Saturday, December 28, 2019

10 Common Errors In Italian Usage Italian Grammar Mistakes

You know not to order an expresso when you step into a caffà ¨ and order a coffee. Youre comfortable with Italian verbs and can even competently conjugate the congiuntivo trapassato. But youll never sound like an Italian native if you persist in repeating linguistic dead giveaways—that is, grammatical mistakes, habits, or tics that always identifies a native English speaker regardless of how competent that person is in Italian. Whatever your reasons for studying Italian, there are Italian grammar usage errors that have been pointed out to you innumerable times by your teacher, tutor, and Italian friends, yet you still persist in making them. Or sometimes, those Italian lessons never stick. Here then is a Top 10 list of the red flags that make English speakers stick out no matter how melodious their pronunciation or despite the fact that theyve learned how to roll their rs. 1. No Pain, No Gain Many English speakers have difficulty pronouncing double consonants in Italian. Heres a simple rule: if you see a consonant in Italian, say it! Unlike English, Italian is a phonetic language, so be certain to pronounce (and write!) both consonants in Italian words when they are doubled. That should help you avoid asking for pain (pena) instead of a pen (penna) at la cartoleria (the stationery store), even though some people consider pens instruments of torture since they dislike writing. 2. I Think I Can, I Think I Can Students of Italian (especially beginners) tend to stick with what they know. Once they learn the three modal verbs, including potere (to be able to, can), they usually unleash a torrent of sentences beginning Posso...? in an effort to sound tactful. But the tendency to use the verb potere when the verb (to succeed, to manage, to be able) is more accurate is a linguistic quirk that immediately identifies a speaker of Italian for whom English is their madrelingua (native tongue). For example, Non sono riuscito a superare gli esami (I wast able to pass the exams) is correct, whereas the sentence Non ho potuto superare gli esami proves the point in more ways than one. 3. Preposterous Prepositions At that very second. On December 26. In 2007. For those studying English as a second language it seems that there is no logic, no reason, no rationale for the use of prepositions. Those studying Italian usually share the same sentiments. Just compare the difference in these sentences: Vado a casa. Vado in banca. Vado al cinema. Not to mention the fact that tra and fra are interchangeable. Reconcile the fact that, just as in English, there are few rules and many exceptions regarding the usage of Italian prepositions. The sooner you accept that, the quicker you can move on to... reciprocal reflexive verbs! Seriously, though, theres only one sure-fire way to approach them: commit to memory how to use the preposizioni semplici (simple prepositions) a, con, da, di, in, per, su, and tra/fra. 4. Magari Fosse Vero! Listen to a reasonably fluent non-native English speaker and chances are you wont hear her use the term goes in place of says (...so my friend goes: When are you going to learn to speak English correctly?), or the hackneyed conversation filler its like, you know,... There are many other words and phrases that are not part of standard English grammar but are common features of casual conversation, as opposed to the formal, written language. Likewise, there are several words and phrases in Italian that have minimal semantic content on their own, but serve important linguistic functions. A conversant who never utters them sounds slightly over-formal and textbookish. They are difficult to translate, but mastering such terms such as cioà ¨, insomma, magari, and mica might even get you elected to the board of Accademia della Crusca. 5. Speaking Without Opening Your Mouth Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks. So, unless you want to be mistaken for the indifferent (read non-native Italian) in the corner who keeps his hands stuffed in his pocket, learn a few Italian hand gestures and other nonverbal responses, and join in the animated discussion. 6. Thinking In English, Speaking in Italian Ask an American to name the colors of il tricolore italiano (the Italian tricolor flag) and theyd probably respond: rosso, bianco, e verde (red, white, and green). That would be comparable to referring to the U.S. flag as: blue, white, and red—technically correct, but grating to most natives ears. In fact, Italians invariably refer to their national flag as: verde, bianco, e rosso— the order, from left-to-right, in which the colors appear. A seemingly trivial difference, but a certain linguistic dead giveaway. The phrase: red, white, and blue is ingrained in Americans linguistic DNA. Its used in marketing, movies, poems, and songs. So its probably unavoidable to use the same formula red, white, and [color] for the Italian flag. These types of errors might not be egregious, but they instantly brand the speaker as a non-native. 7. Dining in the Prison Cafeteria Read any cooking magazine during the spring and summer, when the weather turns warm and families eat outside on terraces, decks, and porches, and there is sure to be an article about dining al fresco. There are even restaurants throughout the United States named Al Fresco (or worse, Alfresco). On your next trip to Italy, though, when you arrive at that highly-recommended trattoria in Siena for lunch and have to decide between dining indoors versus outside on the terrace overlooking Piazza del Campo, the hostess will probably snicker if you ask to dine al fresco. Thats because, strictly speaking, the term means in the cooler—similar to the English slang term that means to be in jail or prison. Instead, use the term allaperto or allaria aperta or even fuori. Other terms that English speakers tend to misuse include il Bel Paese when referring to Italy (its the name of a popular Italian cheese, though). Its analogous to a native New Yorker referring to New York City as The Big Apple. They almost never utter it. Another term, commonly found in English textbooks or travelogues when referring to the Italian language, is la bella lingua. Native Italians never use that phrase when referring to their native tongue. 8. Neigh? Nay? No, Ne The Italian pronoun ne is the most overlooked part of speech, probably because it can be omitted in English (but not in Italian—and old linguistic habits die hard). Get used to whinnying like a horse, and youll sound more like a native Italian. 9. The Early Bird Catches Fishes Like humor, proverbs are difficult to learn in a foreign language. Oftentimes they are idiomatic, and typically reflect the culture (a preponderance of proverbs in Italian are agrarian or nautical in nature given the countrys background). For example, consider the sentiment: The early bird catches the worm. The popular Italian proverb that conveys the same sentiment is: Chi dorme non piglia pesci (Who sleeps doesnt catch fishes). So transliterating from English might lead to perplexed looks. Linguistic experts point out that proverbiando, simpara—that is, by speaking and parsing out proverbs one learns about the language and about the tradition and mores of a culture. 10. Linguistic Training Wheels Io parlo, tu parli, lei parla...Want to immediately identify yourself as a non-native Italian speaker, even if you can conjugate verbi pronominali (pronominal verbs) in your sleep? Persist in using subject pronouns as a linguistic crutch even after learning how to conjugate Italian verbs. Unlike in English, the use of the subject pronouns (io, tu, lui, noi, voi, loro) with the conjugated verb forms is not necessary (and considered redundant unless used for emphasis), since the verb endings identify the mood, tense, person, number, and, in some cases, gender.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Analysis Of The Lost Boyz - 1048 Words

Justin Rollins, raised in the streets of South-London, was deprived of a childhood where he fought for purpose in a world filled with racism and violence. In his book â€Å"The Lost Boyz† he tells us the crucial events which occurred throughout his upbringing which shaped his journey through his teenage years. This essay will critically evaluate the theories and explanations for Rollins’ offending behaviour using a wide range of criminological perspectives. Psychological positivist John Bowlby considered the effect of maternal deprivation as a cause of crime. He stated that children require consistent and continuous care from a primary care-giver until the age of 5 – also known as the critical period (Bowlby, ) Continuous disruption of the†¦show more content†¦It is evident from Justin Rollins’ book that he never had a relationship with his mother throughout his childhood and whilst she was at work he would face racial abuse from his childminder. Rollins even says in his book that he tried to tell his mother yet she didn’t listen (Rollins, 2011). From then on, it was unclear to him who he should turn to and this could be a reason for why from the age of 5 he resulted to violent tendencies. There is lots of evidence to support this theory of maternal deprivation. However, it has been said that the quality of the relationship is more important and separation is not classed to be the same as deprivation (Wooton 1959). Although, regardless of whether it was due to separation or deprivation, it could be said that Rollins experienced both. Another theory that acts as an explanation as to why Justin Rollins fell into the path of crime is due to the later strain theory as proposed by Albert Cohen. He introduced the idea that people become frustrated with their position and status in society which causes youthful delinquency (Newburn, 2017). Throughout the book â€Å"The lost Boyz† Rollins emphasises the idea that he was looking â€Å" â€Å". Rollins was kicked out of education, struggled with relationships, and was living on the streetsShow MoreRelatedThe Lost Boyz Analysis1047 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Free will and determinism are like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt is determinism. The way you play your hand is free will.† (Norman Cousins) â€Å"The Lost Boyz† by Justin Rollins, is a remarkable, personal recount of the author’s dejected youth as well as a deep, raw and vivid insight into the ways and consequences of a broken youths’ mind (Rollins, 2011). Throughout his book, Rollins depicts the divergent factors responsible for his descend into the criminal lifestyle, ultimately attributingRead MoreThe Media Of Teen Drug Abuse2396 Words   |  10 PagesAt Alcohol and Drug Use Among African American Children, speaks on the issues of medias portrayal of African American Children living in high-risk environments in overwhelmingly negative terms such as â€Å"children under siege,† â€Å"Endangered Species,† â€Å"lost generation,† and so much more. The article also addresses the stereotype of how African American childr en living within low-to-moderate income inner-city communities are forced to contend with a hostile environments that is permeated by alcohol andRead MoreAmerican Slang Essay 115481 Words   |  62 Pagesones eye – â€Å"ones favourite† — are metaphorical in origin. The first time they are used they are truly creative. They attract attention and the speaker/inventor might be praised. When these phrases are used over and over again, their freshness is lost and they turn into rather ordinary lexical items. They are then often called frozen metaphors. This then creates a need for new expressions, new metaphors. In a purely rational language, you might think that a principle like â€Å"one concept - oneRead MoreAnalysis on Conversation Features. Differenfes Between British and American English16034 Words   |  65 PagesIt usually takes place in an informal context. That is why contractions, double negation, and use of extended forms stated as incorrect by the prescriptive grammarians can be found. Also in this group would be included regional dialects. 2 ANALYSIS In this part we are going to analyze the two scripts we have chosen. We have counted and classified the conversational features. In order to support the results, some tables are included. Both texts have similar characteristics, so we have explained

Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Fire is Mine by Seven Kingdoms free essay sample

Band: Seven Kingdoms Album: The Fire is Mine Genre: Power/speed metal Label: Nightmare Records Track-by-track review: Beyond the Wall This track is just an intro to the album but its a nice starter n/a After the Fall This is the true opener of the album. A great fast song with a memorable chorus and great drumming 9.5/10 Forever Brave This song isnt as good as After the Fall but its still good. Its a good example of the bands overall sound 8/10 Flame of Olympus A great guitar intro and lead singer Sabrina Valentines voice sounds even better than usual but not quite as memorable as some of the other songs 8/10 Symphony of Stars Good song with a memorable, er, shriek, no note from Sabrina 8/10 The Fire is Mine The second Game of Thrones themed song on the album (the others being After the Fall and The King in the North) as well as being the title track and it doesnt disappoint. We will write a custom essay sample on The Fire is Mine by Seven Kingdoms or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Great guitar work and drumming and a great chorus make this one of the standouts 9.5/10 Kardia The first and only ballad on the album and despite my worries that itd be too soft this is one of my favourite tracks on the album and when the heavier bit kicks in near the end it doesnt feel out of place or stuck on for fun, it just makes the song even better 9.5/10 Fragile Minds Collapse I cant help but feel that your mind will collapse if you listen to it too loud. Three words to describe this song are dark, heavy and epic 9/10 In the Twisted Twilight This song is twisted but its another dark epic 9/10 A Debt Paid in Steel A spoken interlude but its a much needed break n/a The King in the North The third and final Game of Thrones themed song and its a very worthy and epic album closer 9.5/10 Overall: 9/10 Highly recommended

