Discuss:
- Comment on the form and structure of the poem.
- How would you describe the mood of the poem?
- Listen to Jackie Kay reading her poem (link to YouTube video of Jackie Kay reading her poem), and pay attention to the way she pronounces the Scottish words that she has 'lost'. Compare this to her pronunciation of her ‘new’, more posh words. What is the difference? Is the contrast intended, you think?
- There is no traditional rhyme at the end of the sentences. But there are still words that rhyme and that bind the poem together. Can you identify any of these?
- This poem is written in free verse (i.e. without a strict metre and rhyme scheme). Considering the topic of the poem (language), do you think she would have been able to convey her message to the reader in the same way using formal verse?
- When reading the poem, you get a feeling that the girl had no say in the matter, and that she had no control over her loss of words. It just happened, like an invasion. Could you identify words and phrases where this is implied?
- Kay starts the second stanza with a simile: "My own vowels started to stretch like my bones". What is a simile? And what does she mean by this sentence?
- You find another simile in the second stanza: "Did you ever feel sad when you lost a word, Did you ever try and call it back, like calling in the sea?" What do you think she means by this?
- In the third stanza she states that "Out in the English soil, my old words buried themselves." Explain what she means by this. Are they lost forever? Can they be found? What kind of literary device is this?
- Can you find an example of repetition in the last stanza? What is the effect of this repetition?
Write:
How well do you master the different languages you speak? Do you understand the cultural and linguistic nuances equally well in each language? Can you crack a joke in another language? Which language would you prefer if you were going to express your innermost emotions? Would you use different languages with different people in your life?
Write a personal text where you discuss how you use your languages, the limitations you may feel that you have, and the advantages of speaking more than one language.
Find a suitable title for your text.
Talk:
The Norwegian language is also changing. Especially young people are responsible for introducing more English words and expressions into the Norwegian language. Is this a positive or negative development?
Divide the class into groups of four, where half of the groups find arguments supporting the first statement below, while the other half find arguments supporting the second statement. Take notes and write down your arguments.
Statement 1: We should avoid too much influence from English and try to keep the Norwegian language as pure as possible.
Many people are afraid that the Norwegian language is influenced by English too much, and that we are about to lose parts of our identity because of this. Some are even afraid that the language will disappear altogether in a few years.
Statement 2: We cannot fight the evolution of languages. Instead, we need to embrace and welcome the changes.
Others would claim that languages have always evolved and changed and that this is a normal development. They claim that there are many positive sides to English becoming a more integrated part of Norwegian, and that English already is a part of our identity.
After you have made a list of arguments, two and two groups should go together, one group supporting the first statement and one supporting the second statement. Present your arguments and try to convince the other group that you are right. All members in the group should participate in the discussion. Let the discussion carry on for as long as possible.