No Sign of a Parachute

In celebration, here's the abstract! Wahoo!

The Linguistic Construction Of Racial Identity In the Game World

Speaker 1’s presentation will use the tenets of performativity in language to explore identity construction in video games. Judith Butler stretches the limits of JL Austin’s theory to posit that individuals in modern societies are given racial and gendered identities primarily through language- that the act of naming calls these identities into being. As rhetoricians the implications of such a theory are potent, both as researches and as teachers. While this linguistic construction can be difficult to see in a broad sociological lens, where many determining factors affect identity construction, examining the construction of racial identity in role-playing games (RPGs) provides an excellent case study in how cultural knowledge, acquired through language and discourse, accrues and creates racial identities in ways that parallel identity construction in society at large.
This presentation will use one of the biggest RPGs available today, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, to expose how naming enacts racial identity. The game presents players with a complete culture- one that displays a clear political system, cultural myths, and racial tensions. In this game the player’s only choice for interaction, other than combat, is through dialogue. Thus, it is in dialogue that the player is interpolated into the racial system, and constructs a racial identity that conforms with the conventions of the game world.

I got in! There's a major national conference in April, tons of applications, very selective and what not, and I got in!!!

That paper a posted a bit of earlier is what they took. Validation from outside, they think I'm smart!

*victory cheer*

One of my classes this semester is basicly an extended version of peer review. We all bring a paper we've already written and critique each other's papers, with the hope of revising to the point of being publishable. Well, at the rate of one paper per week, mine is up on the chopping block soon, and I'm begining to get a little nervous. Just because that's what I do. Anyway, here's a taste of the paper- savor, if you will...


This creation of a believable fictional world is especially important in American-style fantasy RPG (role-playing game) video games . Unlike simple puzzle games or games based in historical fact , RPGs frequently ask the player to imagine an entirely new (although perhaps familiar) world- most often one that comes complete with mythology, folklore, and social and political tensions. The creation of such a world cannot take place solely through game play or rules, though clearly these are important. Rather, a tangible, immersive world is developed through the language of the game-- the dialogue and the speech genres that the game creates and the player internalizes. Thus, in these games all language must be performative, acting with illocutionary force, in order that the player accept the world as it is presented and suspend disbelief while interacting with it. More than simple persuasion or coercion, each sentence in the game does some small part of constructing complex social systems, which create a true sense of immersion through Bahktinian speech genres.


That's basically my thesis paragraph, and I continue to use games to explore speech act, and speech act to explore games. Not sure why I posted it here, except that I've been thinking a lot about it, and about revising a bit before my turn comes up.

Or, at the very least, show some love for cellos. Seriously, a well placed cello works in any style of music that's worth listening to, be it classical or rock. Adam Zagajewski totally gets me:

"Cello"

Those who don't like it say it's
just a mutant violin
that's been kicked out of the chorus.
Not so.
The cello has many secrets,
but it never sobs,
just sings in its low voice.
Not everything turns into a song
though. Sometimes you catch
a murmur or a whisper:
I'm lonely,
I can't sleep.

Think on that for a while, if you will. I intend to spend sometime in a bookstore or coffee shop this weekend, reading poetry and listening to some sweet classical music. It'll be a nice cool down from the crazy other stuff I have to do. The old reading/writing/grading grindstone I love so much. I haven't picked a poet yet, but for my music I'm thinking something Shostakovich- the 7th perhaps. I'm not set on that though, and would welcome suggestions. Haven't picked the poetry either, although to keep the Slavic theme I may just good with my dear buddy Akhmatova. Again, suggestions welcome.

Well, I decided to give this a least a semi-decent effort, we'll see how that goes. To that end I went out and joined a couple communities. I think that my issue with continuing to blog here is that I'm afraid I'll just end up talking to myself. Which is fine, but I could do that (and indeed, do) in a decidedly non-electronic format. The appeal of a blog (for me) is the sense of community that it can suggest, and the potential to spark discussion. Then again, I suppose I should just stop qualifying things and post already...

I've recently started re-reading Pale Fire, by Nabokov. This is one of my favorite books, definitely my favorite book I ever read for a class. I'm almost at a loss of words to describe it, not because I don't understand the plot, but because the structure of the novel is so unique that to explain it in vulgar terms might give away the delight of reading to anyone that wished to do so. I will, however, briefly describe it. The novel is broken into 3 main parts, an introduction, a 999 line poem, and the commentary on that poem. Odd though it may sound, trust me people, this is a novel. The poem is not my favorite part, it sounds vaguely reminiscent of Frost, and I'm not a big poetry fan to begin with. But the connections drawn between the 3 parts, as well as Nabokov's command of language, make this an amazing (and remarkably comical) book. Also, I love literary crazies, and Charles Kinbote is definitely one of the most entertaining nuts I've read about in quite some time.

A note on titles:
I don't know how I'll do this. I hate title-ing things. This is something of an oxymoron, because I love to title things. Often I feel I can't write a paper, or at least not a good one, until I have a good title. However, I invariably spend far too much time trying to come up with a good title than I do on actual work (the title of this blog does not reflect that).

In my other blog all my titles are song lyrics. This is good for two reasons. First, it's easier on me, I just think back to the last few songs I've heard, pick some lyrics, and go with it. Music is fairly important to me, I use it as an escape, so I'm always listening to something. Also, if people care to pay attention, it gives them some idea what I've been up to, as my music is directly tied to my mood, usually. I don't think I'll be doing this here, I'll try to come up with real titles.

Well, I think the Russian portion of this LJ is officially over. I can't possibly express myself as fully as I would like to in Russian. I constantly find myself frustrated, and struggling to come up with a simplified version of what I would really like to say, or trying to think of something vague enough that I can post about it. So, it was a party while it lasted, I gave it two distinct tries, and now it's done.

I haven't decided if I'll continue to post on this in English or not. I do maintain a myspace and blog there, although it is concievable that I would blog about different things here than I do there. Regardless, no more Russian posts, I've got to let my poor little brain have a rest.

Как по-пусски «I wussed out»? сказала что я переводить песеню «самолет», но это было слишком трудо. Я тоже пыталась читать «волк», группа Лумен. Тоже трудно. Поэтому, я слушала Свету. Мне не очень нравится ее музыка, а может понимать.

По-моему, нужно смотрить фильмы. В оклахоме, не когда не слышет русскии язык. Может быть завтра посмотрю «брат». У меня немного фильмов, *и долго с тех пор я смотрела* Along time since I watched it? Если вы знаете хорошие фильмы, скажите мне! Ну, нужно то, что можешь искать в америке.

Ну что.

Мои муж работал целыи ноч, вечера вечером. Не вернулся до девят часов сегодня. Итак, я устала- когда он не дома я не могу спить. У меня кошмаров. И сечас он дома, но он спит! Мальчики…

Сегодня мне нужно много делать. Нужно: чистить кухню, играть в racquetball (pо-русски?) и читать учебник. А я слишком устала сечас, также слишком устала думать по-русски, поэтому эти будут ждат*, и я иргаю World of Warcraft =p

А может, в следующом постом, пытаюсь переводить песня. Может «самолет», земфира.


* I was trying to say these things will wait, don't think I got it....

Привет!

Извините мне, что я так долга не написала. В прошлом семестером я была очень занятая. И в июне, тоже, по-тему что я слишала две лекции. И в будущем семестерем три класси учу, и три слушаю- это много для аспурантки.

Ну вот, обещаю то, что я пытаюсь писать, если кто-то читает! Не могу сеичас, тепер я сижу с моеи племяччицеи, но скоро…

Скоро семестер начнется- во вторник. А я не готова =( Я отдыхала целые каникулы, и нечего не сделала. Но мне не хочется думатъ о работе.

Мои муж решел то, что он вегетарианец. Он не беспокоится о животных, только хочет быть здоровым. А я не вегетарианка, и не знаю что стряпать. Я могу готовить много, но без мяса? И я еще хочу говядину, свинины, и курицу. Он сказал это в субботу, и мы на ужине ели суп и сандвичи каждыи день с тех пор (?).

Мальчики!

Завтра я вернусь домои, в Оклахоме. Я очень рада, потему что я всегда плохо сплю когда я не дома. Итак, целую неделю я не могла спить. Также, мне нужно работать. Во Феврале и Марте я дам(?) речи в конференсиях. Я уже написала мои доклади, а я бы хотела переделать и исследовать темы. Один доклад о блогах, а другои о video games (<--- как по-русски?).

А Мы с папои еще ни смотрели 9 рота =( Если мы сегодня вечером не смотрим, Я не знаю когда помогать. А Я пыталсь переводить еще песнию- "одни". Эта песния группа Слот. А по-моему, лирикы помешанные. Так:

Все эти люди прилетели с правильных планет
И то, что говорят они, напоминает бред

Что это значет? Я понимаю слова (думаю что я понимаю), а не смысл.

Ах, не могу еще думать по-русски. Можно сказать у меня болит мозг?

Oy! Уже зимние каникулы…

Я вчера приехала к родетелями. Мы с мужом живем в Оклахоме, а они жувут в техасе. У меня три сестры, но только одна здесь. Ей тринадцать лет, и хочет выучить русский язык. Хочет, по-тему что я, папа, мама, у другая сестра говорим по-русски.

А я не могу ждать (?) до Рожества. Купила папу подарок- фильм называются «9 рота», и бы хотела смотреть. Кто-нибуд не смотрел его? Мы с папой уже смотрели «Ночной Дозор» и «Дневной Дозор», и очень нравятся они. Тоже смотрели «Ирония Судбы», а этот не плохой. Я думала о фильме «Турецкий Гамбит», но решила купить «9 рота». Как вы думаете, они хорошие фульмы, или нет? Какой лучше?

Ну что? По-моему, во первых нужно себя вводить.

Я аспирантка в университете Оклахомы, на факултете литератури. А Я тоже много разными делами занимаюсь. Я играю на арфе я учу сочинению студентов на первом курсе.

А не знаю о чём писать. Нравится русский рок, но не буду знакомым с многых разных групп. Я traktor bowling любю, и люмен. Сегодня пытаюсь переводить песне «Сид и Нэнси». Трудно понять, и совсем не понимаю « Вены дорог, дороги вен». Ну сейчас Я устала, слушала лекцию утром.

Пока!