On constructive, creative writing criticism.
From Suzie: Hi there dear,
Another word to watch for is the word "that". I didn't realize it but I use it a lot. Perhaps it’s a holdover from our cultural background but someone once said he noticed a lot of Africans like using the word "that". I was shocked. I went back and noticed I had it all over my writing. I found out it is not a very useful word except for if you are directing someone's attention to an object they need to notice. 
From me: Hi my sweet,
I laughed so hard over the "that" criticism. Suzie, you are a mess, cracking me up like that, ha ha ha haaaa, aah!!! Anyway, ok, so, per your friend, this problem is unique to African's solely dependent on our culture?
Is that right?
Well now, that, to me, is a bunch of nonsense. That can't be accurate at all.
Aargh! Please let the world know that the jury is still out on the fact that Africans use the word "that" a lot.
His criticism reminded me of our grade school English grammar teacher who abhorred the use of the word, “and” and the combo “and then.”
I laughed so hard over the "that" criticism. Suzie, you are a mess, cracking me up like that, ha ha ha haaaa, aah!!! Anyway, ok, so, per your friend, this problem is unique to African's solely dependent on our culture?
Is that right?
Well now, that, to me, is a bunch of nonsense. That can't be accurate at all.
Aargh! Please let the world know that the jury is still out on the fact that Africans use the word "that" a lot.
His criticism reminded me of our grade school English grammar teacher who abhorred the use of the word, “and” and the combo “and then.”
Reading this little aside essay would put her in ICU after she has doused the entire piece in red corrective scritch scratch. Here's to you grammar teacher:
I’ve sorta accepted the criticism: AND THEN I offer: Can he let us be who we are and then allow that to be okay with him. And then as soon as he accepts us, and our writing, He'll find out that, "That's not so bad after all!"
And, that we're fun and much more accepting of others; if only because, you all came from Africa and that's a fact. And that when you visit Africa, you're just coming Home!
So, don't be surprised when at the airport you hear, "Karibu Nyumbani (Welcome Home!): Mama, Baba, Ndugu (friend), Dada (sister), Kaka (brother)."
And that all will be well. And that's alright! And That (pause, pause, nod head),,, is That!
However, I can assure you, because we spend 5 out of 7 days at work, my coworkers and I tend to speak a lot alike, just like family members. I know that for a fact, they use/misuse the word "That" just as liberally as I do. I know this because we constantly, all day, regale each other with passenger tales and use it as an emphasis word. So now, your friend has to revisit and revise his statement. Seriously, when I reexamined the way I talk, I truly use "that", a whole lot.
"Now, that's funny!" Qualifying someone’s effort at a joke that didn't quite hit the punch line, ok? Basically, a badly delivered joke, and I don't want to hurt your feelings.
"Now, that's funny!" Qualifying someone’s effort at a joke that didn't quite hit the punch line, ok? Basically, a badly delivered joke, and I don't want to hurt your feelings.
Get me?
You, laughing your behind off, "That, is so not right!" In reply to a story that’s tragically funny. Like an extra sized person stuck to a seat in an amusement park's "Fun for all" ride. And the fat person is like, "I am like a gazillion MILES from amused right now, where are the freakin’ pliers???"
At times, we even drag it out. For an example, you're hanging your head low, arms folded, swinging your head from right to left after receiving some shocking news, such as: the shooting death of an innocent neighbor, thanks to a stray bullet fired in a seedy community... "Uh Uh, Thaaaaat, is soooo not right!"
"Now, "that," pause three beats for dramatic effect, while grinning and approvingly bobbing my head up and down, "is what I’m talking about!"
Angry, excited, talk to the hand pause: "Am sorry, but "that"," pause, pause "is bollox."
You, laughing your behind off, "That, is so not right!" In reply to a story that’s tragically funny. Like an extra sized person stuck to a seat in an amusement park's "Fun for all" ride. And the fat person is like, "I am like a gazillion MILES from amused right now, where are the freakin’ pliers???"
At times, we even drag it out. For an example, you're hanging your head low, arms folded, swinging your head from right to left after receiving some shocking news, such as: the shooting death of an innocent neighbor, thanks to a stray bullet fired in a seedy community... "Uh Uh, Thaaaaat, is soooo not right!"
"Now, "that," pause three beats for dramatic effect, while grinning and approvingly bobbing my head up and down, "is what I’m talking about!"
Angry, excited, talk to the hand pause: "Am sorry, but "that"," pause, pause "is bollox."
Ok, here is my conundrum, take the "that" OUT of these sentences, and my emphasis has completely disappeared!! Am just trying to make people laugh, not be grammatically correct. If I were doing an English grammar exam however, I would watch my "that's". My main aim is to make my audience laugh and I will use whatever word I feel effectively conveys my message (Ref: badly delivered joke)
A LITTLE LATER ON:
Rewrite: Jamie is adamant (blank) I should become a creative writer.
Eh? Am learning!
"Now, that's funny!" Rephrased: "Funny!"
"That, is so not right!" Rephrased: "So not right". I never realized it, same effect.
"Uh Uh, Thaaaaat, is soooo not right!" Rephrased : Unacceptable!
"Now, "that," pause three beats for dramatic effect, while grinning and approvingly bobbing my head up and down, "is what I’m talking about." Rephrased: "Sweet!"
Angry, excited, talk to the hand pause: "Am sorry, but "that"," pause, pause "is bollox!" Rephrased: "Am sorry, but am going to have to call bullshit on this one."
Or just the reliable hand in your face while looking away and a sharp, "Ah ah!" or, same gesture + "Stop!"
I need to stop, huh? How about that?
Suzie,
Accept my humble apology. You are wiser than you know. Forgive me for challenging your criticism. I’m in the baby steps here, still learning. I can promise you, dear friend, that I shall never confront your criticism again.
Sometimes I think am too aggressive for my own good. I can't wait to see where this chapter in your and my life takes us.
Love you toots,
Njoki
That article about that is something else and then the more I think about that,the more I wonder what that is all about.
ReplyDeleteDo I get an F from that teacher that you were a both talking about?
My own little contribution to that article about THAT.
Thanks for That. Yes, that's an automatic F, my friend. That's the same thing I'd have said. I don't buy that argument anyway. That's that!
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