Friday, November 29, 2019

Language and Identity free essay sample

How has my experiences with language shaped my current identity? I have always defined myself as a West Indian woman, an Island girl, the way I speak, the way I dress, to me that is my identity, this is who I am. I have never thought of it like this before, that my language would determine my cultural identity. Language plays a crucial role in personal identity. My first memories began when I was four, I can remember hearing my great grandmothers’ voice as she would rouse me from my sleep, â€Å"wake up chile, its morning,† her voice sounded like soft, light waves caressing the sand as it gently hit the shore, or when she would admonish me for being naughty could change to an angry wind whooshing through the trees. Within my immediate surroundings everyone sounded the same, my family, my neighbors, my friends, myself. In Grenada, at secondary school it was another experience for me, where its all mixed with students from all over the island, based on my dialect, others could often tell which parish I was from. We will write a custom essay sample on Language and Identity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I am from the southern parish called St. George’s, which is the capital where I was expected to speak ‘proper’ with excellent grammar and also often times perceived as being cultured and well educated whereas compared to students from the northern parish (St. Patrick’s), they were labeled as speaking ‘bad,’ poorly or uneducated which may not be the case. For example, I remember my first year at secondary school, our teacher came into the classroom and was recording attendance, she asked for another student named Shirley Mc Intyre, someone said â€Å"she doh dey today,† whereas grammatically speaking its suppose to be â€Å"she is not here today. † Right away based on her dialect it was known that she wasn’t from St. George’s. Moving to America from my homeland Grenada, learning to pronounce my words properly in order to be understood was very important. I felt alienated being thrust into a new place and culture. Listening to everyone else sounded to me like a sea of different voices, dialects, tongues, I could hear the different vibrations and hums, there was African, Spanish, America, Haitian, Jamaican all in one place. I had to learn the American ways of communicating effectively. I couldn’t identify with myself because I didn’t sound the same as everyone else except for when around close friends and family. I had to slow my speech and formulate my words and sentences in a way in which I could be understood. For example, being taught new ways of pronouncing words, the word which I knew as status, I would say â€Å"stay- tus† whereas in the U. S. its â€Å"sta-tus† and route, I would say â€Å"root† as opposed to â€Å"rh- out† even the spelling of some words like â€Å"behaviour† now became â€Å"behavior. † Once I started speaking people could sometimes tell where I’m from, for example, they would often ask if I’m from the Islands. I had to act American and try and sound American in order to fit in. I would often ask myself how could I speak to fit in an American culture without losing my true Grenadian identity? So it depends on the setting I would adjust my speech to suit, if speaking on the phone to my friends in Grenada, I would speak Grenadian, if I’m at a store, I would speak my best ‘American. ’ In some cultures, women are taught to speak quietly and discreetly, in others they cannot speak unless they were spoken to. In my cultural experience, growing up as a young girl I was taught by my great grandmother and teachers at school to speak discreetly amongst my friends, family, and in public, â€Å"ladies should be seen and not heard† was sort of like a mantra in my home. It was sort of a culture shock for me moving here i. e. America and hearing people speaking loudly and freely whether you wanted to listen to what they were saying or not. To conclude, I would say I love and appreciate my speech; it reminds me of where I came from, and in helping to shape my identity, I wouldn’t change anything about it. Although it may seem that my language and identity is forever changing, learning to adapt and communicate, its all a learning process.

Monday, November 25, 2019

A geographical area where one or more languages are endangered. The WritePass Journal

A geographical area where one or more languages are endangered. Introduction A geographical area where one or more languages are endangered. IntroductionBibliographyRelated Introduction The geographic area that will be discussed in t his case study is Japan and the language that is endanger is Ainu language. The word Ainu means â€Å"human† in the Ainu language; Ezo, or Yezo, in old Japanese; or Utari, which is now called by many academics. The Ainu people, are ethnic group of native Hokkaido, from the northern part of Honshu which is in northern Japan, the Kurite Islands, much of Sakhalin, and the Southern most third of the Kamchatka peninsula. Although the accurate number of the Aniu population is not available, as it is common for the Ainu to deny being Ainu, due a long history of segregation by Japanese people.   It is estimated that there are currently 23,782[1], although figures could be doubled or even tripled[2]. Thus there is an endangering decline in the Ainu population. The origin of the Ainu is very controversial as there is no existence of any written proof of Ainu language or where it originated. Moreover, the Japanese government does not distinguish the Ainu as separate people from the Japanese, which also makes it difficult to accurately state where it originated from and the current Ainu population. In addition, to the fact as stated above Ainu are reluctant to admit their indentify to prevent discrimination, from the Japanese government. The native are also knows as   Ezo, and it is suggested that their history goes back to about 1200 CE. As like other primitive cultures throughout the world, the Ainu culture has encountered problems with the modern culture of Japan, it   clashed to an extent that the Japanese government did not acknowledge and sought to eliminate it. The Ainu are know for their   trading contact with the Japanese during the Tokugawa Period (from 1600-1868). They were originally a hunting-and-gathering society, who also focused on fishing. The Ainu culture is noticeably different from the Japanese, there are several unique customs, for example the men never trim their beards or shave after certain age, and the women have tattoos just above the mouth are common. The traditional religion is a type of animism, which symbolises their hunting and gathering nature. It is thought by many scholars that the Jomon are in fact the Ainu or at least descendents from the Jomon people. Studies conducted Ainu using DNA samples suggests there is a similarity between Jomon and Ainu.[3] Furthermore, it is also believed that there is a connection between Ainu and the Polynesians that they have a common origin and belong neither to the Caucasian nor to the Mongolian race, although they possess some characteristics of both the Ainu and the Polynesians had a common, ancient ancestry. There appear to be common cultural elements that have persisted despite the different influences the north has suffered. Studies have proven a strong resemblance between Philippines, Indonesia, and Melanesia and Ainu   which is evident by the general culture, their clothing, handcraft, household implements, weapons, ornament, religious ceremony and cult suggests there is a strong link. Although there are indications that a large number of Ainu lived in the southern part of the Russian peninsula called Sakhalin, the northern part of Honshu on the main island of Japan called Tohoku, and the Kurile Islands, the main part however inhabited the Ainu is Hokkaido. The Ainu who lived in Russia were forced by the Russian government to move into Hokkaido, others who lived in Kurile Islands died as a consequence of poverty, bad conditions which eventually lead to diseases. Peter Geiser, who is a professor of Sociology, suggests that Ainu may have migrated from the south and reached Honshu. Mongoloid also migrated to Honshu from Korea, thus the Ainu and Mongols have mixed in blood, and so the Ainu may have Mongoloid characteristics. Also it is believed that Ainu ancestors may have also been placed in Southeast Asia. As a consequence of the discrimination and oppression suffered, the Ainu were not a group that   were able to stuck together , as result divided to three groups: 1) the Kurile Ainu, who lived on the Kurile Islands in present-day eastern Russia; 2) Sakhalin Ainu, who were habitants of   northern Sakhalin Island now known as eastern Russia; and 3) Hokkaido Ainu, who lived on Hokkaido and southern Sakhalin Island. Therefore there are three main dialects of the Ainu language; Hokkaido-dialect, Sakhalin-dialect, and Kurile-dialect there is a big difference between the Hokkaido-dialect and the other two dialects. None of these Ainu tribes have letters or characters; as a result there is no written record of the Ainu language available today. The Ainu language, culture customs and life is endangering of vanishing as, the population is rapidly diminishing as result of discrimination, which forced them to migrate. This resulted in the Ainu being forced to assimilate with the Japanese by the Former Aborigine Protection Law enacted in1899, which prohibited expressions of Ainu culture, native language and forced to take Japanese names. However, a law enacted in 1997 that gave the Ainu official status as Japan’s original inhabitants, recognized their language and culture and gave them the legal right to be different changed this. From then on the Ainu were recognised by the Japanese government the Ainu the language was acknowledge as the language of aboriginal Japanese people on Hokkaido Island, north of Japan. Separate from the Japanese language, however spoken before Japanese, which in some ways is a modern version of the Ainu language. Although, there is an acceptance of the language it is still significantly in decli ne as currently almost all of the Ainu speak Japanese. Ainu is an endangered language, as it is currently moribund, meaning that there are not many children who are native speaker as it is not taught in schools .It has been estimated that there are currently fewer than 100 speakers of Ainu. However, there is an internal movement for the revival of the Ainu language, which denied there is a decline in the number of native Ainu people, which led to the Ainus increased marginalization. Only recently, on June 6, 2008, did the Japanese officially recognize the Ainu as an indigenous group and repeal the act of 1899. Even so the Ainu is an almost extinct language of Japan. It is thought to have been the language of the ancient Jomon culture. It is further believed that the Jomon Continued to be practiced by people who fled from the invading pressures to have become the Ainu language eventually. In the process, the old Japanese would have adopted some of the Jomon traditions, such as place names, person names, stories and expressions. Biological studies also suggest that the Ainu people are closer to the people who form European nations. Linguistically, the Ainu language has similar syntax structure to Japanese, but differs in the use of pronouns used as verbal prefixes. It is considered by some linguists that the Ainu language is a distant family of the Finno-Ugric subgroup of Ural-Altaic language group. There are studies suggest that the Ainu people are probably a branch of a group of people who originally came from the North Ural mountains, and spread from Finland to Northeast Siberia between 700 BC to 700 AD[4]. This is from the cultural religious similarity found in old ruins, but culture can be transferred by contact of people, so the origin of Ainu people is still not known for sure. However, until the twentieth century, Ainu language was also spoken during the Southern half of the Island of Sakhalin also minor people in the Kuril Islands. It became used as a lingua franca in the Kuril Islands. However, by the first decade of the twentieth century the language ceased to be spoken on Kuril Island, it was only spoken on the Sakhalin island as a lingua franca between the local language and also between the local administrative and Japanese fishing industries. However, the language gradually started to disappear, in 1949 there was only 100 reported speaker in Sakhalin island which by the late twentieth century the last remaining speaker of the Sakhalin island had died. Furthermore, Ainu language in global context was no usually accepted in part with any other family language. However, Ainu is an isolated language as history suggests it is language from a group that has never need accepted in society, which is one of the reasons why it is difficult to state their origins, as it was almost a taboo to speak the language. Thus the reason why it is concerned an isolated language. According to  Ã‚   John C. Street (1962), Ainu, Korean, and Japanese are the same descendants and Turkic, Mongolic, and Tunngusic other group, the difference between the two families is like in a common â€Å"North Asiatic family†. However, Ainu is a declining language, and has been endangered for at least the past few decades. The Ainu language is known as a moribund language, which has been endangered for at last a few decades. The remaining 25,000 ethnic Ainu only speak Japanese as a consequence of the assimilation.   In the town of Nibutani (part of Biratori, Hokkaid) where there is remaining native speakers live, there are 100 speakers, out of which only 15 used the language every day in the late 1980s. However, use of the language is on the rise. There is currently an active movement to reinstate the language mainly in Hokkaid and to increase the number of speakers as second-language learners, especially in Hokkaid. There is no doubt the Aniu language has over time suffered enormous decline, what sociolinguists refer as a language shift[5]. As a consequence of the discrimination the Ainu’s people suffered especially at the hands of the Japanese, although to a certain extent there has been attempts to ratify through the activism of the Ainu people in 1986, which was a result of the statement made by the Japanese prime minister that the Japanese people are mono-ethnic. This provided members of the Ainu association with the will power to fight to have their rights legalise and to have their own language. However, it is doubtful as to the exact number of Ainu speaker today, as stated above much still fear discrimination and still is reluctant to say they are Ainu. The Law stated above was aimed at preservation and maintain of Ainu language and culture was published in 1997. In theory it is still a declining language, customs, even though they have been legally recognized the Japanese government is still reluctant to recognize Ainus right to be Ainu and prohibit the existence of Ainu language and culture from being discriminated. Presently in Japan there are many centres, foundations and societies devoted to reinstating and promoting of Ainu language and Ainu culture, but all they are just half measures, as all they do is provide awareness of the language.   They do not deal with the fact that the language is significantly declining this something that only autonomy resolve this problem. It is time for the Japanese and the Russians to accept their links to the Ainu and to no longer see them as an inconvenient for Japanese colonization as well as for Russian. Although, there is a significant decline to the point that the language is considered endangered it should not be forgotten that the Ainu still exist and they have much more rights to be the owner of so-called northern territories and should no longer be oppressed and ashamed to be a Ainu. The answer to this may lay in the ‘Northern territories being handed back to the Ainu as only then will they have a sense of belonging, which in term will preve nt them from being oppressed and ashamed. Bibliography Books Mark Janse – (2003) Current issues in linguist theory, language death, and language maintenance – Benjamin publishing Llc Books (2010)|Endangered Unclassified Languages: Ainu Language, Yukaghir Languages, Kwaza Language, Ongota- general publisher Fishman, Joshua A. 1991. Reversing Language Shift. Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Assistance to Threatened Languages. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters. Shibatani, M. 1990, The Languages of Japan, Cambridge University Press, Volumes 4-5 p.155 Journals Chew, John J. The Significance of Geography in Understanding the Relationship of Japanese to other Languages. In Irmela Hijiya-Kirschnereit and Jurgen Stalph, eds. Bruno Lewin zu ehren: Festschrift aus Anlass seines 65. Geburtstages, Band I Japan: Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaftliche Beitrage. Bochum: Universitatsverlag Dr. N. Brockmeyer, 1989. Maher and Yashiro (eds.) Multilingual Japan, (pp. 103_124). .. Zentella, A.C. (1995) Towards an anthropolitical linguistic perspective on language shift and International Journal of Bilingualism, Vol.1, Number 1, 81-10 Online resources: www.factanddetails.com http://users.tmok.com/~tumble/jpp/japor.html www.japantimes.co.jp

