Graduate school and academia have their own language, their own vocabulary of beautiful phrases and sophisticated words that sometimes hide embellish mundane activities. Since my days are a sometimes a jarring mix of baby fun and intense research and writing, they two start to blend, and before long, I come to understand Henry’s activities in part of the established discourses of academia. 

Grad speak: “His actions recode the traditional feminine and domestic sphere as a site of male agency and enjoyment.”

Translation: Henry likes to pull everything off the shelves in the kitchen.

Grad speak: “The dominant discourse of juvenile literature rejects a species-ist divide, highlighting animality in human identification and self-understanding.”

Translation: Most baby books are about animals.

Grad speak: “While numerous spaces devoted to pleasure are provided, what proves irresistible is the liminal space traditionally relegated to refuse and degradation.”

Translation: Henry would give up all his toys to play in the trashcan.

Grad speak: “He sought to problematize the established notions of quotidian activity.”

Translation: Henry totally refused to follow the directions I left for the babysitter.

Grad speak: “Great time is devoted to mapping the maternal visage, replacing a visual and analytical approach with taste.”

Translation: Babies like to kiss their moms – mouth wide, drool flowing.

Grad Speak: “The act of mediating the woman’s visual experience through the veil proved an integral goal of male past-time.”

Translation: Henry really loves putting a blanket over my face and taking it off again.

Grad Speak: “While seemingly random, the decor is organized around the ocular range of the despot.”

Translation: Sometimes we just hurl objects on the floor to try to distract Henry en route to climbing in the toilet or the fire place.

Grad speak: “When viewed through the gendered lens influenced by biochemistry and genetics, the subject initially understood as difficult and restrictive is recast in a positive light.”

Translation: Henry is a mess, but gosh do I love him, because he is MINE.