Neologism: Cyberspace (ELL 101)

Cyberspace

Cyberspace is a metaphor use for describing the non-physical terrain created by computer systems. (Source: Webopedia.com)

The term 'Cyberspace' was first used/coined by the science fiction author William Gibson. 

Word Formation Process: Compounding (Cyber-Space)

Sentence: Cyberspace is an extension of the idea of virtual reality. 

The Truth (LIB 110)

      Authors claim people would rather use the word "Drama" instead of "Bullying", because of the fact that the reality is not being changed. Having the word drama instead of bullying hides the facts, and appears to the naked eye not as a serious concern. The word Drama can be very empowering in many instances. Drama as it is, holds events such as 'bullying'. Drama can be categorized as a overall topic which holds other events. Having Drama instead of Bullying as a heading, cannot, and will not be looked at as the same thing. Both the victim and the victimizer feelings and experiences cannot be fulfill fully by having a misinformed topic header. Drama and Bullying, appear different to the naked eye. With Drama being less attractive, hiding the real facts of that of Bullying.

      I experienced a similar situation in which a 'word' or 'phrase' changed the true complexion of the actual event that occurred. Being a witness to an event, where one word changed how the situation was interpreted, caused chaos. I was playing soccer with some friends when, while we playing, my teammate was called, "A nasty player" by another player in the opposing team. My friend was extremely angry seconds after being called that, and took action pushing the other guy. Things got outta hand and caused a lot of chaos, but the entire situation was misinterpreted. The opposing player who called my friend a 'nasty player', really meant to say he was actually good. With this experience, it shows how sometimes words or phrases can be misinterpreted and misunderstood.

Free Writing Assignment: How Language plays it's part. (LIB 110)

"How Language impacts our society".

For this particular topic, I chose to use the, "Don't ask, don't tell" policy used by the United States military. The "Don't ask, don't tell" policy "was" a ruling preventing 'GAY' military soldiers from free expression to publicly express their right of being gay. As of yesterday September 19th, 2011, the ruling of this policy has come to an end. Ending a 20 year policy that hampered many gay US military soldiers their "freedom of expression" in presenting themselves to society.

I chose this topic because, I personally feel being denied the right to 'free expression', but yet having the responsibility of having the job of a US military soldier, which in itself holds huge responsibility, was unfair as well as a form of "INEQUALITY". My personal view to this situation can be better translated by simply saying, "These people put their lives at risk to protect our country, yet they were being denied the right to freedom of expression". The way language played its part, was them, the soldiers being denied the right to not verbaly, nor physically expression their true identity.
The bright side to this story, which as of yesterday September 19th, 2011, the policy has been removed.

My name is Radʒiv (Rajiv) (ELL 101)

The first syllable of "Rajiv", (RA) has an onset of a voiced Alveolar Liquid, with a rhyme of a Low Central vowel. The last syllable, (JIV) has a onset of a voiced, Palatal Glides, with a rhyme of a Mid Central vowel. 

IPA transcription:  radʒiv

Start by placing the front part of your tongue on the alveolar ridge, which is the rough, bony, ridge behind and above the upper teeth, making a "RA" sound, letting the air stream flow around the sides of the tongue as the tip of the tongue makes contact with the middle of the alveolar ridge. Secondly, with your tongue in motion, (or "gliding") you make the sound "GEEEV" . Combine to say: "RAJIV".   

Assignment One: Banneker and Equiano (ENG 101)

       Benjamin Banneker, a free African American astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author and farmer, expresses his views on slavery, and racial discrimination towards African Americans. In his letter, written to Thomas Jefferson, a United States secretary of State at the time, Banneker accused Jefferson of criminally and unfairly using his power straying away from the genuine meaning of “equality to all”. Banneker further more continued to accuse Jefferson in technical ways that by eye seemed very respectful, but had very deep meanings. An example of his accusation towards Jefferson is highlighted by; Banneker’s view of Christianity and his bold questioning of Jefferson interpretation of the meaning of it. This was Banneker’s major problem with his view of Thomas Jefferson’s actions.

       

       In the Narrative life of Equiano, there were many events where Equiano’s purpose and life were treated with disrespect, discrimination, and an indifferent view of equality between people. In particular the events of the Equiano’s experience on the slave ship, where he was forced onto, and where he spent several weeks under terrible conditions. Equiano’s personal feelings when on the ship were many, in particular astonishment, and his emotion of being frighten. Equaino expressed his feelings in the present time of how he was feeling with everything he saw and heard, it being the first time he witness such events.

      

·         How can we explain the horrors that Equiano witnessed on the slave ship?

·         If humans all felt the "same sensations," then wouldn't the slave-traders have been incapable of practing slavery, and enforcing it through such lethal methods?

       Identifying the horrors in which Equiano witnessed during his time on the slave ship can be identified to my view by the feelings Equiano expressed throughout each event he described. His views are based on astonishment, as well as my view of his “Emotional Knowledge”. Explaining the things Equaino saw and his feelings towards the European slave traders were all overwhelming to him. From the different complexion from himself and the other slaves compared to the slave traders, all their physical characteristics, the language they spoke, were all new to him, something he never saw or heard of. Equiano’s fear of his surroundings being in disarray, slaves dying in front of his eyes, not knowing his next step, or what they’ll do to him, constantly questioned his emotions. The general explanation of all the horrors Equiano witnessed on the slave ship can be summarized by his expressed feelings that were, astonishment, fear, overwhelming, and even to an extent his “solution” of hope.

       If all humans all felt the “same sensations”, said by Banneker in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, to some extent this can explain the decisions made by the European slave traders. My personal view of this belief of Banneker can be translated simply by, “We all have the goal of achieving happiness”. But an explanation of why it isn’t totally true is the reality of what having power can lead you to do. An example to justify this can be drawn even in today’s world with events happening. Simply, the power the European slave traders hold, it automatically made them superior to any slave, and this empowered them the privilege to do what they did.             

Diagnostic (ENG 103)

        I believe the most important emotional knowledge communicated by slaves is fear. I believe this emotional knowledge is important because its leads to their question of, reasons to live and most importantly hope. The reason of living and having hope are their primary purpose in achieving where they stand as human beings and what is their next step of who and what they become in life.

        Having hope is one of a slave's major objectives in realizing their identity. The power of hope can lead to many solutions and answers to their questions about their identity and right as people. Hope being a very important emotional knowledge is the first step to answering their questions; it is an individual characteristic, hope. Fear is a slave's question, an obstacle that requires the characteristic of hope.

            Before Hope there is Fear. Only hope and a slave's way of thinking can lead them to a solution in which can reveal their identity. An example of this situation comes from Equiano's personal fear of being captured again. Equiano founded hope through his escape, but finds himself lost, both mentally and physically where he is. Equiano emotional knowledge is consisted of the fear of being caught, but his emotions are frequently changing and his desire of being free is constantly being questioned. As stated in the passage, Equiano says, “I had before entertained hopes of getting home and had determined when it should be dark to make the attempt; but I was not convinced it was fruitless, and considered that, if possibly I could escape all other animals, I could not those of the human kind; and that, now knowing the way, I must perish in the woods.” This shows both his uncertainty of how he views how of hope and fear are connected in his life.

First Impressions (LIB 110)

        Wow! I am enjoying my first few sessions of this Language of Human Rights cluster. I came into college with an open mind to learn, and I believe so far the time spent in the cluster has been well invested with a better understanding of the subject. I am very satisfy with all my Professors, all seem very helpful, and friendly. The topic, The Language of Human Rights are all connected with all courses being taught, but I am yet to see this connection with each class. For each class so far, all topics seem different in it's own respect. With time I believe it will soon have the connection that I'll be able to draw in which my work will connect to each course in some way.

          With every mintue spent in each class so far, I've learnt and paid close attention to all that was said and discussed. It is still very early into the course, but having the open mind to learn, I believe I will take out as much as I can. There is nothing I would like change as of now. So far, so good!

My Twitter (ENG 101-103)

http://twitter.com/#!/rasutd1611

Rajiv is English (ELL 101)

     
          Language plays a very important role in my life. It is an essential tool I use daily to communicate with society. English is the language I speak, read, write and truly understand. The language I speak at home is English, but is also referred to as, "Broken-English", because of my West Indian background. Outside of my home, speaking with the society outside of my family, I speak proper English without any of the abbreviated words, and tones as my native speaking. Both, "Broken-English" and "English" are generally the same language with few exemptions, in spelling, grammar, tone and use of vocabulary.

          Trying to recall how I first learned language cannot be recalled to one source. There were many sources along the way from birth till now. My first involvement with language came from my family at home, and progressed to school where it became my first, and still my only language, English. At home, the language spoken in the household was a broken form of English, with shorten words, abbreviated sentences, and a unique accent which is the identity of my West-Indian culture and background. At school, from Elementary, Primary, and most recent High School in the U.S. it is where I truly began to develop a level of understanding of the language in speaking, reading, and writing form. Even now there are many things still open for me to learn about the language.
 
           Language is a big part of my identity, Rajiv is English. English enables me to complete my identity in many different ways. It is the language I speak, read, write and understand. All of these abilities are in today's world essential to understand how society works. It keeps me grounded to my surroundings as well as work for me in reaching other out to others. I would say speaking at home is my personal language, communicating with my family is a unique way in which my culture and nationality plays its part with the language. Being a West Indian growing up in the Caribbean, it is our way in which we become as creative with the language as possible, even today back in Trinidad and Tobago my native country the language is still being broken down and injected with many different "slang's". I personally am not too creative with the language, but it is instinct into me by my culture and native surroundings in order for me to communicate with fellow West Indians. It is only then I will use the language in that form.
            I personally believe with knowing English to the extent I do, it automatically enables me to understand to a personal extent the world around me. Having the knowledge and ability to speak, read, write and understand the language of English, it enables me to have a grip of society and keeps me updated to my surroundings. Getting along with the world cannot only be determined only by my ability to speak, read, write and understand English, but it plays a big part in that respect. The world is fill with many, different languages, cultures and people. But I am fortunate to say it enables me enough of an understanding to get along with the world and keep moving forward.