MIA6  +  403331 Sat, 11 Aug 07 10:12 PM 1. Affirmation: solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath. What does it mean by it? 2. defection- conscious abandonment.   I don't understand. 3. Quorum: number of members necessary to conduct a meeting.   The meaning of quorum stress on numbers?  4.  Does cantata mean story set to music?   Thanks. MIA6 Joined on Sat, Mar 4 2006 Full Member 223

	Clive  +  403360 Sun, 12 Aug 07 12:04 AM Hi, Here are a few comments and usage examples to consider. 1. Affirmation: solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath. What does it mean by it? eg In a Canadian court you take an oath to promise God that you will tell the truth. If you are not religious, you can affirm that you will tell the truth, which means you make a strong and formal assertion, but not a religious one. 2. defection- conscious abandonment.   I don't understand. eg A Cuban athlete comes to compete in Canada, and then refuses to go back to Cuba. He deserts his country illegally. He defects.  3. Quorum: number of members necessary to conduct a meeting.   The meaning of quorum stress on numbers?Yes. For some meetings, the rules say that a quorum is required before any decisions can be made. A minimum number of people must be present.  4.  Does cantata mean story set to music? Basically, yes. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,661 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	MIA6  +  405920 Fri, 17 Aug 07 09:10 PM Thanks, Clive. The only thing I still don't know is the meaning of 'Cantata'. What does it mean by story set to music? Some special songs only for a particular story? MIA6

	CalifJim  +  405927 Fri, 17 Aug 07 09:25 PM A canata is 'something sung'.  This musical form has changed throughout history, and it can range from a smaller piece of music with only a few performers that seems to be a scene from an opera to a large piece of music for a huge chorus of singers accompanied by a full orchestra.  The topic can be either religious or secular. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantata http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/g_cantata.html CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,452 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche