Culture and Language

Language Learning Through "Art" Versus "Art" Through Language Learning

Over the past two days I have been reflecting on the relationship between drawing, poetry, songs, photography (culture) and improved language learning.

Maria Ortega Garcia in her talk, 'Cracking the Language Code Through Art and Self-Expression' presents a case for using the arts, as an expression of culture, to motivate and enable learners to connect with the target culture, form emotional connections with the language and the ideas, and have better skills and a sharpened desire to use the target language to share personal connections.

Maria uses poetry as the curriculum of her coaching and teaching sessions. I can see how poems like those written by Holly McNish and Rupi Kaur could invite discussion of vocabulary, and grammar; provide practice in pronunciation and intonation; encourage connection with the ideas; and create a desire for learners to express their own opinion (using the target language.). Here is a short example:

It is a blessing
to be the colour of earth
do you know how often
flowers confuse me for home     --- Rupi Kaur

Drawing and Painting

But do basic learners of English have the language skills they need to discuss the the cultural significance of art?  Maybe they do not, but they can talk about the colors, the shapes, the symbols, and they can feel the vibrancy of the culture.  This may, as for me,  create the simultaneous desire to learn the culture and language.  

In a brief exploration of Mexican graphic artists (my current target being Spanish), I found myself intrigued by the possible reasons behind the vibrancy of color as compared to that appearing in Canadian, architecture, city design, clothing, cloth and art. I am motivated to know more about Mexican people. I felt my motivation to learn Spanish  increase exponentially (Some language experts say 70% of the 'battle' to learn a language may be the motivational factor.)    

1. Mexican artists (Jenny Hoople)- why the abundance of color?

2. Mexican design (Elly Whiley)-  why the images of sugar skeletons, donkeys, cacti, etc.?

Jenny Hoople describes 'el uso del color en Mexico como "una extensión natural de toda su actitud cultural de libertad y correr riesgos." (See "Mexican artists" above.) 

          Muy diferente al simbolismo occidental de que los cráneos son macabros, los                cráneos de azúcar son vivos y festivos y tienen la intención de celebrar las                      vidas  de los parientes fallecido, no de llorarlos.

My Attempts at Mexican Art.  

Drawing Geometric Shapes

Read the Blog if Sugar Skeletons 'Causar el Miedo' (cause fear)