How to Effectively Use Dialect in Fiction Writing

How to Effectively Use Dialect in Fiction Writing Dialect can be a powerful tool to help writers bring the characters they have created to life. A writer might use dialect, along with accent, to distinguish a characters unique way of speakingâ€"and in doing so, illustrate their place of origin, cultural background, or social class. It is critically important to use this device with sensitivity, as imprudent application can do more harm than good.In the past, writers often used dialect in a way that devolved into stereotypes and other offensive characterizationsâ€"something that is unacceptable to todays readersâ€"and also frequently impacted readability. While writers still use dialect today to create believable, authentic characters, the rules surrounding its use have changed and writers should be careful to avoid missteps.Dialect vs. accentBefore we delve into the topic, its important to understand what dialect is, and how it differs from accent. Dialect, according to Merriam-Webster, is a regional variety of language distinguishe d by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties and constituting together with them a single language. Accent, on the other hand, refers to an individuals distinctive or characteristic inflection, tone, or choice of words. Essentially, accent is the specific part of dialect that relates to how something is pronounced, so a characters accent is, therefore, part of his dialect.Is it necessary?As the use of dialect in your writing can be a double-edged sword, its important to first ask yourself if it is absolutely necessary for your characterization process. This website suggests that an easy way to determine whether you really need to use dialect is to answer the following questions:Is dialect integral to the story (for example, is it used to reinforce the main characters outsider status in a close-knit regional community)?Are there stereotypical expressions associated with the accent or dialect you should take care to contextualize, use sparingly or avoid?NowNovel.comA more considered approachOnce you have determined that dialect is truly necessary for your writing, you need to find a way to maintain your characters authenticity without crossing the line into caricature. This is especially a concern if the character you are creating is part of a culture other than your own.One way writers are circumventing this issue is the use of what is known as eye-dialect, which are nonstandard spellings of words that represent standard pronunciations. These words are pronounced phonetically the exact same way as the original word. In a dialect of people living in the Southern United States, some examples of eye-dialect might be: fur (for), tu (to), frum (from), deth (death), wuz (was), uv (of), and sez (says).When the reader sees the words, although they are slightly misspelled, they are easy to read because the misspellings are phonetically pronounced the same way the correct spelling is pronounced. Therefore, as the reader is reading the words aloud in his or her mind, there is a natural connection and understanding that takes place. This stylistic choice the author made serves three functions:It makes it easier for the reader to read and understand.There is still characterization happening.As it is spoken and the misspelling is the authors choice (rather than the speakers), there is no insinuation regarding the class or education status of the speaker.In her thesis entitled Writing in Dialect in Fiction: A History and Study, childrens author Jennifer Sommer writes: The perpetual dilemma for the writer is to determine how far to go in accuracy in dialect without losing the reader.Throughout her thesis, Sommer traces the progression of the use of dialect throughout American literary history to the present day, where she admits there is much conflict for writers who seek to create authentic characters without crossing the lines of caricature through dialect. As an example of modern literature that gets it right, she mentions the book Somewhere in the Darkness by Walter Dean Myers, a book set in the Bronx with African American characters. She notes that the change in dialogue to reflect characterization is minimal, yet effective. Specifically, she discusses how the use of language in dialogue immediately causes the reader to begin reading the dialogue with understanding of the accent, especially through dropping certain words, using aint, and incorporating short, choppy sentences, without turning the characters into provincial curiosities:Day before yesterday, Maurice said. But check this out. Tony just nicked the dude and he was screaming and carrying on like he had stabbed him through the heart or something.No lie?Yeah, hey, look, you want to play some ball tonight?I dont know.You give up ball or something, man? Maurice looked at him sideways. We playing Richie and his crew.Ill see how Im feeling, Jimmy said.You aint going to play, Maurice said. You getting to be another jive dude, man.Som ewhere in the Darkness by Walter Dean MyersThis passage, in contrast to passages written in earlier, more controversial works like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, show how dialect can be successfully used in fiction without going overboard, and thus creating caricatures or racially-charged stereotypes. Particularly, it can be accomplished through slang, eye-dialect, and dialogue that focuses more on syntax (the arrangement of words) than phonetic reinventions of words.When phonetic reinventions of words are used in the extreme, as exemplified in some early American literature, the result is a character that is portrayed as highly uneducated and of lower social status. This use of language can come across as offensive and stereotypical, thereby ruining an otherwise great story. In modern writing, the best way to avoid these problems is moderation and careful consideration of the connotations of a dialects use.Applying the new rulesA contemporary author who applies the new rules o f dialogue well is J.K. Rowling. Take, for instance, the dialogue of Hagrid, one of the most beloved characters of her Harry Potter series:I am what I am, an Im not ashamed. Never be ashamed, my ol dad used ter say, theres some wholl hold it against you, but theyre not worth botherin with. An he was right.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. RowlingHagrids dialect helps to build his character and distinguish him from other characters throughout the series. However, instead of being over-the-top and difficult to read, the dialogue that Rowling writes for Hagrid contains more eye-dialect and syntax variation than other characters. These small changes are enough to allow Hagrids voice to take on an authentic West Country English accent, as discussed in this article. Author J.K. Rowlings use of dialect for the character of Hagrid helps distinguish him from other characters.Author J.K. Rowlings use of dialect for the character of Hagrid helps distinguish him from other characters. Best practices for composing dialectAs a conclusion to Sommers thesis on dialect, the author offers several suggestions for maintaining authenticity of character dialect without veering into the realm of caricature or overt racism. Included in those suggestions, she posits that authors should:Avoid respellings that would mislead readers about the status of the speaker.Pepper a narrative with occasional uses of the dialect. For example, to illuminate a Cajun character, you might reference items specific to that culture such as jambalaya (a traditional Cajun dish), employ greetings and kinship terms that use non-standard English, such as, Hey Grand-pere (how a Cajun grandson might greet his grandfather), or incorporate Cajun French phrases like tu connais (you know), mais yeah (but yes), and cher/chere (dear) throughout the text.Let the reader know explicitly when the characters have changed language, such as Here the speaker turned to Jean Thompson, and changed his speech to English letting the reader know exactly how educated or literate the character is when speaking in Standard English.Use well-known sentence structure (syntax) that exemplifies the dialect, such as in Cajun, Why should I be ashame of that, me?Writing in Dialect in Fiction: A History and Study, a thesis by Jennifer SommerFurther, Sommer agrees that the best person to write dialect is someone who grew up or lives within the particular area or subculture that uses it. In such, a writer such as Paul Lawrence Dunbar was (in a sense) justified in using African American dialect in his writing, while Mark Twain was not. This could potentially explain why Twains books have been banned in several places because the diction (word choice) and dialect used were considered offensive and unsuitable for a more informed, aware, modern audience.A final noteUltimately, dialect via uncommon syntax and alternate spelling of words can be a compelling way to differentiate characters and build characterizationâ€"as long as its use is limited, readability is maintained, and careful consideration is given to how it is applied.

Body Image Portrayed by the Media Essay - 1078 Words

Through the use of imagery, the display of life-styles, and the reinforcement of values, advertisements are communicators of culturally defined concepts such as success, worth, love, sexuality, popularity, and normalcy. Of particular concern over the past two decades has been excessive use of sexual stereotypes, especially of women. Women are directly affected by this advertising, beyond the mere desire to purchase the product or service described. The influence of the media on people is tremendous, and the effect of advertisements that direct images of beauty, and the perfect slim figure have a harmful effect on a great deal of the worlds population, especially women. The media has portrayed the â€Å"perfect body image† so successfully,†¦show more content†¦Media brings out the conception that women will look and feel like the models. Media makes women feel bad about themselves and it is because of what is being displayed in the media that exemplifies this feeling. According to the American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, an estimated six- percent of American women has eating disorders. Low self-esteem and an unrealistic body image can trigger these eating disorders. A society that allows for such blatant expressions of contempt for women can only expect that women will be victimized. The media must begin to take some responsibility for the images, and the on-going implications of the image, that it presents. When turning the pages of a glossy fashion magazine, women are being invited by the ads and the carefully art-directed spreads to suspend their disbelief. It is hard to remember that the average American womans dress size is sixteen, not six. And the average age is not eighteen. The average working woman doesnt have the resources or the time to devote a narcissistic pursuit of beauty. Models look beautiful for a living. They have hair stylists, makeup artists, wardrobe people, manicurists, and skin care specialists to make them look wonderf ul. Not to mention the best photographers in the world who employ lighting, film stock and every other trick of the trade to enhance their beauty. The end result is so stunning that people forget to ask themselves why we should care who theShow MoreRelatedTodays Unrealistic Body Expectations1311 Words   |  5 Pagesmeasures, most of the time, spending countless hours in the gym trying to achieve that perfect body. Body image is evident in the gym, as the men are lifting weights they are frequently looking in the mirror examining every angle of their body making sure no area is lacking muscle. On the other hand, women tend to partake in the same behavior as men, showing a sense of insecurity about their own bodies, frequently making trips to the scale to keep track of their weight making sure to stay slim andRead MoreMedias Effect on Teen Body Image Essay685 Words   |  3 PagesMedias Effect On Teens and Their Body Images Through out society many teens and young women have been scrutinized for their bodies and appearance. Media is one of the leading contributor. Media has led to the sexualization and body image issues in teens and women. As the media idealizes women as a miniature size 0 with long blonde hair and blue eyes, it leads to the loss in self esteem. Every girl wants to look like Megan Fox, with her great body and good facial structure. Reality is we cantRead MoreTeenage Girls and Body Image Essay1291 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage girls are at an impressionable time in their lives. Mass Media is a key idea in one of the factors of socialization that become important to teenagers. Teenagers look to the media for a sense of entertainment. Whether it is movies, magazines, or even some aspects of social media, teenagers get a lot of influence from the media’s message. The problem with this is the media has a specific way of doing things and can be negative to a susceptible teenage girl. Media’s way of portraying a womanRead MoreAre Women Portrayed in the Media?1366 Words   |  6 Pages#20 Professor: Guarracino English 1101-135 10 April 2012 Are Women portrayed in the media? The highlight on the latter raises a larger question about the radicalized sexual images of women today. It is most likely the society that is bombarded by the media’s usage of advertisements, television, billboards, magazines and internet. We are surrounded by the images that most people don’t have. Reality shows and entertainment are emulated and are the common choices for teens today. They mayRead MoreThe Effect Of Media On Womens Body Image1247 Words   |  5 Pagesresearch on how the role of media affects how women perceive body image. I was interested in knowing the ways in which the media influenced the ways in which they perceive themselves and their beauty. In order to perform my research, I conducted surveys of female students ranging from ages 18-28, carried out experimental research on them to test whether they feel worse about their bodies after being exposed to thin media models than after being exposed to other types of images as well as conducting seco ndaryRead MoreMedia s Influence On Beauty Standards Of Women1213 Words   |  5 Pagesthat the media is the reason to blame for these undocumented sets of beauty standards that women should abide by because of the types of women that are portrayed through the media. The unrealistic beauty standards the media has helped to create yields several negative effects such as body dissatisfaction, mental and health illness, and even financial issues. These same negative effects can be reversed through the exposure of the truth behind those beauty standards set in place by the media. The mediaRead MoreWomen and adolescent girls are exposed, daily, to the medias portrayal of perfect beauty. Being1600 Words   |  7 Pagesbombarded with images of beautiful women with perfect figures and porcelain skin has had an effect on the way women and young girls portray their own bodies. This, in return, causes a drive for thinness which, ultimately, can ignite feelings of dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders and poor health decisions. This epidemic has captivated many women and adolescents as they go to tremendous lengths to achieve what the media has defined as beautiful. Consequently, the media, and the distortedRead MoreCertain Groups Being Incorrectly Portrayed in Media767 Words   |  3 PagesIn order to understand the current issue involving certain groups being incorrectly portrayed in media, it is important to first understand exactly what mass media is. There are a variety of technical definitions for the term â€Å"mass media.† According to Bri tannica, â€Å"Media is used to pass on information to many people in a society† (â€Å"Media†). Merriam-Wenster claims media is a â€Å"mean of communication that is designed to reach the mass of the people† (â€Å"Mass Medium†). Recently, a spike of innovations hasRead MoreFemale Athletes And Male Athletes1390 Words   |  6 Pagesathletes, men receive a tremendous amount of media attention than female athletes. Young boys grow up watching television bombarded with heroic images of male athletes. They have something to look up to, while young girls do not receive the same images. Male and female athletes have many equal opportunities when it comes to playing and succeeding in sports. Yet it seems that male sports happen to catch more of the limelight when it comes to the media and the publicity they receive for the athleticsRead MoreAnalysis Of Perfect Woman 931 Words   |  4 Pagesuse sex in the form of a woman, specifically her body, and if a man is not in theimage she is portrayed as passive, innocent, sexy, and aggressive, all at the same time. Onthe contrary, when a man is in an image/shot with a woman she is portrayed as helpless,easy, needy, and dependent. Regardless as to which image the woman is captured, shemost commonly is portrayed as more of an object than anything else. The men in themedia are rarely portrayed as powerless. As Ann Quindlen said, writing about

Extended Metaphors Of Nora As A Doll In Torvalds House

