Where Tech Savvyness Ends And Where Being A Geek Begins

As we move further and further into a more technological age, lines begin to blur between where tech savvyness ends and where being a Geek begins. I have been working with computers since I was 8 years old. I remember the good old days where I would sit there with my dad watching him play Zork for hours on end. In fact that game is one of the reasons I started writing. This was in the mid to late 80 s and the machines had no hard drives and ran completely off of 5 1/4 inch floppy disk s. This was all fun and games, but I didn t learn much from the experience. I did however learn to maneuver through the DOS operating system as well as how to execute programs. My real experience didn t start till around June of 1992. I live in the San Bernardino California area. If you know any history of the area, in June 1992 there was a massive 7.3 earthquake that shook San Bernardino quite harshly. Shopping malls all around the area had the roofs cave in. This was a great tragedy but for us a g reat learning experience. Because of the earthquake the malls were forced to send all of their computer equipment to the land-fills for insurance purposes, wither they were damaged or not. This is where my real experience started. My father brought home three PC s that looked more like junk than computers. With a bit of elbow grease we were able to salvage parts from one of the PC s and get the other two working. The obviously more powerful PC my dad decided to keep for himself and I got

John Locke And John Stuart Mill - 1451 Words

Did the arguments of classical liberals, such as John Locke and John Stuart Mill, serve to legitimate European imperialism and the dispossession of indigenous peoples? John Locke has been informally known as the grandfather of liberalism. Similarly, John Stuart Mill is regarded as one of the early pioneers of the philosophy of liberalism (Armitage, n.d.). However, both of these liberalists have also been known to openly support the concept of empiricism. While no fool can tell that empiricism and liberalism are directly antagonist in nature and do not go hand in hand. How does this even make sense then? It is pertinent to look into the roots of the aforementioned concepts and decipher whether they negate or reinforce each other. Since its†¦show more content†¦Europeans have had always favoured colonialism perhaps due to the growing population pressures. Hence, it was always convenient to move towards a new area when the previous one became too cramped (Smith, 1991). The concept of British imperialism was justified on the grounds of self-proclamation of what is a human being and how they should function in societies (Toll, 2009). Parekh rightly notes that the North American natives were for long thought to be beasts with human bodies and this concept directly led to the higher value of the life of the imperialists. Christians, too, started exploiting on the natives under the pretext of their moral enlightenment (Parekh, 1997). This was the â€Å"Civilizing Project†, which paved way for attributing colonialism to something good rather than a blessing on the natives. The Classical Liberal theory rests in its very core on the foundation of equality of life and individuality of all humans. Hence, liberals perpetrate the idea of personal freedom and choice to go about one’s business as long as it doesn’t infringe or interfere with the rights of the other (Heywood, 2002). Locke was of the opinion that each individual is bestowed with certain versatile features which are distinct as must be respected. In an ideal form of government, every individual is hence free to pursue all that his individuality allows him to (Parekh, 1997). He believed that humans possess the ability to reason and cognition whichShow MoreRelatedJohn Locke And John Stuart Mill s On Liberty Essay1200 Words   |  5 Pagesthe role the individual plays in society and to the state. Whereas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill have developed a more modernized conception of liberty and the role of the individual to the state and society. Plato’s work th e Republic, and Aristotle’s works of literature Nicomachean Ethics, and Politics will be contrasted against Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Locke’s Second Treatise, and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. The literature works of the Political Philosophers mentioned previouslyRead MoreStuart Mill and John Locke Conception of Freedom Essay1913 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction John Locke (1632-1704) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) are two important thinkers of liberty in modern political thought. They have revolutionized the idea of human freedom at their time and have influenced many political thinkers afterwards. Although their important book on human freedom, John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Government (1689) and John Mill’s On Liberty (1859), are separated 170 years, some scholars thinks that they are belonging to the same conceptual tradition, EnglishRead MoreJohn Locke And John Stuart Mill s On Liberty Essay1748 Words   |  7 Pagesthe role the individual plays in society and to the state. Whereas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill have developed a more modernized conception of liberty and the role of the individual to the state and society. Plato’s work the Republic, and Aristotle’s works of literature Nicomachean Ethics, and Politics will be contrasted against Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, John Loc ke’s Second Treatise, and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. The literature works of the political philosophers mentioned previouslyRead More Comparing John Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau2026 Words   |  9 PagesComparing John Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau John Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau all dealt with the issue of political freedom within a society. John Lockes â€Å"The Second Treatise of Government†, Mills â€Å"On Liberty†, and Rousseau’s â€Å"Discourse On The Origins of Inequality† are influential and compelling literary works which while outlining the conceptual framework of each thinker’s ideal state present divergent visions of the very nature of man and hisRead MoreJohn Locke and John Stuart Mills Definition of Freedom Essay2029 Words   |  9 PagesJohn Locke and John Stuart Mills Definition of Freedom John Locke believes that man ought to have more freedom in political society than John Stuart Mill does. John Lockes The Second Treatise of Government and John Stuart Mills On Liberty are influential and potent literary works which while outlining the conceptual framework of each thinkers ideal state present two divergent visions of the very nature of man and his freedom. John Locke and John Stuart Mill have different views regarding howRead MoreLocke vs Mill1618 Words   |  7 Pagesby two of the greatest English philosophers, John Locke and John Stuart Mill. Locke and Mill men will attempt to uncover the mysteries of Liberty and Freedom and unveil the importance of being free. This essay will look at John Locke’s principle works† Second Treatise of government† and John Stuart Mills. â€Å" On Liberty and Other Essays†. This essay will attempt to compare and contrast Lockes ideology on Liberty and Freedom to that of Mill. John Locke was one of the greatest philosopher in EuropeRead MoreShould Slave Contracts be Legal?1278 Words   |  6 Pageswithout coercion are justified in a free society. The philosophies that best illustrate this moral idea are Robert Nozick’s theory of libertarianism and Fredrick Douglass’s theory of coerced slavery; and it is best negated by John Stuart Mill’s theory of utilitarianism and John Locke’s theory of classical libertarianism. Robert Nozick’s theory of libertarianism does specifically affirm non-coerced slave contracts, however Nozick best describes his reasoning in his work Anarchy State and Utopia, claimingRead MoreThe Protest Of The United States1576 Words   |  7 Pagesthat they are never ignored (Mather). The main point of the Two Treaties of Government was to illustrate John Locke’s idea that all men were created equal and naturally free. He went against the ideals of Robert Filmer who believed that humans were born to be subjugated by the monarchs of their time. Like the civil rights activist who influenced the BLM movement, Ella Baker believed, John Locke agreed that people, or â€Å"Nature† had a way of governing all of mankind. There was no need for subordinationRead MoreIndividual Liberty and The Bill 94 in Quebec, Canada1077 Words   |  5 Pagesliberty, Locke believes that each individual is the judge of their own actions (Columbia Encyclopedia, 2002). All individuals have a right to be free and a right to decide how they want to live without interference from the state. (Columbia Encyclopedia, 2002). Muslim women have the right to freely cover their face without limitations or discrimination from state authority. Bill 94 would terminate the individual choice o f Muslim women and interfere with their individual rights and liberty. Locke believesRead MoreConflicting Visions of Freedom in John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty and John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Government1275 Words   |  6 PagesJohn Stuart Mill’s On Liberty and John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Government are influential literary works while which outlining the theoretical framework of each thinkers optimal state propose two conflicting visions of the very essence of man and his freedom. Locke and Mill have completely different views when it comes to how much freedom man should have in political society because they have obtained different views about man’s potential of inheriting pure or evil behavior. In chapter two

Analysis Of Carol Dweck s Mindset I Learned About Fixed Mindset And Growth Mindset Essay Example For Students

Analysis Of Carol Dweck s Mindset I Learned About Fixed Mindset And Growth Mindset Essay Throughout my life I have always coasted through everything that I have ever done. When it came to school you could describe me as an average student when compared to my friends, I always did the bare minimum that I needed to pass, when it came to outside of school it was the same thing when ever my mom or dad told me to do something I always to put in the least amount of effort to accomplish it and waited to the last minute to start doing it. When I read Carol Dweck’s Mindset I learned about fixed mindset and growth mindset, Dweck explained fixed mindset is when a person sets himself up for failure mentally, they always think they wont amount to anything so they just stop trying; while growth mindset is the exact opposite of a fixed mindset, they try to learn as much as they can, they never waver in front of anything and always believe they can accomplish anything (57). After reading the book I was to able to instantly recognize that I was an individual with a fixed mindset t hroughout my primary education and life like how Dweck described (57). Looking back at the first three years of elementary school I performed above some of my classmates, I could have even had a growth mindset during that time as I had just moved to the United States from Mexico three years prior. I still didn’t understand the language, so I wanted to learn the most I could. I would always raise my hand to ask questions about something I didn t know and I didn t care what people thought about me, I was there to learn and better myself. Every time I got home the first thing I ever did was to go to my room and finish my homework, but it wasn’t until I was in fourth grade that my growth mindset transitioned into a fixed mindset.My fixed mindset started b. . education so you guys can get a high paying job so that you don t have to work like this for the rest of your lives. As soon as I got home I enrolled into Lone Star North Harris to continue my education. I now study to learn and better myself instead of just acing the test (Dweck 61). I now know that my way of thinking like this was because of my fixed mindset, the problem in front of me wasn’t my friends or my siblings it was my idiotic way of thinking and the way I put myself down. If I had a growth mindset during those times I probably would have studied until I could understand everything and had better grades. I would have actually enjoyed middle school instead of stressing about pointless thing that I really shouldn’t have cared about. I shouldn t have cared what people thought about me instead I should have just tried to better myself to the best I could.

