Original writing - Boredom.

Henry Miller Boredom I think it's necessary to inform you of the basics of my life first of all: I am English and I am originally from England. My first home was situated there and I lived there for about 7 years. When I was seven, my parents decided to relocate my family to a country called 'Dubai' which is where I currently live at this point in time. I will live here until I am 18 years of age, which is when I will go back to England to study in some university or other. One big circle. Seeing as my family and old friends all live in England, we go back there every summer holiday to live in our old house for about two months and see everyone again. We have been doing this every holiday since we moved to Dubai, and I am in no doubt that we will continue to do so until I go back there permanently, for university. There you go; those are all the facts you need to know for the time being. Bored yet? Good, because that is the gist of my tale. These summers in England that I have been talking about are just that. Boring. So boring, in fact that the luxuries of talking to flowers or watching paint dry are made to look like activities only the highest forms of life are allowed to partake in. All right, maybe I am being a bit over-dramatic, but you get my drift - my holidays in England are not very exciting. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I don't enjoy 2 months

  • Word count: 1167
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

"There is a clear line of descent from Old English to the English of the present day, in sounds, spelling, grammar and vocabulary." How far can this view of the history of the English language be justified?

"There is a clear line of descent from Old English to the English of the present day, in sounds, spelling, grammar and vocabulary." How far can this view of the history of the English language be justified? Old, Middle and Modern English donate time periods that start and end with momentous social, cultural or political events which signal change that in turn helps shape the English Language: Subsequently each time period develops its own phonologic, morphological and syntactic style. I shall try to highlight a broad range of language characteristics when investigating the time line, comparing and contrasting each era's language make up, showing how why and to what extent English changed. The Anglo Saxons' gradual invasion of Britain in the seventh century led to "kingdoms" being established, from which several dialects emerged adapted to suit the Germanic tongue. The West Saxon dialect became the dominant "Old English" including only a few native Celtic words. In writing, some Runic characters were used like þ (thorn), that preceded the modern th cluster, and characters to show sound elongation for example [?] after seo? and the over-score in þa. Crystal's example ("The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language" 2004 P20), arranged below shows some differences between Old and modern English: The woman saw the man; seo? cwen geseah þone guman. The man saw the

  • Word count: 2146
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

The sun was shining bright on us from a cloudless sky.

The sun was shining bright on us from a cloudless sky. The river was like a blue undulated area extending before us for miles. Lush green mountains and forest can also be seen surrounding the river and acting as its safety barriers, the gentle breeze that blew give a soothing feeling in an otherwise hot day. Ominous feelings never crossed our minds in that atmosphere. Only the occasional barking of the dogs accompanying their bosses, the chirping, twittering and the fluttering of the birds of the park broke silence of the place. Although it was close to the city but the atmosphere was much more pleasant and one can enjoy the unpolluted nature of the landscape. We took depth breaths of clean, fresh, pure air and get rid of the noise and hustle and bustle of the city. A long and wavy walking track was there waiting for someone to walk on it. Few party benches were there facing the river and were showing their desire to be occupied. There were some benches occupied by families and their kids. Everyone looked happy and it seemed that they were enjoying the natural beauty of that place. It was 25th of August. A very special day for me: my birthday. My small group of friends, Sara, Sidra and Simpy had a plan to celebrate in a full fun way. According to the decide plan we had to meet in front of the Saint Lawrence River just opposite to Cornwall Square at 5:00 pm. I left home at

  • Word count: 704
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

When my Mother was seven and half months pregnant with me she accidentally threw herself down a flight of stairs.