Ibsen created an extended metaphor of Nora as a doll in Torvald’s dollhouse to illustrate her confinement. As the title of the play implied, Nora was trapped as a doll in the house of her husband Torvald; Nora lived to please him as a doll exists to please a young child. He treated her like a doll by making her dress up: â€Å"are you trying on the dress?† (Ibsen 90). Controlling what she wore was only one way Torvald dictated Nora’s life. Nora, at first, lived to please him; her dream was â€Å"To know [she is] carefree, utterly carefree; to be able to romp and play with the children, and be able to keep up a beautiful, charming home- everything just the way Torvald likes it!† (Ibsen 56). Ibsen used this statement ironically because it is†¦show more content†¦Ibsen used Nora’s hidden indulgence in sweets, specifically macaroons, to symbolize the passions she must hide in her marriage which created her delusions. As Blanche used alcohol de al with her stressors, Nora indulged in sweets, which are banned in Torvald’s house. Even Dr. Rank knew this rule: â€Å"See here, macaroons! I thought they were contraband here† (Ibsen 58). Ibsen even used the word â€Å"contraband† to describe the macaroons because they were not just banned but an illegal good. By â€Å"putting the macaroon in her pocket and wiping her mouth† it shows how secretive Nora must be about her indulgence (Ibsen 44). She not only concealed an illicit macaroon, but she got rid of the evidence that she ever consumed it. Without this outlet to satisfy the passions she cannot fulfill from her marriage, she might never realizes what she is missing out on beyond the confinement of her home. The macaroons were a way Ibsen showed Nora there is a better, sweeter life out beyond the doll house. Nora asked for some of this passion and sweetness when she said, â€Å"And some macaroons, Helene. Heaps of them- just this once† (Ibsen 93). She did not only ask for a little, she wants â€Å"heaps†. Here, Blanche came to the realization of the lies she had been telling herself to unknowingly cope with the confinement of life with Torvald. Ibsen used peripety anagnorisis to bring Nora to her epiphany, breaking her free from Torvald’s confinement and her delusions. Peripety is aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of A Dolls House Essay1108 Words   |  5 Pageswidely regarded work, A Dolls House, was first introduced in 1879 as a theatrical presentation of human rights. Today, Ibsens work remains as such, although often conveyed as more focused on womens rights. The Norwegian playwrights vision of a seemingly common home is quickly translated through Ibsens use of symbolism, setting, and diction. Symbolism is a key aspect in much of Ibsens writing, much of which can be dually interpreted as extended metaphors. For instance, the Christmas treeRead MoreA Doll s House And The Awakening1413 Words   |  6 Pagesthe idea that feminists hate marriage, men, motherhood, etc. In both A Doll’s House by Fredrik Ibsen and The Awakening by Kate Chopin these stereotypes are reinforced to the reader. Both A Doll’s House and The Awakening represent poor examples of feminism because the main characters rely on men for validation and also search for superiority over equality with the men in their lives. When we first meet Nora in A Doll’s House, she is a perfect wife, mother, and representation of a 19th century woman.Read MoreAttending a Masquerade in In A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen907 Words   |  4 Pagesmasquerade, a person is expected to wear a mask. In fact, it’s looked down upon if a mask isn’t worn. But, what if for some people that mask never came off? In A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen, each character has constructed their own metaphorical mask that they set firmly in place every morning when exiting their bed. Each character: Nora, Torvald, and Krogstad all have masks that they put in place when speaking to each other. Throughout most of the play, it is clear that all of the aforementioned characters

Ch. 23 Kite Runner Free Essays

Chapter 23 †¢The narrative starts very fragmented and disjointed as Amir Flits in and out of consciousness. This is reflected presented by the continued use of short sentences and paragraphs, the broken narrative could also show Amir’s detachment from reality. †¢Within the chapter we are also presented with dreams as a form of narrative. We will write a custom essay sample on Ch. 23 Kite Runner or any similar topic only for you Order Now A prominent dream is the dream of the bear and Baba, this could represent Amir finally conquering his guilt, the bear, and however the dream ends without Amir killing the bear which could show he is fully redeemed yet. This moment comes later when Amir runs the kite for Sohrab. The dream could also symbolise many other things Baba could be the bear as earlier in the novel Amir comments â€Å"I could never tell the difference†, the dream could represent how he has finally proved to Baba he is a man or the bear could have represented for Assef who is the real monster in the now. Earlier in the novel â€Å"When Baba died, Amir called his cancer â€Å"the Bear he could not defeat. † This shows how the dream is symbolic on so many different things. The relationship between Sohrab and Amir Remains strained â€Å"I asked Sohrab if he wanted to play. I didn’t expect him to answer, let alone play†. They play â€Å"panjapar† in silence for hours and Amir relates many of Sohrab’s characteristics to Hassan such as his ability with a slingshot and his skill at card games. †¢The chapter is also a very emotional one for Amir he breaks down when Farid says â€Å"For you a thousand times over† this is closely linked to Amir’s memories of Hassan and this phrase is repeated throughout and Repetition is a device used throughout the novel, to create emphasis. It is first spoken by Hassan to Amir, at the beginning of the novel. From then on, the reader associates this quote with the relationship that Hassan and Amir have. Then at the ending in a letter Hassan has wrote to Amir. The fact that Hassan can still say this to Amir after all Amir has done to him, show that he followed through with his words, which makes this phrase very meaningful. This lexis used, such as. A thousand† is purposely used by the author to emphasize Hassan’s unlimited loyalty to Hassan. †¢Rahim Khan’s letter provides some answers to the questions that Amir may have had about his and Baba’s behavior. The contrast of how Baba dealt with the guilt, by giving to charities etc; contrasts of how Amir dealt with his guilt. He then later dreams he is Assef’s twin maybe showing he still hasn’t reached peace with How to cite Ch. 23 Kite Runner, Essay examples

The Caribbean Identity

Nowadays, it became quite fashionable sociologists and political scientists to discuss the essence of Caribbean people’s existential mode as such that derive out of their possession of strongly defined ‘Caribbean identity’. In its turn, this identity is being defined as something that has very little to do with the qualitative essence of native populations’ tendency to assess surrounding reality through ethno-cultural lenses.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Caribbean Identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Apparently, people in the Caribbean are being assumed capable of adopting an open-minded perspective onto the very concept of identity, as opposed to be concerned with exploring the subtleties of their individuality in essentially tribalistic manner. After all, since most Germans, Brits and French do not have objections against being referred to as ‘Westerners’, why should Dominicans, Puerto-Ricans and Haitians, for example, have objections against being referred to as simply ‘Caribbeans’? And, once the existence of a distinct Caribbean identity is being confirmed, it will provide the advocates of such an identity with a legitimate justification to look into gaining additional academic credits by designing ‘theories’ as to how ‘Caribbean identity’ should be explored by those who are believed to posses it, in the first place. After all, according to multicultural paradigm, regardless of what ethno-cultural identity’s qualitative subtleties might be, it should never ceased being celebrated: â€Å"Visibility establishes who we are. It supports the naming of the Caribbean identity in America; it gives context to our being and history to our belonging†¦ So my fellow Caribbeans, my fellow Americans, let us celebrate [identity] together† (Nelson, 2007, p. 3). Nevertheless, the actual realities of Caribbean living point out to the fact, unlike what the proponents of a strong ‘Caribbean identity’ would like us to believe, the natives in the Caribbean proper continue to think of their existential identity as something quite inseparable from the color of their skin and their culturally-religious affiliation. And, given the fact that the color of people’s skin in the Caribbean, ranges rather dramatically from country to country, the very idea of a unified ‘Caribbean identity’ appears conceptually fallacious. As Schmidt (2008) had pointed out: â€Å"With regard to the multiple dimensions of Caribbean culture(s) one has to accept that culture can no longer be defined as a self-contained entity but as something full of discontinuities, repetitions and contradictions† (p. 2). In our paper, we will aim to explore the validity of an earlier articulated suggestion at length, while arguing that, as of today, there are no objective preconditions for people in the Caribbean to posses ‘trans-ethnic’ sense of identity. In his book, Anderson (1991) came up with particularly valuable observation, in regards to the discussed subject matter: â€Å"Nationness is virtually inseparable from political consciousness† (p. 135). What author wanted to say is that, the subtleties of how one perceives its national/social identity cannot be discussed outside of what defines such individual’s ability to indulge in abstract reasoning.Advertising Looking for essay on ethnicity studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For example, prior to French Revolution of 1789, Europeans were not even aware of such notion as ‘nation’. And, the reason why, during the course of 19th century, this notion had obtained a politically legitimate status, is that Europeans’ ability to rationalize life’s challenges, had led them to realize the sheer outdate dness of system of social stratification, based upon artificially drawn lines between ‘nobles’ and ‘commoners’. Alternatively, due to realities of Globalization, more and more Europeans now grow to realize the outdatedness of the concept of ‘nation’ – the fact that, as of today, there are no borders between countries of E.U., confirms the validity of an earlier suggestion more than anything else does. Nowadays, more and more people in Europe are willing to refer to themselves as simply ‘Europeans’, as opposed to being referred to as French, German, British, Italian, etc. What had made such a situation possible? The partial answer to this question is contained in Lynn and Vanhanen’s (2002) book. While being endowed with rather heightened ability to operate with abstract categories, Europeans were naturally predisposed towards assessing their identity in intellectually flexible manner – hence, their tendency to t hink of it along social rather than ethnic lines. The same, however, cannot be said about the majority of people in Caribbean countries.[1] And, as history indicates, people’s lessened ability to indulge in abstract reasoning is being reflective of essentially tribal workings of their psyche – hence, these people’s preoccupation with exploring their ‘ethnic uniqueness’ as the actual source of their identity. In part, this explains why, for example, in Caribbean countries, there were no incidents of local populations having revolted against intellectual oppression of Catholic Church, as it used to be the case in other Latin American countries. As Sued-Badillo (1992) had put it: â€Å"Contrary to what occurred in many other regions of America, the Caribbean experience has had far shorter breathing space for the exercise of intellectual liberty† (p. 601). Therefore, the very concept of ‘Caribbean identity’ cannot be thought of as an ything but an indication of a simple fact that, those Western ‘sophisticates’ who invented it, simply do not understand the basic laws of biology. The same can be said about the quality of these ‘experts’’ understanding of what accounts for one’s ability to adopt an open-minded outlook on its own identity, in sociological context of this word. Apparently, these people have a particularly hard time, while grasping a simple fact that, in Caribbean countries, there are no objectively existing preconditions for local populations to adopt intellectually advanced perspective onto what constitutes their individuality.