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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Ruby Sahay

Ruby Sahay

The fragments that make up the world, its people and the impression they leave on her, prompts Ruby to share with you bits and pieces that you may find interesting or informative or both. Her reflections are a mosaic of personal and shared flavors. The content varies, but they're all about people- people like you and me, our footprints and her impressions, our pictures and her albums. She invites you to dip into her flavors, though you have the right to relish or refuse. Should you decide to scratch the surface, agree to disagree with her, but a thumbs up now and then won't hurt!
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9/28/2012
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Education/Experience

B.A. English (Hons)

Interests

books, travel, society,relationships, lifestyle, health and nutrition, home, cooking and baking, children and teaching.

Motto

“We read to know we re not alone.”

Affiliations

Randomly Ruminative, B'khush

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Fans

Displaying Results 1 - 9 (of 9) for All Content
  • Grammar Matters
    6/29/2014
    Do you agree that using improper grammar can make you look like a dud? Or, do you feel that laying too much emphasis on grammar is an elitist thing? Despite all the fuss, the fact is that we all make grammatical errors...
  • Hello, Empty Nesters!
    10/10/2013
    This goes out to all you empty nesters, the not-so-empty nesters and those gravitating towards one. Read, relate and reflect :)
  • Afflicted with the Chameleon Effect?
    9/29/2013
    How often do you feel that 'innernet' sounds 'be-dder' than 'internet'? And, have you considered swapping 'waw-te'r with 'wa-dah' or 'wo-dur'? Well, if foreign accents entice you, you definitely are struck with ‘the chameleon effect’….
  • 'Texting' Times
    5/23/2013
    How often do u LOL or ROFL on ur messaging device? Or, do these cryptic codes, grunts and monosyllables baffle you totally? Like it or lump it, but text speak is here to stay...
  • Trending Vocab: Verbalizing
    5/17/2013
    Have you noticed how the English language has evolved in the digital age? How often do you find yourself swinging between established rules and a trending flexibility, in the use of words?
  • Unique Local Valentine's Day Ideas in Dubai
    2/12/2013
    The Arabian fairy tales have fueled the idea of a perfect romance amid golden sands and under starry skies. So, if you’re in Dubai, absorb these enchanting ideas and learn about some exotic deals that’ll add that unique Arabic flavor to your romance.
  • No Country for Women
    2/5/2013
    Gendercide, violence, sexual assault, rape, and murder characterizes the perilous existence of women in India. A nation bemoans as a corrupt polity and a bootless judiciary looks away.
  • India’s Unheard Richard Blanco
    1/31/2013
    Richard Blanco's 'One Today' runs parallel with 'Aradhana Pradhan's poetry on Rahul Gandhi's speech in Jaipur. It's interesting how the two compositions reflect the differences in the psychology of the leaders and the fragments of the two democracies.
  • My Parenting Resolution for 2013
    1/24/2013
    Gadgets and gizmos, most certainly build gaps between parents and children, and a balanced and harmonious relationship between the two is inhibited. I felt that happening in my house and decided it was time I drew the line on my daughter's indulgence.

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Ruby Sahay

Ruby Sahay

The fragments that make up the world, its people and the impression they leave on her, prompts Ruby to share with you bits and pieces that you may find interesting or informative or both. Her reflections are a mosaic of personal and shared flavors. The content varies, but they're all about people- people like you and me, our footprints and her impressions, our pictures and her albums. She invites you to dip into her flavors, though you have the right to relish or refuse. Should you decide to scratch the surface, agree to disagree with her, but a thumbs up now and then won't hurt!
Hide More «
Page Views
1,500
Content
9
Fans
2
Contributor since
9/28/2012
Add to FavoritesSubscribeRSSContact

Badges

CLOUT INDEXLearn more »

Education/Experience

B.A. English (Hons)

Interests

books, travel, society,relationships, lifestyle, health and nutrition, home, cooking and baking, children and teaching.

Motto

“We read to know we re not alone.”

