Baba and America Essay Example

Baba and America Essay Throughout The Kite runner Babas character is portrayed as that of a man used to having the respect of others and someone who has strong beliefs and ideals that do not always coincide with those around him. After setting up an orphanage in town, something that gains him yet more respect, he tells Amir to Piss on the beards on those self-righteous monkeys. Baba is referring to the Islamic teachers in Amirs school and we can see that Baba is very much his own man, not somebody who likes the idea of there being something greater than him.As a reader, we see Babas character through Amirs eyes and his strong opinions prove him to be somebody who follows his own morals, meaning that he is not a sheep within the Afghanistan culture and does not easily succumb to pressure of those around him. This character portrayal means that readers see Baba as almost a revolutionary in some sense; although he is affluent and well-respected he is not scared to share opinions which more often than not are not in agreement with people who have a similar status in society to him. This portrayal is important in the novel because it allows us to believe the first part of Amirs statement in chapter 11, that Baba loved the idea of America. As the novel progresses through Amirs childhood we can see the appeal of American society on a character like Baba, a society not grounded by religion and ignorance, a culture of freedom. Baba loves the idea of not being restrained by the culture around him but as the novel proves, actually living in America is extremely difficult for him.By chapter 11 it is understandable to readers why living in America could of given Baba an ulcer because of who he was in Afghanistan. The novel depicts him as a very successful person, who was always at the centre of attention. At parties, when all six-foot-five of him thundered into the room, attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun to the sun shows us Babas position is society and therefore allows readers to reflect on what he has to lose. With their move to America we see Baba lose everything that he has ever held in importance in his life. From being in a very high position in Afghanistan, with wealth and respect, Baba went from a somebody in his national country to a nobody in America. Although American society is perceived as a land of the free, the reality of moving to America was that Baba ended up worse off, the status and money he had once experienced was lost forever during that journey from Afghanistan to America.The San Jose flea market which Baba and Amir frequent on Sundays to sell knickknacks symbolises Babas feeling of identity loss in America. The market evokes memories of who he once was at it represents Afghanistan society on a microscopic level. Tea, Politics and scandal, the ingredients of an Afghan Sunday at the flea market highlights Babas need for Afghanistan culture because his move to America has resulted in a loss of identity. Although as a citizen o f Afghanistan he had respect for American society, the novel explains that moving to another country after you have already made a life in another one is difficult. This is why for Amir the move is a positive one, unlike Baba he was not a successful person in Afghanistan therefore he has the ability to adapt and make a new life in America.In conclusion, the novel explains the statement Baba loved the idea of America. It was living in America that gave him an ulcer by depicting Baba as a person who was more dependent on Afghanistan and its culture than he first believed. It is possible Baba suffered from a classic case where he did not realise what he had before he lost it, although he was always finding faults with Afghanistan culture he was still a part of it and he owed the respect and wealth he had accumulated to Afghanistan. The symbol of America as a land of the free was enticing for Baba because it was so different from Afghanistan culture, but as Baba later realised change is nt always for the best.

#FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator

#FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator #FreelancerFriday #7 - Yari Leon Suarez, Translator Yari Leon Suarez offers translation services between English and Spanish. Yari has worked in a variety of genres ranging from technical translations to translating poetry and literary fiction. Yari is also a fan of Charles Bukowski, which is maybe the best quality any person could possibly have that makes you think â€Å"I want to know more about this person.† Enjoy!–REEDSYWhat’s the biggest difference in moving from technical translation to literary translation?YARI LEON SUAREZ You work longer! *laughs* When you translate a creative piece, it takes longer because you have to work closely with the author, more than you would with a corporation. I find that with technical translation you’re working with terminology. It narrows things down, and when you have a question you can just go to a database. With literary translation it becomes more tricky - you’re working with an author’s thoughts, feelings. I think for literary translation you need that communication.REEDSY Why is contact with the author important?YARI LEON SUAREZ I find that the key for literary translation is to connect with the writer as a writer. I’ve translated for friends before, but I knew them as friends, not as writers. When I talk with them about the work, I need to talk about what they were trying to say, and focus as specifically on the piece of work as possible. We don’t talk that much about the process of getting there. Working with friends can be easier, but at the same time it’s not - I have to *forget* that they’re my friends, and look at them as a professional - look at them as a writer, not the person I go for coffee with. It’s tricky but the key is to focus on the piece of work and the writer’s voice. There’s a skill of talking with authors that came from technical translation because I have to ask companies about how they want something translated as well. It teaches you to be precise and how to know what questions to ask. You have to be focussed.REEDSY Is the focus on being accurate, on being good for the reader, on doing right by the author?YARI LEON SUAREZ It’s about doing the best work possible for the author. As a translator you’re really not entitled to change anything for a piece of work. It’s the editor’s job to advise the author on changes if there’s something wrong. For the translator it’s more a communication *with* an author, trying to keep the author’s voice as it is, but in a different language. When I started working with friends and I fell in love with a piece of work, it was hard - I had to stop myself adding to the work. To be a translator you have to be passionate about what you’re translating, but at the same time have a lot of respect for the work. You have to try to write *exactly* as the author wrote, but in a different language.REEDSY How do you practice that? Does reading help?YARI LEON SUAREZ Once, I grabbed a book I like and actually tried to translate a part. It was just a personal exercise, basically. I tried to translate pieces of ‘Women’ by Charles Bukowski. Just as an exercise in how you would translate a book by an established author in an established market, to see how you would handle it. I just kept it to myself.Reading a lot is always going to help - it helps you understand structure. Understanding structure is important because when you’re translating a text you have to understand the form. At the same time I think that right now the most important thing is to be up to date on technology. With technology it makes it so much easier to be in communication with the author, and there are tools that make the work easier. You need the right tools for writing, and translating in particular.There’s specific software that helps you when you’re translating. Nowadays the world of translation is tied to a digital format. For technical tra nslation translators can use software to connect with other translators for feedback. Like Robert Faclo said, Evernote is also fantastic for translators. And it’s necessary, because it speeds up the process of translation.REEDSY Do you do a lot of research?YARI LEON SUAREZ Oh yes, you have to. As a translator you have to be a researcher. You can’t just be happy with your own translation, you need to share your work with other translators and keep communicating with other writers - it’s a collaborative process. Translators these days don’t just sit with a book and translate it into a new language - you have to have a wider knowledge about literature today, you could say, of how the publishing industry is working. You translate in an active, engaged way. Depending on the book you’re translating, you need to know the author, you need to know where this is coming from, you need to know who’s going to be the reader of this translation to make a work that’s accurate.REEDSY What do you need to know from authors, when you’re getting ready to work with them on a project?YARI LEON SUAREZ The first thing is to know the 'motive’ of the novel, how you feel about it, if I can borrow it and read it of course! Later on I would ask the author why they want to share the novel with a different market, how they want it to impact the reader in a different language. I’d ask what the author knows about Spanish, the Spanish market, if anything, if they’re familiar with their new audience.REEDSY What’s are the first steps in the process for you?YARI LEON SUAREZ I’ll read the manuscript and ask questions about the writing, the story, anything that comes up in it about the characters. I’ll ask how you feel about the main character, how the secondary characters are influencing the story, that kind of thing. If I have any doubts, if there’s something I don’t understand, I’ll clear that up. Then I’ll go through the translation work itself, and new questions will arise. In terms of the structure, for example, more specific questions about structure, about sentences where I’m not quite sure about the tone or the intent, that only comes out when you’re doing the work.REEDSY Should authors work with Spanish editors as well, after they’ve translated with you?YARI I†¦ would recommend it. It’s not my field. I can always try and I can suggest, but I would’t consider myself an editor.REEDSY When you’re translating poetry, how does that work? What are you keeping?YARI LEON SUAREZ To translate poetry you’re dealing with a different literary structure, depending on the type of poem. If it’s free-rhyming, that’s one thing, but if there’s a specific structure you’re facing a piece that will take longer. That’s in the sense that it’s not just the vocabulary you need to worry about, but also about the structure and the differences between languages. For example, English and Spanish are completely different languages in the way you structure sentences in them. A sentence in Spanish can be longer in a sentence than English, and that can break the structure of the poem. So I have to spend a lot of time just trying to do the work because I have to make sure the same amount of syllables of the original poem are in the translation.And then also, keep in mind that it’s not a literal translation but a poetic translation as well, so you have to use the right kind of language, with the right translation of the word, whi le keeping the tone of the author. It’s a big, big challenge that requires a lot of work. With prose, you can follow a different structure and just keep in mind the genre of the work. It’s still difficult, because translation has to be based on the work, it’s not your work.REEDSY Do you see any big differences between the English and Spanish markets?YARI LEON SUAREZ In the US, specifically, they seem to be getting more into drama†¦ You know, I’m thinking. They’re not too different. They both definitely prefer prose to poetry. The majority of authors are doing novels or a series of novels following the same character - like a saga, let’s say. In that sense, the markets are similar. In Spain they love the novel that’s elaborate in a historical way. They love a novel that has historical research behind it, but is still dramatic, is not too much of a psychological novel. They follow a mystery plot, that kind of thing.The differences aren’t so big - we’re talking about literature that doesn’t require a lot of psychological analysis of the character, that isn’t a heavy topic - it’s easy reading, especially in the United States. â€Å"A read that flows,† basically; that doesn’t take a lot of time to understand, especially that’s not metaphysical. In Latin America I think they like literature with secondary meanings hidden in the prose, but here in Spain and the United States it’s more about the flow of the prose.REEDSY Thanks for your time Yari.