When my Mother was seven and half months pregnant with me she accidentally threw herself down a flight of stairs. She hoped that I would die in the accident and she would be able to continue her life without the burden of a child she had never wanted. What she didn't anticipate was breaking her neck at the bottom. She was rushed to the hospital almost immediately, but it was too late. I, however, was salvaged from her train wreck body. Sometimes I wish she'd had an abortion; I wish I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to grow up gangly and purple and acid-like. Grandma takes out her old shoeboxes of photographs and dumps them into my lap, claiming the two of us looked just alike, my Mother and I. I prod the dark spots under my eyes and wonder if she got as tired of Grandma as I do. Grandma looks worn, like a towel that's been through the laundry too many times, all knotted-unraveling and gray. You can't say that, though, cause she'd like as not die of a broken heart right then and there. Her eyes are wise and smoldering, changing from green to yellow like autumn leaves. Around them are wrinkles, networks of worry, a road map of suffering. Her hair is coloured bright red, jagged locks shooting out from her head as though an electric current has passed through her body. She dresses just like her mother did, and tells me one day I will, too. Did my Mother wear crumpled

  • Word count: 2039
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

The Power of Language: "Profanity is not Freedom of Speech"

Running head: THE POWER OF LANGUAGE The Power of Language: "Profanity is not Freedom of Speech" English 101 Version I composed this paper exclusively for this class, and it is my original work. When I have used information from other sources, I have provided appropriate in-text citations and a corresponding list of references. I also understand that evidence of plagiarism may result in a failing grade for this course. English 101-01 0/13/2004 The Power of Language Many Americans believe that the use of profanity is a right built into the Constitution of America as part of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of speech was not added to our Bill of Rights to excuse profanity, bad manners, defamation, or outright lying. The constitution does not even mention that we, as a people, have the right to be offensive and vulgar towards others. Children, among all people, should not be exposed to the filth of profanity. Yet profanity is found almost everywhere you go. The Internet is a fascinating place, full of interesting facts and opinions. Many people enjoy visiting chat rooms or message boards in hopes of finding new information. Sometimes they run across other users expressing themselves in the only way they seem to know how - with profanity. Some people are not bothered by this and for others it is merely an annoyance, but for many individuals, it is offensive. They are

  • Word count: 949
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Creative Writing

I'm Mileva Einstein who was the unfortunate woman who married Albert at Bern City Hall on January 6, 1903. Although he was 4 years younger than me, I fell truly and deeply in love with him. Mesmerised by his infectious smile and outstanding intelligence. Our marriage was a match made in heaven. Everything about Albert was perfect. He lit up a room with his contagious laughter and his manly presence. People just warmed to his eccentric manner. As his wife I was proud to have him as my husband. Everybody has heard of Albert Einstein. Anybody who has not been living in a vacuum for the last 100 years has heard of Albert Einstein. But only I was one of the few that REALLY new Albert Einstein. However as his familiarity rose, so did his ego not to mention his crazy mad hair. The writing was on the wall; our marriage was cracking at the seams. In the beginning he always had time for me. He was different from other husbands. He was not expectant of me. He engaged in frivolous conversation. He bought me flowers, the occasional chocolates. Every few months he would save some of his wages and take me to an extravagant restaurant where we would pretend we were of high society and that money was no object. He never got cross and always seemed pleased to be with me, even if our home was far from being tidy and we had a mountain of washing taking shape in the front room. Soon

  • Word count: 1014
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Cursing the bite of morning from atop his throne, as it prickles at his vulnerable ears, he pulls the collar of his jacket tighter

TWO HOURS STARGAZING By Theo Eze ♔ Cursing the bite of morning from atop his throne, as it prickles at his vulnerable ears, he pulls the collar of his jacket tighter, just to feel it retreat further down his neck, cowering from the cold. Senseless fingers withdraw up into folds of unsympathising` polyester, as toes wriggle feebly in his trainers, in a vain attempt to generate warmth. He scans the outlines of those who currently inhabit the expanse of the park; and he hates them. Before blurs become features, before assumptions become personalities; he hates them. There is no beauty in this place, he thinks. Beauty is something instantaneous. Beauty is captured in a moment and preserved infinitely. An object’s beauty should be obvious, unavoidable. Undeniable. A woman is attractive instantly, she is not a project of the mind in which one moulds their idea of her to be somehow preferable, scratching away any undesirable traits. If this is necessary then she isn’t beautiful at all. Not really, not wholly. A body moves into his range of focus, or at least reluctant interest; some overweight guy moving parallel to the bench at what looked an uncomfortable pace. — Oh of course Marianne… yah, I’ll be at the office in no time darling, he babbles making a point of pursuing the limits of just how camp a grown mans voice can possibly be. He allows his arm fall into a

  • Word count: 1242
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Wheres the Democracy in College Football? The Unfairness of the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) System.