Affiliations

Randomly Ruminative, B'khush

Favorites

Fans

Displaying Results 1 - 9 (of 9) for All Content
  • Grammar Matters
    6/29/2014
    Do you agree that using improper grammar can make you look like a dud? Or, do you feel that laying too much emphasis on grammar is an elitist thing? Despite all the fuss, the fact is that we all make grammatical errors...
  • Hello, Empty Nesters!
    10/10/2013
    This goes out to all you empty nesters, the not-so-empty nesters and those gravitating towards one. Read, relate and reflect :)
  • Afflicted with the Chameleon Effect?
    9/29/2013
    How often do you feel that 'innernet' sounds 'be-dder' than 'internet'? And, have you considered swapping 'waw-te'r with 'wa-dah' or 'wo-dur'? Well, if foreign accents entice you, you definitely are struck with ‘the chameleon effect’….
  • 'Texting' Times
    5/23/2013
    How often do u LOL or ROFL on ur messaging device? Or, do these cryptic codes, grunts and monosyllables baffle you totally? Like it or lump it, but text speak is here to stay...
  • Trending Vocab: Verbalizing
    5/17/2013
    Have you noticed how the English language has evolved in the digital age? How often do you find yourself swinging between established rules and a trending flexibility, in the use of words?
  • Unique Local Valentine's Day Ideas in Dubai
    2/12/2013
    The Arabian fairy tales have fueled the idea of a perfect romance amid golden sands and under starry skies. So, if you’re in Dubai, absorb these enchanting ideas and learn about some exotic deals that’ll add that unique Arabic flavor to your romance.
  • No Country for Women
    2/5/2013
    Gendercide, violence, sexual assault, rape, and murder characterizes the perilous existence of women in India. A nation bemoans as a corrupt polity and a bootless judiciary looks away.
  • India’s Unheard Richard Blanco
    1/31/2013
    Richard Blanco's 'One Today' runs parallel with 'Aradhana Pradhan's poetry on Rahul Gandhi's speech in Jaipur. It's interesting how the two compositions reflect the differences in the psychology of the leaders and the fragments of the two democracies.
  • My Parenting Resolution for 2013
    1/24/2013
    Gadgets and gizmos, most certainly build gaps between parents and children, and a balanced and harmonious relationship between the two is inhibited. I felt that happening in my house and decided it was time I drew the line on my daughter's indulgence.

Filter Content by Category

 

Search Ruby Sahay's Content

 

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

WordStock: Chapter 1- Trending Vocab: Verbalizing

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WordStock

Submitted by Ruby Sahay on Mon, 06/30/2014 - 14:52
Posted in 
About  WordStock: I am no literary scholar, neither a linguist nor a grammarian, but one amongst you, who uses everyday English.  A non-native speaker whose first language is English, it is my sensitivity, and a definite love for the language that enables me to observe keenly the trends in modern English. My column WordStock is an attempt to document the visible communication pattern and trends in the English language that we use as a tool to express, connect and correspond. No highbrowed, scholarly stuff but some salient peculiarities and quirks that mark regular expressions. It is all in good humor, about you and me, and the varied ingredients that constitute our language. So, stay on, enjoy the vignettes, and feel free to share your views.

                                                 Chapter 1                     
                                Trending Vocab: Verbalizing


