Trigger Warning: This text contains references to derogatory and emotive language that may be distressing or upsetting.
As the year ends, I begin preparing for the festive season. I will use our Makaton signs for Christmas carols. This will demonstrate a different way of learning language and communication.
- Phonology
- Makaton
- P, p, p – Prophecy, Policy, Political Correctness, Progression, Pygmalion, Presentation, Philosophy, Pathology, Perceptions, Problems
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Phonology
refers to the sounds we make, hear, and understand from the words we use. This is also known as pronunciation or speech sounds. It is crucial for understanding each other when communicating verbally. This applies when communicating with others in the same language or another language.
Stuttering (no longer an official diagnosis) could be described as a speech disorder or impediment. I prefer to call it a characteristic that affects pronunciation or phonology. If you belong to my generation and were raised in England, you might recall the chocolate biscuit bars called Penguins. The manufacturer, McVities executed a genius marketing campaign that caught the publics attention. In fact, it was so memorable I still buy and remember it 40 years later. It also provides a perfect example of a phonological difference. This difference is present in some populations of people: the prolongation or delay to a part or start of a word. The key points highlight that problems with phonology make communication difficult. Thankfully, it can be transient and is no longer diagnosed as a disorder! (Yet it is still classified in the DSM-V as a Childhood-onset Fluency Disorder).
Makaton
sign language uses the body to aid communication. It’s similar to an extension of the natural body language we use when we travel and try to make ourselves understood. It is known in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as an AAC tool. We use it to aid and augment communication. It is an alternative to speech and written communication. However, it is often used in conjunction with these more standard techniques for learning.
Makaton benefits all children by promoting focus, motor skills, and cognitive development while encouraging empathy and inclusion. By incorporating Makaton into daily life, we create an environment where learning is accessible, diverse, and enriched, benefiting everyone through different ways of connecting and expressing themselves.
Click here to read Benefits of Makaton Signing, Engagement, and Inclusion.
Another key aspect of the “P-p-p Pick up a Penguin” song is its memorability! Perhaps it was the catchiness of the tune or because it was so amusing and different, it became so popular.
In terms of inclusion, promoting learning through song and sign is not a new concept. Yet it is has not yet become mainstream, memorable or universal enough that more people know it well. I spend quite a lot of time learning it, forgetting it and trying again. Like I do with most of my learning, especially Thai language… My understanding improved when I started making my own learning resources, specifically short videos that cater to my attention span, learning style and time constraints, and then use in songs. I share these on my social media, as I learn.They are a little rough and ready but they do the job and I don’t have the time.
Numerous benefits for institution-led Makaton learning are highlighted in the podcasts below. I will summarise them in a link below.
P, p, p – Prophecy, Policy, Political Correctness, Progression, Pygmalion, Presentation, Philosophy, Pathology, Perceptions, Problems
A quick discussion and play on the p, p, p theme – more “P” words.
In my opinion, when we label children as disordered and deficient, we create a ‘Pygmalion’ effect. This refers to an imposed identity, potentially through negative medical labelling. It is sometimes used in the context of a self-fulfilling prophecy. In this context, a belief or expectation about a person or situation leads to behaviours. As I like to break down words and phrases to understand them a quick Google search explains prophecies ‘as any statements or beliefs about the future, past, or present’. These statements ‘may or may not involve supernatural elements’. In social contexts, “self-fulfilling” describes something that becomes true because of the actions and beliefs built around it. For example, if a teacher believes a student is talented, they may give that student more attention. This extra attention leads the student to perform better, which then confirms the teacher’s belief.
A person’s potential can therefore be predicated upon the perception of themselves imposed by others. It is so powerful that sometimes policies are built around such perceptions.
‘Political Correctness’ is a term supported by radical policies that refers to the use of inclusive language and the avoidance of language or behaviour that can be seen as marginalising or insulting. This is crucial for groups that are disadvantaged or discriminated against, especially those defined by ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. This term has been around since the 1980s, and why I advocate for the use of neurodiversity-affirming language instead of derogatory and debilitating labels. It is more politically correct.
Considering the impending neurodiversity acceptance revolution, it is useful to understand historical labels for neurodiverse and disabled people. Some were called “feeble-minded,” “retarded,” “spastic,” and were thought of as useless at the extreme end of the scale. In addition, people used words like “chink,” “paki,” “nigger,” and “faggot.” in the contexts of bullying, shielded racism or cruelty.
I use them here to express the emotive quality of words, how they depict different eras and mentalities, and their subsequent disuse. I witnessed this progression and evolution of language and social conscience firsthand. I am thankful for the cultural revolution and appreciate the prevailing predominance of positive promotion of all people in the population. There is an increasing understanding and respect for difference. Yet, I was shocked to hear the word “retard” spoken from a young man’s mouth just a few weeks ago. This seems specifically relevant, as Joanna raises this controversially in her podcast ‘R is for Rosie’ (linked below). She notes that it is still used as a basis for humour. Consequently, it is prolonged and propagated by some people in some homes.
The final “P” word for this piece will be philosophy. The nature of our current reality (metaphysics) shapes our experience. The scope and limits of human knowledge (epistemology) are defined at a particular point in time. The principles of right and wrong (ethics), taught to us by our parents and public policy, guide us. The structure of reasoning (logic) and our appreciation of the beauty of our environment (culture) define who we are. These aspects define the meaning of life and affect how we exist and coexist.
In the context of disability, there appears to be a misbalance between values and pathology, perceptions and problems. This leads to discussions on the next play on the “P” word: the Pavlov’s Dog experiment and learned helplessness. To be continued 🙂
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
The self-fulfilling prophecy can be observed in various contexts, including education, relationships, and organisational settings. It demonstrates how our beliefs and expectations can shape reality through our actions and interactions.
Merton’s work highlighted the power of social expectations in shaping individual and group behaviour, making the concept crucial for understanding social dynamics and interpersonal relationships.
Pygmalion – My Fair Lady, George Bernard Shaw, another phonological, musical story, and Christmas classic 🙂
I am James' mum 