Maluko's blog

Foreign languages, identity and intercultural competence (bis)

2006-05-15T21:54:00.000-03:00

Hi! I’m very glad that you took some time to check my post and that it inspired you. I read some very interesting ideas here and I have many things to say to each one of you, but I know it wouldn’t be that nice to read a whole article about the same subject again so I’ll try and be short.
In some points I agree with some and disagree with others, however the most important is that you should always try your hardest to learn new languages. Imagine each language as a door. In your future, having more doors will mean more options. When you need (and you are going to need), having more options will only bring you more possibilities to win and make the right decision.So be smart, open as much doors as you can before you get claustrophobic!

Foreign languages, identity and intercultural competence

2006-04-02T18:11:00.000-03:00

Let me introduce myself: I’m a young boy who lives in Brazil and studies at an international school which aims at creating an intercultural connection between my home country and France. That’s why my mother tongue is Portuguese (my country’s official language) and I speak French, English and Spanish. I also suffer influences from Arabic and Hebrew because of my origins and religion.

My mother is also a Brazilian and studied at the same school as I do. So she speaks the four languages I mention besides Italian, since she got curious and followed courses in Italian. My father was born in Lebanon, studied in an international school and moved to Brazil so he speaks: Arabic, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese. As you can see, the whole family is polyglot. There’s a reason for that. Both my mother and my father have related people all around the world. The common family language is French, and the minority who can’t speak it, understands English. So knowing four languages helps me a lot in keeping in touch with the rest of the family.

That’s not the only reason why people learn other languages. Foreign languages are very useful in several areas; for instance, for business connections, intercultural exchanges or tourism. That’s the reason why learning foreign languages should be fostered all around the world. In our school, we have the opportunity to experience a very peculiar type of situation: we live in Brazil, speak Portuguese but we learn everything in French. In addition to this, at secondary school, we have the luck of learning three more languages: English, Spanish/German and Latin (optional).

Thanks to that, I’m able to affirm that speaking foreign languages gives you a better status. For example: girls think it is “so cute” the fact that you speak “French, the language of love”. In fact, if you don’t speak a second language, you are a step behind and the lack of languages will bring you issues, like when you try to find a job. The most frequent language learned is English since it has become the lingua franca of international communication both in the real and virtual world. We currently see young people saying: “quantos scraps você tem” (which means: how many scraps do you have?), or a kind of Portenglish: “vou downlodar essa música essa noite no meu pc” (I’ll download this song tonight on my pc).

Although English is very important in our lives, the language that represents me will always be Portuguese. I believe you can only really express yourself in your mother tongue. The sonority of the words changes already their meaning. Even if you speak perfectly another language, you will never say exactly the same thing in two different languages.

I try to be always open-minded in relation to other cultures. However, I think it would be impossible for me to learn German. Only by listening to it, it reminds me of the holocaust and genocide practiced during World War II. Besides this one, there’s no other language I’d be adverse to.

As a conclusion, I’d say that, together with some other factors, languages play an important role in the formation and expression of an individual’s personal identity.

43places!

2005-11-07T15:41:00.000-02:00

Recently, our English teacher showed us an interesting website, 43places.com, in which you can post and read what people have to say about everywhere in the world.
After join it, I began by seeing pictures people posted from places I've already been, like Cannes, and letting my opinions ("worth visiting").
Then I chose Cayman Island to tell how my trip to this marvoulous place was: a cruise in the Caribbean!
Finally and "visited" some places I've always wanted to go, like LA!

I totaly recomend you to take a look on this website.

Disarmament Referendum in Brazil

2005-10-17T15:09:00.000-02:00

Today, six days before the referendum to ban guns' trade, Alberto and I will analyze three articles about this polemic topic. Thanks.
First, we read the objective article "Tough clash ahead in Brazil referendum to ban guns" by Andrei Khalip from washingtonpost.com. Followed by "Historic Decision: Disarmament Statute Passed in Congress" from iansa.org, a biased article for the prohibition of guns' trade. And finally, "Rare drop in gun deaths in Brazil" By Steve Kingstone is an objective article from bbc.co.uk, showing both sides of the corner.

Here are the arguments exposed by the articles and their authors:

Arguments in favor of the prohibition:
- Brazil has the highest number of gun deaths in the world, with 36,091 people shot and killed last year, according to government figures.
- Human rights groups endorse the government-proposed ban.
- Representatives of these NGOs welcomed the provision on the referendum, saying they believe it will spark a national debate, promoting awareness that will help implement and enforce the new law.
- The minimum age to purchase firearms will go up from 21 to 25, in a country where young males are killed by firearms at a rate four times higher than that of the general population.
- In Rio de Janeiro, the gun death rate among young people reaches 239 per 100,000 residents, twenty times higher than the rate in the United States or 2,000 times higher than in Japan.
- The first mobilization brought together 50,000 people to march for the Disarmament Statute in Rio de Janeiro.
- The combination of popular demonstrations, an intense and spontaneous campaign against armed violence by the main media outlets, and the shocking 40,000 people were killed by guns last year alone – led 82% of Brazilians, to support the Disarmament Statute according to a recent poll by Instituto Sensus.
- Last year 36,000 people were killed by guns.
- There are more gun deaths in Brazil than in any other country, and since the early 1990s the annual number of fatalities has risen grimly.
- Until last year 36,000 people were killed with firearms. That is still a shocking 99 deaths per day.

Arguments against the prohibition:
- The country could be made defenseless against any Nazi-like tyranny – Equal to Nazi Germany's decision to ban guns for civilians in 1938.
- The vice president and defense minister, Jose Alencar, says the ban would encourage criminals.
- It would be a threat to democracy.
- Some groups acknowledge the prohibition of legal gun sales would not reduce the arsenals held by dreaded drug gangs and other criminals.
- Almost 60 percent of an estimated 17 million guns in Brazil were obtained illegally, said the human and social rights group Viva Rio.
- This vote doesn't disarm the criminals.
- Police, judges, firefighters and security firms will be able to buy guns for private and official use.
- Brazil's gun control laws, which were tightened in December 2003, are already very strict. They require psychological and gun-handling tests, a clean criminal record and high registration fees that are too costly for many Brazilians.
- Last year 36,000 people were killed by guns - a drop of 8% from 2003, according to the health ministry.
- That is until last year when 36,000 people were killed with firearms. That is still a shocking 99 deaths per day, but less than in 2003.

As we can see, both sides have solid arguments and it is up to the population to make the right decision. If the "Yes" wins, it could set a precedent for campaigns in other countries. Otherwise, Brazilian gun industry tends to develop itself.

Looking back

2005-10-03T15:55:00.000-03:00

Eight months of class have passed. Sometimes we don't realize how time runs. So let's use this post to remember everything that has already been done on the blog.

When we started this unlike activity, we had no idea of what was waiting for us. At first, we used the blog as a support to the activities we did in class. For example, while we were analyzing stereotypes texts about stereotypes, we posted some reflections about them in the blog. This is a very good idea since when we went to Henry Moore's exhibition here in São Paulo, we had already collected some information about him and his life.
But, the real intention of this activity is that the students become more aware of the world around there, opening there minds, visiting other people blog's (from all around the world) and communicate with them.
So, without noticing, we began a different kind of post. Comments about the site Dekita (like "Native Teachers or Non-native Teachers?"), etc..
Finally, we are now starting something really singular: correspond with people from the other side of the globe!

As a conclusion, this unusual experience brought all the students new knowledge and expanded their frontiers. However, we cannot forget that computer and Internet have to be used with responsibility and moderation.

"The Way we Work"

2005-08-22T15:50:00.000-03:00

In "A day at the job kiosk", Joe Fiorito shows how difficult it is to find a job due to the unemployment. In a certain point, he tells the story of a foreigner who didn't find a work at the "job computers". I was touched by the way he's son's sadness is shown with all the children's innocence and purity.

"Your own space: working from home" is Heather Finley's statement about having an office at your own place. She talks about the good and bad things of it. In my opinion, it is good because as she said, it is relaxing.

Comments "Working on "work""

2005-08-22T15:18:00.000-03:00

Thank you all for your comments.
Gabriel, we all know that there are not only businessmen and students, but also people who work with there bodies and strength, like manual workers.
Mrs. Dieu, it all depends on you hehehe. That's why people always say that you have to do what you like. That way, work will not only be an obligation (thinking only on the "payday") but also something nice.
Caroline, think in "form" as "create".
Thank you.

Working on "work" (brainstorming)

2005-08-15T15:42:00.000-03:00

As every other words, "work" has many meanings and connotations. For me, this term is connected to:
Job, effort, physical effort, effort of the mind, team, obligation and pleasure.
In thesaurus, I found some words I relate to the concept:
Labor, assignment, endeavor, industry, production, business, activity, contract, duty, employment, manufacture, occupation, office, responsibility, vocation, achievement, function, accomplish, execute, control, create, direct, perform, progress, crew, personnel, ability, achieve, accomplish, complete, compromise, elaborate, form, result, satisfy, succeed.

Holiday Surprises - bis

2005-08-13T23:47:00.000-03:00

It seems that some people misunderstood the meaning of the gadna. Or maybe they got so impressed with the picture that they didn’t really care for the explanation. And we all know that ignorance always takes to prejudice.
As I already said, this is a week in which we experience a soldier’s life in every detail. However, that doesn’t mean that we were increased with feelings such as anger or thirst to kill. Exactly the opposite: most of the days, we were having physical exercises or theoretical lessons about union, leadership and discipline. One day was entirely consecrated to discussions about guns.
During one of the activities, the tzevet (group/unit) sat in a circle and we began an opened debate about using guns, the guns’ dilemma, etc… The teenagers concluded by themselves that guns aren’t a good thing as shown in movies. Although soldiers carry them everyday, it is not supposed to be used except in a case of direct threat: you must all have heard about Nethania – city where happen most of the terrorist attempts due to the proximity with the Arabic land.
As it is a touristic place, it is always crowed, especially during the holiday’s nights. During one of these agitated nights, in a fair, a man suddenly shows up with a gun and starts shooting everywhere. One of his bullets reaches a soldier-nurse. What would you do if you, also a soldier carrying your own weapon, were this soldier’s friend and had seen that horrible scene by your own eyes?
The criminal was shot in his leg and then neutralized by the police. This is the education soldiers receive.
Unfortunately, young people of 18 have to join the army. However, none of them do it because of the obligation they have. They do it because they know that where they live, there will always be a threat until their enemies accept peace. Following that way of thinking, the Israeli army was created with the purpose only to assure the safety of the land and of all who live on it and declare themselves as citizens. It is the TzaHaL: Tzava Hagana LeIsrael (Israeli DEFENSE force). Amongst every unit of this army, there is not one that is an attack unit, they are all defense units. It is then not more then a preventive army that unfortunately has already been in action several times.
So don’t be scared or surprised with a photo like that one: just know that it was thanks to that set up that I, and I can affirm and confirm it, realized that sometimes we give to much importance to what doesn’t really matters and should give more attention and valorize what we have: our families and friends.
If you have any other doubts or questions, I’d be pleased to answer them virtual or personally so don’t avoid talking to me.

Holiday Surprises

2005-08-08T00:20:00.000-03:00

TAPUZ2005 122
Originally uploaded by Eliebarzi.

These unforgettable holidays were spent in the holy land of Israel. However besides of the religious, cultural, geographic and historical lessons, I experienced something very exceptional: the "gadna" - a week in which we learn everything about the army. During this week, we sleep in tents, eat in a cafeteria, wear real uniforms of the Israeli army and have to follow orders just like soldiers. Our base “Sdeboker” was located in the middle of the desert!
My friends and I were divided in to groups (or "tzevet") of twenty people each and each group had a female captain called the “mefaquedet". At the beginning, we hated her! In the end, we realized that thank’s to her, we were able to find out that the only reason why the Israeli army is known all over the world as being the best army it’s not because of the guns, but because of the discipline. She also taught us everything about the army organization and hierarchy, and gave us lessons about guns’ (and we were able to shoot with real guns!!!).
In this photo, you can see some of my friends and I waiting for the “mefaquedet” in front of our tent. Notice that we are all (or almost all) carrying water bottles and wearing a hat since these were important rules. If someone happened to forget one of these things, this person had to pay twenty push-ups. Finally, the reason why we can’t see any girls in this photo is because they were always late, and that’s why they had to clean the bathroom in the last day!

Sex Pistols and the 70s.

2005-06-13T15:58:00.000-03:00

Punk first emerged in the mid 1970s in London as an anarchic and aggressive movement. About 200 young people defined themselves as an anti-fashion urban youth street culture. Closely aligned was a music movement that took the name punk.
British people got shocked with the punk way of dressing, clothes, body piercing and self mutilation, hair and make up.
Punks cut up old clothes from charity and thrift shops, destroyed the fabric and refashioned outfits in a manner then thought a crude construction technique, making garments designed to attract attention.
When thinking about punks, people immediately remember black leather, studs, chains, mufti fabrics, black T shirts...
Whilst torn fabrics, frayed edges and defaced prints are now considered normal in the 21st century, in the 1970s it shocked many people, because it had never been seen before. Until then fabric had been treated as a material to keep as pristine, new looking and beautiful as possible.
Body piercing was done in parts other than the usual accepted placement in the ear lobe. This was quite unusual.
A focal point of the punk look was the hair which was spiked as high as possible into a Mohican hairstyle by a variety of means including sugar and water solutions, soaping, gelatin, pva glue, hair sprays and hair gel.
An alternative look was to shave areas of the scalp. Both sexes did this.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up and vampire like lips drew more attention to the face.

Punk lyrics introduced a confrontational frankness of expression in matters both political and sexual, dealing with urban boredom, rising unemployment in the UK racial tensions and social upheaval as we can see in the Sex Pistol's anthem parody. Others copied or looked to designers to provide styles that fitted the mood of an era that had returned to nature and was anti-Vietnam-war in outlook.

Of course, today we still have issues such as rising unemployment, violence, conformism... Young people still are the revolting main force. Just like in the 70s, we find groups like Green day or Blink 182 that protest against the system and its problems.

New unit - REBELS

2005-06-06T15:58:00.000-03:00

A rebel is someone who participates in organized resistance to a constituted government; a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority; someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action; someone who break with established customs

Rebellion corresponds to the refusal to accept some authority or code or convention; organized opposition to authority. To rebel is to renounce and resist by force (or not) the authority of the ruler or government to which one owes obedience.

I think someone like Nelson Mandela could be considered a rebel because he had ideas that went against the ones already established and he fought for them. As good as J.C that changed a whole culture.

I feel like a rebelling when I don't accept what I'm been forced to do and I don't do it. But I don't remember when I did it.

The synonyms of hero are: ace, adventurer, celebrity, champion, combatant, conqueror, daredevil, demigod, diva, exemplar, gallant, god, goddess, great person, heavy, heroine, ideal, idol, lead, leading lady, leading man, lion, martyr, master, model, paladin, popular figure, prima donna, principal, protagonist, saint, star, superstar, tin god, victor, worthy

Those of the adjective rebel are: insubordinate, insurgent, insurrectionary, mutinous, rebellious, revolutionary

Those of the noun rebel are: agitator, anarchist, antagonist, apostate, demagogue, deserter, dissenter, experientialist, experimenter, frondeur, guerrilla, heretic, iconoclast, independent, individualist, innovator, insurgent, insurrectionary, malcontent, mutineer, nihilist, nonconformist, opponent, over thrower, recreant, renegade, resistance, revolter, revolutionary, revolutionist, rioter, schismatic, secessionist, seditionist, separatist, subverter, traitor, turncoat, underground

And those of the verb rebel are: be insubordinate, boycott, break with, censure, combat, cop out, criticize, defy, denounce, disobey, dissent, drop out, fight, insurrect, kick over, make waves, mutiny, oppose, opt out, overthrow, overturn, raise hell, remonstrate, renounce, resist, revolt, riot, rise up, run amok, secede, strike, turn against, upset

Heroes are qualified as brave person, however rebels are considered as not obeying people.

We notice that heroes are seen in a positive way whereas "rebel" is a pejorative word.

The main difference between them is the way they are seen. Although heroes are well seen, like people who did something good for the humanity, rebels are mostly seen as people who disturbed the peace.
A rebel becomes a hero if he the causes that he fights make sense, his not only disturbing to have fun, but doing something that will change the world into a better place. The line is drawn by the reason.

Source: http://dict.die.net/rebel/
http://thesaurus.reference.com/

"Native Teachers or Non-native Teachers?" from dekita.org

2005-05-31T18:33:00.000-03:00

Last Monday, we were at the computer room (as every Monday) and the teacher asked us to choose a post from www.dekita.org and comment on it. I got very interested on the discussion proposed by Aaron on the preferences of the students when we talk about native and non-native teachers.
I think that Jesus is right when he says that teachers must be native. Not because non-native teachers can't teach, but just like Aaron said students must know the accents. Only a native teacher is able to talk perfectly not only formal language, but informal too. Native teachers are able to talk with you about the language, using himself as an example: he wouldn't make some mistakes that others would make easier. Also, I'll have to disagree with Phil: been born and raised in an anglophone environment does qualifies a person to teach. When someone goes to an English class, his intentions are not to be an expert on English culture, however it gets always more interesting and dynamic when you learn about other people habits and characteristics.
I also have to disagree with Maurice when he says that native teachers don't use the students' language. Although it could be useful, the students' language can't be used (only in extreme cases). It is important for the student to understand the vocabulary by explanations given in the language he is learning by the teacher.
Finally, I would like to say that I'm not totally against non-native teachers. As Rosa and Aaron said before, the competency is very important: no matter the nationality, the teacher that is not skillful and well trained isn't qualified to give lessons and soon the students will realize that. I also agree with Aaron's idea of teachers' exchange. The problem is that, in some cases, it is only beneficial to the teacher and not the student.

Outing - Henry Moore

2005-05-22T15:30:00.000-03:00

Last Friday, we left school earlier (unfortunately) to go and visit the Henry Moore exhibition which was taking place here in São Paulo at the Pinacoteca.
Arriving there we had some hot dogs, chips, and Cokes provided by the cantine. Than I ate an excellent deserve at the cafeteria: the Dutch pie. You should try it, whenever you go there. After that, the students went for a walk at the park, while the teachers were having some coffee. I was with the boys of the class and we had a lot of fun making stupid jokes.
Than, the class was divided in two groups since we are very numerous to see the exhibition together. We began by the three main sculptures. I was interested to see how changing positions something new appears. But I have to admit that soon, my attention went away and I started to get bored. I thing that abstract art is not my cup of tea. Not because there’s no content. I’m not very interested on it because the fact that there’s no “right answer”, it’s so subjective that even if you are sure that it represents something anyone can come and tell you are wrong. It gave me the idea that the artist himself, didn’t know exactly what he was doing.
However, that’s my conception. Anyone is allowed to disagree with me.
I’m happy that we could enjoy that day and relax in a different environment.

Henry S. Moore (1898, Castleford, England – 1886, Much Hadham, England)

2005-05-12T21:14:00.000-03:00

Although, from a young age, he already wanted to be a sculptor, Moore began his career as a teacher in Castleford. He was in the military service in World War I. In 1921, he won a Royal Exhibition Scholarship to study sculpture at the Royal Academy of Art in London. Since then, Moore became interested in the Mexican, Egyptian, and African sculpture he saw at the British Museum. In 1924, he became an Instructor of Sculpture at this academy for seven years. During a trip to Italy, he was influenced by the frescoes of Giotto and Masaccio and the late sculpture of Michelangelo.
In the 1930s, Moore was a member of Unit One, a group of advanced artists organized by Paul Nash, and was a close friend of Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, and the critic Herbert Read. He was an important force in the English Surrealist movement, although he was not entirely committed to its doctrines; Moore participated in the International Surrealist Exhibition at the New Burlington Galleries, London, in 1936. Although he is known by his sculptures, in 1940, Moore executed drawings of life in underground bomb shelters for the War Artists Advisory Committee and from 1940 to 1943, the artist concentrated almost entirely on drawing. In 1943, he carved a Madonna and Child the first of many other important sculptures.

In 2005, an exhibition of his art "took" place in São Paulo at the Pinacoteca.

In summary, this is Henry Moore's. After our class visit this exhibition next Friday, I'll post my comments, appreciations and critics.

Source : http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_bio_114.html

The hero (Spiderman)

2005-05-04T23:40:00.000-03:00

What is a hero?
As this is the main reflection, the key from the oral presentation, I would like to leave this question to the end.

Where can we find heroes?
We can find heroes everywhere, at anytime.
Heroes are found in real-life, as much as in movies like Spiderman and in literature (books and comics). They are usually with a companion and against an evil force.
So there is the mythological hero, the historical hero, the real life hero, the super-hero etc... or simply the hero. Nevertheless, they are basically divided in two main groups: real and mythical heroes.
Spiderman a mythical hero, always fights against the bad guy.

Is there a difference between a classical hero, a modern hero and a celebrity?
As a matter fact, there is a difference between a classical hero, a modern hero and a celebrity.
The classical hero is traditionally known for his gallantry and loyalty. On the other hand, the modern hero is always innovating, demonstrating courage in excess and a lot of bravery. He never gives up, just like Spiderman. However, they have both the same goal of saving someone or the world or just fighting against the dragon (evil force).
Differently to the hero, the celebrity doesn't have a role model. The celebrity is just interpreting the hero and just becomes one for those who admire his job. Otherwise, the character is the hero and the celebrity is admired.
Some heroes become celebrities but others remain unknown. The majority in my opinion. Spiderman has always sacrificed himself and his own life almost losing his aunt and losing his girlfriend without any recognition.

What is a romantic hero? How would you describe your romantic hero/heroine?
I think that a romantic here for each one is the way people see the perfect lover. Or the hero that fights for love and whose only fear is not to be corresponded. I'm not very sure so I won't describe the perfect romantic hero/heroine.

What is a heroic journey or quest?
A heroic journey or quest is the hero's mission and its stages. For example, in the movie, Spiderman is first shown living his normal life. Than, the bad guy appears. He is the obstacle. There's than the first fight and the defeat of the hero. He regains strength and is stimulated by a mentor. Spiderman goes than to the anti-hero's "cave" and they fight the final battle. Finally the hero gets his reward, in this case the girl.

What kind of heroes do you admire? Why?
I admire not only people who help someone else, but also those who don't ask anything in exchange. For me, a hero is someone who doesn't necessarily asked to be one, he was just doing the right thing because he wanted.
Conclusion
So, in my opinion, the hero can be anyone who let go something that would only benefit himself, to do something that will make other people happy not telling it, almost remaining anonymous.

The heroine Molly Pitcher

2005-04-11T15:57:00.000-03:00

This is a detail of a painting by Dennis Malone Carter (1818-1888) called Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth (1854) illustrating the legendary heroine of the American War of Independence, Molly Pitcher, in action.
What we have here is a dark scene of the American war of Independence. In the foreground, the focus, is Molly Pitcher near to the cannon. She is wearing a red dress and clenching her fist, together with her husband Hays, the gunner. They are both with a determined look as if they were prepared to die for their country. In the middle ground, the American soldiers appear riding horses and carrying the flag of the United States. We can also see some wounded and dead soldiers. Finally, in the background, the battle of Monmouth is taking place.
It is interesting to notice that the whole painting is somber, contrasting with Molly, the main character who is in red and white. It is remarkable that she and the army are dressed with the colors of the flag. She is the only woman, and appears to be the most determined of the scene. Two other characters call my attention: first, the gunner, her husband, strong and reanimated probably because of the presence of his wife. Second, the man in the middle of the painting wearing a white torn shirt and holding his hat to the air with an expression of freedom and satisfaction or relief.
As a conclusion, we could say that Molly Pitcher is represented as inergy which gave strength to the army and was an essential piece in the victory of the Americans in this war.

Hero

2005-04-01T19:21:00.000-03:00

Last week, we started a new unit about heroes and heroines in which we will try and define the hero “stereotype”. We began by defining a hero and making the difference between a hero and a celebrity. Then, we discussed about the qualities of a hero. The teacher gave us a sheet of paper with terms such as “loyalty”, determination”, “bravery”… In my opinion, one of the most appropriate is “sacrifice”. In most cases, true heroes are not recognized and sometimes they are even confused with the bad guys since not everybody has the same vision of things. But, not going to these extreme cases, we could just say that good actions don’t make always enough effect on people – at least, not as much as bad actions.
After a reflection, I realized that an important quality of a hero missing in the list is spontaneity. For me, a heroic action is not planed. In fact the true hero is the one who’s always ready to help – no matter who’s the victim, where or when is the crime or injustice is being committed. He leaves aside personal feelings and considers only the fact that the good is what matters.
So that’s my way of seeing a hero.

Digital era

2005-03-23T12:51:00.000-03:00

As I can't stand stereotypes anymore, I would like to reflect about the meaning of this blog. More than a curricular activity, it proves that nowadays Internet has come into our lives in a way that it is an essential part of it, almost like eating and drinking (well, maybe not that much, but anyway). More than ever people are connected to the web. And the worst of it is that they can't leave it. Everybody has to have at least an e-mail address. Those who aren't connected to the network can be considered as excluded from society. We should also consider the fact that this year, several teachers have blogs where they post corrections, documents and other things that have a link to the class. Sometimes they give extra advice such as cultural movies... And they want us to check it very often.
Of course, as everything else, there is the good and the bad side.
Internet has improved the communication and facilitated the exchange of information, culture, etc..
On the other hand, it may cause alienation. But this is the object of a long discussion so now just let me say that Internet has invaded our lives, positively or negatively.

Classifying stereotypes

2005-03-17T21:21:00.000-03:00

We did a listening activity in the workbook in which stereotypes were classified by categories. Two of them called my attention:

First, gender. During the correction of the exercise, the teacher said that women weren't such bad drivers. Her argument was that, insurance companies charge more expensive fees for male drivers because researches prove accidents happen more to men than to women. I totally disagree with her. That happens because men get drunk more often and lose their control more easily while women make catastrophes in traffic, even sober. When someone cuts you from nowhere, 99.99% of chances for it to be a woman. Now, talking more seriously, that proves that sometimes, stereotypes are taken from the reality, most of the time distorted, however it is still based on some truth.

Second, color. It's absolutely correct the affirmation that black people have music in their blood. I just wanted to say that this Thursday, I went to the concert of Lenny Kravitz and he just marks rock music alleviating it with a "black style".

American X English

2005-03-07T21:48:00.000-03:00

Still in the stereotypes subject, we studied some documents showing how the Americans see the English.
It's funny to see how two people from the same origin basicaly can have so many different habits and laugh at each other. However, we can't disagree with that: the English people are seen as being more polite while American are more like "hamburger lovers".

Although we think the quarrel is funny we have to admit that we - Brazilians - go through the same situation with our colonizer - Portugal. Five hundred years after the discovery of this land, there are millions of jokes about the Portuguese. They are seen here as dumb people and seem to be doing something stupid every time.

So, as we can see, in both cases there is a quarrel between people of the same origin when some make jokes about the others. Coincidence or not, let's just laugh and enjoy, knowing of course that these are just jokes with no real sense.

Duane Hanson and his art

2005-02-24T22:24:00.000-03:00

Duane Hanson was born in Alexandria, Minnesota January 17, 1925. From 1962-1965 Hanson was an art professor at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. While in Atlanta, he produced several large decorative sculptures for the exterior of buildings. It was during his time at Oglethorpe that Hanson received a grant from the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust to develop his work with life-sized polyester resin and fiberglass sculpture.
After Hanson moved to New York in 1969, his works were shown in solo exhibitions in New York and Germany. From 1976-78, a major retrospective of his sculptures went on an extended museum tour throughout the United States. Hanson was named Florida Ambassador of the Arts in 1983. His first bronze sculptures were featured in a solo exhibition in Japan in 1984. Hanson died January 6, 1996.
Source: http://museum.oglethorpe.edu/Hanson.htm

Duane Hanson is known for his life-sized super-realistic sculptures. These sculptures are finished with real clothing, hair, jewelry and other accessories.
This kind of art calls my attention first because human-sized sculptures are an example of creativity I had never seen. And second because Hanson doesn't illustrate perfect beautiful people with great bodies and muscles, but normal and, sometimes, even ugly or fat people.

first post

2005-02-23T21:53:00.000-03:00

A new school year is there... so let's face it with all the energy we have.
During our first week of classes, we talked about stereotypes. We defined this term saying it is an already created and, most of the time, wrong idea of a group of people with something in common. After that, we formed goups and thought about the Brazilian and the French stereotypes.
Personnaly, I think stereotypes are not as mistaken as people say: sometimes people of a same nation, for example, have the same habits that are different from those of people from another nation.