English Reviewer 1st Quarter PDF

English Reviewer 1st Topic: My Name by: Magoleng wa Selepe Look what they have done to my name... The wonderful name of my great-great-grandmothers Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa The burly bureaucrat was surprised. What he heard was music to his ears ‘Wat is daai, sê nou weer?’ ‘I am from Chief D...

English Reviewer 1st Topic: My Name by: Magoleng wa Selepe Look what they have done to my name... The wonderful name of my great-great-grandmothers Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa The burly bureaucrat was surprised. What he heard was music to his ears ‘Wat is daai, sê nou weer?’ ‘I am from Chief Daluxolo Velayigodle of emaMpondweni And my name is Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa.’ Messia, help me! My name is so simple, And yet so meaningful, But to this man it is trash... He gives me a name Convenient enough to answer his whim: I end up being Maria... I... Apartheid - African word that means separateness - It was a system of racial segregation that governed South Africa for 50 years. - There were 148 apartheid laws - Interracial marriages were banned During apartheid, many black South Africans had two names. One was the name that they were given by their parents and was in their own language. The other was a European name that their employers would refer to them by. In the poem, My Name, Magoleng wa Selepe writes about the effects of this. Bureaucrat - In African history, particularly during the colonial period, bureaucrats were often representatives of colonial powers. They were responsible for implementing colonial policies and maintaining order in the territories under their control. These officials were typically Europeans who enforced laws that served the interests of their home countries rather than those of the local populations. Xhosa - language in South Africa Lesson 2: The Secret Language 1st stanza - talks about how the main character learned English for the “fair stranger” and how she braided her hair as thick and beautiful as the serpent in the story of Eden. 2nd stanza - Talks about how the main character hides her breasts and surrenders her beads that she has worn since childhood. Before colonization, many African cultures had different norms regarding body exposure. In various communities, women’s breasts were not seen as inherently sexual but rather as a natural part of life associated with motherhood and nurturing. However, under colonial rule, these traditional practices were often suppressed or criminalized. Indigenous women faced social stigma and legal repercussions if they did not adhere to the imposed dress codes. 3rd stanza - Talks about how the father of the main character took her to a school in Bua and how the hair of her teacher was the color of corn. This can hint that the teachers were white. 4th stanza - talks about how the main character changed her name from Binaay to Christina and how she was told that she can make lace fine enough to lay upon an altar in a church in europe. 5th stanza - talks about how the main character(Binaay) cooks for her guests and how they praise her for her lemon pie and her english. 6th stanza - Talks about how the speaker lies uncorested on her bed. Extra details for you to know: The speaker’s struggle with her identity highlights the emotional toll that such assimilation can take, as she feels disconnected from her roots while trying to fit into a foreign society. English was used as the medium of instruction in the schools; American soldiers were the first teachers called ‘Thomasites’, their educational materials were from the United States (Galang, as cited in Litton, 1999: 87). Binaay is the speaker’s native name, one that has been “erased” with the coming of the Americans. The shifting of Binaay to Cristina may have been a result of her occupation as well. Topic 3 - Gentlemen of the Jungle by: Jomo Kenyatta Once upon a time an elephant made friends with a man. One day a heavy thunderstorm broke out, the elephant went to his friend, who had a little hut at the edge of the forest, and asked if he could share the shade with his friend. The man allowed this, but the elephant’s huge body flung the man out in the rain. The elephant dismissively claims that the man has “harder skin” and can manage the rain. Thus began a heated argument over the possession of the little hut. With the peace of the land disturbed came the Lion, who proclaimed himself as the King of the Jungle. The Lion decides that a Commission on Enquiry should look into the matter. The man was pleased that there was a Commission to decide on the dispute but was disappointed in knowing that there was no man in the Commission. The man was very pleased by the sweet words from the King of the Jungle, and innocently waited for his opportunity, in the belief that naturally the hut would be returned to him. After hearing mostly the side of Mr. Elephant, the commission decided that the hut will be occupied by the Elephant. They also suggested that the man is allowed to build another hut suited to his needs. Fearing the animals’ teeth and claws, the man did as they suggested. Unfortunately, his new hut is now taken over by Mr. Rhinoceros. Another Commision was called to investigate and the same finding was given. The man built a bigger and better hut and all the animals entered the abode. This resulted to a commotion as to which animal it belonged to. While they were busy arguing with each other, the man set the hut on fire, jungle lords and all. The man said to himself, “ Peace is costly, but it’s worth the expense” Historical context: Kenya was an independent country with over 90% of the population being African until from 1895 to 1963, Most of the plantations by Kenya were then owned by the British. After years of struggle, Kenya finally became an independent country in 1963 The major European powers split in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Africa amongst themselves. Their ability to do so stems from European weaponry being better, and the African chiefs were misinformed about the contents of the treaties they were required to sign. Consequently, Africans lost the grounds they had cultivated and lived on for generations. The tale makes clear the attitude towards European "expansion," It captures the sentiment of Kenya's Kikuyu people about European commissions and laws. Topic 4: Instant Justice by: Twefik al-Hakim I’ve no time to listen to stories. Defendant present. Fifty piastres... Abdal Rahman Ibrahim Abu Ahmed,” etc., Etc. 28“It seems that I’ve been too patient with you. You silly animal, you are supposed to know the law. Take him into custody, constable.” The next case was called. Before the usher could pronounce the name of the accused, the judge had weighed the file in his hand and found it heavy with the testimony of many witnesses. He glanced at his watch, and then looked at the advocate’s bench, where he saw no counsel for the accused. I understood that he intended to adjourn the case, and my expectation proved correct, for he turned to the Prosecution and asked, “Does the prosecution wish for an adjournment?” I went to sleep shortly after nightfall, for on the following day there was to be a session of the court, presided over by our brisk judge and I had instructed my assistant to be present, with myself by his side, to train him in court procedure and the formalities which are observed on these occasions. When morning came, I went to the court, where I found my assistant in the conference room holding under his arm the envelope containing his official sash. He was waiting for the judge, who soon arrived from his journey with the court usher. They were striding along and the judge was pulling money out of his pocket and handing it to Sha ban. The judge shut out his sentences like arrows. Nothing gave him pause. The usher only had time to call out each name once if he wished to keep up with the judge. If someone did not hear his name, he was considered absent and sentenced in absentia*. If someone happened to hear his case called, he would come rushing forward, only to be anticipated by the judge. The passage "Instant Justice" is from Journals of Deputy in the Nation written by the writer. After studying law in Paris and Cairo, he subsequently sought a career in both writing and law. This tale demonstrates his understanding of the nuances of his incisive words and legal profession lends gave this scathing, satirical article some color. Note: All of the information in this reviewer is from my notes and from presentations that Ma’am Jerrel posted in our google classroom. - Renzooo