Transmutation Definition and Examples

Transmutation Definition and Examples The word transmutation means something different to a scientist, particularly a physicist or chemist, compared to the ordinary usage of the term. Transmutation Definition (trÄÆ'ns†²myoÍžo-tÄ Ã¢â‚¬ ²shÉ™n) (n) Latin transmutare to change from one form into another.  To transmute is to change from one form or substance into another; to transform or convert. Transmutation is the act or process of transmuting. There are multiple specific definitions of transmutation, depending on the discipline. In the general sense, transmutation is any transformation from one form or species into another on.(Alchemy) Transmutation is the conversion of base elements into precious metals, such as gold or silver. The artificial production of gold, chrysopoeia, was a goal of alchemists, who sough to develop a Philosophers Stone that would be capable of the transmutation. The alchemists attempted to use chemical reactions to achieve transmutation. They were unsuccessful because nuclear reactions are required.(Chemistry) Transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element into another. Element transmutation may occur either naturally or via a synthetic route. Radioactive decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion are natural processes by which one element may become another. Scientists most commonly transmute elements by bombarding the nucleus of a target atom with particles, forcing the target to change its atomic number, and thus its elemental identity. Related Terms: Transmute (v), Transmutational (adj), Transmutative (adj), Transmutationist (n)Transmutation Examples The classic goal of alchemy was to turn the base metal  lead into the more valuable metal  gold. While alchemy did not achieve this goal, physicists and chemists learned how to transmute elements. For example, Glenn Seaborg made gold from bismuth in 1980. There are reports that Seaborg also  transmuted a minute quantity of lead into gold, possibly en route via bismuth. However, its much easier to transmute gold into lead:  Ã‚   197Au  Ã‚  n  Ã¢â€ â€™Ã‚  198Au (half life  2.7 days) →  198Hg   n →  199Hg n →  200Hg n →  201Hg n →  202Hg n →  203Hg (half life 47 days) →  203Tl   n →  204Tl (half life 3.8 years) →  204Pb  (half life 1.4x1017  years) The Spallation Neutron Source has transmuted liquid mercury into gold, platinum, and iridium, using particle acceleration. Gold may be made using a nuclear reactor by irradiating mercury or platinum (producing radioactive isotopes). If mercury-196 is used as the starting isotope, slow neutron capture followed by electron capture can produce the single stable isotope, gold-197. Transmutation History The term transmutation may be traced back to the early days of alchemy. By the Middle Ages, attempts at alchemical transmutation were outlawed and alchemists Heinrich Khunrath and Michael Maier exposed fraudulent claims of chrysopoeia. In the 18th century, alchemy was largely supplanted by the science of chemistry, after Antoine Lavoisier and John Dalton proposed atomic theory. The first true observation of transmutation came in 1901, when Frederick Soddy and Ernest Rutherford observed thorium changing into radium via radioactive decay. According to Soddy, he exclaimed, Rutherford, this is transmutation! To which Rutherford replied, For Christs sake, Soddy, dont call it  transmutation. Theyll have our heads off as alchemists!

