Mount Hood

Endangered Poetics

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

Peter Sears, Oregon Poet Laureate, introduced Dr. David Hargreaves and Dr. David Lewis, who presented about endangered poetics in the Werner University Center on Nov. 2.

Endangered poetics is a term for the disappearance of a language due to colonialism or hostility toward a home language.

Dr. Hargreaves is a linguistic professor at Western. His presentation focused on his translations of poetry written in Nepal Bhasa, a language that is in the process of dying out.

The Blossoms of Sixty-Four Sunsets by Durga Lal Shrestha has been translated before, but only for its accuracy, not for its inherent beauty of rhythm or sound. Dr. Hargreaves said that translators often use language “for data” and that “language never gets treated as art itself.”

He showed how he utilized rhyme and rhythm in his translations; his recitations of the poems in the Nepal Bhasa language showed there was a distinct melody and sound pattern to the lines uttered, which he tried to convey in his English translations.

Dr. David Lewis, who has his Ph.D in anthropology and is a direct descendent of Chief Santiam, presented next. His focus was on the translation and adaptation of a Kalapuya poem.

First, Dr. Lewis presented a version of this text as translated and made popular by Jerold Ramsey. The text describes a shaman who has a dream that foretells of a time when the white men would come and destroy the land.

However, Dr. Lewis has doubts about the accuracy of this translation. “Does this [translation] really have that native perspective?” He queried.

While there are earlier translations of the prophetic poem, Dr. Lewis wanted to have a fresh perspective to work from.

Kalapuyan, the language of the original text, is an extinct language, so Dr. Lewis reached out to two linguists to decipher a fresh translation of the text.

Dr. Lewis found that Ramsey had added in aspects of the poem that were not there originally, such as calling the whites “iron farmers.” In doing so, Ramsey changed the overall meaning of the text, altering the poem’s native perspective in the process.

Jasmine Trujille, a junior ASL Interpreting major, said, “[Dr. Lewis] shows us how there’s meaning in reanalyzing a poem … it shows more about the time period than the text.”

Much can be learned from the translations of the poetry, and, likewise, much can be lost if the language dies.

Dr. Hargreaves stated that translating texts is a “contribution to what beauty is in other places of the world.”

He continued, “If it’s not translated, not made accessible, no one would ever know.”

NaNoWriMo Update

nnwmcolor

By: Katrina Penaflor
Managing Editor

NaNoWriMo Update : I am completely behind and writing will be what puts me into an insane asylum.

Melodramatic? Yes. Is this somehow even harder than I expected it to be? Absolutely.

With a daily word count goal of approximately 1700 words I’m finding it almost impossible to make the time to write enough to make that quota.

Sunday was a breeze (coincidently it was the first day). I had plenty of extra time on my hands, and I casually wrote while watching a documentary series on HBO. The rest of the week, I’m barely making a fourth of my daily goal.

I’m finding that realistically looking at it by “I need to type 1700 words a day” is not going to work into my schedule. I now need to focus on taking three or so days out of the week where I have more time, like weekends, and focus on filling those days with as many words as possible.

Currently I’ve written 3377 words (I’m writing this on a Thursday) and by the end of the week I need to have written 12,500.

If anyone needs me Friday through Sunday, I can be found with my hands glued to my keyboard.

EMILY UPDATE

  1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?

This will be my fifth time doing NaNoWriMo.

  1. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?

I first found out about NaNoWriMo in 2011, during my first year at Western. A friend encouraged me to give it a try, and I’ve participated every year since.

  1. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?

The first novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo was called Larkspur.

  1. Give us a 1 sentence summary of what you’re writing this year.

In a fantasy version of the 1850s, city states struggle for dominance while trying to contain mages, river pirates, and the rising anger of the masses towards the people in power.

  1. Why do you love writing?

I have always believed strongly in the power of stories, and writing is a way for me to channel that. There are books I’ve read that have fundamentally shaped me as a person, and I want to be able to cause that same change in someone else through my own writing.

​6. What makes NaNoWriMo different from writing any other way/time?​

NaNoWroMo is different because it makes a writer accountable for actually producing work. Writing every day is important, but it’s easy to push this to the side when there are so many other things that take up our time. During NaNoWriMo, I make a promise to myself to write at least 1,700 words a day. This is difficult, but it also gives me more practice with writing then I get any other month of the year.

As someone who wants to be a professional writer, NaNoWriMo gives me experience in having to produce a lot of writing within a set time frame.  It also gives sense of community, knowing that other writers are also attempting this massive project.

Celebrating Dia de los Muertos

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday during which families honor their deceased love ones and help guide them back to the mortal world from the afterlife.

