OET Reading Skill Tips
Often the writing section B can pose a challenge to those who find comprehension difficult.
There are a few hurdles to pass with this section. In this month I will cover the first hurdle. That is the difficulty of the subject matter.
If students are not familiar with the subject matter, it may be very difficult to gage immediately the general nature of the article. In this respect, I advise all my students to familiarise themselves with three common topics that come up.
First is the top causes of morbidity and mortality in Australia. These can include cardiovascular diseases, common cancers and preventable lifestyle diseases like diabetes and injury.
Second is the Australian health system and the current affair issues specific to Australia. This will require looking up of news and health journal articles.
Third is the indigenous and rural health issues in Australia and all the other social challenges that influence their health.
Once a topic is known as is the case in all things, familiar topics are much more easier to comprehend. I also advise that as you are researching these topics, to keep a vocabulary book of all the common terms, names, acronyms that come up repeatedly as you are reading and try to memorise them.
On top of these common topics mentioned above, often latest break throughs in medical research or new discoveries in report form are included in these reading tests.
In our course we also go through some of the common medical study methods, and the advantages and disadvantages of each as a way to familiarise with how journalists analyse or criticise these findings.
Megan Lee
OET Teacher – SLS
Russian Literature
Russian literature is considered to be among the most influential and developed in the world, with some of the most literary works known worldwide. Russia’s literature dates back to the 10th century, but the peak of its development was in the 18th century and was boosted by the works of Mikhail Lomonosov followed by the literature of the 19th century. This period is called “Golden Age of Russian Literature” which began with Alexander Pushkin who is considered to be the founder of the Russian Literature and often called the “Russian Shakespeare” or the “Russian Goethe”.Its fast development continued further in the 19th century with the poetry of Mikhail Lermontov, world-famous dramas of Anton Chekhov, and the prose of such prominent figures in the literature of all times as Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and many others. Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky in particular are the most eminent writers and often described as the greatest novelists ever.
But this is only one facet of Russian literature. The age of the great novelists was over and short fiction and poetry became the dominant genres of Russian literature for the next several decades. The subsequent era of Russian literature is called “The Silver Age” which began in 1880 and continued till the beginning of the Russian Revolution. Leading writers of this Age include Aleksandr Blok, Anna Akhmatova, Marina Tsvetaeva, Ivan Bunin, Maxim Gorky and many others.
But even after the Revolution, throughout the extremely hard period of Stalin’s regime and after it Russian literature did not cease to develop and flourish. Unfortunately, many of the prominent writers, for instance Vladimir Nabokov had to leave the country. By the 1970s and 1980s restrictions on literature were to some extent eased which provided a favourable base for the emergence of myriad of talented Soviet authors as: Vladimir Mayakovsky, Ilf and Petrov, Mikhail Bulgakov, Boris Pasternak, Mikhail Sholokhov andAleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Many modern Hollywood and not only films are based on the plots of Russian classical literature such as for example: “Anna Karenina” by Tolstoi, “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky, “Doctor Zhivago” by Pasternak and many others.
RussianTeacher, VladKibardin
What is a back translation? Why is it so important?
Technically, it is the practice of translating a text that has already been translated into a foreign language (TL) back to the original language (SL) – preferably by an independent translator other than the original translator.
Back translation is normally deployed for the purpose of verifying the quality of the finalized product. Sometimes it does improve the readability, accuracy and validity of a translation by requiring that the quality of a translation is verified by a different translator translating back into the source language (LOTE).
Back translation is not routinely performed in that the majority of the clients might still favour traditional proofreading rather than back translation. Original version and back translated version are compared after back translation. By and large, owing to its high cost and various other reasons, back translation is not being extensively applied, but in situations which entail high risk and high return, it could be worth the financial investment.
Should you always listen to a complaint from your customers or your bilingual staff that the translation is not correct?
The notion that any bilingual individual can be a qualified translator or a proof reader is a falsified one in that the professional competence of a translator entails much more than mere bilingualism.
The fundamental requirements of a professional translator comprehend bilingualism, biculturalism, proficiency in practical translation skills and preferably some basic translation theories as well as massive experience in writing. It takes years of professional training and practice to achieve all these requirements. As a result, customers or normal bilingual individuals are probably not in a position to offer unbiased, professional and accurate opinion on the work of a professional certified translator.
Some clients do have the tendency to ask their bilingual staff to do the proofreading on the work of a professional translator and this issue needs to be put on the table and addressed immediately. Having said that, it is the responsibilities of the translator to explain in detail why the translation needs to be done in the way it was done so that the client and the translator can reach an agreement on the final product.
What is the difference between Mandarin used in China and Mandarin in Taiwan and Macao or Hong Kong?
The fundamental difference between Mandarin used in mainland China and Mandarin used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao lies in some of the particular terms and vocabularies, especially in the field of politics, literature and religion.
Sometimes daily conversational expressions might differ as well whereas the essential syntax remains quite similar. In terms of spoken discourse, one of the most prominent features of Mandarin Chinese, the four tones system, is basically identical between the two dialects of Mandarin.
Is there often any change in length when translating from a LOTE to English? Why?
Sometimes due to the disparity in cultural backgrounds and the lack of lexical equivalents in the target language, the translators are required to provide a little bit more information regarding the socio-cultural background so that the target audience might have a better understanding of the message the author tries to convey.
The situation is especially so in translating culture specific idioms that involve metaphors. But the situation might differ when the translator has a profound knowledge of both the source culture and the target culture along with a proficiency in writing in the target language, therefore, able to achieve a translation of more or less the same length of the source text.
The point is that the target texts do not have to be lengthier than the source texts.
Top 10 things to do with children in Northern Thailand
1. Ride an elephant
There are more than 20 elephant parks close to Chiang Mai. Enjoy bamboo river rafting, watch the elephants play soccer and paint, take a lumbering elephant trek or even a traditional ox-cart ride. See maetamanelephantcamp.com
2. Visit the Night Bazaar
Crowded pavements make stroller access difficult but children who can bear walking for an hour or so will enjoy the action. For dinner, try Lemongrass restaurant on Loi-Kroh Rd.
3. Take time out in a café.
A family could try out a new coffee house or café every day for a year in Chiang Mai. Children will love the coconut milk or fruit-based smoothies which cost $1-$2.
4. Eat Thai Style
Explore Warorot, Sanpakoi or Somphet markets for fresh fruit, delicious local sticky rice and other goodies. Find a stall selling Som Tam (Salty and sweet papaya salad). Plain sticky rice suits fussy children – ours loved spring rolls and soups, grilled lemongrass chicken and pork buns. Say “mai sai prihk” – no chilli – and “mai sai pong chulot” – no MSG.
5. Tweechol Botanic Garden
Fill an afternoon at this recreational park with paddle boats, giant whimsical topiary animals, a petting zoo and bikes for hire. There is a café playground and beautiful public swimming pool on site. About $15. See tweecholbotanicgarden.com.
6. Handicraft villages
Our girls were fascinated by traditional “saa paper” being made from bark pulp, then transformed into the beautifully painted parasols for which the Bo Sang region is famous. Other handicrafts showcased and sold in the area include silk, silver, rugs and teak furniture. See absolutelyfantasticholidays.com
7. Chiang Mai Night Safari
Families can pat exotic animals such as white tigers and Malagasy lemurs, then ride on open-air buses to watch and feed hippopotamus, elephants, zebras and other animals. From $55 for a family of four. See chiangmainightsafari.com
8. Chiang Mai Zoo
A sprawling, clean affair, with a diverse combination of animals. About $10 a family of four, more to see the pandas, walk South-East Asia’s longest tunnel aquarium or have a mid-Thailand “snow” experience. See chiangmaizoo.com
9. Mae Klang Waterfall
About 30 minutes’ drive from the city. Safe and clean for a free afternoon of paddling in rock pools with local kids.
10. Trek to visit the hill tribes
An authentic trekking experience that suits families rather than 20-year-old backpackers is available through Villa Anneloi. Stay at the B&B or with Belgian Annelore and her husband, Loi, who is from the local Karen hill tribe, and their three boys in a homestay environment. Custom-tailored camping treks for families with children from four years. See villa-anneloi.com
Source: escape.com.au
Some Stories About Our Japanese Course 14
(Blog writing)
Hi everyone, 皆さん、こんにちは。
My Japanese classes and lessons included the usual kinds of activities that aim to develop speaking, reading, listening, writing, constructing and performing dialoguesor speech apart from cultural, society-orientated about Japan.
In terms of script learning, I requested a couple of Beginners 1 classes to make Hiragana-based flash cards. The cards could be each letter based or word based and they could have pictures too, depending on the students’ preferences. Most of the students of one of the classes made flash cards with great creativity, diligence, neatness and beauty on top of linguistic value. That was very appreciated and delightful.
As for singing Japanese songs for language and culture learning and making one’s tongue and mouth getting ready for Japanese (foreign) language learning, I introduced a few new songs in addition to the children’s songs that I had taught in the past this year.
The new songs are (late) Kyuu(or Kyu) Sakamoto’s “Ue –o MuiteArukoo”. Its English translation is “Sukiyaki” that does not have any relation in meaning, according to a website, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xj3zg_kyu-sakamoto-sukiyaki_music. The website has Romaji translation of the famous song, which is internationally very well known, having become a Number 1 music hit on the charts in America many years ago. In Australia too, I occasionally heard it on the major radio station (3MP?, which is the music station) in Melbourne. The website has English translation too.
Also I taught aboveKyuu Sakamoto’s other song with CD (one from Japan Foundation), “Tomodachi” (“Friends”) with my English translation and word-processed Japanese script version. Kyuu Sakamoto was extremely popular when he was alive and active in singing and performing in entertainment. Sadly, he died due to an aircraft clash in 1985. Above both songs are very compassion and warmth promoting/creating ones for any anyone and esp. for those who are lonely or hurt/sad. The latter one is also very positive, broad visions creating, and enriching humanities.
There are “many” of such songs among Japanese popular songs that always touch and help people’s life, emotions, relationships, positive attitudes, sensitivity toward small ones or fragile ones (including creatures other than humans), and communal attitude and value in Japan.
Pertaining to technology, international relations concerned, I informed my classes about the article, “Japan ties ‘key to growth’” by Rick Wallace, The Australian (8.10.12, pp. 19-20). A very good article to read.Also, with that newspaper’s magazine, “Motor Show”, I talked about Japanese car manufactures’ active participations to the Motor Show at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre last month (19-28 October). Out of about 24 car makers there, 8 are Japanese companies. Very exciting news.
In the recent Jenta magazine, it says that over 270,000 people climbed Mt Fuji during July and August this year. That was 30,000 more people than last year’s same period.
That is delightful news too.
Japanese Teacher, Toshiko Jackson
2.11.12
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