Hey everyone! My name is Jacob, and I'm a senior at OU. I'm majoring in French and Linguistics with a minor in Spanish. I'm originally from Muncie, Indiana. This is my last semester here at OU and I'm really looking forward to making it a great one. I'm currently president of two campus organizations (French Club and Swahili Club), so if you are interested in either club please let me know! I also work on campus at the Language Learning Center in Kaufman Hall.
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| Me at a birthday gathering from last year, photo credit: my coworker |
If you're reading this, you're probably in the Indian Epics class. I'm really excited to be taking this course for a number of reasons. This will be my first class that has really focused on Indian culture or literature, and I think it will be a very different world from my other classes that have all focused on European or African cultures. This is not my first exposure to India though. As a linguist, my interests lie primarily in sociolinguistics, that is to say the intersection between sociology and linguistics, and I'm really interested by language politics within India. I've read a lot about modern Indian society and the different groups within the country, (and I've tried to teach myself Hindi with limited success) but I feel that this class will help me get a glimpse at the more intangible aspects of Indian culture.
I'm also really excited to be taking this course because of the story-telling aspect. I don't have the opportunity to be really creative in my other courses, and I'm looking forward to stretching my brain to be more imaginative. I'm really looking forward to learning a lot, and I hope that we all have a good time!
Ohhhhh, Jacob, now I want birthday cake for dessert tonight!!! (I love birthday cake... esp. CHOCOLATE.) Anyway, I am really excited to have a linguistics student in the class: even if you just learn a few words of Sanskrit and see some of the beautiful Sanskrit compound words (Sanskrit is seriously one of the most compounding-est languages in the world!), that will be a real pleasure for me. And as for language politics in India, oh, yes, there are language politics. I'll be sharing some videos from Devdutt Pattanaik and we have some of his books to read for the class also; I am guessing you will REALLY like him, and he will give you some good things to think about. Here's just one of his videos that might grab you; see what you think: India is not chaotic
ReplyDeleteHey Jacob! We have two things in common! I too am a senior at OU, and I also have a minor in Spanish! I think it's really interesting that you're president of the Swahili club. I feel like you will be one of those rare individuals who has mastered every language in the universe! Wouldn't that be something?
ReplyDeleteHi! I was remarking to someone earlier how the world seems to be getting smaller and smaller- I have an uncle who used to be a professor at Ball State, and he lived in Muncie for a few years! I haven't ever been to Indiana, but I'd definitely like to go. I'm also envious of your language opportunities- I've always wanted to pick up a second language, but never have had the chance. Once I'm out of school, hopefully!
ReplyDeleteHi Jacob, I am also a senior at OU. First thing I noticed in your introduction post is your birthday picture. It indeed cracked me up. It was a funny picture. I have learned a little bit of Hindi when I was in high school, it is a hard language. For me, it is hard to learn languages and it is impressive that you know so many languages.
ReplyDeleteHey Jacob Henry! You have a major that is not that common. It would be interesting to learn about how language and sociology interact. Additionally learning several languages is extremely beneficial in the job market. It must take talent to not get each language mixed up with each other. I am taking this class for similar reasons. I like the creative aspect of it.
ReplyDeleteJacob! Let me just say that your picture just made me smile, with a bit of 'lol' too. And that is hard to do getting off a 12 hour night shift! I'm usually such a grumpy bear. I really like that you enjoy studying different languages. I speak Spanish and English fluently. I am currently taking Italian here at OU and attempting, with not much success, Farsi. My boyfriend is Iranian so it's something I'd like to get down!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I was also really interested in being able to get really creative in this class. That's why I was so drawn to it!
Hey Jacob! I’m jealous of your language skills. Could you tutor me in Spanish sometime? Congrats on making it to the finish line too! Looking at your majors, it sounds like a lot of hard work was involved. I’ve also been enjoying this course for the creative aspects it allows you to explore. It’s nice to write a retelling of a story instead of research with all the trappings of citations and MLA/APA stylings.
ReplyDeleteJacob, I haven't had any exposure yet to Indian Culture so this is an awesome class. What creative writing are you most proud of so far? Any plans for once you graduate OU? Being involved is a great thing to do. Any clubs other clubs you have interacted with at your time at OU? Good luck on everything you do after OU!
ReplyDeleteHey Jacob. I took french for 3 semesters at OU. I'm still far from fluent, but really would like to be someday. I am excited for this class too. I took a class on 20th Century India, but it only focused on the historical facts/figures, so this will be a totally different class.
ReplyDeleteHello Jacob,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to meet a linguistics student because my primary language is Chinese. We may have some mutual experience on learning a language other than primary one.
