11/15 - Miguel

I am glad there were fewer stories this week and the fact that the theme/topic for this week was language made me very excited. For “War Bride” it was a bit confusing to me in terms of the message of the story(?) I could tell the story itself was sad and that it was talking about words/language and how the protagonist basically doesn’t speak in order to not hurt others…or at least thats what I got. This is also is how I felt towards the next story, “A Poor Aunt Story” as in I was confused. The concept of what a “poor aunt” is, is what had me in a loop. Is a poor aunt just someone/something people avoid out of pity…? That’s what I got from the story at least, but also the way “poor aunt” transfers and all that just had me taking a step back and rereading parts. Now moving on from the confusion, “ The Great Passage”, I liked this story and the fact that it’s about dictionary making, like it’s a passion I wouldn’t expect someone to have. This story was also easier to read after the last two, it was also a different vibe from the pity and sad to a more lively and fun(?) feeling. “The Emissary” so this reading goes back to me being a bit confused, but I just think it was hard for me to wrap around this sort of world that the author had created like at times I was just lost in trying to grasp what exactly is happening to people here. “The Fall of The Language in the Age of English” at first when I saw the, not warning but the comment on it being written 16 years ago I thought it would be more about the kind of language used and not the kind of mindset of the author. But also the reading brings up points I agree with the change of the internet and its influence on people. I feel nowadays because the internet is so accessible and it’s just part of the modern life the change it brings will only keep coming. As technology advances it will bring newer experiences from older generations. It is sad to me how nowadays I feel people don’t really enjoy reading or at least from seeing all these IPad kids and all on the internet…