can languages degenerate?

Pidgin is defined as a "contact language, is the name given to any language created, usually spontaneously, out of a mixture of other languages as a means of communication between speakers of different tongues." Over time, it might evolve into a full-fledged language. Well, here is my question - can a language degenerate into Pidgin? Ask any Indian to speak in his native tongue and he will use some combination of English, Hindi and his native tongue. Obviously, it is not the language that has degenerated but people's use of the language, but for all practical purposes, the language has changed forever.

...which leads me to wonder about the paths to popularity of languages - is the "English" path of borrowing words freely better than the "French" approach of creating new words.

ATMs and the city

This is one of those actions that, when they happen, make you think, "what took them so long?". Seems like a pretty obvious idea, post-facto! Wonder if security requirements at Duane Reade would go up now. Would you work in a shop that has a few thousand dollars of CASH lying around, albeit inside a machine?

There is one thing I don't understand, though - in the commercial capital of the world, in the "credit card nation", an ATM network (access to cash) is being projected as the differentiating factor among retail banks. Larger the informal sector, larger the need for liquid cash - Chicago and NY probably fit that bill (no pun intended).

Are exchange rates working against BPOs?

Everyone has a right to demand secrecy of his personal info and every mediaperson has the right to bring out prospective loss of such info. What really frightens me is not that this happened - these things happen all over the world, wherever technology is involved - but the consideration involved. A mere 3,000 pounds sterling (abt 6,000 dollars). Clearly, the cost to the conman of such fraud would be much, much higher in most other parts of the world. Ironically, the same Exchange Rate and low costs that help Indian BPOs secure business is now working against them - this is a lot of money for people in third world countries and it gets me worried abt my own personal info.

On a related note, middlemen in Indian defence scams and espionage operations have been quoted in the press (anonymously, of course) saying that it is so buy off Indians. Low wage cost at work?

Ithaca

This is an abridged version of a great poem I came across in the novel Journey to Ithaca by Indian-born author Anita Desai. Too early for me to recommend the book to you, but the poem below is certainly worth reading - playing on the theme of "travelling vs arriving". Wait patiently for the last few lines. Enjoy.....

Constantine P. Cavafy
Ithaca (1911)
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,

pray that the road is long,

full of adventure, full of knowledge.

That the summer mornings are many, when,

with such pleasure, with such joy

you will enter ports seen for the first time;

stop at Phoenician markets,

and purchase fine merchandise,

mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,

and sensual perfumes of all kinds,

as many sensual perfumes as you can;

visit many Egyptian cities,

to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.

To arrive there is your ultimate goal.

But do not hurry the voyage at all.

It is better to let it last for many years;

and to anchor at the island when you are old,

rich with all you have gained on the way,

not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.

Without her you would have never set out on the road.

She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.

Wise as you have become, with so much experience,

you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Clothes-line to the poor

An amazing story of recycling clothes that leads to dignity for poorer people. Take time to read this inspiring piece.