Sociolinguistics Project Essay Example For Students

Sociolinguistics Project Essay I recently went home to Alaska for a weekend and decided that it was time I learn how to snowboard, so off I headed to the closest resort to try my luck freeriding the powder (snowboarding on freshly fallen snow just for fun). In a small ski town in Girdwood, Alaska, two hundred young adults were gathered in a confined day lodge at the Alyeska Ski Resort. The air had the foul odor of wet, moldy shoes and my arms and legs still ached from my first attempt to make a run (to go down the course). As I tried to weave my way through the disarrayed chairs, tables, and groups of mingling teenagers, I realized that I could not understand anything they were saying to each other. I quickly found my friend, Adam, and asked him why everyone was talking in a way that I did not understand. The words they used sounded like street-slang sometimes, and at other times, were of such technicality that I could not even guess the meanings. Not only did I want to find out what they were talking about, I also wanted to discover where this jargon came from, what purpose it serves, and if snowboarders are labeled negatively because of it. Adam is nineteen-years-old and has been riding for four-years and fills every spare second of his life sleeping, breathing, and sweating snowboarding. He grew up in Alaska and we have known one another for many years, although we have never been really close friends because throughout high school, we belonged to two different groups. Adam participates in many different, local big-air snowboarding competitions, where he gets judged on how well he can do certain tricks off of jumps. If he does well, then he pulled (executed, did) a flick, sometimes hell even tweak the tricks a little to add more style to them. Adam says that living in Alaska gives him a great opportunity to participate in these events, but for now, snowboarding is just a hobby that fills the cold, short, winter days. He does not try to be a part of the snowboarding sub-culture, he has just naturally become one of its members. Despite the growing number of teenagers that are adding to this past time, Adam and his friends still remain part of a minority in their schools because many people fail to see snowboarding as a true sport. This is one aspect that Adam doesnt like about riding and because of this, they cannot have any real future in it. As Adam put it, We cant get a free ride to ride. There are no scholarships to college, no high school pep rallies, and unless they become good enough to become sponsored by a professional snowboarding company, there are no job opportunities. The only explanation Adam can think of for this is that snowboarders are often labeled as drug-users just as their brother sub-culture, skateboarding, was previously seen in the same way because they often act in similarly. Many of the words that snowboarders use are either named after tricks also seen in skateboarding, such as rail slide and nose bonk, or they are named after people who invent the tricks, such as the Lien Air, named after skateboarder Neil Blender, or the Palmer Air, named after snowboarder Shaun Palmer. Other words or phrases that snowboarders use for things besides just tricks usually incorporate popular slang terms being used by many different groups and the riders own creativity. Many snowboarders watch the same snowboarding videos, and subscribe to the same snowboarding magazines, therefore certain words such as hella, mad, ride, and bust are heard no matter where one goes. Sometimes, a certain phrase in an area will catch on solely because a group of riders will faithfully spread their word around. Adam claims that he was the first in his group to say, for schweez, meaning for sure.I found that upon interviewing him, much of what I learned about the language that he used did not only come from the questions I asked him, but also came from just being around him and his friends and our day of hittin the slopes. After I asked him to explain the snowboarding language to me, he just laughed and convinced me to take the tram up to the top of mountain with him, even though I was far too inexperienced to be riding the top. Dont worry about it girly, just chill and scope our mad steez. Trusting my better judgment, I decided I had better find out what he meant by that before agreeing. He quickly explained to me that if I was to go scope his mad steez, that would mean that Id be watching his friends and him doing a lot technical tricks and jumps, like sticking a sick rodeo seven (720 Air Rotation) or if they do that same trick riding backwards, than they would be riding switch and busting a hakkon flip. If they decide to rotate frontward while they are in the air, then they would be doing the trick frontside, and if they really want to drop a hammer, theyll do they trick inverted, so that they are upside down, or maybe goofy footed, so their riding the snowboard with their right foot forward. As I glanced over my notepad and saw the different words for tricks, I realized just how difficult it would be for my inexperienced eyes to tell the difference between all of them. The Killing Of Mudeye Essay This is definitely beat for you, Jennifer. Dont trip though, well just take our boards off and walk down if you want to. As Adam, his friends, and I made our way down the rocky pass, I realized that on any other day, they would probably be stoked to get a chance to bust some tricks off the rocks, so I felt a little bad that I was keeping them from their fun. Adam was offended that I would even think that they did not have manners, Whats up? Do you think that just because were snowboarders, we arent polite? Just because we dont talk in proper grammar, doesnt mean we arent proper guys. I was quick to agree, but after going over his statement for a while I wondered if others would think the same way. Does speech and word use influence the way society views a group of people? Of course. This can be seen in other sub-cultures such as people in the south talking slow or with a drawl, therefore there are sometimes viewed as lazy or dim-witted or African-American ethnic groups talking in ebonics, therefore they are sometimes thought of as less intelligent. Both of these ethnocentric views are from the truth, yet many people still hold these prejudices, and just as those sub-cultures, it is not any different from viewing snowboarders as druggies or delinquents just because they might use funny sounding words and phrases that other people have not heard before. So even though one might hear a boarder say, In the sticks we bombed the backcountry booter and bombshelled the landing in the cherry cherry pow pow, it doesnt mean they went to the country and did drugs. 1. How long have you been snowboarding?2. Have you realized that snowboarders often have their own lingo? If so, do you and your friends talk alike?3. Why do you think this type of jargon came into being (just for fun/creativity, or purposeful)?4. Has snowboarding been influence by other sub-cultures?5. Do you have any future plans for snowboarding?6. What do you like most or least about it?7. Do you think other people judge you because of how you talk?8.Do you ever confuse the different names of tricks with each other?1. Freeriding the Powder- snowboarding on freshly fallen snow just for fun4. Riding- snowboarding or rider (snowboarder)6. Pulled- executed, did. Also, see bust8. Tweak- to straighten legs to add style to a trick9. Rail Slide- to slide the rails of the snowboard onto almost anything, other than a flat slope10. Nose Bonk- to hit an object with the nose of the snowboard11. Lien Air The front hand grabs the heel edge and the body leans out over the nose. Named after skateboarder Neil Blender. 12. Palmer Air A kind of method where the grab is near the nose, the board is pulled across the front of the body, and the nose is pointed downward. Named after Shaun Palmer.17. Hittin the slopes- snowboarding down the course19. Scope our mad steez- watching technical jumps and tricks 20. Stick- used to describe making a good landing21. 720 Air Rotation (a.k. a. seven)- The snowboarder rotates 720 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. 25. Rodeo- an inverted frontside 54027. Drop the Hammer- perform your best tricks28. Inverted- doing a trick upside down29. Goofy Footed- riding with right foot forward30. Wack- something that is not good. 32. Session- a name for a period of time when one snowboards33. Carving- turning using the edges of the board34. Regular Footed- left foot forward37. Stoked- psyched, to be excited 38. Sketching- riding slowly, almost falling39. Rolling down the windows- being caught off balance and rotating arms in the air to not fall40. Railing- used to describe making fast and hard turns41. Corduroy- freshly groomed trail44. He went to Dudes House- phrase when someone crashed 46. Nose Grab Air- the front hand grabs the nose of the snowboard47. Boning it Out- making a trick look nicer, harder to do48. Crater- used to describe a crash 50. Chocolate-Chippety- rocky terrain51. Beat- used to describe something that is not good53.In the sticks we bombed the backcountry booter and bombshelled the landing in the cherry cherry pow pow- jumped a big jump and left a big crater in the landing in the powderBibliography:

Shampoo Aficionado free essay sample

I am a four-sport varsity athlete, a climber of rigorous terrain, a poet of lyrical ingenuity, a frequent flier in the weight room, a meticulous hunter of wildlife, and a possessor of a full range of traits that safely categorize me as a â€Å"manly† man; this is what my peers know about me. However, what most people do not know is that I have a guilty pleasure – one that is easier smelled than seen. I love shampoo. My passion goes far beyond wanting a clean scalp; I want the whole experience: the fragrance, the lather, the tousle. My flamboyant quest has led me past the norms of Old Spice or Head and Shoulders. Rather, I prefer the rare and exotic blends of strawberry ginseng, the mouthwatering effects of nourishing coconut milk, the luscious and haunting combination of wild violet and pomegranate, the succulence of pink lily and asian silk, the undeniable amalgamation of mandarin creme and pearl, and the audacious blend of lime and cucumber. We will write a custom essay sample on Shampoo Aficionado or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As a youngster, I amassed a comprehensive collection of baseball cards. Nowadays, my interests have taken a much more flowery turn. Over time Ive gathered an array of no fewer than 20 bottles of shampoo. No joke. I keep them all safely tucked away on a shelf in my room. They are arranged by shape: tall bottles in back; short bottles up front. Clearly, Im a window shopper. Recently, my mom came to help me move out of my room at school. Astonished by my collection, she inquired, â€Å"What are you doing with all this shampoo?† I logically explained that if a disaster were to occur – such as a flash flood, tornado, or any incident that could leave students stranded – Id be the only one smelling good. For me, â€Å"gee, your hair smells terrific,† is more sentimental than a motto or an outdated shampoo brand from the 70s. Last year, I had the unfortunate circumstance of being kicked in the face while playing soccer. It resulted in a broken jaw, a massive concussion, bleeding on the brain and a med-flight helicopter ride. However, the situation brightened dramatically when a nurse complimented me on my enchanting fragrance. Even after a full day of school and a rigorous soccer match, my hair retained its appealing aroma. My pride had been maintained. So what does all this shampoo say about me? Obviously, Im a pretty clean guy and clearly a shampoo aficionado. But beyond that, when Im into something, Im really into it. Im also not afraid to challenge the standards for a typical guy in terms of hygiene or fragrance. Eager to follow my curiosity, I have taken strolls through gardens of whipped vanilla, a frutopia of acai berries, and even a grove of gardenias. Im never embarrassed when I receive a compliment about my hair feeling soft or smelling good. The way I see it, the perks are many: the sensation of silky hair after shampooing, the frequent comments from women about how nice I smell, the invigorating feeling of a scalp massage. In essence, this fascination with shampoo is a part of who I am, even if it makes me, well, a little different.

