What is your opinion of Noam Chomsky?
Feh. Screw that guy.I wrote why on my website, something like 20 years ago (ignore the update date): Anti-Chomsky: English. I was somewhat aghast around 2000, when David Horowitz got in touch with me, asking for permission to quote me.I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about him. (Chomsky, I mean. But not Horowitz either, for that matter.) But:Chomsky was necessary in the 1960s, for introducing the study of syntax into linguistics.Chomsky had a destructive influence on linguistics, by creating a monoculture of linguistic inquiry in the American East Coast and Europe.I am embarrassed, as a linguist, that discourse analysis was pioneered by sociologists, because no linguist thought Saussurean parole was worth their attention.It’s a monoculture that cannot long outlast his force of personality. Brian Collins tells me it’s already started: Brian Collins's answer to Where is Chomskyan Linguistics heading post-Chomsky?The things Chomsky & co find interesting about language, I don’t. In fact, noone in Australia does, outside of the University of New England.Chomsky came to town in 1995 and visited my department; I was a vacation scholar at the time in Sydney, and saw him there instead. All my profs had lunch with him. And they couldn’t think of a thing to say to him. They were fieldwork linguists, after all.His theory of language sounds tenuous to me. It may not lack explanatory adequacy, but it certainly lacks explanatory oomph.Politically, he says the kind of things that comes as a revelation to an engaged 20-year old. And, regrettably, attracts the kind of cult of personality that 20-year olds are prone to: there’s a graffiti mural of him on my way to work. To a jaded 40-year old, they’re a mix of “yeah, so what?” and “God, could you be any more naive?”As a polemicist, both in linguistics and politics, he’s an objectionable so-and-so, who defines his interlocutors away.As a writer, he’s an obfuscator. The Chomskybot has a lot more.
Your opinion on a lighthearted Sonnet?
I haven't been to sleep in two days, and my pen just won't stop thinking. I fear I may have to run out of ink first..... My Word I am but written words upon a page, My verse are formed from thoughts acquired through age. While wisdom often leaves before I speak, I stick to writing, then my words I tweak. What better way is there, I ask, than this, To measure every vowel just how I wish. And speak with pen in such a metered way, That listeners hear song in all I say! So if you tend to blurt before you think, Try writing thoughts on paper, use some ink. You then can throw away what sounds unkind, And manage still to speak your piece of mind. If only I could practice what I preach, Then wisdom would be always within reach!
Does my sonnet make sense? Opinions please!!?
We have to write a sonnet on 'Time' for English. This is what I have so far... But I'm not sure if it makes sense or is very good: Time I know that in five-hundred years of time This voice will not be heard - lost forever. They won’t want to read this pathetic rhyme Of a Senior School English endeavour. But as I sit with my pad on my knees And my pencil - immortal old graphite Through thinking of Shakespears’ sonnet decrees About love, old age, death and the moonlight... I know I cannot write good metaphors But the hands keep on moving, tick tock tock I only have until Friday at one So I’ve got to get past this writers’ block. This won’t be remembered, but took a while At least I hope that it makes people smile. Please tell me what you think I could do to improve it!! Thanks =]
In your opinion what language has the best literature?
