Early Marriages

This is another assignment of mine that I submitted for one of my subjects in college... =)
So, here you go...

Early Marriages

Most of the time, early marriages are related to child marriages. However, this time I would like to relate early marriages to adults whom range from the age of 17 to 25 and not children. As fact, we all have known that child marriages are unacceptable and irrational and there are many articles about it on the internet that you can immediately get to in a second. In contrast, early adult marriages are not discussed as much as child marriages while many know that the situation is almost equally harmful. To note, most of the time women have always been the victims of these marriages. In today’s world, most women are educated and so are the men however, why do we encounter subjects such as divorce, cheating spouses, suicide, abortion and baby dumping? Have any of us actually thought about this? That is why I am incorporation certain points in the coming paragraphs.

The main cause for such incident to take place comes from root. By root I mean, the family. Specifically I mean the elders in the family. Young adults are very vulnerable to emotional blackmails from their family members although they are the most stubborn creatures. They are aware of their responsibilities towards their family and they know if their family’s decisions are right or wrong. However, when it comes to emotional blackmail, all logics are thrown out the window and the only matter that would be taken into count is the happiness of their elders. The elders in most families are not to be said uneducated although there are some whom are uneducated or whom are lack of education. Well, the matter is that they are not up to date with the current world. They are still stuck with their own old mentalities and old principles which many of us know that not all are applicable in the current world. On top of that, many elders have the misconception that early marriage could lead to early pregnancies that could lead to having more grandchildren. Young adults automatically become victims of their elders’ needs.

The effect that would come of this irrational decision could lead to young adults ending up in divorce cases. The reason to this is that, young adults whom are forced into early marriages are stuck in a stressful situation of not accepting their spouses for who they are. Sometimes, too many differences of each other’s personality and characteristics could lead to emotional frustration as they are constantly fighting within themselves. Young adults whom are married when they are at the age range of 21-25 will have financial problems as they did not have the time to develop their career. If one cannot support himself, how can he be able to support a family? Taking a woman into account, if she is married of to a man of doesn’t matter what age he is, or how financially stable he is or even how settled he is, the woman will still suffer in the future if any kind of problem comes up. This is because the woman will be very dependant on the man for all kind of support. On top of that, being married off at a very young age, might have caused the woman to give up on her own hopes and dreams as of now, she has been forced to take the responsibility of a wife. It costs more if the woman does not have a higher education for her to be able to support herself which will cause her to be totally dependant on the man she’s married to and put up with much critical troubles in the future. Especially, if she has children or experience domestic abuse.

Furthermore, early marriage between young adults could also lead them to cheat on their spouses. Having been forced to get married is not a mild issue. It involves emotion. Women are well known to be emotional. Men, on the other hand are equally the same but, we can’t see it because, they don’t express themselves like women do. Women are known to be vulnerable so, when a woman cries it is very casual. It is not a new matter. It is bound to happen. In contrast, when a man cries, it is weird. This is actually a general point of view because, men are always known as the stronger gender. Men are known to be stone hearted. However, we always overlook the fact that, both men and women are just normal human beings and, human beings have emotions and God never restricted any of his children from expressing themselves. Getting married at a very young age and against self will, young couples will go through misunderstandings as they can’t accept the marriage whole heartedly to surrender himself/herself to the person he/she is married to entirely because of his/her guilty conscience. Therefore, there will be lack of communication, lack of physical and emotional attachment towards their spouses. This would lead them to find for happiness outside their marriage. Miscommunication would lead to the lack of attention towards each others’ emotional and physical needs and this does not just include men but, it also includes women as well. In the current world, this has become very normal especially among young married couples.

Therefore, young adults whom are forced into early marriages should learn to communicate with their elders and try to make them understand that it takes time for both individuals to be sure that they are ready to be married as well as ready to start a family. Young adults should learn to speak for themselves and realize, it’s their life that they are putting at risk and others’. They should realize that they are the ones that are going to be living together against their own will and not their elders. Marriage is a sacred foundation of starting a new honest life with two willing hearts and, not the foundation that should be started with compromise and lies. They should keep this in mind. 

Q8-9 - TLT Assignment

Q8: From the reading and discussion, what in your opinion is language planning?

Q9: And why do you think language planning is needed?

            In my opinion, language planning is proving that a country is developing. When a country develops, the people in the country should develop cognitively as well. It is not logical if the country moves forward and the people don’t. It should work hand in hand. Language planning in a country shows the world outside the country that, it is catching up with all the other developments in the present. It also allows purposeful communications to occur between the people of our country and people of other countries. It allows easy exchange of information as well as knowledge. The best part of all these is that, people can understand other people easily as well as avoid misunderstanding to occur. Language planning also allows people to be less stereotypical. Changes that occur in today’s world also cause changes in attitudes of people. Having language planning system in a country, allows everyone to see each other as equal.

Q7- TLT Assignment

Q7: Bahasa Melayu is taken as our National language so that it stands as a symbol of our unity; a language that unite the multiracial Malaysians as well as representing the nation.

i)                    What will the impact be on our national language?

ii)                  What are our efforts to help our own language?

See, this is why I keep stressing that the English language should not be looked upon as a threat to the national language. Even if it is seen as one, we should always be aware that, the survival of the national language relies on the loyalty of its people to make sure that their language is not dead. Why not implement that all of those whom want to apply for any government scholarships or jobs be competent in the language through paper and through verbal practices. We have to realise that, we play an important role in the survival of the language. If our people ignore this fact, then I am sorry to say the situation is not that of language killing another language. It is people killing their own language. Like it or not, this is the truth.

Q6- TLT Assignment

Q6: What are other items which come together with a language?

            Most people easily relate the English language to the western/European culture/way of living. The thing is, is doesn’t have to be that way. We Malaysians are famously known for our culture and multiethnic way of living. Why not bring that back? The world use to know us in a way that no matter how established we are, we hold on to our roots. Why not bring that back. Yes, our young generations are very much exposed and influenced by foreign cultures as well as materials and no matter how much we try it won’t stop getting to them. So, why not try a totally new approach to handle the matter. First of all, everything has to come from the family. The way they are brought up, family values, religious values, so on and so fort. There are multiple ways that we can handle the issue, its just that we confine ourselves in something and not letting ourselves out there to be open to suggestions. Every other country has its influence in Malaysian society but, does our society have any influence on any of the other? Nope, I don’t think we’ll ever get an answer. If we do get answer, it would be an unbearable truth and might raise political or racial issues.

Q5- TLT Assignment

Q5: Do you support the government’s implementation of learning Mathematics and Science in English? Why?

            Yes, I do support the government’s implementation of learning Mathematics and Science in English. Honestly, I think this is one decision that the government did right. If you ask me why do I think it’s the right decision that they have made so far? I would say; ‘because it will benefit the country.’ Every story takes time to reach its success. According to what I feel as a student, if they would have given some more time, they could have seen improving results.

            We Malaysian always have tons of reason for why we should not do things but, can’t come up with one of why we should and even we do come up with one, it is always arguable. Why is that? When it was implemented that Maths and Science was to be taught in English, it gave our students hope that; ‘yes, we are going somewhere together and not alone. We are trying to succeed together and not alone.’ Like I said earlier, let not the country succeed alone but, to succeed with its people. Well, students might not realize it consciously but, subconsciously they know there is a hope.

            There were matters involving students from rural areas not being able to cope with the changes due to limited references, lack of teachers, insufficient supports and the struggle of learning the core subjects in English but, in every success stories there are challenges. People see these problems separately and that is why it seems like it’s too much to handle. Let’s see this problem as one shall we? In one word all the problem can be put into one word which is; challenge.  Yes implementing a second language into the curriculum is by itself a challenge. See, common sense will tell you that every success will take its own phase of time to be achieved. It was just a matter of time that we were about to see real results but, we backed off early.

