English is crazy

I have found some pictures that show just how silly, crazy and difficult the English language is.  Personally I feel really sorry for those people who have had to learn English after speaking an entirely different language their whole life.

Remember back to when you were little and trying to learn how to spell and what the meaning of words were.  It was very difficult, there was so much to learn.  You had to understand blends; vowels and consonants; phonetics; prefixes and suffixes; verbs, nouns and adjectives; homophones, homonyms; compound words; definitions; spellings of words; the list just goes on and on.

You probably would have tried to spell many words phonetically, most people would have initially spelt scissors as 'sisors', and said would be 'sed', there are so many ways to spell words but it seems that the most logical way (phonetically) is usually the wrong way.

Now imagine that you have spoken an entirely different language your whole life and you are now expected to learn English, one of the hardest languages due to so many different pronunciations of single letters as well as multiple letters.

This photo shows how single letters and multiple letters can be pronounced different ways.  Even though it has told you how 'ghoti' could be pronounced as fish, saying 'ghoti' realistically sounds nothing like fish.  This is why English can be so hard for people to learn.

The next picture pretty much sums up the lunacy of the English language.  Whoever came up with the words must have just assumed that everyone would easily be able to spell and pronounce them, if you spoke English that is.

If that isn't confusing enough then there are all the language conventions including but not limited to; similes, metaphors, idioms, figures of speech, colloquialisms and of course sarcasm.

A conversation I once had went something like this:
Me: 'You must live under a rock or something.'
Them: 'No I don't, I live in a tin shed, saying I live under a rock implies that I live in a stone house.'
Me: 'Uhh... I didn't mean it like that.'
Them: 'Oh....'

It was extremely hard to not laugh about their mistake right in front of them, but how on earth do you explain to someone what that means without just confusing them even more? After that conversation I made a mental note to never use figures of speech in front of them again.

So to everyone out there trying to learn how to speak, read, write, or all of them, my hat goes off to you.  Trying to learn such a difficult language will take time but with perseverance you will succeed! Best of luck

References:
http://designyoutrust.com/2012/02/english-is-a-crazy-language/
http://weknowmemes.com/2011/11/welcome-to-the-english-language-asshole/
This one wasn't included in this post, but it is still confusing/amusing.  You have to scroll down the page a little when it loads. http://reallifebh.com/is-english-easy-to-learn

The Digital Gaming Age

The classic games are making a big comeback and some old school gamers will be thrilled with this.  These games bring back a lot of childhood memories for some and are filled with a lot of nostalgia.  Big gaming companies are realising that their classic olden games are still worth some money and people are wanting to still play them.  This is why the gaming companies are re-releasing their games, re-modifying the games so as they fit in with modern times and also re-formatting them so as they can be played on the modern consoles and the new smart phones.  

Sony is just one of many companies who are dusting off the dated games and revamping them.  Sony's games 'God of War' and 'Twisted Metal' are being thrown into the blender and will end up creating a whole new game featuring the best aspects of each game.  Both of those games had their own respectful fans and some people would have liked them both.  Blending the two games together is an excellent idea as there is a high chance that many people would look at this new game due to the fact that it involves both 'God of War' and 'Twisted Metal'.    

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (TTIS) is another of the big gaming companies to jump on the bringing the old games back bandwagon.  TTIS is re-releasing and reworking some of their games so as they can work on smart phones and tablet computers, instead of traditional gaming consoles and personal computers. The reason for this being that sales of gaming consoles is decreasing while the sales of smart phones is well on the rise.  One game that has been re-released is the popular 'Grand Theft Auto III'.  Strauss Zelnick, the chief executive of TTIS stated that: "people were skeptical there was any library value at all [to these old games]", but after research TTIS found that there is still a large market for these old school games.

Other games that have been remodelled are 'Sonic the Hedgehog', 'Streets of Rage' and 'Virtua Fighter'.  The remodelling of these games gives the games a longer life and will allow them to move into the next generation of gamers.  

The game that I would really like to see remade to be played on a smart phone or tablet is 'Pacman'.  This game is one of the few that has stood the test of time and still remains relatively popular now.  If they could make a 'Temple Run' style format for 'Pacman' it would be awesome.  Either way if  'Pacman' was updated and put on the smart phone markets then its popularity would rise and it could easily become as popular as it once was.  

