31 Jan 2012

“Education for All” and sundry!

Yes, it was such a success, the programme,

The scholars listened all rapt, at what,

The linguist had to say about the tense phrase

And the negatives and neutralization with rehearsed ease,

While outside the glass window she stood, her face pressed against the

Cold glass through which she thought she could see what

She wanted to become tomorrow. Damn her, she doesn’t know

How we’ll try to snuff out her dreams and try our best to keep her OUT

Of this select collegium of renowned scholars,

And how we dread the idea of letting her pollute, and dilute

Our community’s academic standards

And how we’ll do anything to maintain our high moral ground.

Not for nothing that we learnt from our English masters the art,

Of pretending to give, while holding back,

Of seeming humane while being selfish and smug...

Ah, she shall never know how MUCH, with every bit of our being, we HATE her
And the fact that she vies to be here, that wretched, wretched good-for-nothing!

Global English!

Now say after me with rounded lips,

The schwas and aitches in the proper way,

Make sure you stick to established standards,

And never make a mistake, never do it.

English is ours and we’ll tell you all

Exactly how to use it and teach it to all,

We have scholars like you can never have

And it is our language, in case you forgot.

You foolish good-for-not-a-things

You thought we let you have an English of your own?

Ha! The thought of it. Beware, don’t usurp

What is only ours. We stand all, hand-in-glove

And attempt to sell to you what we think

Is best for you. Do you have any idea

About how to go about it, without our holding you by the hand
And letting you see the marvels of our land and tongue?