Speaking of the French Calendar

A most basic topic of conversation, apart from the weather, is the time we live in—the day, the month, the season, the year. We mark time, literally, by the words for these signposts. So anyone seeking to speak French, or any other language, will want to know how to speak of such basic demarcations. Days of the Week Lets begin with the days of the week,  les  jours de la semaine.  The French week begins on Monday  so thats where well start. Note that the names of the days are not capitalized unless they start a sentence. lundi   Mondaymardi   Tuesdaymercredi Wednesdayjeudi Thursdayvendredi Fridaysamedi Saturdaydimanche Sunday The Definite Article Le When you are discussing days of the week, use the definite article le before each name, when you are talking about something that happens repeatedly on a certain day. To make each day plural, add an s. Je vois Pierre le lundi.   I see Pierre on Mondays.Nous travaillions le samedi.   We used to work on Saturdays.On y va tous les mercredis matin / soir. (NB: Matin  and soir here are adverbs and so dont agree.) We go there every Wednesday morning / evening. If youre talking about the day of a unique event, do not use an article, nor should you use a preposition equivalent to on.   Je lai vu dimanche. (I saw him on Sunday)  Il va arriver mercredi. (Hell arrive on Wednesday). Origins of Day Names Most names for days derive from Latin names for heavenly bodies (planets, moon and sun), which in turn were based on gods names. Lundi is based on Luna, the ancient Roman moon goddess; mardi is the day of Mars, ancient Roman god of war; mercredi is named after Mercury, winged messenger of the ancient Roman gods; jeudi is devoted to Jupiter, monarch of the ancient Roman gods; vendredi is the day of Venus, ancient Roman goddess of love; samedi derives from the Latin for Sabbath; and  the last day, though named in Latin for Sol, the ancient Roman sun god, became dimanche in French based on the Latin for Lords day. Months of the Year The French names for months of the year, les mois de lannà ©e,  are based on Latin  names and ancient Roman life.  Note that months are not  capitalized  either. janvier  Ã‚  Januaryfà ©vrier  Ã‚  Februarymars  Ã‚  Marchavril  Ã‚  Aprilmai  Ã‚  Mayjuin  Ã‚  Junejuillet  Ã‚  Julyaoà »t  Ã‚  Augustseptembre  Ã‚  Septemberoctobre  Ã‚  Octobernovembre  Ã‚  Novemberdà ©cembre  Ã‚  December The Four Seasons The passing of the four seasons, les quatre saisons, has inspired many an artist. Antonio Vivaldis famed  concerto grosso may be the benchmark. These are the evocative names the French bestowed on the seasons:   le  printemps   springlà ©tà ©Ã‚   summerlautomne   autumn/falllhiver   winter Expressions related to the seasons: Attacher lundi avec mardiCe nest pas mardi gras aujourdhui.Le chassà ©-croisà © des juillettistes et des aoà »tiensEn avril, ne te dà ©couvre pas dun fil.Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps.Passer à   lheure dà ©tà ©Passer à   lheure dhiver Talking About Specific Dates Questions:   Whats the date? Quelle est la date  ?Quelle est la date aujourdhui?Quelle est la date de (la fà ªte, ton anniversaire...)?What date is (the party, your birthday...)?(You cannot say quest-ce que la date or quest-ce qui est la date, because quelle is the only to way to say what here.) Statements:In French (and in most languages),  the number must precede the month, like this: Cest  Ã‚  le  (definite article)   cardinal number  Ã‚  month   Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le 30 octobre.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le 8 avril.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le 2 janvier. Exceptionally, the first day of the month requires an  ordinal number:  1er  or  premier for 1st or first:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le premier avril.  Cest le 1er  avril.   Its the first (1st) of April.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le premier juillet.  Cest le 1er  juillet.   Its the first (1st) of July. For all of the above statements, you can replace Cest  with  On est  or  Nous sommes.  The meaning is essentially the same in each case and all can be translated with It is.....   Ã‚  Ã‚  On est le 30 octobre.Nous sommes le premier juillet. To include the year, add it at the end of the date:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Cest le 8 avril 2013.On est le 1er  juillet 2014.Nous sommes le 18 octobre 2012. Idiomatic calendar expression:  Tous les 36 du mois   Once in a blue moon

Ronald Reagans Positive Influences - 1149 Words

There were many influential individuals that shaped the world around what people do today in everyday life. In the 20th century, influential people either changed the way we lived today for the good or for the bad. One major political influential figure was Ronald Reagan. He has been credited with ending the cold war, which abolished many of the political and military tensions between the Eastern and Western Blocs. He called the former USSR government wicked and demanded for the Berlin Wall, that separated east and West Germany, to be torn down. I believe Ronald Reagan, a former double-termed president of the United States and actor, changed society for the better for his choices in politics and what he had done with the military and cold war. His actions shaped the world then and continue to do so now. His philosophy still dominates politics today as he is often quoted and referenced by current prominent leaders especially regarding fiscal policies. Ronald Reagan created a Strategic Defense Initiative that was intended to defend the United States from any nuclear weapon missile threat from other countries. This was proposed mainly to protect the U.S. from its extent threat, which was the Soviet Union at the time. Reagan wrote down in his diary addressing his Evil Empire Speech, â€Å"I did the bulk of the speech on why our arms build up was necessary and then finished with a call to the Science community to join me in research starting now to develop a defensive weapon thatShow MoreRelatedThe Great Communicator By Ronald Reagan1491 Words   |  6 PagesAs stated in an article from Newsmakers, Ronald Reagan was known as â€Å"the Great Communicator† because he was able to clearly speak to the public due to his unusual experiences before presidency (Newsmakers). Every president of the United States has a unique story, but Reagan possessed many remarkable characteristics. 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The Contrast Between Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Roman Polanski’s Macbeth Free Essays

The Contrast between Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Roman Polanski’s Macbeth Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a tragedy that plots the fall and death of once a great man, revealing how ambition can lead to downfall. Many directors and producers have tried to portray his play into modern films but Roman Polanski produced the most successful Macbeth film, but Roman Polanski’s movie Macbeth changes many details that the viewer is unable to fully experience the catharsis. Tragedy is built on the idea that the audience can sympathize with the tragic hero and therefore experience a strong emotional response at the ending. We will write a custom essay sample on The Contrast Between Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Roman Polanski’s Macbeth or any similar topic only for you Order Now They both were based on the same plot however Polanski’s Macbeth is not a proper tragedy when compared to Shakespeare’s Macbeth because of the difference in the relationship between Donnalbain and his brother Malcolm, the focus of death and violence, and lastly the key modifications that are seen through the different approaches of the characteristics and acts of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. During Roman Polanski’s film it is noticed that Donnalbain envies his brother Malcolm, thus creating more mysteries and suspense. Their relationship was so similar in the play however in the film it seems as if Donnalbain does not like his brother because during the time when King Duncan was alive, Malcolm was given the title as the Prince of Cumberland and Donnalbain received no title or land from their father. After Malcolm was crowned, it appeared as Donnalbain was jealous and upset because of the way Donnalbain expresses his facial appearance and his attitude towards Malcolm. Yet, in the play after the death of King Duncan, Donnalbain fled to Ireland and did not return through the whole play. Another aspect that in the film which was so different was the ending of the film. In the play, Malcolm stated a famous speech to end the play, â€Å"What’s more to do, which would be planted newly with the time, as calling home our exiled friends abroad that fled the snares of watchful tyranny, producing forth the cruel ministers of this dead butcher and his fiendlike queen†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (V. iii. 66-71). This speech was the statement that represented that Malcolm has brought Scotland back on its feet and on the right track, which portrayed the end of Macbeth Era and his evil deeds. This was the ending of the play but however in the film Roman Polanski added a twist in the film that would bring the cycle of bloodshed back into Scotland when it illustrated that Donnalbain has returned from exile and he stumbled into the witches on the way. This foreshadowed that the deeds Macbeth did to become king will arise again but this time Donnalbain will be behind it all. In the film, the deaths and the violence are shown in a way with more information than what the play describes and it vaguely changes the plots with the showing of these deaths. There were many deaths in the films that were not in the play, but that caught many viewer’s eyes was an onset death that was not portrayed in the film. Roman Polanski depicted the murder of King Duncan outstandingly because the audience never had the feel of how King Duncan was actually killed since it was an offset scene in the play. Also because of the blood and gore, and how it seemed as if Macbeth was actually being pleased by stabbing the King all over his body. However, in the play King Duncan’s death was an offset because Shakespeare could not have done it because King James, who was the king at that time, would not have liked a king being killed on stage. Nevertheless, in the play King Duncan’s death was different from the film simply because it was an offset scene and was not portrayed at all. In the play, Macbeth is depicted in such a way that the audience can sympathize for the tragic hero, however in the film he was portrayed more as villain rather than a tragic hero. In Roman Polanski’s version of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is known to the audience as a sweet respectful woman and more of a tragic character because it did not reveal the part where she wants to abandon her womanhood as it does in the play. She is depicted as courteous woman because of her tone and how she deals with Macbeth such as kissing him when he returns from battle, respecting some of his demands, and not threatening him to do something of her wish. In addition, since she committed suicide in the film by jumping off the balcony or stairs. However, in the play it’s the other way around. Macbeth is known as the politer and subtle human being of the couple and Lady Macbeth is described as a rogue because of her undertakings that are very unusual of a woman. She states, â€Å"Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this†(I. vii. 55-60) to her husband, Macbeth. This is in the play when Lady Macbeth emotionally blackmails Macbeth to killing Duncan and manipulates and takes advantage of Macbeth and tells him he’s a coward if he doesn’t kill King Duncan, which was not illustrated in the film at all. This reveals how different the film represented Macbeth than the play. Through Lady Macbeths great persuasion he did not express much remorse and repentance after murdering King Duncan and Banquo in the film, this was indicated thought Macbeth’s expressions throughout the film since it seemed as if he totally forgotten about what he had done for all the wealth, power and kingship. On the contrary, throughout the play it seemed as if Macbeth was always repenting his crimes worrying about the consequences that he will face if anyone found out the deeds he committed. This gives complete awareness to the audience that in the film Macbeth does not deserve to be executed however after reading the book it clearly gives the audience an insight of the real culprit, Lady Macbeth, since it was her evil deeds, in addition to her pushing Macbeth to extreme limits to where he did not want to go in the first place. To conclude, tragedy is built on the idea that the audience can sympathize with the tragic hero and therefore experience a strong emotional response at the ending. Roman Polanski’s film did not portray a proper tragedy because in the film, Donnalbain and his brother Malcolm had more of jealousy relationship compared to their relationship in the play, the focus of death was so different in the film as well because in the play Duncan’s Murder was an offset scene rather than an onset scene which was illustrated in the movie thus creating more violence and cruelty in the film, and lastly the difference in the characteristics of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the film and play. Therefore, this reveals that Roman Polanski did have prevailing film version on Macbeth but not a proper tragedy to grasp the genre of Shakespeare’s version of the play. How to cite The Contrast Between Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Roman Polanski’s Macbeth, Papers

Valley Forge free essay sample

The question for many of us men is Should I quit? I have thought long and hard about this but I am deciding to reenlist for three main reasons: the sickness of the men, loyality to my country, and belief in our cause. Grabber Background Restatement of question Definition of key terms (if necessary) Thesis Roadmap First body paragraph: It is February 1, 1778, and about one-half of Washingtons army are too sick to report for roll call. (Doc A) During the winter, between 1800 and 2500 will die from illness. (Doc A) I admit these numbers make me scared sometimes. I want to live like any man. My parents need me to plant the spring wheat. But all this sickness and death makes me realize that I cant quit now. I dont want my dead friends to have died for nothing. I am not Just fighting for myself. I am fighting for my fallen comrads. We will write a custom essay sample on Valley Forge or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Baby Evidence with citations Argument Second body paragraph: A second reason I am reenlisting is loyalty to my government. Several weeks ago a fine group of fellows called the Committee of Congress arrived at Valley Forge. I remember our first visit together, us in rags, and they in their fine clothes. Doc B) We idnt know quite what to make of them but they have stayed on through much of the winter, helping the General with his heavy responsibility. The Committee makes me feel that my government cares, that someone is listening. My government supports me. I will stay on and support my government. Baby Thesis Third body paragraph: What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. (Doc D) In other words, youve got to be willing to pay the price if you want something important. So what does this mean? It means when the going gets tough, youve Just got to take a big breath and ouve got to do the Job. You dont cut and run. You reenlist. Freedom is worth the price! Baby Thesis Conclusion: I do understand why some of my fellow soldiers are going home. Our huts are all smoky, we go days without meat, our clothes are torn up. (Docs B and C) We even hear stories about local farmers, Americans, who are selling their food to the British in Philadelphia. I simply feel that our cause is bigger than all this. Theres still a Job to do. I will go do it. Restatement of thesis Although statement Main argument which trumps although statement Why the question is important today

Collision and Collusion

Collision and Collusion Collision and Collusion Collision and Collusion By Maeve Maddox A philosophical question from a reader prompts this post: I find it very interesting how collision is so close to collusion, considering the strange financial shenanigans that occur in that business [insurance and collision repair].   What is the background of these two words?   Are they actually related in any way? Clearly, the reader has had less fortunate experiences with insurance companies and collision repair centers than I have. The only connection between collision and collusion that I can discern is the prefix col-, which is a rendering of the Latin preposition cum (with). In English words, cum has produced the prefixes com-, con-, and col-. These prefixes convey the idea of â€Å"together, together with, in combination or union.† For example, the noun companion combines com- with panis (bread). A companion is â€Å"a person to eat bread with.† Sharing a meal with someone is often a sign of intimacy. Collision comes from the verb collide (col + laedere). The Latin verb laedere means â€Å"to injure† or â€Å"to damage.† When things collide, they strike or clash together. Collusion comes from the verb collude (col + ludere), The Latin verb ludere means, â€Å"to play.† When people collude, they â€Å"play† together. The kind of play meant here is not the friendly kind. It’s the deceptive activity implied in the expressions â€Å"to play at,† â€Å"to play one false,† and â€Å"to play into someone’s hands.† Collision is â€Å"the violent encounter of a moving body with another.† On the street, a collision usually involves vehicles. In physics, particles collide. Both collision and collide are used figuratively to indicate a clash of wills. The noun collision may also be used attributively (i.e., to modify another noun). Here are examples of usage: Both of the Washington State Patrol troopers injured in collisions Sunday night near Northgate have been released from the hospital. Two Metro-North Railroad trains collided after a derailment near Fairfield, Conn., at the height of the evening rush on Friday. Somalia: What happens when political and humanitarian goals collide? Global Markets and National Politics: Collision Course or Virtuous Circle? Collusion is a secret agreement for purposes of trickery or fraud. In law, collusion is an agreement between two or more parties for the purpose of defrauding others or to gain an unfair market advantage, for example, price-fixing and inside trading. Here are some recent headlines: Big Tech Companies Agree To Pay Up Over Hiring Collusion Shell and BP accused of collusion in South Africa How Hospitals and Health Insurers Collude at Your Expense Business and Government Collude over Education Policy and Funding 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 Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Coordinating vs. Subordinating Conjunctions50 Nautical Terms in General Use20 Movies Based on Shakespeare Plays

How to Ask Your Professor to Change Your Grade

How to Ask Your Professor to Change Your Grade At the end of every semester, professor’s inboxes are inundated with a barrage of emails from desperate students seeking a grade change. These last minute requests are often met with frustration and disdain. Some professors even go so far as to set their inbox to auto-respond and not check back until weeks after the semester ends. If you are considering asking your professor for a grade change, consider your actions cautiously and prepare yourself before making the request. Here’s your best chance: Step 1: Do everything in your power not to find yourself in this situation. A lot of requests come from students who have borderline grades. Just a point or two more, and their GPA would improve. However, being on the border isn’t usually an acceptable reason to ask for a grade change. If your grade is 89.22%, dont ask the professor to consider a bump to 90% in order to keep your GPA up. If you think you might be on the borderline, work as hard as you can before the end of the semester and discuss extra credit possibilities ahead of time. Don’t count on being â€Å"rounded up† as a courtesy. Step 2: Act before your professor submits his grades to the university. Instructors will be much more likely to change grades before they submit them to the university. If you were missing points or feel you should have been given more participation credit, talk to your professor before grades are due. If you wait until after submission, your professor will likely have to jump through a lot of hoops to meet your request. In some universities, grade changes are simply not permitted without a significant written explanation of the instructor’s error written by the instructor. Keep in mind that instructors are usually required to submit the grades to the university several days before they are posted for students to view. So, talk to your professor as soon as possible. Step 3: Decide if you really have a case. Review the syllabus and make sure your argument matches up with the instructor’s expectations. A reasonable grade change request might be based on objective issues such as: The instructor failing to count points you earnedA miscalculation on a particular examA problem with the online course’s learning management system that resulted in a point deduction A request might also be made based on subjective issues such as: You feel you should have been given more participation pointsYou believe your role in the group project was not adequately understood or appreciated Step 4: Collect evidence. If you’re going to make a claim, collect evidence to support your cause. Collect old papers, try to make a list of times you’ve participated, etc. Step 5: Discuss your case with the professor in a professional manner. Whatever you do, don’t be overly glib or angry with your professor. State your claim in a calm and professional manner. Explain, briefly, the evidence that backs up your claim. And, offer to show the evidence or discuss the issue in more detail if the professor would find that helpful. Step 6: If all else fails, appeal to the department. If your professor will not change your grade and you feel you have a very good case, you may be able to appeal to the department. Try calling the department offices and asking about the policy on grade appeals. Keep in mind that complaining about the professor’s decision may be viewed poorly by other professors and may have negative consequences – particularly if you are in a small, insular department. However, if you stay calm and state your case confidently, you will have a better chance of keeping their respect and getting your grade changed.

Mary Shellys Frankenstein Nature Vs. Nurture Theme Analysis Research Paper

Mary Shellys Frankenstein Nature Vs. Nurture Theme Analysis - Research Paper Example The discussion centers on the themes of nature versus nurture, of whether or not goodness or evil is created through the innate nature of an individual, or if it is developed through the treatment that individual receives. The creature made by Frankenstein states at one point that â€Å"Adam’s situation was far different from mine in every other respect. His God had made him happy and prosperous. His Creator guarded him and cared for him, He was allowed to talk with - and learn from - superior beings. But I was wretched, helpless, alone.† (Shelley, 2008, p. 121). The creature saw himself as abandoned and not allowed to learn at the feet of his creator. This mirrored the relationship that Shelley had with her father as when he had remarried when she was eight she had felt he had left her, only to be more formally abandoned when she married Percy Shelley though her father disapproved (Mellor, 2007, p. 51). In many ways, the discourse of the novel is a conversation with her father, telling him all the ways in which he had disappointed her and how this had made her feel. Shelley expresses her aggression towards her father, naming the first victim of the creature’s rage after him, but combining this visage with the strikingly similar features of the five year old child with those of her own child. In this she explores the dynamic of murder within the family, her aggression towards her father and the horrifying concept of being able to kill her own child. Her child was named for his grandfather, her father, both bearing the name William as does the child of Frankenstein, thus completing the dynamic in which relationships between parents and children are horrifically discussed (Mellor, 2007, p. 52). Mellor (2007), states that Shelley believed that nurture was crucial in the development of the nature of a child, that the way in which a child was embraced or denied by a parent and taught about the