The bhagavad gita †Eknath Easwaran

Dharma is one of the most important tenets of the Hindu religion. It is taken from the Bhagavad Gita a body of literature considered as sacred scriptures by the Hindus. Dharma is a term not easily defined.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The bhagavad gita – Eknath Easwaran specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is no absolute or clear definition for this term. It is made more complicated by the fact that the Bhagavad Gita talks about it in two different ways. The first one is what can be considered as the orthodox understanding of the term and the second one is a more mystical understanding of dharma. The first one is an accepted philosophy among many Hindus and made evident in the early part of the Bhagavad Gita when it tells of the prelude to war and the justification as to why warriors are willing to fight and die in the battlefield. But in later sections, one can see Krishna talking to Arjuna and he is talking about a different type of dharma. The conflict is the result of the Hindu worldview – that there are two-opposing realities and this necessitates for the creation of two types of dharma. It is important to understand the two opposing dharmas in order to fully appreciate and comprehend the Gita so that Hindus can then use it as a guide to build a better society. There are two types of dharma and each one contradicts the other. There are two points of view. â€Å"First, there is the orthodox Hindu viewpoint that the Gita condones war for the warrior class: it is the dharma, the moral duty, of soldiers to fight in a good cause, though never for evil leaders† (Easwaran, p.75). There is therefore a justification to go to battle. It is acceptable to kill and destroy for the name of the good. But how can one distinguish the good side or the evil side of a conflict? The end goal of the war is for one army to subjugate the opposing side and rule over them. This is carn al and not divine; it opposes the teachings of Krishna. In the case of Arjuna the battle is not to defend their homeland against a foreign invader, but he was urged to fight his relatives. Even the great Mahatma Gandhi had trouble understanding the clear contradiction but he offered his explanation saying that â€Å"To argue that the Gita condones violence, he said, was to give importance only to its opening verses – its preface, so to speak – and ignore the scripture itself† (Easwaran, p.75).Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Nevertheless, it has to be acknowledged that there indeed exists a contradiction; the Gita has two worldviews one is to espouse the need to do the right thing in order to succeed as a warrior, as a leader, and as an individual with deep-seated needs. But at the same time it also advocates non-violence and the need to seek the religiou s and mystical way as defined by Krishna. The first type of dharma can be described as a set of principles that can help a person understand how build a better society free from strife and turmoil. The second type of dharma is a set of principles that can help a person achieve self-realization and receive the approval of Krishna. This was demonstrated by Krishna himself when he became a mere charioteer in order to be close to Arjuna. Krishna allowed this to happen so that he can continue with his teachings and yet at the same time detached from war. This is the reason why the mystics interpret it as an allegory â€Å"the cosmic struggle between good and evil† (Easwaran, p.75). Arjuna realized there is more to life than riches, fame, and political power. This led Arjuna to cry out, â€Å"O Krishna, I have no desire for victory, or for a kingdom or pleasures† (Easwaran, p.80). Krishna reinforced his teachings by explaining to Arjuna that there is an ultimate purpose: â⠂¬Å"the immortal soul is more important than the passing world† (Easwaran, p.84). Although there is a need to deal with the practical aspects of life, there is a higher way, the spiritual way, and Krishna urged Arjuna to desire the way of the mystics. However, this is a problem if viewed from the orthodox understanding of dharma because no one would defend their homeland if needed and no one will do the right thing when duty calls for action that may lead to war or offend other people especially evildoers. The conflict and the contradiction is the result of the Hindu worldview for they always see the yin and the yang, the black and the white of everything. They always see dualities: good and evil; pain and pleasure. In this regard, dharma is seen as two sources of support (Easwaran, p.275). The first one is dependency on the external world, food, home, wealth, power, pleasure etc. The second one is dependency on the Self alone (Easwaran, p.275). This is the reason why Krishna urged Arjuna to fight and yet at the same time not fight. Arjuna has to fight for what is right but at the same time he must realize that violence will never be the permanent solution to life’s problems. He must learn to understand the implication of the second type of dharma.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The bhagavad gita – Eknath Easwaran specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is indeed a conflict because human beings must respond to his needs and the needs of his family, relatives, and friends. If there is a just cause for war then he must do everything in his power to defend country and loved ones. It is his dharma to go to the battle field and win the war for good. On the other hand, his chief dharma is to attain self-realization, a religious enlightenment that only Krishna can bring. This is possible if Arjuna is willing to let go of the external aspects of life such as fame, wealth, and p olitical power. As Krishna would say: â€Å"When you keep thinking about sense objects, attachment comes †¦ breeds desire, the lust of possession that burns to anger† (Easwaran, p.87). It is therefore important to focus on the self and then to Krishna. Yet still, it vacillates between two options that is why there are two forms of dharma. On the other hand there is also a need to observe the orthodox way of understanding dharma. Without it society will crumble. The policeman should be allowed to use force to apprehend violent criminals. If they are forbidden to do it so because of their religious aspirations then there would be chaos in the land. It would then be difficult for them to pursue what the Bhagavad Gita tells them to do. This is an impossible scenario therefore it is not practical to simply accept everything that Krishna said to Arjuna. Those who support Krishna may argue blindly that their god tells of the truth and yet even the Bhagavad Gita says in the intr oductory chapters that there is such a thing as a just war (Easwaran, p.71). If a just war is accept in accordance to the orthodox view then this means that men are allowed to fight each other and that they are allowed to use tools and weapons to destroy the other. There is no such thing as a good war for there will always be casualties. There will surely be the destruction of properties and there will be the loss of life and anguish on the part of the vanquished and yet the Bhagavad Gita supports the practical aspect of dharma urging leaders and soldiers and common people to do the right thing in order to cause good on the earth. Krishna however will say that there is no good apart from him. These two opposing point of views must be blended together. It is impossible to follow completely the teachings of Krishna because it would require everyone to stay home and not venture into the secular realm and become active in trade, in transportation, in healthcare, and in national security . If this is the mindset of everyone then the whole world will come to ruin, children will go hungry, and the whole social structure would breakdown and social progress would be impossible.Advertising Looking for essay on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion The two types of dharma prescribed in the Bhagavad Gita contradicts each other. There seems no way to reconcile. The orthodox way tells of duties and obligations that one must observe. The Krishna way on the other hand condemns the desires of the flesh and with it the desire for anything that is temporal. Even the Bhagavad Gita contradicts Krishna because it also supports the idea that political leaders must have the capability to use their power, their army and their weapons to enforce the rule of law. It is therefore important to understand the two opposing dharmas in order to fully appreciate and comprehend the Gita. As a result Hindus can then use it as a guide to build a better society. Bibliography Easwaran, Eknath. The Bhagavad Gita. CA: The Blue Mountain Center for Meditation, 2007. This essay on The bhagavad gita – Eknath Easwaran was written and submitted by user Jaylah Conley to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Basics of Technical Writing

The Basics of Technical Writing Technical writing is simply a form of writing for one to get technical information across to others. Many technical fields find it necessary for their people to have the basics of technical writing down pat, since the best people to explain how a system wor. Knowing the basics to technical writing is essential if one hopes to have a future in a highly technological field. Many of your technical personnel tend to think and speak in highly specialized language that is specific to their certain field. One of the basics to technical writing would be to learn the ability to translate these technical terms into a report form with language that will be simple for the general audience to comprehend. It is highly advisable for everyone who aspires to go into a specific technological field to at least take a course teaching the basics to technical writing. This simple knowledge will carry this individual higher within the ranks of their chosen profession, since solid communication skills are a necessity in the corporate worlds. Another of the basics to technical writing is to communicate with a clear understanding of the purpose of the writing. The intent of this paper needs to be clearly stated, riight up front, and . What is the writer trying to convey to the audience? Understanding this simple point is the biggest basics to technical writing that one can begin with. Some of the basics to technical writing will tell you to make sure your research paper outlines the results, shows new information gained from the results and states the significance of the results. In this section, try outlining what makes your proejc The proper structure of this type of paper is important to the basics of technical writing. One should do a brief abstract then a very short introduction that brings up the problem and it’s solution. A very important basic step in technical writing includes making sure the writing is clearly stated in language that anyone unrelated to the field can understand. In learning basics to technical writing, one will find that it is important to include any previous works that may be relevant to your paper. In writing the main body of a technical paper, a few illustrations are usually advisable. These figures tend to lend themselves to making the stated comments more understandable. Basics to technical writing advise that figures and statements together works well for the readers. Again, make sure the terminology is clear and understandable to one who may not be familiar with this particular field. Close your paper with a description or explanation of the end results from the experiment or study. Providing details is one of the basics to technical writing. If you expect your paper to be out on the internet then make sure you include a good descriptive title pertaining to your subject. If you do this properly your paper will appear very high on specific search engine queries. Having a couple of readers proofread your paper before presentation is a very good idea. Have one person who is very technological as yourself and another who is just your basic reader curious about the field that you are writing about. If both individuals can understand and make perfect sense of your paper then it’s ready to be presented. If you can master just the basics to technical writing then you’ll be well on your way to creating interesting and informative papers.

Programming with Alice Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Programming with Alice - Assignment Example Alice does not have primitive methods to perform front left leg up and front left leg down. It is therefore required that the code for this movement be designed. Elegant design requires that methods are kept from being too large. To maintain a small size for the methods, additional methods are added to do the small tasks. The following is done A loop is implemented at the point where the mouse takes a step ahead of the mouse. This loop ensures that whenever the mouse takes a step the cat takes another step of the same magnitude so that the mouse is always one step ahead of the cat. The next step is transforming the storyboard into program code. The first action of the storyboard is the mouse turns to see the cat. The first method is therefore turn to face. We use the turn to face to make the mouse turn to look in the direction of the cat. The next step is the cat taking one step away from the cat. We use the move away method. Alice contains control statements that are vital in controlling movements. In the cat chase program the cat moves away from the cat while the cat moves towards the mouse. The control statement Do in order is used to tell Alice to first make the cat look at the mouse and the mouse move away from the cat. Other actions must be done together. When the front right leg is up for example, the front left leg must be held down. To achieve this functionality Alice is told to Do this actions together through the DO together control statement. To implement this program into Alice a scene must first be created. The initial scene is a room (Farooq, 2012). The intention of the cat is to catch the mouse. It should follow it while the mouse should always be one step ahead of the cat. We select the room scene and then a cat and a mouse. The next stage is in the program code editor. The code that makes the program is written. In Alice the program code editor is at the bottom right of the main window. The instructions are edited in the area

Study of the research and other relevant literature relating to the Essay

Study of the research and other relevant literature relating to the impact of childhood sexual abuse on women survivors - Essay Example In this context, child sexual abuse (CSA) has been considered as one of the worst experiences in a person’s life as its effects are very likely to last for a long time while the responsible adult has little chances to be caught and penalized in accordance with the existing law. This paper tries to present the most characteristic views of the literature as well as of the empirical research regarding the CSA. Although the forms and the results of this action can have many aspects (see Appendix I) in fact there are certain standards regarding the conditions and the effects related with this action so that their presentation can cover most of the cases having similar characteristics. Childhood sexual abuse can be defined as any exposure to sexual acts imposed on children who inherently lack the emotional, maturational, and cognitive development to understand or to consent to such acts. These acts do not always involve sexual intercourse or physical force; rather, they involve manipulation and trickery. Authority and power enable the perpetrator to coerce the child into compliance (Hendricks-Matthews 1997). Characteristics and motivations of perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse vary: some may act out sexually to exert dominance over another individual; others may initiate the abuse for their own sexual gratification (Britton et al. 1997). Holz (1994) has broadly defined childhood sexual abuse as, â€Å"any sexual activity between a child less than age 18 and a person of power, usually two or more years older, and who has authority over the child† (p. 13). CSA has been further differentiated into incest and extra-familial abuse. The abuse is incestual if it is perpetrated by a consanguineous (â€Å"blood†) relative, a relative by marriage, or a person who functions in the role of a family member (Courtois, 1993; Flournoy, 1996; Holz, 1994). Extra-familial abuse is usually perpetrated by parental or

Comparing the scientific method and the engineering method of problem Essay

Comparing the scientific method and the engineering method of problem solving - Essay Example Conversely, engineering is based on the tenets of coming up with new inventions that have not been in existence before. However, it is worthwhile noting that both scientific and engineering approaches may be integrated to solve a problem. Nevertheless, the need to create better understanding necessitates a comparison of scientific and engineering approaches in relation to problem solving. Due to objective differences, science and engineering follow different processes in coming up with solutions. A scientific approach begins with a question seeking answers to a particular phenomenon. This is then followed by a background research on the various studies related to the phenomenon at hand. The background research may touch on directly related studies considered to be standard or accurate. As such, a scientist is able to identify loop holes, if any, in the current studies giving guidance on the particular problem at hand. However, more importantly is that a background research enables formulation of an appropriate hypothesis. The hypothesis purports to offer a better explanation compared to already existing ones in relation to given problems. As such, before advancing further, the proposed hypothesis must first be tested against the existing ones. This implies that a new proposition must explain a phenomenon that has not been explained by the already existing ones. A valid proposed hypothesis is then subjected to a number of tests to prove its workability and validate its predictions. If the proposed hypothesis shows the predicted results, it is accepted and adopted as the new best hypothesis giving a solution to the particular problem in play. However, if a hypothesis arrives at already known phenomena it only increases credibility of already existing hypothesis rather than replacing them. Conversely, if a hypothesis fails to meet the predicted threshold, it is rejected. However, a hypothesis normally undergoes a couple of experiments to eliminate room for error.