The Second Book of Rhythms

by | Dec 6, 2024 | Rhythmanalysis

This is a proposal for The Second Book of Rhythms.

Overview: Building on the success and enduring influence of The First Book of Rhythms, The Second Book of Rhythms will deepen and expand Langston Hughes’s exploration of rhythm as a universal and unifying force in nature, art, and everyday life. Whereas the first book introduced young readers to the omnipresence of rhythm in the world around them—spanning everything from the growth patterns of plants to the beats of music and the flow of rivers—this sequel will take a more nuanced, layered approach. The Second Book of Rhythms will explore how rhythm intersects with memory, identity, social change, and technology, inviting readers to engage with rhythm not only as a concept but as a lens through which to interpret and reshape their world.

Objectives: The Second Book of Rhythms aims to:

  1. Expand the Conceptual Boundaries of Rhythm – Moving beyond foundational understandings of rhythm as patterns and cycles, the book will delve into rhythm’s role in shaping memory, language, identity, and community.
  2. Introduce Complex Rhythmic Patterns and Variations – Through the inclusion of syncopation, asymmetry, and cultural variations in rhythm, the book will reveal how rhythm can be both ordered and unpredictable, reflecting the complexity of the modern world.
  3. Promote Rhythmic Awareness as a Tool for Social and Personal Insight – By encouraging readers to recognize rhythms in language, social structures, and history, the book will emphasize rhythm’s role in building empathy, understanding diversity, and fostering change.

Outline of Contents:

  1. Rhythms of Memory and Tradition
    • This section will explore how rhythms can carry memories and histories within cultures and individuals. From the chants and songs passed down through generations to the rhythmic gestures of family traditions, rhythm serves as a vessel for memory. By presenting rhythm as a kind of “living archive,” the book will introduce young readers to the idea of heritage and the ways in which rhythm keeps our pasts alive in the present.
  2. Rhythms of Language and Storytelling
    • Language has its own rhythms—of speech, silence, repetition, and even body language. This chapter will delve into the patterns within spoken and written language, exploring the rhythm of storytelling, poetry, and dialogue. It will draw connections between rhythmic techniques like rhyme, meter, and cadence, and will encourage readers to listen for rhythm in conversations, stories, and their own thoughts.
  3. Urban Rhythms: The Beats of the City
    • Inspired by Hughes’s own experiences in vibrant, rhythmic urban centers like Harlem, this section will explore the distinctive rhythms of city life. From the patterns of footsteps on a crowded sidewalk to the sounds of subways, street vendors, and traffic lights, urban spaces pulse with complex, overlapping rhythms. Readers will be encouraged to observe these patterns and think about how urban rhythms shape individual and collective experiences.
  4. Rhythm and Identity
    • This chapter will present rhythm as an expression of identity, both personal and collective. Just as each person’s heartbeat or walk has a unique rhythm, so too do communities have their own shared rhythms in the form of rituals, festivals, and celebrations. Through examples from diverse cultural practices, this section will help readers consider how rhythm reflects who we are, both as individuals and as part of larger groups.
  5. Rhythms of Social Change
    • Rhythm is often a force for solidarity and resilience, as seen in protest songs, marches, and chants that drive social movements. This section will explore how rhythms—whether the steady beat of a march or the rousing cadence of a spoken word performance—help groups to unify and create change. By examining the rhythms of social change, the book will inspire young readers to think about the ways rhythm can be a tool for speaking out, standing together, and fostering hope.
  6. Rhythms in Technology and the Digital World
    • New technologies bring with them new rhythms, from the pace of data streaming to the rhythms of social media notifications. This chapter will introduce readers to the digital rhythms that shape modern life, encouraging them to notice the repetitive patterns of technology use and its impact on their own lives. The section will also touch on rhythms in modern innovations like coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
  7. Nature’s Subtle and Hidden Rhythms
    • In The First Book of Rhythms, Hughes celebrated visible rhythms in nature. Here, we’ll turn to the subtler, less perceptible rhythms—those of microscopic organisms, genetic cycles, and chemical reactions. With simplified explanations of biological rhythms, like circadian cycles, and geological rhythms, like tectonic shifts, this section will inspire wonder about the rhythms underlying all life and earth processes.
  8. Global Rhythms and Musical Diversity
    • Recognizing the diverse musical and dance traditions around the world, this chapter will celebrate the variety of rhythms that define different cultures. From Brazilian samba to Indian tabla beats and Irish reels, the book will introduce readers to rhythms that may be unfamiliar to them, cultivating an appreciation for cultural diversity through rhythmic expression.
  9. Everyday Rhythms: Finding Harmony and Balance
    • The final section will return readers to the rhythms of daily life, reminding them of the importance of finding their own balance and harmony. Whether it’s establishing a steady rhythm in their routines or recognizing the importance of rest and change, this chapter will encourage readers to see their own lives as rhythmic, flowing between periods of activity and reflection.

