English 10 - Copper

Michael Miller Humanities Portfolio

mmiller — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:50:39 -0400

English 10 - Copper

Humanities Portfolio

sakhtar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:21:09 -0400

English 10 - Copper

Bryanna's Humanities Portfolio

bbonner — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:00:06 -0400

10th Grade Humanities Portfolio that describes and reflects upon learning from the year in both English and History.

English 10 - Copper

Humanities Portfolio

cchan — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:55:40 -0400

English 10 - Copper

Humanities Portfolio

hmarquez — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:58:57 -0400

My 10th grade Humanities Portfolio that describes what I got out of my History and English classes for this year. [07-08]

English 10 - Copper

Humanities Portfolio

acampbell — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:36:03 -0400

English 10 - Copper

Samuel Beccaria Humanities Reflection Project

sbeccaria — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:31:11 -0400

This is my humanities reflection project.

English 10 - Copper

Script

cchan — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:04:47 -0400

Stuff

Engineering A - 1

4/30/08

jyoung — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:16:52 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
seis horas

El Desayuno:
nada

El Almuerzo:
nada

La Cena:
patatas es fritas

Las Meriendas:
nada

Ejercicio:

nada

Engineering A - 1

4/21/08

jyoung — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:31:26 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
seis horas

El Desayuno:
nada

El Almuerzo:
nada

La Cena:
pescado

Las Meriendas:
nada

Ejercicio:

corrar

Spanish 2 - D

4/26/08

jyoung — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:18:44 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
nueve horas

El Desayuno:
nada

El Almuerzo:
bistec

La Cena:
pollo

Las Meriendas:
nada

Ejercicio:

nada

Spanish 2 - D

4/25/08

jyoung — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:13:55 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
seis horas

El Desayuno:
nada

El Almuerzo:
nada

La Cena:
congrejo

Las Meriendas:
nada

Ejercicio:

nada

Spanish 2 - D

La Comida

mmiller — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:17:25 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 8 horas.

El Desayuno:
Comí Nada

El Almuerzo:
pastel de azúcar

La Cena:
Pizza

Las Meriendas:
dónut

Ejercicio:

pista de carreras por 90 minutos

Spanish 2 - A

4/23/08

jyoung — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:48:48 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
seis horas

El Desayuno:
nada

El Almuerzo:
polo

La Cena:
nada

Las Meriendas:
nada

Ejercicio:

corrar

Engineering A - 1

La Comida

kmoore — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:53:48 -0400

Miercoles

desayuno- Yo comi poptarts, beef salchicha,

almeruzo- Yo comi granola bar

Cena-

Hueves
almeruzo- Yo comi pan, burger, y nuggets
Cena- Yo comi stir fry, bachlava

Viernes

Cena- Yo comi pizza y burguesa

Sabado

Cena- wendys, ramen

Domingo

Desayuna-chiflado de arroz y batata

almeruzo-bocadillo de mantequilla de cacahuete y gelatina

Cena- pizza y marisco

La Comida

mmiller — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:03:21 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 7 horas.

El Desayuno:

BLT

El Almuerzo:
nada

La Cena:
Pavo bocadillio

Las Meriendas:
No

Ejercicio:

Corrí por 90 minutos y Levantar pesa.

Spanish 2 - A

La Comida

mmiller — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:41:44 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 8 horas.

El Desayuno:

Nada

El Almuerzo:
Nada

La Cena:
sopa de pollo con fideos

Las Meriendas:
Coke

Ejercicio:

Huego Básqetbol por 1 hora.

Spanish 2 - A

La Comida

mmiller — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:39:37 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 7 horas.

El Desayuno:

BLT

El Almuerzo:
nada

La Cena:
Pavo bocadillio

Las Meriendas:
No

Ejercicio:

Corrí por 90 minutos y Levantar pesa.

Spanish 2 - A

The Kelly Writers House/The SLA Law Class

areese — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:35:34 -0400

The Kelly Writers House at The University of Penn is an actual 13-room house at 3805 Locust Walk on Penn's campus that is a center for writers of all kinds from Penn and the Philadelphia area. I served there as a temp (helping with various activities and chores around The House) and I sat in on many of The House's writing classes. Check out a link here: http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/about/

In March, I switched ILP's and I am currently in SLA's Law Class held in Rochester's room on Wednesday. We learn about the Constitution, its Ammendments, and an overall view of the Court System. Class is from around 1:30 to 2:30 and then we have an hour to complete the homework that is given to us at the end of class.

