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Minggu, 22 November 2009

Origins of language by Gerge Yule

Written by: M. Wakhid Qomarti

Language, as Prof. Dr. Abbas Achmad Badib Said, is an instrument to express our feeling, Ideas, or emotion. It is only an instrument that we use to convey what we feel and think to others. Because we use it to convey what we feel and think to others, it unconsciously can create interaction between us. When we feel happy, for example, we might say “I am happy” to our mother or someone close to use, and when we feel sad, we might say “I am sad” to them. These two examples are clearly the forms of language for, from the two expressions, there is some thing named interaction between us, as the speaker, and our mother or friends, as the listener. Therefore, language, which we use everyday, actually is not just an instrument we use to express our feeling and thought but more than it, language ought to bring interaction and communication between the speaker and the listener, the writer and the reader, or the painter/drawer and the watcher.
Language is constantly important for us to communicate with each other. We will have some big problems, hardly improving our knowledge and getting information, without language. When our father has an accident out of the town, for example, we will hardly know the information without language. And we also will have difficulty to know the new born science without it. It is why language is widely known as our primary needs as running life.
Because of the importance, language becomes very interesting to study. A lot of scientists have been attracted to learn it so far, one of whom is George Yule, with his book “The Study of Language”. This American has tried to inform us about language as unity of union. He has made a lot of efforts to realize what he intends on language, such deciding the origins of language, the sound patterns of language, and so on.
However, he, as well as all the scientists who studied language, was not able to decide when language was originated. It means that all he did, on his study about the origins of language, is only his speculations. He was only able to speculate the origins of language for, as he said in this book, “There are not dusty cassettes-tape fragments among the ancient bones that can tell use how language was back in the early stages.
Although he, in fact, bewared about the impossibility, George Yule kept running on his way to trace back when and how language was born. Firstly, he tried to dig up it through the divine source. In this effort, he come to this statement that the basic hypothesis, of this way, seems to have been that, if infants were allowed to grow up without hearing any language, then they would spontaneously begin using the original God given language. However, when he related the statement to two experiments which were done by an Egyptian pharaoh named Psammetichus, which placed two newborn infants in the company of goats and a mute shepherd, and a coachman named James IV, which discovered children living in isolation, without coming into contact with human speech, it (divine source) seemed to be irrelevant to decide when language was originated.
Secondly, he endeavored through “The Natural- Sound Source”. In this source, he just speculated that primitive words could have been imitations of the natural sounds which early men and women heard around them. To strengthen this idea, he supported it whit two theories “bow-wow and you-heave-ho” theory, and a speculating suggestion that the original sounds of language came from natural cries of emotion. However, these all are just speculating effort, efforts that are done to make any speculation.
Thirdly, he tried through “The Oral- Gesture Source”. On this theory, he told use that originally a set of physical gestures was developed as a mean of communication. Then a set of oral gestures, specifically involving the mouth, developed, in which the movement of the tongue, lips, and so on were recognized according to patterns of movement similar to physical gestures. However, finally he came to his problem on deciding when language was originated. He said that we actually could use oral- gestures for a variety of communicative purposes, but it is hard to visualize the actual “oral” aspect which would mirror many such gestures.
Then next, he made an effort through “Glossogenetics”. This source focuses mainly on the biological basis of the formation and development of human language. Because it concentrated on some of the physical aspect of humans, he then compared between the skull of a gorilla and that of Neanderthal man from 60.000 BC. On this way, he tried to study how language genetically developed. Although he then succeeded finding some physical features which were best thought of as partial adaptation that appear to be relevant for speech, but he, finally, come to his contradictive statement that those features actually could not lead to speech production.
Further more, he tried to print back through “physiological adaptation”. On this way, he tried to study why human teeth are up right, human lips have much intricate muscle, and human mouth is relatively small and can be opened and closed rapidly. He also tried to compare the different position between human larynx and that monkey’s. And why human brain is lateralized, having specialized function in each of the two hemispheres. However, he finally just can speculate that the human may have first developed the naming ability, producing specific noise for a specific object then brought it up to build a complex message. It is indeed just a speculation, too.
Finally, he came to what is known as “Interaction and Transaction”. In this terms, he just can mark that any noise-making (Such those have been mentioned in bow-wow and you-heave-ho theory), cries of emotion (such as, wow, ugh, and oops), and some gestures are only described as interactional function, function of language which is used to interact with each other. And then he also said that language not only has to have international function but also transactional function, function of language to communicate knowledge, skills, and information. From these two, however, he still can’t decide the beginning of the existence of language. He just can state his final statement that speech is “transient” by its nature, the desire for a more permanent record of what was known must have been the primary motivation for the development of markings and inscriptions and, eventually, of written language.
As the conclusion, it is the fact that language was born and brought up in process. Process it self could have been considered through humans genetically condition, physiological development, divine source, and relationship between humans with the nature. However, it is the fact, too, that no body can decide when and how language exactly was originated. What have been done by the scientists to trace back on deciding the beginning of language’s existence is just speculation. And George Yule is one of the scientists who have tried to prove it.

Jumat, 13 November 2009

D Class of 2008's Fantastic Program

D class OF 2008’s fantastic program
(Inviting an Australian)

A meeting in the Puspa Indah, on Wednesday May 27th, 2009, was really as the beginning of this story. It was unpredictable meeting between M. Wachid Q. with a long hair woman. She was a woman who was not so strange for him. At the first time he saw her in the bus, he remembered the woman who gathered a big tall man (a foreigner) several days before. That was a foreigner to whom he really wanted to know.

At first, he doubted with himself what to do. In his hearth, he wanted to make sure his guess, but he was shy. He couldn’t do anything, but he really wanted to realize his guess. It happened several minutes. However, he then dared himself to ascertain about this. He really wanted to get the real answer of his guess. Afterwards, he asked her about something he wanted to know, and the woman, finally, answered his question. She affirmed his guess. She was correctly the woman to whom the foreigner gathered. She said that she was Mrs. Widya, one of economy lectures at Unirow University. Knowing that, Wachid became happy. Then he told her about his eager to know the foreigner when he saw them several days before.

The moment stayed running then they become closed. Mrs. Widya told Wachid that the foreigner was an Australian, and he would come to Indonesia in the middle of June. Wachid just listened her words, and just listened. She, then, told much about Australians and Indonesians’ habit. She compared about the two countries’ habit. She is Indonesian but she knows much about Australians’ habit.

She really told much about Australian’s habit. For example, she told about Australians education habit. She said that spirit and enthusiasm of the students in Australia are really good, teacher’s attention is great, the facilities of the schools are really applicable, the curriculum of the school really gives freedom to the students to explore their thought (it means the curriculum gives independence to students to make their creativity), and the discipline of the students and the teachers is very high. She really told him the goodness of education there. How great habits those are!

Moreover, she also told about Australia’s society habit. Wachid was more interested about this. She told him that there was no party in any environment without agreement of the people in the environment, the society always obeys the rules of government (such, limitation of using water in daily life and prohibition of entering one’s land), the people can respect one another and many others. She really describes the social condition of Australians.

And as the listener, Wachid was just able to listen her explanation, roam his imagination about the habits and give very little feedback. However, he was really attracted with her story. He knew something new about Australia from Mrs. wit’s story. He knew that some of his understanding about Australia was wrong. As he knew before, that Australia was liberal country. He meant that the people were liberal, and the atmosphere was liberal too. However, Mrs. Wit told something different from what he had understood. He was really attracted to know Australia.

Like wise, on the way they were talking, Wachid said that he had a study club with his classmates in his class. He told her about his study club. At first, he didn’t expect that she would be interested. But just after he told her about this and asked the possibility of the coming of the foreigner to his class, she answered that he, the foreigner, would come to Indonesia in the middle of June in this year. Then she continued that she would tell him about this. She promised to him. Finally, she told Wachid to send her a message on June 20th to see the last decision of the foreigner.

After hearing her promise, Wachid became happy but rather not believe. He became happy because Mrs. Wit gave him happiness by saying the promise. But he rather not to believe for it was the first time for him, even his class, to invite any foreigner to come to his class. He couldn’t suddenly believe her, but he had a wish. He was surrender. A wish was still in his mind, but he didn’t want to wish much. Yeah, he just wished and waited the 20th of June. He was on the way to wait.