Bartscher Grant Bartscher Professor Barry Pollick WRTG 391 4 NOV 2012 Word Count - 1368 Where’s the Democracy in College Football Imagine, if you will, that your child has just entered the most prestigious spelling bee in the nation. Not only did your child spell every word that he or she was challenged with, but they did it with ease and a sense of confidence that could not be matched by any other. In this so-called tournament of spellers, the final challenge comes down to three children, yours being one of course, and two others. We will name these two Jack and Jill. Jack has also spelled all his words correctly, however Jill misspelled otorhinolaryngological (yes, it is a word) wrong earlier in the day. So the judges meet. They all come to the front of the audience and tell you that Jack and Jill will be competing in the championship. Blasphemy, you say? Well they go on to explain to you that they used a system, which is a computer, to pick the final two based off of multiple factors. This arbitrary system has decided that Jill’s words were all around tougher to spell than your child’s. So, even though your child spelled all of them correctly he or she has to sit and watch the two other children compete in the championship. What kind of world would allow such a horrendous act to take place? Ours! This is exactly how the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) system

  • Word count: 1509
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

What makes a new word successful? A response to Metcalfs FUDGE Model

SEL 3025 03784924 What makes a new word successful? A response to Metcalf’s FUDGE Model . Introduction The introduction of new words into our languages is a process which often goes unnoticed and is seemingly overlooked. However it is because of these constant new additions that our language is ever evolving and thus allows us to maintain a concept for an infinite number of situations and occurrences. It is extremely rare that a new word will be deliberately coined from nowhere; the majority of new words come from some form of manipulation of an already existing word (Harely 2006: 91). Work into the production and processes of forming new words does not account for a large field within linguistics. Throughout this essay attention will be paid to a leading model by Allan Metcalf (2004) which aims to form a procedure whereby the success of new words can be predicted and whether this method is a reliable model. In order to do this, an analysis of Metcalf’s model will be undertaken including awareness of its problems and these may affect my results and hence the reliability of the model itself (section 2); a methodology will then be presented outlining how the model will be tested including data collection (section 3). Results will then be displayed (section 4) followed by a discussion and interpretation of the results found (section 5). This essay will conclude with

  • Word count: 2970
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Linguistics biasness amongst men and women in Malaysia

Linguistics biasness amongst men and women in Malaysia Introduction The feminist movement in the 1970s has paved the way for reform of the use of sexist language. Traditionally, the word ‘he’ or ‘man’ as in ‘mankind’ has been used to describe both sexes. Pauwels (2001) conducted a study on the use of gender pronouns in Australian public speech and found that the masculine generic pronoun ‘he’ was used extensively and almost exclusively (approximately 95%) in the pre-reform era (1960s and 1970s). The language used portrayed a very androcentric world. Feminist argued that women’s rights and equality were at stake when their identity fell under the blanket of a male symbol (Spenders, 1980 as cited in Holmes & Meyerhoff, 2003). As men were traditionally in organisational roles, they were prominent in language planning and policy making (Pauwels, 2001). In the pre-reform era, the generic ‘he’ and ‘man’ still evoked a mental imaginary of the male sex and masculinity (Pauwels, 2001). A few studies have showed that sex bias in language elicits sex bias in attitudes and thoughts (Pauwels 1998). Through time, women have continued to challenge the boundaries of their role in society, breaking beyond the identity of a homemaker. Hence feminist commentators called for a need for language reform and gender-neutral pronouns.

  • Word count: 2468
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay