Guys, we gotta talk PET bottle caps. I mean I get that the rest of Europe apparently has a problem recycling both the cap and the bottle at the same time, BUT … that’s not a problem we have in Switzerland. We’re taught to make the bottles as flat as possible, getting the air out so there’s more space in the recycling bins/containers/wherever they’re stored. You kinda need to put the top back on for that to work. We’ve managed to stay an island during the war, but when it comes to bottle caps, we have to go with the rest of Europe – apparently. For those who don’t know, the caps are now attached when you open the bottles so you can’t lose them. Not sure I’ve ever lost one, but there you go. And that make it very difficult to drink out of those bottles Okay, maybe not VERY difficult, but they annoy the hell out of me.
Also, we got them to change the name of what is commonly known as Fuze iced tea. In Switzerland it’s Fuse. “Fuze” was deemed too rude a word to be used. Now, German-speaking Switzerland is a tiny market, but we got the name changed here. Of course, I’m a child and I buy Fuze iced tea whenever I’m abroad. Just too freaking funny. And it really is just a Swiss thing. In Germany that rude word is spelled differently. Rude words – we got you covered; unnecessarily making drinking out of a PET bottle more complicated than it needs to be – we’ll just go with it …
Anyway, this was brought to you by random sh*t that annoys me.
I had a couple of interesting discussions about language and communication this week. I know I’ve written about language and identity before. I firmly believe people should be able to express themselves in their mother tongue whenever possible. This often didn’t happen for indigenous peoples. Yes, maybe 6000+ languages in the world are a lot to “manage”. It does make a huge difference though. Take it from somebody who went to school being taught to speak/read/write in High German and Swiss German was not allowed, it’s not the same. It just isn’t. Ask a group of Swiss German speakers to do a group activity in Swiss German and another one to do the same activity in Standard German. The difference will amaze you.
Yes, of course it’s easier to read and write in High German because Swiss German has no spelling rules and that makes it difficult in a business context. Fine – I’ll give you that! But I’m also here to point out that Swiss German is in fact a language of its own. And yes, there have been and still are many different definitions of “language”. When I studied linguistics there was one that said a language had to have its own grammar and spelling rules (I can’t remember the reference) and since Swiss German has neither it wasn’t a language. Well, definitions change as does language. Also, we might not have our grammar written down, but if someone says something that’s not grammatically correct, we know.
Have I mentioned that I’m feeling annoyed today?
Then I was reminded of another discussion about prescriptive and descriptive linguistics. You will know the prescriptive group as the *10 items or less is wrong* crowd. Teachers are often in this group and I used to be one of them. I have since learned to be more relaxed about language change, have stopped teaching and also stopped caring as much about the correct use of language. Unless it’s something that can be misunderstood. I’d still correct people then.
Many look at dictionaries as prescriptive tools to find out what is correct. They are much more than that though. Good dictionaries describe how language is used and they will add things like “I’m loving it” as an exception to the *you can’t use the verb “love” in the progressive form* rule. Some through gritted teeth, but that’s a different story. They will also capitulate when people keep using “hashtag” wrong and go with it. It’s a pretty democratic process.
How did my brain land on languages? I mean I’m a linguist, but still … Oh, yes. So, there was this exhibition at the art museum in Aarau and there was a short video with somebody from Northern Norway. She spoke one of the indigenous languages. I missed what it was, but I recognized some Finnish and Norwegian/Swedish loan words. I was really happy they had her tell her story in her own language. It just feels and sounds so much more natural.
Then there was also an exhibition where florist recreated art with flowers and floral arrangements. I liked it better last time I went. It felt more creative then. Also, it got really crowded so it was difficult to enjoy the experience. Luckily, we had booked the last time slot of the day and the last 30 minutes before closing we were almost alone. I much preferred that and spotted things I missed on the first walk around.
Some of you will have read my comment elsewhere on having had a bit of a tough day yesterday. I dreamed some weird stuff, then woke up feeling even weirder. So, here’s what I think happened. In therapy we reprocessed an early childhood memory, and my whole body showed a reaction. The entire process needs a bit more time, but what came to the surface were feelings that had been hidden deep, very deep. That’s why I couldn’t get to them without professional help.
I will write an entire newsletter about this when it’s ready but let me just say this: children can only process feelings they are allowed to have. I know I’m repeating myself. For good reason. It looks like all those feelings I wasn’t allowed to have have stuck around. And they are the ones especially girls are told not to show – e.g. anger and frustration. Or just any thoughts that are deemed “wrong” and “not nice” by parents, family or society as a whole.
Now, what do you think a little kid does when they’re told not to show those emotions or share those thoughts, but they still have them? They are bottled up of course. In my case I started thinking all those bad things about myself and directed all those unwanted emotions at myself. Good luck with that!
What I learned when I was little was that there was nothing wrong with other people’s behavior or any given situation – it was my reaction that was the problem. It was me that was the problem. Of course it was. I’m not surprised this is coming to the surface and I’m even less surprised it was buried so deep down. There is some really dark stuff in there. Things that I’ll probably only share with very close friends. I was shocked myself.
I should probably mention International Women’s Day … although I have to admit that I would have completely forgotten about it, had I not been given a rose at a local supermarket. I can appreciate that gesture and still be critical about it too. We’ve got a long way to go. Such a long way. I don’t want to turn this into more of a rant that it already is – so, I won’t.
Men who think I don’t know what I talk about when it comes to linguistics (among other things) will just have to learn the hard way that women know stuff too. He did apologize when he realized. However, it’s the assumption that I didn’t know, and he would have to enlighten me, that’s the problem. On top of that he came pretty unarmed – but there you go. I’ll talk linguistics anytime and anywhere. You gotta bring you’re A-game though. I don’t mess around.
One last thing, does anybody outside of Europe or even just central Europe know Barbapapa? Look it up. There’s an entire family. And guess who made the connection between “barbe à papa” and the character Barbapapa YESTERDAY! Yes, that would be me. I mean Barbapapa even looks like a barbe à papa. How did I not realize this? The two words are homonyms (i.e. words that are spelled differently but sound the same). Seriously! This is too funny.
I’m sending out hugs to everyone and special hugs to NYC. Please know you’re not alone!
Have a lovely Sunday everyone.
It was always "train station" where I grew up around Philadelphia, which had great train service in the day.
Same thought 🤣It's so annoying that the caps are now attached to the bottles😡and I do the same with the bottles :I make them flat otherwise I need a ship container 🛳️I Sicily I drink at least 2 and half liters of water a day