Does learning English need a trigger to blossom?

G.S. Edwin, Contributor, Jakarta

Many non-native speakers value English more than a mere job- finder, because they are enslaved and fascinated by the English language. However, they needed a trigger in their life for their love of English to blossom.

Today, English is increasingly taught and studied in Indonesia. Indonesians who love English, as more than a mere job-finder, may welcome a trigger, but they must watch-out. The trigger is usually innocuous. See the two true events, (names changed) narrated below.

The two persons figuring in the events, David and Krisnan, learned English from native speakers. Both agree that James represents a typical English teacher, a bit uppity. He always told his students; "Don't think it is easy to learn English. It's grammar, syntax, pronunciation and spelling are formidable hurdles. So, don't blame me if the going gets hard. Just work harder." They both did.

David, a non-native speaker, is a successful English teacher today. The trigger hit him when he was a first year student in college. A few days after joining, a highly invigorated David jauntily walked on the college lawn. Materializing from nowhere, the principal of the college reprimanded him, saying, "You are fined 10 rupees (US$2 in 1949) for walking on the lawn."

David was at fault because he had not seen the placards warning against walking on the lawn, but the fine was harsh. He went to the principal's bungalow to plead with him and get the fine canceled.

The principal said, "I don't negotiate about fines" and leaving David alone in the hall, went away inside the bungalow saying, "Find the door."

David was perplexed. There was only one door, by which he came in, tall, wide and fully open and near him too. Asked to find the door, that needed no finding, was spooky. Eventually, David came back to his hostel. Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked a friend why the principal said, "find the door," which needed no finding.

His friend laughed and told him "you moron, it meant get lost, and good you did not get thrown out."

This event, however unremarkable, was David's turn-around. To him, the ability of three words to twist, torment and impose will was an awesome display of the power of English. Then again, that a string of words taken literally meant something that was so different from what the expression actually meant was mystifying.

To David, only English can do it and he went for it. Later, he eulogized, "No wonder diplomats love English," and added "I am an admirer and an avid learner of English." Yet, my dedicated learning process, is like, a march toward horizon, and my progress, however far it goes, shall always be a work-in- progress."

Krisnan was hit by the trigger when he was attending an English lecture on "Brevity is the soul of wit." The speaker narrated a story to illustrate the point. Joseph Addison was the editor of the paper The Spectator, one of the famous papers in 19th century England. He was invited to a conference organized by women to speak on "Women."

Many laudatory references and tributes to the weight lent by the mere presence of women to occasions, were made. At the end of the conference, the chairwoman asked Addison what he thought was great about women. Addison demurred, saying, he could speak only from the male point of view. The woman urged him on. Addison promptly responded, "Availability".

Krisnan was floored. Then and there he was inspired to study not only English but also eight other languages. He did so and is now a professional linguist.

In his opinion, "English is incomparable. In no other language one word can be so telling and produce such a magical effect. 'Brevity is the soul of wit' applies only to English."

One day Arnold's English teacher told a story. Two young brothers, almost given up as incorrigible, were brought before a priest for counseling. The older boy was called in first.

To prepare him the priest asked, "Where is God?" The boy was quiet. Probably he did not know the answer.

In a louder voice, the priest asked again. The boy fled. On his way out, he told his brother who was waiting "come on. Let us get out. The guy in there has lost his God and he thinks we have stolen him."

The teacher said: "The priest asked a rhetorical question, one to produce effect. The very opposite of rhetoric which mean the art of persuasive speaking."

The subtlety of English fascinated Arnold. He was convinced that a priest well trained in rhetoric, is the answer to the ills society. He mastered English and became a priest. Today his parish, under the benign grip of his rhetoric, flourishes, spiritually.