It was . . .
Wow. It's practically over. Those four years that are supposed to prepare you for continuing your education at a higher level. Those four years where you hopefully finish out your awkward stages. Though four years where you start off easy and then progressively challenge yourself until you feel as though you could sleep for five years straight. Those four years where you go to all the football, basketball, and spring games. Those four years where you begin at the bottom of the food chain and gradually become top of the school. Those four years where you start off making new friends, forming new circles, only to be left with a few really close friends in the end. Those nights you spent up stu(dying) for a test you get a C on or the IA that is a load of crap but had to be turned in.
43 days until graduation.
It was an experience.
And here we are, about to start a new chapter in our lives. But how new will it really be? You essentially go through the same things, just on a more intense level. You take classes are even harder. You make new friends that you study, hang out and go to parties with. You stay up until ungodly hours studying for a test that you still get a C on. You start off at the bottom of the food chain again, but hopefully for the last time. You go to football, basketball and quidditch games. You travel abroad and explore places you've dreamed about visiting, all while (hopefully) getting credit hours.
4 years until graduation.
It will be an experience.
It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Whitman's Book
What does that say?
1) 17th, 10th, price
2) Brochure: Two characters as of a dialogue between a ... as in ? ... Lessons for a president elect Dialogue
3) Antique ... the piece of virtue ... On the second stands the ... the Jew the Christ ... there is love
4) Why now I shall know whether there is anything in you ... I shall see how much you can stand, perhaps shall see the crash
5) Sketch of the head of a bearded man
6) Sketch of the same man standing with his arm reached out
7) Sketch of man with a hat
8) Sketch of a harp, smooth and peaceful music
9) "The Saturday Press"
10) A skull figure with something piercing its chest
First of all, Whitman's handwriting is about as legible as a goat's handwriting. Secondly, the words I was able to make out, really don't seem to add to anything. I understand, from the second page, that Whitman wrote "Two characters as of a dialogue between" and "Lessons for a president elect." From reading the little paragraph on Mrs. Genesky's blog, Whitman "began an imaginary conversation with Abraham Lincoln." This insight allowed me to come to the conclusion that the sketches of the bearded man that were in his notebook were of Lincoln and what he pictured his conversation was like with him. Something that might be significant is part of what I could make out: "Why now I shall know whether there is anything in you ... I shall see how much you can stand, perhaps shall see the crash." Is he having second thoughts about something? Is he questioning his dream encounter with Lincoln? The pages reveal that Whitman was sort of erratic in thoughts, they all weren't fully developed, even though he had this imaginary conversation with Lincoln. It may reveal the beginning reasons for him to write "Leaves of Grass."
Oh. That's what it says.
On the first page, the numbers correspond to addresses of people he encountered or that meant something to him. He also had this fascination with Lincoln but never actually spoke with him. Whitman wrote various titles for a brochure he thought he might publish but never actually did, which incorporates the title "The Saturday Press." And on the note about "the Jew the Christ," it's said that this mention about religion may have been because of Whitman's image of Lincoln and the Civil War, as he may have been imagined as a "four-sided version of God." This may have been important because it describes how Whitman idolized Lincoln and his extreme fascination in how he was and what he stood for, as well as the state of the Union at this point in time. All of these thoughts and questions Whitman scribbled down are important to piece together issues and happenings in his actual life that led him to write "Leaves of Grass" the way he did.
It's also interesting that the sketches in Whitman's notebook of a bearded man who I thought may have been Lincoln, may actually be Whitman himself, drawn by some of his drinking friends. The sketch of the harp corresponds to the emblem of poetry, which is what Whitman wrote. As for the weird skeleton figure, they think it may be an allegory America as it begins its Colonial crumble. Interesting.
Overall, Whitman seems like this huge guy who has a fascination with politics, Lincoln, and writing, with some interesting points about religion and other beliefs mixed in.
1) 17th, 10th, price
2) Brochure: Two characters as of a dialogue between a ... as in ? ... Lessons for a president elect Dialogue
3) Antique ... the piece of virtue ... On the second stands the ... the Jew the Christ ... there is love
4) Why now I shall know whether there is anything in you ... I shall see how much you can stand, perhaps shall see the crash
5) Sketch of the head of a bearded man
6) Sketch of the same man standing with his arm reached out
7) Sketch of man with a hat
8) Sketch of a harp, smooth and peaceful music
9) "The Saturday Press"
10) A skull figure with something piercing its chest
First of all, Whitman's handwriting is about as legible as a goat's handwriting. Secondly, the words I was able to make out, really don't seem to add to anything. I understand, from the second page, that Whitman wrote "Two characters as of a dialogue between" and "Lessons for a president elect." From reading the little paragraph on Mrs. Genesky's blog, Whitman "began an imaginary conversation with Abraham Lincoln." This insight allowed me to come to the conclusion that the sketches of the bearded man that were in his notebook were of Lincoln and what he pictured his conversation was like with him. Something that might be significant is part of what I could make out: "Why now I shall know whether there is anything in you ... I shall see how much you can stand, perhaps shall see the crash." Is he having second thoughts about something? Is he questioning his dream encounter with Lincoln? The pages reveal that Whitman was sort of erratic in thoughts, they all weren't fully developed, even though he had this imaginary conversation with Lincoln. It may reveal the beginning reasons for him to write "Leaves of Grass."
Oh. That's what it says.
On the first page, the numbers correspond to addresses of people he encountered or that meant something to him. He also had this fascination with Lincoln but never actually spoke with him. Whitman wrote various titles for a brochure he thought he might publish but never actually did, which incorporates the title "The Saturday Press." And on the note about "the Jew the Christ," it's said that this mention about religion may have been because of Whitman's image of Lincoln and the Civil War, as he may have been imagined as a "four-sided version of God." This may have been important because it describes how Whitman idolized Lincoln and his extreme fascination in how he was and what he stood for, as well as the state of the Union at this point in time. All of these thoughts and questions Whitman scribbled down are important to piece together issues and happenings in his actual life that led him to write "Leaves of Grass" the way he did.
It's also interesting that the sketches in Whitman's notebook of a bearded man who I thought may have been Lincoln, may actually be Whitman himself, drawn by some of his drinking friends. The sketch of the harp corresponds to the emblem of poetry, which is what Whitman wrote. As for the weird skeleton figure, they think it may be an allegory America as it begins its Colonial crumble. Interesting.
Overall, Whitman seems like this huge guy who has a fascination with politics, Lincoln, and writing, with some interesting points about religion and other beliefs mixed in.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Dreamin' of . . .
The (American) Dream
If you asked any little kid today what they wanted to be when they grow up, you'd most likely get various answers: a doctor, an actor/actress, a Broadway performer, a vet. Typical young people dreams. As you move up and ask high-schoolers where they want to go to college and what they think they want to major in, the answers start to narrow down for some: pre-med, physical therapy, international business, biology. But once they make it through college, those dreams of being famous and making a lot of money fade for most. And typically they end up working any job they can find, whether or not it has anything to do with what they majored in. That's if they're lucky enough to find one.
I would describe the American Dream as just that. A dream. It's something that lingers in the minds of people as they trudge along day to day. Before the recession a couple years ago, I think the American Dream was to make enough money to live comfortably and not be restricted in what they can do and buy. But now, I think it's changed, for most, to having a stable job and not drowning in debt. For most, the stereotypical American Dream isn't what it was back in the 1920s.
Wealth is a word that has various definitions. For most, it is solely defined as monetary. (I Googled "wealth" to find a picture and the only images that popped up were of gold coins and dollar bills. Oh and expensive planes and cars.
So what does that tell you?) For me, I'd say that wealth is the culmination of what one has, both physical/monetary as well as the relationships and knowledge a person has. The major thing for me is that it isn't solely how much money a person has. One can have a wealth of knowledge, love, friendship, objects, etc. Wealth just means a great amount of something.
Overall American attitudes towards wealth are typically solely monetary because when a person hears "wealth," they think of money first. But according to The Census Bureau report in 2011, the poverty rate was at 15.0%, where 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty and the average household income is at $50,054. The divisions within class are obviously based on money so depending on where Americans fall, their attitudes towards wealth will differ. The same goes for poverty. Those who are in it and closer to it have stronger opinions about it.
My attitude towards wealth is that for those who are wealthy, good for them. They did well to get where they are and to have what they have. They probably had some helping hands and came into some good luck. They should do good things with their wealth. For those in poverty, it's most likely not completely their fault. I define poverty as those struggling to live without complete access to necessities that they need every day. I think the American government can DEFINITELY do more than they are doing right now to help those in poverty. The wealthy make up so little compared to the middle class and the poor.
If you asked any little kid today what they wanted to be when they grow up, you'd most likely get various answers: a doctor, an actor/actress, a Broadway performer, a vet. Typical young people dreams. As you move up and ask high-schoolers where they want to go to college and what they think they want to major in, the answers start to narrow down for some: pre-med, physical therapy, international business, biology. But once they make it through college, those dreams of being famous and making a lot of money fade for most. And typically they end up working any job they can find, whether or not it has anything to do with what they majored in. That's if they're lucky enough to find one.
I would describe the American Dream as just that. A dream. It's something that lingers in the minds of people as they trudge along day to day. Before the recession a couple years ago, I think the American Dream was to make enough money to live comfortably and not be restricted in what they can do and buy. But now, I think it's changed, for most, to having a stable job and not drowning in debt. For most, the stereotypical American Dream isn't what it was back in the 1920s.
Wealth is a word that has various definitions. For most, it is solely defined as monetary. (I Googled "wealth" to find a picture and the only images that popped up were of gold coins and dollar bills. Oh and expensive planes and cars.
So what does that tell you?) For me, I'd say that wealth is the culmination of what one has, both physical/monetary as well as the relationships and knowledge a person has. The major thing for me is that it isn't solely how much money a person has. One can have a wealth of knowledge, love, friendship, objects, etc. Wealth just means a great amount of something.
Overall American attitudes towards wealth are typically solely monetary because when a person hears "wealth," they think of money first. But according to The Census Bureau report in 2011, the poverty rate was at 15.0%, where 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty and the average household income is at $50,054. The divisions within class are obviously based on money so depending on where Americans fall, their attitudes towards wealth will differ. The same goes for poverty. Those who are in it and closer to it have stronger opinions about it.My attitude towards wealth is that for those who are wealthy, good for them. They did well to get where they are and to have what they have. They probably had some helping hands and came into some good luck. They should do good things with their wealth. For those in poverty, it's most likely not completely their fault. I define poverty as those struggling to live without complete access to necessities that they need every day. I think the American government can DEFINITELY do more than they are doing right now to help those in poverty. The wealthy make up so little compared to the middle class and the poor.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Lots in Translation
Metamorphosis
From Franz Kafka's 1915 novella Metamorphosis, there are four different English translations of the first sentence. The original text was written in German.
#1: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.
Diction- simplistic,
Syntax- "As," "awoke," "found himself"
Imagery- uneasy dreams, gigantic insect
Structure- described as the process Gregor went through waking up, no comma between "uneasy dreams"
#2: Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug.
Diction- simplistic, no additional descriptive words "changed," interesting to note that the name is Gregory with an added "y"
Syntax- "woke," "to find"
Imagery- uneasy dreams, giant bug
Structure- past tense, described as something that already happened, "woke"
Other- interesting to note that this is the only translation that makes the name "Gregory"
#3. When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug.
Diction- straightforward, "transformed"
Syntax- "awoke," "he found"
Imagery- ""enormous bug"
Structure- past tense, described as an action that has already happened, "when Gregor awoke," no comma/break between "morning he"
#4: One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin.
Diction- described as if it was a retold action, lots of words
Syntax- "upon awakening," "found himself"
Imagery- "monstrous vermin,"
Structure- choppy, lots of commas and breaks, described as ongoing action "upon awakening from,"
Each translation uses slightly different syntax, punctuation, imagery, and word choice to describe the same action. By shifting around these devices, the meaning of the sentence is altered. If one read the second translation, they would get that a person named Gregory Samsa wasn't sleeping well and awoke due to uneasy dreams to find that he was not human, that he was a very large bug. When I read this sentence, I am not as concerned by the actions. But then I read the fourth sentence, where a person named Gregor (minus a "y") Samsa had agitated dreams (more intense than uneasy) and awoke to find he was a monstrous vermin. The last two words shock the reader and put them in a disturbed mood.
One translation may be better than another simply based on reader/audience preference as well as the preference of the translator. For those who are looking for straightforwardness, the best one to use would be the second one. This one would be preferential because it uses simple words and isn't overly descriptive. If the translator thought the original sentence sounded like it needed to be shocking, then that would be when the fourth translation would be the best. It's ultimately up to personal choice on which one is more effective.
This exercise brings up the fact that English is a really complicated language. We have so many different words that mean the same thing, as well as different ways in which the words can be presented. The way they are ultimately presented alters the tone and the way in which the story unfolds to the reader. The verbs also indicate when the action happens, whether it has already happened or is currently happening, and from what point of view the story is told.
From Franz Kafka's 1915 novella Metamorphosis, there are four different English translations of the first sentence. The original text was written in German.
#1: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.
Diction- simplistic,
Syntax- "As," "awoke," "found himself"
Imagery- uneasy dreams, gigantic insect
Structure- described as the process Gregor went through waking up, no comma between "uneasy dreams"
#2: Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug.
Diction- simplistic, no additional descriptive words "changed," interesting to note that the name is Gregory with an added "y"
Syntax- "woke," "to find"
Imagery- uneasy dreams, giant bug
Structure- past tense, described as something that already happened, "woke"
Other- interesting to note that this is the only translation that makes the name "Gregory"
#3. When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug.
Diction- straightforward, "transformed"
Syntax- "awoke," "he found"
Imagery- ""enormous bug"
Structure- past tense, described as an action that has already happened, "when Gregor awoke," no comma/break between "morning he"
#4: One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin.
Diction- described as if it was a retold action, lots of words
Syntax- "upon awakening," "found himself"
Imagery- "monstrous vermin,"
Structure- choppy, lots of commas and breaks, described as ongoing action "upon awakening from,"
Each translation uses slightly different syntax, punctuation, imagery, and word choice to describe the same action. By shifting around these devices, the meaning of the sentence is altered. If one read the second translation, they would get that a person named Gregory Samsa wasn't sleeping well and awoke due to uneasy dreams to find that he was not human, that he was a very large bug. When I read this sentence, I am not as concerned by the actions. But then I read the fourth sentence, where a person named Gregor (minus a "y") Samsa had agitated dreams (more intense than uneasy) and awoke to find he was a monstrous vermin. The last two words shock the reader and put them in a disturbed mood.
One translation may be better than another simply based on reader/audience preference as well as the preference of the translator. For those who are looking for straightforwardness, the best one to use would be the second one. This one would be preferential because it uses simple words and isn't overly descriptive. If the translator thought the original sentence sounded like it needed to be shocking, then that would be when the fourth translation would be the best. It's ultimately up to personal choice on which one is more effective.
This exercise brings up the fact that English is a really complicated language. We have so many different words that mean the same thing, as well as different ways in which the words can be presented. The way they are ultimately presented alters the tone and the way in which the story unfolds to the reader. The verbs also indicate when the action happens, whether it has already happened or is currently happening, and from what point of view the story is told.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Language A Practice IOC
Criterion A:
5
Criterion B:
3
Criterion C:
1
Criterion D:
2
Total:
11
Saturday, January 17, 2015
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