(Dogs 36)
My dog book says until 1909 the Cairn was called a "Short-haired Skye" -- probably from the Isle of Skye, or Scotland mainland. Going back 300 years he is one of the oldest British working terriers. "Cairn" means "a heap of stones," meaning that for hundreds of years Scottish lairds kept a pack of these dogs to rout out fox, badgers, rats, otters from rocky places to keep them from destroying flocks of sheeep and poultry. The dogs would go in the animals' holes, rout them out for their masters to shoot.
Showing posts with label languages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label languages. Show all posts
September 26, 2013
April 24, 2013
Don't
(1980 memoirs)
The president of Ripon College was Silas Evans, well liked by all as far as I ever knew. Chapel was compulsory and roll call was taken. Speakers were often professors who were also ministers. Prexy often spoke himself. As a member of Tess O'Brian's Special English Class, I flinched every time he said, "He don't." One day he spoke of it, saying he realized his mistake as soon as he said it, and his wife frequently corrected him, yet he could not overcome it; and cautioned us all to make good habits now
The president of Ripon College was Silas Evans, well liked by all as far as I ever knew. Chapel was compulsory and roll call was taken. Speakers were often professors who were also ministers. Prexy often spoke himself. As a member of Tess O'Brian's Special English Class, I flinched every time he said, "He don't." One day he spoke of it, saying he realized his mistake as soon as he said it, and his wife frequently corrected him, yet he could not overcome it; and cautioned us all to make good habits now
December 25, 2012
A failure
(1980 memoirs)
[Frankie took the Classical course at Ripon.] "I made a failure of it," she would tell me, feeling remorse and pain. "If only I could have been put in the other course! I always wanted to learn about animals and living things and about the world!" -- "But, Cousin Frankie, why didn't you change? You didn't have to take the Classical." -- "I didn't think I could change the way they do now. I took what they said and made a failure of it."
[Frankie took the Classical course at Ripon.] "I made a failure of it," she would tell me, feeling remorse and pain. "If only I could have been put in the other course! I always wanted to learn about animals and living things and about the world!" -- "But, Cousin Frankie, why didn't you change? You didn't have to take the Classical." -- "I didn't think I could change the way they do now. I took what they said and made a failure of it."
November 30, 2012
Quartus Pheletus
(1980 memoir)
Before drifting away from the Clapps, I want it recorded Henry's father was Quartus Pheletus. This is the oddest name I have ever heard, and am spelling it from sound so marked the e long. Quartus Pheletus and my father's grandfather were cousins, I think. If you dig around and find I am off a generation or so, you will have a good idea how my mind works. The Clapps came from New England. And that is where Henry got his wife, Lucretia. ["Philebas" is a Greek name, meaning "loving youth." The Clapp/Parsons relationship is still undetermined.]
Before drifting away from the Clapps, I want it recorded Henry's father was Quartus Pheletus. This is the oddest name I have ever heard, and am spelling it from sound so marked the e long. Quartus Pheletus and my father's grandfather were cousins, I think. If you dig around and find I am off a generation or so, you will have a good idea how my mind works. The Clapps came from New England. And that is where Henry got his wife, Lucretia. ["Philebas" is a Greek name, meaning "loving youth." The Clapp/Parsons relationship is still undetermined.]
October 23, 2012
The Old Lady
(1993 July, Rueping memoir)
After dinner, old Mrs. Rueping went up to nap. I'll try to make you see her. There were no flies on her. She owned the house, and the three Sallees lived with her. She looked just a mite like the duchess in Alice in Wonderland. ... Often times on a summer afternoon Mrs. Frederick Rueping (the old lady) would walk over, with cane & cane, cross the road, up our front steps, and sit on the porch and visit in German with my mother. My father used to say if he could talk German, he could ask much more for his services.
After dinner, old Mrs. Rueping went up to nap. I'll try to make you see her. There were no flies on her. She owned the house, and the three Sallees lived with her. She looked just a mite like the duchess in Alice in Wonderland. ... Often times on a summer afternoon Mrs. Frederick Rueping (the old lady) would walk over, with cane & cane, cross the road, up our front steps, and sit on the porch and visit in German with my mother. My father used to say if he could talk German, he could ask much more for his services.
October 22, 2012
Lunch with the Old Lady
(1993 July, Rueping memoir)
Mrs. Frederick (Old Lady) Rueping lived on Division Street (I think) in Fond du Lac, not far from the high school, and when she heard I was taking German, she insisted I take dinner with her every noon, where nichts but Deutch would be spoken every noon. So I went, but I am afraid I did not learn much. Around the table was Mrs. F. R. and Irene and her half-witted brother Art, all speaking Deutch. I too had to say, Bitte gibst mir die Buetter or Kartoffel or whatever. The maid came out at the stroke of the bell and cleared off and brot in the pie. I think we did say a short German prayer first. Then, after dinner, Irene and I and my German grammar went into the parlor where she skimmed thru my grammar lesson and I read and did some too.
Mrs. Frederick (Old Lady) Rueping lived on Division Street (I think) in Fond du Lac, not far from the high school, and when she heard I was taking German, she insisted I take dinner with her every noon, where nichts but Deutch would be spoken every noon. So I went, but I am afraid I did not learn much. Around the table was Mrs. F. R. and Irene and her half-witted brother Art, all speaking Deutch. I too had to say, Bitte gibst mir die Buetter or Kartoffel or whatever. The maid came out at the stroke of the bell and cleared off and brot in the pie. I think we did say a short German prayer first. Then, after dinner, Irene and I and my German grammar went into the parlor where she skimmed thru my grammar lesson and I read and did some too.
October 3, 2012
Learning German
(1992 Memoirs)
Although everyone told me what a great advantage I had to learn German [in Oconto], I never realy learned it. [But well enough to play cards, first as a teenager, with old Mrs. Rueping, then as a young married, with Rosa Kay, her grandmother-in-law.]
Although everyone told me what a great advantage I had to learn German [in Oconto], I never realy learned it. [But well enough to play cards, first as a teenager, with old Mrs. Rueping, then as a young married, with Rosa Kay, her grandmother-in-law.]
October 2, 2012
Aunt Minn & Uncle Albert
(1992 Memoirs)
There were several Ellmans who came "off the boat" whom I never really got to know in Oconto. There were the Ellmans "across the river," Aunt Minn and Uncle Albert, who never spoke English well. Uncle did more so than Aunt Minn because he mingled more with those who did speak it, the storekeepers and the neighbors, but for us and his wife always the mother tongue. One evening Aunt Olga and I walked over to see them. For some reason a bucket of water stood near the door and he bumped into it, spilling half. He jumped and swore but not with such a virile tongue as Aunt Minn. Aunt Olga, who of course took it all in, explained it to me later, omitting the swearing but pointing out to me how upset both were.
There were several Ellmans who came "off the boat" whom I never really got to know in Oconto. There were the Ellmans "across the river," Aunt Minn and Uncle Albert, who never spoke English well. Uncle did more so than Aunt Minn because he mingled more with those who did speak it, the storekeepers and the neighbors, but for us and his wife always the mother tongue. One evening Aunt Olga and I walked over to see them. For some reason a bucket of water stood near the door and he bumped into it, spilling half. He jumped and swore but not with such a virile tongue as Aunt Minn. Aunt Olga, who of course took it all in, explained it to me later, omitting the swearing but pointing out to me how upset both were.
October 1, 2012
Norwegian housekeeper
(1992 Memoirs)
Before she [Minnie] gave up [housekeeping], she hired a number of housekeepers, one of which was an aged Norwegian with blond hair long and gray and worn on a roll at the top of the head, very insecure. We got along fairly well although she was too lonely for her family to stay long. When I explained something to her, she would say when at last she understood, "Oh, daj but ee ay." "Yes," I'd say, "That's what it is."
Before she [Minnie] gave up [housekeeping], she hired a number of housekeepers, one of which was an aged Norwegian with blond hair long and gray and worn on a roll at the top of the head, very insecure. We got along fairly well although she was too lonely for her family to stay long. When I explained something to her, she would say when at last she understood, "Oh, daj but ee ay." "Yes," I'd say, "That's what it is."
September 28, 2012
Hoot!
(1992 Memoir)
The Ellmans, [Caroline & Frederick, came from Germany,] so their children were of German stock of which Hattie [Harriet] was the youngest. My mother, an invalid, enjoyed having Hattie come and she enjoyed the railroad trip. "Hoot!" my father would call to her. And both would shake with laughter because "Hoot" means "Hat" in German, about all the German my father knew. She was one of a family of six and a milliner by trade. She could take a straw frame, tack up the brim, run a narrow ribbon around a daisy, and you'd be proud to wear it to church.
The Ellmans, [Caroline & Frederick, came from Germany,] so their children were of German stock of which Hattie [Harriet] was the youngest. My mother, an invalid, enjoyed having Hattie come and she enjoyed the railroad trip. "Hoot!" my father would call to her. And both would shake with laughter because "Hoot" means "Hat" in German, about all the German my father knew. She was one of a family of six and a milliner by trade. She could take a straw frame, tack up the brim, run a narrow ribbon around a daisy, and you'd be proud to wear it to church.
August 10, 2012
Norwegians
(1966 August 13)
Norwegians, old and hard of hearing, gather in the hall chairs [outside LL's hospital room] and talk like crazy. LL tells the nurses it doesn't bother him at all but tells me it does. There is no lounge on 2nd & 3rd floors. He wanted the radio on and the nurse got all mixed up and handed him the TV remote control. Then the loan radio of Holly [Strang]'s wouldn't go. ... Holly brot him a new FM that played beautifully, blocking out the Norwegians with concert. Helped a lot.
Norwegians, old and hard of hearing, gather in the hall chairs [outside LL's hospital room] and talk like crazy. LL tells the nurses it doesn't bother him at all but tells me it does. There is no lounge on 2nd & 3rd floors. He wanted the radio on and the nurse got all mixed up and handed him the TV remote control. Then the loan radio of Holly [Strang]'s wouldn't go. ... Holly brot him a new FM that played beautifully, blocking out the Norwegians with concert. Helped a lot.
March 24, 2012
Direct method
(1993 June 30)
There is a nice maid here who often answers my bell at night - an ample figure, the prettiest blue eyes ever, married and two little girls.... They are about two, and their father can be with them nights when she works. ... When she comes in, I teach her a word in French, which delights her. "Just rattle off a sentence quick," she said tonight, "so I can hear how it sounds." I want to give her a book, but she says no time. And as we talked, a bell rang for her to go.
There is a nice maid here who often answers my bell at night - an ample figure, the prettiest blue eyes ever, married and two little girls.... They are about two, and their father can be with them nights when she works. ... When she comes in, I teach her a word in French, which delights her. "Just rattle off a sentence quick," she said tonight, "so I can hear how it sounds." I want to give her a book, but she says no time. And as we talked, a bell rang for her to go.
December 5, 2011
Word lover
(1992 March 18)
WhenI saw the article about the Yiddish language in the January Smithsonian, I was reminded of the time I stayed in your friend's apartment [in Lawrence] and did Lesson 1 in his Jewish grammar. I have always been fascinated by words, their origin, and usage, and realize I should have a Latin foundation.
WhenI saw the article about the Yiddish language in the January Smithsonian, I was reminded of the time I stayed in your friend's apartment [in Lawrence] and did Lesson 1 in his Jewish grammar. I have always been fascinated by words, their origin, and usage, and realize I should have a Latin foundation.
November 18, 2011
House call
(1991 September 11)
I called Fanau (teacher) and told her I didn't feel too peppy [and Jan could not take me to French class this semester] but was sorry, and she said "I will come to you, and you can write for me." So all is not lost.
I called Fanau (teacher) and told her I didn't feel too peppy [and Jan could not take me to French class this semester] but was sorry, and she said "I will come to you, and you can write for me." So all is not lost.
October 17, 2011
Syntax
(1991 May 5)
Now we can have a little argument about syntax. Goody! I am sure all your authors are wrong and I am right.... The Oxford English Dictionary is the one we should pay the most attention to - and if it says so, then I shall say no more, except that no one finds fault with my grammar, I THINK. I think. Especially written.
Now we can have a little argument about syntax. Goody! I am sure all your authors are wrong and I am right.... The Oxford English Dictionary is the one we should pay the most attention to - and if it says so, then I shall say no more, except that no one finds fault with my grammar, I THINK. I think. Especially written.
October 6, 2011
Punny story
(1991 March 29)
Jan read her paper in French last night; when she came to cabinets with drawers, Fanon [the teacher] laughed and said that word meant underwear.
Jan read her paper in French last night; when she came to cabinets with drawers, Fanon [the teacher] laughed and said that word meant underwear.
September 29, 2011
Lost letter
(1991 March 1)
As a French assignment, I wrote a letter to you. My teacher was delighted, and after I read it aloud, she read it to the class - then corrected the errors. [The letter itself was never sent.]
As a French assignment, I wrote a letter to you. My teacher was delighted, and after I read it aloud, she read it to the class - then corrected the errors. [The letter itself was never sent.]
August 31, 2011
On the same page
(1990 December 10)
I'll enclose my Frenchy paper. Really surprised I had that many mistakes! ... I have a hard time knowing what page we are on in class, as Franou [the teacher] stands on the other side. But when I am called on and find the page, I do very well.
I'll enclose my Frenchy paper. Really surprised I had that many mistakes! ... I have a hard time knowing what page we are on in class, as Franou [the teacher] stands on the other side. But when I am called on and find the page, I do very well.
August 28, 2011
French verbs
(1999 October 6)
I keep studying my French verbs and must say there is a strong temptation to slide roughshod over all using parlez as a guide. Then there is the a [with a grave accent] and the de choices. Glad there is no written test or grade.
I keep studying my French verbs and must say there is a strong temptation to slide roughshod over all using parlez as a guide. Then there is the a [with a grave accent] and the de choices. Glad there is no written test or grade.
August 22, 2011
Bad translations
(1999 August 6)
Thinking I needed a little higher education, I read "Tartuffe," "School for Wives," "School for Husbands" (Moliere) - in English, of course. It's hard enough getting the point even then.
Thinking I needed a little higher education, I read "Tartuffe," "School for Wives," "School for Husbands" (Moliere) - in English, of course. It's hard enough getting the point even then.
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