The time kept running, and Wachid was still on his way to wait the 20th of June. However, because of his impatience, he sent her a message on 10th. He asked the coming of the foreigner, but there was no answer came. He became doubt more.

Until the night of 15th, Mrs. Wit answered him that the foreigner would be able to come to his class on 23rd, but she recommended him to make an invitation letter for Mr. Allan James Bush. Yeah, it was the native speaker’s name, Allan James Bush. And by complicated feeling, he agreed with Mrs. Wit. Then he replied her that he would discuss it first with his friends and make the letter. He became much happier at the night, and prepared everything to inform his class (D Class of 2008) about this. He was busy at the night.

The next day came, after telling several nearest friends of his and they really supported it, he then came forward the class. Gentlemanly he denounced the information in front of the class. The class got shocked and suddenly agreed. Even, it was the time for Mrs. Endang’s lecturing (dosen wali of D Class Of 2008). She then supported it too. So, the last, everybody agreed with this information. It meant D class of 2008 would have a fantastic program. That is inviting a native speaker from Australia. Evenmore, in the year of 2009 there is no native speaker at Unirow University, yet D class of 2008 has a chance to bring him in. therefore, D class of 2008 is the first class which invite a native speaker from Australia in this year.

After passing some hard moment to manage preparation, this fantastic program, finally, was held in the 3rd room of building on 23rd of June 2009 at 15:00. By more than 35 attendance, the program lasted successfully. Everybody was happy, cheerful, attracted, interested and so on. It was a very fantastic event that D class of 2008 had. Even all of the students from other classes gave great value and appreciation for this. For example, Mr. David, Mr.Catur, Mr.Mujib, representators from ESA, representators of other classes and indeed all the people of D class of 2008. All of the students were satisfied.

Yeah, all attendance agreed that it was a simple-fantastic event. It was simple for there was no decoration, stage, background, or any ornaments. However it was fantastic for the forum was stayed alive until the end of the event. Even, when the time we gave 3 gifts for Mr. Allan came, the room became crowded and noisy because Mr. Allan opened the case of the gifts and saw the contents were; a batik shirt(a kind of traditional shirts in Indonesia) with long hand, some wingko ( special meal from Babad ) and a parcel of Ental ( special fruit in Tuban ). All of attendance applauded noisily. It was really fantastic event. All of the attendance indeed really agreed that it was a fantastic event. More and more we, D class of 2008, recorded a fresh program. It is indeed suitable with our yell-yell as following ESO event, that is D class of 2008 has more??? TASTE…!!!

Minggu, 08 November 2009

Suara D 2008

SUARA D 2008

In this occasion, I just would like to tell you abaut D Class of 2008.Once, I ever be shocked by my friend`s statement from other class abaut D Class of 2008 when we were talking together. She was Maria. One of my friend who is in F Class of 2008. She said, ‘Kelas D iku lho..bocahe pinter-pinter yo…kompak…terus aktif dan kreatif.’

Hearing those words, I was cessant. Thinking for a while. And cyrcling my mind. In my heart I said, ‘Iyo…iyo…sebenere kelas D 2008 iku di isi wong-wong sing pinter tur kreatif yo..?!’ my mind roamed to every body of D Class. I remember Silvy and Musholin who expert in English active. I remembered how the way they can speak up clearly and fluently. Ika who clever in drama and theatre. I rememberd Ika when he handled the drama team of D Class of 2008 in ESO event. How smart she was !!! managing the team. Rumiyatun and Andi who expert in religion field. Neila (Netty) who expert in dance. Jack Agung Sutrisno and Eko Bagethot in music. And many other experts who fulled fill D Class of 2008. How a great this class I thought. ‘Hasile wae wis jelas nek D 2008 menjuarai acara ESO dari ESA beberapa bulan kemarin.’ My heart continued.

Ridiculously, this case is not said by Maria only, but also some other friends of mine. Such Mujib from A Class, Wulan from E Class, Najib from B Class, and many others. ‘Unpredictable statement from D Class of 2008. ‘At least these words always run out from my mouth.

I really agree with them that my class is great. Because is fact, D Class of 2008 ever won of big event that ever be held by ESA. By its achievement, D Class of 2008 has shown its quality. I`m aware about that. But I don’t know if all of my friends in D Class, Rohim. However, as a pant of D Class, I just can make a wish. That may Allah SWT.always bless D Class and favor it with a lot of good achievements. Then for D Class it self, I want to remind you, ‘BE AWARE THAT YOU ARE THE BEST OF ALL AND DEFEND YOUR QUALITY FOREVER.’

English And Globalization

ENGLISH AND GLOBALIZATION
Written by: M. Wakhid Qomari

Life needs communication which, as I know from Mr. Jauharotul Anwar a teacher of MTs N Babat, is a way to give and accept information between a speaker and a listener or a writer and a reader. In other words, communication is a way to make a union of understanding between the speaker and the listener. Then, language is one of the forms of communication that is used to communicate among the people.
Today, all people around the world recognize that we are in the Globalization era. Globalization, as a popular name among the people, is a term of union life of a whole of the world. It means our life is not limited by group, ethnic, race, nationality, or country any more. It’s free for us to live wherever we want. There’s no “intimidation” or “limitation” of our willingness. Willingness, in this case, is indeed good willingness such, being citizen in other countries, getting job in other countries, being student in other countries or others.
We are free to interact to other people throughout the world although they are not in the same group, ethnic, race, nationality, or country with us. Then, the interaction can be in the form of trading, politics, economy, or other importance. So, Globalization has already escorted us to be a part of universe people or it can be said that globalization has already made us a part of international society.
Because of the reason above, we need an international language too. We can imagine if the International society that consists of millions of people containing million kinds of races, ethnics, nationalities, and countries with millions of languages communicate one another with their own language. It’s certainly impossible if there will be communication between them. They’ll never be able to communicate with the different languages because union understanding will never come to the speaker and the listener. So that, through the growing moment, by the awareness of having an international language and then also by an international agreement, International people agree to confess that English as an international language.
Then, next, by the reason of globalization, the people around the world in great numbers endeavor hard to master English even those who are not the English speakers. They study hard in order to be able to speak English fluently and correctly. In addition, they take some courses to make it perfect.
They have a lot of purposes to master English. Some of them want to be English teachers either domestic or international English teachers. Some others want to be international workers, especially in some big companies or industries. Some others want to study out side of their country or it can be said that they want to be international students. And there are many other purposes of which they just want to declare that they are really a part of international Society today.
On one hand, there’s no problem for those who are not English speakers who want to be international citizen. It’s proved that there have been a lot of non native speakers who have got something they intend successfully in this globalization. For example, in our country, there are a lot of foreign specialists who have been white workers. They have become leaders on each position such as, manager, director, or skilled staff of each department. Commonly, they come from America, England, German, France, Australia, and many others. Contrarily, there have been a lot of Indonesians who have worked in other countries too. For instance, in America, Malaysia, Singapore, England, Holland, China, Japan, Korea and many others. Although most of them are only blue workers like, housemaids, drivers, mechanics, or cleaning server but the other have become white workers such as directors, managers, or secretaries in some big international companies or industries. They are required to speak English. Then, as the result, this condition has described us that English is a kind of Communication language that can bring us to be international citizen.
However, on the other hand, there are a lot of people who fail to be international citizen too. Why?! Because they have problems in mastering or even speaking in English. English, as an international language, is a very complicated language with a great number of complicated problems. Therefore, not all people can master English easily. This reality has been shown by some facts. From the lowest part of the proof, in Indonesia, there are a lot of non native speakers from Indonesia who still feel difficult to speak in English. They feel confused to pour their thought trough their mouth. Why do they feel confused to pour their thought trough their mouth?! Or why do they feel like that?! Some possible answers are: first, because they can’t understand about grammatical construction rightly. Second, they can’t analyze body language in English. Third, they can’t master lesson about pronunciation and intonation and so on. Therefore, not being able to speak English, make them fail of being international citizen.
However, out of the problems above, whether or not we can be international citizen successfully, we have to be aware that today, we are in globalization era. It is an era which is full of strict global competition so that from now let’s view and ask our selves. Have we been real international citizen?! If not yet, let’s start from here to master English. Why should English?! Because English, that is agreed by the International Society, is a facility to communicate one another among the International People. Let’s make our English ability perfectly and then become successful international citizens in this globalization, right?!?!?!?!?!?

