Words...just words...

While walking this afternoon in the stagnant Texas heat, I heard a bird sing out with the remarkably similar cadence of Senator Obama's Words just Words speech. No, I am not just kidding, as I often say to you in the classroom as a means to help encourage a little laughter and a more relaxed casual atmosphere. Remember when I told you that each language has its own special rhythm and melody? Remember also that I have often claimed that once language learners have mastered the verbal construction and vocabulary in the English language, or any language for that matter, language acquisition often occurs. Back to the bird: Once language acquisition has occurred, each individual may then manipulate the rhythm to his or her own liking which varies around the country--east west north south accordingly. Well, I have come to the conclusion today that Obama's Words just Words speech is a clear example of what I am amused with at the moment, and how this particular bird brought this Ohrwurm (ear worm) to play over and over in my my mind. In fact, I find myself repeating words just words over and over again in a variety of settings and as a response to a variety of spoken contexts. Now, back to the bird again: This particular bird's song sounded like this: Dahhht DOT Dahhht. Now I am really not sure what kind of bird it was nor is it really relative to my current line of thinking. Seriously, though, is there a song working here? After all, the song bird appears to know the rhythm to Words just Words. How amazing is that? Perhaps a Saturday Night Live skit is a work in progress as I muse forward. That might be clever, but in all seriousness, and lest I digress into hilarious oblivion, it is important to note that English is a direct language, which when spoken eloquently and with the speaker's sincere intention to influence the degree of listener understanding, it is so much more than words just words. . In fact, listener understanding in English is based on specific contexts. So the words just words mean something--so they (the words)should not be denied as just words. On the contrary--listener beware: Listen and observe! Understand! That's it. Oh, alas, I still can't seem to get Obama's words just words out of my mind....I wonder if that bird is going to be out tomorrow when I walk...With all due respect to the senator and presumptive presidential candidate for the DNC, I may be called, then, to name my song bird, Obama.