Archive for Words
June 23, 2007 at 2:51 pm · Filed under Learning, Words
Many of you probably know that many Japanese words are written using one of more kanji, each kanji having it’s own meaning. Sometimes the meanings of the individual kanji do not seem to relate to a word formed using them but usually they do. Take for example 電話, “denwa” or “telephone”. The “den” (電) means electricity and the “wa” (話) means conversation (roughly). The thing I love is that sometimes you come across words and the meanings of the kanji they can be written with give you a new perspective or sense to the word concept.
Example: 大抵 (taitei) means “usual” used in a sentence like “on usual days…”
大 has meaning of “big” and
抵 has meaning of “resist”
Learning that, I started to see the “usual” as being “big resistance” (ie. to change).
April 19, 2007 at 6:03 am · Filed under Words
from answers.com: u·surp (yū-sûrp‘, -zûrp‘)
v., -surped, -surp·ing, -surps. v.tr.
- To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force or without legal authority.
- To take over or occupy without right: usurp a neighbor’s land.
- To take the place of (another) without legal authority; supplant.
v.intr.
Example? I baked cookies so that he would come to the kitchen, giving me the chance to usurp his spot on the couch.
April 14, 2007 at 11:28 am · Filed under Theeeeeeeeeeesis, Words
I’ve been using this word – evaluation – and I just realized that it is totally not the word that I want to use.
This happens often. A word fits and you use it over and over again and one day you actually read the definition and realize how wrong it is for your ideas.
evaluation: the act or result of judging the worth or value of something or someone
At some point I made evaluation mean the act of seeking understanding and I guess at times people judge to seek understanding but I am more interested in understanding gained by stripping away judgements.
Now I need to find a new word. This is gonna take all Friday night folks.
March 12, 2007 at 7:21 pm · Filed under Words, Work
How do I say that I want to create something that people become attached to without sounding like I’m from marketing or dealing in the streets?
March 5, 2007 at 9:52 am · Filed under Words
some really sweet things about japanese:
- you don’t need to think about capital letters. it would be especially great if i could make my powerpoint presentations in japanese so that i could avoid the philosophical arguments about capitalization that i get into with myself
- the word など (nado) to indicate that a list of stated things is not complete. used in a similar fashion to “etc.”
apples and oranges nado…
but it is a really word. ok – so, i have a hard time accepted “etc.” as a really word even in its expanded form which i will leave you to look up because i cannot remember the spelling. i cannot use “etc.” without being aware that i am using it. just like how now, i am trying to be on strike from capital letters but i am entirely aware of it and might just go back and capitalize before i post this.
which is making me wonder – what does it say when a person avoids capital letters? are they in a hurry – they can’t take the time to hit shift? is it a coolness that is being projected? is it modesty? they do not want to capitalize “I->i” but then they realize that de-capitalizing i while keeping all other capital letters makes it look like they are trying too hard so they de-capitalize everything. and then someone’s name comes up and you have to question your relationship with them – “is it appropriate for me to not spell their name with a big first letter?” and sometimes, even if their name would look way cooler all lowercase, you just have to capitalize.
and because i am working in all lowercase here and because it is saturday night and i am working on a presentation but also working through huge frustrations at myself for how much i don’t express because i am too scared about what people will think of me and finally because you might not ever ever hear me actually sing it, i will share with you the words to a song I wrote (and no not while brainstorming for thesis ideas):
glass plate in my throat
rubber tube in my stomach
i am searching for the words
from the eloquence machine
to explain why i can’t digest you
these robotic legs
can’t take me fast enough
from the magnetic pull
between you and me
that promises destruction within us
and i can say that i’d take the chance
with every implant in me
that could process my thoughts of you
and make my actions the same
who knows where i would go
if i could disappear
when i catch sight of you
with my cyber gear
body’s all plastic now
so that you can’t grow on me
i am multi-coloured themed
my template fits the scene
and i hope it makes you jealous
don’t worry, i won’t make this poetry corner (sort of speaking for myself because my poem/mediaspace maximum is about three. any more than that and my eyes crust over and i can’t see the point). i just need to put it…somewhere.
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