Letter to the editor

Letter to the editor: Sarah E. Needleman

Dear Mrs. Needleman,

I have heard enough to say that I completely agree with the argument suggesting that applicants use a ‘’too-casual tone of textspeak’’ inappropriately. Even though technology and the wide spreading of texts develops and evolves every single day, it should not be applied in job applications or formal emails.  I agree with the argument that ‘’they hint at immaturity and questionable argument.’’ As referred to in your article, the younger and the older generation might indeed face difficulty within. It certainly is unprofessional for a candidate to send a ‘’friend invite’’ to their boss soon after the interview. Once a candidate has been given the job, they must remain professional. When friendly relations at work start the develop after a few weeks or months, it will perhaps become suitable for sending a friend request. 

However, I must say that I do not agree with every statement mentioned in the article, specifically that use of such language is ‘’perceived to be disrespectful.’’ For the purpose of an interview or email, their use of language is inappropriate but not disrespectful. Secondly, it should not be an issue when receiving an email that was ‘’sent from my blackberry or iPhone’’. We live in a society where technology is yet to develop, meaning that mobile phones have become a major part of our lives. Candidates are making the fastest, easiest, and best use out of them. Candidates tend to use text-speaking as an informal way of communicating, and it needs to be thought of before applying it. Lastly, I disagree with the argument ‘’If I’m going to give you a job, do I really want you communicating to our clients in this fashion? No.’’ Do you really believe that the way one uses language is going to determine their ability of communicating with clients? This should be looked at in action, before making a judgement. 

Thank you for your time,

Sophie Huijskens

Interview with an influential artist

October 11th, 2016. 

Exclusive interview with Bob Marley. 

Bob Marley’s greatest hits compilation Legend has been rewarded with the title of best-selling album of all time. It has sold over 11 million copies in the U.S. and has  nearly spend 300 weeks on the Billboard 200. We are incredibly thankful to welcome the Jamaican reggae artist Bob Marley here tonight, and learn about his musical influences.

 

Has your name always been Bob Marley, or is this just your stage name?

That’s actually a funny story.. When I was young, a Jamaican immigration official told my mom that ‘’Nesta’’ sounded a lot like a girls name. Dem' switched my name to Robert Nesta Marley.

How come the ‘reggae’ genre attracts you with such impact?

From my perspective, America is pure deviltry. All dem’ things that go on there, dem’ just work with force and brutality, so the oppressors bring another man to blind the youth to the truth. Reggae just lets me set free and let dem’ other people feel free. Its a way where I can calmly express the truth and let dem’ world know what its really like. 

Would you ever want to record another style of music other than reggae? 

Although I like other music, I don’t think I really change it because I don't get the same feeling. 

What message do you wish to leave behind with your music? To what extent do you believe your music is influential or do you want it to be?

The most important part about my music is that I want to advocate social change while dem’ listeners forget their troubles and dance. I don't want nobody stressing, in the end everyone will be alright. I guess you can say that my albums are politically charged and reflect on the social consciousness in my hometown. People will call me a ‘cultural icon’. Dem’ lyrics are based around unemployment, rationed food supplies, and the political violence that were ongoing in Jamaica. Most of my lyrics have meaning behind black culture, and the history of Jamaicans and the slave trade. I have a rebel type of approach, but it has a defined purpose to it. I urge my listeners to check out ‘’Real Situation’’ and to rebel against the vampiric ‘Babylon System’. It’s not just my mindless rebelliousness, but the rebellion against the circumstances that I find myself and all dem’ other people in. I want to let dem’ people know that when you ‘’Live for yourself and you will live in vain. Live for others, and you will live again.’’ Dem’ need to reflect on themselves and look around. Justice is needed in this world. 

To what communities do you believe your music appeals to?

Some of my lyrics that are talking about dem’ issues happening in Jamaica, will mainly appeal to the Jamaican community. Most of my songs are created to appeal to a larger community in which everyone is treated with love and respect. This community mainly includes the reggae audience. I express a lot of my culture within the music, which lets it attract marijuana smokers. 

Did you ever expect to become so successful?

It was never my focus. I wrote music for my listeners to let them forget and be free. I am proud to say that my music has impacted global cultures. That feeling when protestors are inspired by my lyrics is just… amazing. ‘’Some people think a great God will come down from the sky, take away everything and make everybody feel high/but if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth and now we see the light, we’re gonna stand up for our rights!’’ I am proud of all the awards I was to receive; Rolling Stone Magazine's ''Band of The Year'', the Rock and Roll hall of fame, Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century, and many more. One I am specifically proud of is the ''United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World’’. It is incredible to see what an impact I have left with my music. I was given this distinction for my courageous work appealing for justice and peace during a time of political unrest in Jamaica. 

Language and Identity

October 1st, 2016.

''Language shapes our identity but doesn’t define who we are.'' 

People have been questioning and wondering about this statement for hundreds of years. Part of the problem is that there is more included than only language and thoughts. Culture is also a part of it. Your culture, the traditions, and lifestyle habits, are only few of the things we pick up from the people we interact with. This happens to influence the way we think, and also the way we talk. 

Language can be used and expressed in many different ways and versions in life. It allows us to identify the little things that are part of us. I agree to say that language shapes our identity, as it has grown to now be a way of expressing the truest version of ourselves. However, I believe that only you have the power to decide whether or not you let a language define who you are as a person. Language includes many difficulties, especially for foreign speakers. 

First off, unlike the English language, foreign languages tend to provide more than one way of expressing an idea, as is explained in the article ‘’why do writers abandon their native language?’’ The article gives us insight on how the author followed the transition of ‘leaving’ her native language, which was English, and started writing in foreign languages like French and Italian. This transition was partly based on the ability to express ideas in more precise and different ways. I believe that this shows how a foreign language speaker can face difficulty when having to express themselves in a new language. This will also have it become harder for someone to let language shape his/hers identity to the fullest yet realest extend, as they might face difficulty in grammar, using the right words to express their thoughts, or to simply communicate properly on a friendly level. 

Secondly, for someone who only speaks in their mother tongue, and has done this for their entire life, language will certainly help allow your identity to be presented in the truest way possible. Your language combined with cultural background, traditions, and every day habits, have not been changed drastically, meaning that your identity will remain similar over the years. However, when looking at language independently, it is yet difficult to let this factor define who you are as a person, no matter how experienced you are in speaking the language. Your personal ‘definition’ does not just rely on language. 

Despite the difficulties involved, I do believe one becomes different when speaking another language. A language where the words do not have the feel from our childhood, where the vocabulary is not associated with childhood experiences enables us to look at life in a slightly different way. We even move differently, gesture differently, even perhaps walk differently. In conclusion, I definitely agree with this statement. Language is a powerful factor that can perhaps help shape our identity, but it is too little to have it define who we are as person. 

A Good Name

18th of September 2016

Sophie Charlotte Huijskens. To start  off, unlike my dad, my first nor middle name are based on any family relations. The name ‘Sophie’ is originally from French origin and symbolises wisdom. The name ‘Charlotte’ also comes from French origin meaning ‘petite’. My entire family on both my father and mothers side have no connection to France or the French language. However, due from life experience, both names are relatively common amongst Dutch culture.The main reason my parents decided to name me ‘Sophie’ is because the name attracted them the most, and they felt it would develop to match me as a person. Another favourite was the name ‘Charlotte’, and thats why this was chosen to be my middle name. My last name ‘Huijskens’ has been used by all my relatives on my fathers side of the family.

Often times, people will call me by the nickname of Soph. At a younger age, I disliked my name and felt it didn’t match me. Nowadays, people who know me will associate the name ‘Sophie’ specifically with my face and my characteristics. I think that once you are given your name, your identity allows it to be portrayed any way possible. I believe that people will think of enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and kindness when they hear the name Sophie. This is because I personally feel it is quite a ‘soft’ and sweet name, and whenever I meet someone new, I like to leave them the impression of the characteristics listed above.

Cultural Markers

As a person who is raised in a Dutch household, being ‘direct’ is something I’ve grown up with. It is a common characteristic among the Dutch culture, and seems normal to us. Then as well, many will call Dutch people rude. This idea is based on a character stereotype, which comes from a misunderstanding of Dutch politeness. In reality, us Dutch people are no more or less polite than anyone else. The difference is that our society has thought us to express it differently. In the Netherlands, honesty is highly valued above anything else. It is almost at all times expressed as directness. Some cultures may look upon it as being abrupt, rude, or awkward, but for a Dutch person it is simply means of expressing curiosity for one another. They will start to respect others in order to be honest, against the threat to social face. Societies and cultures that highlight positive politeness may find Dutch behaviour a bitter pill to swallow. Instead of looking at friendliness to be unmistakable, our society sees it as means of consideration for others. In Dutch culture, people feel it is better to be honest and sincere, and to express this by saying exactly what/how it is. A slight part of this misconception also  emerges from the structure of the Dutch language itself. The language often leaves out markers that are common in English such as the use of the word ‘please’. It is uncommon to add this word when buying something in a store. This is all because we use short sentences that cut straight to the point. I believe that if different cultures become aware of this Dutch characteristic, it will make tourists feel welcome rather than disrespected or discouraged. It might even help different cultures act similar when visiting the Netherlands.

Language

Both my first and second language are essential ways to communicate with the people around me and in life in general. It gives me the allowance to develop my social skills. Language almost controls everything in my life, because without it, I would not have the opportunity to express myself as a person. 

The DP program allows us to study the course of language and literature, which will help each student to grow into higher educated individuals. Through the study of language, us international students are now able to communicate with each other, share ideas, and create solutions to any problem.

Throughout the first twelve years of my life, I only knew how to express myself in Dutch. Since I lived in Holland it did not seem much of an issue. However, once I moved to the UAE and did not know a word of English, it became more and more difficult to express myself leading to feeling insecure and often excluded. As for today, I often get mixed up with my words when I want to explain something but only know the meaning in the other language. This is still a challenge for me but I develop my use of language each and every single day.

About Me

My name is Sophie Huijskens. I am from Holland and I am currently in the eleventh grade at Raha International School. I see myself as a strong and caring person. My biggest passion is horseback riding, and football also interests me. It is a way in which I can forget about everything for a moment, and just enjoy the small things in life. In the future, I am determined to start my own company, become rich and successful to then hopefully share this with my family.