My reason for taking this course is simple. Honestly, I was recommended by my advisor to take this course. However I am very happy when I know I could create my own blog and story in this course. I will continue use this blog for recoding the process of MIS major study.
Hey Jacob!
ReplyDeleteLinguistics is an awesome major! My boyfriend is in the department of anthropology, but he is studying Indo-European languages (focusing on Germanic). We actually go the opportunity to visit there this summer. My background however is in French. I never was good at language learning so I really admire anyone how is able to learn them well. I stop with french after my requirements, but I am picking up some Native languages taught at OU. A lot of people do not think of Oklahoma as having a diverse language population, but because of the relocation of American Indians Oklahoma actually has a very high density of endangered languages and I think everyone should act on the opportunity to be in a place that is able to offer languages like Kiowa and Cherokee. I’m sure you may have heard/ ran into this before, but you may be interested in courses offered by the department of anthropology. Linguistic being one of the four sub-fields of anthropology we work really closely with the linguistics department, but I know some professors seems to be strictly anthropology. Might I suggest Dr. Sapien if you ever have interest in Anthro linguistics.
I hope you have a great semester!
Hey Jacob! I am also in my last semester at OU and I am so ready to graduate. I think your major sounds so interesting. I am taking Spanish and I feel like learning another language is impossible for me. I just have never been any good at it. I also think that the storytelling aspect of this class is so refreshing. I used to write little stories and things all the time but I hadn't in a while because of time. So it is nice that this class gives us a chance to be creative. Good luck with the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteJacob!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is extremely interesting that you are a French and Linguistics major. We correlate because I am also a Spanish minor. I took my last course over the summer because I knew that this semester would be a little gruesome. I am also in my last semester of college, however, I am studying abroad next year so I get to walk early in December. I was excited about graduating but now that it is almost coming an end I am starting to get nervous about where life will lead me next. Good luck with your last semester.
Hey Jacob! Your major sounds so interesting. I love languages. If I had to pick any other possible major, it would probably be Linguistics. What would be your favorite language you have studied so far? When I was homeschooled, I learned Ancient Greek and Latin, so I am partial to old languages. Look forward to reading more of your stories!
ReplyDeleteHey Jacob! I love that you're majoring in French and Linguistics! I actually really wanted to try doing a linguistics minor, however with my work schedule I could never quite swing the classes! One of the reasons I took this class was because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of classes on India that you can take as a non-major, however the creative element of the class is really winning me over and I love it!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you are studying French and Spanish! I'm very impressed and a little bit jealous. I've always struggled with learning languages, but I always wished I could learn. Has this been something you've always wanted to do? It sounds like you're pretty busy with your last year at OU. It's such an exciting time getting ready for graduation, but a little scary realizing you're really an adult now!
ReplyDeleteHello Jacob, as I read your introduction I couldn’t help but think how difficult it would be to study what you were explaining. I know that I wouldn’t be able to understand all the pieces of the puzzle that go into a language how culture. I am more of a hard sciences guy and I am constantly impressed with linguists.
ReplyDeleteWow! Jacob, your major sounds so interesting! I'm currently working on a French minor and I love it but linguistics sounds fascinating. It sounds like a difficult subject, though. You seem very busy being the president of two clubs, but I'm sure it's fun. I've been thinking of joining the French club for a while, but have yet to get around to it. I hope you have a great senior year!
ReplyDeleteJacob, I am surprised this is the first time we’ve “met”, I thought I had been matched with everyone in the class already! Thanks for sharing about your interests and passions. I am very impressed with what you’re studying! Also impressed that you’re president of not one, but two organizations! You must have a lot on your plate! I wish you the best of luck finishing out your senior year… We can do this!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jacob! I hope your time here in Oklahoma was enjoyable. I’ve taken some foreign language as well but neither French nor Spanish. I too decided to take this class to push some of my own personal boundaries in terms of storytelling. That and I needed one more elective. I wish you the best of luck in your future!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jacob! I can't believe that I am just coming across your page! Your interests are fascinating. I'd love to hear more about how you got involved in the clubs and your experiences with them! Having a community like that really adds to the university experience. Also, on behalf of all language students, THANK YOU for working in the language learning center! That place has saved my grades time and time again! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that you've had a wonderful last semester! I've really enjoyed looking at your blog!
Hi Jacob,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you keep busy with all your classes and campus activities. I never knew that the study of linguistics was so complex. It sounds like a difficult subject. The study of how sociology and linguistics intersects seems very interesting. I bet you see some interesting trends in your data. The language politics within India seems to be a subsect of sociolinguistics, which is, I assume the reason you are interested in it. I hope that your research is successful. Good luck on your final semester.