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

An Inside View on Budget

Question: Discuss the purpose of budgets and the relevance of traditional budgetary systems to the contemporary and dynamic environment in which companies operate? Answer: Introduction Budgets are a very important part of any business or activity carried out. People always think of a budget as the term for running of the typical household. That is given a certain amount of budget, how would one use that money so that all the basic needs are fulfilled and satisfaction is at the top level. In reality, the budget is a very wide concept and is used in almost every activity(Khan Hilderth, 2002). It is a universal tool. In this project, we are going to discuss the purpose of budgets and the relevance of traditional budgetary systems to the contemporary and dynamic environment in which companies operate. We are going to evaluate certain roles of the budget in planning and controlling. We will see how budgets have changed over time and will discuss some kind of traditional budgetary system in details and its advantages and disadvantages. Budget The budget can be defined as a quantitative layout of the plan for any mentioned period of time. It helps the company keep its expenses in control and helps the company it setting a sales target. The planning usually contains sales volume and revenue, expenses on various products, the assets the organization has to acquire, its liabilities etc. Budgets can be measured and so the comparison and setting the standards are easy(Harvard Business School Press, 2013). Budgets can vary from corporate, event management, government to family or personal. Different methods are used to calculate budget in different fields. There are different types of budgets like: Sales budget Production budget Capital budget Cash flow/cash budget Marketing budget Project budget Revenue budget Expenditure budget Purpose of budget Budget is one of the most important departments which have to be taken care of in any kind of activity. Without budget control, no company will be able to execute its plans successfully and smoothly. A budget helps to successfully carry out the plans made to achieve the goals of the business. It helps the managers and the superiors to forecast and see what steps could be taken in case any unfortunate event arises in the future. It helps to evaluate the conditions in the present and in the future and then take decisions accordingly (Curro, 1995). Budget helps the managers and other members of the organization to coordinate all the activities taking place within the organization by checking and keeping an eye on the works and the relationship between their operation and that of the other department. The purpose of budget could be classified as follows: To control resources To increase the morale of its employees and motivate them to achieve the desired goal. For accountability of the organization at the end of the financial year To evaluate the performance of the members of the organization. To make companys performance transparent to everyone. In short we can say that the purpose of budgeting tools is to forecast and plan about the expenses and the revenues in the future. It describes how an organized would carry out its activities and proceed towards its goals if the certain strategy is applied in the correct way. By taking up the budgeting system, the company can actually measure its measure with the standards that it has set. It will give them a clear indication if something goes wrong and they work on it accordingly. The standards set will also make them achieve them by putting it more hard work and dedication. Role of budget in planning If viewed from a practical point, making budgets is the most important part in the planning process. The link between the budget and the plan can show a person if the organization will be able to pull off the plan or not. Some exceptions are there in this case as well but we cannot ignore the fact that budgeting is an essential part of planning process. An annual plan is a big activity; the budget is just a small part in it. An annual plan outlines many things that have to be kept in mind by the organization like the objectives and the goals of the business, priorities for the use of the raw materials or the resources which would be used in the production process, the estimated output and the input of human, financial and physical resources to be used.(Amey, 1979) A budget in this process of planning is a much more specific term with is concerned with the receipts from different taxes and other sources, to check if the funds are available and if could be used, evaluating the cost for all the projects and programs that would be carried out in the future, checking if individual projects are feasible or not and last but not the least checking the income or the revenue generated by doing all of the above. Any business organization operated to earn profits and make its name in the type of field it operates. Budgets are used to evaluate all the cost that the company has to bear in order to get the product or the service readily available to the customer.(Bookboon, 2012) The company then has to put a price of its own so that all of its expenses are covered and it earns a profit at the end of the day. Budget is measurable and it helps an organization a lot in this process. Role of budget in control Once the budgets are made in the process of planning and its carried out, the next important stage where the budgets are used controls. The actual results come out and the company evaluates the result with the standards that it has set.(Drury, 2007) A control technique is used where the actual results are compared with the budget that was set earlier. Any variation or differences found out in the process is corrected by key individuals who are given those responsibilities. The decision then lies with them. (Hofstede, 2012)They can either revise the original budgets if they want to or exercise control action and make the relevant changes to meet the expectations. There are many advantages of budgetary control, some of which are stated under: It improves the allocation of the leftover resources and put them to good use. The action motivates all the employees and the other members of the organization to participate in the setting of budgets for the company. It brings out the faults and problems and helps the employees to work together. This helps in better understanding and amongst the people within the organization. Immediate actions are taken in places where there is a fault or a problem which helps the not divert and keep working to achieve its goals. It points out the areas that need extra responsibility and which should be given proper attention by the managers and other employees. Give the financial position of the company in a good place. Traditional budgetary system Advantages There are several advantages why many companies still make a budget at the start. Some of them are: Provides a for control Since the managers have to keep the finance in mind, budget kind of helps the company to do that. It makes sure that the financial use is done correctly and everything stays under control. Part of organizational structure Many companies have been making budgets since early times and it would be a change in culture if they try and adopt something else. It may be risky to put down this plan and come up with anything else as the company is used to make budgetary plans. Disadvantages Although there are advantages of the traditional budgeting, it has it downfalls as well. Researchers say that it takes most of the time, energy, fun and big dream of an organization. It was a very useful and meaningful control instrument once, now is considered as a danger for any organization to last its success. (Swain, 2012)Some of the main problems are: Takes too much of time, money and corporate resources The process of budgeting it too long and tiresome as well. Sometimes it takes around 6 to 8 months. Some of the budgets prepared by the organizations are very detailed and need negotiation continuously which takes up most of the corporate resources. Fixed and inflexible The budget is created at the stage of planning and is very detailed. Though it is made by keeping in mind certain uncertainties that might happen in the future, things might not always go as predicted. The budgets are fixed and its very hard to change them some something goes in the future. entry into the market, new competition, change in customer taste and other changes might affect the plans and changing of budgets then might be a very big problem. Conclusion Budgets are a very important part in any business and work. To have a control over your financial structure, making a budget is the best thing. We have seen in the above report how preparing a budget helps the company throughout the year (Institute of leadership and management, 2007). Though it is of help, it has its disadvantages too. Any organization needs to evaluate all the ups and downs and take the best available decision to achieve the best results. References Amey, L., 1979. Budget planning and control systems. London: Pitman Publishing. Bookboon, 2012. Budgeting: Planning for Success. Sweden: Bookboon. Curro, M., 1995. Budget Function Classification: Relating Agency Spending and Personnel Levels to Budget Functions. Collingdale, United states: DIANE Publishing. Drury, C., 2007. Management and Cost Accounting. Boston: Cengage Learning EMEA. Harvard Business School Press, 2013. Preparing a Budget: Expert Solutions to Everyday Challenges. Boston: Harvard Business Press. Hofstede, G., 2012. The Game of Budget Control. London: Routledge. Institute of leadership and management, 2007. Budgeting for Better Performance. London: Routledge. Khan, A. Hildreth, B., 2002. Budget Theory in the Public Sector. Portsmouth: Greenwood Publishing Group. Pizzey, A., 1989. Cost and Management Accounting: An Introduction for Students. s.l.: SAGE. Swain, 2012. Budgeting for Public Managers. New York City: M.E. Sharpe.