Non-standard English and the New Tribalism

Non-standard English and the New Tribalism Non-standard English and the New Tribalism Non-standard English and the New Tribalism By Maeve Maddox Dave Frohnmayer, President Emeritus of the University of Oregon, defines the New Tribalism as, the growth of a politics based upon narrow concerns, rooted in the exploitation of divisions of class, cash, gender, region, religion, ethnicity, morality and ideology, a give-no-quarter and take-no-prisoners’ activism that demands satisfaction and accepts no compromise. I believe that much of the misuse of standard English that we are witnessing is linked to the New Tribalism. Nonstandard English is a tribal marker. Consciously or unconsciously, speakers who have been taught standard grammar and word formation, but persist in saying or writing such stuff as, Me and my friends play video games. They invited my wife and I. The detour effected our plan’s. Your my best friend. I’ll definately be their. do it because they identify with a group that feels that the use of standard speech does not reflect who they are. In the first half of the 20th century, when not every child had the opportunity to progress all the way through high school, learning to speak a standard dialect in addition to one’s home dialect was not seen as an optional by-product of education. The teaching of standard grammar, pronunciation, and spelling was one of public education’s major goals. Standard English was seen as a passport to a job in a bank or an office or a high class department store. It was a goal that ambitious young people mastered before having to leave school at the age of 13 or 14. Two interviews in a documentary about life in the 1930s and 1940s illustrate the change that has taken place in U.S. educational outcomes since the early 20th century. One of the interview subjects was a white man who grew up on an isolated farm and attended a one-room school house. The other subject was a black man who grew up in a poor neighborhood in Chicago. I can’t say with certainty, but I’d guess both grew up speaking nonstandard dialects at home. In the interviews, both men spoke standard English. They spoke with regional accents and inflections, but neither man made the pronoun and verb errors that are so common these days. In the 1940s, only about 50% of the school population graduated from high school. The other half did well to complete eighth grade. Nowadays, school attendance is compulsory to the age of 16 in nineteen states, 17 in eleven states, and 18 in twenty states. Mastery of English grammar seems to have dwindled as time spent in school has increased. A lot of critics blame the modern plague of sloppy English on texting and computer use. I don’t buy that. Texting and Twitterspeak are dialects in their own right. They operate under their own sets of rules. There’s no reason an excellent texter can’t also be an excellent writer of standard English. Doctors may talk about â€Å"phalanges† at a medical conference, but they talk about â€Å"fingers† and â€Å"toes† to their patients. The toughest punk on the street corner probably doesn’t go home and address his mother as â€Å"Yo, Bitch!† Most speakers instinctively shape their language to suit their listeners and readers. When native speakers pass through eight or more years of formal instruction without mastering standard English, something psychological is going on. Certainly there are other contributing factors, but I’m convinced that a great part of the problem is a fear of tribal rejection. What standard English needs is a lobby, like the ones that exist to fight bullying and domestic abuse. It needs well-funded activists and celebrity spokesmen urging young people to say â€Å"My friends and I play video games.† It needs more employers like Kyle Wiens, iFixit CEO and founder of Dozuki. He requires all job applicants to pass a grammar test before interviewing them for a job of any kind. Says Wiens, Grammar signifies more than just a person’s ability to remember high school English. I’ve found that people who make fewer mistakes on a grammar test also make fewer mistakes when they are doing something completely unrelated to writing - like stocking shelves or labeling parts. Now, as in the 1940s, the ability to speak and write a standard form of English is the ticket to a better life. Even if tribal identity requires speaking a distinctive dialect within the group, the ability to speak and write a standard form of English can be a great social equalizer. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:36 Adjectives Describing LightDoes "Mr" Take a Period?How to Send Tactful Emails from a Technical Support Desk

Issues involving the assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity Research Paper

