Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Language

Narrator vs. Focalizer: Defining Perspective

In all stories, the narrative is told from a specific point of view. This discourse is shaped by a perspective that is not always identical to the narrator; instead, the narrator may utilize a focalizer to convey the story.

It is essential to distinguish between the narrator (who speaks) and the focalizer (who sees). The point of view and the vision presented are conditioned by factors such as social status, education, and background. Consequently, a story told by a high-class character will differ significantly from one told by a servant.

The Three Facets of Focalization

Focalization is categorized into three primary facets: Perceptual, Psychological, and Ideological.

1. Perceptual Focalization

This facet... Continue reading "Understanding Focalization: Narrator vs. Focalizer" »

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759)

Rasselas, the son of an emperor, is confined to the idyllic Happy Valley until he is ready to rule. However, he resents this confinement and longs to experience the world beyond. Determined to discover the true meaning of happiness and his"choice of life" Rasselas devises a plan to escape. Throughout his journey, he displays intelligence, wit, and a rational mind, often seeking guidance from the wise Imlac.

Rasselas's Discontent

In a conversation with his former instructor, Rasselas confesses his dissatisfaction with the pleasures of the Happy Valley. He admits to feeling stagnant and lacking aspirations. The old man, taken aback, suggests that experiencing the world'... Continue reading "Rasselas's Quest for Happiness: A Summary and Analysis" »

Essential Vocabulary Terms

Misunderstanding: confusion, error

To keep on: to persist, to hold on

Storage: action of keeping things

To manufacture: to produce, to fabricate

Worthwhile: beneficial, productive, profitable

To arise: to appear, to originate

Well-known: famous, acclaimed

To fulfill: to satisfy, to achieve

Convenience: availability, usefulness

To come about: to result, to happen

To struggle: to fight, to battle

Sachets: small packets

Suspicion: doubt, distrust

Fed up: annoyed, tired

Continuously: frequently, regularly

Soggy: very wet and soft

Crunchy: crispy

Grease: fat, oil

To sprinkle something with: scatter (espolvorear)

Eventually: finally, ultimately

Stale: tasteless, insipid

To attempt to do something: to try, to make an effort

Sticky: gummy, adhesive

Spare

Engine Flameout at Takeoff

• Uptrim: Check
• Autofeather: Check
• If no uptrim: Advance to ramp
• When airborne:
  • Landing gear: Up
  • Bleed 1+2: Off (if not fault)
• At acceleration altitude: Alt: Set
• At VFTO:
  • PL 1+2: Notch
  • Power Management: MCT
  • IAS: Set
• Normal condition: Flaps: 0
• Icing condition: Flaps: 15
• PL affected side: Flight Idle (FI)
• CL affected side: Feather (FTR) then Fuel Shut Off (SO)
• Bleed engine alive: Off if necessary

Engine Fire at Takeoff

• When airborne: Landing gear: Up
• At acceleration altitude: Power Management: MCT
• At VFTO:
  • Normal condition: Flaps: 0
  • Icing condition: Flaps: 15
• PL affected side: Flight Idle (FI)
• CL affected side: Feather (FTR) then Fuel Shut Off (SO)
• Fire handle illuminated: Pull
• If condition persists after 10 seconds: Agent 1 affected side: Discharge
• If

How does Chimamanda define 'the single story'?

She defines 'the single story' as the tendency to reduce individuals or groups to a single narrative or perspective, often based on stereotypes, preconceived notions, or limited information. A single story shows a group of people as one thing and only one thing over and over again until that is what they become.

Name four 'single stories' that she discusses in this talk

Chimamanda's roommate who had a single story of Africa. She had a single story of catastrophe. In this single story, Africans weren't similar to her at all. She just felt pity for them. She stereotyped Chimamanda as a woman who shouldn't know how to speak English, listened to tribal music, and not well-known authors...

Chimamanda's... Continue reading "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of Single Stories" »

Options and Futures Contracts Fundamentals

Options vs. Futures Contracts: Key Differences

• Option Buyer: Has the right, but not the obligation, to transact. The buyer can abandon the option if desired. The option premium paid is the maximum financial exposure.
• Futures Contract Buyer: Cannot abandon the contract. The buyer is obligated to transact, leading to theoretically unlimited exposure.

Types of Options

• European Options: Can be exercised only at the expiration date.
• American Options: Can be exercised at any time up to the expiration date.

Call Options Defined

A Call Option gives the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy a given quantity of an asset on or before some time in the future, at prices agreed upon today (the strike price, $... Continue reading "Options Trading Basics: Definitions, Payoffs, and Sensitivity Factors" »

Vocabulary Distinctions

1. Build vs. Construe

   • Build: To make something by putting bricks or other materials together.
   • Construe: To understand the meaning, especially of other people's actions and statements, in a particular way.

2. Freeze vs. Congeal

   • Freeze: To make food last a long time by storing it at a very low temperature so that it becomes hard.
   • Congeal: To change from a liquid or soft state to a thick or solid state.

3. Human vs. Humane

   • Human: Of or typical of people; a man, woman, or child.
   • Humane: Showing kindness, care, and sympathy towards others, especially those who are suffering.

4. Answer, Reply, and Response

   • Answer: A reaction to a question, letter, phone call, etc.
   • Reply: To answer; to react to an action by someone else.
   • Response: An answer or reaction.

Business and General Vocabulary

Exhibitions and Trade Shows

• brochure
• business card
• competitor
• exhibition
• free gift
• leaflet
• LED screen
• name tag
• promotional material
• stand (noun)

Countries and Nationalities

• American / USA
• Britain / British
• France / French
• Germany / German
• Ireland / Irish
• Italy / Italian
• Japan / Japanese
• Nigeria / Nigerian
• Peru / Peruvian
• Thailand / Thai

Weather Terminology

• cloudy
• cold
• cool
• freezing
• hot
• rainy
• snowy
• stormy
• sunny
• warm
• windy

Transportation and Travel

General Transport Methods

• aeroplane
• bus
• ferry
• motorbike
• ship
• taxi
• train
• tram
• underground

Giving Directions

• bus stop
• catch a bus
• cross (verb)
• entrance
• exit (noun)
• get off
• get on
• junction
• pass (verb)
• platform
• route map
• sign (noun)
• traffic light
• train station
• zebra crossing

Booking Flights

• arrival
• book a flight
• business class
• departure
• direct

Essential English Words and Their Meanings

Believe

Definition: To think that something is true.

“She's arriving tomorrow, I believe.”

Since

Definition: From a particular time in the past until a later time, or until now.

“I've long since forgotten any Latin I ever learned.”

Trade

Definition: The activity of buying and selling.

“70 percent of the country's trade is with Europe.”

Whole

Definition: Complete or not divided.

“I spent the whole day cleaning.”

Show

Definition: To make it possible for something to be seen.

“On this map, urban areas are shown in grey.”

Achievement

Definition: Something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing.

“An Olympic silver medal is a remarkable achievement for one so young.”

Somehow

Definition: