & Class

Sneha and Kashan’s wedding was a fantastic celebration that combined culture and class. With a short, one hour wedding ceremony (that’s super short for Indian weddings), a jovial priest, and great food, it was a celebration that was an eventful success. In fact, the priest jokingly referred to the religious part as a "drive-thru" version of the ceremony. Events were on time and flawlessly executed, unlike the wedding I attended two years ago in India (see February 2009 entries).

 The Muslim ceremony was performed two days before, and the priest explained the significance of the Nikah ceremony (acceptance into Kashan’s family), before turning to an explanation of the Hindu ceremony. I absolutely loved her outfit – not overdone and definitely beautiful.

 Slightly different than a Northern Indian wedding, this South Indian wedding had a custom of Sambanda Male (Garland Exchange)   between the couple. The person who tosses the garland around their spouses’ neck first has the upper hand in their relationship – Sneha won, of course!

·         Steps in the Marriage

• Arrival of the Baarat (welcoming crowd)
• Procession of the Bride
• Sambanda Male
• Kanya Dhanam (father of the bride entrusts his daughter to the groom)
• Mangalya Dharana (groom ties a sacred thread to the bride to symbolize union)
• SaptaPadi (seven steps around a fire; seven promises of love to each other).

·         

Uncle Suresh, Aunty Bharati, Sneha, Kasha & priest

Sapna & Sneha

 

 It is said that“Many people will walk in and out of your life – but true friends will leave footprints in your heart” - Anonymous'

The evening ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel made me remember the fun times Sneha and I had as kids – hanging out all the way through junior high. It’s interesting, so many years later, how childhood friendships may appear to fade but are still strong at heart.  Here’s to keeping in touch with those important in your life!

The dances were really spectacular – so much coordination and based on a skit that combined traditional dancing with personal anecdotes. With an open bar, and tons of people on the dance floor, I had a chance to test my photography skills…

As da Vinci elegantly put it, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”  - and this wedding was an illustration of sophistication.  

Congratulations Sneha and Kashan!