Complex question!My first thought was Spanish. Of course I am biased, but the Baroque period of Spanish literature, the Golden Era, is best enjoyed to the point of tears when you hear and read the works in Spanish.This is the time period that produced Don Quijote de la Mancha, as well as the major poetic and theatrical works of the Baroque period (think: Sor Juana, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Juana Ines de la Cruz, Lope de Vega, Quevedo, Quiroga, etc.).From a “modern” perspective, the same thing happens with Latin American magical realism, such as García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Esquivel,. Even the rogue and fantastic Argentinian modern fiction by Airas can be best enjoyed when read in Spanish.This, even considering how drastically different the Spanish semantics and overall general language are used in each one of the different 21 countries that speak it.But it is not that simple:I also read and write fluently in French and I am a total FOOL for all things French Decadence, i.e. Joris-Karl Huysmans, Flaubert, DeMaupassant——and this is an essential foundation to understand the “Yellow 90s” of the Victorian Literature period in England, who produced the mega superstars of that decade, including Oscar Wilde and the likes, along with the “scandalous” pieces that landed some of them in huge trouble. That literature? Yep, I am crazy about it too.Of course, when it comes to works that hit the core of your heart, there is nothing like Russian literature. The limitations of man are tested in those works which share themes of poverty, loneliness, social discrimination, mental despair, guilt, duty, honor, and really really bad luck. To hear them read to you in the native language, as you follow as best as you can with two manuscripts is a truly awesome and interesting experience.And, of course there are the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius and the plethora of rich, amazing and soul-lifting works in Latin and Greek that built the foundations of history.Lets we forget the Hellenistic Jewish lit, and all other ancient manuscripts that are still relevant to us today.Ahhhh. So, wow! To pick ONE seems very hard to me. STILL THINKING….Result: I am going to go with Spanish on this one because of the old saying, which is actually a bit mega prejudiced, but it is a very old saying:You romance in FrenchYou sing in ItalianYou command in GermanYou speak to God in Spanish—-again I am biased LOL—-
Your interpretation of this poem please? (:?
Here is the poem: I’m trying to find something to base my life upon, Something in this strange world that goes on and on. As the years go by and time fades away, What used to be "good days" are now filled with dismay. Tomorrow comes, and then again, it goes, And my ambition to become something more, grows and grows. Around the corner, yet miles away, The life I want now, gets closer each day. All I've ever wanted was something to live for, I don’t want to be this little person anymore. I’ve been basing my life upon what others think, I wish I could go back and redo everything, every time an eye would blink. I've fought to become who I am and what I want to be, I have to remind myself that one day, I will be free. Free from the rules I followed as a child, When everything was a game and life was so mild. Now times have changed and I realize nothing is fair, And sometimes it seems like nobody even cares. It’s like no one pays attention to what I feel is best for me, And what I think about the way some things should be. I understand now, that I’m pretty much on my own, And I know a lot of what I can do will never be known. All the time, I think about everything I can’t say, what I have to keep in, And by doing this, my thoughts only get more complicated and deepen. Soon I hope to find out who I am, and what I am meant to become, I want to know where I’m going, I don’t need to be reminded of where I came from. I just want you to describe what this poem means to you on a basic level and on a deeper level too. Thank you! xx
Question about "the silence of the lambs"?
No, the only sex and nudity elements in the film are these: -A man masturbates and throws semen at a woman, hitting her in the face. No explicit nudity is seen, but you see his body moving and you hear him panting. -A man in drag dances in front of a mirror with his genitals tucked between his legs. -A breast can briefly be seen Check here for the parents guide: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/pare... I highly suggest you do not watch it with your sister. Unless she is comfortable with that kind of material, The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most disturbing and terrifying films of our time. The concept alone fairly merits a rated R limitation. I saw it at 18 and had a tough time sleeping for a few nights. Just a word of caution. It is very, very good though.
How is my poem Supergirl?
This is a short poem I wrote called Supergirl. Hope you like it. It’s easier to cry And let the tears come down To strain your heart And drown in it with tears Swirling around I know I’m super girl I put up a good fight Sorry, I’m just independent But emotions are my kryptonite I want to back down, but I want to stand strong And sometimes I just don’t get How the capes so wrong I’m just trying to be super girl Not sure who that’s supposed to me But sorry, I’m still human And super girl’s not me
How does this poem sound? I hade to write a nature poem for english class give me your honest opinion?
The soothing sea As I look out at the sea I feel a calmness a urge of security. I smell the air of the salt water and the upcoming sun rise. I see the horizon from the surface of the sea its such a beautiful sight. I see crimson waves flowing like a silk kite along the shore line of the aqua blue water. I feel at ease and peaceful like I am one with the sea and one with nature. I feel free like a gust of wind free like a bird soaring through the sky. I feel unstoppable.