Why yes, I believe I am a digital immigrant. I was born a long time ago, before even our esteemed professor. I am an only child and spent tons of time alone (latchkey kid!) with the family tv where I learned more about my parents' and grand-parents' generation than my own by watching black and white (and very, very white) shows like I Love Lucy, Leave It To Beaver, Dobie Gillis, to name a few. I have an iphone but I was very late in getting it and I'm pretty sure I could live without it most of the time. I like having access to information, however, but the most common way that I use my phone (not counting Red Sox recaps) is to use as a kind of meta-textual resource. For example, I was reading a book published and set in the early 70's yesterday and the author mentioned a particular brand of English car that I had never heard of, so I looked it up and it gave me a fuller picture of the story. I also get strange ideas about the etymology of English (or other) words while I'm reading. For example, I read something with the word "snake" and I suddenly needed to know why we use that word more than "serpent" (which is the word, or some variant, used in most Romance Languages.)
So, I think I see the internet and the various devices we use to link into it as "extras." If they disappeared tomorrow, I would be fine. I would not feel like I was missing out on anything. Yes, some things would be less convenient. I'd have to locate and buy a paper map, I guess, and I'd have to make more solid plans about where and when I'm going to meet with somebody rather than texting "there in 10 mins", but my life would continue blissfully along. I don't think the same would be true for the digital natives. But since they are not likely to disappear, it is I who have to continue learning the language, until it gives me a headache, until I begin to dream in its idiom.
Brent, I too watched very "white" tv shows with my family. Then again, what else was there to watch? Although I didn't use much technology, besides CollecoVision when it first came out, I was perfectly happy playing outside with my sisters and neighbors. I think the difference between you and I is that I WOULD miss it (technology) terribly. I use it to research, to get clarification, and now with my business, to promote (FREE) so others can learn about the services our studio offers. Can't beat that!!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post! "I Love Lucy" brings back so many fond memories of watching re-runs with my Nana. It is one of my all time favorite shows. Your YouTube video also really resonates with me. My in-laws often express that when even my kids speak in English around them - that is essentially what it sounds like. Similarly, when practicing listening comprehension skills in Spanish in my classroom, my students often express that the speakers speak "so fast" or "so mumbled."
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