Journal Entry

a) What are the most important differences between British English and American English?

Even if it is the same language, British and American English are not the same. We can count 4 main differences. First, each of the both forms have particularities according to grammar.

- For example, the verb "get" has not the same form when it is used as a past participle. American say "gotten" and British say "got".

- Another example is the use of preposition. Indeed American say "stay home" whereas British say "stay at home".

- A funny example is the answer to a phone call. British say "Hello, is that Yasmina?" whereas American say "Hello, is this Yasmina?"

Differences can also appear through vocabulary.

• apartment (US) / flat (British)
• cab (US) / taxi (British)
• elevator (US) / lift (British)
• gas (US) / petrol (British)
• rest room (US) / public toilet (British)

Spelling is also different in these both language. American write "center" whereas British write "centre". Another example with the way to write the end of word is that British write "dialogue" and American write "dialog".

The last main difference is easier to recognize with sound; however I will try to describ it.

• The pronunciation of vowels between British and American are different. American nasalize them, but British do not.
• The letter "r" is always pronunciated in American English, but only before vowel in British English.

b) What is standard English?

This is simple. Standard English means the form of language used for professionals or academic use.

c) What is a dialect?

The difference with a language and a dialect is that the second one is not officially recognize, and also the area where it is used is restricted.

d) What are the characteristics of formal English as opposed to informal or spoken English?

Formal English is clear, correct and universal. Contraction like "don't", slang or swears are not using in formal English. For an academic of professional purpose, we have to use formal English.

e) Do languages change over time?

Yes, obviously. New context of life brings new vocabulary. Young people add new vocabulary whereas old people try to hang on their own use of language. This vocabulary is , afterwards accepted. Others languages' influences bring also some changes which will also be accepted.

Research Proposal Preliminay First Draft

First, I wanted my research to be about the relationship between Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. I wanted to know if Ahmadinejad’s country uses the Hezbollah, and indirectly the Hamas. I still do not know the reason or the goal of Iran to use these both organisations. By trying to narrow my topic, I have finally found what is going to be my subject. What is the relationship with Islamic faith and the political goals in a political organisation as Hezbollah and Hamas or through a state politics as Iran’s politics? Does the fact that they include religion to politics make them fundamentalist? Why many western countries qualified these organizations as terrorist? It could be because they do not understand or they do not see from the Hamas’ point of view, for instance. With my research paper, I would like to understand the point of view of such organisation towards politics. I want to be able to explain to others what the reasons of their actions are and try to bring another point of view of the Middle East’s situation.

I am still quite not sure of the approach that I will choose. I would like to examine the situation and the sources fro, finally, analysing the data to make my own explication of the situation. However, I will also contract the situation presented in international press versus western press.

Because my audience not necessary knows Islam and some of its notions, I will have to make a short historic of this religion and also, I will have to include some definitions. I will do also the same for the two organisations studied, Hamas and Hezbollah.

It is so easy to explain my interest to this subject because I am fascinated by everything that touches the Arab and Muslim world. Since I am 15 years old, I read and try to learn more and more about this. I try to see the world from a different point of view. I made a wonderful trip in Morocco and I am preparing another one in Algeria in the next year. It is just the beginning because I would like to visit also, Istanbul, Jerusalem (where my uncle lived for 2 years), Damascus, Cairo and incha’Allah Mecca. I know some notion of Turkish and Arabic, but in September, I will begin Arabic courses. Concerning Islam, it is in your interest to learn more about. I say that because before to read about this religion, I had a really bad image of it. This religion is simpler than we think and not so different as some tries to show it. My best tip: read intelligently and met Muslims, they will not eat you.

I think my topic worth to be considering because we heard everyday about terrorists attacks, about Muslim world, about the relationship between the United States and Middle East, but we only have a single point of view. Moreover, newspapers’ articles or news on televisions do not take a lot of space amd time for international information. Thus, they only relate the events and do not analyse it or try to explain it. The audience makes in own analyse without having previous or basics information of a subject. For instance, an Arab who made a suicide bombing downtown Tel Aviv, is seen as a crazy Muslims terrorist. First, an Arab is not necessary Muslim, and despite that I do not agree with suicide bombing, it is important to look at the context and try to understand why he made a so desperate act. What would you do is the army came to destroy your home and killed your mother in front of your eyes? So it is the reason why this subject worth to be considering; to see the situation from another point of view and try to understand the context.

My steps to make this research is combined with analyse and historic. Indeed, as I said before, historic of Islam, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s politics is necessary. I will complete this part with definitions of specific notions. Afterwards, I will try to analyse the situation.

Outline

Islamic faith and politics: case of Iran’s politics, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Part 1: Historic and definitions

1.1: Islam

A little historic of the religion and definitions of specific notions and vocabulary related to this religion.

1.2: Hamas

A little historic and definitions of notions apply by Hamas.

1.3 Hezbollah

A little historic and definitions of notions apply by Hezbollah.

1.4 Iran’s international and regional politics

A little historic of Iranian politics in the 20^th century and explanation of some specifics notions.

Part 2: Contrast of the subject in international press versus North American press.

Part 3: Analyse of the situation

Islam

Because my research will include some notion of the Islamic religion, I thought that it could be a good idea to make a little historic, and to add few definitions related to Islam which is often, unfortunately, related to violence, oppression, extremism and which is the aim of several prejudices.

Historic:

In 610, Muhammad (peace be upon him), the prophet of Islam and the last of the three monotheist religions, received the first revelations from God through the angel Gabriel, which is the same angel that appeared to Mary. It was on the Mount Hira just above Mecca. One of the most important date to remember is 622. This is the year when Muhammad (pbuh) fled with his followers (Al mouhadjiroune) from Mecca, where they were persecuted, to Medina. We call this migration Hijra or the year of Hijra. This year corresponds to the beginning of the Islamic era and the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The reason of the persecution was that Mecca was a commercial city which earns money from pilgrims who paid to pray idols (stone statues which represented several Gods). With the new religion brought by Muhammad (pbuh), that there is only one God, the leaders of the city feared to lost money from pilgrims. Boycott and persecution began then against the prophet (pbuh) and his followers. In 630, Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers (the number had really increased) came back to Mecca. This is the bloodless conquest of Mecca. No one was killed. This same year the prophet (pbuh) past away.

Divisions:

Like in Christianism, there are division in the islamic religion. The 2 mains are: Sunni and Shi'a. Mostly, 85% of Muslims are Sunni. The division came mainly from the fact that when Muhammad (pbuh) died; according to Sunni there was no sucessor apointed. According to Shia, the prophet (pbuh) apointed Ali, his cousin, to be the sucessor. Finally, Abu Bakr became the Caliph, which means the leader. There are differences in rituals, in fiqh (islamic law), in beliefs, in historic aspects.

Islam: the religion

Islamic: this is an adjective of something which is related to Islam: Islamic history, Islamic religion, Islamic Law.

Muslim: a person who is an adherant to Islam. Be carefull to do not mix with islamist.

Islamist: a person who use the religion with political goals.

Islamism: the ideology that Islam should be a political systems; taking the religion as an instrument to reach some poilitcal goals and often in an extremist way.

Jihad: It means literally effort. In Islam, the effort can be personnal (for exemple, honesty) and can be common, like defending the religion and dignity. This term is unfortunately translated as "holywar" compared with the Christiant Crusades, which does not exist in this from in Islam.

Extremist: a person who has a radical ideas or opinions.



Source: http://www.claybennett.com/images/archivetoons/islam.jpg

If anyone has a question on Islam, even if it is not related to my topic, feel free to ask me by e-mail. (kavasoglu15@hotmail.com)

Articles and website about my topic

There are some of articles that I found on internet:
- Did Iran Try to Derail Mideast Peace Talks?
- Iran's growing regional influence
- Pan-Muslim unity?
- New Middle East Order

Summary of my research paper

My research paper will talk about a subject which is very topical. The war between Hezbollah and Israel in summer 2006, the recent elections which put Hamas in power in Palestine and the nuclear question of Iran put on the Middle East scene three mains actors. Iran and Hezbollah are related because many leaders and organizations, like the Israeli government, accuse Iran to provide military furniture to Hezbollah. The both also share the same thing with regard to the religion: they are both in the same branch of Islam: Shiite. One of the goals reached by Iran could be the fact that they are trying to increase the Shiite influence in the Muslim world, which is Sunnite in majority. The link between Hezbollah and Hamas is that they fight side to side for the same cause: the liberation of Palestine. If Iran has Hezbollah on its side and if Hezbollah has Hamas on its side, Iran get closer of one of its main fellows: Israel. However, this is just supposition and it is at this question that my research paper will have to answer. By answering to this, I will try by the same time to find out if Hezbollah and Hamas are really terrorist organisations. It is what media and western opinion try to show us but is it true? My thesis statement is then: Does Iran use Hezbollah and the Hamas? What could be the aim of this?

First of all, I will explain you the meaning of As-syasssa. It is very simple, it means diplomacy or politics in Arabic. I'm interesting in everything which is related to Arabic and Islamic world.

I have not still decided what's gonna be my thesis statement for the research paper, but I know I will make it on the relation of Iran with the Hezbollah and with the Hamas. I will try to know if the country of Ahmadinejad use the Hamas and the Hezbollah. If yes, what are the goals. By the same way, I would like to find out if the two organisations are what the media call "terrorist organization". I will do my best to give you information in its most objective form.