The Status Of The Arabic Language

The Status Of The Arabic Language Arabic is one of the widespread spoken languages among Arab speakers, especially in the Middle East and North Africa and its considered the central language of Semitic languages such as Hebrew and Aramaic languages (Zeina, 2008). Arabic is spoken by more than 280 million people as a first language and by 250 million as a second language. Regardless of the different varieties, there are three basic Arabics. To put it clearly, there are three types of Arabic: the classical language, the modern standard language and colloquial language (Zeina, 2008, Gonzalo, 2005). The first one is the language of the Holy Quran which is used by all Muslim people who perform their prayers or read the Holy Quran whether they understand what they read or not (Zeina, 2008). As for the Modern Standard Arabic, it was derived from the Classical Arabic and it is widely used in formal situations such as schools, universities, courts, government and the media. Regarding the last one, it is substantially used in daily life situations and activities among people. Arabic language is different from other languages; it has a system of its own (Back Walter Tim, 2004). It consists of 28 letters, 25 of them are consonant letters and the other three are vowels (Hattami, 2010). There is not capital letters and small letters. Moreover, it has a unique and different style because it starts from right to left in both reading and writing. (Zeina, 2008). The relationship between Arabic and other languages such as Hebrew, English, Spanish, Sicilian, and other European languages is a strong related one. It is common that languages borrow some lexical items from one another. Arabic has borrowed many words from English and other languages and other languages have done the same thing as well (wajih, 1991). In other words, Arabic has borrowed words from many languages, including Hebrew, Persian and Syriac in early centuries, Turkish in medieval times and contemporary European languages in modern times. In short, the Arabic language is a common language among Arab speakers and its roots have been taken from the Holy Quran which is considered the source of all literary works and poetry in the Arab world and all linguists refer to it when they search for some explanations of some words and meanings. Moreover, Arabic with its different writing system and varieties, it has a real and close contact to other languages, especially English. In this written assignment, I will be briefly touching on certain points. Firstly, the description of vowels and consonants found in the Arabic and English languages, and the comparison between them. Secondly, some problems that learners of the Arabic language might have in learning English. In spite of the similarities between the consonantal systems of English and Arabic, there are some differences in some aspects. For example, the Arabic language has uvular sounds Ghain / /, Qaaf, //, and Khaa //, the pharyngeal sounds Ain // and Haa // (Harakat, 1998), and emphatic sounds two plosives, / / and / /, and two fricatives, / / and / (Al-Muhtaseb et al., 2000; Ouni et al., 2005; Selouania and Caelen, 1998). These sounds actually give the Arabic language its own distinctive property. Since each language has its own system, as mentioned above, Arabic and English share common consonant sounds and some restricted-language sounds.(Eid, 2006). 1-Arabic consonant sounds The Arabic language has some consonant sounds that are not existed in the English language. In fact, there are 28 consonants in Arabic, eight stops, thirteen fricatives, one affricate, two nasals, two liquids and two glides (Mousa M. Amayreh, 2003). The following table illustrates the place, manner, and voicing of Arabic consonants. Consonant Chart for Arabic 2-English consonant sounds In English phonetics we describe consonants according to three criteria: place of articulation, manner of articulation and voicing. There are 25 consonants in English, six stops, nine fricatives, two affricates, three nasals, two glides, and two liquids. (Eid, 2006). The following table illustrates the place, manner, and voicing of English consonants. Consonant Chart for English 3- Comparison of English and Arabic consonants This part is a comparison between English and Arabic consonants. Some tables and other illustrations are provided below: 3.1 Stops Based on the tables above, one can clearly say that there are eight plosives in Arabic [ b,d,t,k,d,t,q,?] while there are six plosives in English [ ph,b,t,k,d,g]. The English language lacks the equivalents of the Arabic emphatics [dØ ¸, tØ · ], the uvular [qÙ‚] and the glottal stop [?Ù†¡]. On the other hand, the Arabic language also lacks some equivalents of the English plosives [ph, g]. The result of such difference results in some difficulties for students and speakers. As we will see later on, the difficulties that face Arab learners towards pronouncing vowels and consonants. The following table summarizes the difference between Arabic and English plosives with IPA symbols. 3.2 Fricatives The English language has nine fricatives in the labio-denteal interdental, dento-alveolar and glottal areas i.e. most of its fricatives are in the front half of the vocal tract, while the Arabic language has thirteen ranging from the labiodental to the glottal areas. In addition to that, it also has parts of uvular [ xØ ®, Ø ¹] and pharyngeal fricatives [hØ ­, Ø ¹] as well as two emphatic ones (Eid, 2006). The following table summarizes the difference between Arabic and English fricatives with IPA symbols. 3.3 Affricates There are two basic affricates in English a voiceless post-alveolar affricate [th] and a voiced post-alveolar affricate [d3] while Arabic has only one affricate, a voiced post-alveolar one [d3] (Hattami, 2010). However, some Arabic dialects, such as the Iraqi one, have [th] sound and this helps Iraqi learners speak words containing such sound properly. (Andrzej Rouag, 1993, Hattami, 2010). 