ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Introduction The structure of English language gently persuades its speakers to think in sexist manner. The very grammatical structure of English establishes an implied sexism and it is subtly constructed in our minds. Grammar of the language creates a sexist perception and this is used to construct the relationship structure in the society. Hence, the connection between language construct and culture is created: “Language and culture are on a feedback loop; changing one changes the other in complex interactional ways” (Hardman, 1996, p. 25). Researchers have established the connection between language and existing perception of sexism (Mcelhinny, 2003). The use of slang words or abuses has a special gendered connotation and often is derogatory to women. Gender neutrality of language is often misinterpreted or ignored by many, in order to, continue their biased perception of gender. Propagation of sexism through nonstandard vocabulary is also a common form of sexism through language. Such expression may comprise of raw and unrefined expression or use of taboo or vulgar words directed and/or implying a particular sex. Further, such words may indicate a particular sexual orientation, act, or relationship. The presence of slangs and the rampant use of such slangs need to be understood if we want o gauge the overall attitude of people towards sexism in English Language. Language is a discourse that constructs the ideas about gender roles and divisions. As we learn language at a very early age, these constructs are infused inside us at a very early age. Embedded gendered concepts within the generic statements are common. The perception of the male when we hear a generic word influences our gendered perception. Further, the slangs and abusive words need to be understood and analyzed in order to gauge the extent of influence of such words on the perception or attitude towards sexism in English language. This paper aims to understand the usage of abusive and slang words and how the speakers perceive them. The paper will aim to understand if the slang words are mostly directed towards men, women or to both genders. Further, the paper will also try to understand the gendered implications that are perceived in case of generic usage of words by students in the Arab university. How men and women interpret and perceive generic words and phrases is important to understand. The degree of sexism in the attitude of the speaker while using English is also indicative of the cultural differences in attitude towards sexism in language. This will help us demonstrate that the language is not sexist; instead, it is the perception or construct of the speakers that makes it sexist. Literature Review The present literature review aims to understand the trend and gap in literature on sexism in English language. For this purpose, the paper will first understand the definition of s
Environmental sustainability has become one of the most topical issues nowadays, and businesses are under the pressure of public expectations to implement sustainability approaches. I do not think that the company’s environmental impact should be the least of its concerns. However, making ‘greenness’ the basic strategy and goal of the business may be short-sighted and inefficient. I agree with Adam Werbach’s idea that sustainability is more than green practices because I think that it cannot be achieved without a complex approach that incorporates social and economic factors. The challenges can arise when implementing the green goals, because the company may fail to survive the competition that is bound to intensify as more and more companies adopt environmental policies and approaches. This is why social, economic, and cultural components of the company’s sustainability strategy have to be considered as important as the environmental ones. An example of a company that goes beyond simply “not polluting the planet” is A Good Company, a business based in Sweden and founded in 2018 by Anders Ankarlid. The slogan claims that “environmental sustainability is at the heart” of everything they do, and the company makes it possible through perfecting the unique design of their products and marketing strategies (A Good Company, 2019). They constantly do research, find new materials to recycle, and develop new ways to use those materials in their products. Another example of the business that made environmental sustainability one of its main goals is the Nike Corporation. This company cooperates with environmental groups, advocates for the circular economy, and regularly participates in climate change conferences (Eyada, 2020). Such impact would not be possible if the company did not devote the same attention to other economic and social factors, such as marketing, product diversification, and develop
Introduction The fact that the environment and the entire ecosystem have been left unstable in the recent times is in no doubt. However what has continued to evoke many debates is whether humans have had a hand in this unfortunate situation, and if so, by what extent. Though many feel that humans have had a thing to do in this and could do much better in sustaining the environment, some feel that this is a natural occurrence and nature should be left to take its course. This paper explores how man has affected the ecosystem, and specifically so through his diet, and what could be done to put the situation back on track. It is essential that human beings balance their diet. A normal human being is required to take 1,200 calories through the three major meals he/she has in a day .However, in trying to achieve this environment has been left compromised through the following ways. Excessive harvest of animals in search of various meats is leading to their extinction. Animals are the chief source of proteins and fats which human beings are in need of. Fats are very important in body heat regulation. On the other hand, proteins make the body tissues and up to 15-20% of the calories taken should be made up of proteins. Although this is the case, the animal community is being pushed to the extreme in trying to feed the ever growing population. This has been done through directly hunting down animals and robbing them of the
1. How was Mike’s Express Carwash utilized the Nordstrom method as an approach to customer service and satisfaction? The company was able to utilize the Nordstrom method through application of its principles. First of all the company offers customers a variety of choices. There are three different kinds of carwash service being offered. The first package includes a wash, Mike’s Clear Coat and Wheel Bright (Spector, p.4). The second package includes a wash, Mike’s Clear Coat and an underbody wash (Spector, p.4). The third package is called the deluxe package and it includes everything in the second and first package. The company also makes sure that they had created an inviting place. The facility sits on “on an acre-plus of highly landscaped property” and the well-designed building itself is made immaculately clean, that first time customers thought that they were driving into a restaurant and not a carwash (Spector, p.4). Aside from that the company made a commitment to only hire those who are fit to work in a service-oriented workplace. It is common practice to interview 20 applicants for one job opening. The company is also committed not only to sell a service, they also sell a relationship and this simply means that they want each customer to keep coming back. They really take care of their customers and if one is not satisfied with the wash they ask the customer to let them repeat the process. This is done using another Nordstrom principle which is to empower employees to take ownership of the business. Thus, an employee no matter how new or how long he or she has been working there can approach a customer and say that Mike’s Express Carwash is not happy with their performance and would love to wash their car once more. The employees feel comfortable working there because they believe in disregarding the rules or creating rules that forces them to be stiff rather than to be happy serving the customers. But this does not mean that that employees simply do what they feel, in order to maintain a high work rate the company promotes friendly competition between teams and between branches. Each employee is also rated by customers they label as “mystery shoppers” (Spector, p.5). This means that employees always find the motivation to exceed expectations. Finally, this company is committed to follow the Nordstrom way because the leaders and the people are 100% committed to customer service. For instance, Mike Dahm reads customer comment cards every time there is an employee meeting (Spector, p.5). The company also makes sure to promote only those who deserve promotion and this ensures that they always have managers that do their job well and a dedicated workforce ready to serve. 2. How are the products that Mike’s Express Carwash provides for its customers classified? The company does not manufacture and sell a particular product. They sell a specialized service using specialized products. For instance they use soap to clean the body and the underboy but they also use a coating that protects the paint of the car. At this point there is no need to change the kind
Introduction Prostate cancer is a killer disease that affects only men since they have prostate glands unlike women (Ellsworth, 2012). It is generally regarded as one of the most common types of cancer witnessed among men. Although it was originally viewed as a disease for older men, prostate cancer is today common among middle-aged men. Incidentally, how a person lives during the early days of his or her life can increase the risk of being affected by prostate cancer later in life. Given that the field of prostate cancer is constantly changing, several resources exist to assist interested parties with vital information for improved management of the disease. This paper seeks to explain the biology of prostate cancer. It describes the nature and causes of the disease, signs, and symptoms, forms of treatment and prevention, and associated laboratory tests. Description of the Nature and Causes of the Disease Prostate cancer is an aggressive growth of malignant cancerous cells in the prostate that can be fatal. According to Mason & Moffat (2010), the prostate is a gland that is found immediately below the bladder in men and is not found in women. It is connected to the human reproductive system and produces substances in the body that help in nourishing the sperm in semen. Seminal vesicles placed alongside the prostate produce substances like sugars that feed the sperm and activate them before ejaculation. Two things can be examined about the prostate. First, the size of the prostate and second the consistency of the prostate (Mason & Moffat, 2010). The consistency of the prostate can sometimes be an indication of cancer. Prostate cancer sets in as a result of benign enlargement of the prostate. Description of the Signs and Symptoms Generally, the diagnosis of prostate cancer occurs from routine annual screening, before any physical signs can be detected. According to Cheuck and Kim (2016), it is generally important to ensure that prostate cancer screening is done in good time for effective management of the condition. During its early stages, prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms (Rockefeller, 2015). However, the affected person starts to experience several problems with time. They include but are not limited to urination problems, pain during ejaculation, contaminated semen, and pain in the bones. While these are some of the signs and symptoms that are commonly associated with prostate cancer, it is advisable to consult a doctor whenever one experiences any strange symptoms to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer (Rockefeller, 2015). Also, prostate cancer can lead to other health complications if not detected and treated in good time. Cancer may metastasize and spread to body organs that are nearby such as the bladder. Cancer can enter the bloodstream and spread to the bones. List of the Laboratory Tests Two popular tests of prostate cancer are digital rectal exam (DRE) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). As noted by Rockefeller (2015), not everyone agrees on the benefits o
Introduction The feminist art movement emerged in the 1960s and from that time the women had taken much interest in what causes them to be different from the male gender and particularly, what causes the art produced by the female artists to be different from the art produced by the male artists. According to Napikoski (2010), the Feminist art movement started at the point when there was the coming up of the idea that the experiences of females should be expressed through art. This idea had been earlier on not taken seriously and it had often been ignored. This movement has been quite famous in such countries as the United States of America, Germany, and Britain. The feminist movement has spread all over various cultures in the world beginning from the 1970s (Delahunt, 1996). The feminists have indicated that all through the history that has been recorded, men have imposed the social structures that are father-centered and through such systems, the male has acquired domination over the females. By the mid-1960s, many of the women artists who struggled to take part in the art world that was dominated by the male artists had devastating discouragements to incorporate their meanings of feminism into their work and looked for de-gendering their work of art. In most cases, basing on the way it looked alone, the work of art they produced could not be seen as the work that was made by women. Men have stuck on a studio system that has not enabled women to engage in training as artists, a gallery system which has kept women from exhibiting and selling their work, as well as being collected by museums, although this has been to a lower level in the times that have just passed (Delahunt, 1996). Performance art, video, and installation turned out to be the primary mode for the artists that engaged in the feminist movement in the course of the 1970s and even today. This paper is going to establish why these modes turned out to be the basic modes for these artists. The feminist movement and the Video, Installation, and performance art modes The feminist movement had a very intense effect on the work of art produced by women in the 1970s. This effect came about through this movement’s drive to validate the personal history, problematize female subjectivity as well as its drive to bring alteration on the position women held within the society. Female artists came up with production and exhibitions that were carried out collectively after getting themselves in a position where they were being excluded from the traditional art circles (Troy, N.d). The exhibition and production organizations included festivals, galleries, workshops, and publications. As these artists carried out their activities in all mediums, video arts, as well as performance art, were possibly fascinating since these fresh mediums did not hold any record of carrying out the exclusion of women. More so, the performance arts in the course of the 1970s were quite important and of great significance to the female artists as defiance to formalism. It carried out the
Introduction The subject of this analytical paper is a photograph of a warrior from a tribe in East Africa, the Maasai, which photographer Jimmy Nelson took as part of his collection of photographs in the book, Before They Pass Away. The photograph, which features on the book’s cover, possesses certain features that make it stand out. This analysis reveals details on the features and it aims at creating a better understanding of the photograph. Photograph by Jimmy Nelson Subject The main theme in this photograph is culture. According to Nelson, the Maasai are part of the few tribes in the world that are quickly fading due to civilization and the increasing need for the world to form a global community (453). The author mentions uniqueness as one of the merits of maintaining a culture and he expresses his fear that such singularity is quickly fading for most cultures around the world. Therefore, he undertook the task of highlighting some of the tribes that still exhibit unique cultural traits in every aspect of their lives including mode of dressing, language, food, and religion (Nelson 453). In the picture, the man’s attire, demeanor, and environment attract the audience’s immediate attention. Nelson’s description of the man in the picture as a warrior is evident from the tools he holds in his hands. The man clutches a spear in his left hand and a shield on his right. The long cloth wrapped around his body is also unique given that most people prefer modern clothing such as shirts and trousers to a plain sheet of cloth. The design in which the cloth falls around his body is intricate and attractive. Although the human figure forms the key feature in the photograph, the background, according to Nelson (454), forms part of the warrior’s culture and is thus relevant when conducting an analysis. He explains that the Maasai tribe is nomadic in nature and it often roams expansive lands in search of pasture (454). The expansive arid land that forms the background, thus serves to complete the picture and create a holistic view of the tribe’s cultural practices. Medium A medium describes the material in which a work of art exists and materials that an artist uses in its creation. For instance, for paintings, the term medium refers to types of paint that artists use to generate their works as well as the surface on which they display such works. Some artists prefer oil paintings while others opt for acrylics (Kemp 56). The same principle of description applies to drawings, photographs, and other forms of art requiring description. The portrait that forms the subject of discussion currently exists in print in the author’s book and in softcopy over the Internet for easy access and better distribution to a global audience. The softcopy version allows audiences to print the image as part of their personal collection or store it as an e-file in their computer databases for future reference. The photograph is the result of a project that Nelson undertook in the year 2009 using a 4×5 field plate came
Cases that involve multiple countries may be more difficult to investigate than domestic crimes because of the collaborative issues that the nations often face. The case “Purchase Order Scam Leaves a Trail of Victims” is an example where states’ local law enforcement and weak international cooperation contributed to the situation not having any positive outcomes. The discussed problem is the so-called purchase order fraud. Criminals use fake websites, phone numbers, and emails to purchase large quantities of goods (“Purchase order scam,” 2014). It may be virtually impossible to recover the purchased products once they leave the U.S. soil. A case analysis is offered below, discussing the American justice system, violations of the law in both the U.S. and Nigeria, the collaboration of the international and local agencies, and the outcomes to this investigation. American Justice System The difference between dealing with international and domestic crimes lies in the use of the law system of either one or multiple countries. In local cases, individuals and groups undergo the process that fully relies on the American law. However, when working with international crimes, all involved countries employ their procedures. As the discussed case does not have any success with an actual prosecution, one can focus on the investigation itself. In the U.S., the examination of such cases is taken over by the FBI that can collect necessary information from affected retailers, universities, and persons acting as the middleman between the scammers and sellers. The national agency may also try to examine the addresses and contacts used by the fraudsters to find their physical location. However, they cannot physically investigate these places without getting permission from the country of the perpetrators’ residence. If the criminals are identified, the U.S.’ agreement with the involved country can affect the due process. For example, the nations can arrange a transfer where the perpetrator is brought to the U.S. for a trial or, on the other hand, brought into the state of residence to be tried and convicted there. In this particular example, the crime was committed against organizations located in the U.S. However, the fraudsters were operating from Nigeria. The countries can decide which laws will be reciprocated. Generally, non-citizens possess a range of rights that are similar to those of the U.S. citizens. Thus, the actual trial and investigation processes incorporate such enforced rights as the right to a jury, prote
An ensuing theme in The Scarlet Letter is the theme of hypocrisy which “Hypocrite” by Savanna Keyes well represents. Hawthorne (2015) illustrates a hypocritic Puritan Community by envisioning vital social topics like adultery. The Scarlet Letter has several instances of hypocrisy depicted by some characters, such as the lavish dressing Governor Bellingham wears while enforcing Puritan plainness on his subjects (Hawthorne, 2015). This is an instance of a physical metaphor for hypocritic characteristics illustrating how some individuals present one face to the world while hiding their true nature. “Hypocrite” depicts this perception through deep vivid lyrics defining hypocritic behavior that applies to Hester. “But I don’t practice what I preach Count every calorie And every flaw I see in my mirror I know that my best disguise is handing out advice Like I’m everybody’s cheerleader” (Keyes, 2018, 00:32). Trisha Yearwood’s “Standing Out in a Crowd” represents Hester’s treatment after being accused of adultery. She is taunted and criticized for her actions in a polarized community which labels her as an adulterer and a misfit. According to Hawthorne (2015), the experience of standing out in a crowd launches Hester into a state of regret as she starts to recall her life back in rural England, where everything was calm. This flashback portrays how she is not comfortable with being sidelined. The song illustrates how unprepared she is to receive that form of treatment from her fellow people and that she is not ready to go through all that alone. “Standing out in a crowd Where the spotlight finds you And singles you out What are they whispering about?” (Yearwood, 2005, 00:40). Although taunted and publicly humiliated, Hester is not ready to reveal the father’s identity to her child. Hawthorne (2015) depicts the power of sin by highlighting how a secret can lead them to a life of misery with Hester and Dimmesdale. For instance, Hester is aware of what would happen to Dimmesdale if she reveals that he is the father and, therefore, vows to take the secret to her grave (Hawthorne, 2015). The same dilemma is present with Dimmesdale, who does not want to face humiliation and persecution after Hester reveals the truth (Hawthorne, 2015). These two illustrations highlight the strength of secrecy, an illustration perfectly presented in “Secret” by The Pierces. “Got a secret, can you keep it? Swear, this one you’ll save Better lock it in your pocket Takin’ this one to the grave” (Pierces, 2007, 00:01). Paloma Faith’s “Guilty” perfectly resonates with the theme of guilt in The Scarlet Letter . One instance of guilt is Hester’s guilt of adultery which is publicly exploited and forced to wear the scarlet letter for the rest of her life (Hawthorne, 2015). Dimmesdale is also as guilty as Hester but chooses to let his guilt remain a secret, allowing it to kill him slowly (Hawthorne, 2015) slowly. Chillingworth’s guilt is expressed in hiding his identity