LL-L "Language politics" 2008.07.04 (04) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  - 04 July 2008 - Volume 04
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From: Marcus Buck <list at marcusbuck.org>
Subject: LL-L "Language politics" 2008.07.04 (02) [E]

From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com <mailto:sassisch at yahoo.com>>

> We are "programmed" to acquire our cultures (and languages) by imitation
> ... and by limitation. Stepping across the toed line can have dire
> consequences. In other words, both incentive and fear are involved. Watch
> social interaction among wolves, elephants, hyenas and other group or pack
> animals!  I am convinced we belong to that category, are biologically
> conditioned that way. Unless you are pack leader material and feel confident
> to strike out by yourself and start a new pack, you just follow whatever
> leader you know. If a new leader comes along or breaks out of the pack you
> might follow him (or her in the case of hyenas) if you find his energy and
> smell better and his (or her) protection superior. It's all about perceived
> levels of security and advantage. Rethinking the /status quo/, challenging a
> leader and breaking out of a given pack requires a lot of courage and
> conviction ... or stupidity. This is not sufficient. You have to exude a
> high level of strength, confidence and charisma to entice others to follow
> you, or else it would be you alone against the windmills.
>
> The important part, in my opinion, is to get at least a good handful of
> energetic and charismatic people to join for a start, people others can
> relate to. It could well be that the Occitan movement managed to harness the
> force of disaffected, rebellious, boisterous youth (i.e. young people
> struggling with their own independence and leadership instincts). This tends
> to be more successful because of a stronger group drive among youths. (You
> can see this happening in the Obama campaign for instance.) But you have to
> actually appeal to that generation. You can't just keep pontificating in
> front of a bunch of tired, lethargic, resigned "old fogies" and expect
> everyone and their uncle to join you in changing the world. The "old fogies"
> that haven't forgotten to think outside the box and still have some spring
> left in their steps will join the younger crowd.
>
I like that alpha male (or alpha female for the hyenas) metaphor. It
suggests the chance to obtain a followership with one single sucessful
fight. I am not sure whether this is realistic in the human sphere, but I
won't exclude it categorically.
I wouldn't spend a second with the old fogies ( ;-) ), but the sad thing is:
I have no talent. I am no leader. I cannot communicate "spirit". No
charisma. Un-self-conscious in front of groups and even individuals. Even
though interested in languages I am not a good talker. I need too much time
to sort out my thoughts and even if I have sorted out my thoughts and they
perfectly make sense in _my_ mind, I am barely able to express these
thoughts in a way that they will make sense in other people's minds too.
And I have no artistic talent too. I have no musical talent, I have no
graphical talent and I have no creative writing talent. I am lacking
artistic creativity. I wouldn't be able to compose or perform cool protest
songs like those Occitans.
And I have no money to pay others for doing the jobs I am not able to do
cause of my lacking skills.
I guess, the best job for me is the Karl Rove one. Playing puppetmaster
behind the curtain. But I'm lacking puppets ;-)
If I were persuasive and charismatic like Obama I had started to campaign
for language diversity and language rights long ago, that's for sure. But I
know, that I cannot cause much effect with my poor skills. The windmills
again, you know.
And so I'm sitting with the fogies and railing against the world which is
constantly and more and more turning to the worse. Früher war alles besser.
Aber die Zeiten kommen wohl nicht wieder.

Marcus Buck

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language politics

Oh, boo-hoo for our poor, little Marcus! Devoid of talent, creativity,
personality and charisma -- and puppets! -- the poor thing, and condemned to
spending his time in the company of fogies (surely not on Lowlands-L, I take
it)! Oh, boo-hoo! My heart bleeds for him. Bring out the vigo-vigolins!

I think there's room for everyone -- even for you, Marcus -- just as long as
they play nice and don't turn into chronic *geiht-nich* sayers, saying "No
way!" before even thinking about it. I'm sure a job or two could be found
for you, Marcus, buddy, even if it were only what a friend back in Germany
used to put as "Modergeruch im Hintergrund machen" ("to generate musty/fetid
odor in the background" -- said of someone for whom you can't think of a job
or role at the moment). I would love to be able to say that being nice,
genuinely nice, will attract followers, but history tells us that I would be
sorely mistaken if I said so. However, I feel safe in saying that hope,
confidence and a can-do attitude are key ingredients.

Chin up, and a stiff upper lip!

Reinhard/Ron
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