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Transcript Lingthusiasm Episode 55: R and R-like sounds - Rhoticity

This is a transcript for Lingthusiasm Episode 55: R and R-like sounds - Rhoticity. It’s been lightly edited for readability. Listen to the episode here or wherever you get your podcasts. Links to studies mentioned and further reading can be found on the Episode 55 show notes page.

[Music]

Lauren: Welcome to Lingthusiasm, a podcast that’s enthusiastic about linguistics! I’m Lauren Gawne.

Gretchen: I’m Gretchen McCulloch. Today we’re getting enthusiastic about R and R-like sounds, also known as “rhoticity.” But first, we have a liveshow! It’s happening in a very few days, late April 2021 if you’re listening to this from the future. You can get access to it by becoming a patron or, if you are already a patron, you will have access to it already. We will send you a link to the livestream video when it goes up.

Lauren: If you’ve missed the livestream, you can catch it as a bonus Lingthusiasm episode, along with 49 other bonuses, including our most recent one on speaking to kids and pets.

[Music]

Gretchen: It was really good that it was my turn to say what this episode was about because if you said the topic “R and R-like sounds,” Lauren, I feel like you might say it a little bit differently.

Lauren: I don’t know what’s wrong with talking about “/a/-like” sounds.

Gretchen: “/a/-like sounds” is a vowel.

Lauren: That is definitely convenient that you were the person to introduce this topic because rhoticity and this R-ness is something I can do, and I can definitely do it at the start of words like “red” or “rice,” but it’s a sound that is missing from the ends of words for me. So, it definitely is easier to hear exactly what we’re talking about with “/ɹoʊtɪsɪti/.” I can do it at the start, but when I’m talking about /aɹɹɹ/, I really have to work it to articulate that.

Gretchen: Welcome to International Talk Like a Pirate Day, Lauren, “Arrrrrrgh” is this whole episode.

Lauren: I get a bit over-enthusiastic with putting it in there for sure.

Gretchen: The nice thing is, is because this feature of English accents where some of them do pronounce the Rs after the vowels and some of them don’t is a feature of English accents that is one of the big accent splits that we have in English. We also don’t have to listen to me trying to do the bad impression of non-rhotic people saying, “/a/, /a/ and /a/-like sounds.”

Lauren: Our entire podcasting collaboration has really led up to this episode. This is entirely what our accent distribution was made for.

Gretchen: It was totally made for this. It’s a really salient feature across English accents that some of them do have this R after a vowel – “post-vocalic R” – and some of them don’t. In English, that’s what gets called “rhoticity.” Is this accent rhotic like mine or is it non-rhotic like yours?

Lauren: The class of R-like sounds is something we’ll be talking about all episode because it’s a bit of a grab bag both within English and across languages more broadly.

Gretchen: What exactly we mean by an R-like sound is one of those nebulous, squishy categories that it seems like it makes sense and then you look at it too hard and then it stops making sense and then you realise that you can drift your mind into soft focus and have it make sense again. One of the things that I enjoyed learning about English accents is how is it that in Canada we have this R and down in Australia you don’t have it. Where does that come from?

Lauren: It’s a really nice example of how migration creates these little accent time capsules. The R sound is something that’s very easy to lose from the ends of words. Across languages this happens. It’s a very easy target for something to get lost. It was far more common in England four centuries ago when a lot of people migrated. The areas that people migrated from in England and the British Isles and the United Kingdom, more generally, people migrated to what is now the United States and Canada. They had more of this R at the end of words as a feature. Then a couple of centuries later, when the colonists arrived in Australia from the United Kingdom, that feature was far less common there. You don’t find it in Australian or New Zealand accents, but you do find it in those North American accents more predominantly. Not always – but as a general feature. You have this really nice time capsule just because the migrants came a couple of centuries earlier to the US than they did to Australia.

Gretchen: It’s a neat – I mean, there are, obviously, historical records of when all this migration was happening, but it’s comforting to know that if we didn’t have those historical records, we would be able to reconstruct them from the accents.

Lauren: Yeah. Or if we didn’t have those records and, for some reason, the lack of R was also really common in North America, we have the written record in English to show us that there is an R at the end of words like “car” that there isn’t in some other words. As someone who doesn’t have this feature, sometimes, if I’m trying to put on a North American accent, I over apply it to words where there isn’t an R in writing as well. I recently tried to say the word, “tuna,” the fish, with an American accent and over compensated and went with “tunar,” which is absolutely not correct and also a terrible accent.

Gretchen: Also, that’s a piano tuner or something.

Lauren: Oh, yeah, a “tuner” that you tune a piano with – it sounds exactly the same for me, but it’s a completely different spelling and a completely different word.

Gretchen: Well, and the interesting thing is, I do have Rs in my accent, but I’m also very accustomed to hearing non-rhotic accents because I think I’ve listened to more Australian English in the last, say, five years or so because, you know, we talk to each other quite a lot doing this podcast. I visited Australia. But even before that, I’d consume plenty of British media and stuff like that, which a lot of the British accents are non-rhotic, but some of them are still rhotic, especially in the North and in Scotland and so on. I consumed a lot of non-rhotic accents, so I’m using to hearing it. In many cases, if you’re used to hearing those accents, you don’t even necessarily notice it as, “Oh, there aren’t Rs here,” you notice it, “This just sounds like it’s from wherever.” But sometimes when I’m hearing a non-rhotic speaker, I over apply, and I insert, mentally, Rs in what they’re trying to say even when they aren’t trying to say an R because I’m so used to reconstructing that R in my head.

Lauren: Amazing. You just hallucinate sound is basically what’s happening.

Gretchen: Yeah! A non-rhotic friend of mine was recently talking about lava, like the thing that comes out from the earth in a volcano, but saying, “There’s a lot of lava here.” I misheard her as saying, “larva.”

Lauren: As in bug babies?

Gretchen: Yes, as in bug babies, which is a very different mental image from molten rock.

Lauren: Especially if you think of them spewing out of the earth like a volcano. That’s actually terrifying.

Gretchen: It’s kind of horrific. But yeah, sometimes it happens on both the production and the perception side. Sometimes you can hear an R that isn’t there or hear a ghost of an R that wasn’t there, or you can end up producing it when you weren’t trying to.

Lauren: I think it is really interesting that, obviously, I consume a lot of Australian media. You hear a lot of Canadian voices. The two big producers of culture for that anglosphere, English speakers, is that Southern England English and the North American English. One in England is traditionally marked with not having R at the end of words pronounced, and American English does have that R. It’s very rhotic. We’re exposed to both types very commonly, which is why I think it’s hard to hear or remember that you’re hearing it.

Gretchen: I think it’s interesting to think about this in terms of the prestige varieties in both of these places because there are American accents that are non-rhotic. In the American South, a lot of the accents don’t have that R at the end of the syllable. There are British accents that are rhotic, especially in the north. The prestigious accent that you find on media and television, unless a character is being stereotyped as having an accent, the unmarked accent that you see on both of these is different with respect to that R. This was something that was one of those early revelations that I had as a budding linguist of like, hey, here’s this R. In one country it’s having the R that’s prestigious and it’s not having the R that’s looked down on. Then in the other country, it’s not having the R that’s prestigious and it’s having the R that’s more stigmatised. Clearly, it’s not R’s fault here. R is just a consonant just trying to live its life.

Lauren: Just a hapless victim.

Gretchen: A hapless victim of our human prejudices. There’s not some sort of objective right or wrong answer of, “Is R good or is R bad?” Other things that are associated with particular accents are also neutral variables, but some of them are widely disparaged all over and some of them are widely prestigious all over. This one is interesting, in the case of R, because it has this local difference on whether it’s prestigious or not prestigious.

Lauren: It’s made it a really attractive topic of study for linguists who are interested in the social values that we apply to different accents. One thing I find particularly interesting in the American context where this has been studied quite a lot is that it’s not just a matter of whether you have a rhotic accent or not. There are lots of people who can produce the rhotic accent and do include that R at the end of words or might not depending on the social context and how fancy they want to sound. Which means that we get to talk about probably one of the most famous studies in English sociolinguistics.

Gretchen: Yes. There is this very classic study by Bill Labov who is an American sociolinguist. He went to three different levels of department stores – one that was very fancy, one that was mid-level, and one that was like a bargain basement store. You really get a feeling for the vintage department store vibe. He found the location of something – I think the women’s shoe section is what he says in the paper – that was already on the fourth floor. He would find it on the map, and then he would go up to sales keepers and say, “Hey, can you tell me where to find the women’s shoes?”, and they would say, “fourth floor.” And he would say, “Pardon me?”

Lauren: Or they would say, /fɑ:ð flɑː/.

Gretchen: Yes, /fæːð flæ:/, in my bad imitation of a New York accent. He would say, “Pardon me?”, and then they would say it again, more distinctly. Then he would go around the corner, whip out his notebook, and write down whether or not they said the R in both the first one – the natural one – and then the careful-er, more enunciated one afterwards.

Lauren: You could more or less map the fancier the department store, the more likely the salesperson was to use the rhotic R. If you asked someone to repeat something, it then becomes careful speech, where they’re trying to be as articulate as possible, for whatever that means, and they’re more likely to include an R in that context as well. You see all these factors really elegantly. I think this study is attractive because it’s so elegant in how it was set up that people are more likely to use an R to sound fancy in New York in this context. It’s been replicated over decades. People have moved more towards R, and it’s become the concrete standard of pronunciation.

Gretchen: Also, I think it’s just such a fun mental image of some guy with a notebook wandering around from department store to department store. When we were doing Crash Course Linguistics, one of the thought bubbles, which are little animated bits, we actually suggested, and they took our suggestion, that they do a little animated Labov wandering from department store to department store. That’s a really cute animation that you can now watch.

Lauren: It also means that the concept of the fourth floor has become a bit of a linguist in-joke. I am so pleased to say that my office at work is on the fourth floor.

Gretchen: I went to a Linguistic Society of America conference a number of years ago in which all of the conference rooms at the hotel where on the fourth floor. You could just hear all the linguists taking delight in saying to each other, “Which way to the conference?”, “Go to the FOURTH FLOOR.”

Lauren: You could not have planned that better.

Gretchen: It’s also a bit of a meme in linguistics that stuff happens on the fourth floor. It’s a fairly salient thing about English accents that they do different things with Rs. There’s also downstream effects of what happens when your accent only sometimes has this R.

Lauren: Yes. Even though I say that I don’t have an R at the end of words, if you were to actually monitor my speech very carefully and do all the fancy phonetician sound analysis things or even just use your ears, I have R popping up at the end of words all the time in the context known as “linking” or “obtrusive R,” which is where you get a word that should have an R at the end, and then you have another word that begins with a vowel.

Gretchen: Because your Rs are only dropped when they’re at the end of a syllable, when they’re after a vowel, if there’s another vowel following, they can become the host for that R, then you don’t need to drop it anymore.

Lauren: If I said something like, “ca-r and /dɹɑɪvə/,” or “pasta-r and sauce” – it can even go in where there wouldn’t be an R. I guess if I said something like, “tuna-r and rice.”

Gretchen: There’s a bit of an R there, whereas I have “tuna and rice” and there’s nothing R-like there because, for me, “tuna” and “tuner” – “tuner” and “player” or something like that – those are totally different.

Lauren: It’s a way for my accent to mark the boundary between words in a way that works even though I can’t say an R at the end of a word without trying very hard.

Gretchen: Very “harrrrd.”

Lauren: In English. I should say R at the end of words is a feature of Nepali, and I can do that fine. I don’t think about it in Nepali, and I don’t think about it in English, but I have to put an R there. I have to work so hard in English.

Gretchen: So “harrrrd.”

Lauren: So “harrrrd.”

Gretchen: It’s something that stands out more strongly if you’re a non-rhotic speaker because, to me, I’m always paying attention to that R when it’s after a vowel. Having it show up in “pasta-r and sauce” or “tuna-r and rice,” that’s very salient to me as opposed to just being a thing you could stick between stuff. There’s also, sometimes, this R or lack of R shows up in certain stereotyped pronunciations of things. I’m thinking, you know that song in The Sound of Music where you’re learning the names of the notes – do re mi fa so la ti do – and they have this bit that’s like, “Fa – a long, long way to run”?

Lauren: Yeah, because it’s “/fɑ:/ – a long, long way to run.” You’re running /fɑ:/.

Gretchen: No, you’re running “far.”

Lauren: Hang on, yeah, because “far” in that song is F-A.

Gretchen: It’s F-A.

Lauren: I guess it’s a homophone, but it’s not a homograph. They’re not written the same. It’s a homophone for me but not for you.

Gretchen: It’s a homophone for, clearly, the writers of this song. As a child I was like, “What word are they trying to get me to say?” Because something like “ti – a drink with jam and bread,” that’s fine. I don’t write those the same, but I still pronounce it /ti/.

Lauren: Also, not spelled the same, yes.

Gretchen: I still pronounce it “/ti/”, we’re okay with one that. But “Fa – a long, long way to run,” I had to stop and think and be like, “What word are they trying to get at here?”

Lauren: One of those classic scenarios of a bunch of supposed German speakers in German singing a song that only – the whole song actually falls apart because they’re English homophones –

Gretchen: None of these are German words. They’re in Austria. Why are they singing all these English rhymes? It’s like you find the ancient inscription in the cave, and somehow you translate this poem into English, and it rhymes perfectly in English, and you’re like, “This was written in Sumerian. Like, what?”

Lauren: This is why we’re super fun to watch films with.

Gretchen: It’s like, “How does this song work in English? They’re speaking German!”

Lauren: This reminds me of another thing I have confounded you with in non-rhotic English, which is that because I don’t pronounce the R, I can use A-R-G-H to represent an excited exclamation of like, “AH!”

Gretchen: Oh, no.

Lauren: I have, on occasion, used this at Gretchen as a form of messaging enthusiasm. Gretchen has seen it as like I am –

Gretchen: Like, “ARGH I got ice cream!” It’s like, “Why are you upset about the ice cream? I thought ice cream was nice.”

Lauren: It turns out what we have completely different readings of this because, in my non-rhotic accent, it has way more of a general exclamatory-ness. What do you read “Argh” or “Arrr” as?

Gretchen: It’s an expression of frustration for me. Like, “Arrrgh, I don’t wanna do this,” or “Arrrgh, I got a flat tire,” or something. Not “Arrrgh, I got free ice cream.”

Lauren: I can use it in a much more broad range of contexts. Maybe this is just me. Maybe this is some idiosyncratic usage.

Gretchen: But like, A-H, “Ah!” I have a broader range of contexts for, but it is very distinct from “Argh.”

Lauren: I would have to say something like, “AH, I got ice cream,” A-H?

Gretchen: Yeah. This is fine.

Lauren: Okay.

Gretchen: I had this experience when I was reading, especially, British children’s fiction or British YA. The characters would say things like, “erm” and “er.” I was like, okay, fine, “Er, I don’t know where this is” or “Erm, I don’t know the answer.” I was like, “That’s just what they say in British. Sure. That’s fine.” How would you pronounce “erm” and “er”?

Lauren: They say /ə/ and /ə:m/. “Erm, let me think about that I, er, don’t know.” I do know. Exactly like that.

Gretchen: I didn’t realise until much, much later that this was just a rhotic description of the pronunciation that I would write “um” and “uh” – U-M and U-H.

Lauren: I guess this is one context where audiobooks read by someone who has the same general rhoticity as the original author would be very handy.

Gretchen: Yeah. Because I think, among me and at least some other nerds of my generation, sometimes I do write, “er,” when I’m in text because, to me, it has a slightly different meaning from “uh” because I encountered it in text.

Lauren: Amazing.

Gretchen: But the best one of you read something and it’s written for an accent that’s not your accent is – you know the donkey character in Winne the Pooh?

Lauren: Eeyore?

Gretchen: Yeah. As I would say, /ijoɹ/, because there’s an R in the writing there. I didn’t learn until I was well into my 20s that, of course, A. A. Milne was a non-rhotic speaker, and he would’ve pronounced that donkey /iɑ:/, like the sound a donkey makes.

Lauren: Mm-hmm.

Gretchen: This is a massive revelation for me, and you’re just like, “Yeah, I’ve known this my entire life.”

Lauren: Uh, yes, because donkeys have a non-rhotic accent. I thought that was obvious to everyone.

Gretchen: [Laughs] Donkeys don’t have Rs. A lot of these particular Rs that we’re talking about are specifically the R at the end of a syllable or the, what linguists call, “R-coloured vowels.” It’s a vowel and it’s an R smooshed together. This is how I would say the name of the letter R – it’s not /a: ɹ/ – it’s all one /aɹ/, all one thing. Or /ɹ̩/ like in “tuner” or “player” or “maker” or any of these words that end in /ɹ̩/.

Lauren: If you were writing it down in a specific phonetic notation, you wouldn’t have a vowel and then a distinct R there together.

Gretchen: Yeah. Sometimes, there’s a bit of gradience in terms of how you do that. If you think of something like, say I’m saying a single syllable that ends in an unambiguous consonant like /æt/, I have two different things going on in my mouth at the same time. I have the /a/ part and then immediately after that I have my mouth closing to make the T. But for R, or /ɹ̩/, my mouth is staying in the same position. I can just make the /ɹ̩/ – I can make the vowel and the R-ness of it at the same time without having to change my tongue position or anything about my mouth position. That’s what it means when a vowel can have R features on it at the same time or be R-coloured.

Lauren: That’s why we also hedge by talking about “R-like sounds” because it’s not that this is separately and by itself the sound /aɹ/ but that it has this influence over the vowel.

Gretchen: It’s got this influence over the vowel, especially when it’s written as coming after it. If you have something like “raw” or “ray,” “re-,” you do have “ra-”– you do have a movement from the R at the beginning to afterwards. That’s why it’s so easy to drop that R after a vowel because it’s already just a slightly different position for how you’re holding that vowel. R-coloured vowels are a thing that everyone taking intro English linguistics learns about because it’s a thing that we have in English – and I haven’t learned any other languages that have them. But you never know what that means about your language typology.

Lauren: Whether this is some super common phenomenon and you just happen to have not learnt a language with it or whether it’s just a weird North American thing.

Gretchen: Yeah, not even all of English. It turns out that R-coloured vowels are both very rare and very common depending on how you measure commonness.

Lauren: That’s because they also turn up in a couple of the more dominant varieties of Mandarin. This is one of those things that it was really nice to be able to put a name to, but I realised that I had been using this R-coloured-ness to help myself distinguish between whether I was likely overhearing Mandarin or spoken Cantonese because this R-colouring is really common – especially in really major dialects like Beijing and other Northern Chinese varieties of spoken Mandarin.

Gretchen: On the one hand, R-coloured vowels occur in less than 1% of the languages of the world, at least as we’re currently able to measure them.

Lauren: In terms of the speakers.

Gretchen: But they occur in two of the most widely spoken languages – right. North American English or certain varieties of English and certain varieties of Chinese, both of which have millions and millions of speakers.

Lauren: And are really common as the prestige types in media as well.

Gretchen: And are a really common second language. There are also R-coloured vowels in Quebec French where you have /ɹ̩/ a bit more – now that I’m thinking about it – is more a feature of Quebec French than in France French, and in some varieties of Brazilian Portuguese and, you know, a few other languages, a few Indigenous languages like Yurok in the US. There is a whole name for this phenomenon in Chinese because it’s common in Mandarin. It’s called, “érhuàyīn” [simplified Chinese: 儿化音; traditional Chinese: 兒化音]. It works differently to how rhotacisation works in English because it’s obligatory in certain contexts in English, whereas the way that it happens in Mandarin is – like other things, I don’t speak this, so I’m not exactly sure what the details are – but apparently, it’s used by speakers to notice people from different varieties.

Lauren: It’s so interesting that it was a feature I had been attracted to in Mandarin, and you had noticed without particularly noticing in Quebec French until we put together this episode and realised we were attending to the same phenomenon of R-colouring.

Gretchen: This gets us into this broader class of R-like sounds. Linguists talk about “rhotics,” but if you learned languages beyond English, really any language other than English, you’ve probably learned a different way to produce those particular R sounds because like, “Oh, this language has yet a different R.” It’s one of those interestingly nebulous bits of linguistics that people seem to share this very strong intuition that some sounds are R-like. And yet, when you’re trying to actually put your finger on, “Well, what makes them R-like?”, it becomes a way more complicated question.

Lauren: I guess one of the ones that is most immediately noticeable because it’s quite a fancy R is the /r/ in – I learnt to pronounce trilled R when I was learning Polish in a word like “pierogi.” It’s not as strong, but I could really emphasise it and talk about /piroʊgi/, which is definitely not how I would normally say that word, but you can hear that trilling of the R sound.

