Countries

A childhood game my brother and I used to play often and still do, was the List Game. (Otherwise known as Name Game.) That was when we took it in turns to name something in a specific category, and whoever ran out of things first is the loser. Naming countries is quite a favourite.

My brother and I are very competitive, and we tend to last quite a while until one of us gives up, usually my brother. Just kidding! Afterwards, we'd usually check the world map, and see what countries we'd missed. Always, there'd be a name unrecognised. Burkina Faso, Angola, Suriname. It's occurred to me recently that my Geographical and Historical history is actually quite poor., b

Heck, I'm from the UK and I don't even know all the countries that are part of the Commonwealth.

(And yes, I'm cringing at that statement too.)

So I've decided to spin the globe once in a while, and write something interesting about that country. We could all wikipedia a name and find out numbers and dates and things that might be a bit sketchy, but I hope to research at least one interesting fact about each country. Technically, that's 196 future posts if you count Taiwan. (Which I do!)

It can't be called 'Travel writing', but each new entry will be under the 'Profiles' page.

Samuel Heinicke, the "Artifical Method" and Deafness

For a couple of months I have been interested in writing fiction with a deaf main character, and for even longer, I have been interested in learning BSL. But the more I research, the more I realise how little I know about the world of deafness.

Take the "Artificial Method", also known as the "German Method", for teaching Deaf students how to communicate with the power of speech. According to an extract, 'It takes a much longer time to educate the pupils by this system than by any other methods, and more painful to the efforts on the part of the pupil. Indeed in many cases it is so painful to the poor deaf-mute as to cause blood to issue from the mouth.' Canadian Illustrated News, August 1st, 1874.

This method is thought to have been refined and made popular by Samuel Heinicke, a man who
rejected the inheritance of his farming background and eventually opened a school that specialised in teaching deaf children. Samuel Heinickke sought to use a logical, systemanic approach, inspired by earlier European oral advocates and teachers, Amman and Baron van Helmont. (Margret A. Winzer 1993)

The school still runs in Germany. Although the school itself taught language to the deaf in various ways including sign, reading and writing, he claimed "It is only by learning articulated speech that a deaf person gains position in a hearing society” (Eriksson, p54). This method opposed the system of instruction in Paris, created by Épée, who was keen to focus on sign language. This can be understood further in his 'L'instruction des sourds et muets par la voie des signes méthodiques.' The instruction of the deaf and dumb by the sign method, 1776.

Admittingly, I had no idea about the Artifical/German Method and still know very little about it. A quick search reveals that he sometimes used the senses of taste to help bring this about, but I think I'm going to look into this a little more later.

I'm also reading "Deafening" by Frances Itani, which focuses on a main character who is deaf, and uses the "Artificial Method" amongst other methods of communication. May do a book review later.

Further Information:
- Samuel Heinicke was inspired by a book called "Surdus loquens," or "The Speaking Deaf," which was explained how a European doctor taught the deaf to speak.
- http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/heinicke-samuel.htm -- Interesting introduction with a good bibliography for broadening research.

Recommended reading:
The History of Special education: From Isolation to Intergration by Margret A. Winzer, 1993.

Updated 2nd of Jan, 2013.

Hmm

Not satisifed with this blog... Might restart...

Stale bread

 I missed a seminar today, which turned out to be a blessing. The tutor gave strange things to write about. While procrastinating on work, I attempted to write some of them, spending an minute's thought on each one. None of these writings are serious.




Write a piece of writing starting "When I die, I will miss"

When I die, I will miss your warm breath...
The stench of cheese and onion,
And the slight hint of beer.

When I die, I will miss your wide eyes...
Always confused, bloodshot,
Not often sober.

When I die, I will miss your smile...
A lazy grin, effortless,
With a coffee stain above the upper lip.

When I die, I will miss your gentle nature.
I'm sure you really didn't mean to punch your best friend in the face,
Or tell the teacher to do himself.

When I die, you won't remember me.
When I die, I'll regret remembering you.


"Imagine you are somebody else in this room, write as if you are them"


WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
OH MY FRIGGEN GOODNESS A SPINNY CHAIR IN A COMPUTER ROOM. LETS JOUST EVERYBODY!



"Describe in detail a city that you've spent less than three days in"


The coach passed through the dull streets of Exeter, past the white ensign building and the national flags. There's a cathedral around somewhere - you have to pay to get in. I probably won't go in. There's also a museum... Somewhere. And a burger stand with a polite lady right outside Exeter St Davies. The Christmas market is probably still open, selling cheesy trinkets no one wants. The pubs look like any other kind of pub, but slightly more dead. The older women seem to make more of an effort to look classy. A practice that has not been fully adopted in Suffolk. The station staff are nice. Oh look, I've passed Exeter.


"An outdoor location of some kind that you experienced only after dark"



He said, 'lets go for a walk.'
Now, if I have inherited anything from my father, it was the ability to judge the time it takes to walk long distances.
Or should I say, the lack of it.
I was not scared, honestly. Walking along a beach at the dead of night through sand that often slipped down the thin pathways was completely, and utterly safe. Never mind having to share one torch and no mobile phone on hand in case things go wrong.
I could walk in front - with the torch, be the first one attacked by a passing psychopath, or be behind, the first one attacked front he behind from a passing psychopath.
I weighed the options.
I walked in front.
I tried not to think of the rustling bushes so close to the path, they often brushed my leg with their thin leaves and pointy branches. Instead, I was generous with my torch, and sometimes directed to the shore.
That's when it highlighted a peculiar 'hut', worn and rotting, it had originally been made simply. No door - just a gap. The gap was a void of darkness.
"Lets go there!" My dad said with joyful curiousty.

First we had to get down from the path. We could brave the very steep and sandy hills, or jump off the ledge.
Of course, we jumped off the ledge.

There was nothing particular interesting about the hut, but I really didn't feel comfortable when my father shoved a torch inside. What if somebody was living there? I realise now, a year and a half or so later, that was a ridiculous thought, the tide would come in every so often and flood it completely. My dad wanted to step inside, but I begged him not to. Eventually, after a little further along the beach, we decided to head back.

I never saw the hut again.

Update

Things have changed.

I'm sure many people undergo various periods of reflection upon their lives which is either curious, lighthearted, sentimental analyses, or deep, philosophical thought. Actually, there's probably another, that more sinister "Why did I do that" routine that I am sure must occur at least once a year for a good majority of people. Nevertheless, it's a process that requires a little time to ourselves, and there is usually a conclusion.

What I have been reflecting on recently has varied extortionately throughout this last week, even this last month. I've been thinking about big questions, small questions, funny things, sad things. There is no chronological sense or pattern to these thoughts, they are spontaneous, perhaps following willfully to my rather chaotic self. Luckily, these 'events' have not been painful frenzies, nor lead to agonizing paranoia or bitterness. Instead, they have lead to a helpful understanding on my personal opinions regarding personal actions and decisions, and personal philosophy and thought. Perhaps this luck has been influenced by a new desire to achieve at least some kind of calm amongst the storm, to avid the recklessness but enjoy the dis-structure desired by a free spirit.

I feel, in order to place a "milestone" upon this new understanding, I should at least share some of it to the public, though I doubt anyone reads this anyway, but even by doing so, it places a unique concrete on the new floor of the castle of creativity. I'm confirming my own understanding by transcribing it into writing that is available for others to potentially read.

Desires
I'll only mention this lightly as it is quite a private affair. I desire happiness, fulfillment and knowledge. I'd like to progress, rather than stick to a mundane routine. A concrete routine is something that I do not desire and cannot accept.

Philosophy and Religion
I am still religious, I am still spiritual. I'm confident in my beliefs, but wish to explore it, maybe write about it sometime. I find forgiveness essential to the core of my beliefs, which include self-forgiveness, and motivation to do good and progress. I stress I do not fear in the consequences of my actions, nor do I submit to exterior forces that are produced by a collective of people. But I am willing, interested, accepting (but not mindlessly passive) and open in listening to a force of good that gives me strength, warmth and hope. By this attitude, I no longer want to be confined to past events that have haunted me by my own actions or by others, although it is false and too ideological to presume that memories can simply be "deleted" or forgotten. No, I won't be able to forget, but I can move on, and I think, emotion attached to memories can begin to dull it's effect.
I am interested in sociological and psychology philosophy and perspectives on religion, personality, society and the individual. I am currently working out and writing what I think about "Collective Individualism."
 I'm also interested in history, and it's relevance in modern times.

Sociology and Politics
There doesn't seem much point to go too deep into politics, or put much or even little emotion to it. But I cannot help but think of the "what ifs" and alternative ways that politics can be more efficient and satisfying. I care little for the "game" of politics, I won't join the pawns jumping one square at a time and getting no where.Nor will I bother to conspire against the authority of the pieces in question. If I be honest, I find politics and chess quite boring, because they always use the same rules and in the end, the same thing happens. In chess, the game is always won in the certain way, and then the next game is won also, in a certain way. Politics does this too, it is always the same, the only difference is the colour that the player is playing behind. It is pointless to interfere. Instead, what is exciting, or at least, amusing to think of is new ways of making change, thinking "outside the chess board."
Sociology is still relevant and interesting, and I'd like to write about it sometime, and do my own research.


Some things never change. But it's okay to allow the things that you thought never would, or never could change happen, if at the end of the day, it would positively allow you to progress and explore concepts and ideas you never knew.

Suzie: The Girl who changed our lives

So I'm at university now.
Admittingly, I've been at university for a while.
Things have been fine, insightful, interesting.

I've currently been reading 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' by Friedrich Nietzsche which has been a very interesting voyage so far, but this entry will be specifically about a rather short book called Suzie: The Girl who changed our lives.

Having personally corresponded with the author, I felt I should read her book, which turned out to be a shocking reveal of a life that I was completely unaware of. Ann Chadwick has had a very full and interesting life, and is keen to explain in detail her childhood, growing up in a family with an adopted sister - A little girl called Suzie, who boarded a 'kindertransport' train from Prague to eventually arrive at London, and then, to East Anglia, just in time to escape from the horror of the Hitler's onward march. It takes you through the emotional trauma that Suzie suffered, the heartbreaking letters received by the Chadwick family by Suzie's parents, and despite the burdens and darkness, the rise and happiness of life that would blossom within the family.

The book isn't lacking on presenting life for the Chadwicks and Suzie's parents, the Spitzers which is wonderful and always interesting. The only thing is that this book is not written by a professional author and could really do with a good editor to really make this book a gem. There is a lot of repetition, paragraphs that dive too fast in another subject, information that isn't so significant in the story. I disliked the fact the book continued to mention the telling of Suzie's story, but, as a book itself, Suzie's story wasn't emphasized enough. The storytelling was not perfected.

Yet, one would appreciate the honesty and the immense effort Ann Chadwick has put into this book, and it is a story that one should read and appreciate. This gives a priceless account on another side to the war that has been almost invisible to the general public. I can only wish more books like this were around, but unfortunately, like history, the truth begins to fade. Suzie: The Girl who changed our lives is a book that will confidently set in stone a part of history, it's truth unchanged forever.

New Adventure

I'll be in Bath tomorrow, and that's a pretty strange thought. Packing is... Well, I am typing this while I should be filling up suitcases so I guess it's going pretty slow right now. Ah well. I have a new happy song, perhaps called Asa Branca above ^ (I have no idea), and currently wearing m'bright yellow hoody, hopefully they'll bring good vibes for today. Time to just see where the wind blows.