 "Well, I googled the recipe for that perfect guacamole!" Now how's that? Did you 'Google' the recipe or did you 'search on the Internet'? The latter may appear a term conventionally preferred but the former increasingly trends in usage. And despite the fact that one may use several other search engines to look up a fact, one simply ''googles'' it. Interesting, isn't it? One of the most flourishing developments in modern communication is the burgeoning use of verbalizing.
Verbalizing implies changing nouns to verbs. Although, primarily a grammatical affair, verbalizing has recently gained ground as a popular style in tète-à-tète. Accordingly, a host of commonplace terms, expressions and phrases have acquired a face lift, so much so that our generation of youngsters uses them with easy familiarity. The tendency goes on to embrace a host of English speakers who find themselves using innocuous, modern-day versions of the more accustomed, typically used words and phrases. You may ''airbrush'' a picture, but it is rather acceptable to say that you ''Photoshopped'' it. Whether you have the Photoshop tool or not, the term ''Photoshopped'' suggests some sort of a camouflage that could have created a more endearing version of the real thing. Cool, isn't that?
Now, will you ''unlike'' me for being wacky or simply ''message'' me saying that you do not quite appreciate the way I'm getting along? Alternatively, you could 'inbox' me your number and I could call to explain myself. You may recoil at my lingo, but I guess I'm fine as long I'm ''Facebooking!'' However, if you still dislike me, you simply have to ''unfriend'' me. Notice how the Internet and social networking make vocabulary faddishly easy.
Verbalizing nouns has definitely to do with grammar, but modern day verbalizing has, to a marked degree, ''compartmentalized'' itself into informal conversation and social networking. Your friend's teen kid has made news by ''summiting'' the Everest. And while the kiddo may cringe about ''rooming'' with a geek at college, he has certainly chanced upon ''interfacing'' with a rocket scientist. For all you know, they may just ''partner'' on a new project and enjoy ''dialoguing'' about mutual interests.
Much of the recent verbalizing trends can be attributed to the Americanization of English. As British English is rapidly incorporating American flavors, ''verbalise'' with -ise is now written as ''verbalize'' with an -ize. Thus, it isn't uncommon to use words like ''symptomize,'' ''commercialize'' '''radicalize,'' or ''glamorize,'' yet it is more of a trend to say ''twitterize'' yourself, ''vampirize'' the guy and ''calendarize'' the events. These catch phrases may not have found their way into mainstream dictionary but there's something called an Urban Dictionary. Did you know about that yet?
It is a fact that users of English have taken certain words to the gallows and reincarnated them with a dash of colloquialism. Nevertheless, one mustn't forget that verbalizing is often wrought with trickiness. It is fine to 'text' a friend and 'spam' a stalker, but one certainly cannot post a link on another's Facebook page and say, "Hey! I've 'linked' you a funny video." Also, you can ''Google Search'' a long lost friend but you simply cannot ''Yahoo Search'' him. You may ''email," ''ping'' or ''WhatsApp'' him, but you possibly can't ''Facebook'' or ''LinkedIn'' him. And, do you realize that while you can ''lunch'' or ''dine'' with the consultant who ''head hunted'' you for your current role, you definitely cannot ''breakfast'' or ''coffee'' with him?  Doesn't that get unpredictable?
I confess I do not ‘network’ so actively. But, if you ‘StumbleUpon’ more such facts, do ‘circularize’ the same.
And, if you have any memories of the teenyboppers who loved to ‘Obama-ize’ their pictures, wait; they are probably waiting to ‘Clinton-ize’ the same! While you puzzle over that, here’s to some cheerful ‘transitioning’ from the standardized to the snazzy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the author: The fragments that make up the world, its people and the impression they leave on her, prompts Ruby to share with you bits and pieces that you may find interesting or informative or both. Her reflections are a mosaic of personal and shared flavors. The content varies, but they're all about people- people like you and me, our footprints and her impressions, our pictures and her albums. She invites you to dip into her flavors, though you have the right to relish or refuse. Should you decide to scratch the surface, agree to disagree with her, but a thumbs up now and then won't hurt!

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My Parenting Resolution for 2013


The other day my twelve year old and I sorted out her early years books, to give away in charity. The sight of the books, as we pulled them out of the shelves, overwhelmed us with memories of the times we'd spent together. We went back to the days when her tiny hands would plunk a book into my lap, and I'd grip her with an effortless, enthralling narration. i Devices and gadgets had not intruded into our lives, and my dumpling enjoyed her story sessions with me, more than any other activity. Times have changed, my little one has grown into an independent preteen, and the house is filled with mechanical raiders that have robbed us of the time and space that we could have still shared harmoniously, together.
I no longer read stories to her. She has grown into an avid reader herself, and when she is not reading, she has games and gizmos to keep her occupied. I do not like the gadgets that distance us. I long to spend more quality time with my princess, time that will add to our memory's treasure trove, one that started with the early story time years. To that end, I've decided to be my daughter's friend, and reclaim all the togetherness that we've carelessly tossed aside so far.
From now on, baking sessions keep us together; we whip, froth and handle the oven. I listen to Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift, with her. That's fun! I've swapped How I Met Your Mother, The Last Man Standing and Grey's Anatomy for Good Luck Charlie, Jessie and A.N.T Farm. The new trade off delights me when she invites me to sit with her and tells me all that I've missed. I cannot read all of her books, but do enjoy the snippets that she brings to me from Dork Diaries and even Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Each time she croons Pumped up Kicks and Hall of Fame, she pulls me to her side, with the knowledge that I love to hear her sing my favorite numbers.
She will soon be an adult living life entirely on her own. I do not wish to impede that process, or bite into her personal space. All I wish is to make ourselves a part of each other's fondest memories. 2013 will see me work towards that.

