(Note: I attended at an education lecture this week, and was asked to contribute a short, creative piece. One of the topics scheduled to be discussed was Semiotics. This is what I presented.)
A Musing
What is A?
Why not begin at the beginning? Our English alphabet begins with “A.” All of our wonderful writing is based upon various combinations and permutations of letters to form words, and in turn sentences, paragraphs, pages, and on, and on. “A” is not simply a letter. It is an aural chameleon, changing its sound in accordance with the company it keeps. It collaborates with other letters to form many words. It is essential to words as simple as “cat,” and as elegant as “elegant.” Yet, unlike most other letters, “A” can stand alone, as its own word, “A,” an article.
Head of the alphabet, head of the class. An “A” on your test or assignment or report card is no longer a letter, but a trophy, a medal, a badge of honour. “A” denotes achievement, quality, “the best of the best.” “Made from pure Grade “A” meat.” “Being on the “A” Team.” “Better bring your “A” game.” “A” is the top of the heap, the pick of the pack. Unless, of course, it is a “Scarlet Letter;” that is a failing grade.
“A” can have different sounds, or “A” can be a sound. “A” is a musical note. “A” can combine with other notes to make beautiful music. Notes, named for letters, making melodies, part of a team.
“A” can be a team. On a hat, or t-shirt, “A” can represent a sports team or organization. This one letter can be many different teams, but each is instantly recognizable to a fan. Change the colour, change the style, change the font , change the team.
“A” can stand for something naughty, like a cartoon chipmunk, or “Anarchy,” or in a colloquialism, like “A-hole.”
“A” can mean many things. Begin at the beginning. You learn your “ABCs,” and there is “A.” As you mature, so does “A.” “A” grows in meaning as you grow up. Whatever it becomes for you, it is always, always, “A.”
A Musing
What is A?
Why not begin at the beginning? Our English alphabet begins with “A.” All of our wonderful writing is based upon various combinations and permutations of letters to form words, and in turn sentences, paragraphs, pages, and on, and on. “A” is not simply a letter. It is an aural chameleon, changing its sound in accordance with the company it keeps. It collaborates with other letters to form many words. It is essential to words as simple as “cat,” and as elegant as “elegant.” Yet, unlike most other letters, “A” can stand alone, as its own word, “A,” an article.
Head of the alphabet, head of the class. An “A” on your test or assignment or report card is no longer a letter, but a trophy, a medal, a badge of honour. “A” denotes achievement, quality, “the best of the best.” “Made from pure Grade “A” meat.” “Being on the “A” Team.” “Better bring your “A” game.” “A” is the top of the heap, the pick of the pack. Unless, of course, it is a “Scarlet Letter;” that is a failing grade.
“A” can have different sounds, or “A” can be a sound. “A” is a musical note. “A” can combine with other notes to make beautiful music. Notes, named for letters, making melodies, part of a team.
“A” can be a team. On a hat, or t-shirt, “A” can represent a sports team or organization. This one letter can be many different teams, but each is instantly recognizable to a fan. Change the colour, change the style, change the font , change the team.
“A” can stand for something naughty, like a cartoon chipmunk, or “Anarchy,” or in a colloquialism, like “A-hole.”
“A” can mean many things. Begin at the beginning. You learn your “ABCs,” and there is “A.” As you mature, so does “A.” “A” grows in meaning as you grow up. Whatever it becomes for you, it is always, always, “A.”
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