Insights
I
was enjoying the latest episode of Magnum P . I ., where Thomas and Higgy discuss the prospect of having children . When Thomas exclaimed , “ IRL ,” I shook my head . Here we go again . Our language shifts in ways that have me looking for understanding .
Speaking in code confuses me . Fortunately , Google provides immediate help . IRL – in real life . But of course . What else could it be ?
I am not sure why we have to acronymize words . Are we that short on time ?
The shifting in how we communicate must have my former teachers turning over in their graves . Particularly , my English and French teachers . We spent countless hours drilling the conjugation of verbs .
Today , I am confused about pronouns . It is hard to understand how we eliminated the third-person singular column altogether . As I stand tall for respect and regard , I do not understand how to be that with pronouns . I could refer to a person by their first name but there comes a point when he , she , it rolls off my tongue . Then , I freeze . Oh , oh . Did I just offend someone ? Or are we supposed to always use the third person plural – every subject is “ they ?”
Other things have changed . Like , the planets . We used to recite the nine planets , create poster boards with the planets , and act out the planets as we orbited around the room . Now , Pluto is no longer a planet . Come to find out , many planets have been removed over the ages .
Clouds . The types of clouds have evolved . I suppose that has to do with climate and the changing environment . Also , places have disappeared . Land erodes . This is why so much is now invested in sustainability for our environment . People are trying to turn around the effects of how we live .
The bottom line is learning is fluid .
But it was numbing doing the rote memorization . Now , it does not really
By Aline Yamashita
Living in a different world
Today , I am confused about pronouns . It is hard to understand how we eliminated the third-person singular column altogether . As I stand tall for respect and regard , I do not understand how to be that with pronouns .
matter . Well , it does in that it got us here but there no longer matters .
Typing is another class where we practiced and practiced drills . Sister Peter had us banging on the manual typewriters . Today , texting is queen . I prefer typing correspondence . I make fewer errors . Even if I check my text , after I send it , words automatically transform . Then , I spend time correcting my messages . Sigh .
Maybe it ’ s an age thing . I have watched my oldest son text . He does so without looking at his phone . How can he do that ? But he does .
Communication these days has become trying . I would prefer picking up a phone and speaking with another . It is rare , though , when a human voice answers . A recording typically greets you , which asks that you listen to the menu and make a selection . When you mess up , you must start again .
Communication has become distant , I think . Maybe it is due to the pandemic , but folks seem to prefer keeping their distance .
As content , though , is fluid , the human need for others is even greater now – whether folks realize it or not . Our students are the biggest group to suffer from the loss of human interaction .
Emotionally and socially , they do not know how to be with others – because they are not with others . The current public school schedule where some grades alternate online with face-to-face is a
The opinions expressed here are solely the author ' s and do not reflect the editorial position of the Pacific Island Times .
huge disservice to these growing minds . Listen to the teachers . They will share how students do not know how to be with others in group settings . By extension , this means their conflict resolution skills are stunted . Without guided practice about how to listen to differences and how to address differences , emotions become powder kegs . Triggers that should be minuscule are not . The students suffer the consequences . Learning how to be human takes much work .
FWIW , YOLO and IMHO , IRL , make the difference . There is no acronym for the last three words . IRL should not be an abbreviation either . JS .
Aline Yamashita is a mom , a teacher and former senator . She served in the 31st and 32nd Guam Legislatures . Send feedback to aline4families @ gmail . com .
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