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India’s Unheard Richard Blanco


21st January, 2013. A Spanish born Cuban-American poet recited his original poem "One Today'" at the 57th Presidential inauguration in Washington DC. A Latino and the first ever openly gay poet's recital at the President's swearing-in ceremony seemed more of a reflection of the changes that the President seeks to bring about in the nation he leads, the dawn of hope from "avarice, greed and violence" brought about by the erstwhile conservative elements and America's rich singularity in diversity. A proud moment for America and its President re-elect. Blanco's inaugural poem recounts the life of ordinary Americans engaged in their daily pursuits. In President Obama's own words, "Blanco's work represents 'the great strength and diversity of the American people"' The poet expresses this diversity through an artistic blend of his personal life and the typical daily life of an average American. The last stanza expresses the theme of the President's inaugural address and hope for the American people, "Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people."
Richard Blanco's 'One Today'.
January 19, 2013. New Delhi, India. The ruling Congress party appoints Rahul Gandhi as the Vice President of the party. The following day, in an emotional speech in Jaipur, the young leader, referred to his mother, the party supremo, speaking to him after he was named vice president: "Last night my mother came to my room and she sat and cried. She cried because she understands the power that so many people seek is actually a poison. She can see it, what it does to people around and to the people they love."
A feigned emotion was conveyed almost theatrically, in order to gain political mileage and bolster the image of a crumbling party. Further on, a forced leadership in a reluctant politician, who has repeatedly refused to accept ministerial positions and his lack of firsthand experience of India's turbulent politics, has prompted serious doubts about his political abilities. Does India expect this new leader to be its mythical phoenix?
Incidentally, here in India too, there was a poignant composition by an ordinary young citizen for this occasion--glorious or less. The poem, written by a young woman, in Hindi, and shared with just a handful of readers on a social networking site, is a reflection of India's total depravity, perpetrated by a deep seated propensity, self-indulgence and egocentricity of political forces. Unlike Blanco who voices the struggles of the average Americans, Aradhana Pradhan chronicles the heart ache and anguish of the ordinary Indian, brought about by the apathy and utter callousness of the leaders themselves. Diverse as a populace, yet united in grief, a helpless nation pledges to fight its own suffering, upon hearing the infirm pledge of a hesitant leader.
उनको रिझाने को
हमको खिझाने को
स्वाभिमान जलाने को
या देश तो बरगलाने को
आप क्यूँ रोये ?
भावना के अतिरेक से
अपने बुझते विवेक से
आखिर किस आवेग से
आखिर किस खेद से
आप क्यूँ रोये ??
ग़रीबी की आग पर
देश से अनुराग पर
चरित्र पे लगे दाग पर
या अपने अहोभाग पर
आप क्यूँ रोये ??
कुंवर के ताज पर
उनकी बुलंद आवाज़ पर
उनके नाटकी अंदाज़ पर
या बर्बादी के आग़ाज़ पर
आप क्यूँ रोये ?
संभालिये अपने आप को
और अपने संताप को
हम करेंगे रो रो कर
साफ़ सारे पाप को
रोने का बरसों से हमने ही किया है काम
अपनी हर ग़लती का हम ही भुगतेंगे दाम
अपने ही पैरों से चल के आये इस गाम ,
जहाँ मनु के मानव से हो गए हें ख़ास - आम .
हम क्या मानवता भी अपना सब खोयेगी
जमुना भी बचे खुचे आँसुओ से रोएगी
- Aradhana Pradhan
The irony lies in the parallels of time and circumstances that draw our attention to two nations: one to which we belong, and the other that we discreetly seek to follow as an undocumented formula of governance. The two nations that come close in their democratic set up and rich cultural diversity, differ vastly in the psyche and sentimentality of those who control the wheels of their respective governments. As one stands comely united to celebrate a promising leader, the other unites to lament the ingloriousness of the leaders who have brought nothing, but misery and malaise to their people. In the making of a leader, America sees a new dawn, but India dwells on the annihilation of humanity, a dysfunctional leadership and consequently, a never-ending gloom.
The world listened to Richard Blanco. The poet and his poem have received both acclaim and assault, for America too is not without its share of discontent. As a piece of literature, the poem has received a tepid response. But that goes for any debut workmanship. "Richard Blanco's new inauguration poem, 'One Today,' composed to usher in Barack Obama's second term, is a valiant but not always convincing attempt to square the circles." The Guardian.
Not many Indians have had the opportunity to read the outpouring of one among them, speaking for all. The poem deserves to be read, not merely as a piece of art, but as an elegy of our situation. The poet's heartache cardinally evokes mellifluous poetry. The juxtaposition sees America rejoicing over its 'new constellation' while India's propitious weather lies hidden under the behemoth of poverty, malaise and sufferings. As the "Mississippi and Colorado work their way to the sea" the 'drying Yamuna can only hope to fill up with tears of grief'. 

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