Friday, November 22, 2019

Computerized Management Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Computerized Management Systems - Research Paper Example sharing of information such as lab results and patient information has been well facilitated between medical practitioners, clinics, healthcare providers and pharmacists. This tends to harmonize consultation process that improves the delivery of healthcare. The cumbersome nature of doctors in Emergency room(ER) that operate without computerized systems always delivers (Goldsmith, 2010) dismal performance as they have to work with manual student records. It is through the availability of interoperable tools that clinicians are well able to make sound decisions that improve their chances of saving lives and minimizing suffering. Through computerized management healthcare systems, its interoperability nature is able to provide clinicians with access to updated medical decision support. Furthermore they are capable to provide (Goldsmith, 2010) standard protocols to multiple medical situations. Clinicians and especially doctors will be better placed to select the protocol they find suitable and which can be revised from time to time to improve the standards health care practices. There are many types of computerized health care that can be adopted in any clinical settings. Common to these are electronic medical record systems (EMR). These are systems that provide for a paperless interoperable medical recording system. The present reality of these systems have been greatly favored on grounds of offering quality and cost effective means of handling medical information and data. Secondly we have the electronic healthcare record systems (EHS). This unlike the electronic medical recording systems (EMS), provides a means for which patient records are distributed across several institutions (Frans Turisco, 2008). This furthermore allows for knowledge and decision-support systems that improves quality and safety of patients care across different healthcare sectors. These are just but a few among several computerized healthcare systems that are used in the medical scene

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Reaction paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Reaction paper - Essay Example Properly communicating and effectively dealing with other people might be the sole aptitude that decides our status in society. Communication is the sharing of information or feeling. Communication can be verbal or non verbal. Successful and satisfying face to face communication comprise of three elements: words, tone of voice and body language. Communication process constitutes 93% of the silent or nonverbal communication i.e. tonality accounts for 38% and body language accounts for 55%. Which means only 7% of the whole communication process depends upon words (Steve, 2009). It is commonly seen that communication is usually described in terms of spoken words. But very few of us know the fact that words are only the carrier and transport of the message. True meaning behind the message cannot be clearly understood only with the words. The receiver has to guess and make judgments of the words. This fact can easily be understood by the example of communicating via emails and letters, in which nonverbal part of communication is definitely a missing element and leave the interpretation open to the reader which sometimes leads to misunderstanding and arguments. Lasting relationships can only be created when feelings and emotions behind the words communicate between the people. Trust can be earned by conveying nonverbal evidences that are consistent with the words. Tone of voice affects greatly on the meanings of words. As above stated, 38% of communication transmits by the tonality. For Example, fast and catchy tune of the song brings energy and liveliness to the person, no matter whatever the lyrics of the song are. Another supporting example in this regard is response of a baby to different voices. They might not understand the words but they smile and cry according to the intensity of the voices they hear. Many people do not know how to manage their tone in different situations which is critical to make positive association with someone they