            The failure was blamed on several factors of the challenge. Firstly, it was due to limited references available in the rural areas. References limited or not, does not mean that they are unavailable. References are available but they are not used up to their full potential and to my understanding, references can be recycled for future use. If you want to relate the limitation of references to the limitation of IT available in the rural areas, still I’d say; ‘although it is limited, it does not mean that it is unavailable!’This leads me to the next factor which is the lack of teachers, now this is one of the most annoying reasons of all time. See, our country does not lack of teachers at all, it lacks of quality teachers.

 All our teachers are qualified to teach but, they don’t put much effort into teaching. As beginner teachers, they might have the enthusiasm but, in time that enthusiasm fades. Society has this stereotypical mind set that a teacher’s job is really easy. What they don’t know is that like other jobs, being a teacher has its risks as well. See, like all other profession the teaching profession has its own principles. Teachers are bound to teach according to the specific curriculum that has been set by the Education Ministry. However, we should understand that every learner has his/her own way of learning. On top of that, even in a small organization such as school has its politics. Language teachers especially, have to be able to use whatever resources they have in that rural area to make the lessons in the classrooms to be purposeful. Therefore, instead of saying that we lack of teachers to teach in the rural areas, it’s better to make some improvements for them to be much useful. Teach teachers to make everything they’ve got useful.

This brings us to the next point; ‘insufficient support’. This factor refers to two types of support; one’s financial support and the other is the support from the society. Financial wise, I would say we can manage. We think that our government can’t do much but, the truth is, they can. We pay many types of taxes in our country. Tolls are everywhere along the high way and people are travelling everyday sometimes their trips are more than once. I’d say, we out government can manage their financial well; we wouldn’t have any kind of financial problem to provide for the education of the people in the rural areas. It is possible for our government to provide financial support for those from the rural areas. Not only that, our government have to have to decide and prioritize. Taking steps, one at a time could help to solve the issue.

The other issue about the support from the society is that, people from the rural areas are easy to manipulate. When people from higher authority tell them that the English Language jeopardise the stand of the national language, they believe it. Higher authorities constantly confuse them and take advantage of their trust. What I believe that should be done is that, instead of threatening them that the English causes jeopardy to the national language, why not inform them why the English language is important for them to learn in order for them to have a secure future. Our government officials have to stop mixing politics and education. Only then, they can come up with a secure and healthy education plan for the country.

On top of that, the last factor that worries everybody is the difficulties that students face in learning the core subjects especially maths and science in English. Not only do the students face these difficulties, even teachers are facing difficulties teaching these subjects in English as they have been teaching in Bahasa for a very long time. However, this does not mean they should give up on it. The main reason why the government implemented that maths and science being taught in English is so that, students have more reason to communicate and learn the language quicker as well as help them think using the language. I repeat again, that this does not mean that the implementation of the language is to jeopardise the status of the national language. People should realise that, most scientific terms are of the English language which makes it easier for our learners to step into the grounds of higher educations as the syllabus in higher education systems are in English.

Q4 - TLT Assignment

Q4: Who exactly need the language most?

            I can actually name a few for this question but, I’d round it all up and say; ‘everyone in this country need the language.’ I don’t favour that only specific group of people should need the language. I think everybody should need it. They method here should be; ‘nobody gets left behind,’ not ‘I win, you lose.’ What is wrong if a cobbler can speak English? The language won’t be tainted would it? A cobbler in America and England can speak English. Even a Scottish cobbler with the weirdest accent can speak English why not a Malaysian cobbler? Why the grading system?

            Everyone needs the knowledge of this language. Only then, can this country really move forward not only by itself but, with its people. I think, this is why politicians and normal people somehow have conflicts one way or another. It’s because, in our society there is a grading system. A judging system of who belong to which group of people. Generally, everyone see that those who communicate in English are very bright and sophisticated people. Can you see the double standards? Do you want to know why double standards exist in our society? It’s because we created it. We fed it. To speak up the truth, our national language is not dying. We are killing it. We are asked to learn the English language. However, we used it as a weapon to kill another language. Language should be taught as knowledge and, knowledge should be respected. Like people, every language has its colour and kind. Language does not belong to a particular group or party. It does not have an owner. Everybody is entitled to learn any kind of language without restriction. They are entitled to learn it with passion for knowledge. Language should not be mistaken as a tool to improve ones status. So, if you ask me; ‘who needs the language most?’ I will always say; ‘EVERYBODY needs it.’ No more, no less.

Q3 - TLT Assignment

Q3: Why do we need English?

            Like I have said earlier, English is essential. Before civilization, a human only basic need for survival was food, shelter and water. However now, during an improving civilization and growth of technology communication has become one of the most important skills of survival. Yesterday humans hunt for food in the jungles and rivers. Today humans can hunt for food in supermarkets by purchasing them using green papers with inked values on them which we call; money. Get the comparison? All I am indicating is that, our world today is moving really fast and probably ahead of time.

            Where am I getting to with all of this? Well, simply said, communication is the one way that shows that humans are civilized. However, why is it that English is much important than any other languages? What is so special about English? In my opinion, I assume that it’s because, most countries around the world were colonized by the British during the early years before WWI. Therefore, the traces of the language have been left behind some how allowing it to be possible for almost anyone to pick up the language. However, we cannot expect everyone to be as fluent as the native speakers because, everybody is from somewhere, and that somewhere has its culture and its own accent which everyone will carry with them in their tongue.

            Coming straight to the point, we need English because it is the one language that people worldwide can understand. You can go anywhere from Malaysia and still be able to survive if you can communicate fluently in English. Knowing to speak English is also a requirement for employers to hire employees nowadays. The English language is also known as the professional language as it is widely used for formal businesses, political and economical matters. It is a professional language. Malaysia is a multiracial country and not all of its citizen mother tongue is the Bahasa Melayu language which causes the issue of the national language still hanging and highly sensitive. I am not arguing on which language should be our national language. In fact, I care less about it. Language is art, not a political tool. The English language is mainly important for our purpose of surviving in the outside world. It is essential for the growth of the country. The mastery of the language shows how our people are growing as well. To accept and learn the language does not mean to abandon the national language. To accept and learn the language shows that our people are mature and can handle much more than what we already have in hand. We are up to the challenge.

Q2 - TLT Assignment

Q2: Recall a situation where English was seen as prestigious?

            Well, I can’t recall any moment in the country’s history when English was seen prestigious but, what I can recall is the time I can remember that the language was prestigious. I can’t say that the time frame I would be giving is overly accurate. Therefore, I hope that the information that I am about to give can be bared.

             As written in the history books that I have been forced to study during my schooling years, I realize that during the British colonial years in Malaya, English is seen as a very prestigious language. It was known to be the language of those whom hold a political position in the government during those times. It was to make the communication between the British and the Malayan government easier. All of those whom want to hold a staff position in the government sectors must know the language and enrol in English speaking schools during the time. There was even a time when we had schools based on the language that the curriculum was taught in. There were English schools, Malay schools, Tamil schools and Chinese schools. Each of these schools have their curriculum taught in their favoured language as those whom join the schools at the time are of those people which their mother tongue is of that particular language. Probably because it makes it easier for them to learn and the communication is easier as it could be understood by their respective learners.

            The other time that I remember that the language was popular and is at its most prestigious stage was when the Education Ministry decided to change the whole syllabus into English except the Bahasa Melayu/Malaysia. It was the one time that the English Language was at its peak moment and was obvious to everyone across the country. It was at these moments that all citizens realized that the language was essential for the future generations to have a better future. Math and Science – including physics, biology and chemistry – were taught in English. During the early years of these implementation, there were students whom faced problem of learning these subjects in English but, later on they became accustomed to the system. Students were actually starting to understand everything that’s taught in English although not very successfully but, there were improvement.

