Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2010 May 24
Humanities desk | ||
---|---|---|
< May 23 | << Apr | May | Jun >> | May 25 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Humanities Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
May 24
[edit]Anthony Hayward BP CEO
[edit]Hello, I inquire as to Tony Hayward's actual birth date. I see that Wikipedia has only recently added his date of birth as 21st May 1957. As the media is full of stories re it being his 54th birth day, I am seeking the actual date if possible and if it can be verified as the 20th or 21st; 1957 or 1956? Is it also possible to know if he has a middle Christian name? a. Anthony Hayward born 21st May 1957 b. Anthony (*) Hayward born 21st May 1957 c. Anthony Hayward born 21st May 1956 d. Anthony (*) Hayward born 21st May 1956
Thanking you so much in advance.
Warm regards Peter Vaughan - New Zealand —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.60.88.123 (talk) 00:59, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I take it, from the birthday, that you mean Tony Hayward and not Anthony Hayward: it would be helpful if you had linked the article.
- Unfortunately, like much of the information in the article, his birthday is not specifically referenced (and should really therefore be removed). It was added to the article last week by User:78.151.136.230: perhaps you would like to ask that user on their talk page where the information came from? --ColinFine (talk) 23:02, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I've added hatnotes to both articles. --ColinFine (talk) 23:08, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Who's Who gives his full name as Anthony Bryan Hayward and his date of birth as 21 May 1957: ‘HAYWARD, Anthony Bryan’, Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2009; accessed 24 May 2010. Sam Blacketer (talk) 23:39, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
Agnate of the Stewart line
[edit]Is there anymore legitimate male-line descendant of Robert II of Scotland or, if not, any legitimate male-line descendant of his ancestors, the High Stewards of Scotland? Basically if Scotland had practice the Salic law of succesion, who would the King of Scotland be now (excluding the fact about England)? --Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy (talk) 02:09, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I had a tenant who claimed to be descended from the House of Stewart but he worked as a janitor and had been married to a black women in NYC and had a daughter and was then divorced according to him. 71.100.3.228 (talk) 05:13, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- ...and what if Salic Law had been applied in China?--Wetman (talk) 06:23, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- QEIILS, see Wars of Scottish independence.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 08:04, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- You might find this article helpful: John Stewart, Duke of Albany.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 12:19, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- The article Clan Stewart may be of some help too. Jack forbes (talk) 12:28, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- You might find this article helpful: John Stewart, Duke of Albany.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 12:19, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- QEIILS, see Wars of Scottish independence.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 08:04, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- House of Stuart is even more helpful, noting that "... At least three cadet branches of the House of Stuart survive amongst the British aristocracy; the Clan Stuart of Appin, the Earls Castle Stewart, and the Earls of Galloway, all of whom have claims which date prior to the accession of James VI/I." I'm aware of other legitimate Stewart lines, such as that of Blair Stewart-Wilson. Moonraker2 (talk) 20:14, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
See also list of heirs to the Scottish throne. Basically, Mary I was the last male-line descendant of Robert II. Scotland did practice semi-Salic law prior to the accession of Mary I; a woman was able to ascend the Scottish throne only when all the agnatic descendants of Robert II died out. The Scottish act of succession of 1371 said that the Scottish crown would pass to the sons of Robert II and heirs male of their bodies, failing which to his heirs whatsoever (i.e. daughters and their descendants). Mary I succeeded to the Scottish throne only because there were no legitimate male agnatic descendants of Robert II.
