The World's Best Book Summaries
What are the differences between British and American English? How did the same language evolve into two different versions? The British and American English differ in a few fundamental ways, but this has not always been the case. The great divergence between the two was a slow and long historical process, which started when the first English-speaking settlers arrived in the Americas. Read about the divergence between British and American English.
What is tone policing and how does it relate to racism? What unconscious assumptions about race does tone policing reveal? Tone policing is a series of strategies that turn the focus of a discussion from what someone is saying to how they’re saying it. In the context of racism, tone policing is actually a form of microaggression because silencing someone implies that they don’t have the right to be heard. Read about tone policing and how it relates to and perpetuates racism.
What are the greatest works of English lexicography? What were each of their contributions? English lexicography has succeeded in producing the greatest and most comprehensive dictionaries to be found in any language. Some of the most notable works of English lexicography include the 1735 Dictionary of the English Language, the Webster Dictionary, and of course, the crown jewel of all English dictionaries the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Keep reading to learn about the key figures of English lexicography and their contributions.
What does it mean when a character in literature takes flight? What are some examples of flight being used symbolically? More often than not, flight in literature symbolizes either freedom or spirituality. Additionally, the ability to fly can also be used ironically depending on the circumstance. Keep reading to learn about flight in literature.
Is language an invention or an intrinsic trait? What are the exact mechanisms that gave rise to the phenomenon of symbolic language? Language is undoubtedly one of the greatest human inventions of all time, although the question of whether symbolic language is an invention or an intrinsic feature of the human species is a matter of semantics. There’s some archaeological evidence that language arose during the Cro-Magnon period, but the exact mechanisms behind its development are unknown. Keep reading to learn about the invention of the human language.
How often do you find yourself discussing issues of race or racism? What is your comfort level in having conversations about race? Race is a sensitive and contentious topic to talk about. However, talking about race is the critical first step in dismantling the structures and eradicating the practices that perpetuate racism. Here are some things to keep in mind when having conversations about race.
Why is weather so important in literature? Why is rain the most commonly used weather symbol and what does it mean? The setting of a story informs the mood, the attitude of the characters, and the presentation of the themes. One of the most important elements of the setting is the weather. In literature, weather plays many roles such as a plot device, a way to set the atmosphere, a symbol for cleansing or misery, and much more. Keep reading to learn what different types of weather symbolize in literature.
What is English as lingua franca? What are the characteristics of the language that made it easier for people all over the globe to adopt and spread it? English as a lingua franca refers to the use of English by non-native speakers as a language of choice. While English does have some competitive advantages over many other languages in terms of ease of adoption, they are not the main reason English has become the global language. In this article, we will explore the phenomenon of English as a lingua franca.
Why are seasons so important in literature? What do the different seasons represent? Seasons can symbolically enhance a reader’s sense of themes and characters. Over time, seasons have been used so frequently as symbols that each season now has ingrained meanings. Keep reading to find out what each season means symbolically in literature.
Why should you write a one-page business plan? What information should it cover? Business plans can be long and super-detailed, but they don’t have to be. In fact, a one-page business plan can sometimes be better and more persuasive than a comprehensive document. This one-page business plan template will help you outline the key facets of your business idea.