Do you have scary stories to tell? Have ghosts and witches and zombies cross your way? Have you seen a creepy light stalking at night, or suspect a jack-o'-lantern nearby? Then come join us and please pray tell! And let us all fall under those mighty tales spell!
Halloween is a modern festival that is very dear to many English enthusiasts like me, who fell in love with the language and the pop culture behind it. It is an occasion to dress up, and just like any other festival, to push the boundaries of who we are and what we do. And it is a great excuse to speak English.
Any language is easier to learn if you enjoy the culture and customs attached to it, because as much as languages are alive, they conform to the ways of a group of people. Which are the traditions and meanings of Halloween? What do they tell us of American Culture?
For example, think of jack-o’-lanterns. Carved pumpkins with spooky faces and candles that are as much a symbol of Halloween as ghosts, zombies, witches, bats and cats. But are they a symbol for somethin else? They are apparently connected to a phenomenon called Ignis fatuus, which has also have been called will-o'-the-wisp and is present in many folk lore, here in Colombia we call it Keralia in la Guajira. Look it up!
And that's the beauty of studying and learning from others, that if we look hard enough we start to see our reflection; they mirror our own human experience. When we reach out, we reach in.
This coming Wednesday will be a different conversation club, and we are happy to have you and share a very special jack-o'-lantern night. Bring you masks, prepare for candy, lollipops, marshmallows and spooky tales!
