1. What is the concept of World Englishes? What are the three concentric circles of the language according to Kachru? Which circle is the most important in your eyes? Why?
①World Englishes refers to English-based creoles developed in different regions of the world and the emergence of localised or indigenised varieties of English, especially varieties that have developed in nations colonised by Great Britain or influenced by the United States.
②The inner circle represents the traditional bases of English. The outer circle, which includes countries where English is not the native tongue, but is important for historical reasons and plays a part in the nation's institutions, either as an official language or otherwise. the expanding circle encompasses those countries where English plays no historical or governmental role, but where it is nevertheless widely used as a foreign language or lingua franca.
③I think the inner circle is the most important in my eyes. Because the inner circle (UK, US,etc.) is 'norm-providing'. That means that English language norms are developed in these countries - English is the first language there.
2. Is Hong Kong English a branch of World Englishes referring to the five criteria of World Englishes by Butler? Why?
Hong Kong English is a branch of World Englishes referring to the five criteria of World Englishes by Butler.
Reasons:⑴Hong Kong English has a standard and recognizable pronunciation handed down from one generation to another. ⑵It has particular words and phrases which spring up usually to express key features of the physical and social environment and which are regarded as peculiar to the variety.⑶It has a history-a sense that this variety of English is the way it is because of the history of the language community.⑷There is a literature written of Hong Kong English without apology in that variety of English.⑸Reference works, e. g: dictionaries and style guides, which show that people in that language community look to themselves, not some outside authority but to decide what is right and wrong in terms of how they speak and write their English.
In conclusion, Hong Kong English meet the standards of the five criteria of World Englishes by Butler.
3. What are the differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in general?
Northern Ireland is a province of the UK, while the Republic of Ireland is an independent nation in its own right. The area covering the Republic of Ireland is 5 times of that of Northern Ireland. Most of the people in Northern Ireland are Protestants while the majority of the people in the Republic are Catholics.
4. Is Fiscal/budget Deficit good or bad for economy? Take America as an example.
①Fiscal/budget deficit does not necessarily mean a bad issue for the economy, if the money that Government has borrowed is used to increase the production which in turn contains any inflationary pressure. However, a large and persistent fiscal deficit can be a sign of worry. It indicates that the Government is spending money on unproductive programmes which do not increases economic productivity. High fiscal deficit significantly increases the chances of inflation in the economy which is an invisible tax on the individual.
②Now the American deficit fell quite a bit in 2013. With the strong economic growth and rising incomes, fiscal deficit gets relieved.
5. What are the Social Returns of education according to Educational Economics?
According to Educational Economics, the explanation of Social Returns of education are as follows.First,spillover or externality impacts more degreed individuals in a regional economy.Positive feedback loops put the region on a faster growth track.Second,there are non-monetized bebefits-- less crime, more civic participation, lower dependence on safety nets, better health outcomes, more charitable giving.
6. Please list three American films of 2013 that impressed you and explain
which American film in 2013 is the most successful in terms of your taste? What makes the success of the film?
①Pacific Rim②Despicable Me 2③White House Down
In terms of my taste, I hold the view that Despicable Me 2 is the most successful
American
film
in
2013.
Despicable Me 2 is a 2013
American 3D computer-animated action comedy film and the sequel to the 2010 animated film Despicable Me. Its plots and scores do attract me. This film is extremely funny and cute. I think the minions make the success of the film. They are so hilarious that they are my favorite roles.
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