How Children Have Taken Power is the title of a book recently published by Swedish psychiatrist David Eberhard. I am going by a story in a French language newspaper so the title is my English translation of the French translation of the Swedish title of the book. An English edition will be out later this … Continue reading A tale of two nations
education
The joys of English
Earlier this week, the sisters of our congregation had their last sewing day of the winter season. Why is sewing pronounced so-ing and not soo-ing? There is a word in the AV (KJV) Bible that is spelled shew. A lot of people pronounce it shoo, when it really should be sho; it’s just an old-fashioned … Continue reading The joys of English
Where is Ottawa?
Judith Adler teaches a course on families and the cultural traditions of families the world over at Memorial University of Newfoundland. A few years ago she began to suspect that her students had no idea where some of the places she was talking about actually were. So she gave them a quiz. The quiz consisted … Continue reading Where is Ottawa?
Knowing who the true enemy is
While driving through downtown Saskatoon today, my wife and I noticed a billboard for the University of Lethbridge, which boasted “We teach you how to think, not what to think.” I wonder how true that is. As far as one can tell, the whole public education system in our country is committed to teaching and … Continue reading Knowing who the true enemy is
Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is one of the oldest English Christmas carols, going back at least 500 years. Not many people sing it today because of scruples about “Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Those words conjure up a picture of old English gentlemen at their ease, their merriment fuelled by great flagons of wine. Except that … Continue reading Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood
Self-esteem versus reality
I think of this topic every time I look for a birthday card for one of my grandchildren. It is difficult to find a suitable card, most are full of language stoking the little darling’s self-esteem. I would rather choose a goofy card than one that tells them how special, unique and wonderful they are. … Continue reading Self-esteem versus reality
Rebels without a clue
I am struck at how clueless protest movements have become. The “Occupy” folks seem to think it is the fault of government and business that they don’t have a job. You worked hard and got your BA. You apply for a job that seems to offer the pay and perks that you feel you deserve. … Continue reading Rebels without a clue
Things they didn’t teach us in school: W is a vowel
Most of the time w is used as a vowel. They didn't teach me this in school; I'm not sure it's being taught in school even now. Consider the following: Fawn / faun: aw has exactly the same sound as au. Can you think of any words in which aw is not a vowel sound? … Continue reading Things they didn’t teach us in school: W is a vowel
Humanism as the established religion
It appears to have began long ago with Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), the patron saint of Roman Catholic theologians. He studied Greek, Arabic and Hebrew philosophers and incorporated some of their thinking into Christian theology. His major innovation was the idea that God and truth are not solely revealed by the Bible, but that man by … Continue reading Humanism as the established religion
Quotes on schooling
“My schooling not only failed to teach me what it professed to be teaching, but prevented me from being educated to an extent which infuriates me when I think of all I might have learned at home by myself.” - George Bernard Shaw “My grandmother wanted me to have an education, so she kept me … Continue reading Quotes on schooling
Flatlander Faith 