Monday, November 18, 2019

Macroeconomics (credit card impact) Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Macroeconomics (credit card impact) - Coursework Example Going by this definition of money, it is evident that credit cards do not qualify as money. However, credit cards are still a common mode of purchase among the citizens because of three main reasons. Credit cards offer a simplified method of purchase for consumers, since they do not have to carry hard cash (Zandi and Singh, 2010). The second reason is that credit cards offer a quick method out of emergencies, since individuals do not have to travel long distances to find cash (Zandi and Singh, 2010). The credit cards benefits that come along with the use of the card is also an advantage, since most credit facilities expect an interest charge, so they offer incentives (Zandi and Singh, 2010). According to Debt Resources (2012), the main impact of credit cards on the economy is the increase in debts in the economy, since many people accrue interest payments that they cannot afford to pay. Many of the debts that are accrued to credit cards end up being written off as bad debts, which reduces the credit history of most consumers in the market. This reduces the spending power of consumers, since they have to allocate their earnings to paying off debts, which in turn reduces the economic growth of a

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Quality Management Systems And Restaurant Customer Service

Quality Management Systems And Restaurant Customer Service The purpose of this study is to emphasize on how having a Quality Management System (QMS) can assist restaurants to enhance their services. This involves creating a QMS for local restaurants based on standards and criteria, that respond to customers requirements, derived from the ISO 9001 standards. This implies that management will go thru training to learn how to work with the system, how to implement and how to evaluate the system. Management should then be the ones giving training and advice on how to treat customers. Employees will also go thru trainings and procedures that a restaurant should comply with, in order to be considered a quality restaurant. Implementing a QMS is expensive. You will have to invest in your employees. On the other hand by implementing a QMS can save you money, you have less cost and you can be more productive and efficient. This can make not only restaurants, but also the Island gain a competitive advantage on others and get economic return. The intention is to make restaurants aware of this and so help them improve their service, satisfy needs, be more productive and have more motivated employees. Curaà §ao Restaurants Association (CRA) can be the institute who controls that the restaurants comply with criterias and standards. 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY According to Swiss Tourism Board, from a guests point of view, tourism services are always the product of a whole package of individual services. Like a chain, these services are all linked: advance information from a Tourist Centre, the journey to the destination, stay in vacation hotel, eating in a restaurant, and lastly the trip home. Each individual service leaves its mark on and influences the holiday experience. Also at the level of the individual restaurant, a guest experiences some of this Service: welcome, seating, providing information, taking order, eating in the restaurant. These service chains which are specific to customers provide an aid for systematic checking of a restaurants services and processes, showing where practical quality improvements can be made and promoting the introduction of appropriate measures. Providing services and direct contact with customers are exacting tasks because each customer has his specific expectations, needs and opinions. On Curacao we have CRS. The Curacao Restaurant Associations (CRA) (http://www.curacaorestaurants.org/cra/index.php) mission is to represent, promote and educate their members and their employees for the improvement of the restaurant and foodservice industry of Curacao, a rapidly growing industry that is becoming the nations second largest employer. We leverage those numbers to get the best pricing and discounts for our members. Helping members succeed and remain profitable is on the forefront of the Curacao Restaurant Associations agenda. As they strive to work together with the governmental departments on health, safety, service and education, members of their association get inspections and a team consisting of these departments, together with members of the board; will on a regular basis, do an assessment of their members so they will remain accepted as a member. This will guarantee customer visit to these restaurants. An analysis of the situation will be done. An overview and definition of Quality Management System will be given, also why quality is important and what are the characteristics of the system. The service chains will be analyze and used as a tool for tracking down potential critical incidents and deriving good service from them in the shape of in-house quality standards. Furthermore the needs of the customers, employees and employer will be address. To see what will be required to satisfy their need and incorporate this in the system and what each customers specific expectations, needs and opinions are. Strategies and requirements will be presented. The program may include among other topic: The business culture QMS in detail Employees motivation Product Customer Service Curaà §ao Hospitality Training Foundation will be approached to see if some of the training needed can by integrated in their program. Results of the research and interviews carried out will be detailed. In the forth chapter the Restaurants Quality System program will be discussed. Practical tools will be developed to help restaurants managers to tackle quality management and taking targeted action to optimize service. The QMS will detailed the service chains and provide an aid for systematic checking of a restaurants services and processes, showing where practical quality improvements can be made and promoting the introduction of appropriate measures. Advice and conclusion will be given. 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT In which way can a Quality Management System (QMS) enhance customer service in restaurants? 1.3 SUB PROBLEM STATEMENTS To answer the problem statement, the following sub-questions will be addressed during this study: 1) How can QMS be defined? 2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of QMS? 3) What are the aspects for the development process of a quality management system for restaurants? 4) Will the needs of customers, employer and employees be satisfy? 5) How should QMS and the restaurant quality management system be implemented? 1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 1.4.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The objective of this study is to assist restaurants on Curaà §ao to enhance their service. In this study several methods, like interviews, questionnaire, observation and literature will be use to answer the sub problems. 1.4.2 SUB PROBLEMS Sub problem 1. How can QMS be defined? and 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of QMS? will be dealt with theoretically. For these sub problems website http://www.praxiom.com/iso-definition.htm, research paper and articles concerning ISO 9001 and QMS will be applied. The methods that will give an explanation of these subjects are Crosby, P.B, (1984) Quality without tears: The art of hassle-free management, McGraw-Hill, Inc Hoyle, D, (2006), ISO 9000 quality systems handbook, Butterworth-Heinemann www.praxiom.com/iso-definition.htm www.dti.gov.uk/quality/qms Sub problem 3. What are the aspects for the development process of a quality certification program for restaurants? a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis will be conducted. The SWOT analysis examines the internal and external environment giving a view of the implementation of a QMS for restaurants regarding. Also at least six restaurants will be observed and judge on the service they are giving. Curaà §ao Quality Foundation and the president Mr. Marugg or Mr. Neuman, the Event Coordinator of Curacao Restaurants Association (CRA) will be approach for information. Some of the questions that will be asked are: What is the support CRA offers their members? How those CRA control the quality service their members offer? How does CRA get its members? Why the membership is so low compared to the number of establishment on the Island? The readings that will be used are: Hair, J.F, (2003), Essentials of Business Research Methods, Leyh Publishing, LLC Brink, A, Berndt, A, (2009), Relationship Marketing and Customer Relationship Management, Juta Co LTD Honebein, P.C., Cammarano, R.F., (2005), Creating do-it-yourself customers: how great customer experiences build great companies, South-Western Educational Pub Schieffer, R., (2005), Ten Key Customer Insights: Unlocking the Mind of the Market, South-Western Educational Pub www.cbs.an/establishments/establishments_i5.asp Sub problem 4. Will the needs of customers, employer and employees be satisfy? To answer this question surveys among consumer will be conducted regarding the quality service they receive at a restaurant. Also interviews to sales managers and supervisors of restaurants will be conducted. Employees of restaurants will be interviewed to see what their needs are. Books on among others on customer service, motivation and quality service will be used. Among others: Jagdish N. Shainesh, S., (2001) Customer relationship management: emerging concepts, tools, and applications, McGraw-Hill Professional Jones, P., Merricks, P., (1994), The management of foodservice operations, Cengage Learning Business Press Parsa, H.G., Kwansa, F., (2002), Quick Service Restaurants, Franchising, and Multi-Unit Chain Management, Routledge Shankar, R., (2009), Process improvement using Six Sigma: a DMAIC guide, ASQ Quality Pres Question can be asked a.o. is: What are the companys strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition? Are you happy with the service you are providing Do you care about reaction of comments of your customers? Are you happy with your employees? If not what are you doing to improve it? Is the restaurant plan to come with new services? Sub problem 5. How should QMS and the restaurant quality management system be implemented? In order to answer this sub problem, books on standardization and quality management systems, employee training manuals will be used. Suggestions and guidelines for training for Management and employees will be address. Design of the quality management system will be presented. Reading used is: Beecroft, D.G., Duffy, G.L., Moran, J.W., (2001), The Executive Guide to Improvement and Change, ASQ Quality Press Jackson, Susan E., Schuler, Randall S, Werner, Steve, (2008), Managing Human Resources, South Western, a part of Cengage Learning Lohman, C., et al. (2004) Designing a performance measurement system: A case study. European Journal of Operational Research, Martinich, J.S., (2009), Production and Operations Management: An Applied Modern Approach, Wiley India Pvt. Ltd. Maskell, B. H. (1991) Performance measurement for world class manufacturing: a model for American companies, Cambridge, Mass., Productivity Press. 1.5 DELIMITATIONS The study will be conducted among consumers, restaurants from all sector, restaurants managers/supervisors, restaurants employees and establishment associated to tourism sectors on the Island of Curaà §ao. 1.6 THESIS OUTLINE The structure of this study will be as follow: 1. Introduction Background Information Problem Statement and Sub Problems Research Methodology Content Thesis Quality Management System (QMS) Introduction Elements of QMS Introduction to quality and service Importance of quality Measuring service quality Characteristics of QMS Conclusion Customers, employee and employers needs Introduction Customer and their needs Consumer decision process Employee and employers needs Defining and measuring service satisfaction Conclusion Restaurants Quality Management System Introduction Aspect of the Quality system Key Indicators of the Quality system Process development of the Quality management system Restaurant Quality System Implementation, Control and Evaluation Conclusion Conclusion and Recommendations Bibliography Appendixes List of tables

