Effat Muse by EThos Magazine

MH370 - A Poetry Tribute To The Lost Airplane

Issue No. 6, April, 2014

The Caveman’s

Facebook Art Reviews in this Issue!

Hi, Life - A Short Story

What Makes a Translating Software Useful?

Can Video Games be used as a learning tool? Effat Students Meet International Scriptwriters

Effat’s Travel Writer shares her Egyptian Nights

From the Editor’s Desk Dear Reader, We hope you find this Issue 6 of Effat Muse a delightful read and enlightening. Our magazine is a tribute to HRH Queen Effat whose vision and efforts are the backbone of this University. We, the writing community of Effat University, aim to positively represent our university through our aspiration to achieve.

Working on this issue was truly a learning process for me and the rest of the team. I would like to thank everyone who dedicated their time and effort and a special mention goes to Dr. Sanna Dhahir, the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, for all her encouragements and appreciation for our magazine. She is a truly a role model for all of us. In this issue we are introducing many new features. I Volunteer is a column for volunteers who want to write about their experience. The Travel Writing column invites students to share their travel memories with the reader and to expand our knowledge of the cultures and communities in the world. A similar new section is A Page From the Journal of *Student Contributor’s Name*. This section is part of the effort to encourage writing by allowing students to contribute their thoughts and musings - almost like a diary entry. In the third section of the magazine, Ling Wing, we have introduced Lexical Investigations. This is a feature from Dictionary.com and the name, images, articles in that particular column belong wholly to the Dictionary.com blog. The last section of Effat Muse, The Classic Writer, is my personal favorite. In every issue we will dedicate that section to a renowned writer by including their authentic work. Due to copyright considerations we will focus on sharing public domain works. This issue features Edgar Allan Poe, the inventor of the modern detective story.

I’d like to thank you for choosing to read Effat Muse and I hope you share this magazine with those you know.

Sumaiyya Naseem

Dear Reader, Here we are at our sixth issue! In this issue we came out with new material, lots of creative input, and most importantly a new name, "Effat Muse". Staying true to our colors, Effat Muse aims to enrich the community with new creative literary content and expose new talents. Read through the voice of women and college students to discover a new taste for reality. I always leave you guys with a quote, this time I will celebrate the human capability to wonder as Socrates put it "Wonder is the beginning of wisdom".

Afnan Linjawi , Co-Editor in Chief.

A Message From The Dean Dr. Sanna Dhahir With the hard work and dedication of Sumaiyya Naseem, Afnan

Linjawi, and all Ethosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brilliant editors and contributors, yet anoth-

issue of our student publication has emerged full of youth and

splendor. The magazine has matured over the years and birth cy-

cles, transforming into a full-fledged Effat Muse. This number reflects a Spring term well on its way to a triumphant conclusion. It highlights institutional and departmental achievements, which have sparkled all around us ranging from conferences, seminars, and workshops to stu-

dentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; assiduous efforts to bond with each other and

the larger community. I am proud to be a part of both faculty and student worlds, and for the latter I surely have such a

soft spot! Effat students, you are awesome. You have done so much this term. You are creative and outspoken. You are leaders and role models. You are all I wanted to be when I was your age. Continue to carry the banner of success and maturity. Dr. Sanna Dhahir, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Contributors

Editors-in-Chief

Fadia Maghrabi

Sumaiyya Naseem

Lujain Ajeenah

Afnan Linjawi

Esraa Ghouth Sumaiyya Naseem Alaa O. Bamashmoos

Nimra Naqvi Mariam Daffa

Faculty Supervisor Dr. Sanna Dhahir

Meral Khan Yumna Anasri

Design

Lina Babsail

Shafna Abdulmajeed

Hiba Al-Wazani

Hadeel Milyani

Saad Naseem

Sumaiyya Naseem

Reemaz Hetaimish

Afnan Linjawi

Asmaa Awad Rawan Balahmar Wed Nasser Dictionary.com Hawazen Madani Rawan Najjar

Reporters Sumaiyya Naseem Fadia Maghrabi

Nadeen Al-Wazani

Interviewers

Salma B. AlJuhani

Afnan Linjawi Abrar Jehad Sweilim

SG Muse: The Smile Campaign Mother Teresa once said that “every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing”. It wasn’t just this quote that inspired Mariam Daffa to initiate this campaign. It was observed that individuals on campus and all around us had somewhat decided to give in and not smile despite the daily happenings. The initiative was taken to remind all those around us to smile despite the grey areas on the daily routine whilst trying to change for a better tomorrow.

the onlookers enjoyed taking pictures in. All in all, it was an event for everyone to enjoy in one way or another. Despite the weather not The campaign started with a simple conversation and soon enough being on our side, we still managed the Student Government was very enthusiastic along to get with a very fervent bunch we call the smiles from the students, coffee stained as they may Student Government Friends. Under the be; we had a louder and more enthusiastic response. lead of Mariam Daffa, Rawan Aldrees, We hope to do a third appearance soon. Stay tuned Marwa Ismail, Hiba Abbas and Meral and remember, smile! It’s Sunnah! Khan a plan was hatched to turn those frowns upside down. As cheesy as it may sound, the simplest things can light up your world which in turn can light up someone else’s. Consider it a simple Pay It Forward. We initially started with distributing paper smiles with lollipops to wake the inner child and gain insight on how sim-

As cheesy as it may sound, the simplest things can light up  Meral Khan and Mariam Daffa your world which in turn can light up KSAALT at Effat University someone else’s. KSAALT, stands for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Asso-

ple acts can change the mood. We received a very gleeful response and therefore decided to do the campaign once more, this time with a louder exclamation. Second time round, we collaborated with the Psychology Club and on the day of their Annual Barbecue we distributed ribbons with the word ‘Smile!’ on them and wanted to fly and make kites. We put up a banner with the question ‘what makes you smile’ which received a positive response, as even the readers of other answers started smiling and laughing at how little can make a difference to a person. We also had a mini photo booth that most of

ciation of Language Teachers, initiated by passionate educators with a promise to improve language teaching in 2006, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Following KSAALT criteria, monthly workshops or seminars are held throughout the academic year. With a variety of topics on methods and techniques for teaching various languages thereby making it beneficial for different levels of language teaching. Local members and often international speakers present these seminars. An international annual convention is held on the first Thursday of May of each year and it hosts academic professionals in huge numbers. The fifth annual convention of 2012 was held in Jeddah under the title “Engaging and Motivating Students in Language Learning”, also hosted by Effat University . …..Continued..

experience." Ms. Reem expressed her vision for KSAALT, "It is enabling us to create a growing community locally so we can all share and benefit from each other. We aim to reach a bigger number of schools and educational institutes every year to spread our message."

- Fadia Maghrabi

I Volunteer: My Mocha at 21, 39 Jeddah Arts A sweet experience that I’ll always remember is taking a The former representative of KSAALT 2012-2013, Ms. Fatima Mohammad, and a former English instructor in the EEA, spoke about her experience saying "It's definitely not a one man's job; it needs a team to make it this successful.", when asked about the challenges they faced, "We owe it to those who advised us, worked with us, and encouraged us throughout." "Working on the convention with Laila Alkhateeb (former English instructor in the EEA) as the representative of Jeddah Chapter in 2011-2012 was a unique experince", adds Ms. Fatima about the convention of 2012, "It was a great evidence of the success of team work. It was a tense period for us; to invite hundreds of people who may have not heard of KSAALT yet and to get sponsored was a great challenge, but we never gave up." Regardless of their dilemma, the convention gained an exceptional attention, with sponsors such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge, Pearson, and The British council, and a huge number of attendees, from different parts of the Kingdom.

I often felt like I needed a specific perspective in mind to be able to grab hold of the message the artist tried to convey.

More future plans await KSAALT in Jeddah, says Reem Madani, the current Manager of Communication and PR in Effat University. "We held the first workshop for this year in November, and we had 230 attendees!"

We, as educators, are in constant need to improve ourselves

5 minute walk across the parking lot to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf franchise in front of Gold Moor Mall. That was my 15 minute break during the 6 days that I volunteered at the 21, 39 Jeddah Arts event. It is an amazing collaboration that has brought contemporary Saudi art to the public of Jeddah.

"I believe in the message KSAALT is spreading; we, as educators, are in constant need to improve ourselves and learn new techniques to give our students a better educational

Those walks to get my steaming White Chocolate Mocha and some cake, coupled with short conversations that I had with random visitors were always my favorite moments during my time as a volunteer. Everyone loved the experience of viewing art display in Jeddah, something that people are not used to. They loved all of it, from paintings in Past is Prologue to works of poetic art in Moallaqat. I loved watching them entranced because as much as I love art, I love knowing that it has touched others like it did me. 21, 39 is a two month long initiative which was inaugurated on 4th February at Gold Moor Mall and will end on 4th April. The event is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the country’s burgeoning cultural scene. For the geographically keen readers, “21, 39” is indeed the geographical co-ordinates of the Jeddah city, the Queen of the Red Sea.

It was my pleasure to volunteer those days in early February. I would start at 4 in the afternoon and leave at around 10 in the evening. My tasks were registering walk-ins and attendees for workshops, answering any of their questions and promoting other exhibitions under the exhibition’s wing. People who came to see the exhibition were often surprised to know that it Moallaqat was for free. In my time, when the featured crowd wasn’t too thick, I myself established would wander the halls, which had Saudi artists tough floors and walls of concrete, and like Ahmed rooms that captured art in the raw enMater, Saddek vironment. I would gaze at the art Wasil, Manal works for a long time, trying to capAl Dowayan ture the thought of the artist that was right in front of me. I often felt like I needed a specific perspective in mind to be able to grab hold of the message he artist tried to convey. It was neat and lovely and an experience that I’d always craved.

same initiative. It will be an experience you might rave about for The first exhibition titled Moallaqat featured established days. Saudi artists like Ahmed Mater, Saddek Wasil, Manal Al Dowayan, and others. Their inspiration was the pre-Islamic era of Jahilliya and Sumaiyya Naseem poetry tradition of that time period. The second exhibition “Al-Madi Kamukkadima”, translated to Past is Prologue, showcased painting works of various renowned modern masters of art in the Kingdom like Mohammad Siam, Safia Binzagr, Abdullah Radwi and Abdullah Hammas, amongst others.

I personally recommend art enthusiasts at Effat University to grab the opportunity and visit the exhibitions in Gold Moor mall or to visit www.21-39.com for information on other exhibitions under the

All the pictures in this page were taken personally at the Gold Moor Mall Exhibition.

Two Inspiring Women in History Effat University organized trips to the Ithra’a 1001 Inventions Exhibition. It was a truly inspiring experience that I shared with my friends. The exhibition that was open for the public from 16th October to 28th November of 2013. We were thrilled and excited to be at the exhibition and we were organized in groups. It was a great opportunity to know more about the history of Islamic inventions and culture. Our supervisor and guide was Dr, Akila who decided to start our trip with the live performance about Alemat Ra’edat from the Golden Era of the Islamic Civilization. Dr. Salim Al-Hassani, the presenter, who is the author of the book 1001 Inventions talked about the heroic women of the past who were leaders and who brought about change in the Islamic heritage. He also talked about Fatima Fehey’s contribution to the building of a mosque and her condition that the structures would be made from what the country already has. This made

the work authentic and contributed to the local economy. Dr. Salim talked about Sateta AlMahamly the pioneer in the field of algebra. Her influence and contribution was so notable and admired in Baghdad’s society after she passed away huge amounts of people gathered to honor her and for her burial. The exhibition changed my opinion and perspective of women. I chose to talk about these two women because I was deeply affected by their story and proud that the Islamic history had powerful and intellectual women. I personally used to consider women weak because I thought women could not stand up for their rights and speak up for themselves. Women are persons too and they can create and invent and leave their fingerprints upon the world. After we finished the valuable presentation by Dr. Salim, we went

out to the tents to know more about inventions and the past cultures. There were inventions from all over the world, it was so much that we couldn’t even count, so it was impossible to see everything in one day. But we were happy we spent our day so well and got to know our history.

Woman was created to be the owner of her opinion, a lady of the society , and a source of power for herself and those around her. I write with passion, love and proud feelings for these legends and Queens and for all their inventions. We women are leaders of the present and of the future. The truth is that women are not just created to be sisters, daughters, wife or a mother. Woman was created to be the owner of her opinion, a lady of the society , and a source of power for herself and those around her. Women were made capable of achieving great things and history and our past shows that women have achieved wonders. There are countless women in history who contributed to the society in amazing ways, not just Sateta AlMahamly and Fatima Fahey. As the famous saying goes, behind every accomplished man is a woman. I say that beside every accomplished man is an accomplished woman.

- Lujain Ajeenah, Edited by Sumaiyya Naseem The images in this page were taken from 1001inventions.com Effat Muse does not claim to own them.

Workshop Diaries: Scriptwriting Workshop by AFAC industries. However, when an Arabian or eastern person writes a movie, they should look at the history of folk tales and legends like the Arabian Nights, the Genie, and the mystical aspects that arise as a result of their culture and beliefs. Mr. Ahmed Maher conveyed a similar message when he talked about the diversity which occurs within the same country, culture and even family. Every person’s experience and the society around them, including their background, shape the way they think and behave. The exact philosophy is applied to characters in movies.

The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture recently organized a

Mr. Jacques Fieschi discussed various aspects of scriptwriting and film-making. He has written over 30 films and he’s directed two of them which were received very well by the audience. One of the two aspects of his discussion that stood out was how there shouldn’t be a strict line between good and bad between characters.

scriptwriting workshop for aspiring film-makers and writers in KSA. Moralizing characters is The 5 day workshop took place from April 1-5 at the Nesma Training Centre, in collaboration with the Saudi Film Association (SFA). not an effective manner Despite the absence of a of storytelling, especialThe E&T department organized a trip to the workshop under the ly considering the fact supervision of Dr. Sanna Dhahir and Dr. Ahmed Khuddro. concrete film industry in that most characters The professional film-makers, Jacques Fieschi from France, Ali EsKSA, there are countless have a reason for the safi from Morocco, and Ahmed Maher from Egypt, gave master clasway they are. Another persons with a passion for ses and held interactive discussions that focused on scriptwriting and striking aspect of his film-making. The classes were extremely useful due to the profesthe moving picture. talk was the fact that sional backgrounds of the scriptwriters. Participants learned a lot when if you’re working about the process of writing a script, the considerations a writer with a director it’s best makes, and the importance and essential qualities in creating backto choose the director you’re most comfortable with. Scriptwriters grounds of a character. The workshops also focused on how imand directors don’t always agree, and there is a possibility that a diportant it is to know the character you create and how influential rector creates the film in a manner that the writer does not feel satispersonal background becomes in the process of writing a story. fied with. Working with directors you understand, and connect with on some levels, is really important.

Moralizing characters is not an effective manner of storytelling,

The workshops were extremely helpful for me, and I ended up writing a short film script by the end of the entire 5-day event. The event was also a great place for networking with other film-makers, producers and writers. The teams of AFAC, SFA and Nesma Training Centre were also really encouraging and enthusiastic regarding the initiative. Despite the absence of a concrete film industry in KSA, there are countless persons with a passion for the moving picture and its creation process.

An interesting aspect of the discussions was the cultural influence in Editor’s note: AFAC plans on organising workshops in the future. To the films. Mr. Ali Essafi stressed on the fact that most Arabian movknow more about their organization, future plans and social media ies use western elements in their stories while disregarding the rich links visit their website: www.arabculturefund.org Arabian culture and history. An example was given of the horror films that usually feature vampires and zombies even in the eastern

- Sumaiyya Naseem

The FSTC and Effat University Project The Effat University project is incorporating the knowledge of the 1001 inventions into some courses. The idea of the project is for instructors and professors to pick out relevant inventions and information from the Golden Age and to incorporate it in their course material. In courses like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or other ECE courses, students are already witnessing the integration. Dr. Salim and Dr. Mohamed talked about the importance of knowing about the inventions and the inventors. Once a person knows about the history and the influence that lies in their cultural background, they begin to respect themselves more and they appreciate their roots more. A lot of young people from the Arabian and EastOn Monday 7th April, Professor Salim TS Al-Hassani, founder and ern cultures feel lost and they don’t feel appreciated. They need to President of the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisadevelop a sense of worth and humanity. tion (FSTC), and Professor Mohamed Al-Gomati, Chairman of the The project aims to educate the students of Effat University and to FSTC, visited the university to speak about the project that they expand their knowledge. It also aims to initiated in collaboration with Effat University. create a platform where inventors of Europe are menThey FSTC is fast gaining popularity around tioned alongside inventors of the Musthe world for their 1001 exhibitions. This year lim Civilization. they held three major exhibitions in Malaysia, Spain and KSA.

The project aims to create a platform where inventors of Europe are mentioned alongside inventors of the Muslim Civilization.

In the interview, Dr. Salim advised teachers to “tell stories” instead of giving information in white and black. When story telling becomes a part of education, it develops interest in students and it makes the classroom environment stimulating. But more importantly storytelling is a highly effective manner of passing on long term

The significance of the exhibitions lies in the fact that it represents the Golden Age of the Muslim Civilization and all the inventions and discoveries that were made during this era. Ironically, this time period of 1000 years is referred to as the Dark Ages due to the “lack” in intellectual, scientific and educational substance. The aim of the FSTC is to clear this misconception by exhibiting the creations of that era and bringing to light the immense knowledge. and essential contribution that the Muslim Civilization made toDr. Salim and Dr. Mohamed were extremely inspiring and their wards the modern technologies and inventions. discussion truly broadened my perspective of the role that the MusIn an interview conducted for Effat Muse, Dr. Salim stressed on the lim Civilization has played during it’s Golden Age. fact that the idea is not to assert religious, racial or political superiority, in fact, that is not even their consideration. The focus of the FSTC is to educate the world about the importance of the “Dark Ages”. This has already created a space for interaction and understanding between countries and nations. In the discussion, Dr. Salim pointed out that European and western names are extremely common when one passes through a school textbook. However, the names of the brilliant minds and inventors of the Golden Age are almost never mentioned. Interestingly, many modern devices and technologies like the airplane, camera and automobiles had their models created from basic concepts that were first devised in the Golden Age.

- Sumaiyya Naseem

Video Games and Learning courses. I began by having an abstract idea of the game based off of the educational games I played as a child. As I delved deeper into the subject, scrolling through research papers, articles and books, I realized that video games have a huge potential of being used as teaching tools, in theory and in practice. I also realized that commercial games – although primarily being sources of entertainment - have a lot to offer when it comes to learning from them. This finding made me re-think of all the games I’ve played/still play in a new light. When I heard that this year’s L&T would be on MOOCs and I might even have the opportunity to participate as a speaker, I decided to concentrate my research on a single genre. I chose Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games because not only do such games develop problem solving skills, but they There is a strong link, in people’s minds, between video games also develop team working and communication skills. And these and violence. Many people think of playing video games as a source to acquire aggression. Also, some studies show that playing skills are exactly what are needed in the workforce today. video games can affect one’s health. For instance, it is very com- What was the main focus of your research? What results did you mon for a video game player to have some sort of muscle pain, obtain? attention problems…etc. Moreover, some of video game players suffer from obesity and sleep deprivation. However, Yumna Ansari My research mainly focused on the appeal of MMOPGs as teachconducted a research which tries to show that video games are ac- ing tools and the skills that can be learned through them from a tually not bad things. The following is an interview I conducted student’s perspective. I had students fill out a questionnaire online with Ms. Ansari through e-mail . and also passed out hard copies of the questionnaire at Jeddah Tell us a little about yourself. What are your interests and your aim Prep. The results showed that majority of the students that play as a person? MMOPGS said that My name is Yumna Aziz and I’m a Computer they developed team working, problem solving Science student in my junior year. Some random and observational The results showed that majority of the things about myself: I’m a dreamer, I’m an exskills as a result. It pert in procrastination and I have an odd obsesstudents that play MMOPGS said that also showed that sion with cute things, especially cats and stuffed most of the students they developed team working, problem seals. I’m an avid reader and I love reading all believe that types of books that catch my interest, although solving and observational skills as a MMOPGs should be fantasy novels are a particular favorite. I considused in the classroom result. er myself a gamer – and almost failed sixth to teach because it grade because I found defeating The Page Maswould be a ‘fun’, ter a lot more interesting than reading my text books. ‘interactive’ method Over the past year, I’ve realized I have an interest in changing the of learning. They also pointed out that video games help present way the educational system is currently implemented and I hope I information in different contexts and encourage the player to use their imagination. can contribute to such a change through my passion for video games. My dream is to become the best at what I do and make my parents proud of me, inshaAllah.

Do you plan on pursuing further study on the subject?

I certainly hope so. There is so much to learn and explore Your presentation at the L&T Conference was about Video Games in this field from the attitudes of teachers towards the subject to the and learning. What led you to pursue a research in the subject? different ways video games can be used to teach. Another way of It all started after I decided to present video games as a solution to looking at this topic is to ask whether the features of video games can be implemented in real life. ...Cont.. the problems in the educational system in one of my research

….Video Games and Learning I believe it’s a wide known fact that where schools have failed to grasp the student’s attention, video games have succeeded. And if we were ever to revolutionize the educational system, we first need to understand what drives a player to spend hours playing a video game while neglecting their school work. And if educators and game designers succeed in bringing those elements into the classroom, then, and only then can the educational system transform to match the needs of today’s learners.

Reading allows one to open their mind to possibilities which would never have been an option in the past. What is your advice to students who are working on research? Although research can be long and tedious at times, it is a rewarding experience. I would suggest choosing a topic that interests you to ensure you don’t give up half way. And do lots and lots of reading. Sometimes, people have certain biases on a topic and reading can certainly change their perspective. Reading allows one to open their mind to possibilities which would never have been an option in the past. Reading the researches of others also helps you formulate your own research questions and problems. It provides you with guidelines to help you get started on your research and exposes you to different approaches. And finally, I would suggest you start writing – even if you don’t feel confident in your writing ability. Because you will never know what you can and cannot do until you try.

am very happy to be here because I was very curious about Saudi Arabia. We hear a lot about it from afar and we come across some clichés. So I have been very fortunate to come here and have such an exchange with Saudi youth. How did you find this workshop? To be honest, I was very surprised to see such zeal and thirst for the field of cinema here. It is very evident that the youth here is adamant to discuss their social issues and has a great deal of curiosity towards other cultures. You mentioned that you had clichés about us, can you mention one?

Well we always here about the segregation between men and women here in public places. We don’t know how to imagine that or what to think of it. I used to think that there would be partitions everywhere. But so far, from my stay in Jeddah, I found this to be untrue. Our final question is, what is the message that you would like to convey to anyone who would to pursue screenwriting or film directing? As I have mentioned in my talk, as Arabs we must address our visual sites and symbols in order to produce new and creative content. We must look into our history and calligraphy. We must create our own schools of art. There must be a unique Saudi style.

- Afnan Linjawi

- Abrar Jehad Swailem

An interview with Mr. Ali Essafi Ali Essafi is a Moroccan film director with a unique Arabic message. Effat Muse met Mr. Alsafi in a screenwriting workshop held by AFAC company at Nesmah Center on the 2nd of April. Tell us a little about yourself: Well you know my name, Ali Essafi from Morocco. I make motivational and realistic films, not really the fictional type. I am very curious to explore and film the historical sites in the Kingdom. You mentioned in your talk that you have longed to come to Saudi Arabia, how do you feel that you are here? This is my first time to Saudi Arabia and I have only been to Jeddah. I

Picture taken from the internet.

Literature Corner At Effat

Granta—Online Literature World A question readers are often asked is whether they prefer reading physical, tangible books or online versions which can be carried anywhere, read on most smart devices and are easily accessible. Personally I’ve always been partial (I absolutely detest ebooks) to an actual book that definitely takes up a lot of space in my handbag. People who prefer ebooks have the advantage of reading wherever they go, even at a boring wedding where the bride shows up at 2 in the night. (Not a party rocker? Flip out your phone and pretend you’re busy while you catch up with your favourite character!) If you’re someone who is adamant on reading from paper, you will agree that it’s not easy getting your hands on any book you like in this part of the world. The collection in Jeddah bookstores is sadly limited. However, regardless of all that, there is an interesting relationship between book lovers and the online world. smartphone, anywhere you go, anytime you like! While you may hop the Google bandwagon to look for the ebook of your “Granta has its face This online magazine is often my morning cup of coffee. I enjoy browsing through it on my 20 minute car ride to Uni, and I suggest desire, there is a deeper and more intricate pressed firmly you find your 20 minutes too! Granta 127 is the most recent issue world out there for you to explore. The against the window, of Granta. It focuses on Japanese contemporary literature and is world of online Literature magazines and blogs. From readers, writers to editors and determined to witness available online on their website. publishers; everyone is involved in exGranta Books is the official publishing division of Granta. Various the world.” pressing their views about books and art novels published by Granta Books have won awards for their literthrough Tweets, Facebook statuses, Instaary excellence. Website: http://www.granta.com/ gram posts, or even Tumblr shares. In this review I’m going to tell - Sumaiyya Naseem you about an online magazine that I personally recommend, and which keeps me in the modern Art and Literature loop. Warning: This post contains highly useful information that may cause an increase in your intellect and knowledge!

Book Blabber: Rules of Life

GRANTA: Found in 1889 by a group of Cambridge students, Granta has come a long way to become one of the most wide-read Literature magazines around the world. The magazine was named after the river Granta near Cambridge in England, and retains it’s original name to this day. Having featured new writings of celebrated writers like Sylvia Plath, Michael Frayn, and Ted Hughes, Granta has established itself in the online and print world and has become one of the hotspots for lovers of the written word.

“What is the secret to happiness?” we often ask ourselves that

It includes archives of memoirs, essays, fiction, poetry and modern photojournalism. It’s one of the best places where you can find about upcoming new writers, interviews of reputable writers from all around the world, and poetry and essays. In praise for the exceptional magazine, the Observer wrote: “Granta has its face pressed firmly against the window, determined to witness the world.” It’s super easy to create an account on the Granta website. You can also subscribe to the monthly newsletter which can be read on your

question over and over again, but we don’t quite know how to answer it. Some say money and success, others say family and friends. Richard Templar helps answer that question by saying: “It is quite simply how you feel inside, how you affect people around you, what sort of friend, partner, and parent are you, what sort of impact you make on the world, and what sort of impression you leave in your wake.” His International bestseller book “The Rules of Life” is a lifecoaching book that helps and motivates a person to live a happy and successful life. The book contains a set of 106 rules - each rule with an explanation of why and how it will be useful in life. It is also divided into four areas: Rules for the self, partnership rules, family and friends rules, and social rules. Some of the rules are common sense but Templar explains it in a way that make you wonder, “Why haven’t I thought of it like that before?”

I am breathing, curling, expanding and closing like a flower that blooms at 2 in the night. The dark under my eyes only became darker each week and looked more like me. I was bitter all the time. I felt like a fallen superhero. My life was a big tragedy. I needed change but never wanted it. I had become comfortable in my pale skin. My clothes hung around me like beggars around a fancy car. I never got excited about anything other than haing the home all to myself. And as soon as everyone left, I'd switch I have found all the rules interesting but here are some of the rules that off all the lights and write “Hi, Life” on my skin. stood out for me: Then I'd fall asleep after thinking a thousand things that were like a Rule 4: Be flexible in your thinking. “Try to see life not as the shovel upon my soul. enemy, but as a friendly sparring partner.” Rule 18: Aim to be the very best at everything you do – not sec- I'd wake up in the dead of the night, have a can of coke while surveying the 50 missed calls on my phone. I'd left my family waiting outond best. “Failing is fine. Aiming for second side the door until it had to be broken into. Once again. best isn’t.”

What does history say

Life was fed up with me, but I thought it was the other way. I laughed when girls swooned over love songs and Johnny Depp. I thought Larry King Live was an old man taking his about you? Rule 102: Be part of the solution not the probMonday Night Club too seriously. Harry Potter was a writer and J.K. Rowling his mother. lem. I was convinced I knew everything. I was convinced I had the world Rule 103: Check what history would say about you. figured out all on my own and that everyone else was living it the wrong way. I knew I was right and during my moping sessions, I'd -Esraa Ghouth grrr about how people had no idea what fools they were. I was right and they were wrong and I was unhappy. One day I picked up the scissors and made a doll out of my hair. Then I walked right into you. Kind of bumped, actually. I swore at You didn’t kill me and so I love you. you, asked you to mind where you were going and said some other I was very afraid of life. I used to sit up hours in the night, in cun- nasty things. Then you moved to the side to let me pass. I was facing a ning darkness, thinking about a lot of things that never mattered, con- blank wall. templating and driving my energy away. It would tire me, and I would I don't know how that bump in the corridor grew into a laugh on the slump back to bed, only to do it the next day; all over again. Thank swings. You told me my awful hair was nice, and I told you smelled god that has mostly stopped. I'd have lost all my black hair of gore. like mice. You told me my quietness made me a poet, and I told you I That same ugly hair you now love. wish we’d never met. You told me you loved me and I wrote you a note that went something like this…. I'm not afraid anymore. I am breathing, curling, expanding and closing like a flower that blooms at 2 in the night. Well, I’ve forgotten what I’d written but I remember you told me it was the nicest thing you’d read. My life was a silent, shaky town, but I used to mope around all day. Like Bella Swan, I'm afraid. I had hol- now I’m good at holding hands and the upside down frown. low eyes, I'd stare into space with a wall separating my vision and my Many days have passed, and I still have my ugly hair and the terrible sight. I'd make people feel sorry they talked to me. I didn't make any pale skin, except it blushes around you. Often my nights are spent in efforts to be lovely. I waited for people to leave me. I sat alone and the dark and you write on my skin, “Hi, Life”. You changed me but when I felt someone approaching me, I'd take out a grave from my you didn’t kill who I was. bag and bury myself in it. I wore headphones that played silence like a I wrote you this terrible poem that looks like a story; or maybe it’s a requiem. story that reads like a poem. But somewhere in the beginning there is I looked like a person but I was actually a stick covered in flesh. I was an end and in the end, a beginning. Well, we’re at the end, so let’s an empty shell. There was a lot of depth about me, but none of it was begin another story. deep or meaningful. I was a bottle of water with openings that leaked. Sumaiyya Naseem Rule 20: Don’t be afraid to dream. “Plans have to be realistic; Dreams don’t.”

Super Short Story: Hi, Life

Boovie Review: Pride and Prejudice The novel “Pride and Prejudice” was written by Jane Austen in 1813. Jane Austen was an English novelist of romantic fiction and is considered one of the most widely read writers in English literature. Her writings began with epistolary novels and her most famous novels are Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma. Different movies were based on “Pride and Prejudice.” One of the distinguished movies adaptations of the novel is Pride and Prejudice of 2005. The novel’s theme discusses marriage issues related to social class during 19th century, but for the protagonists of the novel, Elizabeth Bennet & Mr. Darcy it is much more than that. They actually face their pride and prejudice, which act as obstacles preventing them from falling in love and finally getting married. The movie tries to translate the written words into visual projections to depict the novel’s theme as much as possible. Thus, if we compare the 2005 movie production with the original novel we can sense that the movie is faithful to the original theme. The movie beautifully depicts the life of the 19th century with its settings and wonderful costumes. The movie beautifully shows the conflicts and growth of the characters into their true form. For example, the scene in the rain where Darcy and Lizzie have an angry argument is the point where the pride and prejudice of the two characters fall apart and the true emotions of love is revealed. If we compare the original novel with the 2005 movie production - not only through the theme, but also through the characters we will notice that they made the audience visualize the novel in their heart and body. In conclusion, I am in love with “Pride and Prejudice” and consider it one of the greatest works of Austen that was adapted successfully into a movie. The book and the movie let you experience the 19th century life by involving your imagination and enhancing your viewing experience. I recommend everyone to read the novel and then watch the movie. - Alaa O. Bamashmoos

The Poetics : Alpha Male Cut out your excessive nostrils, old male & eliminate that spray deodorant of yours, as well Intolerable odor; I'm smothered, a hypocrite aroma of rotten Ginger ale Don't you comprehend the extent of your own stink, reek, & smell? Through a wide open mouth and streaming cold saliva, I severely inhaled Pausing my lungs, fully occupied, wide, and set still I rushed fleeing away from you & such surrounding filth Brushing greens, under refreshing light, I stopped on the land's hill & coughed out the excessive trapped air that was built Oh, how much it made me extremely appalled and merely ill But as of now, cleared from waves of windy weather, hit by windmills My system, distant away from your scent, had felt once again so swell

- Salma B. Aljuhani

A Page From the Journal of Remaaz Hetaimish “Be positive”, a phrase that we often Being thankful hear from people in certain situations. Well, it’s easier said than done, espeworks like cially when we face difficulties or when magic in distress. We can be positive when things are going as desired but once when we face serious issues, negative thoughts start haunting us. The actual question is not how to be positive but rather how to “remain” positive. I think it is really important to ask ourselves this question and come up with answers because once we do; I assure you it will definitely be a turning point. I have come up with an answer myself. I have come to realize that being thankful works like magic because - what is actually happening? You are focusing on the good and this gives you a rest from thinking of the difficulties you are facing. I wake up everyday embracing my blessings and thanking God for everything. This helped me change the way I look at things. It made me reach a level of satisfaction of who I am and everything that I have. Nonetheless, It did not stop me from striving to be better. It is something that pushes me. So here is a thought to consider: Choose something to be thankful for everyday and this will become a habit.

Travel Writing: I Welcomed Egypt Into my Heart It’s summer 2012, and with both my elder siblings in London, my parents and I have no plans of going out of Jeddah for the summer. Then one day, I was told I have a flight to Egypt in less than 12 hours. – A surprise from my father that got me all perked up. And so, the 4 day trip began. Day 1: The Giza Pyramids

I sat on an original throne and saw actual tombs. Day 3: History at its best With the early morning breeze and breakfast in bed, the day began calm and beautiful. Little did I know my day would end up with Mummies gawking at me. Today was the turn for several hours of exploring the Oldest Museum in the world. The coffins, the shields, enormous earrings, rings, and even bullets made of gold. All belonged to kings and queens of Ancient Egypt. Oh boy, the feeling you get in a room full of Mummies with you being the only one not dead since a 1000 years. Left alone in a dark, cold room, with a heavy, manly historic voice bursting from overhead speakers, coming out of nowhere to tell me the history of each mummy. It was pure adrenaline rush. I could hear my pulse throbbing in my ears. We saw the most historic, the scariest, the most fascinating, and the most unbelievable sculptures. Carved with ancient skills. We ended the day with an early supper. Feasting on barbecued chicken marinated with Egyptian herbs.

As the sun was setting we saw the breath-taking Pyramids. We stood in a balcony so we could get a good view. High up in the sky the wind was blowing in my face. With shaky legs, goosebumps, I had tears rolling down my face, I watched the most amazing way anything has ever lit up. Pink, Green, Blue and a wide variety of shades of colours reflected on the Pyramids. Artificially dressed up mummy dummies danced around with the most unique kind of scary grace. Bold EgypMouth watering, sizzling dishes arrived at our tables and the smell tian voices narrated the Pharaoh's legendary stories. Spectacular Egypfilled the air around us. We dug in like hungry tired tourists. tian instrumental music was pouring into my ears and would someDay 4: The River Nile times reach deafening levels. Lights playing with the “Beautiful.” for the Nile is an understatement. I was bepyramids enhanced the beauty of the view. The Sun and Streets had a neath the sky and the moon followed me. It was our last Light Giza show changed my world. I lived a dream peculiar smell, day and we spent it in our hotel packing up and our night with eyes wide open. I no more believe in the phrase like that of a cruising The River Nile. There were tall and short build'Nothing's perfect', because the Sun and Light Giza ings all around us. Right in the middle of the city, the thousand Show was. river Nile was flowing. Moonlight bounced off of the workers Day 2: Exploring Cairo water as I stood at the edge of the cruise breathing it all sweating. It was now time for a reality check. From the wonder, in. It was as if the waves beneath me were not beneath the pyramids, stooping down to the real business. The me but flowing within me. I felt the movement beneath local places. Down to the core of Egypt we went and started our jour- my feet. I stood at the deck and around me were few people; some ney of the second day. Narrow crooked and rough paths. With humidi- couples taking pictures of the great river and themselves. A little murty on our skin and the sounds of shop keepers shouting out glorious muring as people exchanged remarks on how exquisite the view is. deals, “Free free! Two on one free!” we roamed around the local mar- Colourful lights that were placed on the harbour reflected into the kets in this blazing heat. Streets had a peculiar smell, like that of a water. Red and blue shades of lights cascaded on palm trees that surthousand workers sweating. Among the items being sold was handrounded the river.. I was at peace. I knew these were the last few momade pottery and tiny little mummy sculptures. Then we proceeded to ments I had in Egypt. I sunk it all in, the smell of salt water, the sound the modern areas like the busy malls and community hotspots. We of waves timidly hitting our boat and the majestic view around me. visited shops with the most amazing paintings and historic sculptures.

- Nimra Naqvi

Art Reviews: A Hunger After a Thousand Year Nap

explores dreams as a valid reality. Check out René Magritte, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo and Paul Delvaux.

Review by - Lina Babsail The Hunger After a Thousand Year Nap is a surrealistic

Alwarsha and Power

Reviews by - Nadeen Alwazani painting created digitally by Marcin Jakubowski. The painting covers a lot of life's philosophical aspects. The human head, which it looks “Alwarsha” is the title of this painting that is done by Tamara Alhustoo tired yet so relieved, represents the insides of earth. Despite the seini. This Arabic title means “workshop” which is a sarcastic unbearable pain given by corruption, the deterioration way of explaining what is happening in modern society. was expected and somehow known. Humanity paved it’s The portrait is clearly about brainwashing children’s The path to corruption and created their own fate. The measminds with many things in life, for example, our parents brainwashing who raised us mostly through seeking approval and acure of the arrogance of the human race was destroying the world, without them realizing it. ceptance from our society, rather than seeking our true initiates at childhood and selves without being affected from our surroundings. It asks each human to take a step back to realThe brainwashing initiates at childhood and has become has become ize how badly they affected mother earth. It seems like robotic and systematic throughout our adulthood. This the earth was craving salvation or it was asking for merrobotic and truth is almost tangible in the painting; such feature is cy from humans before it came out with this enormous systematic portrayed in the baby’s eyes, though he looks like a amount of rage. The artist drew this corruption and arrothroughout our toddler, his eyes contradicts that. Moreover, the asymgance in these buildings. What I find really interesting is adulthood. metrical shape of his face portrays a more realistic look that some buildings are white while the others are colof the toddler, and the drawing technique of the todoured, depicting that earth or its insides had enough with dler’s skin is clean and semi-professional. I observed the sharp and humanity and its corruption, and it has been going for many years. bright colors of his brain are more pronounced compared to the rest of These old buildings were placed on the back of the human head to the painting. This might metaphorically represents the strong effect give the artistic piece more meaning to. It shows that the pain and sufferings of mother earth was there long time ago, then it expanded society has on children even at a very young age. It is always admired when an artwork is cleanly painted and has a clear and has a relatively and forced itself on humanity. Finally, this piece also supports the easily understood theme. idea of earth waking up after thousands of years for vengeance, to make humans become obsolete, and it will give calmness to nature (Review a painting or art piece that interests you and send and its harmless creatures. The beauty of this peace is that it can be us your work for an opportunity to get published!) expressed in different ways, some see it as: man’s obsession with civilization, or how a man can seclude himself in his own world.

Editor’s note: Surrealistic art feasts on the unconscious and

“Power” is a distinguished painting done by Dina Hijazi. As Technology is fast becoming the focal point in our lives. Without techcommonly known among Arabs, the eagle symbolizes power and nology, we feel as if there is no light guiding us. Can't you see that strength, hence the title came from. This painting portrays a sophisti- technology is slowly taking over our thoughts, replacing them with cated way of combining two different looks as one, meaning the ealethal efficiency? Technology is creating a growing army of dull-eyed gle’s eye is shown as the man’s eye somehow, which is a clever way slow-witted people who cannot think for themselves. of revealing the theme of power that both man and eagle share. This Technology weaselled itself into our lives and now it has the upper artwork symbolizes the assumed strength and power of man in this hand in every matter, a parasite that has latched patriotically oppressed society. It incorporates different techitself on us and weaved its way into our daily niques of drawing, including acrylic and water colors, which is There was life. Nowadays, we drive automobiles, watch done in a harmonious way. connectivity in television, constantly open the Internet to check The first thing that caught my attention was the eagle’s the past, but out what our friends are upto, or simply even to read an article or a book. We live through techeye which is the focus of this painting. I have perceived that the not as chaotic nology, and that's not truly living. There was combination of brown, black and white colors contribute to the warm atmosphere of the painting. Generally, the light used in the as it is today. connectivity in the past, but not as chaotic as it is today. painting is organic and soft in nature –there is no sharp contrast of light, but rather a gentile distinction is clearly shown in the image. I have observed the curved lines in the man’s forehead portray natural and rhythmic feeling. Lastly, the man and eagle are in the painting are in correct scale and proportion to one another.