Western celebrated its own Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 28.

The presentation, held in the WUC, began with live music and offerings of hot cocoa. Dr. Jaime Marroquin Arredondo presented a short slideshow, which highlighted the history of Dia de los Muertos and its connection to Halloween.

The tradition of Dia de los Muertos began prior to the Spanish invasion. It’s now celebrated as a combination of All Saints’ Day, a Spanish holiday where the dead are remembered, and the traditions and religion of the native inhabitants of Mexico.

In modern day Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated by making altars for the dead and building arches covered in flowers to help guide their way through the living world.

Death is presented as a woman, the most notable representation being La Catrina, a skeleton wearing a feather and flower adorned hat, designed by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada.

Sugar skulls are another famous image that originates from Dia de los Muertos.
They are colorful decorations made from sugar and clay. Making sugar skulls is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, when local residents were taught by Catholic monks how to make them. These skulls were used to adorn churches and gravestones. They can be made to represent a deceased individual, often having a name inscribed on the forehead of the skull.

Dia de los Muertos is intended to bring families and friends together. Dr. Marroquin stated, “It’s community, it’s a familiar thing … It’s a family celebration, you have to drink and enjoy.”

The event was attended by a large and diverse group of spectators, including those who have celebrated this holiday before, and those who were unfamiliar with it.

Sandra Dominguez, senior education major, said, “It’s something from my culture, so it’s nice to see on campus.”

Those in attendance were offered pan de dulce—a sweet, sugary bread, the taste and texture being similar to a doughnut or sugar cookie—and tamales. Emily Lowry, senior business major, said, “I have never been to these kind of events before … I thought it was well organized and thoughtfully put together.”

Overall, this holiday is meant to celebrate the living and the dead. This holiday is not intended to be for mourning, but festivities and bringing community and family together.

“It would be considered something rude to be sad, so you have to drink your tequila … It’s a happy celebration,” Dr. Marroquin said.

Ghost hunter scours campus

By: Rachael Jackson
Staff Writer

Washington based ghost hunter Ross Allison has spent over 25 years researching the paranormal.

He now bears many accomplishments in his field: he is president and founder of Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma, founder of the Seattle Death Museum, tour guide at Spooked in Seattle, lecturer, and author of three books.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Allison visited Western’s campus to lecture and to lead a ghost hunt.

Allison began his visit with a lecture entitled “Ghostology 101” to give the audience an overview of the history of his field. To be a successful ghost hunter, he explained, one must have passion, devotion, and patience, because finding a ghost is no easy task. Ghost hunting is tedious work, so it can be hard for some not to rely on gimmicks for publicity.

“You don’t need to make up stories to convince people,” Allison stressed before entering the second half of his lecture.

Kathryn Sinor, a junior anthropology major and aspiring ghost hunter said, “I appreciated that he wasn’t like, ‘I’m not going to convince you,’ just, ‘here’s the evidence and take it as you will.’ That was neat.”

For those in need, Sinor seems interested in starting a business of her own.
“If anyone has ghost problems, come to me,” she said.

After the lecture there was a ghost hunt in Campbell and Todd Hall.

Todd Hall was the first stop where Allison handed out equipment to a few students to aid in the ghost hunting. This equipment included a thermal camera, laser grid, compass, dowsing rod, and ping-pong balls for ghosts to manipulate.

While in Todd Hall, there was some commotion when a cold spot appeared near a group of students. The compass swung between south and southeast, refusing to find north, all while the dowsing rods crossed. Allison explained during the lecture that these were all signs of ghost activity.

While the hunt remained inconclusive about the presence of a ghost, the students that were in attendance were told to check their phone recordings for possible Electronic Voice Phenomenon, the term used for when the voice of a ghost is picked up on recording devices.

The rest of the night remained quiet and seemingly absent of paranormal activity.

Humans of Western

HoW

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

Perrin Dean, sophomore, Pre-ASL interpreting major
Jackson Fryer, transfer student, ASL Studies major

Dean: “We actually just like met randomly in the music hall, and he, I don’t even know what you asked me-”

Fryer: “I was like, hey I’m looking for people to play music with”

Dean: “And I was like, ‘hey, I play music!’”

Fryer: “And one thing lead to another, and here we are.”

Fryer: “Well, usually [we sing together], though most of the time it’s me singing and me trying to get her to sing. But she’s a f—ing amazing and talented singer and musician, but she just don’t think that herself.”

Fryer: “At least for me, if the whole ASL thing doesn’t work out, then you know … I guess, it’s more like if the music thing doesn’t work out, then I have the whole ASL thing to fall back on.”

