Phonemic Inventories Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Phonemic Inventories - Assignment Example On the other hand, consonants are speech sounds produced with significant restriction of airflow via the vocal tract (Bischoff & Fountain, 2014). Combination of vowels and consonants form syllables in the languages of the world as indicated in the IPA. Moreover, the authors define phonemic inventory as the assessment of the size of the phonemes or distinctive sounds in a language and their articulation. Minimal pairs are sets of phrases or words which differ in only a single element such as chroneme, toneme, or phoneme, and have divergent meanings in a language and are used to exemplify that two phones can constitute two distinct phonemes in a particular language. Bengali is spoken in eastern India and Bangladesh. As a language used by a good proportion of people, the language contains various speech sounds, stress, articulation and its study will therefore improve my understanding of phonetics and phonology while comprehending how geography affects formulation and articulation of speech sounds. In the consonant inventory in Bengali, fricatives and plosives differ in articulation and aspiration (Anderson,  1917). The voicing of the postalveolars contrasts by consonant nature as illustrated in the consonant inventory below; Evidently, the consonant inventory of Bengali differs from the one presented in the IPA journal in that it does not have germinates and that differentiate the postalveolar sound (Khan,  2010). Moreover, velar, lateral approximant and glottal consonants are lacking. The approximant in the IPA journal is and j in the Bengali inventory (Milles, 2012). However, they are similar since both contain the basic plosives, fricatives, nasal and approximant. With 12 consonants, Bengali joins the 15.80% (of 563) of languages considered to be of small consonant inventory a category that involves 83 languages whose consonant size is between 6 and 14 (Ian, 2013). Bengali differentiates vowels based on

Human Resources in Riordan Manufacturing Essay Example for Free

Human Resources in Riordan Manufacturing Essay When people think of the responsibilities of a human resources department, they may say they are responsible for the hiring and firing of employees. The truth of the matter is that a human resources management is responsible for much more than just hiring and firing. The human resources management is responsible for hiring qualified people, training employees to do their jobs according to company policies, motivate their employees and be able to support productive employees. Riordan Manufacturing has a good human resources department, which maintains an innovative and team-oriented work environment. Riordan Manufacturing mainly recruits employees outside the company via entry –level positions. There is also an internal job posting for employees to take advantage of new job opportunities. The method Riordan Manufacturing uses to recruit qualified employees is through online advertisements via Monstor.com, local newspapers, employee referrals, temp agencies, and job conferences. The plant in China uses contract workers for engineering, and IT positions. Riordan Manufacturing seeks qualified people for jobs, but the company does not conduct reference test as well as drug testing of potential employees. When concerning training and development, Riordan Manufacturing has a mandatory training program for employees within their 90 days of hire. New employees have to attend orientation on their first day on the job. For production and shipping and quality employees, they have to go through Six Sigma training. New supervisors are required to go through training workshops within 12 months of becoming a supervisor. Such workshops include interviewing guidelines, preventing EEO claims as well as workplace sexual harassment, and finally performance reviews. Riordan Manufacturing also has incentive programs for outstanding employees. There are three types of programs Riordan Manufacturing use to recognize outstanding employees. 1. Outstanding Employee Award 2. Employee Suggestion Program 3. Seniority Awards Riordan Manufacturing HR system Riordan Manufacturing implemented it’s HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) in 1992. This system manages employee information such as the following: 1. Personal information 2. Pay rate 3. Personal exemptions for tax purposes 4. Hire dates 5. Seniority date 6. Organizational information 7. Vacation hours If an employee has to make any changes to his or her information, he or she has to submit it in writing on a special form. That information is entered later by a payroll clerk. The training and development specialist kept track of training and development records via Excel worksheets. In order for recruiters to maintain applicant’s information, all resumes are filed in a central storage area and are track via an Excel spreadsheet. Riordan Manufacturing employs a third party provider to keep track of workers’ compensation. Individual managers keep track of employee’s files and are also responsible for tacking FMLA absences as well as requests for accommodation. A compensation manager keeps results of job analyses, salary surveys and individual compensation decisions via Excel spreadsheet. Complaints, grievances, harassment complaints, as well as ethical issues are managed and tracked by employee relations specialists. HR Needed Systems Riordan Manufacturing’s current HRIS needs an up-to-date face lift. Instead of having different individuals managing employee’s vital information, Riordan Manufacturing needs to invest in human resources software. Implementing the software would increase the efficiency of their current HRIS. It would ease the burden of keeping track of all the employees’ information. References University of Phoenix (2012). Riordan Manufacturing Virtual Organization. Retrieved from BSA/500 – Business Systems II course website.

Cell Phone Use :: Technology Essays

Cell Phone Use With technology on the rise, an important issue of social interaction and communication has risen with it. Many people have become heavily dependent on technology, unable to make it through a normal day without it. Granted, technology has provided society with many beneficial inventions, and for that we are grateful; yet, the sense of community that once resided around our homes has seemed to have all but diminished. For every branch of expansion this new technology â€Å"tree† grows, a new root ensnaring society grows with it, causing us to become ever more dependent on technology. I have found that many people are oblivious to the clear cause and affect system that is inseparable from growing technology. Being a student at a Public University, I have noticed an increasing amount of students who talk on their cell phones between classes. It has gone unnoticed that this limits the amount of interaction among students on the campus. With people ranting all over the media about what great opportunities technology provides to reach those across the globe, I began to wonder if technology was actually holding a positive effect of society. I wanted to find out how others viewed the situation. I decided that a good way for this to be done was by survey. In conducting this survey, I chose to question twenty random students at James Madison University. The survey was given at the on campus food court, PC Dukes. Its purpose was to investigate the topic of cells phones, attempting to discover whether cell phones expand our everyday life or if they constrict us to our own individual world. While eighteen students of the twenty surveyed felt cell phones actually do expand their life, a more in depth look was necessary. Other questions on the survey (questions four, five, six, and nine) contradicted this statement. For example, ten students who found their life to be expanded felt that they would be more socially active if they did not have cell phones. To me, this shows that cell phones keep people from reaching out and meeting new friends. I feel this is largely due to the fact that with cell phones, people are extremely easy to get in touch with. By having this luxury, a small group of friends can stay closer and more sociable with each other rather than keeping a large group of friends.

Western Civilization Role in the World Major Conflicts

World has experienced several conflicts, of all the major conflicts none had changed the world more than the world wars and the cold war. Western civilization played a great role as far as these three conflicts in the twentieth century were concerned. These wars were mainly fought in Europe and Asia. The century experienced some of the worst conflicts in the history of mankind some of which changed the face of the world for a long time. The world powers fought each others in a battle of supremacy. Different powers stood for different ideologies where each wanted to override the other as far as world power was concerned. The period preceding the first world was characterized by major changes that took place in Europe. These changes affected all the aspects of life, economically, scientifically, socially among other areas. An industrial revolution had just been witnessed in Europe and was spreading to the other parts of the world. Many western nations had been involved in the manufacture of sophisticated weapons in an attempt to protect themselves from their enemies. The First World War was by itself a show of might as far arms were concerned. The great nations took this chance to show of their technological development as well their military strength. It was during this war that Germany put to test some of the weapons that had been developed by its able military weapon technicians such as machine guns and deadly gases. On the other hand the British for the first time used tanks in the warfare. Both countries for the first time in the history of the warfare introduced new aircrafts to test their ability to be used in a major war. Politically alliances were being made by different Europeans power to safeguard their interests. One of the major alliances involved the Germans and the Austrians where they signed treaties creating the dual Alliance. This was to sideline Russia one of the western nations that was seen as a threat to advancement of Germany and its expansionist ambitions. This alliance later came to incorporate the Italians who were major asset to the Germans as they fought alongside in group that came to be known as the Triple Alliance. (Stefan, B 2006) The conflicts of the twentieth century especially the two world wars were mainly as a result of the ambitious plans by the German nation to expand its horizons occupying other nations and dominating them. They were aiming at imposing their rule on them and forcing these nations to adopt their ways. Russia was also interested in some parts of the continent, Austrian Hungary was busy trying to extend it power and in the process they were hiving parts of the Ottoman Empire something that did not go unchallenged. Each nation was busy trying to proof themselves to the rest; they were interested in dominating the continent. This competition was also extended to the other parts of the world especially regions where the European powers were interested in establishment of colonies. They could not agree on who should take which region. They were aiming at extending their power to these regions and at the same time introduce western civilization to areas that they considered backward. Western civilization factor did not stop at the end of the First World War, this concept continued to grow and shaping the face of the world. After the Great War nation did not stop at this point, they continued to fight for supremacy where other European nations were determined to punish Germany and her allies for the role they played in the great world war. The war had left one of the great civilizations in Europe heavily bruised such that one would have written it off. The nation was determined in its recovery program, they did everything possible to rise up and emerge as one of the most dominant power in Europe. (Stefan, B 2006) Adolf Hitler aim to make Germany the most powerful nation in Europe could have ignited another war that spread to other parts of the world and had very devastating effects than the Great War. Just like the first world nations were aiming at outdoing each other in terms of military power, economic and technological advancement. Again in the world history western civilization had led to another competition between different powers something which eventually led to a full scale war that touched every part of the world. The passive nature of the western powers at around this period allowed Germany to break most of the treaties that had been made to prevent another war. Britain was having problems at home such that whatever Hitler was doing as far as preparation for the war was concerned was not such a bother. Hitler continued to arm himself in preparing to expand his horizons making his country a powerful nation in Europe once more. He was determined to get this at all cost. Even with the end of the Second World War western civilization still strong, it was taking a new shape with the entrance of United States in the arena. A new form of conflict was emerging where two opposing ideologies were out to clash. On one side we had the communism which was threatening to dominate the world and on the other side we had the capitalism which was being propagated as part of the western culture. Soviet Union and other communist powers in the world were up against the capitalistic powers which were led by United States to a kind of welfare that has been described as cold war. This war lasted for a long period as compared to the other wars as it lasted up to the eighties when the communist powers collapsed. Germany just like in the previous wars was actively involved in this quiet warfare but in this time as a divided nation. One side of this nation, the western was inclined towards the capitalism world where the eastern part of Germany was controlled by the communist powers. (Bartlett, C (1977) The attempt to spread western civilization to the other regions and the competition that existed among the European powers led to the conflicts that had very devastating effects in the face of the world. Some of which changed the course of history and brought a new dispensation that have dominated the power circles in the world. These three conflicts brought both positive and negative effects to United States and the world at large. It is as a result of these wars that America emerged as one of the powerful nations on earth. Its might came to be recognized at the end of the world war when its intervention brought the conflict that had left Europe weary. (Bartlett, C 1977). One of the common effects of the three conflicts is the loss of lives and destruction of property. The great world war had millions of people from across the board losing their lives. This is not a small number given the world population at that time. Those who lost their lives included soldiers who were in the battlefields and civilians who were either involved in the war. Other people were killed by factors directly related to the war such as starvation and diseases which were as direct result of the war. Looking at the Second World War lives were lost too but in this case in great magnitude than in the First World War due to the level of technological advancement as far as weapons are concerned. The weapons used at this particular war were much destructive compared to those used in the previous war. This meant heavy casualties on both soldiers and civilians. It is estimated that close to fifty million people may have died in this war. This figure includes the casualties suffered after Japan was bombed by the United States using atomic bombs. Psychologically the effects of the world wars were similar to those of revolution in America. There was a growing sense of distrust towards political class and government officials among the people who witnessed the horror and destruction that accompanied the wars. Many people were not happy that the peacemakers had not expressed their sentiments to the fullest wondering why the war was allowed in the first place. To them it could have been avoided by all means. A feeling of disillusionment was felt across the globe as people came into conclusion that their governments were not interested in serving them rather they were only after glory that comes with winning of a war. The loss of loved ones was disturbing to many families which were affected . The future of the families whose members were killed in the wars was not bright; they just accepted the reality grimly optimistic that their dreams will last. (Stewart, R 2003) Technology advancement was registered after the war especially on the military hardware. With the end of the First World War countries that participated engaged in military advancement each outdoing the other as far as manufacturing of the weapons was concerned. This also included technological advancement in other areas which did not involve weapons. For example production of automobiles, aircrafts, radios and other products was boosted. The advantage of mass production and use of machine in production stimulated the economies making them grow at a tremendous rate. After the end of the Second World War two super powers emerged, one would have expected that the two nations would work together to foster world peace but the two nations became hostile to each other. Each one of them started building up huge arsenals and strong ballistic missles. The two super powers were suspicious of each other. They were competing with each other as far as world power was concerned. This situation prevailed for so long such that there was a fear of a third world war erupting. This war had some effects on both countries and the world at large. One of the major effect was the collapse of Soviet Union something that marked the end of an ideology that was being spread by this mighty nation. With the collapse of Soviet Union other communist nations were not very strong to advance its course therefore the system came to an end with the death of the union. (Powaski, R 1998) Germany as a nation was once again united, ending a hostile period that characterized a former European power. Other Baltic states that were part of the Soviet Union achieved their independence and became autonomous nations. With the collapse of communism and Soviet Union America was left as the only super power in the world. This meant that the competition that ensued between the two nations in the dominance of the world was no more. This gave America chance to concentrate on other issues of importance since the threat of invasion by Soviet Union was no more. Western civilization can largely be blamed for all the major conflicts that have happened in the world. Forcing their ideals on other coupled with the competition for power among the nations has resulted to the first two major conflicts. The third conflict was mainly suspicion between east and west. The two sides could not trust each other; they were trying to spread ideologies across the world with each trying to out do the other. The two super powers were just advancing the concepts of the western civilization in different ways.

Dairy writing Essay

I am mentally and physically exhausted but I need to write this diary to record the experience of my ordeal. I must do it so that someday someone would know what my husband did to me, even if I disappear one day.  Yesterday was another dull and boring day. It was raining outside. I could hardly sleep recently as I was worry-beaten. I had been thinking about Sir Henry’s safety. Did he receive the letter I sent to him while we were in London? Would he understand the message and keep away from my husband? Should I give him an explicit warning when my husband and others were away? How should I tell him? All these questions struggled in my mind. By the time Selden, the escaped prisoner, was dead, I already suspected my husband planning another crime. I still remembered he came home in great surprise and disappointment that night. Why my husband became a deceiver?  Just then, my husband came in. I wanted to persuade him to stop threatening Sir Henry. I pretended nothing had happened at the beginning. However, that swindler soon realized something wrong. Seeing my apprehensive face, he grasped that I knew he was planning another crime. When I tried to coax him from torturing Sir Henry further, he became agitated and furious. We started shouting and screeching at each other. He then hit me with his muscular arms and I found myself in a frenzy of anger and kicked him back. Suddenly, he snapped the bed sheets next to us and wrapped me all over. He was so forceful that I was promptly tied up against a wooden post in the center of the room. The knots were so tight that I could hardly breathe. Had I known that I would be assaulted in this prison, I would not have risked my life to fight with him. I wouldn’t forgive his cruelty. I was in great pain and blood was over my bruised arms. They were clear marks of violence. It was so painful and distressing. I was in a lonely marathon of agony. I felt so hopeless and helpless. I was motionless in a room with tears stinging my eyes.  Gradually, I heard my stomach echoed in the silence. I hadn’t eaten for a long time. How long had I been cooped up? I almost fainted when I heard a creak at my locked desert. I thought it was my cruel husband coming to torture me further again. It wasn’t! I wanted to shout but it turned out a faint sound because I was so weak at that time A short while later, I heard a bang and the door swung open. Holmes, Watson and Lestrade came in with guns in their hands. What a relief! I was rescued! All three of them were very surprised at the sight of me. They couldn’t identify me at first as I was wrapped round completely. They untied me. Thanks god for that! I felt much more comfortable. They were the brightness in the dark.  Full of grief and shame, I soon sank to the floor. They put me in the old oak chair and I managed to open my eyes again. I didn’t care whether my wicked husband would harm me further. I couldn’t keep the secret anymore. Therefore, I told them where he had kept the hound and the whole truth. I also asked about Sir Henry. To my relief, Sir Henry was safe and the hound was dead. I found myself crying with happiness. Now I am relieved and feel soothed after the salvage. However, I worry about what will happen to me next? I have been neglected and live a life of deceit. I don’t want to live in fear, suspicion and possible attack again, worrying my husband would plan another crime? Does my husband really love me? Why do we have to pretend to be brothers and sisters? Why was I being used to attract Sir Henry? I was torn between saving Sir Henry and hating my husband. What should I do?  I worry about my future? I prayed and prayed. I am lonely and hopeless in the world. Will god shed light on me?