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Caribbean Identity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The reason for this is simple – Caribbean societies are essentially agricultural. And, the mentality of rural dwellers differs rather dramatically from the mentality of ur banites who reside in large megalopolises. Whereas; the foremost psychological traits of an urbanite are his or her perceptional flexibility, respect towards secular and impersonal law, and willingness to adjust its worldview to correspond to highly technological realities of post-industrial living, the foremost psychological traits of a ‘natural-born-peasant’, whose rate of IQ does appear particularly high, are his or her strong sense of tribal belonging, intellectual stiffness and hypertrophied sense of religiosity. As Benet (1963) had noted: â€Å"Urbanism constitutes a separate moral order† (p. 5). What it means is that, given the fact that in Caribbean countries, the majority of citizens never cease being depended on land, while trying to make living, it leaves them with little time to indulge in abstract thinking as to what should they be considering the source of their identity, outside of what their elders tell them. And, as we are well aware from classic al anthropological studies, the representatives of ‘authority’ in rural areas tend to endow younger people with tribal loyalty towards their particular village/tribe, while acting as if outside world simply did not exist. In his book, Là ©vy Bruhl (1928) was able to define the qualitative essence of rural (primitive) perception of surrounding reality with utter precision: â€Å"Identity appears in their (natives’) collective representations†¦ as a moving assemblage or totality of mystic actions and reactions, within which individual does not subjectualize but objectualize itself† (p. 120). Even if people in the Caribbean were capable of adopting some form of collective identity, the very fact that most Caribbean countries are essentially islands, separated by hundreds or even thousands of nautical miles, would prevent them from doing so. What also refutes the soundness of an idea that there can be a unified ‘Caribbean identity’ is the fa ct that Caribbean societies can be the least referred to as ethnically and culturally homogenous. According to Premdas (1996): â€Å"[In Carribean] There are Whites, Blacks, Browns, Yellows, Reds, and an assortment of shades in between.Advertising Looking for essay on ethnicity studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There are Europeans, Africans, Asian Indians, Indonesian Javanese, Chinese, Aboriginal Indians, and many mixes† (p. 2). And, even though that in theory, the multicultural fabric of Caribbean societies should not undermine these societies’ inner integrity from within, it does so in reality. The proof to this suggestion’s validity can be found in Korom’s (1994) article. According to the author, it is not only that the Shi’ah of St. James, which he defines as â€Å"one very small Islamic community within the Trinidadian East Indian population†, lead socially withdrawn lives, but they are being often looked upon by other Trinididians as enemies: â€Å"Their (Shi’ah) view is a minority opinion challenged by virtually every other cultural and ethnic group on the island† (p. 1). The strong animosity, which defines Dominicans and Haitians’ attitudes towards each other, is also being quite illustrative, in this respect. This animo sity extrapolated itself in Dominican refusal to provide aid to earthquake-stricken Haiti in 2010. As it was pointed out in Martinez’s (2003) article, Dominicans think of Haitians as nothing less of inferior beings: â€Å"Many Dominicans believe themselves to be utterly different from and incompatible with their neighbors from across the island†¦ Haitian immigrants have been victimized and denied basic rights† (p. 82). These two examples alone expose those who theorize on the existence of commonly shared ‘Caribbean identity’ as dreamers, at best. Therefore, we cannot agree with people who, due to the specifics of their political engagement, find it appropriate to speculate on the subject of what defines the formation of one’s existential identity, without backing up their opinion by references to scientifically proven facts. It goes without saying of course, that such theoreticians of post-colonial identity as Homi Bhabha, have proven themselve s rather efficient, when it comes to indulging in sophistically sounding but essentially meaningless rhetoric, as to what accounts for the formation of such an identity. In fact, Bhabha’s theory of ‘hybrid identity’ indeed raises a number of legitimate points.