Friday, May 22, 2020

10 Animal Sounds in Japanese Words

In different languages, there is little consensus about what sounds animals make. This holds true in  Japanese as well as other tongues. In English, for example, a cow says moo, but in French, its closer to meu or meuh. In Japanese, the bovine says moo moo. American dogs say woof, but in Italy, mans best friend makes a sound more like bau. In Japanese, they say wan wan. Below are the sounds various animals say in Japanese. Japanese Animal Sounds The table displays the name of the animal in the left column, with the transliteration of the animals name in bold and its depiction in Japanese letters below. The English name for the animal is listed in the second column. The third column lists the sound the animal makes in bold with the Japanese letters for the sound below that. The sound an animal makes in English is included below the Japanese spelling in the third column, allowing for easy comparison to the animal sound in Japanese. karasu㠁‹ã‚‰ã â„¢ crow kaa kaaã‚ «Ã£Æ' ¼Ã£â€š «Ã£Æ' ¼ niwatorié ¶  rooster kokekokkoã‚ ³Ã£â€š ±Ã£â€š ³Ã£Æ'Æ'ã‚ ³Ã£Æ' ¼(Cock-a-doodle-doo) nezumi㠁 ­Ã£ Å¡Ã£  ¿ mouse chuu chuuãÆ' Ã£Æ' ¥Ã£Æ' ¼Ã£Æ' Ã£Æ' ¥Ã£Æ' ¼ nekoçÅ' « cat nyaa nyaaãÆ'‹ãÆ' £Ã£Æ' ¼Ã£Æ'‹ãÆ' £Ã£Æ' ¼(meow) umaé ¦ ¬ horse hihiinãÆ'’ãÆ'’ãÆ' ¼Ã£Æ' ³ butaè ±Å¡ pig buu buuãÆ'â€"ãÆ' ¼Ã£Æ'â€"ãÆ' ¼(oink) hitsujiç ¾Å  sheep mee meeãÆ' ¡Ã£Æ' ¼Ã£Æ' ¡Ã£Æ' ¼(baa baa) ushi牛 cow moo mooãÆ' ¢Ã£Æ' ¼Ã£Æ' ¢Ã£Æ' ¼(moo) inuçŠ ¬ dog wan wanãÆ' ¯Ã£Æ' ³Ã£Æ' ¯Ã£Æ' ³(woof, bark) kaeruã‚ «Ã£â€š ¨Ã£Æ' « frog kero keroã‚ ±Ã£Æ' ­Ã£â€š ±Ã£Æ' ­(ribbit) These animal sounds are usually written in the katakana script, rather than kanji or hiragana. The Bowwow Theory The bowwow theory  posits that language began when human ancestors started imitating  the natural sounds around them. The first speech was onomatopoeic and included words such as moo, meow, splash, cuckoo, and bang. Of course, in English especially, very few words are onomatopoeic. And around the world, a dog might say au au in Portuguese, wang wang in Chinese, and as noted, wan wan in Japanese. Some researchers have suggested that the animals a culture is most closely aligned with will have more versions of the sounds they make in their respective languages. In American English, for example, a dog might say bowwow, woof, or ruff. Since dogs are beloved pets in the U.S., it makes sense that American-English speakers would want to have a menu of sound words for this pet. The Dog in Japan Dogs are also quite popular as pets in Japan, where they were domesticated during the Jomon period in 10,000 B.C. Though katakana script is most common, you can write the Japanese word for dog,  inu,  in either  hiragana  or  kanji — but since the kanji character for dog is quite simple, try learning how to write it in kanji. Phrases referring to dogs are as common in Japan as they are in the West. Inujini  means to die like dog, and to call someone a dog in Japenese is to accuse him of being a spy or dupe. The sentence  Inu mo  arukeba  bou  ni  ataru  (when the dog walks, it runs across a stick) is a common Japanese saying, meaning that when you walk outside, you could possibly meet with an unexpected fortune.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

