Why does English have so many words that have twins? Here's how we got to have two vocabularies, one based in Germanic roots, and one based in Latin. Produced for Mental Floss.
Obviously, lots of English words come from French, but did you know any of these which came from multi-word phrases?
English has borrowed a lot of words from French, but some words come from whole French phrases. Even if you speak French, you may have never noticed the connection.
HANG ON. I think I’m onto something. Firstly, this bit in the Visual Dictionary clarifies that the resemblance (which, as a Mediaevalist, I’d wondered about) of Kylo’s lightsaber to a Mediaeval crossguard sword was in fact deliberate:
“Kylo Ren’s unusual lightsaber is an ancient design, dating back thousands of years to the Great Scourge of Malachor. The crossguard blades, or quillons, are tributaries of the primary central blade, all spawning from a cracked kyber crystal that is the cause of their ragged, unstable appearance. An array of focusing crystal activators split the plasma stream into perpendicular blade energy channels creating the quillons. The emitter shrouds on the crossguard protect the bearer’s hand from the smaller blades.”
As you can see, this group of people (who, I think, have been confirmed as being Knights of Ren) have a rather strange assortment of old-fashioned-seeming weapons, which I wondered about before:
From this and some other screencaps you can see at least some kind of a battle-axe, some kind of a spear, and some mace-like blunt weapons. At first sight, their armour is also vaguely reminiscent of the Middle Ages.
Then it occurred to me exactly what Kylo’s costume has been reminding me of all along. It was a bit of a ’d’oh’ moment because it should have occurred to me sooner: I have actually studied them! The Hospitaller Knights, also known as the Knights of St John. An order of crusader fighting monks that was founded after the fall of the Templars. As the name implies, the Hospitallers originally also founded and took care of hospitals, though that business kind of fell by the wayside when they got more and more into the Holy War business.
Look them up on Google because there are many examples of the kind of costumes worn in different centuries and by different ranks: according to pictorial evidence, the black tabbards worn over armour came in different lengths, sometimes calf length surcoats, sometimes almost floor length, sometimes like a shorter tunic; sometimes layered; belted at the waist; and outside of the battlefield, they’d have worn a long, narrowish black monk’s habit with a black hooded cloak. Sound familiar?
Here’s an example of a longer surcoat from a shop that sells re-enactment gear:
The Hospitaller uniform was black with a white cross, though some of the lower-ranking soldiers had red uniforms, too. Templars and Teutonic Knights (other crusading orders) wore white uniforms with a red and black cross respectively, but otherwise similar in shape. The long, flowing tabbards worn over armour are definitely associated with the various orders of crusader knights, and the crossguard shape of the lightsaber brings the association home.
Here, Kylo seems to be wearing a combination of a longer surcoat and a shorter tabbard, both of them very Mediaeval in design:
Also, Kylo’s helmet is rather reminiscent of various 15th-century sallets in shape, though the front visor is more 13th century.
Basically, the Knights of Ren is starting to sound like a Mediaeval cosplay project gone horribly wrong.
Except that there’s more. Some Googling led me to connect Malachor to the Mandalorian Wars, which in turn connected to - surprise, surprise - crusaders in the Star Wars universe:
(Note that one of the sacred laws is the wearing of armour, which might mean that Kylo isn’t wearing his helmet only as a homage to Vader, but as a religious duty…)
Perhaps the Telegraph review’s description of Kylo as a ’radicalised Dark Side jihadi’ is surprisingly accurate. This heavy crusader symbolism here is starting to seem uncomfortably as though teenaged Ben got brainwashed into a religious cult that idealizes a Mediaeval-style concept of Holy War.
Great post. Another thing to point out about Malachor is its connection to the Jedi-turned-Sith Revan. The planet was essentially destroyed by a superweapon in the war, and marked Revan’s total defeat of the Mandalorians. Revan also went so far as to wear a Mandalorian Neo-Crusader mask during the campaign, its image being probably the most popular Star Wars villain look outside the movies. Despite being the enemy of the Mandalorians, Revan ended up being revered by them, especially after he killed their leader in single combat. As these things often happen, Revan ended up resembling the evil he worked so hard to defeat.
Kylo Ren’s obsession with Vader is clear, but thematically his crusade reminds me more of Revan’s fall to the Dark Side. Vader was more like a Nazi SS officer- a fascist enforcer. But Revan was a crusader, and a charismatic one at that. The Knights of Ren seem much closer to the “Revanchists” of the Mandalorian Wars, falling to the Dark Side because of their obsession with a crusade.
The design for Force Awakens is amazing in general, and I’m planning a pretty extensive post covering it in the near future!
In the first of the three annual CHRISTMAS LECTURES space doctor, Kevin Fong, explores and probes second by second what it takes to ‘Lift off’ into space. With Tim Peake, Britain's first astronaut on the International Space Station, only days into his 6 month mission, he helps Kevin answer what keeps astronauts safe and on track as they're propelled into orbit.
How do you control the energy of 300 tonnes of liquid fuel? What happens to your body if you don’t wear a spacesuit? And how do you catch up with a space station travelling at 17,500 mph to finally get inside?
With explosive live experiments, guest astronauts in the Theatre and planetary scientist, Monica Grady, direct from the launch pad in Kazakhstan, learn this and more as we recreate those thrilling minutes of ‘Lift off’.
Just a guy posting to reddit one of his favourite passages from LotR. Tolkien does have a way with words.
<!-- SC_OFF --><div class="md"><p>There's this passage in Book 1, Chapter 12, when the Hobbits and Strider meet Glorfindel:</p> <blockquote> <p>To Frodo it appeared that a white light was shining through the form and raiment of the rider, as if through a thin veil. Strider sprang from hiding and dashed down towards the Road, leaping with a cry through the heather; but even before he had moved or called, the rider had reined in his horse and halted, looking up towards the thicket where they stood. When he saw Strider, he dismounted and ran to meet him calling out: Ai na vedui Dúnadan! Mae govannen! His speech and clear ringing voice left no doubt in their hearts: the rider was of the Elven-folk. No others that dwelt in the wide world had voices so fair to hear. But there seemed to be a note of haste or fear in his call, and they saw that he was now speaking quickly and urgently to Strider. [continues...]</p> </blockquote> <p>Well, I'll try to explain with my poor English why I think this is one of the most epic scenes of the first book. Just to see if some others agree.</p> <p>The Hobbits have escaped various perils even before their arrive in Bree, but we know at that point that things are getting <strong>very</strong> serious, and they're just trying to reach Rivendell alive. Even with Aragorn, they aren't strong enough to face the Nine, so their survival is based on stealth and other Strider's skills. Every word we read before focuses on the danger to be discovered, the deadly perils they're exposed to, how they whisper, balance every word and path. Then, suddenly, Aragorn, with his quiet dignity and peaceful wisdom, <em>dashes down the road</em> and makes everything he can to claim attention and be heard. This is the moment when you realize that the visitor - already aware of their presence - is a friend, and <em>a powerful one</em>, who is going to take our heroes to a even higher level of epicness. His presence makes us forget all the things I said. No fear, no need to hide. This is because Glorfindel could <em>chase</em> the Ringwraiths and make them flee, not the opposite, as we learn from his account. Here you start to figure out the power of the Firstborn and what their presence means for Middle Earth. When I read this for the first time, a shiver crossed my back, and I understood that I was really about to read a life-changing story.</p> </div><!-- SC_ON --> submitted byRoccobottotolkienfans[link][58 comments]
A good fun summary of our current scientific ideas about the existence of aliens.
From waifish, big-headed sweethearts to all manner of grotesque murderous monsters… we’ve got a wild imagination when it comes to aliens. But what will they really be like, if indeed they exist at all?
When teaching in the UK you're expected to always give the children a clear 'Learning Objective'. I'm sure that's valuable a lot of the time, but it can also be stifling. Sometimes what you're learning to do isn't just one specific thing, and reading for pleasure is one of those situations.
In my encounters with teachers I have sometimes come across teachers who've told me that either school management or Ofsted have said things which indicated that it was a waste of time to let children do silent reading in school time and/or to do open-ended story-telling or poetry reading if there are no questions for the children to do. Some of this, they told me, was to do with making 'learning objectives' and 'learning outcomes' explicit.
Anyway, I put out some feelers this morning to see if anyone could or would confirm my encounters.
What you read below came from teachers.
Just to be clear:
1. I am not knocking teachers. Teachers have to do what they're told to do. If they don't, they risk getting the sack, or not getting a bonus.
2. I am not saying that what you read below is going on in all schools. I don't know how widespread or how exceptional it is. I have no idea.
3. I am not saying that many schools are not doing precisely the opposite; and believe in giving children time to do 'free reading' or 'silent reading' or 'choosing books' or 'listening to stories and poems' galore.
4. I am not going to write out here and now why I think this kind of free reading is important. I'm going to guess that most people reading this know that, and anyway, I've written about it many times elsewhere, including on this blog.
5. If you would like to contribute your version of the quotes below coming from your experience, please let me know. You can write to my email. It's on the top right hand corner of my website.
Teacher:
"Many of the children had little or no access to books at home. Silent reading (so, having scheduled time to just sit quietly and read) was removed from the timetable because "there is nothing to assess" and "you can't show progress".
I was asked to teach a Year 5 literacy unit on Michael Morpurgo's War Horse, but there were no copies of the book available. I queried this and the Head said, "Use the DVD. Nobody reads books any more. They just wait for the film to come out"."
Teacher:
"Was told explicitly not to simply 'let them read' because 'what are they learning?'"
Teacher:
" I was told by my head that I shouldn't do story time in my year 1 class when ofsted was there the next day. That day, they had observed my colleague in the other year 1 class and couldn't see the 'learning' during story time. Ridiculous!
Since then, I've worked more in junior settings. We were told the same about silent reading and had to chop it from the curriculum. It appears that unless children have a learning objective (and can explain why they're doing what they're doing and how to be successful at it) that we are seen as not doing our jobs correctly. "
Teacher:
"Silent reading and other chances to read are going on but it’s almost a clandestine affair. As teachers, we know and understand the value of reading but it’s almost like we feel guilty doing it. As you say there are no specific learning objectives for reading. If a teacher is being observed there is NO WAY they would let the kids read as the teacher would be unable to ‘show progress in learning’ which would automatically give that teacher an needs improvement/inadequate teaching observation result, which then has a knock-on effect to any pay progression that teacher might get."
Teacher (re told not to do silent reading):
"I've also been told this. They said it was because I couldn't be sure they were actually reading & not day-dreaming!
During guided read, 1 group a day had a 'read for pleasure' activity. Teachers provided a lovely box of comics, football programmes, recipe books, catalogues, anything to grab their interest. The children loved it when it was their turn. When our school got an academy 'principal' I was observed and told I needed to give the children a focus, something like 'choose a non-fiction book and write 5 facts'. Yet more writing, and it certainly got rid of the 'pleasure' bit....æ
If you're interested in Star Wars, John Williams, or film scores in general.
Episode 83 - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Soundcast returns to a galaxy far, far away! Author Doug Adams (The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films), Kristen Romanelli (Managing Editor of Film Music Magazine Online) and Eric Woods (Host of Cinematic Sound Radio) joins Marius, Edmund and Christopher for an in-depth discussion about John Williams' most recent score for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. They discuss their reactions to the film, the music as a stand-alone listen as well as in context. They also dive into the new themes Williams introduces and his reprisals of classic themes and moments (some very surprising). Lastly, they share what their favorite musical moments from the score and film are.
Episode Highlights
00:44 — Welcome and Intros 07:40 — How we watched the film 16:10 — Movie reaction (non-spoilers) 44:04 — Music reaction (Spoilers) 68:42 — The Major Themes (Spoilers) 115:11 — Our favorite musical moments (Spoilers) 135:32 — Final Thoughts/ Burning Homestead (Spoilers)
Music Selections
00:00 — "Scherzo for X-Wings" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 15:43 — "I Can Fly Anything" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 43:45 — "Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 69:00 — "Rey's Theme" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 75:22 — "The Falcon" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 80:20 — "Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 82:58 — "Snoke" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 85:27 — "Palpatine's Teachings" (Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith) by John Williams 89:01 — "Main Title/ Attack on the Jakku Village" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 99:05 — "March of the Resistance" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 100:51 — "The Shark Cage Fugue" (Jaws) by John Williams 102:26 — "The Jedi Steps and Finale" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 106:14 — "The Hologram/ Binary Sunset" (Star Wars: A New Hope) by John Williams 115:24 — "The Ways of the Force" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 116:03 — "The Starkiller" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 117:08 — "The Falcon" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 120:49 — "Han and Leia" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 126:47 — "Rey's Theme" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 127:45 — "Snoke" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 128:18 — "Main Title/ Attack on the Jakku Village" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams 135:46 — "Burning Homestead" (Star Wars: A New Hope) by John Williams 140:46 — "The Jedi Steps and Finale" (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by John Williams
I'm fascinated by the idea that base-10 has no fundamental justification. It feels like it must! Would a smart alien race, or will future humans, count in base 12 and think it sad that we don't?
2016 is the beginning of a new century - if you count in twelves. If you do that then the year 2016 becomes the year 1200.
Counting in twelves is known as the dozenal system, and a "century" in dozenal is 144 years, better referred to as a biquennium.
To those who point out a new century, or biquennium, doesn't start till 1201; this was deliberately not included in the video because I think a lot of people already know that. Yet it is the rollover of the digits that is commonly referred to as the turn of a century and there is no better phrase for that.
I remember the dreadful bores who said the same thing about the millennium not starting till 2001. I would not want to be one of those people.
JAN 04: number of people making the comment about 1201: twenty-three. (Approximately 4%).
For more information about dozenal visit dozenal.org
![[RT] Instruments of Destruction, a Star Wars (original trilogy) fanfic](https://a.thumbs.redditmedia.com/2M47K_GSwO2ZImTC5rhhEejJvvEV2fQaLCu5QMhW-c4.jpg "[RT] Instruments of Destruction, a Star Wars (original trilogy) fanfic")
