It was the IB Programme

It was all-nighters doing homework. It was IAs after IAs after IAs. It was waking up at 6 a.m. on the weekend to do community service. It was the IB Programme.

As I approach the last month of my high school career, I can’t help but look back at what was. Freshman and sophomore year…I think we can all agree to forget. But near the end of sophomore year, I was faced with the pivotal choice of joining the IB Programme vs. taking the typical Advanced Placement courses. As it’s all said and done, I think I can easily say that I made the right choice.

“But Chris, the way you described it all year, it sounded like IB was a living nightmare!?” 

Hey now AP student, I wouldn’t go to an extent to explicitly say that, though IB was a lot of work.  There were lots of long nights doing homework, internal/external assessments and studying for tests, but there were also numerous positive moments. Through IB, I was able to meet new people who I had never even seen before. People who have similar interests as myself and the dedication that would not be seen in any honors course. Through IB, I was able to participate in unique presentations such as Canterbury Tales stories, re-enactments of prominent historical events, and of course, the presentation of our long-awaited Extended Essay. Through IB, I established an understanding of how to manage time accordingly and develop a productive work ethic that will allow me to succeed in both college and beyond.

The IB Programme definitely lived up to its reputation of being a challenging, rigorous programme, but I think with that came the promising success it guaranteed. Without the IB Programme, I’m honestly not sure if I would have gotten into the college that I’m going to next fall (go Heels!). In addition, if I had just taken a bunch of AP courses, I’m not sure I would have developed unique skills that will help me in the future. Some of these skills include public speaking, essay writing (I’m essentially a pro now), and most of all, an understanding of the diverse cultures that surround our communities. College is a place of numerous people from all over the world, and I think the IB Programme furthered my understanding of how differently things can be perceived, and how these perceptions influence the ideas of differing individuals.

It was meeting similar, dedicated friends that will last beyond high school. It was getting out of my comfort zone and exploring new things. But most of all, it was an experience of a lifetime; one that I know will further my perseverance, work ethic, and ultimate success in life. It was the IB Programme.

Witty Whitman

During the time of late 1860-1861, Walt Whitman kept a journal that consisted of everything and anything that came to his mind at any given time. The journal is very disorganized and includes both legible phrases as well as scribbled out ideas. Just from the first few pages, I got the idea that Whitman joted down anything that came to his mind that he found as a profound realization. It seems as though Whitman was philosophical and liked to question and arguably reason about ideas/issues prevalent to his society. In fact, Whitman seemed to be ahead of the typical 1860s mindset, as he introduced his concern for what the future holds for both the United States and humanity as a whole.

For the most part, the original writing is quite difficult to translate; however, I was able to decode some of his non-scribbled notes. Some actually legible accounts I observed were the statements, “Come now we will see what stuff you are made of”, “welcome this menace”, “ship of hope, ship of promise.” As Whitman imaginably speaks of this to Lincoln, I believe he is speaking of overcoming difficulties. This, in turn, makes us stronger and gives us hope for the future. Now, it seems as though Whitman could only be speaking of the subject of war politics; yet, I think there is a deeper meaning behind what he states (because of his philosophical nature). This part of the conversation – or maybe even the entire conversation – could be a catalyst for more complex ideas that are pertinent to humanity.

Now, when going back and looking at the analysis and translation of the journal, I saw that I was on the right path. By saying these things, Whitman was alluding to the idea of “weathering the storm”. This means that we all experience difficult circumstances, but we survive and get through them to become even stronger. This could mean that Whitman personally came across many trials in his own life, as he got through them and realized the values behind the experiences. When he used the word “ship”, it is noted that Whitman was referring to the Ship of State – captained by Mr. Lincoln. It’s later said that Lincoln will face challenges far more harrowing than previous presidents, such as the Civil War. Latter, Whitman’s diary seems to emphasize his high concern for the political future of the nation, while also exemplifying his expertise in poetic literature/literary devices.

The American Dream

The United States of America is most prominently known for its declaration of freedom and equal opportunity for all people. The “American Dream” is based on this idea of equality, with the centralized mindset that all American citizens are granted the opportunity to achieve a prosperous and successful life. Living in America, one is immediately granted the rights that would otherwise be unattainable in varying countries. The term is a sort of ideal that suggests that if hard work is put into place, there are no restrictions refraining one from achieving maximum prosperity for themselves and those they care for. Many foreigners immigrated to America in hopes of achieving the “American Dream”, not only for themselves, but for the continued opportunity of their future generations.

Now, for the most part, how is success truly measured? The most common answer would more than likely pertain to the measurement of one’s wealth; however, wealth does have many variations within it. Personally, I view wealth simply as money or material possessions. It might sound acquisitive, but it’s unfortunately true that if you do not have money, you cannot be considered a wealthy man. Thus, some would go out on a limb and say if one is not a wealthy man, they are not successful; yet, I believe success can definitely be measured on an alternative scale. One does not need to have a lot of money or “wealth” to live a happy life and achieve what they wish to (though it does help). Hence, the “American Dream” is moreover a sought out adventure for success and achievement rather than plain old wealth.

Unfortunately, most Americans let these contradicting notions of wealth and poverty dictate their lives. Obviously, no one wants to live in poverty, dealing with the melancholy idea of struggling to survive day-by-day. Yet, on the other hand, I think that there are too many Americans that look at wealth and see it as a definitive goal in life. A lot of Americans are materialistic, and base their way of life on the idea that money is the ultimate prize. Some go to the extent to base their life value on the money that they have in their bank account. What these people are missing is the fact that money cannot always buy happiness. Sure, it might be able to help, but true happiness and success isn’t measured on a materialistic basis. It is rather obtained by the intangibles: family, friends, working a job you love (even if it doesn’t pay the highest). That is how I wish to view wealth throughout the course of my life. I wouldn’t say to completely disregard your concerns with wealth, but do rather focus primarily on achieving your personal successes in life. And hey, if wealth comes along the way, that’s just an added bonus.

The Obscurity That Comes With Translation

The Original: Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheuren Ungeziefer verwandelt.

#1: As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

Diction: This is the only translation that uses the word “insect” rather than “bug” or “vermin”. They are all actually different things, even though they may seem to be the same. Specifically, insects usually have the capability of flying, while bugs do not. It’s a small change, but it can give a wrongful indication of what was truly meant to be implied.

Syntax: The ordering is very concise, as it flows coherently and chronologically. It gives the indication that once Samsa awoke from his dreams, he immediately became aware of who he’d become.

Imagery/Details: Some details are present, including adjectives like “uneasy” and “gigantic”, which help the audience better depict the eerie circumstance.

Structure: There are some unnecessary information that is added. For example, adding “in his bed” isn’t really needed; its addition might be present to enhance the audience’s perception of the imaginative situation.

#2: Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug.

Diction: This particular translation is the only one that uses the word “changed” rather than “transformed”. It’s roughly the same meaning, but it may imply that Samsa just flipped a switch to become a bug, instead of developing into one overnight.

Syntax: Placing the idea that Samsa woke from “uneasy dreams” - even before mentioning “one morning” – could imply that his uneasy dreams were a prelude to the uneasy reality he is about to embark upon.

Imagery/Details: There is a lack of details that are utilized to aid with imagery. The sentence is essentially absent of adjectives or adverbs.

Structure: The sentence is very straight and to the point, as it is a narrative driven by cause and effect. Because Samsa woke up, he found his body changed to that of a bug. This aids clarity, but could be distant from the intended meaning of correct translation because of its simplicity.

#3: When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found he had been 

transformed in his bed into an enormous bug.

Diction: This translation is the only one to use the word “troubled” as a description for the type of dreams Samsa is having. The word could suggest that Samsa is having an internal conflict that is represented by his dreams.

Syntax: Starting the sentence off with a dependent clause highlights the important information (that Samsa had been transformed into a bug) and suppress the incidental information.

Imagery/Details: There are a few descriptive words present that could help with imagining the situation told. The “enormous bug” could really put a creepy image in some peoples’ minds.

Structure: Adding “in his bed” after “transformed” makes the sentence more incoherent and a little harder to follow. Taking it out or placing it elsewhere would enhance the sentence’s clarity.

#4: One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin.

Diction: The transformation is referred to that of a “monstrous vermin”, which seems to be a very negative connation. Just referring to Samsa as a bug or insect would be a lot less unpleasant or cruel sounding.

Syntax: Placing “one morning” at the beginning of the sentence give an indication that Samsa lives day-to-day or in the moment, and that this morning, this is what had happened.

Imagery/Details: There are a variety of descriptive words used that help present imaginative images in the minds of the audience. Words such as “agitated” and “monstrous” draw the audience to visualize scary or uneasy ideas or predicaments.

Structure: There are a lot of interruptions, separated by commas, present in this translation. The interruptions are really just added material that are not needed. They could imply that the transformation was an interruption in itself from Samsa’s normal morning routine.

 

How does the word choice, syntax, punctuation, and imagery shift in each affect meaning? Is one more effective than another? Why? What does this exercise bring up about the difficulty of reading translated texts? How do different translations effect the tone of the sentence?

Word choice affects meaning in the sense that words literally define a sentence. The word/words one chooses to use, as opposed to another that could easily be substituted, determines how audiences visually perceive a passage. Syntax affects meaning because the order in which words are presented greatly influences how a sentence can come across. The order of words in a sentence could signify importance (as depicted by the author), which could in turn come in conflict with the reader’s opinion and generate incoherency within the audiences’ minds. Punctuation can moreover determine the mood of a sentence. Whether there are commas, exclamation marks, question marks, etc., punctuation can make a sentence seem suspenseful, exhilarating, or inquisitive, respectively. To conclude, imagery can ultimately control how the audience mentally perceives what the author presents. It is a vital piece of literature in that it can accurately influence how connected an audience is with the imaginative scenario they’re presented.

I feel as though word choice is the most effective or influential literary aspect that can affect how a passage is interpreted. When translating a passage from one language to another, different words can be swapped for one another with the misconception that they hold the same meaning. Though the general definition of the words may be similar, even the slightest difference in definition can change how the sentence is read or understood. Connotation can truly influence the feelings one associates with a word, ultimately affecting how an entire passage can be perceived.

This exercise shows how easily language can be altered when translated from various languages. Some terms may not have exactly one meaning in one language, while in another language, maybe there is only one term to describe a specific word or phrase. When multiple words are available for exploitation, there’s always the risk that the translation will result in a different meaning than if other terms are used. Thus, one sentence could have a completely altered tone from another, affecting the mood the text presents to the audience. This can cause incoherency or misinterpretations amongst various translations, as audiences might be exposed to wrongful textual meaning, and therefore could possibly make false inferences on the text.

Freebie 2nd Semester

Too...many....IAs

Never Let Me Go Covers

Never Let Me Go is a book of ever-changing perspectives and generalities of the confusing world in which Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy live. Ishiguro might have wanted to take this concept to the next level by introducing several differentiated book covers to his audience. These different book covers could be argued to resemble the varied perspectives and outlooks one might have on life living in Hailsham.

The first book cover I have picked is no doubt the most eerie and depressing one of them all. It presents a picture of a human’s internal corpse, presenting the vital organs that would be taken from these kids in Hailsham when their time has come. Only, the way the organs are presented makes them seem unhealthy, weak, and fragile. I say this because of the blatant lack of detail in the portrayal of the organs, as well as the fact that there are stitches around the corpse – giving the intention that this body had to be ‘fixed up’ and is not at its primal state. In addition, the dark-grayish background helps aid the depressing mood the author is trying to convey. Overall, I think this cover is specifically designed to give the reader the impression that this ‘Never Let Me Go’ story won’t revolve around a love story, but will rather be more focused hardships one endures on their difficult life journey in Hailsham.

The second book cover I have picked is an interesting one, and one that I have never seen before. It displays a small boat tied up to a tree on the shore of a vast ocean or lake. The boat is used to symbolize the people of Hailsham as they are literally tied/locked into this depressing society and limited the exploration of the vast world around them (the ocean). Like the first cover interpreted, this cover is fairly depressing as well. Though, I can say that it is not immediately as effective, and it took me a little bit longer to understand what the picture was actually conveying. I think the purpose of this cover specifically is to intrigue the reader, almost mysteriously without giving a lot of information. The audience sees this tied up boat and the title of the book, and may be interested in what the title is referring to. Is this a story about what’s presented, or is there something more to it with the same concept?

When analyzing the first cover individually, the first word that comes into my mind is death. Yeah, that’s a pretty drastic and negative thought, but that’s what this cover is all about: depression and loss of hope. Just looking at the cover – as an unfamiliar bystander – would give me the impression that this book would be about losing someone and having a hard time ‘letting them go’. Yet, knowing what most of the novel is about, helps me understand there is much bigger meaning to the corpse/organs displayed. The donation of organs by the clones is a vital piece to the story that is fairly touched on with the presentation of this cover. The body portrayed is that of the clones, and the image shows their lack of life and meaning to those of who their organs are donated to. I think the type of person that would create this kind of book would be someone who values the life they live and want to present this dystopia in which we are thankful to be exceptionally distant from. Similarly, the reader would be one who is interested in the cloning topic and the idea of this world becoming a reality in the near future.

When solely analyzing the second cover, the first word that comes to mind is isolation. The tied up boat is completely isolated and distant from the open ocean surrounding it. It’s limited to stay in the same exact spot, rather than venturing out into the open and seeing new things – much like Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are isolated in Hailsham and distant from the surrounding world. If I was unfamiliar with the book and saw this cover, I would probably interpret it pretty literally and think it was something about a man/women who wants to leave somewhere, but is stuck deciding of whether or not to leave someone. Now that I have read part of the book, I was able to notice the metaphor between the boat and the children in Hailsham, in relation to their lack of individualism and adventure in their lives. Essentially, children such as Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are the boat locked up on shore and blocked off from the vast world that surrounds them. Overall, I think someone interested in reading this book (based on the cover) would be concerned with the concept of moving on and going out and exploring things in life. This is because the picture presented gives the impression that things are indented to stay permanent, and I think the reader would be interested in finding exploitations to that notion so that they could even compare it to their personal lives if applicable.

What Really Makes Us Human?

Karen Thompson Walker: What Can Fear Teach Us?

We grow up thinking of fear as a weakness and a danger in and of itself; however, fear is something a lot more than that. It’s something that we conquer, fight, and overcome, and I think it’s a huge aspect of our lives that makes us human.

In a way, fear is a kind of unintentional storytelling that we are all born knowing how to do. In her presentation, Walker states, “Just like all great stories, our fears focus our attention on a question that is as important in life as it is in literature: What will happen next?” In other words, our fears make us think about the future. And sometimes, our fears can predict the future, as our worst fears may come true.

If we think of our fears as more than just fears but as stories, we should think of ourselves as the authors as well as the readers of those stories. The way in which we choose to read our fears can have a profound effect on our lives. Read in the right way, our fears are an amazing gift of the imagination, a way of glimpsing what might be the future when there's still time to influence how that future will play out. In addition, having fearful emotions allows people to obtain a little wisdom, insight, and truth about ourselves and the society we live in.

Throughout her presentation, Walker attempts to get her point across mainly by the use of ethos and logos. In her TED Talk, Karen Thompson Walker uses ethos by stating that she is a fiction novelist and a writer of one of the best-selling books of 2012, The Age of Miracles. In this book, a young girl and her family awake one morning to discover that the rotation of the Earth has suddenly begun to slow, stretching the length of the 24-hour day and throwing the natural world into disarray. The book has been acclaimed one of the best books of the year by People, O: The Oprah Magazine, New York Times, and many more industries for its exquisite examination of the connection between fear and the imagination. Knowing this allowed me to look at the credibility of her points more respectably. With past research and experience of the topic, she seems to be thoroughly aware of the argument she is making.

Another crucial way Walker gets her point across is through the use of logos. She states several facts from past historical experiences that support the argument she is trying to make. One main example is the 1819 story that she carried on through the beginning of her presentation, up until the end. In 1819, 20 American sailors watched their ship flood with seawater 3,000 miles off the coast of Chile. The fears that the crew’s imaginations were generating as they drifted in the middle of the Pacific included being eaten by cannibals, battered by storms, or starving to death before reaching land. These were the fears that danced in the imaginations of these poor men, and as it turned out, the fear they chose to listen to would govern whether they lived or died.

Terrified of cannibals, they decided to forgo the closest islands and instead embarked on the longer and much more difficult route to South America. After more than two months at sea, the men ran out of food as they knew they might, and they were still quite far from land. When the last of the survivors were finally picked up by two passing ships, less than half of the men were left alive, and some of them had resorted to their own form of cannibalism; the fear that had danced in their minds of what could happen to them. I think what Walker was trying to convey by telling this story was obviously to support her idea that fear is like a story, but to also bring about the idea that how we cope with our fears and what we do with them can really dictate the path your life will take. If you choose to ignore your fears, or take the easy way out of avoiding them, I think you risk the notion of fully fulfilling your life. Our lives are about conquering and achieving goals, and I’m not really sure you can truly do that if you’re running away from your fears your entire life.

               So, if you’ve read thus far, you might be wondering why I picked this TED Talk to view and interpret. Truth is, I wanted to know the answer to the title of the talk: What can fear teach us? And, to be honest, I think I did find that answer. There’s this saying I’ve heard and kept in the back of my head for quite some time now: “Fear is stronger than love”. It’s crazy to think about because we grow up learning that the strongest emotion we can feel is love, but then we’re introduced to this frightful sensation that can really dictate our actions in our lives. Personally, I still have many fears, but I must say that I had a lot more growing up, even up until high school. I think as we grow older and mature, we learn to cope with our fears, but do we ever think about what our fears teach us? After listening to Walker, I think that fear teaches us of the person we have the ability to become. If we can analyze and conquer our fears, we can understand the true person we are and gain insight on everything around us. Doing this, I believe, allows us to obtain true life fulfillment, and justly makes us human.