There are too many difficulties in writing in my university classes, especially in class of EG1471. If I address on all the difficulties I’ve ever met, the 300 to 400 words limit would be obviously not enough. Here, I want to share my thought regarding to the difficulties in English writing, which, from my point of view, is the essential of all the other difficulties I’ve encountered.
English is my second language and mandarin is my mother tongue, which suggests that mandarin is my default thinking language. Having been through a lot of trial and errors, I attribute my difficulties in academic writing to the incomplete process of switching default language, which, in my case, is from Chinese to English. And I try to distinguish the process into three stages.
Stage One: Mother Tongue is the default language
In this stage, we can automatically think deeply, often concern and comment on governmental decisions, international situation and some other social issues. The practical way of express the same idea is translation, with the help of dictionaries and online interpretation service. Ideas generated in this way are insightful, and can represent the maturity and thinking ability of a student. However, the translated expression may not be accepted or fully understood by native English speakers.
Stage Two: No Default Language
Trying to think and write directly in English while the default thinking style is still following the Chinese way. — It’s a necessary process in which no language is dominating; every non-English educated student would face this stage when writing in English. Limited by the vocabulary, thoughts generated in this stage would be less insightful and the phrases used tend to be less advanced. Writings in this period seem to be more like a primary student trying to present serious social issue with primary-level vocabulary. This is the most difficult stage to get through that thinking ability compromises with limited language skills, which is the stage I am now in.
Stage Three:
The default language transformation is complete. Tough time in struggling between Chinese and English is forever gone. Once the process is finished, we are able to generate ideas in English as we were using Chinese in stage one. This allows us to be thoughtful and more importantly, allows us to accurately express our thoughts as if we were using our mother tongue. Though, the way of achieving this process is even tougher.
Now I’m struggling in the second stage, which means, I can think neither totally in Chinese nor in English. Sometimes, when I’m tittering in thinking and writing out a sentence without the assistance of Chinese, it always turned out that my sentence structure follows the Chinese structure, which is frustrating. Consequently, my mind gets blanked when generating ideas in university classes.
For me, try to immerge in the English society as soon as possible is the most efficient way. For instance, enlarge the vocabulary; study the logical thinking modes of native English speakers etc. I'm trying towards that.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Reflection on my top three Grammar Mistakes
The top three grammar mistakes that bother me most are Subject and verb agreement, wrong word and improper use of passive voice. Though I know that these mistakes are my demises, I could not help making such mistakes again and again. It’s my first time to systematically analyze my grammar mistakes and hope this can help me avoid making those errors again. At least, hope they won’t appear in this journal.
Subject and verb Agreement
This is the most commonly encountered during my writing process. The most obvious example is the title of my writing assignment draft two. In my writing assignment, the title is written as “Is Hybrid Electric Vehicles the perfect solution of mitigating global warming?” However, it is “are” that was supposed to be at the beginning, as the subject is “HEVs”. The SVA mistake could have been avoided if only I pay more attention to clarifying the real subject, which, though is difficult for me, I will try my best to keep an eye on it.
Wrong word
The WW mistake is common among students who are not from English speaking countries. Many people may have the same experience with me that when we are generating ideas to write something complex, we usually use the most convenient or the most familiar language to think and write, and then translate it to English. Finding words with the same meaning is not tough work. However, choosing a proper one from piles of candidates is nerve-racking. I still remember when I was writing an essay about detective, I made a huge mistake and was laughed at for a long time. In Chinese, the meaning of detective and detector are similar, both mean investigating. In my essay, the sentence is” Sherlock Holmes is a detector”. Actually, detective refers to a person while detector refers to a machine! Thus, in my essay, Mr. Holmes became a machine. This reminds me to check the context of words first and try to select a more proper one.
Improper use of passive voice
In order not to always start a sentence with “I”, “they” or avoid monotonous subjects, we need to use passive voice to give some variety. In my case, passive voice means
negative marks. I know it’s good for me to use them but I often forget the relationship between object and subject and the result is a wrong or confusing sentence. For instance, in my writing assignment two, there is a sentence that “With the voice of developing a harmonic and sustainable society, environment related issues become the focal point to be take care of.” Here, I got the active and passive role upside down and the correct form should be “to be taken care of”. Writing down the subject and object may be the easiest way to avoid such mistakes.
Grammar mistakes are unquenchable but if we pay more attention on details, those mistakes can be reduced to a relatively low level. That’s what I’ve retained from my bloody experience.
Subject and verb Agreement
This is the most commonly encountered during my writing process. The most obvious example is the title of my writing assignment draft two. In my writing assignment, the title is written as “Is Hybrid Electric Vehicles the perfect solution of mitigating global warming?” However, it is “are” that was supposed to be at the beginning, as the subject is “HEVs”. The SVA mistake could have been avoided if only I pay more attention to clarifying the real subject, which, though is difficult for me, I will try my best to keep an eye on it.
Wrong word
The WW mistake is common among students who are not from English speaking countries. Many people may have the same experience with me that when we are generating ideas to write something complex, we usually use the most convenient or the most familiar language to think and write, and then translate it to English. Finding words with the same meaning is not tough work. However, choosing a proper one from piles of candidates is nerve-racking. I still remember when I was writing an essay about detective, I made a huge mistake and was laughed at for a long time. In Chinese, the meaning of detective and detector are similar, both mean investigating. In my essay, the sentence is” Sherlock Holmes is a detector”. Actually, detective refers to a person while detector refers to a machine! Thus, in my essay, Mr. Holmes became a machine. This reminds me to check the context of words first and try to select a more proper one.
Improper use of passive voice
In order not to always start a sentence with “I”, “they” or avoid monotonous subjects, we need to use passive voice to give some variety. In my case, passive voice means
negative marks. I know it’s good for me to use them but I often forget the relationship between object and subject and the result is a wrong or confusing sentence. For instance, in my writing assignment two, there is a sentence that “With the voice of developing a harmonic and sustainable society, environment related issues become the focal point to be take care of.” Here, I got the active and passive role upside down and the correct form should be “to be taken care of”. Writing down the subject and object may be the easiest way to avoid such mistakes.
Grammar mistakes are unquenchable but if we pay more attention on details, those mistakes can be reduced to a relatively low level. That’s what I’ve retained from my bloody experience.
Monday, March 16, 2009
# 5 Roundtable Discussion
Group 4 discussed around the issue that if using hybrid electric vehicles feasible for the mitigation of global warming. The supporting side presented their views that using hybrid electric vehicles is capable of mitigating global warming in a long term of period because hybrid electric vehicles is powered by two energy systems and the battery is charged by regenerative energy. It consume less gasoline compared with conventional cars, thus, making it possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save money, as well. The opposing side rebutted that for the fact that HEVs are not zero emissions, in order to mitigate global warming, only when HEV be adopted by a large population will it start to be of some effect on the mitigation. However, some disadvantages of HEVs make it difficult to be widely used. Due to the wealth disparity, the high initial cost blocks the poor outside the world of HEVs; charged by regenerative energy blocks freeway driver out, for there is much less braking chance when driving in the high way. In a nutshell, HEV is not a car that for everyone, therefore, it’s difficult to achieve the goal of mitigating global warming by using hybrid electric vehicles.
Group 3 debated on the topic that whether the brain scan technology should be regulated. The supporting side revealed their concern on the possible violation of individual privacy that will be caused by the lack of regulation for such technology. Apart from that, since the technology enables people to read minds, without regulation, it may be applied into immoral use. The opposing side argued that it will also be of problem if it is regulated by the government or other organizations. What’s more, as such technology is still under development, it is actually impossible to regulate. To turn it up, it is an ethic issue.
Group 2’s discussion was mainly focused on should Singapore support and promote green chemistry. In considering the factors like manpower, technology and economic resources, the supporting side stated green chemistry should be promoted in Singapore for Singapore has sufficient financial resources and research facilities to do this. While, the opposing side disagreed that as Singapore is small and not in the leading class in the world, he suggest that there is no need for Singapore to do the innovation and just need to borrow mature and successful experience from other countries.
Group 1’s topic was the most interesting one. They argued around the stem cell researches and applications. The supporting side believed that stem cell research will benefit patients who are in need of organ transplantation. The current condition is that it is often very difficult to find a suitable organ for a patient, with such technology, it will be possible to cultivate specific organs for certain patients and save more lives. However, the other side debated on the immoral use of this technology. The opposing side thought we cannot be so selfish to cultivate an embryo, a life and kill it for another life. There is no difference with murder.
Group 3 debated on the topic that whether the brain scan technology should be regulated. The supporting side revealed their concern on the possible violation of individual privacy that will be caused by the lack of regulation for such technology. Apart from that, since the technology enables people to read minds, without regulation, it may be applied into immoral use. The opposing side argued that it will also be of problem if it is regulated by the government or other organizations. What’s more, as such technology is still under development, it is actually impossible to regulate. To turn it up, it is an ethic issue.
Group 2’s discussion was mainly focused on should Singapore support and promote green chemistry. In considering the factors like manpower, technology and economic resources, the supporting side stated green chemistry should be promoted in Singapore for Singapore has sufficient financial resources and research facilities to do this. While, the opposing side disagreed that as Singapore is small and not in the leading class in the world, he suggest that there is no need for Singapore to do the innovation and just need to borrow mature and successful experience from other countries.
Group 1’s topic was the most interesting one. They argued around the stem cell researches and applications. The supporting side believed that stem cell research will benefit patients who are in need of organ transplantation. The current condition is that it is often very difficult to find a suitable organ for a patient, with such technology, it will be possible to cultivate specific organs for certain patients and save more lives. However, the other side debated on the immoral use of this technology. The opposing side thought we cannot be so selfish to cultivate an embryo, a life and kill it for another life. There is no difference with murder.
# 4 Summary of Articles
===============================================================
First Article:
Haresh Khemani (15th Sep, 2008) ,Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Cars.
Retrieved: 2nd Mar.2009, from
http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical/articles/4304.aspx
This article focuses on the disadvantages and advantages of Hybrid cars. In the first part of this article, as the fuel price increases, the author suggests using the hybrid cars because of its many advantages. Powered by two trains, the hybrid cars are more economy of fuel. Hybrid cars not only consume less fuel than conventional cars but also use regenerative energy to charge batteries. Apart from that, burning less fuel means less carbon dioxide emission, which is environmental friendly and contributes to global warming mitigation. What’s more, tough not for all models, some hybrid cars are entitled to exempt from taxes. Last, using hybrid cars will greatly decline the demands for nonrenewable energy sources. In the second part, she gives out the disadvantages of hybrid cars. By listing the price of hybrid cars, she points out that due to the high manufacturing cost; the initial cost of hybrid cars is so high that many people cannot afford it. Another disadvantage is people worry about whether the life of battery is as long as the car itself. On top of that, hybrid cars are not environmental friendly as most people expected because the manufacturing process do produce pollutions. Last, as a 12V battery is involved in the hybrid cars, people concerns that when collision happens the wires may be a source of danger.
===============================================================
Second Article:
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Retrieved: 2nd Mar, 2009 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_car#Hybrid_Premium_and_Cost_Parity
I read only the first part of this long article, which is the definition and brief introduction of hybrid electric vehicles. HEV is composed of a conventional combustion engine and an additional electricity storage system to achieve a better performance in fuel saving. In HEVs, batteries are charged from the heat of braking the car. First introduced by Honda and Toyota in the last few years of 1990s, hybrid cars are now viewed as the future trend of car development.
===============================================================
Sunday, February 8, 2009
#3 Summary of lecture on 30th Jan
The lecture on 30th Jan which was conducted by three lecturers was thought provoking. The three guest speakers presented their expertise on three different yet related topics. All topics talked were related to climate change. Summaries of their insightful speech will be provided in the following paragraphs, as well as my personal reflection regarding to these topics, based on my understanding.
The first speaker was Prof. Palmer, a Fellow of the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Civil Engineers, and also a Chartered Engineer. He talked about the problem of climate change and raised some possible solutions accordingly; for example, concentrate on the fuel efficiency; switch to alternative energy sources; try to mitigate effects; adapt to change of climate and capture and store carbon dioxide. The last approach aforementioned was the one he discussed most. His second half lecture was concentrating around the merits and defects of this method. To avoid the water be acidized due to the capture and storage of CO2, an innovative idea like store CO2 in a ”sausage” was provided. Finally, he ends his lecture with a call-on to reduce carbon dioxide by saying “everyone, all the countries, all the politicians has to be convinced”.
The second speaker was Dr. Sovacool, from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. His lecture was systematic and mainly focused on using STS (Science & Technology Studies) to address energy and technology problems. The speech consisted of three parts: a quick introduction to STS; case studies, one was on renewable power and the other was on electric vehicles; conclusion. As what he had mentioned, STS mainly looks at contingency, social and political ordering, invisibility and failures. He said, technology can succeed technically, but fail socially. In case studies, he talked about the barriers and obstacles in both cases. His lecture ends up with a conclusion of STS as methods provide a useful lens to evaluate new technologies.
The last speaker, A/P Bala, was from the Division of Environmental Science & Engineering. Professor Bala was mainly focusing on the climate change assessment and mitigation. Prof. Bala introduced some common problems and difficulties faced by the whole world and called for international cooperation. Meanwhile, some measures were provided to mitigate climate change, for instance, for individuals, increasing energy efficiency, relying more on renewable energy resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions are all possible and efficient methods, and for governments, taxing greenhouse gas emission, subsidizing energy efficient enterprises and cooperating internationally can be applied.
The first speaker was Prof. Palmer, a Fellow of the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Civil Engineers, and also a Chartered Engineer. He talked about the problem of climate change and raised some possible solutions accordingly; for example, concentrate on the fuel efficiency; switch to alternative energy sources; try to mitigate effects; adapt to change of climate and capture and store carbon dioxide. The last approach aforementioned was the one he discussed most. His second half lecture was concentrating around the merits and defects of this method. To avoid the water be acidized due to the capture and storage of CO2, an innovative idea like store CO2 in a ”sausage” was provided. Finally, he ends his lecture with a call-on to reduce carbon dioxide by saying “everyone, all the countries, all the politicians has to be convinced”.
The second speaker was Dr. Sovacool, from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. His lecture was systematic and mainly focused on using STS (Science & Technology Studies) to address energy and technology problems. The speech consisted of three parts: a quick introduction to STS; case studies, one was on renewable power and the other was on electric vehicles; conclusion. As what he had mentioned, STS mainly looks at contingency, social and political ordering, invisibility and failures. He said, technology can succeed technically, but fail socially. In case studies, he talked about the barriers and obstacles in both cases. His lecture ends up with a conclusion of STS as methods provide a useful lens to evaluate new technologies.
The last speaker, A/P Bala, was from the Division of Environmental Science & Engineering. Professor Bala was mainly focusing on the climate change assessment and mitigation. Prof. Bala introduced some common problems and difficulties faced by the whole world and called for international cooperation. Meanwhile, some measures were provided to mitigate climate change, for instance, for individuals, increasing energy efficiency, relying more on renewable energy resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions are all possible and efficient methods, and for governments, taxing greenhouse gas emission, subsidizing energy efficient enterprises and cooperating internationally can be applied.
Monday, February 2, 2009
#1 The Expanding world of Engineer
Stated by Prof. Ramakrishna, the roles engineers playing have greatly changed, from “the people who build high-rise buildings, underground tunnels and shopping malls” to now thought of as “the people who design and manufacture electronic goods…and also medical devices and hospital equipments” (The Expanding world of engineers, Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna). In his opinion, attribute to the advent o-f service-oriented economy, “the traditional scope of engineers has been broadened considerably to encompass the service sector”
For modern engineers, the reason why they are so highly sought after is that they are systematically trained to “not ‘fear’ of technology but embraces and thrives on it”(The Expanding world of engineers, Prof. Seeram Ramakrishna). Pointed out by Prof. Ramakrishna, the curriculum design and pedagogical approach train the students to be engineers with systematic and critical thinking mind. In NUS, series of enhancement programs are delicately designed for its future engineers, like industry attachment, internship, and innovation program. Students are expected to participate in these programs and devote themselves to dynamic modules, grab knowledge to deepen and broaden their horizons. Thus, make it possible to cultivate engineers with aforementioned features.
Being equipped with those qualities, the way engineers solve complex problems is to view it from a holistic standard, find out the inner relationships and modularize it. Thus, cut complex problems into small and simple problems. Engineers also work in groups to maximize their working efficiency and accuracy. The tertiary education of engineers trained them to solve practical problems instead of purely solve equations from textbooks. I can still remember that in our programming module CS1101C, we engineering students are often asked to implement a small program to solve certain real life problems or design some mini games, not purely practice syntax.
To sum up, engineering tertiary education equips its students with the ability to solve complex problems by applying systematic approach. Which makes engineers one of the most promising career in current society.
#2 An inconvinient Truth
An in convenient truth is probably one of the most successful documentary movies in recent years. It greatly grabs people’s attention on the issue of global warming, so do I. Now, it seems that everyone one is working hard on the solid target: making the world more beautiful and trying to get our planet out of the threat of global warming. However，some countries spotted out that China should be responsible for a major part of global warming due to its large population. The in convenient truth is: China, my country, is also acting. Chinese government takes measures mainly from the two aspects: save energy and reduce the emission of CO2.
One of the two main methods is to save energy. By closing up considerable small thermal power plants and extensively apply the energy-efficient large thermal power generating units; China has received a remarkable result. The central government signed Responsibility with more 30 local governments aiming at closing 50 million kilowatts of small thermal power plants during 2007 to 2010. In addition, the central government promises to give priority support to those companies that perform distinctively in responding to the policy of energy saving, which I mentioned just now.
The other policy is reducing the emission of CO2 by decreasing the power consumption. Pointed out by the Eleventh Five-Year Planning, from 2006 to 2010, unit GDP energy consumption should be reduced to 80% and the emission of main pollutants should be lowered to 90%. The 20% reduction has become the solid target for Chinese government and all Chinese people. Also, some highly pollutional enterprises have been forced to close in the area of electric power system, iron and steel smelting, aluminum electrolyzing, nonferrous metal smelting and paper making.
To summarize, China is taking her responsibility to fight for the well-being of our living environment by applying policies like saving energies and lower the CO2 emission. In “An inconvenient truth”, the US and other countries have done a lot in environment protection and greenhouse gas reduction. Here, China is also acting.
reference website(Chinese):
http://www.china.com.cn/book/zhuanti/qkjc/txt/2008-02/27/content_10939026.htm
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