What: Webcast Informe Cultural is presentation consisting of an audio recording and pictures. The goal of the project was for students to demonstrate an ability to use simple sentences in Spanish in order to effectively communicate cultural practices, perspectives, and products. I conducted a lot of research to complete this project, and was able to learn about the culture of Chile. For instance, Chile is the longest countries in the world, with a diverse climate to include, desert highlands, Andes Mountains, tropical rain forests, and few regions with arable farm land. Most of the population is Catholic and Spanish speaking; however, there are a few native religion and languages. Chileans prefer direct communication styles, but favor trust and relationships over tangible benefits. These are just some of the points I was able to gather from my research.

So What: This assignment demonstrates competence in learning outcome #2 because it requires students to show knowledge of professional practices and perspectives in Spanish speaking countries. Aside from researching the culture of Chile, I was able to showcase my skills as a Spanish writer and speaker. Deciding which verb form to use, and how to conjugate is often time consuming because Spanish has so much more variation than the English language. In writing this script, I was able to refine my skills as a Spanish writer. Also, it took many tries to get the recording just right. When speaking for 3-5 minutes, it is inevitable that you will make a couple mistakes. IT was my goal to be grammatically correct across the board. Therefore, I had to put in the extra time to get it done.

Now What: In order to improve from my current level, I would have to spend more time analyzing the culture. This could take the form of reading Chilean newspapers and articles. Or even watching Chilean TV shows. However, the best way for me to learn the culture of another country, would to actually visit it myself. In fact, this summer I will be going to Peru for Army Summer Training. While the majority of the time will be devoted to military training, I will get a chance to see what the country has to offer. I am excited to go on this trip as I have never left the country before.

Webcast Script:

Introducción: En la presentación, yo voy a hablar del país de Chile. Chile está en Latín América. Chile hizo declaración independencia en 1818 por el imperio España. Porque de este, la cultura era influencia mucho para la cultura de España. Chile tiene un populación aproxima de 17,000,000. Español es el idioma de oficial. Hay tres tópicos: Perspectivo de Cultura, Producticos, y Prácticas.

Perspectivo de Cultura: En Chile, la familia es muy importante. La gente tiene dos apellidos. Un apellido es de madre y otra es de padre. Nepotismo es un concepto positivo. Muchas agencias pequeños son operar de familias solo. La religión practicaba la mayoría es católica. Católica ensenaba en las escuelas. La mayoría leyes y fiestas son influencia de religión. Por ejemplo, aborto es ilegal, divorcia fui hacer legal en 2004, y mucho personas celebran se un día de santo y cumpleaños. Es no importante ser puntual. Tiempo es no la moneda.

Prácticas: Los hombres se estrechan los manos cuando ellos se encuentran. Eventos de sociales son muy formales. Siempre usa títulos de oficial o señora y señor. Nombres de primeros son usar cuando conoce la persona bien. Usa los saludos de buenos días, buenas tardes, y buenas noches. Siempre usa utensilios. Espera la host para hace el salud. Las tarjetas de presentaciones son intercambiar a la empezar. Tiene las tarjetas de presentaciones en la condición buena.

Producticos: Lleva los regalos cuando invita para la casa. No da rosas amarrillos porque lo representa desprecio. Los regalos son abrir cuando reciba. Las tarjetas de presentaciones son muy importante para Chileans. Trabajadores necesito viste muy formal. Tu apariencia es muy importante.

Hotel Reservations:

IPA 1 Part C:

Five Cards Trick: Not Available

 

5/1/18

VMI

Dear Reader:

I can forecast language barriers, translate administrative forms, and use basic Spanish in speaking and writing. The following assignments demonstrate what I can do in Spanish: Webcast Script, IPA I conversation, 5 Tricks card game, and the Hotel Reservation.

In the webcast script I demonstrated that I can use simple sentences to inform others on the culture of Chile. I gave facts about the products, perspectives and practices in Chile. For instance, I mentioned how Chile is very formal and they use appropriate titles when addressing others. Additionally, their society is largely influenced by the Catholic church. Armed with this knowledge, I would be able to interact with Chileans without infringing on any social norms.

In the IPA I conversation I demonstrated that I can sell an airplane ticket in Spanish. My partner needed to buy a ticket to Miami, so I asked him questions about where he was going, how many tickets, when he needed to arrive and return, which type of seat he wanted and more. As an airline agent, I asked questions that pertained to buying an airline ticket using the appropriate verb form, and even summarized his purchase. After this experience, I would be able to use my knowledge of vocab, sentence structure and verb conjugation to effectively purchase an airplane ticket. This should be helpful this summer as I plan to travel to Peru.

In the 5 Tricks card game I demonstrated that I forecast cultural barriers. Unbeknownst to the players, each group was given different instructions on how to play the card game. The trick was we could not communicate whatsoever. After rotating groups, it was obvious we were playing by different rules. I learned the importance of communication and that foreigners need to know the native language at a basic level in order to communicate effectively.

In the Hotel Reservation I demonstrated that I can translate an administrative form, and answer the questions. I used cognates and context clues to identify the meaning of unknown words. After this assignment, I am confident I can complete basic forms in Spanish.

Sincerely,

Charles Palandati

Commisceo Global. “Chile Guide.” Commisceo Global, www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/chile-guide.

“Chilean War of Independence.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Mar. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_War_of_Independence.

“Doing Business in Chile.” South America CL Guide, www.southamerica.cl/Chile/Business.htm.

 

What: In IPA 1 Part A we watched an ad for Aeromexico Airlines. After watching the ad 3 times, we were tasked with answering several questions. For instance, identifying the main idea, guessing the meaning of words from the context of the ad, identifying supporting details within the ad, making inferences, and reflecting on the cultural practices and perspectives.

Here of some of my responses. I concluded that the main idea was to advertise Aeromexico airlines to new flyers by demonstrating trust through showing nuns play soccer and that God is with them. For supporting details, I said that the ad was probably aired before a world cu championship because the nuns were playing soccer, and the announcer mentioned futbol at the end of the ad. I inferred that one of the taglines meant “with the best in the world, and in the air”.

So What: This activity demonstrates competence at a mid level of learning outcome #3, i.e. my ability to perform Spanish. I scored meets expectations (strong) for most of my responses. This is important because IPA’s focus on what you can do with Spanish, rather than what you know. Anyone can memorize vocab; however, not everyone can comprehend the meaning of a commercial or written text. Even though my understanding of Spanish is still at the mid level, I demonstrated that I have some understanding of the language and even the culture of Mexico.

Now What: In order to move to the next level of competence, you must practice comprehending Spanish documents. Whether that means watching commercials or reading articles in Spanish, either way it will help broaden your ability to understand the meaning of things in Spanish.

What: The Five Tricks Card Tournament was an exercise we completed at the beginning of the semester. We were divided into groups of four, and given an instruction sheet along with a deck of cards. The instructions were similar to the game of spades. Each person laid down a card, and the highest card of the first suit played won the hand, unless the suit of spades was played. At that point, whoever had the highest spade won the hand. At the end of the round, the person who had the most cards won the game and would rotate to the next group. However, the trick was that each group played the high card of a different suit. Additionally, no verbal or nonverbal communication was permitted. This required everyone to know the rules, and simply take the hand if they thought they won.

The game ran smoothly the first round because everyone in the group of four was playing by the same rules. However, the game became much more difficult to play when we rotated because the new player who came to our group was playing by different rules. Rather than the spades being the suit that beat out all other hands, the new player had the diamonds being the suit that beat out all other hands.

So What: My group’s initial reaction to the new player was to laugh at how he was playing. also, it didn’t take me long to realize he was playing by different rules. Nonetheless, we could not communicate so it was nearly impossible to tell him, in any way, the rules we were playing by. So, my group just allowed him to take the cards he thought he won. At that point, there was no meaning to the game because anybody could win the hand regardless of who had the highest card.

This exercise demonstrates competence with Learning Outcome #1 because students were able to understand cultural products and perspectives, i.e. understanding that language barriers drastically inhibit communication, and that it is important to know some of the native language and culture in the country you are visiting or it will be impossible to communicate. Also it demonstrates that playing cards is a popular hobby in Spanish speaking countries.

Now What: In order to move to the next level of competence with cultural products and perspectives of Spanish speaking countries you must study the language (vocab, sentence structure, common phrases, dialect within a specific country, common verbs) as well as the culture (in regards to time, food, family, values, attitudes, gestures and more). Doing so will ensure that you don’t mistakenly offend the natives, and make it so you can communicate basic ideas, such as, what you need or want, or even how to play a card game.

Reflective Research Paper-sy17d0

Help Received:

Works cited

Writing center

Charles Palandati

What  would you change about your original definition on rhetoric, and why?

After spending much time discussing the works of the sophists and ancient Greek philosophers, my definition of rhetoric warrants some revision. In my post at the beginning of the year, I stated how there is no agreed upon definition of rhetoric, rather, there are some essential elements to be considered. Some key discussions we brought up in class was concerned with whether or not rhetoric required knowledge, whether it was purely eloquent use of words to persuade or was it a technical means to persuade, and whether anyone could use it or were only a certain few born with the ability to use rhetoric.

Knowing what I know now, I lean more towards Aristotle in his views on rhetoric. Rhetoric is a means to persuade, and there are techniques available to anyone. Furthermore, rhetoric requires studying those techniques in order to speak or write extemporaneously. While yes, some people seem to be better speakers naturally, that does not mean it is only allowed to be used by few people. Plato’s argument toward the sophists that they use rhetoric not for truth is a moral issue not one concerning rhetoric. Although it would require rhetoric to convince someone of which morals to value. That is because rhetoric is simply the means to persuade an audience.

My definition before did not considered the specific views of each philosopher or sophist. I did not have the background knowledge to accurately state my own opinion on rhetoric. That is why I changed from “agreed upon points”, to a more specific approach that endorses Aristotle’s view on rhetoric.

Help Received:

None

Charles Palandati

 

Help Received: Readings

Charles Palandati

What is the role of rhetoric in your discipline?

Introduction: I am a U.S. Army contracted Cadet. Even though I am majoring in Economics and Business, I am more concerned with being prepared to commission and serving my country well. However, there is a unique phenomenon that I have began to notice while taking the many liberal arts classes I am required to take. Whether it is history, English, foreign language, business, or psychology, each discipline overlaps another, but for the most part, they operate within their own sphere of influence, use their own jargon, and have their own experts. In regards to military Leadership, while yes, all the disciplines I have listed are important aspects to consider in military operations, they in themselves do not represent the specific sphere of influence, jargon or experts in the discipline of military leadership. The unique thing about the United States military is that it is one of the least democratic institutions in the United States. This is because the discipline of military science relies (pun intended) on discipline. The military operates in a very deadly sphere of influence, which requires well exercised command and control; but at a more basic level, it requires obedience. A unit’s success is not measured individually, but as a team. In fact, the military is structured as teams within a team. Fire teams make up squads, squads make up platoons, platoons make up company’s and so forth. No matter how big or small the unit is, there must be a willingness to execute and accomplish the mission by each and every soldier, sailor, airman or marine. Leader’s must cultivate this willingness and ensure their subordinates are able to carry out the mission.

 

Thesis: In regards to Military Leadership, rhetoric plays the role of commanding subordinates to accomplish the mission by providing a clear and concise task, purpose and desired end state.