Rabu, 04 November 2009

Our Library's Librarians Need Some Criticizm

Our Library’s Librarians Need Some Criticism
Written By : M. Wakhid Qomari

Library, which is constantly familiar on our ears, is one of the most important aspects of getting more knowledge in our life. It is much like and advancer when it is in an engine and maybe a lung when it is in a body. Library can fasten our movement, in reaching science, to be better and better. As Elly F. Said, “I can get some knowledge without library, but with the library, I’ll get much more knowledge.”
Library’s existance at any University is extremely important since it has some advantagous. First, it provides so many kinds of books which will enable the students to know any science they intend. Because of that reason, they will be much more interested in reading books and exploring the matters they want to know. They also will always be thirsty in science and be attracated to step away from the lower level to the higher level. It’s why library can be said as a place that can stimulate students’ interest in searching and reaching science matter.
Second, it can lighten the teacher’s work to explain the lesson in detail because the students will suddenly find out the lesson in it. Even they will be able to master the lesson wider, by themselves, than getting explanation from their teacher since, in the library, they will have more time, concentration, and even proper books as the sources. As Mr. Gatot, my writing II lecturer, Said” students, who are active in library, are extremely helpful. They are always more active than others when the class running”.
Third, it may be able to be a nice place to make a discussion of any science matter if it provides a discussion room. One of the most important things we have to know about library is that it contains so many kinds of books. Then, because of the books, the meeting will be able to run well with sufficient references. Moreover, Library is a silent place so that the meeting can also run focusly on concentration. It will be very good making a meeting in a silent room such in the library.
Finally, it may be able to bring up the name of the University since the library will devote some trophies for the University. The University, which contains library, will create some talented students by the library. Then, by the talented students, the uiversity will be able to win at any contests or even championships at any level. Finally, by the achievement, the University’s name will be well know in its environment. It’s why the library can bring up the name of the University.
As Unirow has, the name of library is, actually, useful and helpful. As it’s been told above the library, in fact, can be used as a place to make some aducational activities such, reading and discussing. These all are actually according to its function, that library is a place for studying. However, why not more than 300 students who are reading or discussing science in it? Whereas, if we look at the totally amount of the students of Unirow are more than 2000 students, in morning and afternoon classes. Its extremely a big question we have to investigate and answer.
After disdussing and investigating with some friends of mine, I can conclude that there are three aspects we have to analyze to answer the big question. First, book aspect. After knowing the amount of the science books there and relating it with the level class of Unirow, as third level university, we can’t say that it’s bad. It’s been complete enough with the variety boks, although, actually, it also still needs to be added more.
Second, place / room aspect. In fact, the width of Unirow’s library room has been wide enough. It’s been comfortable to make the room busy in education activity because it has had adequate place for reading and discussing. However, it also still needs to be extended. Evenmore, it also has been completed with sufficient pentilators, ligth and air conditioner (cailing fan).
Third, official (librarian) aspect. From the three aspects, librarian aspect is the only aspect which needs much more lackness than the other aspects (according to the investigation). Some of the lacknes are : the librarians, some time, aren’t being polite. As MJ (hidden name) said,” I used to come to the library, but I’ve never gone there again just after the librarians hurt me several times. Then, they also often can’t be discipline in the case of time. They’re always late to open it and early to close it. In this case, hundreds students have stated their same statement that they were dissapointed with the librarians for their indiscipline in time. More over, when they asked the reason why they always do the bad habit, they always answered with futile reason, like : “ my home is far from here, there is something I have to do at my home, and many other reasons”, which always make them hurt. It’s why then they decided not to go there as often as before again. Maybe it’s the main reason why the visitors of the library have never increased, but contrarily.
As the conclusion of these statements, it’s constantly important providing a library at a university. Its existance is really useful and helpful. Although, it’s not a formal place for studying, but it’s existance can promote the students’ knowledge progressly. A lot of scientists can be professional scientists because of library. Library, whatever its shape, is a palace of science. However, Unirow’s library hasn’t been a real library yet. It still needs much more remidy, especially its librarians !!!

Meaningful Conth for D Class of 2008

Meaningful Month for D class of 2008
Writen by: M. Wakhid Qomari

So far this semester, “July 2009” is a month that can be called as a real historical moment for D class of 2008. This month is like a month where the number of students of D class of 2008 gets some profit. This month is really like an explanation for unirow, especially English department, that D class of 2008 has more taste. This month is full of memories which can make the students of D class of 2008 memorize it forever.
The things that make this month meaningful are two kinds of big events and a fantastic creation D class of 2008 made, took part, and created. Those are: first, D class of 2008 has successfully made a fantastic event where Mr. Allan James Bush, a native speaker from Australia, agreed to be a speaker at the event. Second, D class of 2008 took part in an English debate competition at Unirow university. That event was held by ESA (English Student Association). And the t5hird, D class of 2008 successfully created and published monthly class magazine. That is D class of 2008’s voice. These all are indeed meaningful things for D class of 2008.
Firstly, exactly on June 23, 2009, D class of 2008 made an attractive event. That is a special dialogue with a native speaker from Australia, Mr. Allan James Bush. And the theme of the dialogue was “Australia And Indonesia’s Custom And Manner.” By more than 35 audiences, the event lasted happily.
It was very fantastic and meaningful for there is not any native speaker at unirow in this year. Therefore, some English students feel bored to practice their ability. They said, ”there’s no much use of practicing my ability without a native speaker. Because without native speaker, it means that I just can practice with Indonesian. I don’t think Indonesian is equals to a native speaker.”
And even inviting a native speaker at Unirow is almost an impossible dream for small class like D class of 2008. However, D class of 2008 has been able to invite a native speaker. It means D class of 2008 is the first class which invite a native speaker in this year. It also means D class of 2008 has successfully proved its quality. D class of 2008, indeed, has more taste than others.
Maybe some people will say the event such that is a common thing and not so marvelous, but should be remembered that in some areas, such in Tuban, foreigner is a strange thing. It can make some people attracted to know and talk because Tuban is not like Jogja, Surabaya, Jakarta, or other big cities which contain a lot of visitors from other countries. It is why the event is like a dream. It is actually similar with one’s opinion, “something strange is attractive.” The event was really fantastic.
Secondly, D class of 2008 took part at an English debate competition which was held by ESA. It could not be said that the event was small for all the classes of 2008 from A class until F class took part in it. Even there was a team from 2006 and a team from 2007. then, all the teams, which took part in the event, indeed contained of skilled students. They were great students unirow had. Finally, the event invited some marvelous people, such Mr. mu’in, Mr. Maskuri, Mr. Wise, Mr. Budi, and Mr. Mansur as the ajudicators. It was really big event that ESA had.
However, D class of 2008’s team couldn't be the winner at the event. It, at least, caused by: first, there was unwillingness from one of the team to discuss about the topic. He felt there was no use discussing it. He had many reasons to avoid discussing, but unlucky there was no other student who willing to substitute him. He, the unwilling student, acts if he was a professional at any debate forum.
And then, just one day before the event was held, one of the team had to cancel her participation at the team for she had an extremely important duty from the school where she taught. She was supposed to be the moderator at the leaving students party at the school. She said that she was the only one at the school who was believed by the head master to be the moderator. And she couldn’t refuse his order. She was, actually, one who was attracted to join the debate and even she had tried hard to argue. However, she was not allowed to join. It was the fact.
Although, D class of 2008’s team couldn’t be the winner at the event, it kept meaningful for D class of 2008.because by the event, D class of 2008 became aware that the event such that really need total preparation. It really needs total willingness, total discussion, total union of thought, and total commitment to be the winner. All preparations need totality from the team. It really taught D class of 2008 to pay good attention to anything that needs more attention.
Thirdly, in the month, D class of 2008 successfully created and published monthly class magazine. Its name is D class of 2008’s voice. It is monthly published. This magazine’s appearance is aimed to collect the hand writing creativity of d class o0f 2008’s students. It is not far away from the rumor that D class of 2008 is full of author. There are some students who are crazy about novel, some others like to write poem, and others like to write jokes. D class of 2008 is indeed full of authors. And this magazine’s appearance is like a dream place for them. It is why this magazine is said as a fantastic creation from D class of 2008.
From these all, it is really clear that “July 2009” is called as a historical moment for D class of 2008.This month is favorable month for D class of 2008. and the last, this month indeed and surely has conveyed to Unirow University, especially English department, that D class of 2008 HAS MORE TASTE!!!!!!!!