Little Words

Kids sometimes make up funny words. A few of the most memorable words created by our daughters over the years include:

– Dubberfly (butterfly)

– Purpur (purple)

– Burcept (except)

– Jamamas (pajamas)

We didn’t bother correcting these words because, well, they’re cute. Besides, we figured they’d straighten them out eventually. And for the most part, I always understood how they thought these words were valid. Children are phonetic creatures who pick up language patterns from their environment. And yes, they eventually straightened out all of these words. Sadly.

But lately, I’ve noticed both our daughters using the word ‘brang’ for the past tense of ‘bring.’

“It’s the ball I brang to school last week.” Or “She brang me a book from the library.” 

But ‘brang’ is not so cute to me. It sounds ignorant. So when I hear them use it, I’m quick to interject the correct term. Sure, they’ll straighten it out eventually – they’re smart kids. But this ‘brang’ has been kicking my ass lately.

Then last night in the shower I thought about my Anthropological Linguistics professor who spent an entire semester convincing us that there is no such thing as a primitive language. That every syllable of every word in every language has a distinct purpose and meaning to those who use it. And then it dawned on me that what my kids are doing with the past tense of ‘bring’ was perfectly logical to them.

Ring = Rang

Sing = Sang

Bring = Brang

There is no primitive language. Not even kid-speak.

—

Originally published on Obsessed With Conformity

See more on Jim Mitchem’s site Quick Like Mongoose. https://www.quicklikemongoose.com/

—

◊♦◊The Good Men Project is different from most media companies. We are a “participatory media company”—which means we don’t just have content you read and share and comment on but it means we have multiple ways you can actively be a part of the conversation. As you become a deeper part of the conversation—The Conversation No One Else is Having—you will learn all of the ways we support our Writers’ Community—community FB groups, weekly conference calls, classes in writing, editing platform building and How to Create Social Change.

◊♦◊

Here are more ways to become a part of The Good Men Project community:

Request to join our private Facebook Group for Writers—it’s like our virtual newsroom where you connect with editors and other writers about issues and ideas.

Click here to become a Premium Member of The Good Men Project Community. Have access to these benefits:

1. Get  access to an exclusive “Members Only” Group on Facebook
2. Join our Social Interest Groups—weekly calls about topics of interest in today’s world
3. View the website with no ads
4. Get free access to classes, workshops, and exclusive events
5. Be invited to an exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” with other Premium Members
6. Commenting badge.

Are you stuck on what to write? Sign up for our Writing Prompts emails, you’ll get ideas directly from our editors every Monday and Thursday. If you already have a final draft, then click below to send your post through our submission system.

If you are already working with an editor at GMP, please be sure to name that person. If you are not currently working with a GMP editor, one will be assigned to you.

◊♦◊

Are you a first-time contributor to The Good Men Project? Submit here:

◊♦◊

Have you contributed before and have a Submittable account? Use our Quick Submit link here:

◊♦◊

Do you have previously published work that you would like to syndicate on The Good Men Project? Click here:

Join our exclusive weekly “Call with the Publisher” — where community members are encouraged to discuss the issues of the week, get story ideas, meet other members and get known for their ideas? To get the call-in information, either join as a member or wait until you get a post published with us. Here are some examples of what we talk about on the calls.

Want to learn practical skills about how to be a better Writer, Editor or Platform Builder? Want to be a Rising Star in Media? Want to learn how to Create Social Change? We have classes in all of those areas.

While you’re at it, get connected with our social media:

◊♦◊

We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.
—

Photo credit: Shutterstock ID 682205398