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Introduction to English Phonetics : Chapter First: The Organs of Speech

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The Organs of Speech and Its Three Systems  The organs of the human body that we use for speaking are together called organs of speech. But speech is the secondary function of these organs and their primary functions are breathing, chewing, eating, smelling and tasting. The organs of speech and their speech function can be described under the three systems: the respiratory system, the phonatory system and the articulatory system.  The Articulatory System/ Articulatory Phonetics:  When we speak, we produce sounds. But not all sounds are the same. When we  speak , the chest muscles produce an air flow. This air flow goes through an area we call the larynx. There are muscles in the larynx that modify this air flow. Then, this air flow goes through the vocal tract , which ends at the mouth and nostrils and we listen to speech sounds. This is how the air which comes from lungs escapes into the atmosphere.  But why are the sounds produced diffe...
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Toasted English by R. K. Narayan

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 उताऱ्याचा मराठीत अनुवाद  टोस्टेड इंग्लिश – आर. के. नारायण अमेरिकन रेस्टॉरंटमध्ये ते ज्याला ‘टोस्टेड इंग्लिश’ म्हणतात, तो खरं तर इंग्लंडमधील इंग्लिश मफिनचाच एक प्रकार असतो. पण अमेरिकेत बनवला असल्यामुळे ते आता त्याला फक्त ‘इंग्लिश’ या नावाने ठेवतात—म्हणजेच मूळ देशाला सन्मान देण्यासाठी. हाच प्रकार त्यांच्या भाषेबद्दलही लागू पडतो. अमेरिकन लोकांनी इंग्लंडकडून इंग्रजी घेतले, पण त्याला अमेरिकन भूमीवर फुलू दिले; त्यामुळे तयार झालेली भाषा ही ब्रिटिश इंग्रजीपेक्षा थोडी वेगळी झाली आहे. तिला आपण टोस्टिंगच्या प्रक्रियेतून गेलेली म्हणू शकतो. या टोस्टिंगमुळे एक लक्षवेधी परिणाम असा झाला की इंग्रजी भाषेभोवतीचा जडसर औपचारिकपणा अमेरिकेत बऱ्याच प्रमाणात गळून पडला. अमेरिकेत, त्यांनी भाषेला पॅसिव्ह व्हॉईसच्या जाचातून मुक्त केले आहे. जिथे आपण फार औपचारिकपणे ‘Trespassing prohibited’ (प्रवेशास मनाई) असं लिहितो, तिथे बर्कलीच्या उद्यानांमध्ये मी पाहिलं की फलकावर फक्त ‘Newly planted, don’t walk’ (नवीन लागवड केली आहे, चालू नये) असं लिहिलेलं असतं. ‘Absolutely No Parking’ (बिलकूल पार्किंग मनाई) यामध्येही क...
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Of Friendship by Francis Bacon

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Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561, in London, and died on April 9, 1626, also in London. He was a lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and a great writer of English. From 1618 to 1621, he served as the lord chancellor of England. People remember him for many things: his short essays full of practical wisdom, his strong speeches in Parliament and famous trials, and his service under King James I. He believed that all knowledge belonged to human beings and urged new ways of studying nature so that people could improve their lives. Important questions with 75-word answers each on Bacon’s essay Of Friendship, Q1. What is Bacon’s main idea in Of Friendship?   Francis Bacon says friendship is very important in human life. A true friend gives comfort when we are sad. A friend also makes our happiness greater when we are joyful. A good friend guides us with wise and helpful advice. Friendship removes loneliness and makes life meaningful. Bacon says wealth, power, and success cannot mat...
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Environment Studies

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              Environmental studies              B. A. Semester II Notes  इथे "पर्यावरण अध्ययन" या विषयाच्या युनिट 1 वर आधारित 10 बहुपर्यायी प्रश्न (MCQs) मराठीत दिले आहेत, उत्तरांसह: 1. पर्यावरण म्हणजे काय? A) फक्त निसर्ग B) फक्त मानवनिर्मित गोष्टी C) निसर्ग आणि मानवनिर्मित गोष्टींचा एकत्रित समूह D) वायूचं मिश्रण उत्तर: C 2. खालीलपैकी कोणते पर्यावरणाचे घटक नाहीत? A) वनस्पती B) प्राणी C) संगणक D) पाणी उत्तर: C 3. परिसंस्था म्हणजे काय? A) एक जंगल B) मानव तयार केलेली रचना C) सजीव व निर्जीव घटकांचा परस्पर संबंध असलेली यंत्रणा D) केवळ प्राणी उत्तर: C 4. खालीलपैकी कोणती नैसर्गिक परिसंस्था आहे? A) शाळा B) तलाव C) रस्ता D) कारखाना उत्तर: B 5. मानवनिर्मित परिसंस्था कोणती? A) जंगल B) समुद्र C) शेती D) डोंगर उत्तर: C 6. हवामान बदलाचे एक मुख्य कारण कोणते आहे? A) पावसाचा अभाव B) झाडे लावणे C) हरितगृह वायूंमध्ये वाढ D) पाण्याची बचत उत्तर: C 7. हवामान बदलाचा एक परिणाम कोणत...
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Mending Wall by Robert Frost

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Mending Wall by Robert Frost  Summary & Analysis 1:   Introduction: “Mending Wall” is a poem by the American poet Robert Frost. It was published in 1914, as the first entry in Frost’s second book of poems, North of Boston. The poem is set in rural New England, where Frost lived at the time—and takes its impetus from the rhythms and rituals of life there. The poem describes how the speaker and a neighbor meet to rebuild a stone wall between their properties—a ritual repeated every spring. This ritual raises some important questions over the course of the poem, as the speaker considers the purpose of borders between people and the value of human work. Summary: There is some force that doesn’t like walls. It causes the frozen ground to swell underneath a wall, and the wall's upper stones then topple off in the warmth of the sun. This creates gaps in the wall so big that two people could walk through them side-by-side. And then there are the hunters who take apart the wall—t...
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Simple Explanation of Ulysses

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Q. Critically appreciate the poem Ulysses?  *Ulysses* Ulysses is unhappy with his life as king of Ithaca. He feels trapped on the rocky island. He thinks his people are stupid and uncivilized. They only care about wealth, sleep, and food. Ulysses wants to travel the world again. He wants to explore new places and meet new people. He wants to feel alive. He remembers his past adventures with joy. He enjoyed every moment, even the hard times. Ulysses is famous for his travels. He has seen many places and learned about different cultures. He was honored and respected wherever he went. He also enjoyed fighting in battles alongside his fellow soldiers. Ulysses feels that his experiences have changed him. He has learned and grown from every encounter. But he is not satisfied. He wants to see more of the world. He wants to explore new regions and discover new things. Ulysses thinks it is boring to stay in one place. He compares himself to a sword that is not being used. He fee...
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Unit 4 Figures of Speech

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Unit 4  Figures of Speech  1. Simile English Explanation: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." It helps create vivid imagery and makes descriptions more relatable. Similes are often used in poetry and literature to express emotions or clarify meanings. For example, "Her eyes were as bright as stars" compares the brightness of her eyes to stars, making the description more lively. Similes make writing more colorful and easier to understand. Example: He is as brave as a lion. Marathi Explanation: सिमिली ही अलंकारिक भाषाशैली आहे जी दोन वेगळ्या गोष्टींची तुलना "सारखी" किंवा "प्रमाणे" या शब्दांचा वापर करून करते. ही शैली वर्णन अधिक प्रभावी बनवते आणि भावना स्पष्ट करण्यास मदत करते. उदाहरणार्थ, "तिचे डोळे तारकांसारखे चमकत होते" हे वर्णन तिच्या डोळ्यांचे तेज तारकांच्या तेजाशी तुलना करून अधिक सुंदर बनवते. सिमिली लेखन अधिक रंगीबेरंगी आणि सोपे बनवते. उदाहरण: तो सिंह...
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