The Physical And Psychological Effects Of Aids Essays - HIVAIDS, HIV

The Physical And Psychological Effects Of Aids The reality of AIDS has insinuated itself into everyday life and language over the past decade. Though looked at as a foreigner, AIDS is in our entire society; employment, homes, and our intimate relationships. People with the AIDS virus feel trapped and have a desire to break away from the bondage that this horrible disease has with the person. However, running from the issue at hand only makes the problem worse. With one's own strength and the loving support of others a positive result can be attained. Ignorance is the main problem with AIDS today. Too many people are judgmental about the disease without having any knowledge of its nature. AIDS is a disease caused by the human immune deficiency virus, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which destroys one's natural ability to fight illnesses (Rodger et al. 498). HIV is the generally accepted name for the virus, however, other types have been discovered, the most common being HIV-1. HIV related illnesses include the direct effects of the virus and the effects of opportunistic infections. When a person becomes infected with the HIV virus, it causes a breakdown of the body's immune system. This breakdown lowers the immune system significantly causing the HIV virus to develop into full-blown AIDS and other harmful illnesses such as pneumonia and cancers, ultimately causing death (Rodger et al. 499). The transmission of the AIDS virus can occur in variety of ways, the most common is through unprotected sexual activity. This allows the exchange of bodily fluids between an infected and uninfected person, heterosexual or homosexual. Infected intravenous drug users also transmit the virus through the blood of a shared syringe or other drug paraphernalia. The virus can also be transmitted during a blood transfusion with contaminated blood. The final way of transmission is from mother to child, an infected mother can infect her child through her breast milk (Clarke 86). The window of time from the date of HIV infection to the development of full-blown AIDS can be longer than ten years. A person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after one of the opportunistic diseases develops. Much has been accomplished regarding the knowledge of the AIDS virus since its discovery in the early 1980's, however, even as medical treatments become stronger and offer more hope to the victims, AIDS still does not have a vaccine to cure theses victims (Clarke 92). With the knowledge of having no permanent cure, AIDS patients tend to question the illness, the people surrounding them, and also their own life. When a person is suffering in life, they experience physical and psychological threats. These threats appear to be stronger than the person's own resources (Rodger et al. 501). The annihilation of individuality, the feeling of being overwhelmed by an uncontrollable force, is the greatest threat to a human being. The AIDS virus greatly effects the victim's self esteem, body image, independence, environment, and relationships. AIDS is that uncontrollable force that threatens so many people in the world. One's body is their frame of reference, their means of expression, and a foundation for establishing and maintaining relationships. The body is a way to express thoughts, along with a means to relate with the world. When one's frame of reference is changed, their personality changes as well (Clarke 87). The AIDS virus also effects an individual's body independence. A person's independence gives courage and strength to attempt and accomplishment of personal goals. The virus makes the victim feel the exact opposite, completely powerless. Psychological theory explains that people affected by AIDS feel helpless due to trauma, traumatic stress reactions, or depression (Tsasis 555). The victims' interaction with their environment also causes these feelings of hopelessness. When a person is well, they are able to control receptivity to outside stimuli that involves surrounding information, but an infected person lacks that control. That sense of control is especially lost in a hospital sett ing. In this environment their world is altered from a comfortable locale to a foreign place. The individual no longer has control over where they are placed, with whom, or the neighboring stimuli (Tsasis 557). The illness drastically alters a person's ability to relate to others, causing loneliness and emptiness. The patient is

Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem free essay sample

I would highly recommend the album, Marshall Mathers LP, produced in the year 1999 and released at the turn of a new century. Marshall Mathers, Eminem or his alter ego, Slim Shady, brought change to rap/hip hop forever. Eminem uses explicit rhymes that he uses to describe and tell people about his life, although explicit he uses those words in a context that is, in a way, needed to describe his life. In the song â€Å"Stan† Eminem talks about his closest friend as a child growing up about how his life was terrible, and how his cousin had ended up going rogue and kills himself and he is saying that he thought it was all his fault and he was to blame for his closest friends death. All his life experiences leading up to his career have fueled his energy to do his job in the music industry, and all of this energy has been put towards creating the Marshall Mathers LP. We will write a custom essay sample on Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Marshall (AKA Eminem) was ranked at the the top of this list of the best rappers in the world and MMLP has 21,000,000 copies worldwide and nearly half of those records were sold in the United States. Many people love his music style of rap and hip/hop mashed together and others not so much, but Eminem has changed the music industry for better and for worse with this album.

English as a National Foreign Language Essays

English as a National Foreign Language Essays English as a National Foreign Language Essay English as a National Foreign Language Essay Essay Topic: A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Woman of Colour Novel English as a National Foreign Language India has two national languages for central administrative purposes: Hindi and English. Hindi is the national, official, and main link language of India. English is an associate official language. The Indian Constitution also officially approves twenty-two regional languages for official purposes. Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary. Apart from these languages, Hindi is used for communication in India. The homeland of Hindi is mainly in the north of India, but it is spoken and widely understood in all urban centers of India. In the southern states of India, where people speak many different languages that are not much related to Hindi, there is more resistance to Hindi, which has allowed English to remain a lingua franca to a greater degree. Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay respectively. The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English. India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture. In India, English serves two purposes. First, it provides a linguistic tool for the administrative cohesiveness of the country, causing people who speak different languages to become united. Secondly, it serves as a language of wider communication, including a large variety of different people covering a vast area. It overlaps with local languages in certain spheres of influence and in public domains. Generally, English is used among Indians as a ‘link’ language and it is the first language for many well-educated Indians. It is also the second language for many who speak more than one language in India. The English language is a tie that helps bind the many segments of our society together. Also, it is a linguistic bridge between the major countries of the world and India. English has special national status in India. It has a special place in the parliament, judiciary, broadcasting, journalism, and in the education system. One can see a Hindi-speaking teacher giving their students instructions during an educational tour about where to meet and when their bus would leave, but all in English. It means that the language permeates daily life. It is unavoidable and is always expected, especially in the cities. The importance of the ability to speak or write English has recently increased significantly because English has become the de facto standard. Learning English language has become popular for business, commerce and cultural reasons and especially for internet communications throughout the world. English is a language that has become a standard not because it has been approved by any ‘standards’ organization but because it is widely used by many information and technology industries and recognized as being standard. The call centre phenomenon has stimulated a huge expansion of internet-related activity, establishing the future of India as a cyber-technological super-power. Modern communications, videos, journals and newspapers on the internet use English and have made ‘knowing English’ indispensable. The prevailing view seems to be that unless students learn English, they can only work in limited jobs. Those who do not have basic knowledge of English cannot obtain good quality jobs. They cannot communicate efficiently with others, and cannot have the benefit of India’s rich social and cultural life. Men and women who cannot comprehend and interpret instructions in English, even if educated, are unemployable. They cannot help with their children’s school homework everyday or decide their revenue options of the future. A positive attitude to English as a national language is essential to the integration of people into Indian society. There would appear to be virtually no disagreement in the community about the importance of English language skills. Using English you will become a citizen of the world almost naturally. English plays a dominant role in the media. It has been used as a medium for inter-state communication and broadcasting both before and since India’s independence. India is, without a doubt, committed to English as a national language. The impact of English is not only continuing but increasing. english in India | |Officially English has a status of assistant language, but in fact it is the most important language of India. After Hindi it is the most | |commonly spoken language in India and probably the most read and written language in India. Indians who know English will always try to show | |that they know English. English symbolizes in Indians minds, better education, bette r culture and higher intellect. Indians who know English | |often mingle it with Indian languages in their conversations. It is also usual among Indians to abruptly move to speak fluent English in the | |middle of their conversations. English also serves as the communicator among Indians who speak different language. English is very important in| |some systems – legal, financial, educational, business – in India. Until the beginning of 1990s, foreign movies in India weren’t translated or | |dubbed in Indian languages, but were broadcast in English and were meant for English speakers only. The reason Indians give such importance to | |English is related to the fact that India was a British colony (see Europeans in India). |When the British started ruling India, they searched for Indian mediators who could help them to administer India. The British turned to high | |caste Indians to work for them. Many high caste Indians, especially the Brahmans worked for them. The British policy was to create an Indian | |class who should think like the British, or as it was said then in Britain â⠂¬Å"Indians in blood and color but English in taste, in opinions and | |morals and intellect†. The British also established in India universities based on British models with emphasis on English. These Indians also | |got their education in British universities. The English Christian missionaries came to India from 1813 and they also built schools at primary | |level for Indians in which the language of instruction was local language. Later on the missionaries built high schools with English as the | |language of instruction which obliged the Indians who wanted to study to have a good knowledge of English. The British rulers began building | |their universities in India from 1857. English became the first language in Indian education. The ‘modern’ leaders of that era in India also | |supported English language and claimed it to be the main key towards success. Indians who knew good English were seen as the new elite of and phrases, the Indians also have their own | |unique English. The Indians and the Indian English language press uses many words derived from Indian languages, especially from Hindi. Other so that they could pronounce them. Even and made them part of their English. Two examples of such changed words are currey and sari. |[pic] | Top of Form [pic] [pic] Bottom of Form The sole reason behind English language in India been laid such accentuation lies manifested in the fact that India had once extensively served as a British colony. When the so-called British Empire began its domination upon India, they had indeed scouted for Indian intermediaries who could aid them to administer India more graciously. Reviewing the then Indian scenario, the English rulers turned towards higher caste Indians to work for them. As such, numerous high caste Indians, principally the Brahmans began to work under British imperialism. The British policy was to fashion an Indian class who should think and act like the British, or as it was stated then in Britain, Indians in blood and colour but English in taste, in opinions and morals and intellect. Consequently pretty much alarmed with the status of English language in India, the British law-makers started establishing universities based on British models with sole stress on English. As an understandable result, these `high-classed` Indians began to receive their elementary education in their country, finally leaving for Vilayat (Great Britain or England was referred to by this term during pre-independence times in India) for higher education in British universities. Commencing from the early 1600s, English language has had a firm foothold on the Indian subcontinent, when the British East India Company had established settlements in Madras, Kolkata and Bombay, which were subsequently declared as Presidency towns, merging the erstwhile princely states. The historical background of India has in fact never been too distanced from routine usage of English. India has had a prolonged exposure to English than any other country which utilised it as a second language, its idiosyncratic words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric circularising gradually to charm every Indian state, region, its populace, their habits and inherent culture. In order to secure the spread of freshly-introduced English language in India, the English Christian missionaries began to arrive in India from 1813, a significant move by British administration linked with India and its English counterpart. These Christian missionaries also had erected schools at primary level for Indians, in which the medium and language of instruction was local language. Later on, the missionaries went on to build high schools with English as the language of instruction which accommodated the natives who wanted to study, to possess a sound knowledge of English. British rulers began building their universities in India precisely from 1857, post the historical and fate-deciding Sepoy Mutiny and transferring of power from East India Company to direct annexation under Queen Victoria`s sovereignty. English had thus become the first language in Indian education. The `modern` leaders (also hugely esteemed as the social and reformist men from India, aiming with the view to take India to sublime heights like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda) of the erstwhile era in India also backed English language and claimed it to be the basic key towards accomplishment. Indians who were enlightened in good English, were deemed as the new social class or elite of India. Umpteen new schools were established in which the medium of education was English. According to British laws, the language of instruction at university level was mandated to be English and thus schools that accentuated upon English, were preferred by motivated and go-getting Indians. Even after Indian Independence, English language remained the principal language of communication in India. Officially it was given a status of an `assistant language` and was supposed to terminate officially after fifteen years of India`s independence. However, this very enigmatic yet lucid language still persists as the authoritative language of India. It is universally and unanimously hypothesized that the widespread study of English language in India was imposed upon Indians by Lord Macaulay with the solitary aim of serving the end of British administration in India. Travelling a substantial journey, from being a language doused in colonialism, English has come a long way as the language that has lent India an edge over countries where English is rendered the status of a `foreign language`. India has since Independence to the contemporary times, become a `resource consortium` of English a language whose pre-eminence remains unquestionable. English language usage in India plays a cardinal role in the fields of education, administration, business and political relations, judiciary, industry and virtually in umpteen other domains and is therefore a ticket to social mobility, higher education and better job opportunities. In the gradual and tremendous rising context of English language in India, English literature penned by Indian authors has made its everlasting mark in world literature. So much so has been this writing impact, that Indian English Literature has presently turned into an authentic genre, which does not seem to stop in far future. Among the Indian writers in English, R. K. Narayan chooses to write in English because he himself says, It is the only language I am really familiar with. It is the only language which is transparent and takes on the hues of the country or region where the story set. R. K. Narayan makes use of popular Tamil and Sanskrit words generously in his novels; for example: bonda; sadhu; rasam; Samadhi; asura and so on. The flexibility and adaptability of English had indeed fascinated him and for this reason he had chosen it as his only medium of story-telling. Besides R. K. Narayan, Indian writers in English language comprise a luminous list of Amitava Ghosh, Amit Chaudhuri, Kiran Desai, Anita Desai, Arundhati Roy and various other graduating geniuses. In India, where more than eighteen different state languages coexist, English suffices as the essential connection between people speaking umpteen mother tongues. Thus, more than two hundred and fifty years later, when the very first British trader had stepped onto Indian soil, the number of Indians who aspire to learn and make use of English is still escalating steadily. Just like the final icing on the cake, the impact of English language in India is not only continuing to enlarge, but also increasing in leaps and bounds. The number of English newspapers, journals and magazine has also been on the increase for a long time. In fact, Indian English is a distinguished dialect of English, just like British Received Pronunciation or Australian English, or Standard American. To some extent, the strict British dialectical English has today taken a backseat. Indian English possesses a motley of distinctive pronunciations, some idiosyncratic syntaxes and a significant amount of lexical variation. Officially and according to Constitutional law makers, English language in India is lent the status of a subsidiary language after Hindi, but is, in effect, the most important language used in the country. After Hindi, it is the most extensively spoken language in India and probably the most read and written language too. Truly, in almost every sphere of life, English language has turned out to be the `identity representation` each and every next day. In this Indian English context, the missionary schools that were first started by British missionary workers, have today spread their wings to fly high towards supreme reputation. As such, the Christian missionary schools emphasise on English to be considered as the first language, which helps a student to graduate towards better educational standards in colleges and universities. However, this very trend of English language in India is wholly dedicated towards making this `foreign` language out-and-out Indianised. For most of these students, English is mandatory as the first language and it becomes easier for them to communicate in international levels. Just like the American or Australian population, or even the Britishers who possess their exclusive English words and phrases, Indians also have their own unique concept of English. Indians and the Indian English language that is utilised by nationalised news sections in newspapers have been deduced from Indian languages, especially from Hindi. Other than this, there sometimes arises a dilemma with the Indian accent, which is at times difficult for non-Indians to comprehend. There also exist some Indian pronunciations that do not exist in non-Indian languages. During the British ascendancy in India, they also had encountered problems with that and they induced some changes in Indian words to make pronunciation easier. English language in India, since then, started to make its still-continuing impact upon the country`s burgeoning population, who, alternatively, started using these modified words and made them part of their vocabulary. Two illustrations of such changed words are curry and sari. Leaving aside the commercialisation and globalisation of English language as it is treated in India, the language also serves for solemn administrational purposes. India has two national languages for federal and central purposes, comprising Hindi and English. Hindi is the national, official and basic linking language of India. English is esteemed as an associating official language. The Indian Constitution also officially approves twenty-two regional languages for official purposes. Scores of distinctly dissimilar regional languages are spoken in India, which further share umpteen characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary. In India, English language fundamentally serves two functions. Firstly, it furnishes with a linguistic tool for the administrative coherence of the country, making people who speak different languages to become unified and united. Secondly, it acts as a language of more panoptic communication, encompassing an enormous variety of people, embracing a vast area. It intersects with localised languages in particular spheres of influence and in public domains. On a more general term, English language in India is utilised amongst Indians as a `link` language and also serves as the first language for umpteen well-versed citizens. It also serves as the second language for several who speak more than one language in India. English language is that bond that helps bind the many slices of the society together. Also, English is a linguistic bridge between the major countries of the world and India. English occupies special national status in India; it possesses a special place in the parliament, judiciary, broadcasting, journalism and in the education system. The significance of the ability to speak or write English has increased significantly of late, due to its becoming the de facto standard. Learning English language in India has become well-accepted for business, commercial and cultural reasons and particularly for internet communications throughout the world. English is a language that is deemed a benchmark not because it has been accredited by any `standard` organisation, but because it is extensively employed by many information and technology industries and recognised as being standard. The `call-centre` phenomenon has aided in stimulating an immense expansion of internet-associated activity, grounding the future of India as a `cyber-technological super-power`. Modern communications, videos, journals and newspapers on the internet make use of English and have made `knowing English` indispensable. Maintaining a positive attitude to English as a national language is fundamental to the consolidation of populace in Indian society. There would practically appear to be no discrepancy within the community about the authority of English language skills in India. By making thorough usage of English, one can gradually become a citizen of the world almost effortlessly. English also plays a prevalent role in the media. It has endlessly been used as a medium for inter-state communication and broadcasting both before and since India`s Independence. India is, without any doubt, devoted to English as a national language. The impact of English is not only continuing but increasing towards a secured next day. ited my fathers family in Canada when I was ten years old. His parents and sisters had migrated to Montreal from India in the seventies. For a young excitable child of ten the sights and sounds of this new place were fascinating, but what was amusing was the way in which my familys Canadian friends perceived India. Other than the stereotypical notions they had about elephants, snake charmers, and maharajahs, they were surprised that I spoke fluent English. When I told them its the only language I speak other than a smattering of Hindi there were even louder exclamations! Today, India is well recognized globally for its vast talent pool and well-educated professionals, but still there is only a dim understanding of what this vast country encapsulates. Indian English is something that many foreigners are unaware of and even if they are aware, they are unsure about its credibility. English in India is a legacy from the British who colonized the country and their language permeated through some of the most important parts of society: the government, the media, the education system, the legal system, and gradually the social sphere as well. India is a vast nation and in terms of number of English speakers, it ranks third in the world after USA and the UK. An estimated 4 percent of the population use English and even though this may seem like a small number that is about 40 million people. This small segment of the population controls domains that have professional and social prestige. Though it is closer to British English since it originates from that style, with the influx of globalization American English has definitely had an impact on the youth as well as in the professional sphere. However, it can neither be classified as American or British English as it intermingled with other Indian languages and emerged with its own distinct flavor. This has made several scholars realize that it cannot be equated with either. English in the Administration and Media: Though it is not classified as one of the 15 languages of India, English remains the associate official language along with Hindi, which is the official language. The reason for this is the large number of languages and dialects spoken in India and that several people are unfamiliar with Hindi. Though it lacks the symbolic power to be chosen as the sole official language, it is used widely in communication. The English press in India began serious journalism in the country and English language newspapers are published in practically all states. Not only has it impacted print media, but broadcasting media as well. There are several English news channels as well as several outstanding media courses offered at various institutions, which focus on journalism in English. The Education System: In higher education English is the premier prestige language. Careers in any area of business or commerce, or within the government, or in science and technology require fluency in English. It is taught in schools ranging from the most elite private schools to small government schools because only this language is an acceptable medium of communication through the nation. The Social Sphere: Other than the more formal sectors of administration, media, and education, English has seeped into the less formal social sphere. It is certainly considered instrumental in terms of having access to information from all over the world and as a key factor for professional success, but it is also very much a part of the educated middle and upper class persons life especially of the youth in India. Now American English is becoming more popular with the educated youth due to the number of American programs aired in India. While bureaucrats and officials continue to use archaic convoluted sentences, which are relics of British English, the younger generation is comfortable and familiar with American English. Here, I make the distinction not between an older and newer form of the language, but between a more formal and casual style. Several people speak English with their friends, and people get introduced to each other most often in English. Over half of all personal letters are also written in English. Indian Writing in English: India is the third largest English book producing country after the US and the UK, and the largest number of books are published in English. Creative writing in English has been an integral part of the Indian literary tradition for many years. Many believe that is a challenge for Indian novelists to write about their experiences in a language, which is essentially â€Å"foreign†. However, Indian English has been used widely by several writers who have been able to successfully use the language to create rich and invigorating literature. India is rich with tastes, sounds, and sights that are any writers dream and stylistic influence from local languages is a particular feature of Indian literature in English. Many perceive English as having released the local languages from rigid classical traditions that could be an obstacle while writing. It is Indian writers in English who have truly showcased India to the world not only in terms of understanding the country better, but also by establishing that the language no longer represents the western concepts of literary creativity as its ranges have expanded. The Future of English in India The language has already been well established in the country and has acquired its own independent identity. With the number of foreign investors flocking to India and the growth of outsourcing, English has come to play a key role in professional relationships between foreign and Indian companies. Familiarity with the differences between American and British English has definitely grown as much business communication is carried out according to the language style with which a client is comfortable. Though many may perceive the accent, terminology, and conversational style as â€Å"funny†, in reality it is just a different English that cannot simply be equated with either American or British English. Indians are familiar with both types of English, but Indian English has acquired its own character in a country which is a melting pot of various cultures, people, and tEnglish, Tamil: Ideology vs. Reality (3 of 3) Bernstein states that the way a society selects, classifies, distributes, transmits and evaluates the educational knowledge it considers to be public, reflects both the distribution of power and the principles of social control. Habermas and Bernstein, among others, provide some crucial rubrics to understand the complex political processes that underpin the medium of instruction issue in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and similar Indian states which carry strong political and ideological overtones. Habermas regards ideology as ‘systematically distorted communication ’ and the ‘suppression of generalizable interests,’ where structural features in communities (including language communities) and societies operate to the advantage of the dominant and the disadvantage of subordinate groups. Ideology here is taken to be the values of dominant groups in society that permeate the social structure, with or without the consensus of all. Power, through ideology, is omnipresent in language. And language is a principal means for the operation of power. Going by Gramsci’s notion of hegemony – domination by consent of all parties, including the dominated – language is intimately involved in the manufacture of ideological consent and in turn where power resides. Tamil Nadu provides for a very insightful case study in this regard. The MOI issue in Tamil Nadu is bound by issues of power, domination, legitimacy and social stratification. Historically, the Tamil region has had an uncomfortable relationship with the Indian union and it was one of the only states that problematized the notion of having a national language – to be used for all official communication and to be used as the MOI in all public schools – and was successful in undermining the idea altogether. But it also gave birth to a political discourse that was obsessed with a rigid Tamil identity. The Dravidian governments have insisted, since then, on the necessity to preserve Tamil heritage and its purported uniqueness. They have expressed concerns over Tamil losing its stature among its own populace. Even if one does not problematize essentialist notions such as Tamil heritage, it is untenable to assume that maintaining Tamil as the primary medium of instruction in public schools would achieve that goal. The government has not done any studies to establish if public schools have produced more ‘authentic Tamils’ than private schools. Both in terms of feasibility and ideological apprehension that Tamil will lose its foothold among its people, the governments’ concerns seem unfounded. The Dravidian parties (DMK and ADMK) have, over the decades, used Tamil to exploit a populist sentiment that is not necessarily reflected on people’s economic aspirations and the means to achieving them. However, this populist sentiment is not peculiar to Tamil politics alone. The mainstream media, especially films, exhibit a dichotomous behavior in which people who speak ‘pure’ Tamil considered to be true to their identity while indirectly maintaining that those who speak ‘good’ English are sophisticated. (This observation is all the more relevant for a state like Tamil Nadu. ‘Symbolic violence’, Bourdieu says, is when structures of domination in a society are reproduced by imposing cultural values claimed to be universal. English, in this context, maybe argued as an elitist cultural value thrust on the poor and socially backward by creating an illusion of empowerment while simultaneously delegitimizing Tamil’s role in achieving t he same. But it is in direct contradiction with macro, external realities such as the difficulties faced by Tamil medium students when they enter the university level and the labour market. The underlying problem is not whether or not English is desired by all sections of the society but whether the State should maintain its exclusivity. Conclusion: English linguistic capital continues to be linked to cultural and economic capital and to reproduce the existing stratification of society and schooling. This practice has only become stronger over the years; the recent economic growth driven by the IT industry has re-invented the elite status that English language has long held in India. Students’ performance in private, English medium schools has also legitimized the power exerted by English, further increasing its desirability. Therefore, it is unrealistic to hope that students from Tamil medium schools will be able to compete on a level playing field in the future. The MOI issue in Tamil Nadu, as interpreted through the linguistic capital perspective, maybe interpreted with Giddens’ structuration theory: where agency (parental aspiration) combines with structure (parents’ cultural background and the school system) to produce and reify social structures and behavior. The successive governments lead by the Dravidian parties, by the way of restricting the MOI to Tamil in most of the public schools, has repressed the agency of those who need it the most – the poor and the backward classes. The political elites of Tamil Nadu – primarily from the Dravidian parties – have created a landscape that has normalized several false dichotomies. The purported significance of a Tamil identity, it can be argued, is no more than a hegemonic thrust of a moralistic ideology that marginalized the fundamental aspirations of a people who were already politically and economically disenfranchised, especially the SC/ST. The DMK’s vision of empowering the masses by reclaiming the Tamil identity has been farcical at best. It laid a heuristic obstacle by creating dead ends to students who were indirectly forced to go through Tamil-medium schools. Tamil’s virtual absence in universities and colleges stand testament to this claim. The language policy is underpinned by the oversimplification of Tamil ethnic identity to medium of instruction in schools. A point that needs to be contrasted with the fact the much of the modern exposure of Tamil, as a language and a cultural entity, has been fuelled by social and technological development rooted in English. A State that envisions an egalitarian society – that makes policy reforms to accommodate lower castes by quotas and other such reservation systems – should also take into account the interests of the wider public in other critical issues. Regardless of what percentage of people choose English-medium schools – if given the choice – the state government’s role in forcing them one way or the other is questionable. In a state with such visible stratification based on caste structures, the State needs to democratize the educational system in a way that reflects the current priorities of the people Difficulties with English language People may find English a challenge because it is not their first language they have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia their previous education developed only basic English skills they are more used to speaking than writing in English they learned a style of English writing that does not fit the UK’s usual academic style they have a combination of these difficulties. Types of language problem Language problems often fall into two main categories. Difficulties in understanding can cause particular problems when reading the style of language used in a course listening to others, either in group sessions or telephone tutorials trying to respond to spoken or written questions encountering colloquialisms, idioms and cultural references (for example from current television programmes) that are used in online forums or other discussions making use of examples used in explanations. Difficulties in writing for others to read may relate particularly to punctuati on or the use of paragraphs making mistakes with verb tenses, or with subject and verb agreement using the wrong word or putting words in the wrong order errors in spelling inability to write at length in order to construct essays or reports using a style which does not suit UK academic work. Level 1 OU study provides opportunities for students to use the English language to show that you know and understand principles, concepts and terms central to your subject use your knowledge and understanding to describe, analyse and interpret defined aspects of your subject know about and begin to address issues and problems central to your subject develop your skills in communicating information accurately and ppropriately to your subject, purpose and audience develop your skills in finding, selecting and using information or data in defined c Learning to speak English well may be the best thing you can do to improve your life. You can get all this if you speak English well. Get acc ess to knowledge What are you interested in? Is it science? Music? Computers? Health? Business? Sports? Todays media - such as the Internet, television, and the press - give you almost unlimited access to knowledge about your favorite subjects. After all, we live in the information age, dont we? Theres only one problem. Most of this knowledge is in English. Here are some examples of knowledge you can use if you know English: Most pages on the Web. Thats over a billion (1,000,000,000) pages of information! Its amazing that learning just one language gives you access to almost all knowledge on the Internet. Books - on any subject, from all over the world. Read books by British or American authors, and books translated from other languages. Whatever youre interested in, you can read about it in English! The press. Only English-language magazines and newspapers can be bought in every part of the world. You dont have to search for Time, Newsweek, or the International Herald Tribune! Science. English is the key to the world of science. In 1997, 95% of the articles in the Science Citation Index were written in English. Only about 50% of them were from English-speaking countries like the USA or Britain. (source) News reports. Watch international television networks, such as CNN International and NBC. They broadcast news much faster, and more professionally, than smaller, national networks. And you can watch them everywhere in the world. Communicate with people We like to call English the language of communication. Why? Because it seems all the people in the world have agreed to use English to talk to each other. About 1,500,000,000 people in the world speak English. Another 1,000,000,000 are learning it. (source) 75% of the worlds letters and postcards are written in English. (source) Almost all international conferences and competitions are conducted in English. For example, the Olympics and the Miss World contest. Diplomats and politicians from different countries use English to communicate with each other. English is the main language of organizations like the United Nations, NATO, and the European Free Trade Association. If you can communicate in English, you can: Contact people from all over the world. Talk about your ideas and opinions on Internet discussion groups. Send e-mail to interesting people. Learn about their life and culture. Travel more easily. Communicate with people wherever you go - English is spoken in more than 100 countries (source). Ask directions, have a conversation, or ask for help. Who knows, maybe English will save your life someday! Push your career forward If you want a good job in business, technology, or science, get out of that armchair and start learning English now! (If you already have a good job, start learning before you lose it! ) Knowing English will let you: Put excellent knowledge of English on your CV. Get your dream job, and earn more money. Gain technical knowledge. English is the language of technology, especially high technology like computer science, genetics, and medicine. If youre going to read about technology, youll probably have to do it in English. Learn computer science. Read technical articles without difficulty. Or write your own articles! Be a world-class businessman (or -woman). Its simple. International business is done in English. And all business today is international. So if you want to play, you have to know English - to contact other businesspeople, go to conferences, read international business newspapers and magazines, etc. Become a better scientist. Contact scientists from other countries, go to international conferences, visit academic centers abroad. Learn about new scientific discoveries by reading papers, books, and magazines. Use your computer more effectively. Most computer applications are in English, so you will understand them better - and become a better employee. Learn new skills for your job. The section Get access to knowledge explains how English helps you learn. Enjoy art like never before English lets you feel the culture of the world like no other language. With a good knowledge of the English language, you can do w onderful things: Watch American and British films in the original. Once you try it, youll never go back to dubbed versions! Read great books. Every famous book was written in English or it was translated into English. There is an amazing number of titles - from classic plays like Hamlet to modern thrillers like Jurassic Park. Enjoy English-language music more. Believe us: music is much better if you can understand the words. English is easy to learn English is not only the most useful language in the world. It is also one of the easiest languages to learn and to use: Simple alphabet - no special symbols such as e or a. Type in sweet, part, film on your computer. Now try su? (German), [pic](Polish), [pic](Russian). Which is easier? Easy plurals - simply add s to a word. One car, five cars; one telephone, two telephones There are very few exceptions. Words are easy to learn. In French, its la fille and le chien. In German, its das Madchen and der Hund. In English, theyre just a girl and a dog. And thats all you need to know. Short words. Most of the basic words are short: run, work, big, go, man. Long words are often shortened: sitcom = situational comedy, fridge = refrigerator, OS = operating system. Speaking English saves you time. 🙂 Words dont change. But in many languages, one word has many forms: English: The man is blind. German: Der Mann ist blind. English: This is a blind man. German: Das ist ein blinder Mann. English: I see a blind man. German: Ich sehe einen blinden Mann. Call everybody you. You can say Do you speak English? to your friend or to your teacher. In other languages, you have to use the right word for the right person. In English, everybody is equal. 🙂 English is everywhere. You can easily access English-language television, music, websites, magazines, etc. You dont have to learn from boring textbooks. You can learn and use your English at the same time. Using your English is especially important because it increases your desire to learn. Get satisfaction English is not only useful - it gives you a lot of satisfaction: Making progress feels great. Well never forget the moment we discovered we could speak with Americans or watch TV in English. You will enjoy learning English, if you remember that every hour you spend gets you closer to perfection. Using English is fun, too, because every sentence you speak or write reminds you of your success. English makes you a more powerful, happier person. It is not difficult to imagine some situations where knowing English gives you a great feeling. develop your understanding and use of the resources available to help you learn, and begin to develop as an independent learner develop, as appropriate, practical a nd professional skills and awareness of relevant ethical issues plan your study pathway to link your learning with your personal and/or your career goals.

Photography, Theory and Criticism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Photography, Theory and Criticism - Essay Example Lenbach then accumulated a collection of many photo images that Karl Hann took. Today, Hann’s photography is more attractive than Lenbach portrayal. Members of the prominent Plein-airiste association started by Jules Bastien-Lepage were closely connected with photography from the year 1848 to 1884 (Bates 7). In Germany, there was this belief that art and camera cannot be compatible. This made the artists reserved about their activities. In 1897, the detractor Karl Voll denoted to his friend, the painter about the use of photography but he was not aware that this friend already into photography. In 1920s, the futures of photography had enhanced due to the emergence of many techniques, styles, and approaches that were unique. Within this same period, many photographers were aware of the effects of technology, cinema, and striking art on camera appearance (Bate 7). Baudelaire would be amazed if he had lived long enough to witness the new technological advancement in photography today. Baudelaire believed in nature alone and believed that art is the creation of life. To him, anything that could produce something that appears to look like nature, then it would be absolute of art. He believed that photography and art are the same things because photography gives us precisely what we want. Moholy-Nagy argued that, humanity could defeat the idea of modernity. His photography interest made him believe that artists’ view of vision had to be modernized and encouraged new technologies. The birth of photography was followed by incertitude about science and technological matter and was plagued by political opposition between French and the British, the new pictorial technology appealed extremely to the public imagination. The excitement with which photography was accepted and, the acknowledgment of its significance in providing information assured continuous efforts in centuries a head to advance its procedures and develop its functions (Bate