3.4 Nasals The English language has three nasal sounds [m,n,g] while Arabic has only two [m,n ] (Hattami, 2010). That is, the Arabic language lacks the [g] sound which is considered an allophone of [n] before velar and uvular stops, as in: English and Arabic have the same [m] and this doesnt cause problems. On the other hand, [n] is alveolar in English while it is dental in Arabic. English and Arabic nasal sounds 3.5 Approximants There are three differences between the approximants of Arabic and English. First, English has the nasal sound [g] while it is not found in the Arabic language. Second, [r] in Arabic does not follow the approximants but the un-sustained or R-sound (Odisho, 2003b). Third, the English approximant [r] causes problems for Arab learners. 3.6 Laterals There is only one lateral sound in English [l] while the Arabic language has two: non-emphatic one [l] and emphatic one [L] (Andrzej Rouag, 1993, Hattami, 2010), as in: 3.7 Flab The phonemic system of English language does not have the so-called flap sound. However, the system of the Arabic language may be a source of substitutions for the English / r/s. (Andrzej Rouag, 1993, Hattami, 2010) 4. Consonantal problems Arab learners face in learning English Since each language has a sound system and regardless of the similarities between these languages, there, indeed, must be some differences which cause problems for learners of languages. Thus, once the Arab learners are willing to learn the English language, they may make unconscious mistakes resulting from either the interference of the two languages or unawareness of the sound systems of each language or the inexistence of certain sounds. (Hattami, 2010) A list of such problems is outlined below: /p/ as stated earlier, English has the consonant aspirated sound /p/, and /b/, whereas there is only /b/ /Ø ¨/ in Arabic. In the result, Arab learners may not be able to differentiate between these two sounds and make mistakes when pronouncing them and replace /b/ in replace of /p/. For instance, / picture/ / bicture/. /g/ the standard Arabic does not consider /g/ as a fixed sound in its sound system, but in some Arabic dialects, this sound is considered such as the Egyptian dialect. Mostly, all Arab learners of English face difficulty in differentiating between them, and they substitute the Arabic /k/ for the English /g/. For example, /game/ / kame/. / tà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‚ «/ this sound is not also existed in the sound system of standard Arabic. However, it can be found in some Arabic dialects such as the Iraqi dialect. The counter-consonant in standard Arabic is /k/. Arab learners of English may have problems in the sound / tà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‚ «/ and they may tend to simplify this sound to / à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‚ «/ .Consequently, this results in wrong pronunciation of / tà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‚ «/. For example, chair- shair. / Æ ·/ In some cases, the simplification of / dÊ’/ to / Æ ·/ is also found. Some Arabic dialects accept this sound such as Syrian and Lebanese ones. Speakers may simplify / / to / / such as / / / / . / Ã…Å  / doesnt exist in Arabic at all, in English, it has a restriction on occurrence: it doesnt occur initially. It only occurs medially and finally. For example, finger and sing. Consequently, an Arab student who learns English is strongly conditioned by the context in which allophone /Ã…Å  / occurs and will tend to insert the conditioning /k g / such as: Singing -Think . Conclusion I have presented a brief comparison between the consonant systems of English and Arabic. I have also listed some problems in pronouncing individual consonants faced by Arabic speakers and learners of English. According to (Hattami, 2010), the remedial solution can be placed on teachers. Teachers have to be fully aware of the two sound systems and then prepare remedial drills and train students to avoid such problems in learning and speaking. Arabic consonants. Adopted from (Hattami, 2010) English consonants. Adopted from (Hattami, 2010) 2- Arabic and English Vowels Like consonants, English and Arabic have different systems of vowels. They share three common vowels / / while English is characterized by four own vowels / / and only one vowel is restricted to Arabic/ /. Moreover, a laconic overview of the vowel systems of each language will be outlined below and then a comparison will also be provided. 2.1 Arabic vowels The Arabic vowel system has six vowel sounds, three short vowels and three long ones. (Eid, 2006). These are outlined below: 2.1.1 Short vowels: Fatha: the first short vowel in Arabic. Fatha is a diagonal stroke written above the consonant which precedes it in pronunciation. Its pronounced like A in English. For example, the Arabic consonant  ºÃ‚ = b in English, if we put the Fatha ÙÅ ½ above the consonant  ºÃ‚ , it will produce the sound  ºÃ‚  = ba in English. Another example is /Bat/. Damma: the second short vowel in Arabic. Damma is an apostrophe-like shape written above the consonant which precedes it in pronunciation its pronounced like o or u in English. For example, if you put Damma Ù  above the consonant  ºÃ‚ , it will produce the sound  ºÃ‚  and pronounce like /bo/ in the word / but /. Kasra: The third short vowel in Arabic is Kasra. Kasra is a diagonal stroke written below the consonant which precedes it in pronunciation, its the only short vowel that comes under the consonants, if we put Ù  under the sound  ºÃ‚  it will be pronounced like /be/ in English. Another example is / bit /. 2.1.2 Long vowels: Long vowels in Arabic are Alif /  ºÃ‚  / which is pronounced like /aa/ in English , Waw /  »Ã‚ ® / which is pronounced like /uu/ in English , and /  »Ã‚ ±/ which is pronounced like /ii/ in English. Alif / Ø / comes in three various situations front, central, and back. For example, in the word Ø ¨ÃƒËœÃƒËœÃ‚ ¨ which means door in English, the /aa/ is front vowel. A central vowel like bar, and back vowel like low. Another example is the English word / father / and / bat /. -Waw: / Ùˆ / the second long vowel in Arabic, its pronounced like /uu/ in English. For example Ø ªÃƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ ÃƒËœÃ‚ ª which means blueberry and is pronounced as /toot/ in English. Another example is the word / moon/. -Ya: / ii / the third long vowel in Arabic, we can pronounce it like /ii/ in English. For example Ø ¹ÃƒËœÃ‚ ±ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¨Ãƒâ„¢Ã…   which relates to s/body Arabic, and pronounce /arabii/ in English. Another example is the word / sheep/. As for diphthongs and tripthongs, linguists are reluctant to accept the existence of these sounds in Arabic. (Odisho, p, 49). Arabic Name Arabic Romanization Vowel fatha(t) opening (of lips) Ù Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ªÃƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ÃƒËœÃ‚ ­Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ a Short A a As in accept, ascend alif mamdooda(t) extended alif Ø £Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒâ„¢Ã‚ Ãƒâ„¢Ã‚ Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ Ù†¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ aa Long A Ä  As in man, can kasra(t) breaking (of sound) ÙƒÙÅ ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ³Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ÃƒËœÃ‚ ±Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ i Short I i As in sit, hit yaa extended yaa ÙÅ  ÃƒËœÃƒËœÃ‚ ¡Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ Ù†¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ ee Long I Ä « As in feel, deal damma(t) joining (of lips) Ø ¶Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ u Short U u As in put, foot waaw mamdooda(t) extended waaw ÙˆØÙˆÙŒ Ù†¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ ÃƒËœÃ‚ ¯Ãƒâ„¢Ã… ½ÃƒËœÃ‚ ©Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ oo Long U Ã…Â « As in sure, roof sukoon stillness Ø ³Ãƒâ„¢Ã‚ Ãƒâ„¢Ã†â€™Ãƒâ„¢Ã‹â€ Ãƒâ„¢Ã¢â‚¬  Ãƒâ„¢Ã…’ No following vowel As in stay, drag Short and long Arabic vowels in Arabic: 2.2 English vowels The English language is rich in vowels, both simple and diphthongs. Simple vowels are divided into short and long. As it is shown in tables below, we have six short vowels and five long vowels while there are eight diphthongs.(Eid, 2006). They are produced when airstream is voiced through the vibration of the vocal cords. Vowel consonants can be classified as: vowel tongue height (close, mid, open) by raising or lowering the tongue; vowel tongue position(front, center, back) by advancing the body of the tongue; and lip rounding(spread, natural, and rounded). Monophthongs Short Long Front Back Front Central Close http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_i.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_u.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ii.jpg Mid http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_e.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ee.jpg Open http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ae.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_o.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_aa.jpg Lips loosely spread. Tongue lax with less tension than / i: / Bid)) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_i.jpg Lips loosely spread and slightly wider apart than / É ª / (bed) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_e.jpg Lips neutrally open and slightly wider apart than / e / Bat)) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ae.jpg Lips loose, but closely rounded. Tongue not as tense as in / u: / (good) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_u.jpg Lips neutrally open. Open jaws. Centralized quality.(cut) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpg Open lip-rounding, wide open jaws, back of tongue low.(pot) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_o.jpg Lips spread. Tongue tense (front raised) with sides touching upper molars. (bead) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ii.jpg Lips neutrally spread. Tongue slightly higher than /Éâ„ ¢/ (no firm contact with upper molars). (girl) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ee.jpg Lips neutrally open and jaws far apart. Centre to back of tongue fully open. (car) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_aa.jpg Lips closely rounded. Back of tongue high. Tense compared with /ÊÅ  /. (booed) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_uu.jpg Medium lip rounding. Tongue drawn back making no contact with upper molars.(bought) http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_oo.jpg Lips in neutral position. Centralized. Tongue slightly higher than in /ÊŒ/. (teacher) http://www.btinternet.com/~ted.power/ph07.gif Diphthongs Closing Centering to /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_i_bg.jpg/ to /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_u_bg.jpg/ Starting close http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ie.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ue.jpg Starting mid http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ei.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_oi.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_eu.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ee3.jpg Starting open http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ai.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_au.jpg http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ei.jpg Bay, say http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_oi.jpg Boy, foil http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ai.jpg Reply, high http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_eu.jpg Toe, show http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_au.jpg Cow, how http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ie.jpg Beer, http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ue.jpg boor http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ee3.jpg Bear, 3- Comparison of English and Arabic vowels 3.1- Front vowels In the English sound system there are five phonemes. On the other hand, Arabic has four phonemes. English Arabic two in the high area / I / higher high and /i/. lower high two in the high area one in the mid area /e/. two in the low area / / high long, / /. High short two in the low area 3.2- Back vowels English has five phonemes while Arabic has only two. English Arabic two in the low area / / low, low, back / / higher low back Two back phonemes One in the mid area / / mid back Two in the high area / / lower high back / /higher high back. 3.3- Central vowels English has two central vowels while Arabic has no central vowels. English One mid-central / / Non-mid central / / 4- Problems Arab learners encounter in vowels: /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpg/, most Arab learners pronounce the /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpg/ sound, which produces when the tongue is more central and the lips are relaxed, as /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ae.jpg/ instead of /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpg/. For example, the word cup as /khttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ae.jpgp/ instead of /khttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_a.jpgp/. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_e.jpg/, Arab speakers tend to lengthen the short vowel /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_e.jpg/, as in the words pet and men. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_i.jpg/, which is produced when the tongue is more front and little high. For example, the word sit which pronounce as /set/ instead of /shttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_i.jpgt/. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_au.jpg/ which supposed to pronounce by using the tongue central, then tightly round the lips. For example, the word note /nhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_o.jpgt/ instead of the correct pronounce /nhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_au.jpgt/. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ei.jpg/, which produces when the tongue moves from front center to front high. For example, the word late, Arabic speakers pronounce it like /let/ instead of /lhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ei.jpgt/. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ie.jpg/, tongue high and front then move to center. For example, the word beer as /beÉâ„ ¢(r)/ instead of /bhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_ie.jpg(r)/. /http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_oo.jpg/, which produced by moving the tongue low, back and fixed. Jaws together. For example, the word bought /bhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_eu.jpgt/ instead of the correct pronounce /bhttp://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/images/ipa/ipa_oo.jpgt/. Conclusion In this short part, a distinction between English and Arabic vowels sounds is given. The distinction showed some similarities and differences between the two systems. Some tables and figures have been given to illustrate the difference vividly.

Ap Economics

Component #1: Terms scarcity-The basic condolence problem that arises because people have unlimited wants but resources are limited. Americans In recent years had to cut back on lavish goods because of the scarcity of money. Economics- The science that deals with the production, dilutions, and consumption of goods and services, or the material welfare of humankind. Economics involves many issues in the economy of the country and world, from politics to money. Efficiency-A broad term that implies an economic state in which every resource is optimally allocated to serve each person in the best way while minimizing waste and Inefficiency.Economic efficiency can be used In microeconomics when discussing p rod Lice Equity- The property tot distributing economic prosperity fairly among the members of society. If the rich contribute more In taxes, there would be a bigger distribution of equity. Opportunity Cost- The money or other benefits lost when pursuing a particular course tot action I nstead tot a mutually-exclusive alternative. Our companies 3rd quarter opportunity costs were extensive and will take awhile to recover Incentive-A cost or benefit that motivates a decision or action by consumers, businesses, or other participants In the economy.The Incentive for a new CEO turned UT to be quite beneficial. Productivity-A measure relating a quantity or quality tot output to the inputs required to produce It. If productivity continues to fall, our profits will soon follow. Inflation-The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and, subsequently, purchasing power Is falling. The current low Interest rates for bank loans risks Inflation of the dollar. Business Cycle- A cycle or series tot cycles tot economic expansion and contraction.The current business cycle Is bad, leading the CEO to make a few cutbacks Microeconomics-The part of economics about single factors and the effects of individual decisions. Microeconomics can be applied in budgets, businesses, politics, and finances to determine trends of Individual consumers. Macroeconomics-The part of economics concerned with large-scale or general economic factors, such as Interest rates and national productivity. When seen on a macroeconomic point tot view, nigh productivity can boost, rather than reduce, economic growth.Demand-An economic principle that describes a consumer's desire and willingness to pay a price for a specific good or service. As Apple moves forward in revolutionize electronics, the demand for their products rises. Supply-A fundamental economic concept that describes the total amount of a specific DOD or service that is available to consumers. The high supply of oil was beneficial to the economy due to the sudden decrease of foreign oil imports. Component #2: Problems 1) Describe some trade-offs faced by each of the following: a) A family deciding whether to buy a new car.A family that is deciding to buy a car might have to face, depending on t he expense of the car and financial status of the family, major cut backs on money to afford it. These cutbacks might affect unnecessary things like: dining out, doing expensive activities, vacations, etc. This all deals with scarcity; the family wants a new car, but might not have the financial meaner to do so. B) A member of Congress deciding how much to spend on national parks. A member of congress deciding how much to spend on national parks has plenty of trade offs.The funding of the park is determined by many things including incentives, demand, and opportunity cost. If congress were to fund national parks more they may have to cut funding to other causes, but if they cut funding to the parks, then the money gained could go into a better cause. C) A company president deciding whether to open a new factory. If a company president were to pen a new factory, the demand for that companies product would have to be high. However, for the president to open up a different facility, he may have to make cut backs on employees in the current facility for budget purposes.If the president decides not to open a new factory, this might lead to low efficiency and slow down the expansion of productivity. D)A teacher deciding how much to prepare for class. If a teacher were to prepare minimally for class, he/she may run into a very busy schedule somewhere down the road. However, if the teacher were to plan accordingly and periodically, he/she would be able to be properly prepared for the lass. If this were to happen, the teacher would have less pressure for assignments. This all has to deal with efficiency, productivity, and incentive.The teachers incentive is to not be deleted with class preparations, so he/she would nave to work efficiently to reach the optimum productivity. 2) Discuss each of the following statements from the standpoints of equity and efficiency. A) â€Å"Everyone in society should be guaranteed the best healthcare possible. † If everyone were t o be guaranteed the best healthcare possible, efficiency would have to be very high to have the capability to divide healthcare among the population. Right now it would be hard to do because we don't have high economic prosperity to spread.This could very well never happen because equity and efficiency clash when it comes to government policies. The reason they clash is because when the government tries to spread wealth evenly, efficiency shrinks. B) â€Å"When workers are laid off, they should be able to collect unemployment benefits until they find a new Job. † When workers receive unemployment, they are getting a cut of the economic pie which is equity. During these times when unemployment is high, the size of the economic pie, efficiency, is small because the overspent is distributing a large amount money to the unemployed.If the government were to issue unemployment until they find a Job it would cause an economic down fall. People are sitting around getting paid, why wo uld they go out and get a Job, it is something else that people will Just take advantage of, like welfare. So, in essence, it would end up hurting the government more than it would help. 3) In what ways is your standard of living different from that of your parent's or grandparent's when they were you age? Why have these changes occurred? There has been a big change in the standard of living even from my parent's time to owe let alone when my grandparent's were my age.We are now living in a technological age where everything is documented, sent, communicated, and even surveyed on electronics. People in the ass's (when my parent's were my age) were lucky to have their own television let alone a cell phone or car. Nowadays, teens have cars, TV's laptops, smoothness, etc. At their fingertips to use at their command. Back then not very many people had the resources or meaner to obtain electronic devices. Many of the things we have now, my grandparent's didn't. My grandmother didn't even have an electric oven, she had a coal one to cook on.When my grandfather came here off of the boat, he got a Job paying 23 cents an hour. So, its not only material things that have changed in the standard of living, but wages too. People are paid so much more now than in the ass's, but with the raise of wages, brought along inflation. These changes have occurred because of the changes in education and regulations. People now more than ever are going to college to get a degree in whatever it is they want to pursue. With knowledge comes better products that are more efficient and easier to use.With the change in regulations came changes in minimum wage, laws, and codes that have to be kept up with. Component Applications (See next full page for article) This article posted by The New York Times states that although unemployment is lowering, it is doing it in a rather slow and steady pace. Stocks prices have risen and are staying high along with mortgage loans and many others. Since t he Job market is growing at a slow rate, banks are now going to start raising interest and lengthening loan terms.As anticipated, the economy is expanding in the right ways. If as many lobs are created in July and August as they were in June, then the economy is on the dad to recovery. The Principal of Economics in which this would apply most to would be number 10 (Society Faces a Short-run Trade-off between Inflation and Unemployment. The reason that this article applies specifically to this principle is because in the article it is explained that unemployment is lowering and because of that, interest rates are rising.This explains the short-run trade-offs. Also, since unemployment is lowering, inflation will occur because they will now have the money to buy goods and services. Nntp:/ . Anytime. Com/201 06/business/economy-adds-1 Jobs-as- unemployment-rate-remains-at-7-6. HTML? Ref=desperate;_r=O Steady Growth AS U. S. Games 195,000 New Jobs data on Friday offered hope for this elu sive middle ground in the economy, as the Federal Reserve wrestles with when to ease its stimulus efforts without endangering the recovery and the markets.The pace of Job creation in June was sufficient to please investors and keep the central bank on course to slowly begin pulling back on its major bond-buying program this fall. But the Job gains were muted enough to calm worries of an abrupt exit by the Fed, a fear that has weighed on the markets lately. The employment report, which showed the economy added 195,000 Jobs, was the first since the Fed chairman, Ben S. Brenan, said in June that policy makers were ready to begin tapering the stimulus later this year if the labor market continued to improve.The Jobless rate was unchanged, at 7. 6 percent. The timing of the Fed action is critical. The central banks program of buying $85 billion a month in Treasury securities and mortgage-backed bonds has not only kept long- term interest rates low for borrowers, including big companies a s well as individual home buyers, it has also helped prop up Wall Street. The possibility that the Fed sight move more quickly than expected to dial back the program has prompted investors to sell both stocks and bonds in the last six weeks and has raised rates on mortgages and other loans.Buoyed by the promise of moderate economic growth and a slow but steady tapering on the part of the Fed, traders pushed the stock market higher on Friday, with major indexes gaining about 1 percent. The 195,000 lobs added in June was significantly above the 165,000 monthly pace analysts had been expecting. And the government sharply revised upward figures for Job gains in April and May, increasing the average monthly gain in the first half of 2013 to 202,000 bobs. But the picture painted by the data hardly reflected a booming economy.The unemployment rate, which is based on a different survey from the one that tracks Job creation, remained stuck at 7. 6 percent, far higher than the historical patt ern for this stage of a recovery. Other measures of Joblessness actually rose, with the broadest one that includes workers forced to accept part-time positions Jumping to 14. 3 percent, from 13. 8 percent. â€Å"Beyond the headline numbers for Job growth, it gets a little more mixed,† said Jan Hiatus, chief economist at Goldman Cash. â€Å"There is still a lot of slack in the labor market.Although the economy has held up better than some analysts expected in the face of tax increases and automatic cuts in federal spending this year, overall growth in economic output NAS also been tepid economy grew at an annual rate of 1. 8 percent in the first quarter, short of what's needed to quickly lower the unemployment rate. Still, the Job figures for June were enough to prompt Mr.. Hiatus and other leading economists on Wall Street to predict that the Fed could announce a shift in policy in September, rather than waiting until December. This was a solid report and it will be seen by the Fed as fully consistent tit tapering in September,† said Dean Make, chief United States economist at Barclay. In addition, Mr.. Make noted, average hourly earnings rose 2. 2 percent year- over-year, a pace that is near a high for this recovery. Before setting a firm date, Fed policy makers will be closely watching to see if the Job market maintains momentum through July and August. â€Å"It's not a done deal in September, Just more likely,† Mr.. Hiatus said. That was benign enough for traders on Friday. The Standard ; Poor's stock index rose 16. 8, or 1. 02 percent, to 1,631. 89, while the DOD Jones industrial average Jumped 147. 9, or 0. 98 percent, to 15,135. 84, and the Nasdaq gained 35. 71, or 1. 04 percent, to finish the day at 3,479. 38. In the bond market, interest rates moved higher, as investors dumped debt on anticipation of faster growth and quicker Fed action. The 10-year Treasury note fell 1 30/32, to 91 17/32, while its yield Jumped to 2. 74 percent, f rom 2. 50 percent late Wednesday. The Feeds stance has bolstered long- term rates, but the central bank is expected to keep short-term rates low at least until 2015.Component #4: Journal Entry 1: Uh-oh: Americans favor cash over stocks for long-term investments http:// none. CNN. Com/2013/07/29/investing/cash-investments/index. HTML? Did=HP_LEN http:// MN. Wanders. Com/ (definitions) Even Though we are on a slow track to an economic recovery, people still have a mind-set that the economy is in recession. So, instead of people investing in long term investments, gold, stocks, real estate, etc. They are keeping it away in savings with very low interest rates. In a 2013 Banknote survey, over 26% of Americans prefer cash for long term investments.Getting cash for long term investments might not be such a good idea seeing as how you might come up short in the long run when it moms to education, children, and even retirement. Interest rate is a widely used term but many might not know the true definition of the word. The percentage of a sum of money charged for its use is the definition of interest rate. An investment is something you put time or money into to hopefully get something out of it in the future. This article is pretty much all about investments.Entry 2 The Senate on Wednesday approved a bipartisan deal that ensures lower interest rates on loans for students heading to college this fall. Http://money. CNN. Com/ 2013/07/24/news/economy/senate-student-loans/index. HTML http:// On July 24th the senate decided that bringing down interest rates on student loans was something they needed to do. On July 1st of this year, a new interest rate was set a 6. 8%, but was cut in half now at 3. 86%. This 3. 86% interest is not going to hold over the years anticipating the growth of the economy. Students are to expect a 1% interest increase every year reaching 7% in the year of 2017.Although, there are requirements and provisions to applying for these low interest rates many people qualify for them. The students loan can not be a private loan but instead a Stafford In these improving economic times many things are changing, for example interest rates for students. After reading this article I gained the knowledge of knowing that the senate passed on lowering the rates to 3. 86. I am attending college the following year after I graduate and it is important that I know these things so I can plan accordingly. There were some words that I didn't know and one of them was provisions.A provision is an arrangement or preparation beforehand. Another word I was unsure of was subsidize, meaning pay part of the cost of producing (something) to reduce prices for the buyer. Another term I was unsure was a Stafford Loan; this is a student loan offered to eligible students enrolled in accredited American institutions of higher education. Entry 3: http://money. CNN. Com/2013/07/1 5/investing/stocks-markets/index. HTML www. Answers. Com (definitions) Stocks gain as earnings come into focus For this week in the economy world the DOD and NASDAQ closed at record highs in over a decade. Both stocks bumped up about 0. %, Just enough to set a new record. However, the companies in S;P 500 are expected to have a lower than ever growth. Coming in at less than 0. 1% for the quarter. Although companies under S;P 500 are optimistic to beat the low expectations to come. Along with the growth in the DOD and NASDAQ comes the New York Federal Reserve which rose 1. 8% in the region of manufacturing. Some stocks are projected to better in the coming quarters of the year; but some others, not so much. Since economics is mostly about stocks, government, and economy, I decided to pick this article to get a better idea on all of those perspectives.I learned particularly from this article that stocks for this quarter in the year are better than expected, but others are projected to have little growth. I also learned some new vocabulary words. Federal Reserve is a w ord that was not so much new to me, but not fully understood. The Federal Reserve is the banking authority in the US that implements functions of the central banking system. The next next term I learned isn't so much a word, but a department. The Census Bureau, something that gives demographic information to the people of the United States.There weren't many new words or phrases learned trot this pa Entry 4: reticular article, rather intimation on the current stock situations. Http://management. Fortune. CNN. Com/2013/07/0314-reasons-to-stay- in-your-current- bob-for-now/ wry. Answers. Com/ 4 reasons to stay in your current Job (for now) For those who are looking to quit their Job and find a new one, hang in there a little longer. In this article, it is stated that although the economy is growing, stock are rising, and interest rates are higher, you should stay in your current Job for now.The article is backed up with reliable statistics that shows unemployment dropping (at a slow r ate). A survey says that about 64% of Americans have gotten a Job offer from a different company in the last year. The quitting rate for Jobs in April was 39% when he unemployment was a little higher than usual. The first of the four reasons to keep the current Job you are in is â€Å"It is still a buyers market and competition is fierce. † The next reasoning is â€Å"New hires are under pressure. † The third reason, a rather good one, â€Å"Last hired, first fired. And lastly, â€Å"Different isn't always better. † This article was a rather large one, packed with good information on the condition of the economy and projections on the economy. I learned that the unemployed are more optimistic than they were two years ago when applying for a Job. I also learned why people should wait to switch Jobs until the economy is growing at a faster rate. The word â€Å"feeler† was new to me, meaning a proposal intended to ascertain an attitude or opinion. Another t erm that I wasn't familiar with was compensation package.This is the combination of salary and benefits that a company is will to offer to applicants and employees. Entry 5: http://money. CNN. Com/2013/06/18/if/healthcare-costs/index. HTML . Answers. Com/ Health care costs to slow in 2014 Many people in the US are going on without healthcare. This is a serious risk financially and physically to themselves and their family. Although, health care wont save everyone from the rise in doctor visits, drugs, and surgeries. When the AC (Affordable Care Act) fully kicks in during the year of 2014, insurance rates for health care providers will raise 6. %. This spike in the rate is typically used by insurers to set premiums. Treatments for MS and cancer are expected to Jump the most at 22% in 2014. This news is making consumers change their behavior. Many people have switched to less-expensive health care services such as walk in clinics and urgent care units. I gained awareness in this artic le that the cost for insurance will rise along with he cost of the actual drugs and services. There were no new terms that were learned, it was mostly things happening in the health care system that are changing.I learned also that many people have switched from hospitals to clinics because of the cost. Along with that, people are limiting doctor visits and delaying procedures. Many people are outraged at the spike in rates, and aren't sure its a good plan. Entry 6 http://money. CNN. Com/2013/07/16/news/economy/ICP-inflation/index. .Answers. Com Prices climb in June, but annual inflation still tame In the month of June inflation rose 0. 5%, this has been the biggest rise in inflation nice Feb.. Of this year. Economists took this as a surprise seeing as how they predicted a somewhat lower rise at 0. %. Economists say that other indicators show that inflation remains docile of the long run. Prices of goods and services are up only 1. 8% since last year, that increase is considered con sistent for a slow economic growth. The core inflation for food and gas was up only 1. 6%, the smallest it has been since June 2011. In this article I learned that in the month of June, inflation was at a low rate, but higher than expected. I also learned that the inflation rate right now is ere good because that meaner the country is on track to a slow economic recovery.Some words that I didn't know or was not too sure of were : Federal Reserve, Hyperinflation, and manifest. The Federal Reserve is a word that I know of, but the true definition is a System is composed of a central governmental agency in Washington, D. C. And twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks in major cities throughout the United States. Hyperinflation is Just what it sounds like, inflation at a rather fast paced rate. And lastly the work manifest, this word meaner clearly or known. Component #6: Paper

Goals After Graduation †Essay Essay

When I found out I was going to be a mother for the first time I had feelings wash over me that I never knew you could feel all at once. Some feelings I suddenly felt I didn’t even know existed until that very moment. Sitting there thinking about having a life inside me to care for and love, yet at the same time thinking I am to young, not ready, under educated, and just plain scared to death. All I knew is I wanted nothing more than to have a child that I have waited for, for so long. While I was expecting I had such dreams of what that blessed event would be like, could be like. I was very guilty of setting my expectations too high for something I knew absolutely nothing about. Being a first time mother who had read every conceivable magazine, book, and internet web site on the subject of giving birth I considered myself to be an expert. It was about the same time as the first labor pains started that I forgot everything I had ever read in my entire life; not just everything I had ever read about giving birth. During the lulls between the hours of labor pains I would still imagine what my child would be like. At that very moment when I went into labor (August 4, 1995) with my daughter Kaitylyn, all that seemed unimportant. The only thing that matter was seeing my daughter and holding her for the very first time! I first saw her face while I was delivering her and I remember her little lip quivering right before she cried her first cry. At that very moment I felt a peace with her and I wash over me and all I wanted was to take my daughter and hold her forever. When they took and placed my daughter in my arms I could not speak nor could I do anything, but look into that little face and be amazed at the miracle lying in my arms. Then the feelings started washing over me all at once fast and fleetingly. First came love which never went away and I know never will! After came fear which, was quickly replaced by determination. Determination that I would make the best life for her that I could. Then came joy! Joy that my little girl had all ten toes and fingers and was doing great. Then came overwhelming feelings that even now I can’t find the one term to categorize them in. Feelings of pure wonderment, pride, and motherly love are the only way I can ever explain. Looking into those little brown eyes knowing we  would be just fine that life had just begun, for not just her, but also for me. I was a mother and her life depended on mine. I was unafraid. I knew deep in my heart this child was a fresh start in life and that I was strong enough, determined enough to make sure we could take on life. Now sixteen years later I know that becoming a mother for the first time can be the hardest thing in the world. Now at thirty eight years old I have three children and it is clear to me that not all the feelings of becoming a mother for the first time go away after the first time! I still have feelings that I had then like fear, hope, and yes the second guessing my choices. However, seeing the young adult my daughter has become lets me know WE WOULD BE FINE!

Outline Of A Study On A Research Study - 2079 Words

E. Conclusion The final chapter of this dissertation is to reflect on the theories applied in the study, to give managerial insights, and to highlight the findings in answering the research questions. The implications for further research are also emphasised. 5.1 Academic Implications The present research both provides confirmation of and adds aspects to the theoretical, methodological and empirical position. First, the findings contribute to Baudrillard’s symbolic consumption (1993, 1994, 1988), consumers want a ‘symbolic exchange value’ to represent themselves and reflect their social class. His sign system is useful to describe how marketing elements attach symbolic meaning to brands. Apart from social status, the results also identify†¦show more content†¦Consequntly, further research can use these considerations as a foundation to understand consumers’ purchasing behaviour and symbolic consumption. Specifically, the study suggests that most respondents feel the need to develop their self-identities to be more mature. While, the netnographic findings also shows that social values have a strong impact on the individual’s consumption. Fourth, although many recent studies have applied Aaker s brand personality scale (BPS), the big five (2002), to measure brand personality, the study suggests that the BPS may not be practical to apply to fashion brands since personalities can overlap. For example, it is not as simple only putting women on a sophistication scale and men on a ruggedness scale. The findings show that the individual’s personality is important, not only gender. A male respondent like Jo is more fascinated by fashion brands than a female respondent like Pin. Fifth, the research confirms the findings of Holbrook Schindler (1989), Leslie, Sparling Owen (2001) and Grant Waite (2003), families and friends are strong factors which influence the consumption patterns of young adults. Interestingly the results from both interviews and Netnography indicate that primary groups like family and close friends are dominant influences. Moreover, celebrity endorsements on social media have become popular among young Thai adults