Spanish 2 - D

Mi Dia (Viernes)

bbonner — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:24:28 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:

Anoche, dormí 6 horas.

El Desayuno:
Crepes

El Almuerzo:

Sándwich y auga.

La Cena

Cereal

Las Meriendas:

Palomitas

Ejercicio:

No ejercicio hoy.

The Play

Albóndiga April 4th

bbonner — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:26:43 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:

Anoche, dormí 7 horas.

El Desayuno:
Comí Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal

El Almuerzo:
Comí rojo pera, nutrigrain bar, y Arizona Té con limón.

La Cena

Comí espagueti y albóndiga.

Las Meriendas:

Manzana tarta y helado.

Ejercicio:

No ejercicio hoy.

The Play

La Comida

mmiller — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:32:44 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 8 horas.

El Desayuno:

Nada

El Almuerzo:
pechuga de pollo con queso bleu

La Cena:

Turquía sándwich

Las Meriendas:

Ejercicio:
la raza

English 10 - Copper

mi salud

rburwasser — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:05:09 -0400

horas de sueño por noche

Anoche, dormí 8 horas.

El Desayuno:

yo comi dose pan y crema de queso

English 10 - Copper

4-1-08

ryemola — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:26:07 -0400

Robert Yemola

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 8 horas.

El Desayuno:
Comí cereal, Tome Leche

El Almuerzo:
Nada

La Cena:
Comí Subway, tome Coke

Las Meriendas:
Comí Reese Cups, Pringles

Ejercicio:
Camine por 90 minutos.

English 10 - Copper

4-1-08

cchan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:26:54 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:

Anoche, dormí 3 horas.

El Desayuno:
Comí un sandwich.

El Almuerzo:
Comí un chip y tarta de queso.

La Cena

Comí un pizza.

Las Meriendas:
No hago meriendas.

Ejercicio:
Nosotros corríamos el track.

English 10 - Copper

Señor Samuel: Lunes de Abril 1

sbeccaria — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:44:12 -0400

Horas de Sueño por Noche:
Anoche, dormí 9 horas.

El Desayuno:
Comí nada

El Almuerzo:
Comí un sándwich de pollo y sándwich de mantequilla de cacahuete y gelatina

La Cena:
Comí pasta y agua.

Las Meriendas:
Comí nada

Ejercicio:
Corrí por 10 minutos y 75 flexión y 150 abdominales

English 10 - Copper

Half Baked

bbonner — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:11:42 -0500

“Where you from?”

“Here. West Philly.”

“Huh? You can’t be. You been here all 15 years?”

“Why can’t I? But no I grew up in the suburbs.”

“Oh ok that makes since.”

The language I use demonstrates how different I am. It makes others think about where I am from. The funny thing is to me it’s just the way I speak.

I am constantly asked where I am from and why I talk the way I do. I am an African American teen and when I walk down the street that’s all people see. But when you talk to me I am said to talk like a “white” girl. Yes it’s true I don’t use any kind of slang. Sometimes I cut my words short or I may say one or two things considered black talk, but I even get shy to say nigga. For some reason it just doesn’t sound the same way when it comes out my mouth.
Maybe it’s the stereotypes that influences people to think I am suppose to talk a certain way. Maybe people create a certain image for blacks and if you don’t follow those typical guide lines your different. Or in my case you’re white.
To explain my background I am from the suburbs. I grew up in a neighborhood called Harleysville. Where everyone was friendly and they felt it was ok to leave their doors unlocked all the time. I went to Christian Academy, my teacher there was also my babysitter. I lived down the street from my church. I couldn’t complain.
I moved to Philadelphia after about 4-5 years living up there. Life in the city. I still go to church up there and I still have family there. I even have friends there. The person I was up there has followed me down here too. Maybe that is why I seem to connect to people who are diverse.

SLA is a school mixed with all kinds of people. There are so many different ethnicities and so many unique people you never see the same thing twice. And my group of friends show that diverseness.
My friends are called the G’s. We are made up of African Americans, Puerto Ricans, Whites, and Indians. Each person speaks some type of a different language. Hector, Steph and Dan speak Spanish, Sharon knows some Spanish too. Jay and Mithun speak Bengali, Mike and me speak English.

All the time we are sharing ideas about our religions and our different views. Being friends with them opened my eyes to other cultures, and it helped me learn that it’s interesting to learn something other then what you’re used to.

That is how I am shaped now. I like when Hector, Steph, Dan, and Sharon speak some Spanish to me. I would love to be fluent in it. Also I try to remember little sayings in Bengali and that’s how I want to be for now on. I think it’s important to be flexible. It’s important to be able to communicate with all kinds of people. The world shouldn’t be separated because of communication issues.

English 10 - Copper

Language Autobiography

eduarte — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:57:49 -0500

“Erik, ¿que fue lo que dijo?” -“What did he say?” This is the very question my father would ask me when I translated for him at the lawyer’s office and everywhere I went with him to translate.
In my family there are two main languages that are used, Spanish and English. At home I speak Spanish, but my Spanish is not perfect. In my family we speak the Caribbean Spanish. There are many different kinds of Spanish.
I was born in Puerto Rico, to a Dominican man and a Puerto Rican woman. When I was two I moved to Philadelphia. In that same year around fall, I started my first day at a daycare/preschool. My parents did not know English at the time, so they wanted me to start learning English while I learned Spanish at home. By the time I was in kindergarden I was able to speak both Spanish and English. My English had a bit of an accent in the beginning of kindergarten but then I improved and starting speaking correctly. When I was older, my parents started using me as a translator. They would take me to their most important appointments.
My parents were really proud of me, but it seemed like what I had achieved was not what they expected, especially with my father. I would translate everything they would want me to translate.
I started to learn more and more and so did my parents. When I went with my dad I helped him with some translation. This is what happened…
“Erik, ven conmigo. Yo te voy a necesitar para que me traduzcas lo que yo le valla a decir al abogado.” said my dad.
“Ok, Pa’. I’m coming down in a few minutes.”
“Bueno avanza”
When we got to the lawyer’s office, I knew that my “job” was about to start.
“Good Afternoon sir, how may I help you?” said the secretary.
“Hi! ¿Erik, que fue lo que dijo?” said my dad.
“Ella dijo, Buenas tardes, ¿como lo puedo ayudar?”
“Bueno tu sabes para que venimos, dile.”
“We are here to see Edward…”
“Your name sir?”
I gave her my father’s name and she told us to wait. When we went into the lawyer’s office, my father started to tell me what he wanted me to say. Then, it was my turn to explain to the lawyer. When I was explaining my dad told me some other things that he wanted me to tell the lawyer. This is something we went through a lot over the years.
When I speak to my parents I have to speak to them in Spanish. This rule has a reason, my parents, especially my dad, hates it when we speak English. He thinks that if I keep speaking in English, I will completely lose my ability to speak Spanish at home. This is what he thinks:
“Ustedes son hispanos y su primer lenguaje es el español y por ley ustedes deben de hablar en ingles en la calle y en la casa deben hablar en español.”
My dad gets very flustered when he does not understand us and he starts making up stuff like, “it’s the law to speak Spanish at home and English outside.” My father is very judgmental of English speaking people. He has gotten in arguments that have had no point at all. This is very stressful and it embarrasses me whenever he does that, but now I’ve started to feel comfortable with that because it’s his way of coping with his inability to speak English. Today I try to help him learn more and more English, which is somewhat helping.