Mary I married her own agnate, thus keeping the crown in the family. However, her agnate had no succession rights because he was not descended from Robert II in male line. So, today there are no men who could claim the crown of Scotland on the basis of their male-line descent from Robert II. Surtsicna (talk) 20:04, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- I just wanted to know if Robert II had any male-line descendants who would still bear the surname Stewart. But I see that Mary must be the last one. But I don't agree with you on Scotland's succession laws. If Mary had an legitmate uncle in the male-line she still would have been her father's heir.--Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy (talk) 23:49, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- The Hamiltons although descended from a woman: Mary Stewart, Princess of Scotland, were the next in line to the Scottish throne after Mary, and also during the reign of James V prior to Mary's birth, when his infant sons had died. Anyway, the Hamiltons were the senior claimants to the throne after Mary, coming before all the other Stewart branches.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 06:16, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy, you can't really disagree with me. Scotland had a law. The law said that women could succeed if and only if there were no more legitimate male agnatic descendants of Robert II left.[1] Therefore, had Mary's father had any legitimate brothers at the time of his death, that brother would have become King. That was the law. Unless you have some other information? Surtsicna (talk) 21:04, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
"As a matter of fact, the succession only opened to Mary, Queen of Scots, and her heirs, through the failure of legitimate male heirs of any of the sons of Robert II." Surtsicna (talk) 21:06, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- In fact, had the Hamiltons of Arran been descended from a son rather than a daughter of King James II, you can be sure they would have successfully challenged Mary's right to the throne.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 06:56, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
Schools of law
[edit]By schools of law I mean concept of law one relates to or references. For instance, I know a judge who rejects all notions and concepts of law later than about 200 AD. Other judges have a complete modernistic view which means they uphold laws and legal principles passed or formulated within the last week. What time periods demarcate each period of legal thinking a judge might subscribe to? 71.100.3.228 (talk) 05:08, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I think it's a bit more complicated than just "years of demarcation". Perhaps you could start with the articles in Category:Theories of law? Gabbe (talk) 05:36, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- No, it should not be more complicated since many humanities topics such as politics are demarcated by time periods. In fact I recall a number of books on Philosophy, two by I think Will Durant one entitled Age of Reason and the other Age of Faith along with the Story of Philosophy. Certainly if philosophy can be demarcated by tiem so can law. 71.100.3.228 (talk) 08:57, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- That is not true at all and there is no reason for it to be. There are different things that happened in legal circles during different time periods, but they aren't that fundamental to different schools of law. Likewise, schools of philosophy aren't that time specific. The "Age of Reason" isn't a school of philosophy. Schools of philosophy are things like Logical positivism, which isn't the philosophy of a particular time, it's the philosophy particular people. --Tango (talk) 15:19, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Time is used to distinguish between Ancient, modern and Germanic and other periods of Rome and I am sure that each of these are characterized by various takes on "Roman" law. 71.100.8.229 (talk) 23:17, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- That is not true at all and there is no reason for it to be. There are different things that happened in legal circles during different time periods, but they aren't that fundamental to different schools of law. Likewise, schools of philosophy aren't that time specific. The "Age of Reason" isn't a school of philosophy. Schools of philosophy are things like Logical positivism, which isn't the philosophy of a particular time, it's the philosophy particular people. --Tango (talk) 15:19, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- No, it should not be more complicated since many humanities topics such as politics are demarcated by time periods. In fact I recall a number of books on Philosophy, two by I think Will Durant one entitled Age of Reason and the other Age of Faith along with the Story of Philosophy. Certainly if philosophy can be demarcated by tiem so can law. 71.100.3.228 (talk) 08:57, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Maybe start reading at jurisprudence? --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 06:34, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
necklace for men
[edit]what is the popularity of necklace among men in urban areas in the us and in europe? --Jobopok (talk) 05:35, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- From what I can see (Germany, also lived in Italy, Austria, UK), rare, but not very rare. Nobody would think it "weird" or notice it in particular. Most of the ones I see are simple affairs, though - a small pendant or cross on a thin chain or even leather string. I got one or two as gifts over my lifetime, but rarely if ever wore them. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 08:06, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I have been living in Italy for years, and most men as well as teenage boys wear them. While the traditional necklace is as Stephan Schulz correctly describes: a gold chain with a crucifix, many are now funkier and clunkier. Silver, leather and plastic are now preferred to gold.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 08:24, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I'm not sure that there is anywhere that you could find evidence of it, but in my experience silver and fairly simple are not unusual in the UK, when I've been in the US on business it's probably been a little less but not distinctively so.