I would be first to admit that technology has its uses otherwise it would take me years to finish research instead of just a few weeks or months. The same goes for reading books. We finish reading faster now because our gadgets are always on us. Place is not an issue, and neither is time. Technology is the kind of good thing that we should limit. It has its glamour and advantages, so we only see the pretty picture not what lurks underneath.

"Attention! Zombies were caught roaming in high schools!” If you have a desire to see a real zombie just go to any high school classroom and see the teenage students there. They walk around like they’re dead, unaware of their environment. Today teenagers are the most dependent group on technology, for it has evolved in their generation. In my opinion, technology has rendered all teenagers lazy and petulant. When you walk in the classroom, you can see for yourself, the aloofness of their expressions, the glazed dullness in their eyes, and the iPhones and Blackberries glued to their hands. Teenagers rely entirely too much on technology, and if somehow that important asset vanishes, they wouldn’t survive the onslaught. For example, the recent ban on Twitter in Turkey had to be lifted because the youth took to the streets in rage. Internet and technology has become a basic right for all human beings, and when taken Our deteriorating lethargic bodies, rusting minds, and solitary fast away it would lead to unsurmountable chaos. forward lives are all obvious symptoms of technology taking its toll on I concede that technology has made our lives infinitely easier and us. So why do we disregard it's degenerating effect and continue to use more efficient, but at the precious expense of our bodies and minds. it?

Notes From Outside Effat: Lethal Efficiency

- Hiba AlWazani

Poetry From Outside Effat: MH370 I was smiling at my shine, I could feel her holding my hand, With a similar promise of love, I could see her band, Intertwined with my fingers, I was under the stars, With flowers and fireworks, She walked down the aisle, She held my hand. I could feel her, next to me, I could feel her, in this fear, Comforting me, I closed my eyes, Wrapped in myself, I was fading, Tell her I love he-....

I'm fading... Mother I lov-… - Saad Naseem

We're the lucky ones

Our hearts are pounding, Hungry for light, We're screaming, can you hear us? Our tears are creating storms, Can you see us? We're ripping the tides apart, Desperate for closure, We're fading... Can you-...

Is Your Favourite Book in This List? We recently conducted a short survey through the use of email, Facebook, and other social media networks. Our survey aimed at getting a rough idea of the favourite books of people around Jeddah. Much research needs to be conducted when it comes to reading and the society of Jeddah. As much as there are reading enthusiasts, there are those who have never picked up a book. Effat Muse plans on finding out why. Is your favourite book in this list? Birds Without Wings, by Louis de Bernières, (Lisa Zuppé) The Alchemist, Paolo Coelho, (Hanan M. Asghar) The Working Theory of Love - Scott Hutschins, (Noora Omer) The Thorn Birds - Colleen McCullough (Imrana Hasan) To The Lighthouse - Virginia Woolf, (Shadia Bakhsh) The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks, (Laila Fatima) The Secret - Paul Harrington, (Lugain B. Tayeb) Paper Towns - John Green, (Muna A. Al-Shehri) Diplomatic Baggage: The Adventures of a Trailing Spouse - Brigit Keenan, (Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed)

Somewhere we hide, From all the darkness in this world, Up above, down below, We're the lucky ones, Far away from all lies, We're fading... Can you find-..

P.S. I Love You - Cecelia Ahern, (Hadeel Milyani)

I still remember, I dug my tiny nails into their fingers, Daddy took me in his arms, And we walked from window to window, When our house faded In the sky and I cried. I was scared and Mommy held me tight, I burst balloons and bothered people, I laughed when Mother shushed me, I cried for colours at the shop, I faked a cry to stay in your arms. I should've gone to school, I'm sorry Mother, I love you, I'll go to school every day, I'll be the best version of myself, Father, I'm scared and I miss your arms around me, I don't want the colours or the candy. Can I have your arms around me? Daddy I'm scared.

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Harper Lee, (Fatima A. Haroon)

Veronica Decides to Die—Paolo Coelho, (Nimra Fatima) The Fault in Our Stars - John Green, (Asmaa Al-Sheikh) Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less - Jeffry Archer, (Karima Khadaker)

The Secret History - Donna Tartt, (Sumaiyya Naseem) Don’t Be Sad - ‘Aidh Ibn Abdullah Al-Qarna, (Wed Nasser) World Without End - Ken Follett, (Fawzia M. Hersi)

Hopeless - Colleen Hoover, (Basma AbdulMajeed) The Good Son - Todd Strasser, (Fatima Hatim) The Kite Runner - Khaled Husseini, (Jasna Usman) Bastard of Istanbul - Elif Shafak, (Huda Merchant) Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen, (Tina Ann Thomas) The Time Keeper - Mitch Albom, (Asia Bukhari) The Book of Lost Things - John Connolly, (Malak Fatani) The Historian - Elisabeth Kostova. (Mariam Daffa) Happy Reading!

Linguistics At Effat

Linguist at Effat: Dr. Luai Hayajneh Dr. Luai Hayajneh is a professor in the English and Translation department where he teaches various courses on Linguistics, Translation and evening Editing and Publishing.

or bad. What advice do you have to give for a novice in the field? One of my favorite proverbs or sayings is: if there is a will, there is a way, i.e. if you truly want to do something, you find a way to do it, in spite of all obstacles. Start with a thorough understanding of the Core Concepts of your field. Read as much as you can, practice as much as you can, never say it is impossible and that it can’t be done. - Afnan Linjawi

That’s Not What I Meant!

Can you tell us a little bit “That’s not what I meant!” Have you ever wondered how many times about yourself? we say those words to people? Those words are said when there is a I have a B.A in English Language and literature and M.A in misunderstanding between two people. translation and interpretation from Yarmouk University/Jordan and Ph.D in Linguistics: translation studies from Salford University/UK. I I will tell you about my perhave worked at Dhofar University in Oman and Jadara University and sonal experience. I went to have a coffee at a café. Al-albyat university in Jordan. I am also lanBefore I ordered, I guage consultant and translation project manager, Oxford International Group. My research To read or not asked about their new beverage. I asked them interests are: technical translation, medical to read is what how much it is for, and translation; subtitling; translation studies: culmakes a linguist then I ordered my Motural, referential, stylistic, and lexical gaps and good or bad. cha Latte. They gave their effects on Arabic – English translation; me the receipt which discourse analysis. said “Hot Beverage”, so I waited for my order. In your opinion, what is the most important specialty or research The waiter served me my drink and left. But when I tasted it, I immearea in linguistics? And why? It is hard actually to give a fairly precise answer. It is a circle. If you diately realised that it was not the Mocha Latte that I had ordered. I also realised that they had misunderstood my order. The cashier follow one direction you will simply find yourself going round in a thought that I wanted the new beverage. I called the waiter and told circle to meet other directions. Theoretical or applied linguistics do stand in a complementary distribution. Other sub-branches- phonetics, him I didn’t want the new beverage, I was only asking about it. He took my cup and apologised. syntax, morphology…etc. or language teaching…etc. can’t be categorized in terms of most important to less important. Yet, I quietly you don’t need to capture or understand all of them. They all, laughed to however, have in common what is called the Core Concepts. You can’t say that cardiology is more important than neurolo- myself and left the café gy or radiology. They do complete one another, and they do disappointed. need each other. In your opinion, what makes a good linguist and what makes a bad linguist? Many factors do actually decide this. My most important factor is the time given for reading. If you don’t read you don’t actually update yourself, you don’t update your skills, you don’t know what is going around you, you don’t develop yourself…etc. I remember the yellow pages of one of my professors during my B.A. She spent around 17 years in the university teaching the same materials and using the same yellow pages!!! So to read or not to read is what makes a linguist good

After a few minutes, he brought back my cup and it had the new beverage in it. Once again. I quietly laughed to myself and left the café disappointed.

I knew every time I had tasted my cup that it was not what I had ordered. These things happen because of miscommunication and it may not seem like a problem. But according to history, miscommunications on a bigger level have caused wars. - Rawan Balahmar On the Next Page: Read about India’s official language. India has hundreds of languages and dialects.

The Official Language of India

Lexical Investigations: Is There a Connection Between the month March and Marching?

The Ides of March is a reference to the date Julius The name March is derived from the Caesar was Roman Martius named after Mars, stabbed to death the Roman god of war. In ancient in 44 B.C. Rome, March 1st marked the first India is a land of great history and diversity. The different Indian day of spring, which coincided with provinces have different official languages. In example, Bihar in East the beginning of the calendar year and the start of the military camIndia has three official languages: Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. In addi- paign season—which may explain why soldiers “march into battle.” tion to that, Hindi on its own has more than 13 different dialects. The Roman ruler, Numa Pompilius, added January and February to The central government sees the need to set an official lan- the calendar thus making March the third month of the year. While many have adopted the Gregorian calendar, some culguage while constitutionally recognizing the other tures and religions still celebrate the start of the languages of India. This puts pressure on the Indian The Moghul did not New Year on March 1st. government as it does not want speakers of other Hares mate during the month of March and a female languages see its decision as an attempt to erase their just bring a new hare may be seen “boxing” (striking another hare own language and culture. This linguistic diversity in language to the with her paws) off a male to prevent an act of proIndia credits to the many cultures invading India land, they brought creation – hence “Mad as a March hare”—a phrase throughout history, starting from the dominance of the Moghul Empire over North India, bringing with poetry and music. that appeared for the first time in Sir Thomas More’s “The supplycacyon of soulys,” published in it their Persian tongue which was inherited from 1529. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under the pseutheir religion, Islam. The Moghul did not just bring a new language to the land, they brought poetry and music. This junc- donym Lewis Carroll, also referenced this annual event in 1865’s Altion resulted in the Hindustani poetry. The Hindustani poetry is based ice’s Adventures in Wonderland (often shortened to Alice in Wonderon the Hindustani language which contains words from Arabic and land) and the passage: “The March hare…as this is May, it won’t be Persian and is written in Perso-Arabic script. The uniqueness of the raving mad—at least not so mad as it was in March.” The Ides of March is a reference to the date Julius Caesar was stabbed combination developed into the language Urdu. to death in 44 B.C. and is observed on the 15th day of the month. After the collapse of the Moghul Empire, Britain colonized The above article was taken from www.dictionary.com for the purpose North India which brought the English language to the country. At the of education. The content completely belongs to the aforementioned time, Urdu was used in official contexts. The change was caused by website. Effat Muse claims no credit for the work. the demand of nationalists to change the official language from Urdu to Hindi, which is written in Indian script. Even those whose mother tongue was not Hindi supported this argument. That change never happened until British India was divided into two countries, India and Pakistan. Urdu became the official language of Pakistan due to the prevalence of the Muslim population and Hindi became the official language of the non-Muslims which prevailed in India.

Article Courtesy of Dictionary.com

The Indian constitution has declared that English can be used in official contexts but Hindi is the language of the country as it is the most commonly spoken language in India and it dates back to the preindependence times in Indian history. - Wed Nasser

The Caveman’s Facebook If you ever thought that ancient human beings didn’t have their own Facebook and text messaging, you thought wrong my friends! All these applications that we use every day to communicate have been there all long, though not as fancy as it is now. Sometimes, We can’t just stop thinking about how much has they would cut changed in our lives. History and human culture has themselves to evolved through the centuries that came before us. Manuse their own kind went from being simple cavemen searching for food and shelter to the person sitting behind the computer, blood as ink. Google searching the internet, sliding down his very comfortable chair until his head can no longer be seen!

come a part of our daily lives. We can’t go a day without checking our WhatsApp or Instagram. Technology in all of its forms, whether it was internet or mobiles’ apps, has definitely made our lives easier. Who knows what will happen in the next few years. No matter what it is, it’s sure will be something worth waiting for.

- Asmaa Awad

It all started 3000 years ago when cave painting began. It was a sign that humans desired to connect and share ideas. They used mud and water to paint. Sometimes, they would cut themselves to use their own blood as ink (ouch! Thank God we have touch phones!). These cave paintings were a representation of past events, to tell stories of their victories, to teach hunting techniques and methods, and to ignite a legacy, a legacy that will be remembered for centuries to come. No matter what was the purpose of cave painting, it was their only way to document important events as writing wasn’t an option yet. These days we have our smart gadgets and online hubs for that, like Facebook and Path. Communication then started to improve a little bit. That’s when the Egyptian invited a new writing system called hieroglyph that uses pictures and symbols. It wasn’t just a language, but also a decretive feature added to their buildings that marked their existence as a civilization. (It reminded me of Emoji! Those faces are always fun to use!) Then there are the Greeks. The role of the Greeks can never be forgotten as they were the first civilization ever to use alphabetic system which is quite close to the English letters, which we still refer to, for example in Mathematics. Day after day our world has been transforming, humans didn’t stop at creating new digital communication systems that have be-

The images on this page were taken from the

Google Translate Vs. Golden AlWafy English is the first international language. It is the second language for a lot of native speakers of other languages. A huge number of people are currently engaged in learning English, and it’s not easy. It becomes necessary to provide an easy way to learn. Translating words of English that a person does not understand, into the language they natively speak really helps a lot. There are many softwares and online applications that help with that matter. Some are useful and some are slow and inefficient and oft times inaccurate. The following reports compares two programs for translation from English: namely Google Translate and Golden Al Wafy.

Golden Al Wafy helps correct spelling errors by selecting the "spell check for English text," and also explains the verb and the noun and adjective of the word in case a word contains more than one meaning. Golden Al Wafy also gives translation of names. Like Google Translate, users can listen to the pronunciation of the words. The Golden Al Wafy contains a dictionary of words to be more accurate. The program was available after a paid fee, but later on anyone could use it for free. Unlike Google Translate, Al Wafy is a program that does not need to connect to the network. The disadvantages for Google translation Google Translation unable to translate long texts, causing errors in grammar. It also does not work without the internet connection.

The disadvantages for Golden Al Wafy The problems that have limited the use of the program Al Wafy to the present day is that it is a program for computers only and cannot be used in smart phones. It is also unable to translate Arabic texts into English. Every software has disadvantages, it’s best to use the most time efficient one.

- Rawan Balahmar

Translator’s Café The translation field is ultimately a culture and language field. In Translation Connect, we will feature some of the most useful and important re-

Google Translate

Google Translate has been famous in the prefix as a Web site is a service of the Google search engine services. It only translates scientific words and words of the original English language. It can also translate a text into different languages other than English. Dozens of features have increased the benefits of Google. It has added voice input method and pronunciation of words in most languages. What distinguishes it from the rest of the programs is that it can translate English slang. It also helps in translation by suggesting more appropriate words to the user. Another useful feature is it’s ability to recognize the language that you enter.

sources for translators. www.translatorscafe.com Translation café is a website that has many advantages and helpful features for people to use. The website offers a chance to communicate with others in many different ways. Communication is an important thing for many translators it enables them to help each other or to know about other languages. The website is not limited to the English language only. It features many languages worldwide. The website offers job opportunities in translation and related fields in many companies such as Bostico International Company, Cuttingedge Translation Service, Transperfect and many more.

- Hawazen Madani Golden Al Wafy software One of the most famous software that has served consumers is the Golden Al Wafy. It allows the user instant and accurate translation of words.

Heard At Night A talented Effat student Rawan Najjar sent us a beautiful piece written in Arabic. We decided to use that lovely writing for a translation competition. Following is the text Rawan Najjar sent us:

‫ لكن ربما أخذ منا هذا الشيء‬.. ‫ أشياء نحبها وال نتخيل أن نعيش من دونها‬.. ‫أحيانا تأخذ الحياة منا أشياء ثمينة‬ ‫ إن لم تكن الحياة‬.. ‫ ربما أراد هللا أن يختبر صبرنا فيجازينا عليه بما نحب‬.. ‫ أو‬.. ‫لنكافئ بما هو أجمل وأفضل‬ ‫ وال تنسى أن هللا لو أراد‬.. ‫ لن يصيب قلبك بالحزن إال وله حكمة في ذلك‬.. ‫ فاهلل هو العدل‬.. ‫عادلة في نظرك‬ ‫ ال تجزع وال‬.. ‫ ولو أراد بك سوءا فسيصيبك به أيضا‬.. ‫لك خيرا سيصيبك به ولن يمنع ذلك أحد من الخلق‬ .. ‫ قف بين يديه ليال فسهام الليل ال تخطئ‬.. ‫ ادعه وأطلب منه‬.. ‫ حاول‬.. ‫تقنط وال تيأس‬ - Rawan Najjar Many students sent their entries for the competition. The one that stood out was done by Nadeen AlWazani. We congratulate all the participants for their effort, and many congrats to Nadeen for her work. The following is Nadeen’s entry. Sometimes life deprives us of the most precious things .. things that we love and can’t live without .. but maybe life deprives us of these things in order for us to be rewarded with something better and more beautiful .. or .. maybe God wanted to test our patience so that we are rewarded with what we love .. if you believe that life is unfair .. God is indeed fair .. God will make you suffer of heartache out of Wisdom .. and don’t forget that if God planned for you good life no one could ever stops Him .. and if God planned for you malady He shall do so, as well .. don’t dismay, despond, or despair.. try .. pray and ask God .. kneel before God at night praying, as prayers are surely heard at night ..

