Search results for 'tag:Numbers tag:Genders' matching tags 'Numbers' and 'Genders'

Re: expectations, expectation

Avangi — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:01:20 GMT

Skrej
[I'm biased by the the phrase "causing him immense problems."

In English, if the gender isn't specifically known, it's generally assumed to be male.

talk about this being sexist language,

Hi Skrej & New2 - Do we now have a concensus on these three issues? (BTW, Skrej, sympathies on your "glaring error." I know how you feel.)

On the first one, I may be missing something, but I didn't take Optilang's post as being in support of the singular "expectation." I think "immense problems" cries out for the plural. We must choose between (1) one expectation; (2) two or more expectations; and (3) "expectation" as uncountable. Thus far no one's expressed much interest in number three. I'm inclined to rule out number one on grounds that if it were a single expectation the author would surely give us a clue as to what it might be. I get a sense that the stress is on the multiplicity and magnitude of the expectations (sheer cumulative weight) rather than their specific natures.

On the gender language business, and political correctness (if I may lump them together), I think the movements have failed miserably, and have done far more harm than good. The backlashes injure more people than the movements help. I see no light at the end of the tunnel. Important dialog and discussion have been completely stiffled. I've given it an honest try. But (for example) until someone comes up with a sensible, useful alternative to "he," I'm sticking with it, and I don't much care who's offended. I'm just weary of the futile effort. I see no results.

Best wishes, - A..

College Motivation Letter... MountainHiker, you still on here?