What is a Logical Fallacy

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid. It is also called a  fallacy, an informal logical fallacy, and an informal fallacy. All logical fallacies are  nonsequiturs—arguments in which  a  conclusion  doesnt follow  logically from what preceded it.   Clinical psychologist Rian McMullin expands this definition: Logical fallacies are unsubstantiated assertions that are often delivered with a conviction that makes them sound as though they are proven facts. ...Whatever their origins, fallacies can take on a special life of their own  when they are popularized in the media and become part of a national credo (The New Handbook of Cognitive Therapy Techniques, 2000) Examples and Observations A logical fallacy is a false statement that weakens an argument by distorting an issue, drawing false conclusions, misusing evidence, or misusing language. (Dave Kemper et al., Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing. Cengage, 2015) Reasons to Avoid Logical Fallacies There are three good reasons to avoid logical fallacies in your writing. First, logical fallacies are wrong and, simply put, dishonest if you use them knowingly. Second, they take away from the strength of your argument. Finally, the use of logical fallacies can make your readers feel that you do not consider them to be very intelligent. (William R. Smalzer, Write to Be Read: Reading, Reflection, and Writing, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2005) Whether examining or writing arguments, make sure you detect logical fallacies that weaken arguments. Use evidence to support claims and validate information—this will make you appear credible and create trust in the minds of your audience. (Karen A. Wink,  Rhetorical Strategies for Composition: Cracking an Academic Code.  Rowman Littlefield, 2016) Informal Fallacies Although some arguments are so blatantly fallacious that at most they can be used to amuse us, many are more subtle and can be difficult to recognize. A conclusion often appears to follow logically and nontrivially from true premises, and only careful examination can reveal the fallaciousness of the argument. Such deceptively fallacious arguments, which can be recognized as such with little or no reliance on the methods of formal logic, are known as informal fallacies. (R. Baum, Logic. Harcourt, 1996) Formal and Informal Fallacies There are two main categories of logical errors: formal fallacies and informal fallacies. The term formal refers to the structure of an argument and the branch of logic that is most concerned with structure—deductive reasoning. All formal fallacies are errors in deductive reasoning that render an argument invalid. The term informal refers to the non-structural aspects of arguments, usually emphasized in inductive reasoning. Most informal fallacies are errors of induction, but some of these fallacies can apply to deductive arguments as well. (Magedah Shabo, Rhetoric, Logic, and Argumentation: A Guide for Student Writers. Prestwick House, 2010) Example of Logical Fallacies You oppose a senators proposal to extend  government-funded health care to poor minority children because that senator is a liberal Democrat. This is a common logical fallacy known as ad hominem, which is Latin  for against the man. Instead of dealing with the argument you preempt any discussion by basically saying, I cannot listen to anyone who does not share my social and political values. You indeed may decide that you dont like the argument the senator is making, but it is your job to poke holes in the argument, not to engage in a personal attack. (Derek Soles,  The Essentials of Academic Writing, 2nd ed. Wadsworth, 2010)  Ã‚   Suppose that each November, a witch doctor  performs a voodoo dance designed to summon the gods of winter and that soon after the dance is performed, the weather, in fact, begins to turn cold. The witch doctors dance is associated with the arrival of winter, meaning that the two events appear to have happened in conjunction with one another.  But is this really evidence that the witch doctors dance actually caused the arrival of winter? Most of us would answer no, even though the two events seem to happen in conjunction with one another. Those who argue that a causal relationship exists  simply because of the presence of statistical association are committing a logical fallacy known as the post hoc propter ergo hoc fallacy. Sound economics warns against this potential source of error. (James D. Gwartney et al.,  Economics: Private and Public Choice, 15th ed.  Cengage, 2013) The arguments in support of civic education are often seductive.... Although we might emphasize different civic virtues, dont we all honor a love for our country [and] a respect for human rights and the rule of law.... Since no one is born with an innate understanding of these virtues, they must be learned, and schools are our most visible institutions for learning. But this argument suffers from a logical fallacy: Just because civic virtues must be learned, does not mean they can be easily taught—and still less that they can be taught in schools. Nearly every political scientist who studies how people acquire knowledge and ideas about good citizenship agrees that schools and, in particular, civics courses have no significant effect on civic attitudes and very little if any, effect on civic knowledge. (J. B. Murphy, The New York Times, September 15, 2002)

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Manipulations of Memory Used by Orwell and Williams Free Essays

The steady development of â€Å"Big Brother† as the all-controlling entity in George Orwell’s 1984 is the premise for the role truth plays throughout the novel. Truth is functioned against society for the benefit of the government. Similarly, Tennessee Williams creates a uniquely different environment for his characters in The Glass Menagerie while maintaining the same function of truth as a source of distortion and control. We will write a custom essay sample on Manipulations of Memory Used by Orwell and Williams or any similar topic only for you Order Now Collectively, the themes of dehumanization in 1984 and distortion of memory in The Glass Menagerie relate to one another regarding the function of truth in each work to substantiate a sense of authority and deception. Oppression in 1984 as a direct instrument of dehumanization is made quite evident within the text. The inner-party uses several brainwashing and torture tactics to rid society of past memories and experiences. The effects these tactics have upon truth are substantial in their regard. The intent of â€Å"Big Brother† is to reduce human beings understanding to a more basic, easily manipulated and empty slate where the agendas of the inner-party can be executed with ease. We see the extent to which understanding of the past affects one’s attitude about the present when Winston states, â€Å"And when memory failed and written records were falsified—when that happened, the claim of the Party to have improved the conditions of human life had got to be accepted, because there did not exist, and never again could exist, any standard against which it could be tested† (Orwell 93). This quote is said following Winston’s frustrating conversation with the old man about life prior to the Revolution. Winston is coming to terms that the party has deliberately set out to weaken people’s memories in order to render them unable to challenge what the Party claims about the present. If no one remembers life before the Revolution, then no one can say that the Party has failed humanity by forcing people to live in conditions of scarcity, filth, ignorance, and famine. Rather, the party uses rewritten history books and falsified records to prove its good deeds. This proves the theory that truth is dependent of memory and without memory truth is subject to manipulation and in this case dehumanization. Orwell not only suggests this theory through the events observed in Winston but also through Winston’s own surrender to â€Å"Big Brother† and its definition of truth at the end of the novel. After the inner-party’s relentless attempt to purge Winston of any prohibited thoughts, they achieve their goal of dehumanizing him. The narrator brings closure to the novel as he describes Winston’s â€Å"new† character. â€Å"He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother†, said the narrator (Orwell 297). Winston’s curiosity towards â€Å"Big Brother† was prevailing during the earlier parts of the novel. This curiosity soon transforms into animosity urging him to join a rebel group to overthrow â€Å"Big Brother†. Despite these negative feelings, the power of dehumanization works against what years of curiosity have said to Winston to be true. His memory of â€Å"Big Brother† as being counterproductive to society is no longer existent because his present situation says that â€Å"Big Brother† should be loved unconditionally. The fact that Winston’s conversion was successful should focus the reader on truth and memory and how they are comparable. The dehumanization of memory stands as a principle theme in 1984 and it is through this theme that Orwell functions truth to reveal the desire of deception. Tennessee Williams takes a corresponding approach to truth and its function in his play, The Glass Menagerie. The characters, Amanda, Tom, and Laura all face the similar dilemma of a falsified perception of reality. The mother, Amanda, is the most blatant character in denial. Her situation as a single mother raising two children has subliminally deceived what she sees as factual. In a conversation with Laura Amanda is quoted â€Å"Why you’re not crippled, you just have a little defect — hardly noticeable, even! When people have some slight disadvantage like that, they cultivate other things to make up for it — develop charm — and vivacity — and — charm† (Orwell 18)! Seemingly everyone is quite aware that Laura is crippled however, Amanda will not come to terms with this occurrence. She deals with this unfortunate fact by lying to herself that her daughter is not crippled thus proving there to be little veracity to any memories she has. Throughout the play Amanda is full of deceptions. Amanda changes her style of speech to a southern accent when Laura’s gentleman caller arrives. Amanda states â€Å"â€Å"light food an’ light clothes are what warm weather calls fo†Ã¢â‚¬  (Orwell 63). The reader is told that Amanda was born in the south. In spite of that, this is the first time she speaks with a southern accent. Amanda explains her newly discovered accent as her â€Å"rejuvenated† personality but the reader can assume this is her attempt to mislead the people around her to believe she is something that she is not further revealing her deceitful memory. Consequently, Tom and Laura are trapped by this illusion Amanda creates. Laura is highly dependent upon her mother therefore she is influenced by Amanda’s views. Tom carries the burden of providing for his family and cannot leave from this world of lies and untruths. Amanda’s present state has distorted her memory and essentially distorted her sense of self and reality. Her ability to do this has given her control of what she can feel and therefore how she can live her life despite not being able to escape from the poverty stricken life. Despite having contrasting influences behind their respected themes, 1984 and The Glass Menagerie share a common purpose to gain control over reality through the manipulation of truth. In 1984 Winston observed and experienced the tactics that â€Å"Big Brother† used to give the public a misleading view of truth. Through dehumanization, â€Å"Big Brother† achieved full authority over its citizens by erasing all memories of life before the revolution. With no memories to go by society was at the mercy of â€Å"Big Brother† and what the inner-party considered acceptable. People could not judge right from wrong because â€Å"Big Brother† was all they ever knew. The Glass Menagerie is comparable is the sense that Amanda needed to gain control over her life which seemed to be spinning into the ground. She was helpless and this feeling led her to shape her own reality in order to regain this sense of control. People are typically fearful of things they cannot conquer. Amanda could not achieve freedom from her environment therefore she created her own path through a deceptive memory. Her children were trapped in this life of lies just as Winston was in 1984. In both works we see a desire of power to control their respected situations. 1984 sought for the control of society whereas The Glass Menagerie sought for the control of the Wingfield future. The power of memory is existential to the human ability of perceiving the present. George Orwell’s 1984 and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie manipulate memory in such a similar fashion that their functions of truth are nearly identical concerning their purpose. In 1984 truth is functioned against society for the sake of â€Å"Big Brother† and the inner-parties agenda through dehumanization. Similarly, Orwell uses Amanda’s character in The Glass Menagerie to demonstrate the importance of memory and how one’s own deception of truth can distort their reality dramatically. Both pieces of work complement one another and solidify the case that memory or a deceitful memory for that matter is vulnerable to exploitation and the effects can be substantial in regard to one’s sense of actuality. How to cite Manipulations of Memory Used by Orwell and Williams, Essay examples