Posts

Why People Codeswitch

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Image source: No Film School Codeswitching describes the act of switching between one language or one language variety and another when communicating with other people in a conversation or written/printed text (McCormick, 2012, pp263-4). Having said that, in our increasingly multiethnic, multicultural world, codeswitching may also involve alternating and switching between different cultures or concepts as people move through day to day encounters. Thus codeswitching can be used in conversation, but not limited to, with others who understand or form a part of the shared culture or geographical region. Codeswitching is a phenomenon which occurs either by deliberately or inadvertently choosing a communication style based on the other people being dealt with; the fundamental word being ‘choosing’. People, whether deliberately or unconsciously, choose to use codeswitching as a tool to their advantage for a great many reasons “...it is a natural and powerful communicative feature...” (Cry
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The Fascinating World of Medieval Medicine

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Img credit : Medievalists Let’s go on a bloody and painful journey. Medicine in medieval Europe was wildly different to that of current standards and knowledge. Some of the practices were… mind-boggling to say the least. The medical knowledge of the times had common ties with Arab medicine throughout medieval Europe, all of which looks back to Greek scholars and doctors.  During the middle ages, European and Arab doctors believed in the four humours , which were primary bodily fluids. Superstition also played some part during these times, which led to people praying to saints in order to cure some illnesses, but a great many remedies of that time involved balancing out the humours. This knowledge derived from Greek medicine and has consistently undergone development, expansion and revision through generations of scholars and practitioners alike until modern times. This knowledge was transmitted to the Western world by the Arabs .   Suffering from depression or seizures? Best cut a hol
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English is 'Marmite'? ...wut?

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Image credit:  Gorilla Studio The international use of English as a language gives rise to contradictory feelings and emotions, a ‘marmite’ language if you will. English is intricately bound with political, economic, cultural, and social issues and therefore is not a neutral phenomenon. Attitudes towards a language can be determined by a number of things. International writers, film makers, and broadcasters have a love/hate relationship with their use of English and, as such, perceptions towards it vary wildly. This article will explore some of the motivations regarding love and hate towards the English language and its use. Writers in South Africa have a choice of  eleven official languages , English being one of them. The predominant languages used in their literacy are English and Afrikaans. Although measures were made in post-colonial South Africa, which intensified in the 1990s with the release of the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela and which continues to be “at the heart o
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Tradition and Dissent in Music: Dmitri Shostakovich

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Shostakovich: Secret Memoir This article explores how the composer Dmitri Shostakovich offers both tradition and dissent within his music, especially in that of his string quartets. String quartet, or chamber music, as a genre can be romantic, modern, or classic in style. Shostakovich (1906 – 1975) was a Russian composer who had the ability to communicate personal messages and feelings in a seemingly covert fashion through his music. At a time of great turbulence and censorship in his homeland, he found ways to covertly speak from the heart without, for the most part, being pushed around and controlled by his government. His musical works include fifteen string quartets among many other pieces. Chamber music was initially produced to be heard in private locations to small audiences, making it a much more intimate account as opposed to a symphony being played in a hall in front of large numbers of spectators (Richards, 2008, p196). Without the intense scrutiny of a large audience, stri
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Moral equality of combatants and consent to be targeted

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In this article I will argue that the moral equality of combatants is not implied by their consenting to be targeted. Early on, distinction between Jus ad Bellum and Jus in Bello will be made in order to begin to determine what is meant by the moral equality of combatants. Michael Walzer’s claims will then be explored, and countered by Jeff McMahan, which will in turn support the overarching viewpoint that combatant consent is far from automatically implied, with certain conditions in mind. Arguments for the suggestion of moral equality will be countered by discussion against it, and a proposed breakdown of moral equality will in turn quash the implication of combatants consenting to be targeted. Just War Tradition has cemented itself, and developed through time, between international powers from as far back as the fourth century. At this time, St Augustine of Hippo asserted that ‘…the pursuit of peace must include the option of fighting for its long-term preservation.’ (Catholic, n.d.
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I #ChooseToChallenge: My Previous Self

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I #ChooseToChallenge: My Previous Self This article was first published in Wavell Room and forms part of their #ChoosetoChallenge21 series . "As [Auxiliary Territorial Service Women] leave us they deserve cheer...  by their efforts during the late war they have earned the respect and admiration  of fighting men everywhere and have rendered a service  that this country will not quickly forget." ~ Corps Magazine, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, January 1947 What follows is a personal account of serving alongside women in the British Army . Here, I lay bare my personal experiences and prejudices so that others may be encouraged to think and to act. Readers won’t see a critique of literature, nor theoretical models; I write to explore a rollercoaster ride which has forced me to reflect deeply on how I lead people. This isn’t an argument for, or a defence of, women in ground close combat. Instead, it is an argument against hindrances to organisational progression a
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Leadership has a Problem: ‘Lizard’

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This article was first published in Wavell Room 'Do not let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition'  ~ Steve Jobs This article argues that military personnel need to take more care with the language they accept and consider the words they use more carefully. The example I use is; lizard. Leaders often don’t realise when they use or accept degrading language and it undermines our ability to lead. And yet, the fundamental problem here is not a misuse of words. It is the absence of a culture that embraces reasonable challenge and isn’t curious enough about the words in use or what they mean. This inadvertently permits sexism and other unacceptable behaviours. The solution? Leaders must be more curious about the words they use, what they really mean, and the impact they have. Moving from lazy insults to only using, and accepting, professional language will make us more effective and
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BOOK REVIEW: Compassionism by Kavitha Chahel

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Compassionism: Helping Business Leaders Create Engaged Teams and Happy People Whatever your role, if you lead people and want them to make a positive contribution within your organisation, this book is essential reading. Yes, the front cover is adorned with an oh-so-common platitude regarding people being the ‘greatest asset’. And, no, it is not about being a fluffy, soft, or cuddly leader. Compassionism is a candid, open, relationship-orientated book that hones in on collective communication and humanity. It is a book about people influencing people in a meaningful way. There are, nevertheless, nods to more sympathetic, lenient, and gentler qualities of leadership and management… and rightly so. To lead people, we really ought to do so in an authentic way which shows that we actually care about them and are there for them. Without these seemingly underutilised quieter qualities, leaders will continue to grapple with actually connecting to their people — the world of work needs more le
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LONG READ: Climate Change and Unity

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Image: GeologyIn LONG READ: Climate Change and Unity Introduction This article will show that the study of climate politics can reveal how successfully different actors have sought to govern the international system. Actors have, in part, successfully done this but there is a long way to go if efforts are to have any lasting and meaningful effect. The article will use neorealism and liberal institutionalism, structured on regime theory, as a handrail to show that actors in the anarchical international system cooperate successfully in order to govern climate change. How and why they are successful will be explored in detail using the two theoretical approaches, each having their strengths and weaknesses to discuss. The finding that although there is much to be done, and in difficult settings, different actors in the international system have successfully sought to govern issues within it — especially so when assessing the question through a liberal institutionalist approach. Empirical f
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