English 10 - Copper

Language Autobiography Essay

gwindle — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:53:02 -0500

This world holds many people whose couriers and lives revolve around argument. Lawyers argue for a living, debaters argue for sport, my family argues for the sheer fun of it. All my life I have grown up in an environment where people have been yelling, shouting, clashing, growing harsher and sharper each generation. While other families are upstairs watching the game, or enjoying a nice family meal, we’re all sitting around the table tearing each other’s throats out over whether or not a french fry can be classified as a vegetable.
   Some people might call these arguments savage, or refer to us as an unhappy family because of them, however that’s because most people don’t understand that we don’t do it because we hate each other, we do it because we love doing it. Arguing is just how we communicate; though it has different outcomes and goals we always enjoy the thrill of it. Sometimes we argue passionately about politics, or science, knowing that we are right and the opposing side is indefinitely wrong. Other times we create arguments to amuse ourselves, however these are not pointless arguments. Every argument has at least one point or goal, and that’s winning.
   When the cards are down, members of the family are allowed to use whatever tactics they need to win. The most effect and popular of these, is sarcasm. My brother and I eat, drink, and breath sarcasm. Sometimes it’s vicious; sometimes it’s humorous, but most of all it’s exaggerated. We will use humor to win other members of the audience over to our side of the argument, or to simply embarrass your opponent into losing his or her train of thought. One classic win tactic is the bluff. We generally bluff with money or a bet, offering to put money down on a subject neither you nor your opponent is confidant on is a slimy strategy to get the opposite side to back down.
   No matter how slimy the strategy or argument in general, there is no shame in using it on another member of the family, no matter who they are. Whether they’re your mother, brother, uncle, or any person of any status they are fair game. Nothing’s personal. At the end of the day there are no grudges held from arguments lost, or vicious comments made; it’s all to win and has nothing to do with who the victim is.
   It seems as if this aspect is always getting me in trouble outside of the family. By the time I was about 10 I was able to win arguments with almost anyone I want, and I did. Teachers, NTA’s, bus drivers, really whoever presented the challenge. Unfortunately most people do not take as well to losing an argument to a 10 year old as the people I was used to arguing with. Even though being so good at winning an argument is generally thought of as an advantage, I feel that growing up it’s been more of a handicap than a gift. Some people have suggested debate teams, but the fact of the matter is it’s just too civilized for my tastes.
   I tried debates in English class in ninth grade. Though I was quite good at them, and found myself able to win in almost all cases, it was sort of uncomfortably frustrating not to be able to cut in, and to hold my tongue when it wants to lash out. It appears I will have to hold my tongue outside of my family, a lesson I have learned the hard way over the years.
   Society demands that everyone learn this lesson one way or another. It tells us that certain things are savage, wild, and cannot be let out into the world. I wouldn’t say that society controls us, more as domesticates it’s subjects. As animals on the farm are forced to stay inside of their fence, only leaving when the farmers permit, we are forced to keep actions that society views in a negative light inside or in private, and only allow them out on certain occasions that society deems fit.
Through my experiences I have learned an important lesson of life. Not all aspects of the things you love are shared by others, and though it may seem cowardly sometimes it is best to practice these things in private, with people who love as you love.

English 10 - Copper

LAnguage Autobiography

svictorin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:50:33 -0500

“Are you ashamed of your language?” I said, “Of course not, should I be”? “Well I am because I hate it because people label me and think I’m certain way” When I first learned my mothers language (Patois) it was funny and how my mother spoke it was funny. I thought that I would never like it nor speak it ever. Who would have thought, as I got older I would love to speak patois for people because it’s a part of who I am and it makes me different. You know, now that I think of it it’s kind of like a code for me because when I’m talking to my mom no one can understand so it’s pretty cool. It is also great when you can speak you language at home and at school and not get judge for it or laughed at.

I think language and culture are one of the many things the separate us as Americans and different people. Some people that I know and have read about maybe feel or have felt ashamed about their language but that has never been the case for me. Sometimes I thought that people would look at me different but they didn’t they welcomed me.

At first I thought well maybe because they were my friends so they wouldn’t say anything but I get it any were I go. When people find that out about me they o my God you can speak that. They even ask me to teach them how to say inappropriate language, which I think, is really funny. I love my language; I love my mom from being from Jamaican and telling me be proud of your roots because that’s who you are for the rest of your life so you might as well learn to love it, and that I have done just that.

So I ask you is your language something your ashamed of or proud of? If ashamed shouldn’t you be proud of it because its something that makes you different. I thought we go through life trying to have our own identity and trying to be different from everyone else? If your not proud of something that makes you who you are aren’t you trying to be like someone else? If you’re proud then why? Since I am proud, I’m not only proud because it makes me different but also proud because it’s who I am and who my mother is who I love her dearly. You might say is it only because of your mother? No its because I learned on my own to be proud of who I am no matter what people say about it or how the feel.

As the phone rings its my best friend and she’s crying and I really cant hear what She’s saying so I try to tell her to calm down and the talking begins. Lauren (My best friend)

Shannan: what’s wrong Lauren

Lauren: Nothing, nothing I hate my school

Shannan: why what happened?

Lauren: I don’t want to talk about it

Shannan: well when you’re ready I’m here to listen

Lauren: well today in school I was talking to my mom in Guyanese and the kids made fun of me the laughed at me and said it sounded really weird

Shannan: who cares what they say

Lauren: I do I just came to America not to long ago

Shannan: I know, I know but who cares what they think I bet half of those kids wished they spoke two languages

Lauren: But I want to fit in I don’t want to stand out from everyone else

Shannan-: Are you ashamed of your language or who you are

Shannan: So then why are you letting something like this get to you?

Shannan: you know how good that look when you go for job offers and you can speak a different language

Shannan mean that’s not all you should be thinking about jut because of jobs but because it who you are as a person.

Lauren: Shannan you made me feel a lot better

I just want this paper to tell the reader no matter who you are or were you came from just to be proud of your language because its who you are. Its not all about fitting in or being like everyone else try being yourself for a change and see how it works out. I’m not saying its going to be easy but sooner or later people are going to accept you for who you are not who your tying to be.

English 10 - Copper

Language Autobiography

mthomas — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:50:19 -0500

Melanie Thomas
Copper Stream
English Benchmark (Final Draft)
Due Date: January 14, 2008

Language Autobiography

Language is power. Power is to have control, control of yourself, your surroundings, the way people view you. I believe that language is also partly identity and the way I speak is a reflection upon me. My environment has an effect on the way I speak and because I consciously code-switch; the type of English I use in certain environments is accepted. Even though some people that I converse with don’t use “Black English”, they are able to understand the words or dialect that’s used. The way I speak has a habit of changing when I’m in different places, or around different people. I consciously switch the way I speak when I’m in public, with friends or my peers, at home, at school and with elders. I don’t have to think about how I’ll speak in these environments, my speech just changes automatically. Different people in different places affect the way I speak most of the time.
In a public place or professional environment I speak in a calmer, lower and more proper voice because it’s not polite to be loud and to affect everyone else around. In a public place I wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking the way I do with friends. I try to speak properly, or use Standard English and a broader source of vocabulary so that I sound intelligent. I’ve witnessed some African Americans speak the same way to any and everyone that they come across, or they only spoke “slang” or Black English but I wouldn’t make that decision because I’d rather not be categorized.
“Are you always quiet?” asked my curious mentor.
I laughed quietly and stated, “No, I’m not.”
She looked at me with a questioning face and said, “All the Leos that I know are loud and crazy, maybe you’re a different type of Leo, or maybe you’re just quiet because you’re here and not with your friends.”
I said, “yea.”
She said, “Are you quiet at school?”
I replied, “Yea sometimes but not with friends.”
She then said, “Ohhh ok well all of us here at the office are crazy so they’ll make you speak when you walk by, maybe you’ll open up more as you get to know us better.”
I then laughed and said, “yea I will” and gave a slight smile.
Naturally, I’m sort of quiet until I get to know you but once I do, no matter where we are I can be pretty loud at times.
I speak the same dialect at home that I do with friends because I feel comfortable speaking that way, and that’s “Black English”, sometimes with slang words. If I consistently spoke Standard English I would feel as though I was putting on a front because I don’t use one certain dialect with everyone. A scene with a friend and I, where my “Black English” dialect is demonstrated was when we were walking to school. As we were walking down the street having fun and talking, my best friend stated,
“ Where my Book Bag?”
I then said, “I don know, you aint have it when I first saw you this mornin’?”
She stated, “no” “oh my gosh my mom gon kill me.” She stood there with a dumb look on her face.
I responded with, “she gon be maaaad.”
We paced back and forth down the street to try to think of how to tell her mother. We continued to walk.
She then asked me, “can I use ya phone?”
So I gave it to her so that she could call her. The phone rang several times before she picked up.
“Mom…I lo-lost my laptop,” she stated.
Her mom responded with, “ If I gotta spend any money on it, your gunna pay.” She then hung up the phone with a scared, blank look on her face and I too stood there with a blank look because I knew she was in trouble.
As we continued to walk to school, the whole time we were discussing the hopes and wishes about her book bag. Come to find out she left it on the bus, but by the time she realized, the bus would have arrived at the station already.
“How you leave it on the bus?” I said.
“Iunno, cuz I had all this extra stuff in my hand, so it seemed like I had it on me,” she stated and at that moment I shook my head in dismay and sighed.
Her mom called my phone back and I quickly gave it to her.
“Get in Lehman office, and call me when you get there”, she said.
She then hung up the phone again and we paced back and forth for a good ten minutes until we decided to walk to school.
As we were walking she said, “Man I hope somebody old find it.”
“Inno thas responsible and wouldn’t take it, I hope a dumb kid don’t find it cuz they would probably keep it even though your name is on it and on your i.d,” I retorted.
She said, “Inno, and then she sighed, I hope that they do.” We walked concernedly to school.
We fretted because everything in there was valuable and I imagined how it would be if I was in her shoes. Luckily, later on that day she finally reached septa by phone and they said they would hold it for her. Her father picked the valuables up from the septa station and they were home before she got there. If it was someone that I didn’t know well in this situation, I would have spoken in a less concerned manner.
At school I tend to code-switch but I try to speak Standard English mostly in the classrooms and with teachers, while with my fellow classmates, I may tend to switch to “Black English”, depending on who I’m talking to. I feel that because I’m a student and I’m not ignorant, I should utilize what I learn in school for the school environment.
With elders, no matter if they’re part of my family, or if I don’t know them at all, I speak to them all the same way. I articulate my words with a sweet voice and I speak loud and clear English that’s a mix of proper and Black English so that they can hear and understand me.
The different ways I speak are all understandable by the people I converse with, and in my opinion, it’s much easier to code-switch, rather than trying to speak a certain way all of the time. Language is very complex; and it can be a reflection upon you, as well as you’re environment. I have the power to control how I’m viewed through language.