Translated by Nadeen AlWazani

Write What’s on YOUR Mind

The Classic Writer

Edgar Allan Poe 1908â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1949 And all I loved, I loved alone.

Silence - A Fable - Edgar Allan Poe "Ours is a world of words: Quiet we call Silence -- which is the merest word of all" - Al Aaraaf. "Listen to me," said the Demon, as he placed his hand upon my head. "There is a spot upon this accursed earth which thou hast never yet beheld And if by any chance thou hast beheld it, it must have been in one of those vigorous dreams which come like the Simoon upon the brain of the sleeper who hath lain down to sleep among the forbidden sunbeams --among the sunbeams, I say, which slide from off the solemn columns of the melancholy temples in the wilderness. The region of which I speak is a dreary region in Libya, by the borders of the river Zaire. And there is no quiet there, nor silence. "The waters of the river have a saffron and sickly hue --and they flow not onwards to the sea, but palpitate forever and forever beneath the red eye of the sun with a tumultuous and convulsive motion. For many miles on either side of the river's oozy bed is a pale desert of gigantic water-lilies. They sigh one And from unto the other in that solitude, and stretch towards the heaven their long ghastly necks, and nod to their high and fro their everlasting heads. And there is an indistinct murmur which cometh out from among summits, them like the rushing of subterrene water. And they sigh one unto the other. one by one, drop "But there is a boundary to their realm --the boundary of the dark, horrible, lofty forest. There, everlasting like the waves about the Hebrides, the low underwood is agitated continually. But there is no wind throughout the heaven. And the tall primeval trees rock eternally hither and thither with a crashing dews. and mighty sound. And from their high summits, one by one, drop everlasting dews. And at the roots strange poisonous flowers lie writhing in perturbed slumber. And overhead, with a rustling and loud noise, the grey clouds rush westwardly forever, until they roll, a cataract, over the fiery wall of the horizon. But there is no wind throughout the heaven. And by the shores of the river Zaire there is neither quiet nor silence. "It was night, and the rain fell; and, falling, it was rain, but, having fallen, it was blood. And I stood in the morass among the tall lilies, and the rain fell upon my head --and the lilies sighed one unto the other in the solemnity of their desolation.

--and the lilies sighed one unto the other in the solemnity of their desolation.

"And, all at once, the moon arose through the thin ghastly mist, and was crimson in color. And mine eyes fell upon a huge grey rock which stood by the shore of the river, and was litten by the light of the moon. And the rock was grey, and ghastly, and tall, --and the rock was grey. Upon its front were characters engraven in the stone; and I walked through the morass of water-lilies, until I came close unto the shore, that I might read the characters upon the stone. But I could not decypher the characters. And I was going back into the morass, when the moon shone with a fuller red, and I turned and looked again upon the rock, and upon the characters --and the characters were DESOLATION.

"And I looked upwards, and there stood a man upon the summit of the rock, and I hid myself among the waterlilies that I might discover the actions of the man. And the man was tall and stately in form, and was wrapped up from his shoulders to his feet in the toga of old Rome. And the outlines of his figure were indistinct --but his features were the features of a Deity; for the mantle of the night, and of the mist, and of the moon, and of the dew, had left uncovered the features of his face. And his brow was lofty with thought, and his eye wild with care; and, in the few furrows upon his cheek I read the fables of sorrow, and weariness, and disgust with mankind, and a longing after solitude. And the moon shone upon his face, and upon the features of his face, and oh! they were more beautiful than the airy dreams which hovered about the souls of the daughters of Delos!

"And the man sat down upon the rock, and leaned his head upon his hand, and looked out upon the desolation. He looked down into the low unquiet shrubbery, and up into the tall primeval trees, and up higher at the rustling heaven, and into the crimson moon. And I lay close within shelter of the lilies, and observed the actions of the man. And the man trembled in the solitude --but the night waned and he sat upon the rock. "And the man turned his attention from the heaven, and looked out upon the dreary river And the man Zaire, and upon the yellow ghastly waters, and upon the pale legions of the water-lilies. And the trembled in man listened to the sighs of the water-lilies, and of the murmur that came up from among them. And I lay close within my covert and observed the actions of the man. And the man trembled in the solitude -but the night the solitude --but the night waned and he sat upon the rock. waned and "Then I went down into the recesses of the morass, and waded afar in among the wilderness he sat upon of the lilies, and called unto the hippopotami which dwelt among the fens in the recesses of the the rock. morass. And the hippopotami heard my call, and came, with the behemoth, unto the foot of the rock, and roared loudly and fearfully beneath the moon. And I lay close within my covert and observed the actions of the man. And the man trembled in the solitude --but the night waned and he sat upon the rock. "Then I cursed the elements with the curse of tumult; and a frightful tempest gathered in the heaven where before there had been no wind. And the heaven became livid with the violence of the tempest --and the rain beat upon the head of the man --and the floods of the river came down --and the river was tormented into foam --and the waterlilies shrieked within their beds --and the forest crumbled before the wind --and the thunder rolled, --and the lightning fell --and the rock rocked to its foundation. And I lay close within my covert and observed the actions of the man. And the man trembled in the solitude -- but the night waned and he sat upon the rock. "Then I grew angry and cursed, with the curse of silence, the river, and the lilies, and the wind, and the forest, and the heaven, and the thunder, and the sighs of the water-lilies. And they became accursed and were still. And the moon ceased to totter in its pathway up the heaven --and the thunder died away --and the lightning did not flash --and the clouds hung motionless --and the waters sunk to their level and remained --and the trees ceased to rock --and the water-lilies sighed no more --and the murmur was heard no longer from among them, nor any shadow of sound throughout the vast illimitable desert. And I looked upon the characters of the rock, and they were changed --and the characters were SILENCE. "And mine eyes fell upon the countenance of the man, and his countenance was wan with terror. And, hurriedly, he raised his head from his hand, and stood forth upon the rock, and listened. But there was no voice throughout the vast illimitable desert, and the characters upon the rock were SILENCE. And the man shuddered, and turned his face away, and fled afar off, and I beheld him no more." _______________ Now there are fine tales in the volumes of the Magi --in the iron-bound, melancholy volumes of the Magi. Therein, I say, are glorious histories of the Heaven, and of the Earth, and of the mighty Sea --and of the Genii that over-ruled the sea, and the earth, and the lofty heaven. There was much lore too in the sayings which were said by the sybils; and holy, holy things were heard of old by the dim leaves that trembled around Dodona --but, as Allah liveth, that fable which the Demon told me as he sat by my side in the shadow of the tomb, I hold to be the most wonderful of all! And as the Demon made an end of his story, he fell back within the cavity of the tomb and laughed. And I could not laugh with the Demon, and he cursed me because I could not laugh. And the lynx which dwelleth forever in the tomb, came out therefrom, and lay down at the feet of the Demon, and looked at him steadily in the face. [This story was originally published in 1838 as "Siope - A Fable".]

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Silence

A Sonnet by Edgar Allan Poe There are some qualities- some incorporate things, That have a double life, which thus is made A type of that twin entity which springs From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade. There is a two-fold Silence- sea and shoreBody and soul. One dwells in lonely places, Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces, Some human memories and tearful lore, Render him terrorless: his name's "No More." He is the corporate Silence: dread him not! No power hath he of evil in himself; But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!) Bring thee to meet his shadow (nameless elf, That haunteth the lone regions where hath trod No foot of man,) commend thyself to God!

Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story, and is generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career. Poe As a Character: The historical Edgar Allan Poe has appeared as a fictionalized character, often representing the "mad genius" or "tormented artist" and exploiting his personal struggles. Many such depictions also blend in with characters from his stories, suggesting Poe and his characters share identities. - The above text was extracted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe