Timeless Truths From The Father Of Philosophy!

Economics 101 in college 40 years ago we learned that electricity is a secondary energy source, i.e. you need a PRiMARY source to create it…and no, this isn’t rocket science, it’s called common sense

Ahh, the fond memories from my teenage years: the XKE Jag was sleek & très sexy and time has proven that the design still looks GREAT!! 😍🔥👏

Jaguar E-Type 1967. - source Cars & Motorbikes Stars of the Golden era.

Never forget

Languages

For the love of languages

Science Association Aranzadi has made a discovery that can be a landmark for the history of Basque language. In an Iron Age Vascon town of Irulegi, in the region of Aranguren (Nafarroa), an inscripted bronze hand from the 1st century BCE has surfaced. It’s the longest and oldest Basque text until now. It’s written in a variation of the Iberian alphabet, adapted by Vascons to our language. According to experts, the hand could have been a lucky charm to bring good luck and shoo bad luck away. 

The first word reads sorioneku - please compare to nowadays Basque word zorioneko (for good luck, luckily).

THIS. IS. HUGE.

It’s the first Vasconic text - not single words - that has been found so omg, we’re super excited!!!

Sources: 1 & 2

(via exposedthing)

Simply perfect!! 😍👌 I can find no fault with these tits 😎👍

119-6

This is a fascinating story on multiple levels!! 😎

Painted on a thin plate of ivory just 2.6 x 3.1 inches, this “self-portrait” of the painter Sarah Goodridge’s breasts was given (as a kind of “proto-sext”?) to the recently widowed US senator Daniel Webster in 1828. ⁠

via publicdomainrev

It is a painting so seductive, so intriguing, we cannot help but want to know the story behind it. Adding to the seductiveness is the fact that these pale breasts encircled by a swirl of cloth, painted on a thin plate of ivory 2.6 inches high and 3.1 inches long, belonged to the woman who painted them: an accomplished miniaturist named Sarah Goodridge (b. 1788). Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Goodridge sent this particular miniature (enclosed in a leather case that could be closed with two clasps) to the recently widowed United States senator Daniel Webster in 1828….

Continue Reading: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/sarah-goodridges-beauty-revealed-1828

Fascinating post that I had to reblog - even if you’re not interested in languages and interpretation, note that the training and practice of simultaneous interpretation “…creates new neural pathways” which shows the power of such intensive mental “exercise!”

This language specialty is featured in the plot line of the movie Art of War starring Wesley Snipes

How Interpreters Juggle Two Languages at Once

For most of history, interpretation was mainly done consecutively, with speakers and interpreters making pauses to allow each other to speak. But after the advent of radio technology, a new simultaneous interpretation system was developed in the wake of World War II. In the simultaneous mode, interpreters instantaneously translate a speaker’s words into a microphone while he speaks, without pauses. Those in the audience can choose the language in which they want to follow.  

On the surface it all looks seamless, but behind the scenes, human interpreters work incessantly to ensure every idea gets across as intended. And that is no easy task.

It takes about two years of training for already fluent bilingual professionals to expand their vocabulary and master the skills necessary to become a conference interpreter. To get used to the unnatural task of speaking while they listen, students shadow speakers and repeat their every word exactly as heard, in the same language. In time, they begin to paraphrase what is said, making stylistic adjustments as they go. At some point a second language is introduced. Practicing in this way creates new neural pathways in the interpreter’s brain and the constant effort of reformulation gradually becomes second nature.  

Over time, and through much hard work, the interpreter masters a vast array of tricks to keep up with speed, deal with challenging terminology and handle a multitude of foreign accents. They may resort to acronyms to shorten long names, choose generic terms over specific, or refer to slides and other visual aids. They can even leave a term in the original language while they search for the most accurate equivalent.

Interpreters are also skilled at keeping aplomb in the face of chaos. Remember: they have no control over who is going to say what or how articulate the speaker will sound. A curve ball can be thrown at any time. Also, they often perform to thousands of people and in very intimidating settings, like the UN General Assembly. To keep their emotions in check, they carefully prepare for an assignment, building glossaries in advance, reading voraciously about the subject matter, and reviewing previous talks on the topic.

Finally, interpreters work in pairs. While one colleague is busy translating incoming speeches in real time, the other gives support by locating documents, looking up words and tracking down pertinent information. Because simultaneous interpretation requires intense concentration, every 30 minutes the pair switches roles. Success is heavily dependent on skillful collaboration.

From the TED-Ed Lesson How interpreters juggle two languages at once - Ewandro Magalhaes

Animation by @rewfoe