Acronyms are abbreviations formed from the initial letters of a name or phrase. Long names and phrases are often abbreviated. Acronyms are often more common than the names or phrases that they represent.
The acronym UN is a well-known acronym for the United Nations. The acronym UNICEF is more common than United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. UNESCO is an acronym for United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. As it is a long name, the acronym is very common.
The province of British Columbia, Canada is often referred to as BC and the city of Los Angeles is often LA. The United Kingdom is often called the UK. However, Great Britain is not abbreviated to GB in spoken language.
In certain cases, acronyms become so popular that people may not even realize that they are acronyms and may actually think of them as words. Examples include laser, radar and scuba. They mean "light amplication of simulated emission of radiation," radio detection and ranging," and "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus."
Foreign acronyms are the name of the Dutch airline KLM and the Swedish car company Saab. KLM is Dutch for Koninglijk Luchtmaatschappij which means Royal Air Company and Saab is Swedish for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget which means Swedish Airplane Limited. Though Saab is associated with cars, it originally manufactured planes and still does today.
Acronyms are abbreviations that are often more common than the names and phrases that they represent. This is particularly true for long names and phrases. Some acronyms have become so popular that they function as words because many are not aware that they are in fact acronyms.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Western and Eastern Norwegian Dialects
Two of the main Norwegian dialects are the western and eastern. The eastern dialect is spoken in the capital Oslo and the western in Bergen, the second largest city of Norway. These dialects exhibit a number of differences in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. I wish to focus on pronunciation.
One difference between the two dialects is with respect to pitch. This is a feature which Norwegian shares with Swedish. Disyllabic words with identical pronunciation are distinguished by pitch alone. The two types of pitch are called Tone 1 and Tone 2. For example, the word bønder (farmers) has Tone 1 and bønner (beans) has Tone 2. The two words sound otherwise alike because the "d" of bønder is not pronounced.
However, the two dialects have different types of pitch. The eastern Norwegian dialects have a low-tone accent and the western Norwegian dialects have a high-tone accent.
The eastern Norwegian dialects are called low-tone accents because they have a low flat pitch on the first syllable of tone 1 followed by a rising pitch on the second. Tone 2 has a high falling pitch on the first syllable and a low pitch at the beginning of the second.
The western Norwegian dialects are called high-tone accents because they have a high pitch on the first syllable of tone 1 followed by a low pitch at the beginning of the second. Tone 2 has a rising pitch on the first syllable and a falling pitch at the beginning of the second.
The liquids are also pronounced differently in the two dialects. The lateral of words such as tolv (twelve) and hals (throat) is velarized in the eastern Norwegian dialects but not in the western ones. The rhotic sound of tre (three) and rot (root) is an alveolar trill in the eastern Norwegian dialects but a uvular trill or fricative in the western ones. In words such as først (first) and norsk (Norwegian) the eastern Norwegian dialects have a retroflex alveopalatal fricative but the western Norwegian dialects have a uvular followed by an alveolar fricative.
In words beginning with sl-, the western Norwegian dialects pronounce them as in English. The eastern Norwegian dialects, however, pronounce the "s" as a retroflex alveopalatal fricative. This is also the case when the two letters occur across syllable boundaries. This sound can be heard in words such as slott (castle) and also veksle (to exchange).
Another difference between the eastern and western Norwegian dialects is the pronunciation of the diphthong found in words such as vei (way) and hei (hi). In the dialects of eastern Norway, the diphthong is similar to that of the diphthong in words such as "why" and "my." In western Norway, the diphthong is similar to that heard in words such as "way" and "may."
The two most widely-spoken dialects of Norway, the western and eastern, have many differences in grammar and vocabulary. However, they also have well-known pronunciation differences. As a result, Norwegians can easily identify speakers of these two dialects.
One difference between the two dialects is with respect to pitch. This is a feature which Norwegian shares with Swedish. Disyllabic words with identical pronunciation are distinguished by pitch alone. The two types of pitch are called Tone 1 and Tone 2. For example, the word bønder (farmers) has Tone 1 and bønner (beans) has Tone 2. The two words sound otherwise alike because the "d" of bønder is not pronounced.
However, the two dialects have different types of pitch. The eastern Norwegian dialects have a low-tone accent and the western Norwegian dialects have a high-tone accent.
The eastern Norwegian dialects are called low-tone accents because they have a low flat pitch on the first syllable of tone 1 followed by a rising pitch on the second. Tone 2 has a high falling pitch on the first syllable and a low pitch at the beginning of the second.
The western Norwegian dialects are called high-tone accents because they have a high pitch on the first syllable of tone 1 followed by a low pitch at the beginning of the second. Tone 2 has a rising pitch on the first syllable and a falling pitch at the beginning of the second.
The liquids are also pronounced differently in the two dialects. The lateral of words such as tolv (twelve) and hals (throat) is velarized in the eastern Norwegian dialects but not in the western ones. The rhotic sound of tre (three) and rot (root) is an alveolar trill in the eastern Norwegian dialects but a uvular trill or fricative in the western ones. In words such as først (first) and norsk (Norwegian) the eastern Norwegian dialects have a retroflex alveopalatal fricative but the western Norwegian dialects have a uvular followed by an alveolar fricative.
In words beginning with sl-, the western Norwegian dialects pronounce them as in English. The eastern Norwegian dialects, however, pronounce the "s" as a retroflex alveopalatal fricative. This is also the case when the two letters occur across syllable boundaries. This sound can be heard in words such as slott (castle) and also veksle (to exchange).
Another difference between the eastern and western Norwegian dialects is the pronunciation of the diphthong found in words such as vei (way) and hei (hi). In the dialects of eastern Norway, the diphthong is similar to that of the diphthong in words such as "why" and "my." In western Norway, the diphthong is similar to that heard in words such as "way" and "may."
The two most widely-spoken dialects of Norway, the western and eastern, have many differences in grammar and vocabulary. However, they also have well-known pronunciation differences. As a result, Norwegians can easily identify speakers of these two dialects.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Piet Hein
Piet Hein was a Danish poet who lived from 1905 to 1996. One of his poems is titled "A Psychological Tip."
A Psychological Tip
Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,
is simply by spinning a penny.
No - not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;
but the moment the penny is up in the air,
you suddenly know what you're hoping.
This is a short poem which suggests that by spinning a penny, we can discover what we really want. In other words, we may not need to spin the penny at all because we may make up our minds before the penny does. The rhyme scheme of the poem is a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d. Piet Hein's poems reveal many truths about life. "A Psychological Tip" is no exception.
A Psychological Tip
Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,
is simply by spinning a penny.
No - not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;
but the moment the penny is up in the air,
you suddenly know what you're hoping.
This is a short poem which suggests that by spinning a penny, we can discover what we really want. In other words, we may not need to spin the penny at all because we may make up our minds before the penny does. The rhyme scheme of the poem is a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d. Piet Hein's poems reveal many truths about life. "A Psychological Tip" is no exception.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Ratatouille
Ratatouille is the name of a French vegetable dish. It is a very tasty eggplant and tomato casserole that can be served hot or cold. To make ratatouille you need:
2 large egglants
salt
2 medium zucchinis, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons sugar
ground pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Wash the eggplants and cut into small slices. Sprinkle with salt and allow to stand.
Salt the sliced zucchini and stand for 30 minutes. Wash the salt from the eggplants and zucchinis. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onion and cook until golden brown.
Add garlic and pieces of eggplant and cook until brown. Remove and cook the zucchini slices until golden.
Transfer all the vegetables to a large pan. Sprinkle with sugar, pepper and vinegar. Add the tomatoes and wine. Cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
This recipe serves 4-6 people. It can be served alone with French bread or as an accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes. This is one of my favourite French dishes. Enjoy!
2 large egglants
salt
2 medium zucchinis, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons sugar
ground pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Wash the eggplants and cut into small slices. Sprinkle with salt and allow to stand.
Salt the sliced zucchini and stand for 30 minutes. Wash the salt from the eggplants and zucchinis. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onion and cook until golden brown.
Add garlic and pieces of eggplant and cook until brown. Remove and cook the zucchini slices until golden.
Transfer all the vegetables to a large pan. Sprinkle with sugar, pepper and vinegar. Add the tomatoes and wine. Cover and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
This recipe serves 4-6 people. It can be served alone with French bread or as an accompaniment to meat and poultry dishes. This is one of my favourite French dishes. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Double Rook Sacrifice
In a game of speed chess at chess.com, I used a double rook sacrifice to mate. My opponent was Hautboiss of the USA who played black. Here are the moves of the game along with my commentary:
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Nc3 g6
4. Bd3 Bg7
5. Nf3 e6
6. Be3 Ne7
7. Qd2 0-0
8. 0-0-0 d5
I castle queenside because I want to use my kingside pawns for an attack on the black kingside.
9. h4 dxe
10. Nxe4 Nd5
11. h5 Nxe3
12. fxe3 Na6
The black knight is not well-placed on a6. For this reason I do not capture it.
13. g4 gxh
14. Rxh5 c5
Black wants to attack my queenside with his pawns.
15. Rdh1 h6
16. g5 hxg
Now I have an open h-file.
17. Nexg5 f6
Black makes a mistake because the pawn on e6 is now undefended and can be captured by my knight.
18. Bh7+ Kh8
19. Bg6+ Kg8
20. Rh8+ Bxh8
I sacrifice a rook. Black must accept the sacrifice.
21. Rxh8+ Kxh8
I sacrifice another rook. Black does not have to accept this sacrifice but if he refuses and plays Kg7, I play Ne6+ and win his queen.
22. Qh2+ Kg7
23. Qh7#
This is the only game I can recall in which I sacrifice two rooks. My decision to castle queenside allows me to push my kingside pawns and the open h-file gives me the opportunity to mate the black king. Without question, this is one of the most memorable games I have ever played.
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Nc3 g6
4. Bd3 Bg7
5. Nf3 e6
6. Be3 Ne7
7. Qd2 0-0
8. 0-0-0 d5
I castle queenside because I want to use my kingside pawns for an attack on the black kingside.
9. h4 dxe
10. Nxe4 Nd5
11. h5 Nxe3
12. fxe3 Na6
The black knight is not well-placed on a6. For this reason I do not capture it.
13. g4 gxh
14. Rxh5 c5
Black wants to attack my queenside with his pawns.
15. Rdh1 h6
16. g5 hxg
Now I have an open h-file.
17. Nexg5 f6
Black makes a mistake because the pawn on e6 is now undefended and can be captured by my knight.
18. Bh7+ Kh8
19. Bg6+ Kg8
20. Rh8+ Bxh8
I sacrifice a rook. Black must accept the sacrifice.
21. Rxh8+ Kxh8
I sacrifice another rook. Black does not have to accept this sacrifice but if he refuses and plays Kg7, I play Ne6+ and win his queen.
22. Qh2+ Kg7
23. Qh7#
This is the only game I can recall in which I sacrifice two rooks. My decision to castle queenside allows me to push my kingside pawns and the open h-file gives me the opportunity to mate the black king. Without question, this is one of the most memorable games I have ever played.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Origins of Christmas Carols
Many Christmas carols are popular around the world. Ones such as "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World" are classics. Many, however, are not aware of their origins.
"Angels we have heard on high" is a traditional French carol.
"O Holy Night" is also of French origin.
"Silent Night" was originally written in German and is of Austrian origin.
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was written by Charles Wesley, the younger brother of John Wesley. The Wesley brothers started the Methodist church.
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears, an American pastor, in 1849.
The music of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was written by an American organist, Lewis Redner, in 1868.
"We Three Kings" was written by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, an American, in 1857.
"O Come All Ye Faithful" was written by an English hymnist, John Francis Wade.
"What Child Is This?" is also known as "Greensleeves." It was written by William Chatterton Dix, an Englishman, and is based on a traditional English melody.
The music of "Joy to the World" was written by Lowell Mason, an English composer of church music. It is believed that the melody was partly based on the work of George Frideric Handel, especially the oratorio "Messiah."
Many famous Christmas carols are of European origin but a number of them are also American. They are now sung in several different languages. For example, "Silent Night," originally sung in German, has been translated into numerous languages. Merry Christmas!
"Angels we have heard on high" is a traditional French carol.
"O Holy Night" is also of French origin.
"Silent Night" was originally written in German and is of Austrian origin.
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" was written by Charles Wesley, the younger brother of John Wesley. The Wesley brothers started the Methodist church.
"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" was written by Edmund Hamilton Sears, an American pastor, in 1849.
The music of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was written by an American organist, Lewis Redner, in 1868.
"We Three Kings" was written by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, an American, in 1857.
"O Come All Ye Faithful" was written by an English hymnist, John Francis Wade.
"What Child Is This?" is also known as "Greensleeves." It was written by William Chatterton Dix, an Englishman, and is based on a traditional English melody.
The music of "Joy to the World" was written by Lowell Mason, an English composer of church music. It is believed that the melody was partly based on the work of George Frideric Handel, especially the oratorio "Messiah."
Many famous Christmas carols are of European origin but a number of them are also American. They are now sung in several different languages. For example, "Silent Night," originally sung in German, has been translated into numerous languages. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sensational Game
I recently played a game at chess.com which has to be one of my most memorable. In this game I mated my opponent with two pieces en prise. The game had a fork, skewer and pin. My opponent, Muliadi of Indonesia, was black. Here are the moves of the game along with my commentary:
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Nc3 e6
4. Bd3 Bb4
5. Bd2 Bxc3
Black decides to give up his bishop for my knight. I am happy to take control of the a1-h8 diagonal and control the dark squares.
6. Bxc3 Qg5
Black plays aggressively. He brings out his queen early and attacks g2.
7. Qf3 Ba6
8. Bxa6 Nxa6
My capture of the bishop helps black to develop his knight but it leaves it on a bad square. Black has no bishops in a game that could become very open. This is good for me because bishops are favoured over knights in open games.
9. Nh3 Qh6
10. Bd2 Qf6
Black offers an exchange of queens. I decide to keep my queen to increase my attacking possibilities.
11. Qe3 Ne7
12. 0-0-0 d5
I castle queenside because I want to use my kingside pawns in an attack. I expect black to castle kingside because it is better defended than the queenside. With d5 black fights for control of the centre.
13. e5 Qg6
14. Nf4 Qg5
15. h4 Qh6
My pawn attack begins.
16. g4 g5
17. hxg Qxg5
18. Qd3 Qxg4
My queen attacks the knight on a6.
19. Qxa6 Nf5
Now black cannot castle kingside because it is too dangerous and my queen prevents him from castling queenside.
20. Nh5 Nxd4
I prepare a knight fork.
21. Nf6+ Ke7
22. Nxg4 h5
23. Bg5+ Kf8
Though my knight is en prise, I decide to use my bishop in my attack and increase my control of the dark squares.
24. Qa3+ c5
Black cannot capture my knight because if he does, I capture his rook on h8 with check and then capture his rook on a8.
25. Rxd4 Kg7
My rook is immune from capture because this puts black in check. With his move, black unpins his pawns. My rook and knight can now be captured.
26. Bf6+ Kg6
I check black with my bishop. This move in which a piece is forced to move but a less valuable piece can then be captured is called a skewer.
27. Qd3#
My initial reaction is to play Bxh8 but it is not my best move. I notice that I have a move to end the game with my queen. My rook and knight are both attacked but it is of no consequence.
This is one of the most memorable games of speed chess I have ever played. I use a devastating fork to win the white queen, a pin to capture the black rook, and a skewer to force mate. My opponent plays aggressively but fails to protect his king.
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
3. Nc3 e6
4. Bd3 Bb4
5. Bd2 Bxc3
Black decides to give up his bishop for my knight. I am happy to take control of the a1-h8 diagonal and control the dark squares.
6. Bxc3 Qg5
Black plays aggressively. He brings out his queen early and attacks g2.
7. Qf3 Ba6
8. Bxa6 Nxa6
My capture of the bishop helps black to develop his knight but it leaves it on a bad square. Black has no bishops in a game that could become very open. This is good for me because bishops are favoured over knights in open games.
9. Nh3 Qh6
10. Bd2 Qf6
Black offers an exchange of queens. I decide to keep my queen to increase my attacking possibilities.
11. Qe3 Ne7
12. 0-0-0 d5
I castle queenside because I want to use my kingside pawns in an attack. I expect black to castle kingside because it is better defended than the queenside. With d5 black fights for control of the centre.
13. e5 Qg6
14. Nf4 Qg5
15. h4 Qh6
My pawn attack begins.
16. g4 g5
17. hxg Qxg5
18. Qd3 Qxg4
My queen attacks the knight on a6.
19. Qxa6 Nf5
Now black cannot castle kingside because it is too dangerous and my queen prevents him from castling queenside.
20. Nh5 Nxd4
I prepare a knight fork.
21. Nf6+ Ke7
22. Nxg4 h5
23. Bg5+ Kf8
Though my knight is en prise, I decide to use my bishop in my attack and increase my control of the dark squares.
24. Qa3+ c5
Black cannot capture my knight because if he does, I capture his rook on h8 with check and then capture his rook on a8.
25. Rxd4 Kg7
My rook is immune from capture because this puts black in check. With his move, black unpins his pawns. My rook and knight can now be captured.
26. Bf6+ Kg6
I check black with my bishop. This move in which a piece is forced to move but a less valuable piece can then be captured is called a skewer.
27. Qd3#
My initial reaction is to play Bxh8 but it is not my best move. I notice that I have a move to end the game with my queen. My rook and knight are both attacked but it is of no consequence.
This is one of the most memorable games of speed chess I have ever played. I use a devastating fork to win the white queen, a pin to capture the black rook, and a skewer to force mate. My opponent plays aggressively but fails to protect his king.
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