Bilingualism - Definition and Examples

Bilingualism s Bilingualism is the ability of an individual or the members of a community to use two languages effectively. Adjective: bilingual. Monolingualism refers to the ability to use a single language. The ability to use multiple languages is known as multilingualism. More than half of the  worlds population is bilingual or  multilingual: 56% of Europeans are bilingual, while 38% of the population in Great Britain, 35% in Canada, and 17% in the United States are bilingual (Multicultural America: A Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2013). Etymology From the Latin, two tongue Examples and Observations Bilingualism as the NormBilingualismmore generally, multilingualismis a major fact of life in the world today. To begin with, the worlds estimated 5,000 languages are spoken in the worlds 200 sovereign states (or 25 languages per state), so that communication among the citizens of many of the worlds countries clearly requires extensive bi- (if not multi-)lingualism. In fact, David Crystal (1997) estimates that two-thirds of the worlds children grow up in a bilingual environment. Considering only bilingualism involving English, the statistics that Crystal has gathered indicate that, of the approximately 570 million people world-wide who speak English, over 41 percent or 235 million are bilingual in English and some other language. . . . One must conclude that, far from being exceptional, as many lay people believe, bilingualism/multilingualismwhich, of course, goes hand in hand with multiculturalism in many casesis currently the rule throughout the world and will become increasingly s o in the future.(Tej K. Bhatia and William C. Ritchie, Introduction. The Handbook of Bilingualism. Blackwell, 2006) Global MultilingualismThe political history of the 19th and 20th centuries and the ideology of one stateone nationone language have given rise to the idea that monolingualism has always been the default or normal case in Europe and more or less a precondition for political loyalty. Facing this situation, it has been overlooked that the vast majority of the worlds populationin whatever form or conditionsis multilingual. This is quite obvious when we look at the linguistic maps of Africa, Asia or Southern America at any given time.(Kurt Braunmà ¼ller and Gisella Ferraresi, Introduction. Aspects of Multilingualism in European Language History. John Benjamins, 2003)Individual and Societal BilingualismBilingualism exists as a possession of an individual. It is also possible to talk about bilingualism as a characteristic of a group or community of people [societal bilingualism]. Bilinguals and multilinguals are most often located in groups, communities or in a particular region (e.g. Cata lans in Spain). . . . [C]o-existing languages may be in a process of rapid change, living in harmony or one rapidly advancing at the cost of the other, or sometimes in conflict. Where many language minorities exist, there is often language shift . . ..(Colin Baker and Sylvia Prys Jones, Encyclopedia of Bilingualism and Bilingual Education. Multilingual Matters, 1998) Foreign Language Instruction in the U.S.For decades, U.S. policymakers, business leaders, educators, and research organizations have decried our students’ lack of foreign language skills and called for better language instruction. Yet, despite these calls for action, we have fallen further behind the rest of the world in preparing our students to communicate effectively in languages other than English.I believe the main reason for this disparity is that foreign languages are treated by our public education system as less important than math, science and English. In contrast, E.U. governments expect their citizens to become fluent in at least two languages plus their native tongue. . . .[F]oreign language instruction in the U.S. is frequently considered a luxury, a subject taught to college-bound students, more frequently in affluent than poor school districts, and readily cut when math or reading test scores drop or budget cuts loom.(Ingrid Pufahl, How Europe Does It. The New York Times, February. 7, 2010)

Communication Principles, Techniques and Strategies used in Health and Term Paper

Communication Principles, Techniques and Strategies used in Health and Social Care Settings - Term Paper Example In the worst case scenario, miscommunication could result in the death of the patient. In the case of Anne, who suffered from a stroke, delayed communication in the period between the moment when she first felt unusual symptoms and when she reached the hospital caused her to suffer a stroke. If her husband Paul had been successful in reaching an ambulance or other medical firm and enabled her to reach the hospital in time, this could have been averted. However, Paul, Anne’s husband, was unsuccessful in reaching the ambulance. In addition, when she finally reached a hospital, Anne was left unattended for approximately four hours. During this interlude, her face sagged on one side and she lost control of her bodily functions. It does seem that the attitude of the medical professionals concerned was shockingly callous. However, it is more likely that they simply were unequipped with the right coping skills for dealing with the extreme stress that is often encountered in the medical field. The medical emergency number dialed by Paul may have been disconnected. However, it is more likely that the line was busy and there were many people trying to use it at the same time. On his arrival at the first hospital, Paul and Anne may have walked in at a time when all medical professionals were busy attending to serious cases; thus the lack of attention for the first four hours. In addition, the doctors were probably strained after a hard day’s work. This is not a suggestion that their attitude was excusable; however, it is important to point out that medical practitioners deal with extreme stress on a regular basis.  

W6 Asign BA541 Customer-Based Metrics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

W6 Asign BA541 Customer-Based Metrics - Essay Example For example, at the peak of their popularity with people willing to buy coffee with a more expensive price tag, Starbucks spent a lot of money opening several stores, expanding rapidly locally and internationally. In 2008, however, it was forced to assess which stores were making profit and proceeded to close 600 stores in the Unites States. (The Associated Press, 2008) Not all customers have the same value to a company. A company should be able to know who among their customers they should create relationships with to earn revenue. Some customers may buy big ticket items occasionally, but are less significant when compared to customers you regularly buy less expensive items. The customer equity test must be applied to know the degree of marketing efforts to be exhausted in acquiring and retaining customers. (Peppers, D. & Rogers, M., 2011) Seeing that Starbucks is able to maintain a loyal following, this metric appears to have been satisfied. The company offers a variety of products, dependent on the location of the store. For instance, some of their products in the United States are not available in their branches overseas. With this scenario, it can be said that the company was able to understand what their loyal customers like about them and thus made sure those items were available. An issue with this is in order to be competitive and have an edge in the industry, the company needs to come up with other ideas. One of these is providing alcohol at a certain time of the day to reach a possible market and this is problematic because as a survey has shown, some of those who have quit drinking gather at Starbucks for their support group meetings and drink coffee. (Williams, G., 2014) Knowing what the customers want is a very important strategy in a business. Customers need to feel important and needed. Thus, a company that wants to build lasting

Applying for masters in architecture Personal Statement

Applying for masters in architecture - Personal Statement Example In the past three years, I have especially been passionate about handling T-squares and drawing boards. Most important, university education in Architecture has opened newer avenues for exploring my passion in the specialty. The new exploit is the use of CAD and other software in survey and executing my architectural drawings. Nevertheless, I still aspire to have a studio where I use drawing boards and T-squares for creating models. I have always done exceptionally well in my studies and been among the top students in my class. My good performances and passion have always inspired me to seek opportunities to improve my skills through practical skills application and to attend higher learning at every opportunity. I have exhibited a passion, the ability to be efficient and innovative in the exploitation of knowledge learned in high school and through to undergraduate level while studying Architecture. During my University foundation, an accomplished architect once asked me my motivation for being an architect. In my response, I said that I wanted to improve the status of the world for better. Asked to elaborate further, I said that, my aim is creating easy and remarkable. The world needs doctors, and I view architects through a similar prism as doctors. Architects are, for this reason, necessary to model concept designs and spaces for utmost fulfilling of and exceeding people’s desires. My passion in structures had begun way before I decided to pursue a career in architecture. Structures have always fascinated me, and I have always tried conceptualizing their creation from infinity to the magnificently completed structures. It is my sincere conviction that I will get a chance in the institution to advance my skills. My confidence in my abilities and astute principals give strength to my resolve to study and be an

Abraham Conclusion Essay Example for Free

Abraham Conclusion Essay While writing the whole play for my group, and doing research, I learned a lot of things about Abraham. God helped Abraham a lot, first with the blessing, then Lot, and even for the birth of Isaac. Most of the time when something bad happens, Abraham doubted God. God never zapped him, or kill him, He was patient. At the end, Abraham could not help Isaac find a wife himself for he is weak and old, he trusted that God will help him like the way God helped him before. I think faith means to trust God completely, 100%. True faith is shown, when you yourself could not help anymore, only God could. And you trust unto Him a very hard job, being sure that He will be able to do it. See more: Beowulf essay essay This happened when Abraham was too old to go look for a wife for Isaac, he had faith that God will find one for him, and God did. What I learned about God while reading about Abraham is that God is very patient. Every time Abraham questions or doubts him, he doesn’t get angry. I also learned that God is faithful and true to his word. Every single promise God made came true, though not the way some people expected it. Last of all, I learned that God is omniscience. Though Sarah is very old and beyond the age of child bearing, God was able to make her have her son, the son that was the one to take the true blessing, Isaac.

The World Of LSD :: essays research papers fc

A Guide to the â€Å"Not So† Wonderful World of LSD Discovery of LSD LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) come from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. Albert Hofmann, working at Sandoz, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, produced LSD for the first time in 1938. He was hoping that it could be used to stimulate circulation and respiration, though this idea failed. Hofmann forgot about the new found drug, and didn’t use it for five years. In 1943 he accidentally ingested LSD and experienced some effects of the drug, such as visual distortion, dizziness and restlessness. He experienced the drug again, though this time not on accident. Forms of LSD LSD can come in many different forms. Three more common forms are paper blotter, liquid, & gelatin. Paper blotter, the most common form of all, comes divided into  ¼" squares called tabs. These tabs usually have between 30 - 100 ug of LSD. These papers are made by taking a sheet of absorbent paper, usually decorated, and soaking it with a dilution of LSD. All the dilutions are not the same, for the can vary greatly from batch to batch, LSD 2 and there is no way of telling exactly how much LSD is on it. Liquid LSD is usually water based, though it can be based with other solvents. A single drop of liquid LSD could be up to 50 times stronger the regular paper blotter because it is more than the normal dose. It is not all that common for people to sell liquid LSD because there is no way to be sure of it’s potency. It is usually stored in small dropper bottles. Gelatin LSD, also known as "window panes", is made by mixing liquid LSD with gelatin. It has to be formed into small, thin squares after that. A single gelatin tab usually has around 50 - 150 ug of LSD. This method of making LSD is generally better because it protects the LSD from being exposed to the air and sun, which can break down the drug. Cost of LSD When LSD is sold as paper blotter, the price usually ranges from 3 - 10 dollars per hit, though it can be more expensive depending on where it is sold. Being sold from friend to friend it is usually less, but places such as raves will sell it for more. Less common LSD will go for more money then blotter paper will.

Should College Athletes Get Paid to Play Essay -- Argumentative Persua

Should College Athletes Get Paid to Play Forget about the game-winning touchdown, forget about the cheerleader girlfriend, and forget the pageantry. What about the hard earned money college athletes will never see and earned? In the world of college sports its win or go home, and to the winners go the spoils. Most successful college sports teams rake in millions of dollars in revenue. Steve Spurrier, the coach for the Florida Gators signed a six year contract where he would make a little over 2.5 million dollars a year not including certain benefits like a free car for his wife. So with the institutions and coaches getting rich off their player who is to say that the player does not deserve a share of the wealth? Most college athletes get around 200-250 dollars a month for living expenses and spending money, this is very small compared to the student who has time to work. Some people say that athletes get paid by having a scholarship but if you look at the ulterior motive behind scholarships I think people would change their minds. Coaches try to get players who they think have the talent to make them win and to persuade them to come to their school they try to give them scholarships. So the whole idea behind a scholarship is to lure the student to come to your school. Scholarships are j ust a recruitment tactic. Don’t confuse what I am saying though I don’t think college players should be making millions of dollars but there should be a set salary for all p...