How Gaelic Could Compare with English - Case Study Example

Deepening essay on Brian Doyles "Yes” Introduction: Brian Doyle is one of the most reputed and acclaimed contemporary in the United s ofAmerica. He also happens to be the editor of Portland Magazine at the University Of Portland, Oregon. His writings carry a tongue in cheek humor and a native candor in his writing style that is characteristic of an uncanny writing that is well adept in his art. Through subtle use of words and phrases, he is able to create and sustain the interest of the readers in his prose and make his reading thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating. He also digs at his native language- Gaelic and through light humor, compares it with the English language and has delved on how Gaelic could compare with English language on many fronts. Language Barrier: One of the main problems for the writer is of his native language, Gaelic, especially when compared to a more widely spoken language like English. He compared the Gaelic language with the sounds uttered by his infant children, and through good humor and repartee, writes about the limitations of his native language, Gaelic. For instance, in Para 11 of the Essay, he mentions “It is interesting that she is riveted by no because her brother Liam is riveted by no which is the only word he owns at the moment. Like a geyser he emits ho.” (Brian Doyle - Yes P. 700 Para 11) Besides, he rues the fact that Gaelic has more phonemes than English and starts counting from twenty instead of 10 in the case of English. Perhaps, his Gaulic upbringing and love and fascination for this language make him more accommodating to English, thus rendering him fascinated by both the Gaelic language (his mother tongue) and English, his language of usage. Besides, he is concerned about the fact that there is no way in which to say yes and no in Gaelic and there is need to take recourse to other languages in order to sound these words. Semantic sense: The word “woo” in the English language has also been the center of Doyle’s fascination, conveying, as it does, a sense of romantic patronising and manifestation of an ardent longing or infatuation for someone or something. The word ‘woo’ as commonly meant to be the courting of women, much to the chagrin and mortification of one’s wife, as Doyle himself admits. His love affair with a character in a novel, Etain, is a woman of great beauty perchanced Doyle to ‘woo’ her, although this “demanded a certain familiarity with Gaelic tongue.” (Brian Doyle - Yes P. 700 Para 7). Thus, the main area of contention in so far as this good piece of writing of Doyle is concerned, stems from his fear about the relevance and practical usage of Gaulish language in contemporary society, given its propensity for odd sounding words, which the author brilliantly compares with the sounds emanated by his infant children from time to time. But beneath the veneer of humor and light banter, Doyle seeks to explore the state of mind of a person who is not in sync with his native land and its language. While he may need to pay greater prominence to English as a working language, he also exhibits genuine fears of his disassociation with his native Gaelic language and its proud heritage, stating as he does that “the cold hard fact is that Gaelic language is a most confusing creature” and that he doesn’t know much about it. (Brian Doyle - Yes P. 700 Para 7). Mastery over the English language: Next, the timidness and circumspection with which Doyle approaches the Gaulic language is in complete contract with his approach in wooing the English language as he displays complete command and mastery over it and uses it for creating the right mood for his readers to imbibe his writings in its true spirit. Besides, the English language has thrown open the floodgates of clever literary pieces of writing as carried out by Doyle, who could safety be considered as one of the most promising new age, or new era writers whose style of writing is as engaging as it is compulsive, as absorbing as it is genuine and original in its presentation and delivery styles. There have been indeed instances in this essay which has clearly surpassed the imagination of readers and made them more aware and responsive to the contents. Critical study: In this piece of innovative and carefully structures and chosen words, what stands out as a sore thumb is perhaps the fact that the article does not suggest, or sound ways by which the language problem could be ameliorated. Since this has indeed been a genuine request, there needs to be developed ways and means by which these issues could be stopped or the errors identified and resolved. Add to this is the fact that the language barriers as expounded by several scholars need to understand the need for a more salubrious scenario for discussions and negotiations. Besides, there have been instances of Boyle himself coming to terms with his lack of intimacy with his native language, which, in turn, could be termed as one of his main anxieties according to his article Yes. Concern for the future of his little children: Another cause for anxiety and concern for Boyle has been the future of his many children. He, having cited many infants, some of them just few months old, and perhaps twins at that, and according to his jocular version, they have almost gained mastery over the language with utterances like woo, noo, etc. The children were able to reproduce the sounds produced by the elders. “For am terrified of the fates that may befall my children-fates over which I have no power at all, not the slightest, other than keeping my little children close to me in the presence of cars and dogs and such.” (Brian Doyle - Yes P. 701 Para 14). Yet another aspect that stands out in this literary piece has been the expressions of tenderness in the way he has portrayed his love and bonding with all his children, and of course, his wife. While he sometimes rues the fact why he has sired so many children, having to take good care of all of them, he also feels that he would be utterly lonely without them and would rather tradeoff the burden of having to look after them as against not having infants. The joys of seeing the antics of small children, their frolicking and banters are indeed something unique in this world and is one of the greatest marvel of God’s earth. Again, there is always a morbid fear in the back of his mind that it is possible that even after take the maximum care of his infants, he could still be away from them – for reasons caused by “disease and accidents and the harsh fingers of the Lord, who taketh whomever he wishes.” (Brian Doyle - Yes P. 701 Para 17). Conclusions: The main concerns of the author could be evidenced from his lack of knowledge about Gaulish language and the safety and well being of his many children who he fears may be separated, or lost from him during his lifetime, in an oblique reference to his own end he would be deprived of the joy and happiness of caring for his own young children. As Doyle writes, “… rich cheerful chaos that leads me sooner to the grave and happier along that muddy grave road I say yes,.” (Brian Doyle: Page 701: Para 17) Boyle’s prose is richly interwoven with fine tapestry of words and apt phrases, and he is able to capture the great spirit of childhood innocence and infant talks with a great deal of aplomb and insight. His forte has been his sense of humor and innovative and candid and refreshingly different style of writing, which has won him much critical acclaim among the literary circles in the United States. Read More