- It's difficult to tell in a business environment though when most men wear ties so the collar is closed.
- More bling is lot more common amongst the more chav segments though.
- ALR (talk) 08:36, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- It definitely makes a variety of statements, which is the reason many religious sects forbid them along with wearing any other jewelry in order to distinguish those who maintain spiritual things in their minds from those who indulge constantly in carnal thinking. 71.100.3.228 (talk) 10:05, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Sorry, I'm not clear on what you're sayinf here. Could you clarify what you're getting at please?
- ALR (talk) 10:15, 24 May 2010 (UTC)23:25, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Ignore the posts below. They are simply trying to defend it (their own necklace wearing). Wearing a crucifix is on top of one's clothes is certainly different than wearing one to adorn and draw attention in the direction of one's exposed skin. 71.100.8.229 (talk)
- Says?--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 06:53, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
- Simple, he's saying that people who wear necklaces are unholy, lecherous sex maniacs. TomorrowTime (talk) 12:13, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- What about nuns who wear gigantic crucifixes attached to necklaces? Do they indulge constantly in carnal thinking?--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 12:22, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- What, are you kidding? The nuns that are obsessed with patent leather shoes reflecting up, and that sort of thing? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:35, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I think they just cause earthquakes. Or did I get that mixed up with some other religious sect? TomorrowTime (talk) 13:34, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- What about nuns who wear gigantic crucifixes attached to necklaces? Do they indulge constantly in carnal thinking?--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 12:22, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Ignore the posts below. They are simply trying to defend it (their own necklace wearing). Wearing a crucifix is on top of one's clothes is certainly different than wearing one to adorn and draw attention in the direction of one's exposed skin. 71.100.8.229 (talk)
- It definitely makes a variety of statements, which is the reason many religious sects forbid them along with wearing any other jewelry in order to distinguish those who maintain spiritual things in their minds from those who indulge constantly in carnal thinking. 71.100.3.228 (talk) 10:05, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I was trying to work out whether it was a response to my thoughts on Chavs or just a general railing against the unclean observation.
- ALR (talk) 13:47, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
I would think like any fashion it comes and goes in cycles. A number of years ago in my neck of the woods (Scotland) thin Gold/silver chains with a cross/crucifix were very popular. From what I can see it is not anywhere near as popular as it once was. Jack forbes (talk) 10:51, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- In Italy people of all ages still wear the standard gold chain with crucifix/Madonna/saint-even babies; however, over the last few years, designer necklaces are preferred by young men. The necklace shown in the photo also has a matching bracelet. String necklaces of leather or plastic are popular as well and usually have a silver pendant attached to it.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 11:38, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Some American professional athletes are known for wearing gold chains and the like. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:35, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
Bling is nothing more than expensive puka shells, 40 years later.DOR (HK) (talk) 08:44, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- I remember puka shells! They were worn by all the surfers at my high school.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 13:01, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
Before long no doubt all sorts of monitoring bracelets and necklaces will be mandatory wearing ordered by the court. 71.100.8.229 (talk) 23:29, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- The ankle bracelet is quite popular in some parts of town. Jack forbes (talk) 10:23, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- I haven't seen any here so far, although sandles this year all have ankle straps.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 12:30, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Aren't ankle bracelets always associated with prostitutes?--Artjo (talk) 16:39, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- I used to wear one and I am not, never have been, nor have I any future plans of becoming a prostitute; so I would have to say you have most likely been misinformed.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 16:50, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- As someone who finds ankle bracelets fairly hot but has no real interest in prostitutes, I'd like some more info on that particular factoid. would come in handy to prevent embarrassment in the future as well. TomorrowTime (talk) 17:25, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Perhaps no one has linked to my ankle bracelet comment? Those kind of ankle bracelets may be worn by prostitutes, though I don't have any inside knowledge on that. Jack forbes (talk) 17:30, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- So far I've failed to find a reliable source for this, but it's certainly the case that, at least in the UK, and years ago, ankle bracelets were taken as indicating sexual availability - whether as a prostitute, or not. There are ample references to this in online forums, but I can't find anything definitive. From hippie days in the 60s and later, they began to be worn much more widely. Ghmyrtle (talk) 07:29, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
- Perhaps no one has linked to my ankle bracelet comment? Those kind of ankle bracelets may be worn by prostitutes, though I don't have any inside knowledge on that. Jack forbes (talk) 17:30, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Aren't ankle bracelets always associated with prostitutes?--Artjo (talk) 16:39, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Kurt Suzuki always wears puka shells during games. But he's from Hawaii. Everard Proudfoot (talk) 20:47, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- I used to wear a DIY ankle bracelet. I just took a pair of black jet beads and coiled them several times around my ankle. It looked fabulous and I never once got busted for suspicion of soliciting!--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 06:51, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
Offshore accounts
[edit]How does the US know if you have offshore accounts and how do they know if you earn money that is outside of the US? Are earnings from offshore accounts reported to the IRS? Also, if you don't pay taxes on income earned from offshore accounts, what can the IRS do to recover those taxes since the account is outside of their jurisdiction? Also, if I am a resident of a foreign nation, what can the country I am a citizen of do? Count Westfall (talk) 06:27, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- The US, and other nations, have bilateral agreements on taxation and, to some degrees, on the exchange of banking information. I don't think they get actively informed if you open an account, but if the IRS notices a discrepancy between your income, wealth, and lifestyle, they may become suspicious and inquire. If they find out that you transfer a million a month to Grand Cayman, they will become very suspicious. If the IRS determines that you owe them, it can recover assets from wherever the US has jurisdiction. So if they cannot touch your offshore account, they can grab your house in Palo Alto instead. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 08:18, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- If you have more than $10,000 in offshore accounts, you're supposed to file a report with the Treasury Department every year. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 12:24, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- If you live outside the US, and you're an American citizen, you have to report any and all bank accounts on which you have signing rights, regardless of how much money is in the account, and the largest amount in that account in the previous year. So, if you are treasurer of your local (overseas) club, and nine other people have to sign for any money to move, you still have to report it. DOR (HK) (talk) 08:46, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- If you have more than $10,000 in offshore accounts, you're supposed to file a report with the Treasury Department every year. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 12:24, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
Rain musical contraption
[edit]Hello all,
I was wondering about the contraption shown here : http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/others/rain.htm Is it really, as I assume it is, a contraption/musical instrument that makes sound when rain falls on it ? If yes, how is it named ?
Thanks in advance, --Alþykkr (talk) 08:44, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Oh Vitamin D, oh Vitamin D
- I see the work you have done.
- Oh Vitamin D, oh Vitamin D
- I am glad I was able to help,
- by standing in the Sun.
- I am glad I was able to help,
- Oh Vitamin D, oh Vitamin D
- I think its a traditional japanese outdoor lamp. Some internet searching indicates that it is a yukimi-gata, a snow-viewing lantern. See for example http://www.stonelantern.ch/Frame_English/Yukimi_English.htm The other types of Japanese garden lamps (details copied from japanesegardensupplies co uk) are "tachi-gata (pedestal lanterns), ikekomi-gata (buried lanterns), oki-gata (small, set lanterns)". 92.28.251.49 (talk) 10:50, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Indeed, that looks like it. Thanks! Too bad, I liked the idea of a contraption that made sounds when the rain fell on it. --Alþykkr (talk) 11:07, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- You could put a Cymbal on a stick in the rain and have something even better. Or have a few in different sizes, with an Aeolian harp too. 92.15.20.47 (talk) 20:31, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Indeed, that looks like it. Thanks! Too bad, I liked the idea of a contraption that made sounds when the rain fell on it. --Alþykkr (talk) 11:07, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
How would one set about finding a wet nurse in UK? Kittybrewster ☎ 12:42, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I googled [wet nurse u.k.] and a number of possible leads came up. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 13:31, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Wikipedia has an interesting article Wet nurse and there is information about hiring one here. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 20:23, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
I just had a look at the article on the Irish song Molly Malone and it says that while there were many girls named Molly Malone born in Dublin in the past three centuries, not one has been identified as the fishmonger of which the song is about. There is, however, the possibilty that she did exist. Does anybody know whether there actually was a fishmonger in Dublin by that name?--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 14:44, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- A lot of songs come from the imagination of the songwriter. "Molly" is a nickname for "Mary", although the article says it's Mol Ní Mhaoileoin in Gaelic, and it's unclear which name came first. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 15:03, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Mol is Molly and Ni means daughter of Mhaoileoin (Malone). Yes, there were many Molly's in Ireland; even as late as the 20th century, some mother's were naming their daughters that. It's pretty much regarded, along with Bridget, as the archtypical Irish female name. I was curious if it did have it's origins in an actual person who bore that name.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 15:11, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- The article claims they found someone they thought fit, and that others consider that claim to be bunk. It reminds me of the icon of Switzerland, William Tell, who may well not have existed, although some claim they have a record of his overture. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 15:15, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Well, historians used to believe Robin Hood was the Earl of Huntingdon who lived in the 14th century; now they are pretty certain he was based on Fulk FitzWarin, who lived during the time the Robin Hood legend is based.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 15:26, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Compare the search for the "real" Mother Goose.--Wetman (talk) 15:30, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Well, historians used to believe Robin Hood was the Earl of Huntingdon who lived in the 14th century; now they are pretty certain he was based on Fulk FitzWarin, who lived during the time the Robin Hood legend is based.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 15:26, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- The article claims they found someone they thought fit, and that others consider that claim to be bunk. It reminds me of the icon of Switzerland, William Tell, who may well not have existed, although some claim they have a record of his overture. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 15:15, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Mol is Molly and Ni means daughter of Mhaoileoin (Malone). Yes, there were many Molly's in Ireland; even as late as the 20th century, some mother's were naming their daughters that. It's pretty much regarded, along with Bridget, as the archtypical Irish female name. I was curious if it did have it's origins in an actual person who bore that name.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 15:11, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- The Earl of Huntingdon during the reign of "Bad King John" was the grandson of the King of Scotland. Having the grandson of a foreign king running around stealing from the English nobility would probably have led to a war. Everard Proudfoot (talk) 20:52, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
First Year Kickout Rate
[edit]Hello. What is the University of Toronto's (St George campus) first year kickout rate for Life Science (Faculty of Arts and Science) and the average GPA in that program/faculty? Thanks in advance. --Mayfare (talk) 18:23, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- According to the Academic Calendar there are no first years in life science (actually "human biology"), since it's a second year program. No minimum GPA is required, so presumably they don't keep track of the average. You might want to look around the Human Biology website, and maybe contact them directly. Adam Bishop (talk) 18:54, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- From what I've seen, the only way to get kicked out of an undergrad program is not passing at least half the credits you're enrolled in. One way to avoid getting kicked out is to drop courses that you probably won't pass before the drop date or, if you're really stuck and it's almost the end of the year, you can apply for a Late Withdrawal (LWD). I think you only get three of those in your entire U of T academic career though. I have a buddy who dropped all but two courses in his first year and U of T didn't seem to care at all. As for the average GPA in the program, that's definitely something you won't find officially published online, but POSts do tend to have GPA cut offs for admission (but as Adam Bishop said, that's a second year thing). flagitious (talk) 06:52, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
KECHEMECHE
[edit]What does KECHEMECHE mean in the lenape language? they were the indiginous people of cape may county along with the tuckahoe. I had no luck at the language desk. I know about the general history and the like but I can't find the meaning of the word!?165.212.189.187 (talk) 18:44, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Wikipedia has the article Kechemeche. They spoke Lenape but I don't. Since Kechemeche is the name of the tribe it is probably also what other tribes called them. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 20:16, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Apparently Lenape means "people". But as to Kechemeche, I've tried a quick look around online Lenape dictionaries, and I don't see anything like a KECHE- root. Howerver, MECHEN apparently means "large" with several compound words built from it (Mechinkhakihakan: large field). But you'll notice that in these cases MECH- comes first, not last as in KECHEMECHE. So... Mystery! Another possibility is that the demonym (=Kechemeche) was originally related with nouns/adjectives in Lenape, but that since then, the pronunciation and spelling of the demonym, the nouns/adjectives, or both, went their separate ways. --Alþykkr (talk) 01:31, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- For comparable questions, ask "what does Peruviano signify in Spanish? Or "what is the etymological significance of Apollo?" And be skeptical of "explanations" of Lenape placenames etc.--Wetman (talk) 15:29, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- On the other hand, a number of placenames (and associated demonyms) do have an etymology. For instance, "the word Peru is derived from Birú, the name of a local ruler who lived near the Bay of San Miguel, Panama, in the early 16th century" (see Peru). Although you're right in that such etymologies need to be taken with a grain of salt as it's always difficult to be sure... --Alþykkr (talk) 17:13, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- For comparable questions, ask "what does Peruviano signify in Spanish? Or "what is the etymological significance of Apollo?" And be skeptical of "explanations" of Lenape placenames etc.--Wetman (talk) 15:29, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
That's funny, I was told to be skeptical of people named wetman who severely digress from topic to make a random point!165.212.189.187 (talk) 17:35, 28 May 2010 (UTC)
Business communication with limited English
[edit]If I am a business person or a customer service representative speaking with a customer who is seriously lacking in English-language fluency, and I really want or need the income involved, or, if I am a customer speaking with a business person or with a customer service representative who is seriously lacking in English-language fluency, and I really want or need the product or service involved, what is a polite way in which I might inform that person about the problem and/or find another person who can assist in communication? Lack of vocabulary and lack of clear diction can prevent adequate understanding in both directions. -- Wavelength (talk) 19:44, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
[I am revising my message, by inserting "with" for clarity. -- Wavelength (talk) 20:19, 24 May 2010 (UTC)]
- Say "I better call a translator for <your language>". Have phone numbers handy for translators for languages of people you're likely to have to deal with. There are probably also agencies that can dispatch such calls. 69.228.170.24 (talk) 04:09, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- "I better call a translator" is not standard grammar so the recipient may have trouble deciphering it. I suggest you ask this question on the Language Desk. 92.15.20.47 (talk) 20:52, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- These people offer translation services for a fee. —D. Monack talk 06:24, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- When I worked customer service in a call center, we had a person in the office who spoke Spanish. So there may be someone there who is at least familiar with the language. If I'm calling a business and can't understand the customer service rep, I will specifically tell them that I can't understand what they are saying and ask for their manager. I've been asked before by the manager why I requested to talk to them and have been rather up front about telling them that I couldn't understand their employee. If they're a good manager, they would want to know that their employees are not able to conduct business with English speakers fluently. After all, it hurts business if your customers can't understand your CS reps. I pointed out to one manager that they, the manager, spoke very well and asked where they were (believing the whole CS department to be outsourced to India or the like). I was a bit surprised when she said that she was in the Philippines. I detected no accent at all. Dismas|(talk) 02:11, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