[2] After all, it cannot be denied that the representatives of second and third generations of Jamaican immigrants do act in rather ‘ambivalent’ manner, while ridiculing the colonial past of European countries where they came to live. Nevertheless, what advocates of ‘Caribbean identity’ do not seem to understand is the fact that one’s existential distinctiveness cannot be referred to as something ‘constructed’ but rather ‘inborn’. The irony lays in the fact that, while theorizing on the essence of ‘hybrid identity’, individuals like Bhabha try their best to avoid mentioning the actual source of such an identity – the racial hybrid ization of those who are being assumed to posses it, in the first place. And yet, as Park (1931) had rightly noted: â€Å"It is evident that man’s biological and his cultural interests are not always in harmony, and that social and political organizations are frequently either a compromise or, to speak in sociological terms, an accommodation in the attempt to reconcile them† (p. 536). As practice indicates, the extent of just about any empirical research’s validity exponentially correlates to the extent of its political disengagement. Therefore, it comes as not a particular surprise that the concept of ‘Caribbean identity’ does not seem to correspond to the objective realities of today’s living – pure and simple. After all, Soviet anthropologists also used to promote the idea that, due to having been subjected to Communist propaganda for a while, Russians had embraced the identity of ‘Soviet people’. The sheer fallaciousne ss of such an idea, however, is being clear to just about anyone capable of utilizing his or her sense of rationale. We believe that provided earlier line of argumentation confirms the validity of paper’s initial thesis. There can be no unified ‘Caribbean identity’, simply because the existence of such an identity would violate the objective laws of history, biology and sociology. Therefore, the arguments of advocates of ‘Caribbean identity’ cannot even be considered seriously. Apparently, people who believe in otherwise, simply lack intellectual honesty to recognize a simple fact that, just as it is being with animals and plants, the representatives of Homo Sapiens specie continuously evolve. And, it is namely the most intellectually evolved individuals, who are being capable of attaining socially rather than ethnically defined sense of self-identity. Unfortunately, the fact that, for duration of centuries, Caribbeans have been subjected to the proc ess of racial hybridization, while becoming increasingly marginalized, in intellectual context of this word, prevented them from adopting ‘trans-ethnic’ sense of identity. This is exactly the reason why these people’s perception of self-identity is being essentially plural – that is, the representatives of just about every ethno-cultural group in the region consider themselves being absolutely unique. All that Western proponents of ‘Caribbean identity’ would have to do, in order to be able to come to terms with this fact, is to take a trip to the region. References Anderson, B. (1991) Imagined communities: Reflections on the origin and spread  of nationalism. London: Verso. Benet, F. (1963). Sociology uncertain: The ideology of the rural-urban continuum.  Comparative Studies in Society and History, 6 (1), 1-23. Bhabha, H. (1984). Of mimicry and man: The ambivalence of colonial discourse.  October, 28, 125-133. Korom, F. (1994). Memory, i nnovation and emergent ethnicities: The creolization of an Indo-Trinidadian performance. Diaspora, 3 (2),135-155. Là ©vy Bruhl, L. (1928). The soul of the primitive. (translated by Lilian A. Clare), London: George Allen Unwin Ltd. Lynn, R. Vanhanen, T. (2002). IQ and the wealth of nations. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group. Martinez, S. (2003). Not a cockfight: Rethinking Haitian-Dominican relations.  Latin American Perspectives, 30(3), 80-101. Nelson, C. (2007). June is Caribbean-American heritage month. Americas, 59(3), 3. Park, R. (1931). Mentality of racial hybrids. The American Journal of Sociology, 36(4), 534-551. Premdas, R. (1996). Ethnicity and identity in the Caribbean: Decentering a myth.  Caribbean Studies. Web. Schmidt, B. (2008). Caribbean diaspora in USA: Diversity of Caribbean religions  in New York City. New York: Ashgate Pub Co. Sued-Badillo, J. (1992). Facing up to Caribbean history. American Antiquity, 57 (4), 599-607. Footnotes Lynn, R. Vanha nen, T. (2002). IQ and the wealth of nations. (Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group), 85. Bhabha, H. (1984). Of mimicry and man: The ambivalence of colonial discourse. (October, 28), 126. This essay on The Caribbean Identity was written and submitted by user Amya Mcleod to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Laurie Halse Anderson - Award Winning Young Adult Author

Laurie Halse Anderson - Award Winning Young Adult Author When Laurie Halse Anderson was Born: October 23, 1961 in Potsdam, New York Her Background: Anderson grew up in Northern New York and from an early age loved to write. She attended Georgetown University and graduated with a degree in languages and linguistics. After graduation she worked several different jobs including cleaning banks and working as a stockbroker. Anderson did some writing as a freelance reporter for newspapers and magazines and worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She published her first book in 1996 and has been writing ever since. Anderson is married to Scot Larabee and together they have four children. (Source: Scholastic) Laurie Halse Anderson’s Books: Anderson’s writing career is prolific. She’s written picture books, fiction for young readers, nonfiction for young readers, historical fiction, and young adult books. Here are some of her most well-known books for teens and tweens. Speak (Speak, 2006. ISBN: 9780142407325) Read Speak Review Twisted (Speak, 2008. ISBN: 9780142411841) Fever, 1793 (Simon and Schuster, 2002. ISBN: 9780689848919) Prom (Puffin, 2006. ISBN: 9780142405703) Catalyst (Speak, 2003. ISBN: 9780142400012) Wintergirls (Turtleback, 2010. ISBN: 9780606151955) Chains (Atheneum, 2010. ISBN: 9781416905868) Forge(Atheneum, 2010. ISBN: 9781416961444) For a complete list of all her books, including out of print books, visit the Laurie Halse Andersons  Web site. Awards and Recognition: Anderson’ s award list is long and continues to grow. Besides being a New York Times bestselling author and having her books listed multiple times on the American Library Association’s many teen lists, she has received starred reviews from the Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal. Her most prestigious awards are the following: Speak 1999 National Book Award Finalist2000 Printz Honor bookEdgar Allan Poe Award Finalist Chains   2008 National Book Award Finalist2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction   Catalyst  Ã‚     2002 Odyssey Book Award   (Source: Authors 4 Teens Web site) In 2009 Anderson received the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award for significant and lasting achievement in young adult literature. The award focused specifically on Anderson’s books Speak, Fever 1793, and Catalyst. Censorship and Banning Controversies: Some of Anderson’s books have been challenged based on their content. The book Speak is listed by the American  Library Association as one of the top 100 books challenged between the years 2000-2009 and has been banned from some middle and high schools for sexuality, situations of suicidal thoughts in teens, and gritty teenage situations.  