Anonymous — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:33:51 GMT

Hi all! I have written this to the best of my ability. I'm pretty secure about the language part, as I'm bilingual, but it's the culture part that I want to check works. Some stuff I need to put in there, like the reason for the GPA - it's part letter, part appeal. But, this is my question, does it come off as too smarmy, too corny, too vague, disorganized, paragraphs need switching around? I just really liked what Hiker said to some other people n here - I have tried to follow the question checklists s/he posted "(Introduction (very quick points) 1a) Who you are 1b) What you want to do 1c) Why do you want to do it 1d) What do you want from them 2) Detailed background 2a) Expand on who you are 3) Detailed background 3a) Expand on what you want to do and why you want to do it 4) Summary 4a) Summarize what you have told them 4b) Thank them for considering your application" and the list for another poster "1) You have a Communication Science degree 2) You want to obtain a Masters Degree in European Comparative Public Policy 3) You want to study at University of Essex 4) You have a passion for European Comparative Public Policy 5) You want to do what or influence what once you are done?" This is an online... ookay, off to edit *edits* *returns* ...online college offering a Liberal Arts MA. Fort Hays State University. And this is my letter: As an immigrant from Egypt with a BA in English literature, including comparative and cultural studies, a background in consciousness-raising work and gender activism, and a lifelong dream of a career conveying these concepts to others and inspiring them to make a difference, I respectfully seek acceptance at your Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program. Culture, critical thinking, history, and social analysis have been the most important fields of study (formal and otherwise) in my life for as long as I can remember. My mission since graduation has been to analyze and question accepted ways of doing things, including sexuality, the monolithic nature of official discourse, and the mainstreaming of the Arabic language and Islam while eroding indigenous tongues and other religions in my native Egypt. As an aficionado of historical narrative, especially that of my native region, the Middle East, and a keen observer of the unseen social currents of religious and gender politics, and cultural norms, mores and values, I have devoted myself to exploring what lies beneath the surface and is visible through the 'iceberg' model of culture. To this end, I have read over 150 books on history, culture, religion, politics and sexuality, among others, mostly about Arab culture. I already am teaching Middle Eastern culture and history at a small language school. The reaction I have received has made me eager to become qualified for a better teaching position in the field of culture/comparative studies. There is so much work to be done in this area to make people truly aware! However, I sense that before being qualified to do this, I am in need of a more thorough academic grounding in epistemology, anthropology and the science of critical thinking skills, as well as in the broader areas of culture and human knowledge, including cross-disciplinary studies and research on cultures outside the mainstream. I am confident that these fields are jut what I need to formalize the learning imparted by my sometimes tumultuous social-political personal experience. While the English Department of Cairo University, where I earned my BA, was a liberal oasis (my majors included Comparative Literature, Civilization and feminist criticism), I later found many of my fellow-Arabs were resistant to a liberal outlook. At that time, the newspapers were abuzz with news of the 'Satanist cult': trumped-up charges (later dismissed by judges as a total fabrication) brought by powerful police officials against American University boys and girls, arrested for wearing black and listening to heavy metal, tortured into confessing crimes they never committed. I became more and more frustrated as people kept telling me, "The newspapers say it; it must be true." For these people, the appearance of difference, and condemnation by the mainstream media, was enough to condemn these unfortunate young people whose only crime had been to assert some individuality and deviate from social norms. The issue became even more complicated and interesting when a number of Europeans I worked with, in a well-intentioned quest for 'cultural sensitivity', ended up with a prescriptive and restrictive definition of Middle Eastern culture: "No, no, boys shouldn't take Home Economics classes. We understand your culture." I preferred to view norms, mores, and values as separate entities and not succumb to the Orientalist view that, lumped together, unchanging and unchangeable, they constituted a monolithic 'culture'. Some of the other questions I asked myself were: What is collective memory? Can one find a descriptive, rather than prescriptive, model of culture? How far does respect for difference erode the rights of the dissenting individual in a collective culture? These are questions whose answers I hope to seek in your program. In 2001, my interest in sexual/religious difference took on a more overtly political nature with the Queen Boat case, where 52 gay men were arrested on trumped-up charges of, yes, Satanism. Unable to stand it any longer, I started a campaign to pressure legal organizations to give them representation in court ("But they're fags! Why represent them?") and alert international human rights organizations to the issue. This had some success; however, it became clear that I was next in line for arrest, and finally I sought political asylum in the U.S. Since coming here, I have studied cinema (earning an associate degree with a 3.8 GPA) made a film on the subject, and am currently preparing a documentary on the veil. In addition to your academic program, which seems to offer a roadmap to the answers for many of my questions, your university is ideal for me in that you offer a course to be taken completely online. This is beyond convenient for me, as I am busy with work and have found that commuting time cuts into my study hours; I would also find it impossible to relocate to Kansas at this time. Also, in an age where education can be, literally, a forbidding expense, my gratitude knows no bounds for your efforts to provide a quality education at a price I can actually afford. I feel it is pertinent here to mention that, just before the exams of my last year at university, I was among a group of students who were holding a peaceful demonstration against the interference of the secret police in student affairs, including sabotaging student union elections. The secret police pelted us with tear gas grenades and rubber bullets; I was unlucky, and had to be carried out of the university with a broken nose and upper respiratory inflammation. When exam time came round, I was not yet recovered (Egyptian universities base the entire grade on one final exam, not on coursework) but made an effort to come to exams and ultimately managed to pass all my tests. However, while my GPA in previous years was significantly higher, as you can see from my transcript, I was unable to make the minimum 2.5 GPA required for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. This rather lengthy and tedious explanation precedes, as you may be expecting, an urgent and very heartfelt plea that you not allow this unfortunate occurrence to stand in the way of my chances for learning and the ultimate fulfillment of my life's dream. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your university represents a dream to me, not least thanks to the convenience and cost, which means that the dream is finally within my grasp. It is my dearest hope to become a student at the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, thereby gaining an invaluable academic grounding and ideological framework and positively influencing others thereby. If accepted, I pledge to apply myself to my studies diligently, and never give you cause to doubt the wisdom if your decision. Allow me to thank you, again, for considering my application. Yours sincerely

Re: Correction of an Essay

learner_of_english — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:10:36 GMT

Hello,

Thanks for your quick answer !

I didn't realise my sentences were so short, I corrected them so I hope it is better now. I added numbers to empasis my main points.

Could you help me to correct my grammar ?

