Journal #3: The Harlem Renaissance

Step 1: Billie Holiday



     Billie Holiday was a jazz vocalist who grew up in Harlem, New York during the 1920s. Holiday had a great impact on the evolution of both jazz and pop music as a result of her unique vocal styling. She modeled her voice after instruments used in jazz music, and manipulated it accordingly. This unique effect set Holiday apart, and made her a success in the music industry. The song "Strange Fruit" was based off of a poem that conveyed themes condemning racism against African Americans, particularly the violent act of lynching favored in the South. "Strange Fruit" went on to become one of Holiday's greatest hits.

Step 2: Dialect

   I chose to do a Russian dialect because Robert Downey Jr. is part Russian-Jew. I'm just kidding- that's just an added bonus.

• Pronunciation
1. Both the "v" and "w" make the same sound; it's almost a mix of the two. When writing in this dialect, they are practically interchangeable.
2. All "th" combinations are pronounced as a "d" sound, and are therefore written that way.
3. The "u" makes the short "a" sound; in fact, all vowels are pronounced using the European style of speech with pure vowels: ah eh ee oh oo 
• Grammar
1. Russians who learn English as their second language usually speak what we like to call "Broken English". Most, if not all, sentences are incomplete. They tend to lack conjunctions or articles as a general rule.
2. Words with similar meanings may be used interchangeably. If an American were to be told that their house had burned down, they would be likely to say something to the effect of, "That's not good." A Russian, however would use "nice" in the place of "good."
3. Contractions are virtually nonexistent. Sometimes sentences are jumbled because of this.
• Vocabulary
1. Some words from the Russian language make their way into conversations and are substituted for our English version. For example, a Russian may say da for "yes", nyet for "no", or spaseeba for "please".
2. Skleroz is the Russian word used when one forgets something.
3. Nu i chort s toboy is the Russian equivalent of "whatever".

Step 3: Conversation



Svetlana's eyes scanned the room once more. "Gaspoja 'Oliday?" She had been waiting for the arrival of her American contact, Billie Holiday, who had yet to arrive. The Venetian was horribly smoky, and Svetlana longed to breath in the fresh air that laid just outside. Then she remembered that she was in Las Vegas. She was pulled out of her reverie by the sudden appearance of Ms. Holiday. "Gaspoja 'Oliday! It hiz been long time since last ve talk. Cahm, seet, spaseeba."

     "Svetlana, I've told you before to call me Billie." Her face was kind, but she spoke firmly.

     "Da, da. Gaspoja Beelee. Diz iz better, no?"

     "Much. I'm glad you agreed to meet with me tonight. I'm sorry it had to be here."

     "Nyet, diz iz fine. En Moskva, de vodkah shoopz so crahded dat dere no room foor de vodkah."



     "Oh, Svetlana," Billie laughed, "how I've missed you. Now, what news do you have of your homeland?"

     "De nooz I bring iz not happy. Stahlin has taken my coontry." Svetlana watched as Billie's face fell.

     "No. No, that can't be."

     "Da, it haz. Baht Gaspoja not woory. Svetlana haz plin. I move to 'ere ind git ovn... 'Ov do you say? De leetl 'ovzez?"



     "Apartments?"

     "Diz iz de vord! Nu i chort s toboy to Rahssia. 'Ere I git de martini."

     "So you won't be returning home?"

     "Diz I do noot knov."

     "Well, Svetlana, I have a concert to perform tonight. Would you like to be my guest of honor? We can talk more about this heavy topic later."

     "Da!"

     "Oh good. Maybe you can even sing with me." Billie smiled.

     "Ha! Crazy American. Only soong I knov en American Eengleez iz tvinkl tvinkl leetl stahr."

Step 4: View Another Student's Blog

   I looked at Kylee's, and it was brilliant. I left a comment there too.