Format and Illustrations: Following the style of The First Book of Rhythms, The Second Book of Rhythms will feature simple, elegant illustrations that reflect the themes of each chapter. Illustrations will be designed to highlight rhythmic forms, with visual representations of cultural symbols, urban landscapes, nature’s cycles, and digital flows. The artwork will visually echo Hughes’s message, using recurring shapes and patterns to underscore the universality of rhythm while embracing the diversity of its expressions.

Pedagogical Approach: The Second Book of Rhythms will use accessible language to communicate sophisticated ideas, much as The First Book of Rhythms did. Exercises, prompts, and questions at the end of each chapter will encourage young readers to apply their understanding of rhythm to their own lives, fostering both reflection and observation. These interactive components will reinforce the book’s message that rhythm is not merely something to learn about but something to experience, notice, and create.

Target Audience: Though designed primarily for middle-grade readers, The Second Book of Rhythms will appeal to anyone with an interest in Hughes’s work, rhythm, or cultural studies. Its interdisciplinary approach makes it suitable for classroom use, spanning subjects such as literature, social studies, environmental science, and music. This book will be particularly valuable for educators aiming to foster mindfulness, cultural awareness, and appreciation for the interconnectivity of life.

Conclusion: The Second Book of Rhythms will continue Langston Hughes’s exploration of rhythm as a thread that weaves through every part of existence. By guiding readers to look for rhythm in new places—in their own memories, in social movements, in technology, and in cultural diversity—the book will extend Hughes’s legacy, inspiring new generations to see themselves as part of a vast, rhythmic world.

A Word a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

A Word a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

by | Dec 4, 2024 | Language, Pedagogy, Spain, USA

Today, I guessed the Spanish Wordle in just one turn–something I have never done in my native English. My heavy-vowel, go-to starter word, AUDIO, turned out to be the solution. It was a moment of sheer luck, of course, but it also felt like the perfect time to reflect on something I’ve been noticing for a while now: I might be better at Spanish Wordle than English Wordle.

Wordle has been a daily ritual for me going on three years now. I was a second-wave adopter, not getting hooked until after the quarantine(s) of COVID. Early on, I started to notice a pattern—my Spanish guesses were consistently more successful. I could regularly solve Spanish puzzles in four or fewer tries, while in English, I’d often need five or six. This was surprising to me, especially as a native English speaker who learned Spanish as an adult.

What could explain this unexpected trend? Does playing Wordle in a second language activate different cognitive processes that give me an edge? Could my streamlined, immersion-driven Spanish vocabulary help me focus on common, high-frequency words? Or does the predictable structure of Spanish make its puzzles easier to solve than English’s more irregular patterns? I set off to explore the differences in how I approach Wordle in my two languages. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

Cognitive Processes in a Second Language

Playing Wordle in Spanish activates a different part of my brain than when I play in English. As a second-language learner, I approach Spanish puzzles with heightened focus and logic, applying patterns and rules I’ve consciously learned over time. This deliberate process contrasts with the intuitive approach I often default to in English. While intuition can be quick, it isn’t always precise, especially when sifting through the vast pool of words I know as a native speaker.

In Spanish, my more methodical strategy seems to pay off. I’m forced to think critically about each guess, and this focus helps me make better decisions. Solving puzzles in a second language also feels like a challenge, one I approach with enthusiasm and motivation. This heightened engagement keeps me more alert and careful in my guesses, compared to the more relaxed way I tackle English puzzles.

Vocabulary Size and Active Usage

Another factor is the difference in my active vocabulary in the two languages. In English, I have a massive vocabulary that includes countless words I rarely, if ever, use. This breadth can actually work against me in Wordle because my brain has to sift through a much larger pool of possibilities. I often overthink, considering obscure or overly complicated words.

In Spanish, my vocabulary is more streamlined. It’s made up of practical, high-frequency words I’ve learned through study and immersion. These are the same kinds of words that tend to show up in Wordle, making it easier for me to zero in on likely answers. My familiarity with commonly used words in Spanish gives me an advantage, even though I’m not a native speaker.

Immersion and Context

Living in Spanish-speaking environments has further enhanced my ability to play Wordle in Spanish. Daily exposure to the language has given me a deep sense of its rhythms and patterns. I instinctively know that Spanish words often end in vowels like “a,” “e,” or “o,” and that plural forms commonly end in “s.” These structural tendencies are deeply ingrained in my mind from years of immersion, and they help me quickly eliminate unlikely combinations.

In English, however, the variety of words I encounter is broader and less predictable. English draws from a wide range of linguistic influences, making its word patterns more diverse. This diversity, while fascinating, can make it harder to anticipate solutions in Wordle.

Word Formation and Orthographic Regularity

The structural differences between English and Spanish also play a role. Spanish is highly phonetic, with a consistent relationship between sounds and letters. Once you know the basic rules, it’s easier to guess how a word is likely to be spelled. Spanish words also tend to be more uniform in structure, which helps when narrowing down possible answers.

English, by contrast, is full of irregularities. Silent letters, unpredictable vowel sounds, and an abundance of short, monosyllabic words add complexity to the puzzle. The inconsistency of English spelling means there are often multiple valid guesses for a single set of clues, making the process more challenging and time-consuming.

Emotional and Psychological Factors

Playing Wordle in Spanish also feels different emotionally. There’s a sense of accomplishment in solving puzzles in a second language, which makes the experience more enjoyable and rewarding. This added motivation might be part of why I perform better in Spanish—I’m simply more invested in the game when it’s in a language I’ve worked hard to learn.

In English, I sometimes take the game for granted. As a native speaker, I approach it more casually, which can lead to mistakes or missed opportunities. The novelty of playing in Spanish keeps me engaged and focused in a way that English doesn’t always manage to do.

What I’ve Learned

Wordle has taught me a lot about how language shapes the way we think and solve problems. My success in Spanish Wordle highlights the benefits of immersion and the power of focused, logical thinking. It’s also a reminder that sometimes, working with a smaller, more curated set of tools—in this case, my Spanish vocabulary—can lead to better outcomes.

This experience has even influenced the way I approach Wordle in English. I’ve started borrowing some of my Spanish strategies, like prioritizing vowel-heavy guesses and focusing on high-frequency word patterns. These adjustments have made me a better player in both languages.

Performing better in Spanish Wordle has been unexpected but fascinating. It reflects the unique ways that language learning and immersion shape cognitive processes and problem-solving skills. For me, it’s a reminder of how enriching it is to learn a second language—not just for communication, but for the surprising ways it changes how I think and engage with the world.

International Turkey Day

by | Nov 28, 2024 | Potpourri, USA

For USAmericans living abroad, the holiday season often brings a craving for the familiar flavors of home. Bell’s Seasoning, with its blend of savory herbs, has been a staple in New England kitchens for generations, especially in Thanksgiving and holiday meals.

If you’re having trouble finding it locally, making a similar version at home is simple and requires only a few basic spices. Here’s a straightforward recipe to help you recreate this traditional seasoning and bring a bit of home to your holiday table, wherever you are.

This recipe approximates the flavor profile and works well as a substitute for the store-bought version.

Homemade Bell’s Seasoning Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried sage

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

-Combine the Herbs and Spices: In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients.

-Mix Well: Stir thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly blended.

Get Out The Vote, Get Out AND Vote

Get Out The Vote, Get Out AND Vote

by | Nov 4, 2024 | Geographical Imaginations, Political Geography, Potpourri, USA

Tomorrow’s Election Day in the United States of America, and here’s a reminder of how much one vote can matter.

In 1994, a Connecticut congressional race came down to just four votes out of 186,000. That’s right—four votes decided the winner, and it became a headline story in The New York Times. As a senior Political Science major, I was working with a coalition of student groups on the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus.  We registered nearly 1,000 students to vote. In an election that close, those votes certainly had an impact.  This was one of only eight Congressional elections in the entire 20th century won by single digits.

So if you’re debating whether to vote, remember: it can literally come down to a handful of ballots. Make it count.

 

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Cartogram – a type of map in which geographic areas are distorted in proportion to a specific data attribute rather than representing their actual physical size.

The image above is from Bloomberg’s CityLab MapLab, featuring their 2024 blank presidential cartogram, ready for the first results. This cartogram minimizes physical geography and instead highlights election outcomes by resizing each state according to its electoral votes. This approach avoids the visual bias of traditional election maps, which can misrepresent popular support by giving equal visual weight to areas with vastly different populations.

 

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(Note: Yes, I voted by mail from Spain.)

 

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#Vote #MakeYourVoteCount #PowerOfOneVote #YourVoiceMatters #VoteForChange #DemocracyInAction #StandUpAndVote #BeTheDifference #YourVoteYourFuture #HonorYourRight #VoteWithPurpose #ChooseYourLeaders #EveryBallotCounts #OneVoteMatters #CountMeIn #ShapeTheFuture #OneVoteOneVoice #ThePowerOfVoting #ThisIsYourVoice #ShowUpAndVote #VoteBecauseYouCan #TakeAStand #RaiseYourVoice #ElectionDayReady #YourChoiceYourVoice #VoteResponsibly #FutureInYourHands #ClaimYourVoice #VoteForTomorrow #ActOnYourBeliefs #ChangeStartsHere

Bon Hiver

by | Oct 21, 2024 | Alto Aragon, Geographical Imaginations, Spain

Bon hiver from the Valle de Chistau in Alto Aragón in the Pirineo Aragonés.  The phrase “Bon hiver“ is a French expression that directly translates to “Good winter” in English. The phrase is often used as a seasonal greeting or farewell, wishing someone a pleasant or mild winter, particularly in regions where the cold season can be long and harsh.

Etymology and Background

“Bon” originates from the Latin word “bonus,” meaning “good,” while “hiver” comes from the Latin “hibernum,” referring to winter. The term “hiver” is closely related to words like “hibernation,” reinforcing the idea of surviving or thriving during the colder months. Together, “Bon hiver” serves as a way of expressing goodwill during winter, akin to wishing someone a “Happy Holidays” in English-speaking cultures.

Cultural Significance

The phrase is most notably used in Québec, where the arrival of winter is a significant event due to the region’s often extreme cold. People in Québec greet each other with “Bon hiver” as a way of acknowledging the season and wishing for a manageable or enjoyable winter. In this context, the phrase captures the local spirit, where community and warmth are important in facing the harsh winter months.

Northern Exposure and Broader Popularity

“Bon hiver” gained broader recognition outside of French-speaking regions thanks to an episode of the popular TV series Northern Exposure. In the episode titled “First Snow” (season 5, episode 10), the residents of the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, use the phrase to greet one another as winter approaches. The quirky small-town setting of Northern Exposure, where characters often blend cultures and traditions, made the phrase a perfect fit for the community-oriented show. In Cicely, “Bon hiver” becomes a seasonal farewell, reflecting a collective wish for everyone to endure or enjoy the coming winter.

The phrase also saw a resurgence in popularity through the American indie musician Bon Iver, whose name is a stylized version of “Bon hiver.” The name, like the phrase itself, reflects a deep connection to winter, and the cold, reflective mood is a recurring theme in Bon Iver’s music.

“Bon hiver” remains a warm and thoughtful way to wish someone well during the colder months. Its roots in French culture and its spread through popular media give it a unique place in both everyday language and artistic expression.

From Puerto Saúnc (1999 meters) above San Juan de Plan in the Valle de Chistau.

Monte Perdido in the distance.

Monte Perdido (3355 m)