Through History, weâve seen that American people are proud and want to manage the world. Meanwhile, French people know how to live and they have a more collectivism mentality. According to several studies, the US is a more âmasculineâ country than France. Weâre about to study if this is a reality or not.

1Â°/ First, we can compare educational values between these two countries.

The American people educational values are rather funded on individualism.

Each person must show his value to be recognized, the merit is more important than the link formed (relationship) with others. Pupils and students have to be independent, self-confident, their teacher assists them in work but they donât give solutions. They also have to be competitive.

For instance, intercollegiate sporting events are promoted in American football and basketball. These competitions attract not only young people but all sport fans.

In France, educational values are rather funded on collectivism.

The ties between people are privileged, it doesnât matter if a person undergoes many failures his family and his friends will always support him. Devotion in relationships is essential because people donât stand to be alone.

As students, weâre used to partying several times by week, we enter in student associations to share our ideals with others and we think that is the victory of groups which is the more important.

For example, in soccer games, one player goal is the equip goal. (but 1 joueur est le but de lâÃ©quipe)

According to Geert Hofstede (a press article writer), these points show that the US is a more masculine country than France. I think we can reveal there is another aspect of this topic with gender ideas.

2Â°/ The power that is a more masculine idea can be illustrated by American will to possess big things.

Indeed, American cars are big like 4x4 or pick up, they like to eat big burgers.

They use an amazing budget for their movies with many special effects and they often contain fights like Rambo, Terminator or Rocky. Each time, we have the feeling that American glory is bet and itâs always American people who win.

Then, American comics imply heroes with a super strength and a nice physical appearance like Superman or Hulk.

On the contrary, French culture hires the small things and products are adapted to family which is a more feminine idea.

There are small French cars for young people the Twingo, the Clio or the Smart and weâre used to taking a little break with a small cup of coffee.

In France, there are often humoristic or romantic movies like movie of the moment âBienvenue chez les châtisâ which is the best French humoristic movie of the year.

Weâre also used to reading comics like âAstÃ©rixâ or âTintinâ who are not really superheroes.

As we see through all these examples America owns more masculine ideas than France and we really saw a gap between these two mentalities.

3Â°/ However, the feminine culture in France is limited.

We also have a competitive policy as we se through a job or college interview. The selection is tough, there are some oral or written exams and many people are refused.

The vision of soccer as a âsweetâ sport is far from reality because many players are hurt during the games.

Furthermore, there are French action movies like âLes riviÃ¨res pourpresâ, âNikitaâ and âLeonâ which compete with American super production.

In my opinion, the association between masculine culture with men who search for success and power, and feminine culture with women who look after their family is a stereotype. It tends to disappear today, women are more and more independent and they can be companyâs bosses or minister.

For instance, the French company CHANEL is lead by a woman.

To conclude, obviously the US is a more âmasculineâ culture than France. But in my view, there isnât a best culture because self-confidence and relationships are essential to have a happy live.

We can wonder if the promotion of power and success could not lead to abuse.

Sincerely,

Re: Please Check

Grammar Geek — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:31:59 GMT

Hello Verymaddhatter, and welcome to English Forums.

1. A pronoun's antecedent is the:

A. pronoun itself. B. gender of the pronoun. C word that the pronoun refers back to. D. none of the above

Answer is B. Sorry - it's C.

2. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in:

A. number. B. gender. C. usage. D. both A & B

Answer is D. Yes

3. The indefinite pronoun everyone actually refers to:

A. lots of people. B. only one individual. C. both a & b D. neither a nor b

Answer is C I'm not sure what the question is asking. I agree with your answer, but I'm not sure if your textbooks will Try to write a couple sentences using "Everyone" both ways.

4. Which of the following shows correct pronoun/antecedent agreement?

A. Everybody will need their books for class. B Everybody will need his or her books for class. C. neither a nor b D. both a & b

Answer is D. In real life, we use "their" for the singular, genderless pronoun all the time. It's possible your book is lookingly for B.

5. Which of the following shows correct pronoun/ antecedent agreement?

A. Each of the women carried their purse. B. Each of the women carried her purse. C. neither a nor b D. both a & b

Answer is B. I agree

Please Check

Verymaddhatter — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:22:57 GMT

1. A pronoun's antecedent is the:

A. pronoun itself. B. gender of the pronoun. C word that the pronoun refers back to. D. none of the above

Answer is B.

2. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in:

A. number. B. gender. C. usage. D. both A & B

Answer is D.

3. The indefinite pronoun everyone actually refers to:

A. lots of people. B. only one individual. C. both a & b D. neither a nor b

Answer is C

4. Which of the following shows correct pronoun/antecedent agreement?

A. Everybody will need their books for class. B Everybody will need his or her books for class. C. neither a nor b D. both a & b

Answer is D.

5. Which of the following shows correct pronoun/ antecedent agreement?

A. Each of the women carried their purse. B. Each of the women carried her purse. C. neither a nor b D. both a & b

Answer is B.

Re: Please check my grammar

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:23:27 GMT

If this sentence originated in the U.S., then failure to make the number (that is, the singularity or plurality) of the pronoun (in this case "their") match the number of the noun (in this case ''seller") is the result of what is termed "political correctness." Because of this flawed concept, many poor writers now use this grammatical construction in their efforts to avoid refernce to gender, even though they know that the proper grammar is to use "his" or "her." Their thinking is that pointing out that the seller is male or female might have bad consequences of some sort. I have never understood why such ridiculous delicacy came to be standard practice, and I think such perversion of English is the result of muddy thinking promulgated by badly educated businesspeople. Your doubt is perfectly valid. -- An American English speaker from birth, and a proffreader by profession

Re: What makes English so difficult to learn?

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:34:01 GMT

Hello, another English teacher here. I have been teaching English in China for about 2 and a half years now and also speak fluent French, decent Spanish and am learning Chinese (not as hard as you may think once you get the hang of those tones, easy grammar). Now I'll start off by saying that English seems to be an incredibly easy language to communicate with (and by this I mean to give the general idea of what you're trying to say). However, if you want to learn English like a native speaker then it's a completely different story. The pronunciation CAN be difficult to learn depending on your native language and also the age you attempt to learn it at. Training your tongue and mouth to move the same way a native speaker does can be difficult to do, especially if you're like many of my students who got their start at an older age or didn't have good teachers. I've also noticed that my younger students are able to mimic my speech much easier than the older ones speaking, both of whom are studying at the same level. I started learning French when I was 4 years old (Quebec French, I'm Canadian) and because of the quality of my teachers and my young age I was able to become quite good with my pronunciation. With my Chinese because I'm learning from scratch from native speakers my pronunciation is also decent (notice I said decent, not great, although when speaking Chinese I'm always understood). Native language has a lot to do with it too as the sounds you use in one language may be very different for another. I've taught in both the north and south of China and find that the people all have the same problems. Chinese people have problems with s (they often pronounce it as a sh sound) and with closing their mouth for the letter m ("sometimes" is a nightmare for them and they often say it like "suntine"). L and R can also be troublesome. One can't forget sentence stress as well as well as linking words together to make it go smoothly.

The vocabulary can also be a pain. Someone here mentioned 150,000 words in the English language but the number is actually much higher. The Oxford English Dictionary (2nd edition) contains over 600,000 definitions. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged contains 475,000 main headwords and it is believed the language grows by 25,000 words a year. Don't believe me, check Wikipedia. There's also the difference in spelling and vocabulary between the different forms of English. British English and American English use different words and the words that are the same can be spelled differently. American English and Canadian English essentially share the same vocabulary to a large degree but the spelling of Canadian English in many ways is closer to British English. British English is pretty much the English form most Asian and European countries will learn but American pop culture will also have an influence, not to mention the American economy and it's impact. This can all be very confusing. To the person saying they are tired of using "well" as in "well, then..." there are many substitutes you could use.

The grammar is also a nuisance. It's not the hardest of things but certainly isn't the easiest. Sure French has a gender attached to all of it's nouns (which I hated when learning it), but English still has more exceptions to it's rules that need to me memorized. So many even native speakers have trouble with it. A language like Chinese that may seem hard to speak actually has very simple grammar. For example if you wanted to ask someone where they are you would say "ni zai na li" or simply "ni zai nar" (you where?). To ask a question in Chinese you merely ad "ma" to the end of a statement. "Ta hui shuo zhongwen" is "he/she speaks Chinese whereas "ta hui shuo zhongwen ma" is "does he/she speak Chinese?". Also in Chinese as there are no forms of he or she.

It's impossible to say which language is easy and which is hard when compared to each other because there are so many things that need to be taken into consideration. Let's just say that English has it's easy parts and it's ridiculously difficult parts as well. Speaking at a native speaker level can be done and I know people who have done this, but it takes a lot of hard work, good instruction, and a good learning atmosphere. I hope all that made sense, I stumbled onto this site a 2 in the morning and am quite tired.

Re: About the meaning of "where"

Velimir — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:56:07 GMT

Hello again,

Unfortunately,I've put one part in my previous post wrongly.Sorry for that.It would be correct to use the preposition "toward" in the following part:

"But,if the verb indicates motion,or in plain english,if you are :going toward, flying toward, traveling toward.."

What I've stated after that would be true now,i.e the following noun will be in the dative case.But,if the stress is on the final destination of flying,traveling,going..then the following noun will be in the accusative case,necessarily preceded with the preposition "to".(the preposition "to" perfectly match serbian "za",as attendant to the verbs of motion).
Although the case of a noun is influenced by the verb,modifying adjective(and its case),number(and its case)and gender of that noun,the case of the noun is most heavily influenced by the preceding preposition,if it is present.If the noun is not preceded with a preposition then other factors will determine the case of the noun.The importance of the preposition is apparent in the following example:

I arrived in London. - the noun "London" is in the accusative case

I arrived from London. - the noun "London" is in the genitive case

I suppose that it would require serious contemplation to explain all aspects of the "case" in any language,and additional comparison with english would make it really painful.

Best regards

Re: Please make correction to this essay in needed

julielai — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:28:20 GMT

Highlighted some glaring errors for you.

Sweetsourzinc wrote:

Thesis Statement and body paragraph

Goodyearâs tire cooperation is better than Firestone tire cooperation because of it diversity, student programs and customer services.

Diversity is Goodyearâs number one priority; itâs an important part of what they must do to increase growth nationally. This ensures that every one of their associates, no matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, age, religious and or nationality, can contribute to their fullest. Goodyear has created an environment that has given each equal rights and equal opportunities.

Goodyear tire cooperation is a diverse and inclusive workforce that provides the strategic advantage to successfully conduct business in a multi-cultural marketplace. Goodyear's diverse mindset has enabled it to respond to changes much quicker than its competitors.

Goodyear is currently working locally and national with student programs aimed at preparing minority students to join the workforce. Goodyear provides internships with pay that give the students practical experience that compliments their academic course of study.

Please make correction to this essay in needed

Sweetsourzinc — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:43:24 GMT

Thesis Statement and body paragraph

Goodyearâs tire cooperation is better than Firestone tire cooperation because of it diversity, student programs and customer services

Diversity is Goodyearâs number one priority; itâs an important part of what they must do to increase growth nationally. This ensures that every one of their associates, no matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, age, religious and or nationality, can contribute to their fullest. Goodyear has created an environment that has given each equal rights and equal opportunities.

Goodyear tire cooperation is a diverse and inclusive workforce that provides the strategic advantage to successfully conduct business in multi-cultural marketplace. Goodyear's diverse mindset has enabled it to respond to changes much quicker than its competitors.

Goodyear is currently working locally and national with student programs aimed at preparing minority students to join the workforce. Goodyear provides internships with pay that give the students practical experience that compliments their academic course of study.