Issues involving the assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD - Research Paper Example This stage of assessment is not common in general clinical practice. It requires assessment conducted by Health Professionals trained in Medicine, Psychology, Psychophysiology and Clinical Neuroscience or Nutritional and Environmental medicine. The assessment may include brain function evaluation through neuro-imaging, investigation of diet, nutrition and sensitivities to food. Tests may be conducted to determine the causes of metabolic dysfunctions, recurrent abdominal upsets and chronic ear, nose and throat infections which are probable causes of brain dysfunction and consequently abnormal behaviors and attention deficits (Brown, 2005, p. 21). Rating scales and check lists Rating scales and checklists assist clinicians to obtain information from teachers, parents and others about functioning and symptoms in different settings, which is important for a sufficient assessment for ADHD and monitoring its treatment. The symptoms must be manifested in more than one environment for instan ce in school and at home in order to meet DSM-IV criteria in diagnosing for the condition (Barkley, 2005, p.96). This is only one of many components of a comprehensive evaluation that should include interviews and medical examination. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the most commonly used scales are: the Child Behavior Checklist completed by the parent, Teacher Report Form (TRF), Barkley Home Situations Questionnaire (HSQ), ADD-H: Comprehensive Teacher Rating Scale (ACTeRS), Conners Parent and Teacher Rating Scales and the Barkley School Situations Questionnaire (SSQ). The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), says that ADHD-specific rating scales produce more accurate results when distinguishing between children whether a diagnosis of ADHD was initially conducted or not compared to global rating scales and nonspecific questionnaires that assess a variety of behavioral conditions (Barkley, 2005, p. 103).   Behavioral assessments N ot all inattentive, overly hyperactive, or impulsive persons have an attention deficit disorder. This is because most people will at times unintentionally blurt out things, randomly shift between tasks, or become forgetful and disorganized (Jensen & Cooper, 2002, p. 41). To assess for ADHD, several critical questions are put into consideration. Some of these questions include: are the behaviors long-term, excessive and pervasive? Do they happen more frequently than in other persons the same age? Is it a problem that is continuous or just a reaction to a situation that is temporary? Do the behaviors manifest in different settings or only in a specific place? The behavior pattern of the person is then compared against a set criteria and characteristics of the disorder (Brown, 2005, p.33). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders version IV (DSM-IV) manual contains these characteristics and criteria. Disorders with symptoms similar to ADHD One of the difficulties of us ing a questionnaire in diagnosing ADHD is that the condition is often accompanied by other disorders. Quantitative EEG which is an examination of brain function can do a better job in differenting between the disorders that have a lot of behavioral overlaps. The following are several of such disorders. Learning Difficulties: Many ADHD children also have a learning disability (LD). This means

Cultures Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultures - Research Paper Example This borrows from the fact that formalization mostly applies to utilitarian organizations, whereby organizations come up with hierarchies that have supervisors with greater authority who have to coordinate the activities of subordinates. Formalization also helps in the understanding of the organizational culture as it leads to the prescription of procedures, as well as rules, which specify the duties of each employee. Moreover, formalization serves to ensure that the low ranking employees comply with the set rules and guidelines in the organization. At times, formalization can go far to the extent that the organization sanctions the employees who do not follow the set rules. In some instances, employees who do not follow the formal structure of the organization may be summoned and asked to follow the set procedures and rules (Young, 2007). There are various organizational cultures, which organizations employ when prescribing the rules that should be followed. One of the organizational cultures includes the normative culture. In this culture, there is a consideration of the procedures and norms of the organization. Moreover, the regulations and rules of the organization are set in accordance to the guidelines that exist. The behavior of employees has to be ideal, and they have to follow strictly the policies that the organization has set. The other form of organizational culture includes the academy culture. Organizations using this form of culture tend to hire skilled persons, and duties are delegated in relation to the job experience and the education qualifications of the employees. Organizations that follow this form of culture ensure that they train their employees so as to improve employees’ job performance and achieve the organizations objectives. Another form of organizational culture includes the pragma tic culture where the organization emphasizes a lot on the external stakeholders, as well as the

