Durham in translation

Linguistic discrimination remains the longstanding policy of our beloved Chronicle’s opinion section—blessed art thou among college publications. Why, for example, should I be forbidden from using “foreign words” despite specificity or particular connection simply because these words bring forth the uncomfortable but increasingly realized fact of monolingual ignorance? Despite North Carolina’s linguistic intimidation (English was named the official language of N.C. after 1987), Durham’s linguistic diversity continues to rise. Particularly, those individuals identifying as Latino or Latina continue to shape Durham and add to its intellectualism through, and often beyond, bilingualism (13.5 percent of Durham County responders to the 2010 Census identified as Hispanic, Latino or Latina, and 17.6 percent noted that a language other than English was spoken at home).

These days it is fashionable and usually correct to not only oppose structure but be beyond it. Even though “science” lends its weight in debunking that silly thing we call race or ethnicity, the conversation around gender and language remains somewhat persnickety. Approaching the two similarly, I must begin with a concession: Language, like a biological gender demarcation, exists first and foremost in and of linguistic historicism. Etymologists abound, the nurturing of words of our pet origins might fulfill desires that we are not yet ready to admit. The traditional and usually inefficient method confronts students with an “English-free zone,” dedicated to absolute frustration. Now, as we move beyond language, I urge you to try something better: Move beyond the academy and into the places where language lives.

In the spirit of an evolved and applied Alfred Whitehead, I propose a spectral linguistic employment. Admittedly, I am neither a polyglot nor a linguistics student, but put down your torches and pitchforks and hear me out. Languages of some historical origins serve specific ends better than others (for example the European Sami People’s, not the Eskimos’, specificity for forms of frozen precipitation, the French academic tradition “ad nauseum,” etc). Further, it is no coincidence that wordsmiths from these primary traditions evolved in the particular manner that they did and that notable polyglots have flourished with uncanny verbosity and control. While I see the need for the mastery of language in linguistic segregation, employment should be judged on merit. If an English word pales beside Marx’s German, Foucault’s French or Salvador Allende’s (pre-9/11) Spanish, then why not ditch it for the latter despite operating in a primarily English syntactical and dictional landscape? Step one involves admitting—hard as it might be—our ignorance rather than spouting the excuse that places blame on the “other” language.

With the irrefutable facts that more educated people live among us, why must we continue to deny linguistic progression? Intellectual advice: I suggest you fall in love prior to getting in your first spat over the dishes or, translation, the real education exists beyond the classroom in the application of that information. Since I am ignorant of a sizable chunk of Spanish and the entirety of almost every other language, I unfortunately must keep my anecdotes corralled to this end. Further, because it is The Chronicle’s practice that articles are printed primarily in English, I will only describe the wonderful locations to the point where English becomes ineffective.

Growing up I fell in love with Spanish through the food that often accompanied my exposure. Latino Durham—in line with Durham’s phenomenal food reputation—flaunts The New York Times. Gourmet Magazine validated La Vaquita and locally championed Los Comales. These “taquerias” serve phenomenal handmade corn tortillas alongside their individual specialties. The first touts the best “barbacoa de res” (slow-cooked beef) and “carnitas” (braised-then-fried pork) that I have ever had. Likewise, Los Comales serves great tacos, “tortas” and pescatarian fare. With a cold “agua de jamaica”—dried roselle sepals boiled, sugared and chilled—and a side of avocado and black beans, these dishes redefine gustatory ecstasy and, if you add the hot sauce, with a kick.

Head over and try your Spanish out. Will they laugh at you? If your Spanish is as bad as mine, yes. Will you have some of Durham’s best food? Without a doubt, and maybe, if you’re lucky, you might begin to connect with Durham’s growing Spanish-speaking community. Hopefully you will learn specific and appropriate Spanish culinary terms and import them into your vernacular. Beyond the food, connect with the larger Latino community through service programs and social events (Durham Latino Festival, August 6!) supported by Duke and, even better, organically by the Latino community itself. Beyond restaurants, festivals and service, using a variety of words and structures from another language should feel as natural as moving between coined popular music hooks and your “classroom voice.” The point is, just as there is a consciously chosen spectrum of diction and syntax for spoken English, the same should be true within the groups formerly known as languages. Durham is your classroom, use it. I would have rather written more extensively about the places that I love in Durham and the people who I’ve met there but I (un)fortunately found the English language—in the strictest of interpretations—to be quite lacking in specificity and style.

Josh Brewer is a Trinity senior.