Fryer: “Have we only known each other a month?”

Dean: “It has not been long! We bonded really quickly … We should make a friend-iversary.”

Fryer: “Can you bake a cake? I like cake.”

Fryer: “I was in band, so my teacher was like, ‘Hey Jackson, you want to play an instrument, right?’ and I was like ‘F— yes!’ Instruments equal cool, equal friends, you know? So then he was, ‘Yeah, so the tuba …’ And I was like, ‘That’s f—ing genius!’ So I started playing the tuba … I quickly realized that any instrument with a spit valve is not a cool instrument, so I switched over to the guitar, and it’s been, you know, love at first strum.”

The Story of a Hiroshima Bomb Survivor

By: Emily Pate
Staff Writer

Ed Kawasaki, survivor of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima, came to speak at Western this past Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The talk, in conjunction with the Black Rain, Sadako’s Story, Hiroshima Ground Zero, and Never Again art exhibits in Hamersley Library, builds awareness of the aftermath of the bombing.

Kawasaki was born in 1929 in Hawaii to Japanese immigrant parents. When he was 11, his family moved back to Hiroshima, Japan.

On Aug. 6, 1945, when Kawasaki was 16, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He happened to already be in the hospital for a ruptured appendix he suffered prior to the blast.

A few days previously, his father had called a surgeon at Shima Hospital. The call could not connect, so Kawasaki went to a different hospital two miles from the epicenter of the bomb. This move saved his life, as Shima Hospital was ground zero for the explosion.

“What a lucky twist of fate,” Kawasaki said about his survival. “I sometimes feel as though I’m living on borrowed time.”

Will Edwards, a junior Geology major, has always had a passion for WWII history.
Through a reenactment and education group, he has met many veterans, but never anyone who was in Japan during the bombing or, as he called Kawasaki, a “primary source.”
“To be able to know something that happened first hand is pretty cool,” Edwards said. “It definitely puts nuclear war into perspective.”

Juneau Singleton, a first year with an undecided major, also attended to hear a firsthand account.

“I thought it was really unique that a real survivor was coming,” she said. “You never really hear that perspective. You hear that they dropped the bomb, but not that the next time he went to school half his class was gone.”

Kawasaki said that Americans should not be ashamed of their nationality because of the atomic bombs.

“We all have to realize that war is hell,” Kawasaki said. “Yes, we could question ourselves whether it was OK or not OK to have used the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But if you are asked about the atomic bomb by a foreigner, as an American, I would say, ‘I am sorry that it happened.’”

“Let us forgive each other for the war,” he said. “Let us all pray for eternal world peace. And then we should just move on.”

Violin, Viola, Vielle — & friends

By: Rachael Jackson
Staff Writer

English Professor Dr. Marjory Lange showcased her violin, viola, and vielle skills in the Smith Recital Hall on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The concert began with a piano trio composed by Clara Schumann. Dr. Lange played the violin for this piece with Christopher Wicks on the piano and adjunct faculty member Katherine Parks on the cello.

The two pieces that followed were unique in their own way – a whimsical sonata that Wicks composed himself (which Dr. Lange played the viola for), and movements from Bach’s Two-part Inventions that was transcribed for the violin and cello.

Bach was a fun piece that many audience members bobbed their heads or tapped their hands to.

Then the concert moved to a real treat for history and music lovers alike, featuring a series of songs played on Medieval and Renaissance period instruments – the vielle played by Dr. Lange, and the douçaine by Aage Nielsen.

Both instruments were minimalist designs of their junior counterparts – the vielle looks similar to a violin, while the douçaine resembles its woodwind cousin, the bassoon.

The first two historical compositions they played were traditional works from the 13th and 15th centuries. In contrast, the duo’s third song, “Four Strong Winds” is by modern day Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson. This may seem like a strange inclusion until Nielsen explains it.

“During the big folk boom in the 60s, we had a lot of traditional-inspired songs show up,” he said. “This is when the singer-songwriter boom took place.”

Their final song, ‘Estampie,’ an anonymous composition from the 14th century, was a long and virtuosic piece that showcased the range of the instruments.

While there seemed to be a large number of faculty, friends, and community members in the audience, there was also a distinct lack of students.

Lange spoke about the importance of pursuing hobbies, saying, “Students tell me they used to play an instrument and I ask, ‘Why did you stop?’ It’s necessary for intellectual growth to keep a hobby or two.”

There are several upcoming events for students to attend at the Smith Recital Hall.
The next concert will be Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 when jazz flugelhorn player Dmitri Matheny will perform with his trio of musicians at 7:30 p.m. Western students get in free with I.D.

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Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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