Gas Industry and the Impact on UK Economy Essay

Gas Industry and the Impact on UK Economy - Essay Example This is because numerous factors influence the supply and pricing of gas creating extraordinary inconveniences in the country’s economy. The changing prices of gas usually inflict a lot of pressure on the local economy through pushing up bills for electricity and straining the energy needs. For instance, the nuclear disaster of Japan in 2011 was a significant factor that drove the prices of gas severely affecting the UK economy. This was fueled by the increase of demand for gas by Japan that created sentiment of scarcity. This is just one of lots of aspects that play a function in the UK gas consumption and inherently impact the general economy. This report navigates around the global gas industry, its features and particularly its effects on the vast economy of the United Kingdom. In order to underscore the vast industry and its significance to the economy, the paper will determine the basic problems of the gas industry, market structure, inflation, supply with demand, along with economic enlargement and unemployment. The essence of the report is to expose the inherent implications of the activities and events in the gas industry on the UK economy. The gas industry has several problems most of which induce negative implications on the general economy. ... Supply and demand in the gas industry Supply and demand in the gas industry play an enormous role in affecting the process of gas in the United Kingdom, which directly increases the bills for electricity generated from gas power stations. Any slight change in demand or supply of gas, therefore, has a massive impact on the UK economy (Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on Regulators, 2007, 56). A clear example is the Japan nuclear tragedy, which led to the plants being taken offline. Therefore, Japan required more gas to meet its energy demands as an alternative to nuclear power. Gas dealers developed anxiety that the gas shipment destined for Europe could be directed to Japan; where there was high demand for natural gas and was being offered high prices. This trader sentiment created apprehensions that augmented the prices that energy corporations had to pay to purchase gas in the United Kingdom. This is the main reason behind high costs in bills in the count ry in the winter season. Similarly, the conflict in Libya has led to low supply of gas in European markets that imported gas from the North African state thus increasing the price of international gas. As a result, the cost of electricity generation rose pushing up electricity bills. In the United Kingdom, gas and bills are directly related because any changes in gas prices affects electricity bills of energy consumers who use electricity derived from power generators. Therefore, the varying cost of gas is a single dynamic that profoundly affects bills in the UK. For instance, high general price increase the rate of domestic heating as well as the charge of electricity. This has been contributed by the reality that the charge of electricity derived from gas power-stations

Human Resource Development at Primark Stores Ltd Research Proposal

Human Resource Development at Primark Stores Ltd - Research Proposal Example During the study an effort will be made to observe the general working at Primark store in Manchester to seek answers to the following key objectives. Prerequisite to a decent work culture is about respecting individuals and treating everyone, customers and colleagues, with dignity. How Primark has been able to adopt a balancing approach towards motivating the workforce. Research approaches and methods radically influence research content and, consequently, the policies designed in response to that content. Research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon should be gathered, analyzed and used. This thesis is a qualitative case study which focuses on an analysis of the HR policies prevailing in the retail industry in general and Primark in particular. To carry out such a study in general we resort to two main approaches; Deductive reasoning, which works from the more general to the more specific subjects. Sometimes this is informally called a "top-down" approach. In such approach we take up the 'theory' and then try to apply it to the hypotheses that we intend to test. Gradually we narrow down to the testing of data and observations for their applicability to the theory/ theories to arrive at a confirmation of its applicability or not. The Inductive approach on the other hand begins with collecting data, specific observations, which then lead to broader generalization and theories. Such an approach in called as "bottom up" approach. The patterns thus detected are formulated into tentative hypotheses and we can therefore arrive at some general conclusion about our subject. In this case the study will be more of an inductive one as I'll be observing the functioning of the store, talking to the boys and girls out there about there working hours, compensation etc. During the process I'll also be interacting with some customers to solicit there views about the Primark and the employees in general. Data Collection Secondary Sources: Such data can be collected from the existing literature, research reports, company leaflets, information brochure etc. Primary Sources: Such data can be collected by interacting with the staff, management, customers and other stakeholders. By observing the working and the supply/ distribution chain also we can gather first hand data. It will be little difficult to interact with the top management of the company but I will surely try to meet some of the seniors at the retail outlet. Time Scale and Resources Efforts would be made to complete the different modules of the project leading to the completion of the project as per the following timeline (Note-These are completion dates). Submission of Proposal: Oct 12, 2007 Interaction with the Tutor: October 16, 2007 Inclusion of suggestions by the tutor: October 17, 2007 Preparation of questionnaire: October 25, 2007 Data

The Carter Administration and the Evolution of American Nuclear Essay

The Carter Administration and the Evolution of American Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy - Essay Example Should one continue to play in the field to make sure that it is kept regulated Or should one insist on the moral high ground and stay away from an arena where the evil is both patent and inherent No other world leader has been hounded by this question more than Jimmy Carter, whose regime has seen the evolution of the American Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Though his good faith and commitment to his advocacy have remained unquestioned, many have voiced their opposition over a nuclear containment strategy that effectively cuts off US engagement from other States with respect to the development of nuclear arsenal, and restricts technology transfer with the end in view of achieving nuclear nonproliferation. It is submitted, however, that Carter is not to blame for the failure of his policies. The larger political landscape - both internal and external - must be examined. If at all, Carter must be lauded for boldly extricating the discourse of nuclear weapons from the neither-here-nor-there language of political ambiguity. His fierce and uncompromising condemnation of nuclear weapons has found resonance all over the world, and continues to affect American foreign policy, one A merican President after another. The history of American policy on nuclear weapons is indeed a colorful and protracted one. After the Second World War ended, the Soviet Union began the nuclear race. Desirous of preventing the Soviets from amassing nuclear arsenal, the US encouraged its allies to explore its nuclear capabilities as well. However, the infamous nuclear testing conducted by France radically altered policy and nonproliferation became the avowed goal. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was entered into by the administration of Lyndon Johnson. However, it was a secondary issue for all intents and purposes. America was made complacent by the absence of threats. When India detonated a nuclear device in 1984, a paradigm shift took place. Nonproliferation suddenly became an important issue. Then President Nixon gave word that he would supply nuclear reactors to Egypt and Israel so they may develop their own nuclear capabilities. Many raised fears, valid fears, that this would only lead to the unabated spread of nuclear weapons and it would reach a point when regulation would be next to impossible. Comes now Jimmy Carter, riding on the crescent wave of anti-nuclear weapon advocates. In his campaign, he always gave special importance to the issue of nuclear weapons. He knew why he wanted to do it - because the anti-nuclear weapons advocacy was at the core human rights issue, and how he would do it - by prohibiting the commercial reprocessing and recycling of plutonium used in the creation of nuclear weapons. By arresting the technology transfer, Carter believed that he was paving the way for nuclear containment. This was a radical and total departure from the policies of Nixon on Ford, who believed in strategic engagement, even a little muscle-flexing, when the need arises. His was a complete declaration of war against nuclear weapons; not the case-to-case basis policy of previous regimes. Much opposition was generated by Carter's policy. In the strong words of Sen. Pete Domenici, a Republican from New Mexico, " a strategy of nonproliferation based solely on denial of equipment and technology will at most only delay, not prohibit this possibility." The legislature also

The Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Marketing Plan - Essay Example food and beverage due to its wide range of product lines such as Arnott’s Premier Melting Moments, Emporio Amond Snap, and Emporio Chocolate Temptation etc presenting a unique taste. However, in spite of strong foothold in numerous developing and developed countries, the competitiveness and market share is decreasing due to its locally utilised ingredients of Australia. Other than this, the profit margin and customer loyalty over the brand is decreasing due to extremely high price and intensive competitive rivalry among its rivals. In addition, to the presence of numerous substitute products like cookies by competitive brands such as Kraft Foods Ltd, Tim- Tams, Vita-Wheat, and Cruskits, the market value and reliability of the organization is declining day by day to a considerable extent. Due to these underlining causes, the portfolio and uniqueness of the organization of Arnott is reducing that hinders its total sale and profitability in long run. Furthermore, numerous less co mpetitive local products are capturing the markets of Australia that hindered its loyalty and brand value as compared to other existing contenders in this age (Arnott, 2014). However, in order to amplify the competitive advantage and sustainability of the organization of Arnott, a marketing plan is developed with the help of a new product, Emporio Crispy. The financial objective of the organization of Arnott is to amplify its total sale by almost 5 percent of its previous sale by the launch of the new product, Emporio Crispy. Other than this, the profit margin of the organization of Arnott might get enhanced by a considerable extent as compared to its rival players. Only then, it might become successful in improving its dominance and position in the market (Grant, 2010, pp. 423-434). The marketing objective of the organization of Arnott is to amplify its loyalty and reliability in the market of Australia. Along with this, the launch of the Emporio Crispy might become successful in