I have found that Indian call centres have speakers who speak English very well, but so fast as to make them difficult to understand. Asking them to slow down and explaining that I am slow witted and partially deaf has no effect and the poor and crackling telephone line to the UK does not help. I dread having to talk to them at all.--Artjo (talk) 16:35, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- I've been holding back on this question before, but seriously? You badly want the business of this client, aren't satisfied with their English, and your first thought was not "Where can I get an interpreter for the language?" - an interpreter would help smooth out the negotiations, and besides, you get them to start talks for you with something along the lines of: "Hello, my name is this-and-this, and I'll be interpreting today." No room for any misunderstanding or nothing there. TomorrowTime (talk) 17:31, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
Thank you all for your replies, and especially D. Monack for the link to the website of Language Line. -- Wavelength (talk) 04:23, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
Dominant woman
[edit]
This question inspired an article to be created or enhanced: |
Does the literature of psychology give us any account of what is typical of women who are accustomed to supervising male subordinates and feel visceral disgust at the thought of having a female subordinate? 76.17.204.112 (talk) 21:21, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Queen Bee Syndrome[2][3][4]? Clarityfiend (talk) 22:09, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
But those articles are about female bosses who are tyrants. The query is about a female boss who only has male subordinates and gets along harmoniously with them, and is disgusted by the thought of having a female subordinate. 160.94.49.83 (talk) 00:41, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Uh, no. These are articles about female bosses who get along less well with their female employees than they do with their male ones. Clarityfiend (talk) 03:04, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
Wikipedia has no article titled queen bee syndrome. There is one titled queen bee (subculture), that says a queen bee is a woman who is the leader of a group of women. Clearly not the same thing. 76.17.204.112 (talk) 03:48, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Can you cite a source that the behavior you have cited is a real thing? It sounds fictional to me. Comet Tuttle (talk) 20:12, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- There are sources in the article that was linked. WP:OR, I've seen it as well... Dismas|(talk) 02:01, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- I've created a stub article. Clarityfiend (talk) 21:59, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, I read it. You might want to mention that Queen Elizabeth I of England was a classic example of the Queen bee syndrome.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 09:10, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
- That would be OR. Besides, wouldn't that be Queen Bess syndrome? But, stung into action, I've added an example. Clarityfiend (talk) 02:36, 28 May 2010 (UTC)
- Yes, I read it. You might want to mention that Queen Elizabeth I of England was a classic example of the Queen bee syndrome.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 09:10, 27 May 2010 (UTC)
- I've created a stub article. Clarityfiend (talk) 21:59, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
- There are sources in the article that was linked. WP:OR, I've seen it as well... Dismas|(talk) 02:01, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
Are Houyhnhnms bigender?
[edit]Are Houyhnhnms bigender? --130.239.112.204 (talk) 21:55, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Why do you think that Houyhnhnms might be so? -- Wavelength (talk) 22:22, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- Wow, that is one word that really needs a hyphen. I thought it was another way of saying bigendian. Adam Bishop (talk) 23:14, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- (ec) I read the question as "Are Houyhnhnms big-ender?". Really, I did. --ColinFine (talk) 23:16, 24 May 2010 (UTC)
- I'm glad I'm not the only one that mis-read it. Dismas|(talk) 01:01, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- You can count me as another. Deor (talk) 01:11, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- So did I, then wondered why 'Houyhnhnms' needed a hyphen. --KägeTorä - (影虎) (TALK) 20:19, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- You can count me as another. Deor (talk) 01:11, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- I'm glad I'm not the only one that mis-read it. Dismas|(talk) 01:01, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
- Anyway...I would say apparently not, since they certainly have distinctly male and female children. Adam Bishop (talk) 02:01, 25 May 2010 (UTC)
Looks like this question is a category error. The Houyhnhnms apparently didn't care which end of the egg they cracked. You're probably confusing them with the inhabitants of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Bunthorne (talk) 04:07, 29 May 2010 (UTC)