School Library Journal interviewed Anderson about Speak after a Missouri man tried to get it banned.  According to Anderson, there was a huge outpouring of support with people  posting comments and stories.  Anderson also received several requests for interviews and comments.  (Source: School Library Journal) Anderson takes a strong stance against censorship and discusses the topic along with her books on her Web site. Movie Adaptations: A movie adaption of Speak was made in 2005 starring Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame. The Author Online: Anderson stays in touch with her fans and provides materials for teachers and librarians on her Web site. Laurie Halse Anderson Trivia: Anderson milked cows and worked on a dairy farm to earn money for college.She loves listening to Mozart’s’ Requiem.A motto that Anderson lives by is: When life gets tough, pick up a book and read. (Source: Simon and Schuster Web site)

Definition and Examples of Reported Speech

Definition and Examples of Reported Speech Reported speech is the report of one speaker or writer on the words spoken, written, or thought by someone else. Also called reported discourse. Traditionally, two broad categories of  reported speech  have been recognized: direct speech  (in which the original speakers words are quoted word for word) and indirect speech (in which the original speakers thoughts are conveyed without using the speakers exact words). However, a number of linguists have challenged this distinction, noting (among other things) that theres significant overlap between the two categories. Deborah Tannen, for instance, has argued that [w]  hat is commonly referred to as reported speech or direct quotation in conversation is  constructed dialogue. Observations Reported speech is not just a particular grammatical form or transformation, as some grammar books might suggest. We have to realize that reported speech represents, in fact, a kind of translation, a transposition that necessarily takes into account two different cognitive perspectives: the point of view of the person whose utterance is being reported, and that of a speaker who is actually reporting that utterance.(Teresa DobrzyÅ„ska, Rendering Metaphor in Reported Speech, in Relative Points of View: Linguistic Representation of Culture, ed. by Magda StroiÅ„ska. Berghahn Books, 2001) Tannen on the Creation of Dialogue I wish to question the conventional American literal conception of reported speech and claim instead that uttering dialogue in conversation is as much a creative act as is the creation of dialogue in fiction and drama.  The casting of thoughts and speech in dialogue creates particular scenes and charactersand . . . it is the particular that moves readers by establishing and building on a sense of identification between speaker or writer and hearer or reader. As teachers of creative writing exhort neophyte writers, the accurate representation of the particular communicates universality, whereas direct attempts to represent universality often communicate nothing. (Deborah Tannen, Talking Voices: Repetition, Dialogue, and Imagery in Conversational Discourse, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2007) Goffman on Reported Speech [Erving] Goffmans work has proven foundational in the investigation of reported speech itself. While Goffman is not in his own work concerned with the analysis of actual instances of interaction (for a critique, see Schlegoff, 1988), it provides a framework for researchers concerned with investigating reported speech in its most basic environment of occurrence: ordinary conversation. . . .Goffman . . . proposed that reported speech is a natural upshot of a more general phenomenon in interaction: shifts of footing, defined as the alignment of an individual to a particular utterance . . . ([Forms of Talk,] 1981: 227). Goffman is concerned to break down the roles of speaker and hearer into their constituent parts. . . . [O]ur ability to use reported speech stems from the fact that we can adopt different roles within the production format, and it is one of the many ways in which we constantly change footing as we interact . . ..(Rebecca Clift and Elizabeth Holt, Introduction. Reporting T alk: Reported Speech in Interaction. Cambridge University Press, 2007) Reported Speech in Legal Contexts ​[R]eported speech occupies a prominent position in our use of language in the context of the law. Much of what is said in this context has to do with rendering peoples sayings: we report the words that accompany other peoples doings in order to put the latter in the correct perspective. As a consequence, much of our judiciary system, both in the theory and in the practice of law, turns around the ability to prove or disprove the correctness of a verbal account of a situation. The problem is how to summarize that account, from the initial police report to the final imposed sentence, in legally binding terms, so that it can go on the record, that is to say, be reported in its definitive, forever immutable form as part of a case in the books. (Jacob Mey, When Voices Clash: A Study in Literary Pragmatics. Walter de Gruyter, 1998)