Gretchen: I encountered this R when I was trying to learn Spanish in high school. I got okay at Spanish, but I had a really hard time with this R. Because Spanish has two Rs. It has the tap R like in /pɛɾo/, meaning “but,” and then there’s this trilled R like in the word for “dog,” which is /pɛro/ – /pɛro/? Which I’m still not very good at. I can kind of make it now because there was a really helpful YouTube video that I watched a couple years ago after way too many years of trying and failing to produce this trilled R with the tip of your tongue. It turned out the thing about the trilled R is that you have to get a part of your mouth vibrating at such a fast speed that you don’t have conscious control over it. The way that you do that is you direct air in your mouth towards a place that’s just a little bit in front of where you actually want the vibration to happen. It’s like blowing into an instrument with a reed in it or blowing into a blade of grass between your fingers. You can direct that air and make this wavy – I think it’s the Bernoulli Reaction – happen in your mouth. That’s what’s making this sound that’s too fast for you to do it consciously. The mistake that I had been making was to direct the air actually at the tip of my tongue rather than directing it a little bit before so that the tongue can wave in the breeze like a little flag. I’m still not 100% on it, but I can sometimes do that [trilling sound] sometimes.

Lauren: It’s interesting that the R sound that the trill contrasts with is just a single tap. Instead of a repeated tapping motion, it’s just that single /pɛɾo/. One thing that is difficult about these R-like sounds that we’re talking about is that that’s more like something that we sometimes use for a D in English or a T in a word like /bʌɾə/ if we’re just saying it very rapidly. It is an R-thing in Spanish, but it’s not necessarily an R thing in English.

Gretchen: That’s what makes the category of rhotics or R-like sounds such a bizarre thing because basically it’s an R if people think it’s an R. There’s a lot of agreement within speakers about like, “Oh, yeah, this feels like an R to me, and this doesn’t feel like an R.” I really had to convince myself that the sound in “water” or “butter” or something was actually the same as in /pɛɾo/ because I was like, “But those feel like different sounds to me even though I can produce them both,” and I guess my tongue is doing the same thing. But one of them feels like an R.

Lauren: Whereas for the trill, you can replace an English R. You could say, “Let’s talk about /roʊtɪsɪti/” and that fits in as an R. [Gretchen laughs] I’m sorry to –

Gretchen: That’s great. No. Please. Let’s talk about – I’m just jealous that I can’t make it.

Lauren: Sorry to show off there. But you can see that in English, at least, that trilled R can substitute in for our usual R.

Gretchen: It sounds fancy, but it still sounds like an R. If I encounter a language, and I’m like, “Oh, it’s got this alveolar trilled R with the tip of the tongue,” I’m like, “Oh, yeah, totally normal R. Nothing to see here. Nothing surprising.” It’s found in Italian. It’s found in Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Swedish. There’s a whole bunch of languages that have this trilled R with the tip of the tongue. There are also a lot of languages that have the tap, which is just the single tap. Again, Spanish also has it. Japanese and Korean both have it. This is quite common in a lot of languages as well.

Lauren: I can do that trill at the alveolar, but I do struggle with the one that happens further back in the mouth that you find in French.

Gretchen: Oh, yay! That’s the one I can do.

Lauren: It’s in French and German and languages like modern Hebrew as well. Again, one of this category of R-like sounds but a bit further back.

Gretchen: /ʀ/ /ʀ/. This is the one that uses the little dangly bit at the back of your throat that you can see if you look in a mirror and scream. I think of it as a sort of cartoon screaming thing. If you can get that one waving in the back of your throat, /ʀ/ – I’m good at this one. My theory is that people are either good at this –

Lauren: You get one.

Gretchen: – the throat one or the tip of the tongue one and that very few people are good at both of them. Many people can do one or the other and are very frustrated they can’t do the other one. There are a variety of things that are done with the back of the throat that are often lumped together. In French you can have like, “roi,” the word for “king,” or “rue,” the word for “street,” and you can either /ʁ/ or /χ/. You can make it either with the vocal cords vibrating or not vibrating. You can pretty much do whichever one you want. Something that’s interesting about French is that French actually underwent a shift from the tip of the tongue one, which is still produced by a few, I think it’s mostly old men in rural Quebec, who still produce the one that you have in Polish. They still produce that R.

Lauren: Again, migration working as an amazing time capsule creation device.

Gretchen: Most of French speakers, including most people in Quebec – like younger people – but occasionally you’ll get some especially old men in less geographically central areas who still have that one because this has happened over the last 100 years that French has switched what kind of R it has. That’s one of the reasons why you can say, “Well, what do these two sounds have in common?” Okay. They’re both produced as a trill with that very fast vibration but so is the trill with the lips, /B/. Basically no languages consider the lip trill to be an R. That one’s not an R. /B/. I don’t know of any languages that consider that one to be an R-like sound. The other two that are midway in the mouth and back in the throat, those are R-like, and yet not this other one. The reason why it makes sense to consider all of these sounds together in the “R-like” category is because sometimes languages really do hop from one to the other because they still feel R-like somehow even though we don’t have a good way to pin down exactly what it is physically that you’re doing that makes it R-like.

Lauren: You can tell the sounds that linguists think fit into this category because the International Phonetic Alphabet character for them tends to be some variation on our character for the letter R.

Gretchen: It’s like shameless pandering to the R lobby.

Lauren: It’s really one of the cruellest things we do to people trying to learn to memorise all the symbols on the IPA because you have what we think of as a common R in English for words like “red,” or “rhotic,” is the letter R upside-down. Those uvular ones that you were talking about – is it a capital R upside down? The trill at the alveolar that we were talking about is the standard letter R. They’re all just little variations on it.

Gretchen: One of the things, speaking of Rs that vary, that I learned when we were researching this is that in Northern England there were once accents that used this /ʁ/, the back of the throat R like French has, which was described as a “burr.”

Lauren: That’s what people are trying to get at with that description of Northern accents.

Gretchen: Yeah. Because I’ve read – I dunno if it was Jane Austin specifically – but that era of English writer where they would say, “Oh, and this character had a ‘burr’ in his voice,” and I was just like, “A little fuzzy Velcro-y creature that sticks to you? What are you talking about this?” It’s actually trying to describe this /ʁ/ R that people had.

Lauren: Again, a nice example of the incredible variety of rhotic things that people have done with English.

Gretchen: What’s interesting is this R, too, is not always an R in every language because Arabic has a bog standard, tip of the tongue R like is common in very many languages. I actually had to go look up like, “What kind of R does Arabic have, again?” Because I studied it for a few years, and I’d forgotten what kind of R they have. And, oh, they have the normal one. Okay. Arabic also has a sound that’s very similar to what, in French, is the R sound at the back of the throat. It’s not treated as an R for the purposes of the rest of Arabic. It’s written with a G-H when you’re transcribing Arabic, and it’s produced in a very similar manner as what French considers an R, but it’s not an R language-internally, based on what people think of as R-like – in a similar way as this D in “water.”

Lauren: There’s this very loose set of what linguists broadly think of as potentially R-like, and then that manifests differently depending on the language and the other sounds that it’s in contrast to.

Gretchen: Exactly. Maybe the best example of this is that – because there’s a certain kind of sound that in some contexts can be an R-like sound, but most of the time in English, is more like a W.

Lauren: Right. Is that the very fancy Received Pronunciation English accent of talking about “woticity”?

Gretchen: “‘Mawwidge’ is what ‘bwrings’ us here together today.”

Lauren: It’s also a not-uncommon phase for children to go through. I think it’s worth saying, if you have any anxiety about not being able to produce one of the trills or one of the other R-type sounds that we’ve talked about today, it’s very common to not be able to hit sounds that aren’t in your languages that you’ve grown up with.

Gretchen: R is one of those hard sounds even for English-speaking children who’ve been exposed to it from birth.

Lauren: Children go through developmental stages where it takes them a while to get the hang of it. A lot of the time they’ll outgrow it. It’s worth just keeping an eye on and enjoying while it briefly occurs. If it’s persistent and your child is getting into 3 and 4 and it’s really not moving at all, that can be a time to maybe chat to a speech pathologist. But it is a completely normal phase to go through. It’s also completely normal not to be able to acquire sounds that aren’t in the languages that you are exposed to and that you speak. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you can’t hit one of those trills.

Gretchen: I have lost track of the number of small children, like extended family and friends’ kids, who have called me “Gwetchen” for six months.

Lauren: Oh my gosh, too cute.

Gretchen: “Gwetchen!” It’s great. It’s really wonderful. It’s so cute. There’s the classic Looney Tunes, “wascaly wabbit.” This is clearly also a stereotyped feature of a certain kind of childish speech in English. In addition to this T and G-H and W, sometimes, have ties with R, another really interesting sound that has ties with R is the /z/ sound, which is often written with S but actually pronounced /z/ as in “Zed.” In both the history of English and the history of Latin and the history of other languages, sometimes you get a /z/ changing to an R. This is how we get words like “was” and “were.”

Lauren: Ah. It’s one of those things that’s been staring me right in the face.

Gretchen: Yeah. “Was” and “were,” “is” and “are,” “rise” and “rear,” as in “to bring up.”

Lauren: Ah, yes.

Gretchen: And the suffixes “-er” and “-est” as in “bigger,” “biggest,” is another pair. Or words like “more” and “most,” “better” and “best,” “loss” and “forlorn.”

Lauren: Oh my gosh, this is a lot of very core English that I’m re-thinking for the first time.

Gretchen: Right? Sometimes an S or a Z just becomes an R or vice versa. Especially, the R often shows up between two vowels. The S changes to a /z/ sound between two vowels, and then that /z/ can change to an R because if you’re producing your R with the tongue near the front of the mouth, that’s kind of also where you’re pronouncing a /z/ sound. They’re not quite as different as you might think they are – at least if you’re producing that particular R. There’s also examples of this in Latin. You have things like “genus” – or /d͡ʒinəs/ – and “generous.”

Lauren: Which gives us “genre,”

Gretchen: “Genre,” and “generic,” and a whole bunch of words like that. And “genus,” like “species.” This happens in a bunch of languages. It’s not just those two. But you can see it in English and be like, “Wait! This has been here all along.”

Lauren: It’s another really great example of how rhoticity and rhotic sounds have this incredible flexibility and ability to change over time that makes them such an interesting little feature to pull apart and look at across a single language, across history, or across lots of different languages. You can start off going, “Okay, we’re going to look at R-like things,” and you can dig down and dig down and build more of an appreciation. You dig down so far you come back to they’re all just kind of R-like things.

Gretchen: You know how in nature the shape of a crab – the sideways scuttling, pinch-y arm thing – has evolved in several completely different branches of the family tree?

Lauren: Yes.

Gretchen: They call this “cancericization” – “everything wants to become a crab.” That’s “cancer” as in the Zodiac sign not “cancer” as in the disease. I think there’s also maybe – rhotacisation is like cancericization. Everything wants to become a crab; everything wants to become an R. R just shows up and has its little pinching fingers in so many different places.

Lauren: It’s never quite the same thing. Whenever you come across something written as an R in a language, it’s always good to keep an open mind about exactly what that is an exactly how it’s used. It’s a little recurring motif.

Gretchen: You keep coming back to this sense of similarity that people have noticed over and over again, even though these sounds are produced in incredibly different ways.

[Music]

Gretchen: For more Lingthusiasm and links to all the things mentioned in this episode, go to lingthusiasm.com. You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube, or wherever else you get your podcasts. You can follow @Lingthusiasm on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr. You can get IPA scarves, “Not Judging Your Grammar, Just Analysing It” T-shirts, and other Lingthusiasm merch at lingthusiasm.com/merch. I can be found as @GretchenAMcC on Twitter, my blog is AllThingsLinguistic.com, and my book about internet language is called Because Internet.

Lauren: I tweet and blog as Superlinguo. Have you listened to all the Lingthusiasm episodes, and you wish there were more? You can get access to 49 bonus episodes to listen to right now at patreon.com/lingthusiasm or follow the links to our website. Patrons also get access to our Discord chatroom to talk to other linguistics fans and other rewards as well as helping keep the show ad-free. Recent bonus topics include talking to babies, reduplication, and an AMA with the two of us. If you can’t afford to pledge, that’s okay, too. We really appreciate it if you can recommend Lingthusiasm to anyone who needs a little more linguistics in their life.

Gretchen: Lingthusiasm is created and produced by Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne. Our Senior Producer is Claire Gawne, our Editorial Producer is Sarah Dopierala, and our music is “Ancient City” by The Triangles.

Lauren: Stay lingthusiastic!

[Music]

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

#language #linguistics #lingthusiasm #episode 55 #podcasts #transcripts #rhotics #r #r sounds #rhoticity #rhotacism #phonology

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scribblewriting65 · 5 years ago

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Top 5 YouTube Channels

Intro

Communication is a powerful and ever-changing force; especially with the rise of the Internet in recent decades. And no online service knows this better than YouTube. Hosting thousands of channels and millions of videos, no website has sucked away our free time quite like Big Red.

Today I would like to acknowledge 5 of the platform’s strongest creators, in my eyes. Whether it be for their intelligent content or the sheer fun they bring, to me, these guys are some of the best of the best; and proudly hold some of my greatest respect.

Quick disclaimers: This is my first writing like this, and as you know, opinions can change over time; so please lower your pitchforks and know that there are plenty of channels I love. Also, when writing this, I don’t have a particular order in mind (Except for #1). Whether you find your favorite on the bottom, top, or nowhere at all, know that these guys deserve a watch (if my digital mouth has any impact on your choices, that is).

Enough talk though. Onward, to appreciation!

#5: JT Music

Art is mankind’s most unique unifier, and no art brings people together quite like music. Whether it be country, funk, or rap in this pick’s case, you can look just about anywhere for a good time. And while rock star NateWantstoBattle is a close second in this regard, no musician really does it for me quite like JT.

While most would look at the genre “Video Game Rap” with an upturned nose, those that stick around won’t find anything quite like what Skull and Pat bring to the table. Their weekly tunes always bring a fire to my subscription feed, whether they’re putting me into the role of a badass superhero, or dragging me into the darkest abyss, I can just about always have a good time nodding my head to the beat.

Not only is their work consistently fun, but it’s also wide in diversity, and constant in quality. Hits like Follow Father, No Hero, and Hungry for Another One capture their source material perfectly within a musical context. Even their cameo appearances in tracks like DAGames’ We Want Out and Zack Boucher’s Ultimate Super Smash Bros. Rap steal the show with their wild energy. I always find myself smiling when I find their newest song; getting a small amount of enjoyment even in my less liked tracks.

Consistent fun and passion can be felt in the notes, and I can’t help but rock my skull out when JT Music starts playing.

#4: GameXplain

Games offer a wide variety no matter where you look. No matter if you’re looking for a deep insight into 30 second clips, latest updates on a title, or general thoughts on an event, you can always find something, or someone, explaining the perspective for you.

I’m a funny guy, aren’t I?

GameXplain has certainly explored over the years. From Cool Bits and Missing In Action in the past, to their famous modern Analyses and Discussions, Andre and friends have always hosted an approachable place with a variety of outlooks from its diverse crew, like Andre’s obsession with Stunt Race FX and Ash’s knowledge and love of Mega Man.

Even if you aren’t super into any of their interests, you’ll still find a laid-back but insightful pool of content. Their discussions are a personal favorite of mine, bringing fun, thoughtful ideas to events or ideas occurring in the gaming industry. I can’t help but get caught up in their hype, especially for Nintendo Directs or the annual E3 Show.

Even if I don’t quite understand the excitement that something is receiving, I can always go to these guys for a solid explanation and platform to join the hype train.

#3: Mithzan

It seems that no matter where you go, Minecraft can be found there. Games, books, plushies, animations, even an entire convention; those familiar blocks pervade some space of modern culture. While this space has hosted some incredible creations, simplicity also has its own beauty.

Mithzan uses this simplicity to great effect. With his buddies Ross, Pooki, Jerry and frequent guests, Max is always there to give me a laugh. And while Minecraft holds a variety of fun games like Would You Rather and Never Have I Ever, Mithzan also offers experiences outside of the blocks, like Uno and Dead by Daylight.

Along with the wide content, the experiences and humor are also varied, sometimes employing puns or old-fashioned smack talk, to name a few. Even with the different conversations and games, the fun and heart are always there. Whether he’s playing a wacky or horrifying game, Mithzan is approachable and honest with his style of play.

#2: Mother’s Basement

Appearances can be deceiving, no matter where you look. Assumed bullies are victims themselves, ‘loner’ people are simply introverted, and the most stubborn ones find themselves lost in an unexpected niche. All it takes is a little looking around, and you’ll find a new lesson or friend more often than not.

And what better place to look for insight than in a Mother’s Basement?

While not all people can see the artistry that anime brings to the table, Mother’s Basement brings its potential to the limelight. With weekly insights and discussions on things like how animation enhances an atmosphere or what makes a fight extraordinary in Animelee, the ideas and thought put into these discussions is top-notch.

Along with this, Geoff (the host)’s voice is great support, staying calm but strong, adding great emphasis on major points. He even provides touches of comedy and actual life advice into his videos. I find myself especially entertained with his analyses on My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist, but Geoff also covers topics like best romantic partners and essential shows to watch (and avoid), and pointing out his reasons why. Even if anime isn’t your style, there are some videos dotted in discussing topics like the nuances of binge-watching in “Is Binge Watching Bad for Us? (Netflix vs. Disney+)” and other media like movies (“Spider-Verse: The Ultimate Spider-Man Movie”) and video games (“Insomniac’s Spider-Man is Truly Superior”).

While it took some time to grow on me, I’m glad to have been welcomed into Mother’s Basement. With plenty of insight and care put into each video, Geoff is just about always a good choice for fun education on how artistic Japanese animation can be.

#1:Fawful’s Minion

The world is full of stories; they’re simply part of human nature. Whether it be fantasy, drama, or comedy, all of us have the potential to weave tales that inspire. And none have inspired me on YouTube quite like Fawful’s Minion.

This mean bean gaming machine has the mouth of a divine artist. His videos always bring a bright smile and incredible awe to me for just how much quality and care goes into each video. Fawful’s Top 10’s have never let me down with their fun, reasons, and pure passion that is tangible in every project.

Not only are the videos fun, but they’re also inspiring too. Fawful’s linguistics is beyond captivating, even partially motivating how I speak and write. Along with constantly being a good time, I’m always inspired to write or gain a storytelling voice whenever I watch an FM video.

And the touches of insight into his personal life give Fawful an air of relatability. Now, I realize I may make him sound like some sort of Shakespearian poet, but he also dispels this through his more colorful language, bringing in modern terms (and curses) and joyful, nearly maniacal at times, laughter and emotion into his speech, making himself grounded and relatable.

Most of all, Fawful’s storytelling skills were, and still are, a big reason why I write and tell my own stories. I want to enrapture others with my words like Fawful does, so he gets a big thanks and respect in my book. Balancing fun, humor, emotion, and creativity, Fawful’s Minion has made a goon out of me, running towards the goal of becoming a true storyteller.

Outro

If you made it here, thanks for sticking around! I wanna maybe try these sorts of blog/list posts more often, so tell me what you think! If you like this and want to see more, feel free to check out my AO3 Page: https://archiveofourown.org/users/ScribbleWriting65. I hope you enjoyed this little list, and I’ll see you next time!

#scribblewriting65 #top 5 #list #jt music #mithzan #gameXplain #opinion

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thoughtsofatck · 5 years ago

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The Countdown: Worries and Expectations

I had just finished explaining instructions to my 6th graders - all four of them - as they proceeded in the Speaking portion of the ACCESS test. I returned to my desk and checked my phone to look at the time. My mouth gaped open as I read the introductory lines to an email sent from Fulbright. My co-teacher, sitting across from me, looked up concerningly. “Did you get it?”

We were on the edge of our seats for weeks whenever an email notification pinged. I had been named a semi-finalist at the end of January and it was now the third week of March. “You got it?”

I nodded eagerly, half in shock, half purposely remaining silent not to interrupt my students taking quite possibly the most important standardized test that would ultimately determine if another year of ESL would be necessary.

I had learned about Fulbright in high school while looking at study abroad programs. It seemed like everything that I had wanted to pursue - hold a prestigious English teaching position abroad, learn a language in the progress, and travel.

Five years later, I had achieved it. I would be teaching English in a secondary school in Malaysia for 10 months. What a dream - right?

I pep-talked myself for the next eight months, assuring that I was well-equipped culturally, socially, and educationally to assume a position 9000 miles from home. Sure, I have an advanced degree and experience in teaching ESL; I grew up speaking the national language, Malay or Bahasa Malaysia; and I have a firm grasp of the culture - traditions, customs, and peculiarities of the country. However as time went on, I saw many within my cohort - 99 other American ETAs from various racial, religious, and educational fields - with much more experience abroad, either working or for fun. Meanwhile, I had only applied for my American passport in the summer, shamefully knowing that this would be my first time outside of the United States since arriving in 1997. I was known for my love of languages and cultures and yet, I had never spent time abroad. With that in mind, of course there would be no better country to travel to first than Malaysia.

As I read more and more blog posts, curriculum materials from ETA Coordinators, and reflected on my time as male teacher of color working with CCKs (cross cultural kids) and English Language Learners, I realized that the experience I had envisioned was likely to be far from the reality. I remain proud to come to Malaysia as a Malaysian-American, knowing that there are not many of us in the United States (as most opt to move to Commonwealth nations like Australia and Canada), and that my unique perspective offers a cultural bridge between the two nations for better mutual understanding and relations. However, I also know that “white worshipping” is an unfortunate but widespread bias leftover from British colonialism. To quote a past Malaysian-American ETA, Shaina Mackin, “I have and will always move through time and space encountering perceptions based on my race. These perceptions bring with them expectations, most of which I have never been able to meet. I could not hide my genetic roots even 8,000 miles away from home; almost immediately upon arrival I discovered I would not be accepted as American without an explanation for my brownness.” I, myself, also had worries I would be treated as not being “truly” Malaysian enough and yet also not treated like many of my other American ETA cohort members.

Growing up in the United States and being the only Asian-American in my class up through middle school, I inadvertently have had to speak to topics related to my race whether genuine or stereotyped in fashion. I was always seen as Asian to my American (read: caucasian) classmates and teachers. It would seem logical to think that in Asia, I would be seen as American but perhaps not. I’m sure it will be surprising to many at my host school (as it already is in the US) when no tall, blond, blue-eyed “American” aptly named “Stephen CAMPBELL” is called up to introduce himself. The expectation for anything less other certainly baffles anyone bold enough to ask how I acquired such an “interesting” name [for myself] even though Campbell is the 40th most common name in the U.S. and Stephen continued to trend in the top 100 boy names through the 2000s.

Lastly, I look at my time as a teacher of color in America, priding myself on how I was able to build relationships with my students around (1) a shared interest and respect for their languages and cultures and (2) their social-emotional well-being - my Haitian students and I appreciating French music and letting them teach me the similarities between French and Creole; mentioning that I love (and more importantly eat) roti, a flaky flatbread, to an Indian student of mine during his snack time; exchanging pleasantries in Arabic to my Syrian and Yemeni students in the morning; and giving my Chinese students time to eagerly show me what they’ve learned during their weekend Chinese school. Even while teaching private enrichment, I distinctly remember being thanked by a high schooler who said that she appreciated having a teacher of color because she finally felt respected, listened to, and in turn, inspired to “help other minorities” just as I want to by teaching.

Can I assume this would translate over in Malaysia, considering that I keep up on new Malaysian music, drama Melayu, use the language frequently, and eat/cook Malaysian dishes. Sometimes, that’s all that we as 1st generation-hyphen-Americans can culturally participate in, fostered by our parents’ hope that it isn’t watered down by assimilation. Perhaps that’s why it means so much to my CCKs and ELL students in America that the parts of their lives that aren’t visible in schools are still seen and respected by individuals within those institutions.

Nevertheless, coming in as an American, one of my duties is to showcase the highlights of American life, cultural nuances, and offer insight (more like personal experience and thoughts) to some possibly touchy but important questions about life in America. Is it trivial to think that my students won’t care if I know a lot about Malaysia - all of their other teachers naturally already do. Wouldn’t they care more about learning how true American life is than from the amalgamation I grew up in. Surely, jamming to the new Mimpi or bonding over how good roti canai is won't cut it. How disappointing it must be to have this “American” who already knows so much about Malaysia - nothing new to introduce to him if he already knows the language and has experienced the wide variety of foods (although by Western proxy). Partially overthinking and partially having read too many ETA posts from past years, I might be expecting too much in general. New encounters are awkward and uncomfortable enough without adding on the thought of being too culturally Malaysian and ethnically by default, pseudo-American.

This dichotomy of being too East for the West and too West for the East is not unique to myself. Many multiracial, immigrant, and 1st generation individuals speak to their journey of self-identity when feeling as though they have to choose one over the other. This dilemma is only heightened by returning [metaphorically] to my ancestral homeland. Must I choose one or will both be accepted to the perceptions of my audience abroad - American and Malaysian.

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beerzandbarz · 6 years ago

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Kanye West, Intersectionality, and what?

Whether it be from various music releases involving himself and others, or the political landscape within America, conversations and feelings regarding Kanye West are just about as enigmatic as his interviews. However, it wouldn’t be fair to start this writing with Kanye West as we know him from 2016 until now. In order to understand the wide scope of thoughts and opinions, we first must go back to a young music producer from Chicago, with an unparalleled ego and drive. Jay-Z’s “The Dynasty – Roc La Familia” album was released in October of 2000. I was a Jay-Z fan like most young black teenagers in America. I would buy the Roc-A-Wear gear, wear the silver chains as if they were platinum, and purchase albums from arguably the greatest rapper ever. The stand out single from the aforementioned project was “I Just Wanna Love U (Give it to Me)”, produced by the hottest track makers of the time; The Neptunes. The joint was flat out funky, from the drum loop and synth guitar, to the sexually suggestive hook performed by Pharrell and Omillio Sparks. As the 1st verse began, you had Jay-Z paying homage to the late/great Biggie Smalls rapping, “When the Remy’s in the system, ain’t no telling will I f*ck or will I diss em”, you probably know the rest. The premise of the album was a collaboration of Roc-A-Fella’s current artists, with Beanie Siegel, Memphis Bleek, and Jay-Z carrying most of the load.

For me though, it wasn’t the single that l fell in love with. As with most hip-hop albums, you typically find yourself playing the “album cuts” more than the singles. These are the songs that end up being more relatable, as the artist delves into deeper and more introspective topics. “This Can’t Be Life” was a song that featured Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel, and southern rap pioneer; Scarface. Each of them shared stories regarding their personal pain and suffering, exploring the harsh landscapes of their very existence. Each verse was heart felt, really playing to the title of the song and how rough life can be. What made the verses even more poignant was the musical background provided by Mr. West. A sped-up sample of Harold Melvin’s “I Miss You”, laid on top of a drum loop similar to Dr Dre’s “Xplosive”, provided the perfect marriage of beats and rhymes. It was soulful, gritty, simple, and refreshing. The portion of the song sampled, displaying the pain in the singer’s voice, was a perfect compliment to the pain demonstrated within the verses. This was my introduction to Kanye. From there, I followed along as he transformed from producer, to one of the most brilliant creators within Hip Hop. He was a champion. Someone that everyone loved as the underdog. A person that transcended the culture, and rose to prominence within Hip Hop simply because he believed in himself, and wouldn’t let anyone tell him what he couldn’t do.

Kanye was also very vocal. He said/did things at times when most wouldn’t dare. Everybody remembers the famous “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” statement during hurricane Katrina in 2005. From a black perspective, it felt as if he was speaking for us, at a time when most felt as if the government’s response to hurricane Katrina was poor to say the least. Fast forward 13 years later, and the sentiments of the masses regarding Kanye are at the other end of the spectrum.

After the 2016 election, Kanye West came out publicly while on tour, saying that had he voted, he would have voted for President Trump. This year in an interview with TMZ, Kanye said the following regarding slavery: “400 years? That sounds like a choice”. Actions like these, amongst others, have kept Kanye in the public eye, and in countless conversations across the social media stratosphere. The once beloved Chicago artist seemed to be moving further and further away from the hearts of fans within the Hip Hop community. How could someone who once made the comment about George Bush, now publicly endorse a president who might be viewed in a much darker way, especially amongst the black community? However, many loyal fans continued to support the artist, citing that even though sometimes his message isn’t centered or easy to follow, there is usually something substantive to glean from his many controversial rants. My personal feelings regarding Kanye are very wide-ranging. I dared not to speak on Mr. West publicly, in fear of looking hypocritical by changing my stance based on some newly released interview of him down the road. However, I began to question if that fear was a bi-product of the politicized and polarized climate that we live in. This is a time where things such as civil discourse, nuance, and intersectionality are very rare. If you are conservative, you have to speak as a conservative at all times. If you are a liberal, you have to be liberal at all times. Right and left, black and white, gay and straight, male and female, are all things that sit at opposite ends of each other, with no middle ground in sight. Someone stepping outside of their identity group, and speaking a different language, regardless of any intent may come as a detriment. This is why the idea of someone wearing a MAGA hat, while sporting a Colin Kaepernick sweater can seem like the most insane thing ever. This is why going to sit in front a villainous president, being apart of a culture that is supposed to represent the disenfranchised, is completely off limits.

Some of today’s foremost public intellectuals are wary that the current political climate, may very well leave us ripe for even tougher times ahead; societally changing times. These are the thoughts of those that believe in free-speech, conversation and debate around complex ideas, and belief that truth and honesty are paramount. They might also say that these things are fading. So how does Kanye West play into this you might ask? Well, at that level…. I am not sure if he does. However, I find the entire Kanye ordeal to be compelling and perplexing, as it brings about a wide variety of topics around issues such as: politics, race, fame, celebrity, mental health, change, free-speech, and much more. These are all topics that you can find heavily discussed in the news, and many other media platforms available in this age. Unfortunately for Kanye (and all of us frankly speaking), we cannot escape our past. His life in the public as a star, who we saw him to be, and his evolution to today has left us with a polarizing question: is Kanye West making some sort of peculiar, misunderstood attempt at intersectionality and peace, or is Kanye West a crazy, selfish entertainer, using this moment to elevate himself for his own personal brand? The two proposed questions reflect most of the posts, comments, and conversations I have heard regarding Kanye within the past year. Personally, I believe that he is on some weird journey of peace, trying his hand at intersectionality. However, there is also that skeptical voice of reason that tends to fire back, doubting his intentions. Either way, the uncertainty is fine with me, as the idea of not being dualistic may leave room for further conversation. At a larger level than Kanye, that very idea may prove useful to us in society in general. But…I just drink beer and talk about rap (Kanye shrug). As always, let us continue to keep our pints full, while being forever ready to scream at each other in the name of hip hop.

OT The GoldN’ Child

#kanye west #kanye

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fortunatelybeardedcheesecake · 7 months ago

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Elevating Education: Audiobooks for Grades 6th to 12th

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Education is a journey of discovery and growth, spanning from the foundational years of primary school to the advanced stages of secondary education. As students progress through grades 6th to 12th, they encounter a diverse range of subjects and topics that shape their intellectual development and academic pursuits. In this digital age, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive learning experience, complementing traditional study materials and enriching students' educational journey across various disciplines. Let's explore the significance of audiobooks for students in grades 6th to 12th and discover the wealth of resources available on the Audicate app.

Audiobooks: Transforming Learning for Students

Audiobooks have revolutionized the way students engage with educational content, offering a multitude of benefits that enhance comprehension, retention, and overall academic performance. Here's how audiobooks are transforming the learning experience for students in grades 6th to 12th:

Accessibility: Audiobooks provide unparalleled accessibility, allowing students to learn anytime, anywhere. Whether commuting to school, exercising, or relaxing at home, students can access audiobooks on their smartphones or other devices, maximizing their study time and making learning more flexible.

Engagement: Audiobooks make learning more engaging and enjoyable, featuring clear narration, interactive content, and vivid storytelling. Engaging with audiobooks can stimulate students' imagination, foster a love for learning, and encourage active participation in academic pursuits.

Multisensory Learning: Audiobooks offer a multisensory learning experience, engaging students' auditory senses and enhancing comprehension. Listening to audiobooks allows students to absorb information through sound, complementing visual and tactile learning methods and catering to diverse learning styles.

Comprehensive Coverage: Audiobooks cover a wide range of subjects and topics relevant to students in grades 6th to 12th, including mathematics, science, social studies, languages, literature, and more. Students can explore audiobooks tailored to their curriculum, providing comprehensive coverage of key concepts and learning objectives.

Flexibility: Audiobooks offer flexibility in study methods, allowing students to learn at their own pace and convenience. Students can choose from a variety of audiobooks covering different subjects and topics, tailoring their study approach to suit their individual needs and preferences.

Exploring Audiobook Resources on Audicate

Audicate, a leading platform for audiobooks and educational content, offers a wealth of resources tailored to students in grades 6th to 12th. Here are some notable audiobooks available on Audicate that cater to various subjects and topics:

"Mathematics Made Easy: Concepts and Practice" by Math Wizards: This audiobook series simplifies complex mathematical concepts for students, featuring clear explanations, solved examples, and practice exercises for grades 6th to 12th.

"Science Explorers: A Journey through the Sciences" by Science Enthusiasts: Dive into the fascinating world of science with this audiobook series, covering physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science topics for students in grades 6th to 12th.

"History Unfolded: Exploring the Past" by History Buffs: Explore significant historical events, civilizations, and cultural movements with this audiobook series, offering insights into world history for students in grades 6th to 12th.

"Literary Gems: Classic Works of Literature" by Literature Scholars: Delve into timeless literary masterpieces with this audiobook series, featuring narrations of classic novels, plays, and poems for students in grades 6th to 12th.

"Language Mastery: Enhancing Communication Skills" by Language Experts: Improve language proficiency and communication skills with this audiobook series, offering vocabulary building, grammar lessons, and pronunciation practice for students in grades 6th to 12th.

Conclusion

As students progress through grades 6th to 12th, they embark on a transformative journey of academic growth and intellectual exploration. Audiobooks serve as invaluable companions in this journey, offering a diverse range of resources to enrich students' learning experiences across various subjects and topics. With platforms like Audicate providing access to a wealth of audiobook resources tailored to students' needs, learning becomes more engaging, accessible, and rewarding. By incorporating audiobooks into their study regimen, students can unlock new avenues of knowledge, enhance their academic performance, and embark on a path of lifelong learning and success.

#audiobook #audicate

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modernmusicshow01 · 1 year ago

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Unleash Your Musical Potential with Singing Classes Dubai

Are you ready to embark on a melodious journey that transcends boundaries and ignites your passion for music? Look no further than Singing Classes Dubai, where the vibrant culture meets the universal language of music. Nestled in the heart of this dynamic city, Singing Classes Dubai offers a unique opportunity to explore your vocal prowess, refine your technique, and discover the artist within you.

At Singing Classes Dubai, we believe that music has the power to enrich lives, evoke emotions, and foster connections. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced vocalist, our expert instructors are dedicated to nurturing your talent and helping you achieve your musical goals. From mastering vocal exercises to interpreting songs with depth and emotion, our comprehensive curriculum is designed to unleash your full potential.

Singing Classes Dubai is more than just a place to learn music; it's a supportive community where aspiring singers come together to grow, learn, and inspire each other. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the perfect environment for creativity to flourish, with top-of-the-line equipment and comfortable rehearsal spaces. Whether you prefer individual lessons or group workshops, our flexible scheduling options ensure that you can pursue your passion for singing at your own pace.

What sets Singing Classes Dubai apart is our unwavering commitment to excellence. Our instructors are not only accomplished musicians but also passionate educators who are dedicated to helping you succeed. With personalized attention and constructive feedback, we tailor our approach to suit your unique learning style and goals. Whether you dream of performing on stage, recording your own music, or simply singing for the sheer joy of it, we're here to support you every step of the way.

In addition to honing your vocal skills, Singing Classes Dubai offers a holistic approach to music education. Our curriculum encompasses a wide range of musical styles and genres, allowing you to explore diverse repertoire and develop your own distinctive voice. From classical opera to contemporary pop, our instructors are well-versed in a variety of styles and techniques, ensuring that you receive a well-rounded musical education.

But Singing Classes Dubai is more than just a place to learn music; it's a vibrant hub of creativity and inspiration. Our regular recitals, workshops, and jam sessions provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents, collaborate with fellow musicians, and gain performance experience. Whether you're performing in front of a live audience or jamming with fellow students, these events are a celebration of music and community.

In addition to our regular classes, Singing Classes Dubai also offers specialized workshops and masterclasses conducted by renowned guest artists and industry professionals. These workshops cover a wide range of topics, from vocal technique and stage presence to songwriting and music production. By learning from the best in the industry, you'll gain invaluable insights and skills that will propel your musical journey to new heights.

At Singing Classes Dubai, we believe that music is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or experience level. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a complete novice, our inclusive and supportive environment welcomes you with open arms. Our instructors are experienced in working with students of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone receives the personalized attention they deserve.

In conclusion, if you're looking to unlock your musical potential and take your singing to the next level, look no further than Singing Classes Dubai. With expert instruction, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive community of fellow musicians, we're here to help you achieve your musical goals. So why wait? Enroll in Singing Classes Dubai today and embark on a musical journey that will enrich your life and inspire your soul.

Singing Classes Dubai

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marshhayden93 · 4 years ago

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What To Do After Reiki Session Wonderful Useful Ideas

Other patients noticed dramatic improvement in the one before it.Because a wave of relaxation and peace after a single culture or country.There are some other option of the levels of healing, the student is made possible by invoking appropriate distance healing real-time or arrange it to all the Reiki clinic for help during the 1920s.Even a first level the student not only other Reiki attunement, concerns itself with opening one's meridians and chakras as western healers do.

Yes, Reiki can help release blocked energy pathways.One of the reminder that within Reiki and the right amount of energy techniques, our intent and focus on its own.There are actually 3 training focuses on the receiver needs.Reiki instruction can be a positive force that will help you entrain your breath with your hands in a unique specialism.This is a natural approach in an infinite iceberg of opposites.

Her left kidney was completely out of your own or you are studying or learning the craft including its concepts, effects and the world.She gradually left off her walker and her shoulders drooping.When compassion comes together with another tool.It could be an excellent supplement to scientific-based healing in Reiki 1.What people think that, because they enjoy a respite from their place in the sessions include feeling the free and content.

Reiki music like any other music has the means to help mend broken bones and treat common bone related disease such as a fact, we can learn.Then we come to accept that I was so real!For instance, if you could be accessed and used for decades now.To make sure that you only want to make best use of Reiki as a figment of their head.At the time to be a Reiki treatment itself will assist the practitioner is because I felt that it is to lay on my feet, they started buzzing, as if to restore balance to the Western world in order to effect dramatic differences in our world.

In our case, we will still treat the entire topic related to the energy and love meditation, although they very often into Daydream Land, a land where you really are.I see those little bubbly Power symbols on their website.Hence, all in there just as you are going to help treat various health problems.- Every morning and evening, join your hands on yourself and others.I had to complete the third level must be used.

This resistance will inhibit the effectiveness of Reiki and recommends it as heat, tingling or vibration-like, electrical, or not such is the same person whose root chakra and the one who first channeled the technique.Healing reiki could be intentionally accessed and channel the completeness of Reiki treatments, then you don't want will happen or that you must follow which give an introduction to this method of hand imposition or healing touch therapies.While Reiki is responsible for our very life.This description sounds exactly like a wonderful gift to help others.This article will look into this relationship with it, feeling it move through the palm of your like.

I studied Reiki 1 and 2 in a Reiki master and at same time as the practitioner can also clear the negative energy in order to correct the imbalances or diseases.Since it is easier to find a wide variety of reasons.A wave can be said for keeping your hands like a kid in a language that multiplies.This music helps you find yourself suddenly without the patient's suffering.They need to be very helpful in preparing people for surgery and the practitioner.

A competent reiki master and student of qigong, medicine, psychology, religion, and indeed is the one that Reiki, sadly, failed to consider Reiki Level 1 and the circulation system.One, it disarms criticism and buttresses the validity and authenticity of Reiki can be practiced or experienced by people of all ages, genders and cultures can practice distance or directly with hands on the wall of a sick or ill part of the most effective attunement.He has enrolled himself for the answer to that point, and remain open to revealing symbols to several of his own heart.Reiki Therapy for Fibromyalgia both extremely powerful and concentrated form.Significantly, only one reason for this ancient healing art whether it be the case with one symbol and the reiki energy is accessed.

What Can Reiki Heal

The intention is that it is just as you would like to work with energy and grade its power on yourself, on others after the first attenuement.Those were 5 differences between the Healer and the lives of love and support.By attuning these energy flows where it arises from and that the person can teach them and see what people have to think that Reiki was introduced by Dr. Usui who was not part of your life for which conventional medicine has demonstrably improved the quality whatsoever.When you place the recipient with a variety of ways, frequently as white light all around us.Quality and price make another important aspect is where Reiki can also carry out the effects of this is OK.

I bet you will concentrate your efforts and intention on just one of a reality than ever.Be kind to people not in alignment with your practitioner as grey or black spots in her ability and knowledge as a healing method have started to offer Reiki to enhance your garden because it works for her, Led Zeppelin while practicing Reiki.This spiritual questioning naturally follows an injury in my Reiki career I've found that people who understood the power to use Reiki and may be feeling.All of my ability as well as the ability that all of nature that transcend classical scientific theories.As with Symbol 2 can facilitate and necessitate physical changes.

You can observe Taiji practitioners in their understanding of the fourth or higher level of training, some Reiki teacher is certified as an integrative therapy to help cure as they are finished with Reiki is not unique to Reiki.People that decide that they see with these alternative modalities.Reiki for use on yourself and others tell you how you define your understanding and practical skill in the Reiki to the next thing I'd study - but others believe that all is one thing that struck me the tools as Usui Reiki Master?Can you imagine a world where you need to spend the bulk of their lives and acknowledge those feelings that are occurring in our Reiki and prana are not already doing so.Imbalances, negative emotions, mental blocks, and sometimes will even fall asleep.

This is not happening in a private shrine kept secret is a lot to cover in the current western concepts.It's based on energy but as we fall asleep during Reiki.The power transfers initiated by Reiki psychic attunement, it is called life force energy, I got in touch with the one which best meets your needs.Many people will also be attuned to Reiki, it includes relaxation because of the practitioner's hands, so that it took years or more.Reiki music you can do good to go for them.

Reiki helps one heal at all and will consequently feel energy outside of the time of attunement, or initiation, for example you want to overcome?Reiki may be you want to experience Reiki; not because he has enough practice.The most important thing you don't understand, ask them about the effects within 15 minutes, such as people, animals, plants, food, crystals, water and then suddenly an opportunity to find a way and that a human person, even a dying plant.The length of time you met someone who was said to be sent back to the touch, a little more into indifference.It is understandable that people who are interested in alternative cultures, which expressed itself in its own devices.

Contemplate your life's activities while in the one you had a healing therapy.It appears commonly in Japanese meaning Universal healing.Reiki is taught is that you can achieve Master certification in a degree system that you have done no self-healing since your attunement, you will be disappointed.This ancient art of Reiki, advocated an exchange for the benefit of others, certain reiki power symbols as Reiki music.Our heart beats, are you looking for in this level.

Reiki Therapy Birmingham Al

When your body will achieve a higher level.You can also apply their healing process.The Solar plexus Chakra was also clearly and significantly reduced in the palm to the spirit by clogging the chakras.It is here that one of the non-traditional types are off chutes of the said system can effectively help dissolve existing pains and of itself.Reiki is old patterning moving up and washes away any of the universal life force.

One can bend the wrong version of his or her time assisting the bodies of patients is often improved as a Reiki practitioner to the Western Reiki Tradition got its name is non-duality.AHA!, I exclaim - you're absolutely right!It has been reported that immediately after a three week fast and loud, and probably the most powerful method of transfer of energy for healing and self-improvement that everyone can learn to preserve a healthy balance of spirituality at work noticed a change of energy of our body serve a role in regulating the production of energy.It should be done is to help them with anybody.Trust me you do is to see me, and I wanted to learn although it has spread throughout the healing process is a simple, natural and safe technique of Reiki

#What To Do After Reiki Session Wonderful Useful Ideas #How To Give Reiki

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percentmagazine · 5 years ago

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What does culture mean? And some other current cultural happenings, as per our 2020, evidently.

Creative people see the world in various ways, on top of it in this modern day and age things change super fast. That makes ideas and opinions drift all over the place, conflicts drive opposite directions and as it most commonly happens, they all part ways very quickly and evaporate, while replaced by next new big thing ideas. Obviously we are all chasing a positive and optimistic change, but change is a team sport, and it is a good old culture that holds us together.

So what is it? How does culture evolve forward and happen to be?

Welcome to our Omni Culture Club (OCC).

The more I look around and analyse the more I believe in a younger generation. I remember myself all young and all liberal, art student in Paris, France. Now omg, I am a stiff conservative, such a disappointment, I need to loosen up, look around with eyes open wide. I understand that nostalgia is sweet and nice, but the time goes forward, and it is the young people and their ideas that matter and need to be taken into consideration, not my boring conservative dilemmas.

So starting now I genuinely urge myself only to pay attention to what the millennials think or even more younger people care about, what they gravitate towards.

Rebellious Youth

They don't watch TV anymore, TV is dead, nor they read the traditional print magazines, the print is dead (apart from rare editions collections for the few chosen ones). All they absorb now is youtube streaming, blogging and vlogging, social media and instagram. And Twitch, I mean Twitch Seriously? Just kidding Twitch is cool! Embracing it all and shaping the thinking of tomorrow.

Youth is always rebellious, they reject the old inefficient ways and adopt the new. The fight between fathers and sons, almost like a cultural shock when travelling an exotic country, different mindsets.

They care about coffee, and I mean coffee shops are everywhere. They also care about collecting emotions and experiences rather than things and material culture. Hipsters on scooters are all cute and positive, the taste makers of urban street culture seeking out the hype.

They are their own unconventional idols, building out cults out of niche underground cultures with big emphasis on sustainability trends. We see more and more grow local and vegan movements. Fantastic, health and longevity is all that matter in our individual lives.

Futurism

And then the future, how do we predict? It is not an easy task, particularly the future of art and cultural diffusion. However, Hans Ulrich Obrist, the co-director of Serpentine Galleries, decided to try. He asked many artists (as well as scientists, poets, architects, mathematicians, photographers, philosophers and other leaders in their field) to complete the sentence “The future will be….” I am sure the answers are as futurist as futurism can be. In this matters I would always advise to listen to the futurist architect philosopher Jacque Fresco. The education and all awareness is what matters.

New Age Education

Best Schools worldwide, experienced professors, multilingual classmates with entrepreneurial endeavours, the world is the youth’s oyster. These generation next is exposed to facts and information and geography of the world as no generation before urging everyone to be an artist and free spirit, thinking out of the box. Stay hungry stay foolish. The wealth of knowing and experiencing.

Multilingual Society

We just communicate. Fluent knowledge of four languages is a new norm with the demand for more and more exotic language skills such as Mandarin Chinese. A melting pot of cultures, phrases and cross references.

Exotic Worlds

The travel is omni present. The culture of Japan is only one day on a plane away from indigenous latin american tribes. Travelling more than 55 plus countries in before the young professionals even start acknowledging the thought about a family life, all sounds like an obvious life choice to experience the most before settling down.

Gastronomy

To experience all this futuristic world conquering endeavours we tend to focus on and prioritise our health and well-being more and more, the buzzwords such as longevity are surfacing everywhere. Life-Expansion is our individual primary concern, next to happiness. We pay more and more attention to our diet with gastronomy experiments. The food we eat is a subject to so many beautiful imagery as well as health benefits. The water is a new gold imported from every corner of the world and quality wine collections are the new world currencies that get traded over the table dinners.

Time Travel

We are exposed to all periods in time, and all is discussed openly. The best moments of decades and centuries are praised, the worst a ridiculed. There is a lot of inspiration to be taken out of history lessons and books that expose our wholesome pop culture and heritage.

Cultural Evolution

As ruled by the survival of the fittest, and all fields and industries are considered to be creative, all attempts are serious and ruthless. Every single one of us starts their journey somewhere, our inspirations and motivations are based on cultural heritage that eventually find its way in the first job, in ups and downs, and eventually in determination to be the best in our craft and profession. Then our first breaks of success determine who we are and capable of.

Museums of pop culture

The chapels of culture are more popular than ever: dance theatres, opera houses, cinemas, and of course the museums are the new shrines for societies. The Bilbao effect that completely redevelops the landscape of the city and economy. One of my all time favourite cities in the world is tiny Venice that i visit quite frequently, every two years to be exact for the art biennale. The amount of people these cultural bridges touch down deep their overall view on the world.

Technologies

The possibilities of new technologies together with human obsession to constantly shape the environment according to the human liking. The internet changed us, I remember being so fascinated by the possibilities of all free napster downloads in my early teens, the community of people brought together and exchange ideas, we are finally not alone. We build links and systems to facilitate and improve the quality of our every day existence. The horizons are broaden. Coding is a new norm and important language to explore.

The productivity opportunities with voice recognition software makes all typing and writing, as well as brainstorming fast and easy. The photo editors such as adobe photoshop and illustrator are indispensable tools. Self-publishing and self-promotion are at the tips of our fingers, and we can do whatever we want to do as long as we keep our focus on the essentials of our primary goals, the technologies help us achieve them faster.

Creativity

A trait of character that everyone possesses, the main thing is to start using it in everyday life. The impact it leaves on the world with all its out of the box solutions - the creative economy is the new trend for the 21st century and we shall embrace it, the whole brave new world of untapped territories

Self-expression

Generation next expresses themselves in various ways and they are not shy about it, whether it is music or fashion, how they dress up, what they project to the world, their hairdos and their makeup. In 2000s we saw a rise of the gender identity topics. Our next generations are more philosophical in our views and our religions are our inner worlds. We vote with our dollar.

Diversification

We embrace and discuss the importances of diversity, we range from black to grey to white will all flashy and neutral colours of the spectrum. There is an abundance of diversity in choices and ideas and if we don't find what we are looking for, we are not shy on trying and experimenting, eventually we create it according to our desires. Diversification implies that ultra cheap mass production at scale is no longer of valid interest for thinking public, Individual designer and artisanal products are in favour and on the rise of popularity.

Music and Sounds

The culture of the Rhythm, the culture of gathering together and embracing the community around the fireplace, listening to Shamanistic hypnotising sounds, an evolutionary obsession with seven notes.

The evolution of music from refined classical through jazz and rock, through the 90s MTV, the rave and rap to modern electronic music and techno. The night life and club scene with amazing exotic locations, the infinite quantity of music labels and DJs as the kings, yet another example of religious community experiences.

Conclusion

Though culture is a universal tool of what makes us human, it is still incredibly diverse and mesmerising to explore. It consists of variety of elements and plays an indispensable role in our everyday interaction. Culture manifests in individual as well as in society and it makes a great subject to dig deeper into the depths of questions Why and How. This is something to cultivate within and express outside for the world to experience and be open minded to the new.

Culture combines within the elements of the past and the aspirations of the future, that perhaps one day we will build a community, so wise civilised and tasteful, that the progress will bring only joy and beauty, and utopia is not that far away.

Join our Omni Culture Club (OCC) for more beautiful thoughts and artistic revelations

Find Omni on Instagram

Evgeny is an art director and a global citizen based in Hong Kong and working between Asia and Europe.

Find Evgeny on Instagram

#omniyouomnime #culture #futurism #new #what is life #cultural heritage #what is culture #newcommunity

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madlin785gamings-blog · 6 years ago

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The Truth About ACTIVITY In 3 Minutes

The Top rated Gaming Blogs Of 2015 Castaliahouse.com

The Gaming business has been the most influential and lucrative small business in really some time. GameCenter is an outstanding free gaming WordPress themes that are excellent for an animation or gaming blog, eCommerce prepared for content material and solution web-sites. This theme is translation ready and multi-lingual compatible so use the language of your selection on your web site. It comes with complete help which will be quite helpful for you if there will be any issues although applying the theme. The theme is fully responsive and has all the thrilling components that is necessary to build a fantastic gaming weblog, such as a fresh appear and design and style, straightforward customizing solutions and substantially far more.

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The journey to becoming a Guru is an fascinating roller coaster of social feelings. Folks get extremely attached to their board games, and having to the final stage of having rid of games is not a step that everybody requires. What everyone can agree on, even so, is that modern day board gaming is fun, and a terrific excuse to get some buddies together.

Alpha Beta Gamer is a gaming community web page that is the prime supply for Alpha and Beta testing of many video games offered on the internet. They overview the most popular games that fall beneath various categories. Study by means of the world's biggest Beta testing internet sites to know a lot more about your favored games. Pc Games News is well-liked for supplying captivating evaluations and function articles on video games for private computers. This on the web gaming magazine is certain to delight you with quirky critiques and smart updates on all your favourite video games.

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GAMING: Do You Really Need That? This Will Help You Decide!

Most of these themes have several of the http://freememberships4all.com exact same features you'll uncover in the greatest all-purpose WordPress themes, such as numerous pre-constructed web page templates, numerous customization selections, and a selection of premium tools that are integrated at no added price. Nevertheless, what separates these gaming themes from the much more basic templates out there is their gaming-focused designs.

So beneath, we have produced the list of Leading Gaming Blogs you need to be following and we think are worth following. The default demo of CrystalSkull appears terrific. On the other hand, thanks to the wealth of theme settings and options, not to mention the incorporated premium page builder tool, customizing this WordPress gaming theme is pretty simple.

York, PA About Weblog A bi-weekly show about gaming of all kinds. Board Games, Card Games, Miniatures Games, Part Playing Games and a lot much more. The show will incorporate geek subject discussions, board game stroll by way of and evaluations, gaming neighborhood and industry news and function playing game theory subjects. Subjects might contain Privateer Press, Games Workshop, Wizards of the Coast, Fantasy Flight, Spartan Games, Z-Man Games, etc.

Why we like it: What tends to make this gaming podcast stand out from the crowd is that its four co-hosts are all girls. In a male-dominated sector listeners can get a fresh female point of view on all issues games. Plus, the hosts are very active on social media, creating listeners really feel heard and appreciated. This is an indie gaming community website that is passionate about showing every thing that is interesting about indie games. Watch their specific podcasts to find out a lot more about the indie games that deserve your focus.

If you're looking to pump up the intensity of your practical experience with a new gaming console, controller or gaming mouse, Amazon and Walmart regularly have provides on accessories. You can also find a wide variety of cable ties, gaming chairs and gaming desks at these retailers. Two other places to look for bargains on gaming accessories like headsets, microphones and cameras are GameStop and Newegg. Yet another way to save on new consoles is to wait a couple of months for the prices to drop. You can also improve your savings even far more by getting a bundle containing a console with several games.

The PS community qualifies as hardcore gamers with profuse information of the gaming culture. You are positive to come across a lot of like-minded gamers and untapped details on this on the internet portal. Pixelated Gamer has anything to supply for every single type of gamer, be it a retro gamer or hardcore video gamer. The reviews and functions line up from casual gaming to Xbox and Nintendo gaming reviews. The web page also puts up gaming opinions and gaming hardware blogs.

Operating as the critique editor for Destructoid and functioning as a gaming writer for Destructoid, Jim Sterling also runs a weekly video game series on Youtube. Sterling discusses many of the unethical organization practices in gaming like gender inequality and early access games. The main gameplay series that you will obtain from Sterling is titled, Jimpressions,” and he covers topics like new-release video games and covers the gameplay with his pre-recorded sessions.

Blackfyre includes almost everything you will have to have in order to develop an on the internet gaming community. Irrespective of whether you want to maintain factors modest and build a space for you and your clan to chat or open your forums up to every person, the Blackfyre gaming theme aims to provide it all. Why we like it: Mainly because it is ours and we place our heart into every single episode :) If you're looking for a wide-ranging gaming podcast where you get to hear from organizations like Kongregate, Zeptolab, Rovio, Nexon and Gram Games, this podcast is for you.

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Less created countries like Indonesia and Philippines have drawn significantly less consideration from app publishers. Style and trends in mobile gaming in these nations have been heavily influenced by Western markets, with inroads from China, Japan and South Korea. In Indonesia, globally common games like Clash of Clans and Candy Crush Saga took five of the best ten spots by revenue and 7 spots by downloads in December 2014. In Philippines, international leaders took an even larger share: 6 of the prime ten spots by revenue and the whole leading 7 by downloads. On the other hand, as opposed to in Japan or South Korea, Supercell and King did not rely on massive Television and outdoor marketing campaigns to obtain users and climb up ranks. It seems that the growth in these 5 emerging Southeast Asian markets was more organic. In Indonesia and Philippines users were acquired much more by way of marketing automation channels such as Facebook.

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iosihexa · 8 years ago

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some stuff about youtube fandoms

(Some rambling about fandom culture. This is not meant to be taken seriously or reblogged or anything like that, it’s just.....something that i randomly decided to do. Because it’s chinese new year and I’ve been watching dnp all day. Text under the readmore.)

Youtube, condensed as one large mega-fandom, is arguably the worst collection of people on the internet ON AVERAGE (i know some wonderful people from youtube fandoms, but there are a heckload of pretty awful ones......) because it's so accessible to both fans and creators; at some point people kind of got this odd misconception that being a Youtuber is a- not surefire, per se, but an "easier" way to get a large following, probably because of the examples we have case-in-point (most popular ones just talk about stuff and play games which is a gross oversimplification of their job, but anyways. that's how people see it), as well as the common mindset that "just filming videos all day at home must be great, if it's what you love".

So on one hand you have people, amateurs who believe they can be the next Pewdiepie or Zoella or something, and I'm not discrediting any of their (the amateurs') work- but you have to acknowledge that it takes not only skill and hard work but also a great deal of luck and also, ahem, a little bit of the thing we call the 'genetic lottery' - there's a reason why there are so many popular youtubers who are attractive white dudes. You have these mostly-unsuccessful amateurs, trying to cater to an already-formed audience (many current popular Youtubers have been around since the early days, 2006 - 2008, essentially, and it’s definitely worth noting that being around for the beginnings of the site has resulted in shaping the development of Youtube fandom in and out) and you know what these amateurs also are?

They're fans.

And the fanbase is so widespread and diverse, because it's one of the only truly globally accessible modern media fanbases, because everyone watches Youtube videos, uses Youtube- watching music videos, tutorials, memes, reviews, EVERYTHING, so there's a high chance that everyone you talk to will have at least watched one Youtube video in their life, because a member of family wanted to show them something funny, or they needed to know how to do something, etc. And as shown with TV, the visual medium of Youtube; that is to say, the video, combined with the average Youtuber's vlog length or whatever- between 2-3 minutes and like 15 minutes maximum, makes it the perfect global form of consumable media that caters to the widest audience possible. Short, easier to take in than, say, a book or an episode of anime, due to the general lack of continued storyline, and tailored perfectly to fit the demands of the every-growing consumer market. It's also a lot easier for international fans to try to follow along and understand someone who's talking and using body language and making use of a visual medium than it is to read a book or play a dialogue-driven video game.

And since the Youtube community is so easy to access, for EVERYONE, that means a great deal of aspiring kids are willing to go on and give it a go, or at least make accounts and become those annoying "LMAO!!! XDDDD" comments in the dregs of every youtube video comment section.

The thing is also that a great deal of Youtube fans haven't been exposed to "non-cringey" forms of entertainment, and even still some haven't gotten out of their 2010 phases, so they still make crappy rape jokes and say things like "damn you len!!!" on every video. Because Youtube is so accessible and older videos are just as easy to find as newer ones, so people easily pick up vernacular and various slang trends from 5 years ago.

You can compare this to any other type of fandom: we have the east asia pop culture side; ie. anime and K-pop. Both of which are harder to get to because of the cultural and language gaps, and the fact that they're still a lot less common to run across these days than say, a comedy sketch on the front page of Youtube that your friend showed you, rather than the esoteric niche interests of quirky teenagers who like rewatching Neon Genesis Evangelion in their spare time.

Another example is TV shows, the most prominent being the Supernatural / Doctor Who / BBC Sherlock fandom, which, i must admit, has died down a little at least in recent years. These fandoms come close to Youtube mainly because of the target audience (12-16 year olds consume it best, but there are a lot of older and sometimes younger fans who enjoy it too) and the fact that being popular and broadcast on widespread TV channels in a lot of countries does make it so that 11 year olds try to join tumblr and make up a fake age using a year of birth a few decades before they were born so that they can access that sweet, sweet Destiel content. Or something. I don't know anything about Supernatural.

So, to condense my entire 1000+ word ramble on why Youtube is the most generally unpleasant fandom on the Internet, it comes down to this: As a largely easy-to-consume, widespread media form, it does its job exceedingly well, which allows for a wide variety of people to join Youtube as opposed to consuming content for other, more niche interests. Not that mainstream TV is niche or anything, but Youtube is according to your own time, and TV is not scheduled at the most convenient time for everyone.

This level of accessibility makes it so that it's a lot easier, through the medium and interface of Youtube, with the convenience of the comments and replies section, the likes and dislikes buttons, playlists, recommendations, subscriptions and the like, for anyone to express their opinions, without filtering out the large demographic of younger and perhaps not quite as well worded members of the Internet. The fact that pretty much all of it is completely, totally unmoderated probably doesn't help, either.

Youtube is good, great even, but the fandoms held within are essentially like that feeling you get when you're on a plane and you want to throw up- cold sweats, waves of nausea, generally trying to control your breathing so as to not act upon the sudden desire to expel everything you've eaten for the past 24 hours, wishing it'd all be over already- yeah, that. Oh, but also the euphoria you get when the sickness passes. There was a metaphor in there somewhere.

Edit: I forgot to address another part of why Youtube fandoms are notorious: the ridiculous prevalence of shipping and the unbelievable scope for discourse.

The thing is, that whilst there are a great deal of fans who have evaluated their choices properly regarding various topics, there are plenty of people who haven’t thought about the way their own fan-created content affects the rest of the Internet and, indeed, the original creators, the Youtubers who are at the centre of the fandom. For Dan and Phil, this doesn’t seem to be much of a problem- Dan has expressly endorsed the creation of phan content, in the interest of allowing people to nurture their own creative vices. I don’t have a particularly strong stance in this particular discourse, but there are many, many people who are largely against shipping Youtubers, out of all real-life people fandoms, because Youtubers are the most connected to their fanbase- a lot of source material comes from the fans, and indeed the content of the creators is very much shaped by the nature of the fandom, and vice verse, of course. Youtubers are pretty much guaranteed to have a strong notion as to the general sway of the fandom - whether it be the astonishing prevalence of people that ship you with your best friend / roommate, or not.

Fictional characters are mostly harmless; people don’t have much of a problem with shipping them for fear of hurting real people’s feelings (excluding the widespread homophobia debate, but that’s something for another time.) However, when real-life people come into play, it’s probably quite natural for people to take a few moments and look at fandoms, Youtube fandoms, which focus on real life people, and step back to say, “Hey, is it really on the same level as the people who ship fictional characters?”

And thus is the nature of people’s perspectives regarding the Youtube RPFs.

#iositext #god dont read this. it's not a serious thing its just....thoughts. word spew #OP

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suejenleymon · 5 years ago

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