Prevention of falling for the Elderly Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Prevention of falling for the Elderly - Essay Example With age she has become prone to falls and along with this her impaired vision due to cataract further contributes to the risk factors. As my patient’s aunt is suffering from Osteoporosis which could be due to decreased physical activity, changes in hormone levels, deficiency of Vitamin D, a proper care in these areas can help in alleviating her conditions to a great extent. To take care of deficiency of the essential nutrients the following points need to be taken care of – The lowered physical activity in the elderly can lead to reduced strength, muscle problems and loss of flexibility and bone mass. This increases the risk of falls and to prevent it the following points need consideration- She can be engaged in regular exercises as this will increase the strength of her bones and muscles and will also work towards improving her flexibility and balance. As an alternative she can also go on regular walks. It is common for the elderly to suffer from vision diseases such as Glaucoma and Cataracts that can affect their peripheral vision, depth perception make it difficult for them to see in the bright lights. All this can impact their ability to judge the environment and the following preventive tips can assist them greatly- The screening of fall risks is an efficient method of identifying people with a great risk of falling. There are a number of fall-risk screening tools with an accuracy of high to intermediate. The St Thomas’ risk assessment tool in falling elderly inpatients (STRATIFY) gives an accuracy of intermediate to high in the classification of fall risk. It is recommended in the case of nursing homes. A stratify risk screen helps in calculating the risk scores. A score of 0 to 3 is assigned for ‘Transfer’ and also for ‘mobility’. A score of 3 is implies independence in the patient. The score is calculated from the state of the

Culture and American Foreign Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Culture and American Foreign Policy - Essay Example America is a migrant society where every citizen has the right to do anything they want, provided they do not infringe on the rights of others. Â  For instance, America is one of the few societies where citizens are constitutionally allowed to own guns for personal and property protection. Â   It is this same projection and protection of freedom that manifests in American foreign policy. A good example of this is the Middle East where the U.S is involved in multiple wars. While there are other factors contributing to these conflicts, the primary reason is the liberation of Middle Eastern people from tyrannical governments, in line with the American culture of liberty for all. Â  Another example is in the Far East. As part of American foreign policy, the United States maintains permanent military basis in both Japan and South Korea. It does this as a protection to both countries from North Korea and China. What is the common difference between China/North Korea and Korea/Japan? The answer is a culture of liberty. China and North Korea are against a culture of personal liberties and hence, are a threat to South Korea and Japan. Â   These scenarios replicate across the world where the United States has a strong show of might in enforcing its foreign policy. On this basis, it is safe to argue that, cultural factors help explain America’s interaction with the outside world. Â  To test this assertion empirically, one can use quantitative techniques to analyze secondary data on U.S foreign interventions.

How to Become an Effective Manger and a Good Communicator Essay Example for Free

How to Become an Effective Manger and a Good Communicator Essay In order to stay on top, companies need to do more than just stay the same and keep them alive, they need to grow. And that means that their employees need to develop and improve their skills at the same pace. More than ever, managers are being encouraged to improve employee performance through effective coaching, but so few of them have the time or the knowledge. It takes to do it successfully. Based on my case study, and presentation from the other classmate, I am getting to know how they develop their most promising employees. Now in this article, I will talk about how to be an effective manager based on the staff that I have learned from BUAD 309 class. I will also talk about from problem solving to developing accountability as an effective manager. I am a table tennis coach myself, I needs to coach other players has total different back ground and age. When I am coaching people, my students are either improving fast or still remain the same, these are all good to me, because in my perspective, when people are not improving fast, means that they are absorb the knowledge I thought them. But In the business world, if you’re not growing, you’re dying. It’s a basic rule of life here on earth and in the business world today. It’s what drives most of us to be better at what we do and who we are. It’s the desire to â€Å"be more. † Because of this desire, the term â€Å"coaching† has caught the attention of both the personal growth and business worlds, creating a multibillion dollar business and a situation in which everyone wants a coach. More than ever before, employees are asking for developmental opportunities and managers are being told they need to â€Å"coach† their employees on a regular basis. We’ve even worked with managers who say they’ve been told to â€Å"stop managing and start coaching. This all sounds great in theory: managers coaching employees to grow and be more effective, but there’s one problem. Although many people agree that having a coach is a great way to move toward success, very few people know what a coach actually is or what a coach actually does. This leaves many managers scratching their heads as they try to fit one more ambiguous task into their already over-busy schedules. So what is a coach, and what is coaching? This is our definition: A coach is someone who helps another person reaches higher effectiveness by creating a dialogue that leads to awareness and action. Lorber, L 2008)By creating the space to step back, look in the mirror, and grapple with the tough questions, a coach helps a person examine and deal with their reactions to obstacles and, in a sense, â€Å"get out of their own way† as they achieve better results, in a more efficient manner. When we are faced with a task, there are three things that managers should help employees to get better and be as successful as possible: First, make sure you find and dig out the aptitude of your employees: make them understand their potential and capacity to complete the task at hand. Second, make sure your employee’s attitude right toward their jobs: make sure your employees are confidence, focus, and determination to complete the task at hand. Third, make sure you make your employees use all the available resources: make them use all the tools, equipment, and time that available that needed to complete the task at hand. Without these three components, we cannot be at the top of our game. The degrees to which each of them does or does not exist directly contribute or detract from our ultimate level of success. It can be thought of as an equation with variable components. Start with Aptitude, the most obvious component of the equation. Without the proper skills and know how to complete a task, we are left scratching our head and frustrated. Think of a kid on her birthday receiving her first shiny, new bike. She has the determination and excitement to ride her new wheels, but she lacks the skill and ability to go whizzing down the street as she envisions. (Greg P, 1993) After two or three wipeouts, you end up with a frustrated little birthday girl. Just as crucial to the equation is having the Available Resources to complete the task. Think of the last time your team at work had a great idea or new approaches to accomplishing success, but you lacked the budget, time, or people power to deal with it. You had the capacity to figure out a new solution, the drive and confidence to make it a reality, but lacked the money or people to pull it off. Not a fun place to be in, by any stretch of the imagination. As managers, and people, we are comfortable and see the need to focus on Aptitude and Available Resources. When things aren’t working in the office, managers are often very willing to train people in new skills or throw more money at the problem. However, it’s the middle part of the Success Equation. The keystone if you will that most people tend to overlook, forget about, or outright ignore. Attitude refers to things like the drive, confidence, focus, enthusiasm, determination, need, desire, fortitude, and inspiration to accomplish the task at hand. Although difficult to measure and manage, without the right Attitude, having only the Aptitude and Available Resources will get you nowhere. Unfortunately, managers often say things like, â€Å"why can’t people just do their jobs and leave all that other stuff at home. † Well, people don’t â€Å"leave all that other stuff at home† because as humans, we can’t. (Greg P, 1993) Understandably, many managers wish that this was not the case, because managing would be immensely easier if people could really â€Å"check their emotions at the door. † We got it, and, unfortunately, it’s not possible. Think of the time your work day has been affected because you were ill, or you had a fight with a family member. This doesn’t even include the events that happen at work. When rumors of a downsizing start in an organization, how many people are able to completely check their emotional reaction to the news and focus a hundred percent on their work? Not many. So, for better or worse, managers have to accept that our Attitude affects our Level of Success, and focusing on it is more than â€Å"a nice thing to do. † Like it or not, Attitude is hardwired into the Success Equation of humans, and not just as a variable on the periphery. Attitude is perhaps the most vital component in the entire equation, and focusing on it is a manager’s business imperative. Hardline business people are often most comfortable thinking of this in terms of sports. Anyone who has played sports has probably been told at one time or another to â€Å"get your head in the game,† â€Å"focus,† â€Å"get psyched up,† or â€Å"don’t think that you can’t beat these guys! † (Greg P, 1993) Sports coaches know that the confidence, drive, and determination of their athletes can make all the difference between playing and winning. I think this is the biggest connection between my sport and management. Other than the three things, I would like to talk about good communication skills as a good manager. Good communication skill means the ability to be understood, but it also means more than that. Have you ever noticed how good conversationalists have the ability to light up a conversation and inspire others to join in? You can learn to be like that too. Remember any good conversation is a two-way process. Its only as good as the responses you get but you can really improve the number and types of responses you get by honing your communication skill. Here are a few aspects of what it means to have this skill to initiate and sustain an interesting, enjoyable conversation that everyone feels better for having participated in.

An Analysis of Human Resources Management at TNT Essay -- Business Hum

An Analysis of Human Resources Management at TNT TNT is the European market leader in global express distribution, logistics and international mail. Wherever a company operates TNT will make sure that their documents, consignments and business mail are delivered safely and on time using their integrated air and road networks. Their international operations are focused on the key areas of world trade in Europe, Asia, North and South America. They also have strong domestic networks in Australia and Europe. Their operational networks are supported by sophisticated technology which as well as ensuring service reliability provides real-time, on-line information on the status of the consignment. Their central philosophy is to put the customer at the heart of their business. They aim to be companies’ business partner devising solutions for all their customers' distribution needs by combining their core capabilities to create new products and services. The HRM of TNT empower employees to provide the fastest and most reliable service which involves upholding the quality principles for the benefit of all stakeholders involved with the organisation thereby enabling them to achieve the vision. The quality principles of TNT are: customer care, leadership, people, communication, resources, suppliers, processes and the impact on society. For each of this principles the HRM makes sure and show how its needs to be carried out: Â · Customer Care: Always listening to and building first class relationships with their customers to help TNT provide excellent standards of service and client satisfaction. Â · Leadership: Inspiring all members of the TNT team to be outstanding achievers and building on their make it happen policy through clear direction, support and accountability. Â · People: Recognising individual and team achievements, promoting from within wherever possible and encouraging everyone to enjoy rewarding careers that provide security and job satisfaction. Â · Communication: Working hard at all times to encourage clear and honest two-way communications which foster teamwork, they must get through attitude and staff involvement through an open management style. Â · Resources: Employing the best people in a first class working environment and supporting them with ongoing training, reliable equip... ...ager or by the job holder’s superior. The performance appraisal gives the managers the chance to reward employees and to thank them for doing a good job. Appraisal normally takes place once or twice a year. In some organisations it happens every month every three months. The more often it is done the better. At TNT appraisals happens every six months. The benefits of performance appraisal for the organisation are: Â · It helps employees to identify training needs. Â · It may reveal other problems – for example, there may be workplace difficulties with other staff (eg it might be caused by sexual or racial harassment). Â · It may untap useful new skills. Â · It improves communications between employees and managers – a few words of encouragement and praise for doing a good job are often highly motivating. Â · It provides disciplinary documentation – if the employer needs to dismiss somebody, the existence of through appraisal records, which identify the person’s inabilities, or lack of effort will be very useful. Â · It helps to fix pay rises – increasingly people get performance related pay which is based upon the appraisal interview.