However, the change of curriculum from Bahasa to English had caused certain parties to be unsatisfied. It was argued that the implementation of such way might cause the depletion of the national language. It is argued that the implementation might cause the national language to be a dead language as everyone find the English language to be overly essential for the world today. It was argued that, ‘if a country such as Japan which is successful can stand by their national language why can’t a country such as ours stand by our national language despite of how important the English language is to the world.’ I do not have any comments on the statement. However, I would suggest that these parties not be too stereotypical. Learning the English language does not mean to kill the other languages. The survival of the national language is in the hands of its own people and we are its people. As much as the national language depends on us for its survival, we depend also on the English language to survive not only in the country but, outside the country as well.

Q1 - TLT Assignment

Q1: In your opinion, what is the status of English Language in Malaysia?

            In my opinion the status of the English language is improving from time to time. The usage of the English language has become very important as the growth of private economical sectors in Malaysia is increasing. On top of that, English is widely spoken by most Indians and Chinese residents in Malaysia. However even the locals (Malays) are becoming fluent – especially those whom are from the urban areas – using the language.

            Over the years, English has become a very demanding language all over the world. In fact, the English language is known also as the international language. Everyone in the world is picking up the language. In Malaysia none the less, the language has been given a lot of attention too. Education wise, all English language teachers in Malaysia have been constantly improving their teaching methods, techniques and approach to make sure that all students can speak, listen, read, write and understand the language fluently as well as accurately. However, I would remind that the latest method that is famously used by all teachers is the CLT (Communicative Language Teaching) method. This method focuses more on fluency than it focuses on accuracy. Many believe that students would catch up on the language much quickly and understand how to use the language accurately by communicating the language. However, this statement is arguable.

            The status of the English language in Malaysia as said earlier is improving in time and I would say that eventually all Malaysian will be fluent and accurate in using the language as all our educators are improving themselves as well. Not only are our educators are improving, our citizens have grown aware of the importance of the language as well. Parents especially have been intense about the usage of the language. Most parents from the urban areas and are of sophisticated lifestyle are training their children to speak the language from a very young age. Some of those children’s first language believe or not is English and even their mother tongue becomes their second language and not their first language. Therefore, I would say, we wait and watch the changes that bring in the form of language in our country.

Announcement =)

Well, I am currently working on an assignment given to me by my lecturer related to the importance of the English language and some bunch of other stuff. I was writing and writing and writing and, I figured, why not post it up here on my blog? I think it's really good and maybe it could help some of you out there in some sort of way; information wise or knowledge wise. I would be posting it either this Friday or Saturday. So, I hope you guys would like it. There are nine questions that I had to answer in essay form for this assignment, and It is more than just five pages long. However, I think I would upload it question by question to make it easier for you guys.

Peace... I'm out.

Good night.

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Loneliness

Loneliness...

They say is to be feared.

Loneliness...

They say is sad.

Why?

I wonder;

Because I feel it is my best companion.

It expects nothing from me 

And nor do I.

It offers me it's time 

It offers me peace.

It does not interrupt me

It does not need my commitment.

And I enjoy its companionship.

Loneliness...

Does not scare me.

Pain...

Is what I fear the most,

People is what I fear most,

Losing them is what I fear most,

Letting go is what I fear most.

They say loneliness causes pain but, 

I would say pain causes loneliness.

I have learnt to be a friends with my loneliness.

I have learnt to be happy with my loneliness.

Now, 

I fear if someone might take away my friend.

I fear if I have to change they way we are.

I fear that it would be the same when I leave and return again.

Would I be happy with my loneliness when I bring pain along?

I wonder...