English 10 - Copper

Language Autobiography

sbeccaria — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:49:24 -0500

Samuel Beccaria

Band – B

English

Language Autobiography

I was born white. I’ll die white. All my life people have seen me as white. People only see what they see, and they see only the color of my skin. But what they hear is a different story. Sometimes they hear a man with authority, with strength and wisdom. Sometimes they hear the kindness, warmth, and humor, other times they hear the scorn, bitterness and wrath. Yet all the time, they hear the voice of a scared child, frightened of getting his words wrong, terrified of when the next thorny root will trip his speech.

I have always had a problem with the way I utilize language. Speaking to people would be a chore for me. Repeatedly I would either mumble, stutter, or trip over my words. Having to constantly say again my simple, “Hello”’s and “How are you”’s in a voice that could rise above the mumbling. Sometimes I even jumble the first letters of two words with each other, tike lhat, a curse inherited from my mother. These things were, and still continue to be, my weaknesses, inspired by the frightened child cornered in the back of my mind. As a little boy, in my head Math played with Logic and Intuition flirted with Reason and Morals, but Language always would be stuck at the corner of the playground, afraid to come out of its safe place.

My brother was a constant offender of my tongue, insulting it and battering it with mocking language. It was a while ago when I was twelve, when my tongue was plagued with constant error that my brother had offended the lumbering and somber muscle in my mouth. He and I were at home during the midday, in the summer time. The closed basement walls shook with our bickering over who would get to use the computer. The chill of the basement seemed to try to cool our argument, but the sheer heat of it was too much for the cold to quell. I began to stutter and shouted in fury, “I want to use che tomputer!” He cackled and mocked my blunder, “I wanna use che tompoooter! I waaannnaaa uze che tompoooter!” He chanted it with the voice of malicious intent. I screamed, in a high pitched infuriated voice, “Stop it! You jig berk!” I blushed, and he laughed even more. I decided to end our argument in traditional way brothers end it, and I launched myself at him and we began to fight.

When I look back on it now, a lot of the fights between my brother and I was over or instigated by the way I spoke. My brother would always find it in him to mock the way my tongue tied, only because he found a need to feed off of that weakness. And by that means, he could dangle me upon strings like a puppeteer; coerce me into things that I would refuse to do at first. That is how people are in today’s world; they take advantage of those who are weak in the tongue. It is so easy for a person to take control of you if that person can talk to you with a commanding voice, with devious tongues that can guide puppets with mocks and harsh words.

The way he made me sound was to my general distaste, for we all want to sound great in the eyes of our superiors. We can always put on the façade of strength and wisdom in the way we look, but the way we sound to others determines truly what we are. For language is more powerful than sight, it can explain what is under the skin. It is the direct representation of the character, mood, and feelings of a person.

English 10 - Copper