With more and more people buying smart phones and tablets, using a handheld controller, television, console and game chip/CD may sadly and quickly become a thing of the past.  It is good to see that the gaming companies have realised how big the smartphone and tablet markets have become and that there is a good chance of selling their old games.  They have seen how popular previous games have been and by recycling these games they are able to bring back the joy, that was lost when the games became unpopular, and restore the game to its past glory, which is fantastic news for the old and new gamers.


Article: 

Sherr, I 2012, The iPhone Gives 'Sonic the Hedgehog' a Second Chance, The Wall Street Journal, accessed 20 June 2012, <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303665904577450613806030938.html>.

Pictures:

Parrish, P 2012, Sony Logo, Incgamers, accessed 20 June 2012, <http://www.incgamers.com/2012/06/you-could-own-sonys-new-york-hq/sony/>.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Responds to Electronic Arts' Fifth Extension of Tender Offer 2012, Console Updates, accessed 20 June 2012, <http://consoleupdates.com/2008/07/22/take-two-will-not-eat-cat-poop-ea-extends-expiration-date-for-t2-buyout/>.

Deathding, 2012, Sonic the Hedgehog, Fanpop, accessed 20 June 2012, <http://www.fanpop.com/spots/sonic-the-hedgehog/images/29905892/title/sonic-1-photo>.

Wikipedia 2012, 'Pac-man', wiki article, accessed 20 June 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Man>.

The land of Facebook

While having nothing to do and deciding to Google random things I managed to stumble across this quote on a website of 50 interesting facts about Facebook:

This quote is based on data from 2009.

This quote is simply amazing.  There are approximately 7-billion people on the Earth all together and when you break that down into the individual countries it shows just how big Facebook is.

These are the population figures according to Google:
China has approximately 1.3 billion people,
India closely follows China with a population of 1.17 billion people,
The United States has a population 3.1 million people,
And finally Indonesia houses almost 2.4 million people.
*This data is based on figures from 2012

According to Facebook at the end of March 2012 there were approximately 901 million active users of its website.  If these figures are true then it would make Facebook the third-largest country in the world, only beaten by China and India.   


These figures show just how big Facebook has grown to be.  No one, not even Mark Zuckerberg the CEO and founder of Facebook could have possibly estimated that Facebook would become so populated and widely used.  It is truly incredible that so many different people around the world can be using the same website at the same time.

With internet connections and infrastructure improving daily it wont be long before there are even more people connected to Facebook, to 'make it the biggest country in the world'.


Quote:
50 Interesting . . . Facebook Facts 2012, Random Facts, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://facts.randomhistory.com/interesting-facebook-facts.html>.

Statistics on populations:
Population of China 2012, World Bank/Google, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://www.google.com.au/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=sp_pop_totl&idim=country:CHN&dl=en&hl=en&q=what+is+the+population+of+china>.

Population of India 2012, World Bank/Google, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=sp_pop_totl&idim=country:IND&dl=en&hl=en&q=population+of+india>.

Population of the United States 2012, U.S. Census Bureau/Google, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=kf7tgg1uo9ude_&met_y=population&idim=country:US&dl=en&hl=en&q=population+of+united+states>.

Population of Indonesia 2012, World Bank/Google, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://www.google.com/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=sp_pop_totl&idim=country:IDN&dl=en&hl=en&q=population+of+indonesia>.

Statistics of Facebook:
Key Facts n.d., Facebook Newsroom, accessed 18 June 2012, <http://newsroom.fb.com/content/default.aspx?NewsAreaId=22>.

My take on the Delta Goodrem interview

Karl Stefanovic and Delta Goodrem at the piano
where Delta first started singing

At the start of June, Karl Stefanovic from 60 Minutes conducted an interview with Delta Goodrem.  This interview really got me thinking and was one of the few interviews that I paid attention to.  It was full of stereotypes and discussed her views on her relationships, her new role on The Voice Australia and spends time reflecting on her own cancer journey, it's these topics that kept the interview interesting. 

Stefanovic states: '...what Delta's discovered is that sitting in the big chair has meant no shortage of armchair critics. Her hair, her glasses, her clothes, even her tears, have all been fair game for her detractors.'

It's this statement that makes you realise just how judgemental some people can be.  Everyone is judgemental in their own way, sometimes as a joke, sometimes to be hurtful, but some people go too far and attack others.  It's when these attacks happen that people get hurt.

Goodrem also talks about her split with former Westlife singer Brian McFadden.  They were engaged for 7 years and while they broke up for their own reasons people feel the need to say things about it.  The way I personally see it: if your not in the relationship then leave it alone.

The interview then turns towards her  relationship with American musician Nick Jonas who was, at the time, 8 years younger than Goodrem.  Stefanovic says that "...it was a tad controversial", but personally I think this is unfair towards them.  There are many double standards in the world but the one that gets to me the most is the one towards age gaps in dating.  

Why is it that a man can date a woman many years his junior and it is almost perfectly fine.  Of course there would be initial worry on if their relationship will last but that usually subsides.  He wont be called horrible names, and is even seen as an idol to some, because they are able to allure a woman who is younger. 

However, as soon as a woman dates a younger man the acceptability of the situation is gone.  Women who date older men are susceptible to names such as 'cradle snatcher' and 'cougar'.  They are also frowned upon.  While women date younger men in society Goodrem is set apart from these normal women because she lives in the spotlight. 

Goodrem comes under scrutiny for just about everything, her love life, looks and tears are only a few.  However, the one thing that people would be mad to scrutinise her for is her continuing support and visits to the chemotherapy ward at St Vincent's Hospital.  Even though Goodrem has been 'cancer-free for nine years' she still hasn't forgotten the place that treated her for Hodgkin's Lymphoma and this is an admirable quality that Goodrem has. 

So while some people will love Delta Goodrem and others will hate her, she is like any other person, she has good and bad traits and qualities.  She is after all, just a human being.  Personally her critics appear to be too harsh on her but she seems to handle herself very well. 

On a side note: 
As I am now in year 12 I am conducting a survey about compulsory organ donation as part of my Biology external assignment. 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B7MFBSY

If you have 5 spare minutes please answer my survey it only has 6-7 questions! 

All answers are really appreciated and you remain completely anonymous.


Thank you! 

Article:

Stefanovic, K. 4 June 2012, Delta Force, 60 Minutes, accessed 14 June 2012, <http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/8476559/delta-force>.

Picture:

Goodrem, D. 23 May 2012, Delta Interview On 60 Minuted This Sunday, Delta Goodrem, accessed 14 June 2012, <http://www.deltagoodrem.com/>.

Where are the standalone books?

Well Natalie I think you have many people that would agree with you.  

Growing up you only ever had to read one book to get the whole story.  This was probably because young kids wouldn't have the patience to sit down and read more than one book about the same topic, but nowadays it seems that the only books that are appealing to teenagers are a part of a series.  This is probably because on the holidays when you have nothing to do you have plenty of time to read.  However, adults always seem to have books that are standalone stories because once again they don't have the time to collect and read multiple books on the same story.

I suppose that authors write captivating stories to allow the vivid mind of a teenager to run wild conjuring up all the possible scenarios that could happen in the next story.  By hooking their audience authors are able to keep targeting the same audience for as long as they like until they either get bored or have run out of ideas.  Teenagers gossip and if they have a favourite book/series they will tell everyone, this means more and more people will go and buy the book, thus becoming a good way of advertising without spending money.  

I believe that the first book of a series is the most important.  If you have a boring opening to the series you are less likely to gain a 'following' therefore people will be tentative to buy any more of your books. If you have a wonderful series and a bad ending you may leave some readers feeling angry because the ending was so soft compared to the strength of the rest of the series.  

It is for these reasons that I along with Natalie feel that finding books to read as a teenager is very difficult.  It is frustrating to not be able to just read one book instead of a series.  Even though there would be many standalone books targeted at teenagers out there they are hard to find.  This is why I wish that there were more standalone books.  

Quote:

Eccleshare, J 2012, Why are there so few standalone books?, The Guardian, accessed 22 May 2012, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/mar/05/book-doctor-rowling-pullman-cs-lewis-hunger-games?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487>.

The retirements of 'The Wiggles'

If you haven't heard of The Wiggles in the last 21 years then surely you have been living under a rock all that time.  Famous for their children's songs and bright skivvies most of the world know them.  Most people would have listened to their boppy songs at least once in their lives and while not everyone is a fan of them I know that I sure am.




The original members pictured left.  Greg Page, the yellow wiggle, Murray Cook, the red wiggle, Jeff Fatt, the purple wiggle and Anthony Field the blue wiggle are the four main Wiggles.  They are also accompanied by Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Henry the Octopus and Wags the Dog.


When I heard on the news yesterday that three of the four Wiggles would be retiring I, along with many others across the globe, were quite upset about it.  The Wiggles have been entertaining the world since 1991 and have sold over 7 million CD's since then.

Songs like 'Big Red Car', 'Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy' and 'Hot Potato' have been entertaining children for what feels like an eternity.  Those catchy tunes have been stuck in peoples minds for years and it will be sad to see three of the members depart.

The Wiggles have become a phenomenon across the world.  Holding sell out tours, selling millions of CD's and DVD's (and back in the day cassette tapes and VHS) across the world they are one of the most successful 'bands' of all time.

Page, Cook and  Field had a great advantage with playing for children.  Having studied Early Childhood Education at University they were able to think of words and tunes that would be stuck in a child's mind for hours even days on end.  This could be the main attribute to their success.  Either way their music is one of a kind and cannot be copied in any way shape or form.


When Page got sick in 2006 he was forced into an early retirement.  He was succeeded by his understudy Sam Moran who had huge shoes to fill but turned out to be quite capable of the job.  In 2012 The Wiggles announced that Page would be returning to The Wiggles leaving Sam without a spot in the band. 


  While Page, Cook and Fatt are retiring it is not the end of The Wiggles... yet. 

From left to right: Greg Page, Emma Watkins,
 Murray Cook, Simon Pryce, Jeff Fatt,
Lachlan Gillespie and Anthony Field (front) 

Field is staying on to be the soul survivor of the original Wiggles but will be joined by Emma Watkins who is the first female wiggle and is wearing the yellow skivvy, Simon Pryce who is set to become the new red wiggle and Lachlan Gillespie who is the new purple wiggle.  These people have experience in the children's music industry and have worked closely with The Wiggles for years, either playing other characters, being backup dancers or understudies to the four great men themselves. 


The controversy and devastation surrounding the departure of three members of The Wiggles has left some people fuming about Page coming back and taking the job off Moran and now retiring at the end of the year anyway.  


So while some people will be angry about the retirements and others will be upset one thing is for certain, there will be many tears shared across the world throughout their farewell tour.  So long as the 'new' Wiggles continue making great sounding music for all kids to enjoy then they are still successful.  


The original Wiggles legacy is set to live on in the hearts of millions for years to come.


Article: 
Zavan, M 2012, The Wiggles announce retirements, 9NEWS, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8469177/wiggles-announce-major-line-up-changes>.

Article/Picture:
Murphy, D & Sams, C 2012, Three original Wiggles to hang up their skivvies, Brisbane Times, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/music/three-original-wiggles-to-hang-up-their-skivvies-20120517-1yto0.html>.

Picture:
Cuneo, C 2012, The Wiggles reveal new line-up after Jeff Fatt, Murry Cook and Greg Page announce retirement, Perth Now, accessed 18 May 2012, <http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/could-the-wiggles-be-ready-to-hang-up-skivvies/story-e6frg30l-1226359111632>.

Beowulf

Beowulf's Grendel's Approach to Heorot (702b-745a)

This piece of writing shows just how much the English language has changed and evolved over the years.  Looking at this text it is hard to even decipher 10% of the words let alone figure out what the passage means.  There are letters/symbols that are no longer used which is half of the reason that it is so incredibly hard for most people to read this.  The other reason is that the majority of the words would no longer be used in everyday English.

You can read Beowulf's work at: http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/Beowulf.Readings.html

Seeing how far English has come since the days of Beowulf is incredible.  It makes us wonder how far it will go and how much it will have changed in the future.

With the way things are being miss spelt in the present moment of time I wouldn't be surprised if they are permanently spelt like that in the next 50 years or so.  Confusing simple things like loose with lose and brought with bought, makes me wonder if words like loose and lose and brought and bought are just melded into the one word meaning the same thing.

Al the txt talk that hapns thes days teches peple horibl habits - If you couldn't read that I don't blame you.  Sure it is spelt phonetically and its how it sounds but it doesn't look right and the lack of vowels makes it hard to figure out the words. To reiterate it said 'All the text talk that happens these days teaches people horrible habits.'  Sure it makes talking via SMS, E-mails and programs like MSN quicker surely it is harder to read than normal.

With everyone talking like this online it is sure to carry over out of these online worlds into reality.  It is sad that even companies like Telstra are adopting 'text talk' by using words like 'thanx', they are professional and you would think that they would at least use proper English in their 'professional' messages.

Sadly with this all said I truly believe that text talk will become the new English making it hard for those of us who are adjusted to Middle English to communicate with the 'text talk generation'.  Text talk will also make it even harder than it already is for people trying to learn English as a second language.

Grendel's Approach to Heorot (702b-745a) n.d., Virginia Education, accessed 07 May 2012, <http://faculty.virginia.edu/OldEnglish/Beowulf.Readings/Grendel.html>.