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Crash Course :: Essays Papers

Crash Course Ever since I was young, I have had a fascination with bikes and motorcycles. I enjoyed reading and learning about them. As an adolescent riding my bike was a sort of nirvana for me. Interestingly enough, I was never very skilled at the art of bicycle riding. True, I did find it interesting and exciting, among other things, but I just wasn't any good at it. I would be willing to venture that the number of accidents I had on my bike would rival the totals of some race riders, although I was never that daring. Consequently, I walked away (most of the time) from those accidents with quite a few scars and just as many stories. My first accident happened not long after my maiden voyage. In fact it happened on my maiden voyage. I lived in a small, Leave it to Beaver type town (with more dirt and more hoodlums), all the kids on the street were skilled bike riders, and "riding bikes" was the most frequent use of playtime. At nine or ten years old, I was suffering from distinct feelings of inferiority because there were kindergartners on my block who could ride their bikes when I hadn't yet learned. To this day I haven't been able to decide what kept me from learning for so long. Being the only kid on the block who has to ride with training wheels is not a distinction most ten-year-olds would want to call their own. And I was no different. I hated feeling like a baby. In the summer of my tenth year I decided that I would put an end to this feeling of inferiority once and for all. I had it all planned out. While I was spending a week at my grandparents house, I would teach myself to ride a two-wheeler. I would go away a chump and come back a champ: the ultimate "Rags to Riches" story, at least that is what it would be to my ten-year-old mind. I got to work on my mission as soon as I arrived. I went to my grandparents shed behind their house and opened it, stepping into the sun-baked shed and smelling the familiar warm musty odor that I had expected. Then I saw it: the old copper finish sparkling where some rays of sunshine snuck in the door to help me find it. It was old, most likely older than I was.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Trapped – Creative Writing

The rampant stench of death, yes, that's it, that's my earliest memory. The pungent odour of decay numbing my already haggard senses. The room couldn't of been too big. I remember banging my head on a wall, and stubbing a toe on the opposite one. I remember struggling to my feet, and stumbling into the light. I wandered for ages along the side of a road, watching pairs of lights approach and skittishly dash away. Then there is blackness. As strange as that event was, the strangest thing that day was me. I felt. My body felt wrong. Those hands were not my hands; those legs were not my legs. My whole body ached, it felt like when you've sat in the same position for a too long, but amplified a hundred times. I was woken up by a blinding light in my face. The aroma of sterilisation exposed at once I was in a hospital. Quickly, I tried to sit up, but a sharp stabbing in my back forced me back to the taut linen. Against my will, I yelped at the pain, and a nurse was quick to my bedside with a calming hand on my brow. â€Å"I knew you would be awake soon†. I attempted to speak, but I could force the words from behind those hideous foreign lips. She walked to the foot of the bed and looked at a chart. She quickly glanced back at a monitor, fixed to the wall. Her young forehead furrowed, and she hailed an older doctor. She returned to me, her senior in tow. â€Å"Hello there,† he barked, in a voice that wanted to be far friendlier than it was, â€Å"Can you hear me? † Again, words formed in my throat, I struggled with them, trying to remember how to get the sentence out. I made do with a laboured nod. The doctor looked at the nurse and muttered a blur of words. The nurse thought for a moment then replied in her wondrously soft tone. The doctor nodded sharply. Without warning he shone a vicious torch in my eyes. He swung the instrument left and right, his look of concern turned to one of pity. He looked again at the nurse, who smiled a stunningly beautiful smile at him, although I knew it was one of apprehension. I feel back into the sleep. April 23rd – St. George's day, the calendar on the wall proudly proclaimed. Quickly, I tried to sit up; I slid back, resting my spine against the padded lilac headboard. The room was alien to me; a glass-fronted cabinet in the corner displayed a few dusty relics, the remnants of an over loved life. The door slowly opened, a figure apprehensively poked a frail head through the opening. â€Å"Lie down Boy, you need your strength† â€Å"W-Who†¦ † I strained out. â€Å"Don't worry my boy, you're safe now† Her voice was soft, but not like the nurse's, it was soft with experience. â€Å"W-Who† I managed again. She answered by ambling to the bed, and placing a coarse hand on my brow. With that she left the room, closing the door harshly behind her. I dragged the floral covers off, onto the wooden floor, and managed to roll with it. I struggled to my feet, which felt numb on the hard, cold floor. I stumbled to the close, mauve wall, and followed it to the door. I reached for the black metal handle, and it took all my strength to jerk it down far enough for the door to swing open. The room I entered was much bigger than the bedroom. Full of tasteless furnishings, the lavender tinted room had a disgusting flowery scent. I could see the door at the other end, next to the large bay windows. If I could run I would easily make it. But as it was, I knew it was unlikely I would reach the exit in time. I braced myself, took a deep breath, and stumbled as fast as I could towards the light. Michael! † It did not even register that the frail old lady was referring to me; I knew it was directed at me, but Michael isn't my name, it seemed foreign to me. I kept heading for the door. Using whatever I could find to support me, the door was getting closer. I awkwardly stretched out my arm, and grabbed the brass knob. I shook the knob in everyway I could, until eventually it clicked open. It swung open and I worked down the cobbled path. As I started across the pavement I realised I was not only wearing no shoes, but was clad in ill-fitting, pale blue pyjamas. I continued staggering quickly down the road, I glanced over my shoulder, she wasn't following me. The terrace of houses gave way to a wide, green park. I lurched towards the grass and fell down to the warm earth. My eyes again fell closed, but this time I was stayed conscious. I dreamt of past times, faded images of long ago, of woeful agony, and beacons of hope. The sound of laughter woke me up. My obvious suffering had created a small audience, consisting of three schoolboys and a scraggy dog. One of the boys held a stick close to my face. I built up my strength, and in one swift action, I opened my eyes and thrust up my hand. The three boys and the dog went running away in the direction I had come from. Again, I struggled to my feet. I took a few minutes to get my bearings. â€Å"Michael! † I heard from afar. The lady had finally decided to search for me. Quickly, the idea came into my head, the bush was just there, and here search was not going to be a thorough one. I clambered into the leafy bush, and curled up into a ball. I waited, and eventually she came â€Å"Where are you Michael? † she demanded. She wandered past the bush, totally unaware that her quarry was so close. On she continued, with every glance I laid upon her, the more repulsive she appeared to me. From her yellow teeth, to her speckled, bowed legs, she was the picture of imperfection. When I was sure she was far enough from me, I left the bush, and returned up the pavement to the house I had so recently vacated. I knew it would hold some clues, I just need time to find them. The room was not as I remembered it. One of the two beige sofas was overturned, as if the dim-witted lady had looked for me under there. A set of shelves stood in the corner; I scanned every shelf, and eventually found what I was looking for. A wonderfully carved wooden box. For some reason I took the box back into the room that was made mine, I suppose I felt safer there. I sat on the bed and spread the contents of the box over the hideous bed spread. I rummaged through the collection of documents, many of which were faded by time, and looked at each of them, looking for clues. My attention was drawn to a very faded pink A4 sheet, at the top the crest of the county of Hampshire, and the words ‘Certificate of Birth'. The certificate was filled in with a neat, yet decorative scrawl. The certificate was made out on the 17th of July 1937, for one â€Å"Margaret Baker†. That must have been the women who's house I was currently trespassing. I looked around for another one, one that could explain a little about ‘Michael'. But there were no more. I hunted on, giving each one a fleeting glance, until I discovered a small, leather bound book. I opened it and quickly flicked through the dog-eared pages. As my eyes met with the address, my heart went cold. The book seemed to be laughing at me, mocking my discomfort, taking pleasure in my obvious pain. I ripped the yellowed page out, and threw the address book to the cold floor. For the second time I left the house, this time I broke into a run as I left the deep odour of cheap air freshener behind. I ran to the end of the road, gasping deep breaths of the still noon air. I took a left turn into Tanam Street, and glanced again at the folded leaf of paper, still in my hand. I scanned the houses, as I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the right one. I hobbled towards the black abode, the white of the original faux Tudor dicor trying to break through the thick back paint. Cautiously I opened the black door. The house was empty, judging by the dust, it had been for some days. I wondered round the house, there really wasn't much to see in it. Each room was sparsely filled with simple furnishings, and uninspired pieces of angst art. I opened one door that led into an equally simple bedroom. The only other door stood on the opposite wall. It creaked open slowly. I carefully walked down the wooden stairs into the darkness beyond. The cold air of the cellar penetrated my bones. I rubbed my hand along the breezeblocked wall searching for a light switch. As I got to the bottom my fingers found a cold, steel knob. I turned it the way it wanted to go. With a fizz, the room filled with the glow of the flickering bar light. The room was empty, apart from a desk in the far corner. There was nothing on the desk, and both of the drawers were locked. My eyes drifted up to the corkboard attached gruffly to the wall. Various black and white photos were pinned to it, and I pulled one off at random. My body froze. There I was. Lying on a steel bed, there I was. The familiar muscles, the face, the hair, the eyes, all mine. I let the picture fall to the ground. My eyes drifted from one picture to another, each one reminding of myself when I was free. The nostalgia turned to anger as I thought of who could of done this, and why they would want to. My darting eyes ended up on one picture. Whoever had done this to me, whoever had usurped my body, had set up a sign. It said simply â€Å"Marcus Thompson – 24 Payet Drive. † That was it. That was me. Memories came back to me in a flood, knocking me to the hard concrete floor. I got up of the floor and drifted back up the splintering wooden stairs, and wavered out of the house. Again I was feeling light headed, and my joints were again aching. I closed my eyes, yet I knew exactly where I was going, the memories of my lifelong home were ripe in my mind. I closed my eyes and continued walking. The memories in my mind guiding me back to myself. I can't remember how far I walked but when I opened my eyes it was dark. I found myself sitting on a bench next to a signpost. â€Å"Payet Drive† it announced proudly. I stood, still dazed, and began to make my way down the short road. Number 24 stood just I remembered it, another of the phoney Tudor houses that dominated the area. I made the quick walk to the font door; I tried the handle, to find it locked. I stood blankly for a moment. Without thinking I bent over and picked up a large rock next to the doormat. Underneath was a blue key. I slid it into its hole and slowly turned it, slowly as to make as little noise as possible when the bolt clicked open. I slid the door ajar, and entered quietly through the gap. There was no sign of anyone. Methodically, I searched the rooms of the house, each one bringing back another memory. I ended up upstairs, at the end of the landing. This was the last door; this was the door to my bedroom. As with all the rooms I searched, I carefully opened the panelled oak door, and entered, this time with more apprehension then before. For the third time that day, my body froze. Seeing yourself in third person is an unsettling experience. I lay silently asleep with my back against the blue wall, my feet hanging off the side of the cramped bed. Tears filled my eyes I gazed at the body on the, unaware that it, that I was being watched. That's when it hit me. It was him. All along I had assumed there was a third party involved, an insane individual, bent on swapping round the minds of two men. But, no man who has been through what I have could have slept so soundly. He did this too me. To us. The anger slowly built up inside me. The agitation and fear of the past days gave way to this new sensation of rage. I couldn't control the body; the prison in which I was enclosed seemed to move on its own accord, across the landing, down the stairs. I found myself in the kitchen. The knife lay, glinting, smiling softly at me. My hands slowly wrapped round the warm black handle. I struggled to lift the knife with my weakened arms. I crept silently with trepidation up the carpeted stairway. I nudged the door open. There I was, mouth hanging open, peaceful in ignorance. I rubbed my hand down my face, reminiscing of past times. I stepped back to look at myself for the final time. My body lay perfectly still, no longer breathing. The thin gash across the neck marked the end. I lifted up the cover, clambered onto the bed. My eyes closed, and I fell into a long peaceful sleep.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Writing to inform – Poverty

Poverty is the greatest problem facing the world today and through the annals of history. The fact that wealth is distributed so unevenly, many would say unfairly is a problem that has occurred for millennia. Whether it be the social stratification of ancient Egypt or that of today's world, poverty has always existed and some say, always will. Ever since there has been poverty, there have been those that have tried to help the poor. There may have been money given, or food offered, there has always been a struggle to combat poverty. However this has always seemed futile, the black hole of poverty in our world has never been closed, and it has never ended. Though, in these modern times, due to our social structure and awareness, there are fewer people suffering from absolute poverty than any other time in history. Every time we enter the town centre, we are surrounded by hordes of collectors, every penny we give leads to the reduction of poverty. Every time we flick on the TV, there are countless adverts telling us to donate. Every time we look in a magazine or newspaper, there are articles telling us of the world's ills. Never has there been such a mass awareness, leading to donations, from people all around the world, to people all around the world. You still may be wondering why I have chosen poverty as the world's greatest problem. It is because it is the Russian doll of the world's problems. The fact that poverty leads to crime, disease, famine, lack of education and pollution truly makes it the roots of the world's problems. Everything stems from poverty. The distillation of water is also a major problem. The fact that distillation is an expensive process, requiring many resources to use, leads to a poor quality of water in those countries that can't simply afford it. The water may carry diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which leads to the death of many people. This will most likely be infants and the elderly, as they are more susceptible to illnesses. There may also be a lack of food due to the poor quality of the soil as fertilisers may be too expensive. This in turn leads to crime; mothers and fathers may steal to feed their children. People will do anything to survive, even if it is against their basic morals. The fact that this leads to crime truly proves the â€Å"Russian doll† theory. Poverty has lead to a lack of food, which in turn has led to crime. The fact that poverty is an endless spiral leads it to its longevity in our world. A lack of education leads to poorly paid jobs. As prices rise due to a population increase, the poor are made even poorer. The fact that the human population increases due to the poor having many children to sustain their agricultural work, leads only to an increase in prices. Corporations know of supply and demand. There is always a greater demand if the population increases, and all they must do is increase their prices. Poverty has led to all these things, and these things lead to poverty. It is as if it is a bacterium. Constantly splitting, growing in number. However the modern era of donation maybe the virus that purges poverty from our world. Maybe one day, we will live in a world where wealth is distributed evenly. Where the larger corporations play â€Å"fair,† and the word â€Å"poor† never has to be used ever apart from in a history lesson. Maybe we can lead to that sort of world; maybe we can be the virus that destroys poverty. We maybe the generation which made poverty history.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Synthesis on Race and Ethnicity essays

Synthesis on Race and Ethnicity essays With the commencement of the millennium one might think that what is known as the melting pot of the world would interact more smoothly than what is portrayed in the media. We have long lived in a society that is segregated, not because it has gone unopposed, but because no one wants to take on the responsibility of breaking the "Berlin Wall" of segregation. We have, however, come a long way from the kind of segregation that was imparted in our country's fledgling stages, slavery being the number one offense of segregation. A quarter-century ago, race was part of everyday public discourse; today it haunts us quietly, though on occasion - the Rodney King beating or the Simpson trial or Eric McGinnis's death - it erupts with jarring urgency. At these moments of crisis, during these squalls, we flail about, trying to find moral ballast. By then it is usually too late. The lines are drawn. Accusations are hurled across the river like cannon fire. And the cease-fires, when they occur, are just that, cease-fires, temporary and fragile. Even the best of people have already chosen sides (Kotlowitz, 414) To have any race or sect serve another because they believe they are higher and mightier than the other is preposterous. By our own nature we, as a society, strive to dominate others and become the "King of the Hill". This is our major downfall, by doing this we injure our society and the bond that holds this country together. Why does this occur you might ask? That is a question to be answered only by anthropologists and sociologists; for students do not have the time or inclination to sort through behaviorisms and psychological mumbo jumbo. Many of our youth were taught to stay within their own ethnic groups. This mentality is what gave rise to the Klu Klux Klan, the Chinese prisoner camps of World War II, and the ethnically segregated neighborhoods of today. Some are taught to hate other ethnic groups, some have ...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Fredrick Expression of Allegiance to the Declaration of Independence Essay

Fredrick Expression of Allegiance to the Declaration of Independence - Essay Example He had been invited to speak concerning what the Fourth of July signifies for America's black community, and although the initial part of the speech congratulates what the founding fathers accomplished for America, in general, the speech slowly graduates into a condemnation of the American society and the slavery. This is because he related to slavery for he was once a slave before he escaped. His uncertainty towards the American public and the independence depicts his allegiance to the idea, although he thinks it bleak for the black community. Douglass begins his speech by addressing the president and the fellow citizens in attendance. It is noteworthy that Douglass counts himself a citizen, at par with the rest of the spectators in the audience. All through this oration, including his life, Douglass exponents equal justice and rights, as well as nationality, for blacks. He begins his speech by modestly excusing for being panicky in front of the audience and makes an acknowledgment that the journey to freedom was a long one considering his trifle along the way. He addresses the listeners for the gathering, which was the Fourth of July, nevertheless prompts them on the idea of the nation young, and is capable to transform in the coming years. By this, he implies the country is still on the road to the establishment of a great country. He actually believes the independence was gained, however not for the black population that is still in dire need of freedom. Douglass conceives the independence was a good advance by the founding fathers; nevertheless, they still have to extend the freedom clause in actions and treatment of the black population.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Mcdonald- chose one branch in london Coursework

Mcdonald- chose one branch in london - Coursework Example The huge advertisements and promotions of the fast food restaurants are the major factors that raised the fast food market. Through fast food people can gain many competitive advantages which are suitable for existing economic condition (Bagwell & Doff, 2009). The Following Table Shows the Ranking of McDonald’s with respect to Market Share in the UK Source: (Government of Canada Publications, 2011). In this context, the Oxford Street branch, situated in London of McDonald’s will be analysed for the study. Demand Factors of Fast food in London This segment describes the nature of fast food demand and relative factors that influence the demand of fast food products in London. The fast food market is monopoly in nature. The demand for fast food is not completely elastic. Any restaurant can increase the cost of fast food products without diminishing the demand to zero. There is a certain demand curve for each fast food restaurants. A restaurant can sell more products by min imizing their products cost or sell less by increasing the cost of the products. However, no restaurant can make excess profit because there are substitute products in other restaurants (Baker, 2001). 0 In the above graph, the demand curve of fast food products is D1 and it is downward sloping because as the price of fast food products increase, the quantity i.e. sales decreases. The shift in demand is shown as D2 curve when the demand for fast food products will increase. London’s Oxford Street is known as the most famous and developed area in the city. People who reside in Oxford Street are quite modern including those who have comparatively lower income than others. There and many professionals and students there who have busy lifestyles and many people even perform two jobs. Thus, they are busy in their jobs for considerable amount of time of a day. Thus, many households have limited time to prepare foods for day and/or night. Therefore, the people have less cooking tende ncy and is of the belief that eating fast food is comparatively better value for money. Table Showing Frequency of Consuming Food of People in the UK Source: (Bagwell & Doff, 2009). From the above table, it can be seen that young people of age group between 15–24 years prefer to eat in fast food restaurants. They are the largest portion of fast food customers. Men are most frequent customers of fast food restaurants compared to woman. There is inverse relationship with consuming fast food and age because as the age increases the preference of eating fast food decreases. The following chart shows the spending on fast food products in London in the year 2006. Chart Showing Spending on fast Food in London Source: (Bagwell & Doff, 2009). The above chart depicts that majority of customers spent minimum ?3 on fast food at Oxford Street branch. Young school students have a high demand for fast food. It has been found that young students spend average ?1.01 and 74 pence on fast food while going to school and coming back from school. In the year 2007, ?82 was spent per person for fast food. There are various reasons for high demand of fast food. The factors which influence the demand of fast food products are speed of delivery, taste, inexpensiveness and availability. Besides, there are other factors such as convenience, scarcity of time and comfort which drive