The Arts Junction: English is Stupid! Dah?

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

English is Stupid! Dah?

Плакаты.Ру «Женщина! Учись грамоте!..»
Кругликова Елизавета Сергеевна, 1923

Женщина! Учись грамоте!
Эх, маманя! Была-бы ты грамотной, помогла-бы мне!

Woman! Learn to read and write!
Oh, Mammy! If you would have been educated, you would have helped me!
If you would have been able to speak English, you would have helped me!

I think it should be an interesting event:

Editors' Association of Canada Toronto Branch

~~February 26, 2007~~
March 26, 2007

DeCodIng SpOkeN EnGliSh

Speaker: Judy Thompson

Sheridan College instructor Judy Thompson is startlingly successful at teaching foreign-trained professionals to speak Canadian English after the typical ESL courses that concentrate on the alphabet, spelling, and grammar have failed them. Judy’s premise is that written and spoken English are actually different languages. After learning Judy’s tips, techniques and tricks, her students’ most common response is, “Why didn’t anybody tell me this before?”

The author of Teacher You Me Washroom, her book describing her journey to discover how people from other cultures can learn to speak English (as opposed to reading and writing English), Judy will share some of her insights with us in an entertaining, amusing and passionate presentation.

Because we editors make our living working with words, Judy suspects that we, more than the "casual" reader, might have wondered about English words and their idiosyncrasies. We might even have questioned why the likes of “eight” and “ate,” for example, are pronounced the same.

Come prepared to be amazed about some of the nuances of this language we are so familiar with, make our living with, and think we know so well. Chances are we will look at English quite differently after experiencing Judy's presentation.

The Toronto branch of the Editors' Association of Canada meets at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of every month (except July, August, and December).

Q & A Session: 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.
General Meeting: 7:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Mix and Mingle: 8:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Speakers Program: 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.

Location: Women's Art Association of Canada
23 Prince Arthur Avenue (northwest of Bloor Street and Avenue Road)

Admission: EAC members free; non-members $5

Contact: 416 975-5528

The Women's Art Association of Canada, 23 Prince Arthur Avenue, is located one block north of Bloor Street West, between Avenue Road and Bedford Road. It is close to the St. George, Bay, and Museum subway stations. Some parking is available next to the building for $3, payable at the door; other parking lots are close by.
For free entry, present your EAC membership card at the door. Bring your business card to wear in the badge-holders provided.

Credit: Editors' Association of Canada/Association canadienne des réviseurs

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