Using the Spanish Verb Pedir

Using the Spanish Verb Pedir The verb pedir is used to refer to the making of requests and is typically translated as to ask for or to request. It should not be confused with preguntar, which usually means to ask a question. Translating Pedir Keep in mind that if using pedir to mean to ask for, you shouldnt translate the for separately, as its meaning is already included in the verb. If youre a beginner at learning Spanish, it may help you to think of pedir as meaning to request, because the sentence structure you use with that English translation may more closely mimic the Spanish sentence structure. For example: Mis hijas me pidieron que les escribiera un libro. Both  My daughters asked me to write a book for them, and  My daughters requested that I write them a book are good translations. The two English sentences have the same meaning, but the second one is worded more similarly to the Spanish. Here are some examples of pedir in action: El gobierno pidià ³ la ayuda para los damnificados por el huracn. (The government asked for help for the hurricane victims.) ¿Es malo si mi enamorada me pide dinero para resolver sus problemas? (Is it bad if my sweetheart is asking me for money in order to solve her problems?)No pidas eso. (Dont ask for that.)No pido el dinero para mà ­. (Im not asking for the money for myself.)Pidieron un coche y salieron de prisa. (They asked for a car and left in a hurry.) ¿Quà © pides para tu cumpleaà ±os? (What are you asking for for your birthday?) Note that pedir que is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood: Te pido que me escuches. (Im asking you to listen to me.)Pediremos que se reconozca el resultado de la eleccià ³n. (We will ask that the outcome of the election be recognized.)Nunca he pedido que me manden estos libros. (I have never asked them to send me these books.) Although to request or to ask for nearly always works as a translation, in some contexts it is sometimes better translated with a different verb. For example, pedir  can sometimes have a stronger meaning than ask: Un tercio de los votantes pidieron un cambio radical. (A third of the voters called for a radical change.)Mi jefe con rabia pudo haber borrado los archivos. (My boss angrily demanded to have the files be erased.) Pedir can also be used to refer to the ordering of merchandise or services: Me pongo muy triste cuando quiero pedir pizza y no tengo dinero. (I get very sad when I want to order pizza and I dont have any money.)Lo pidieron tarde por internet y no llegà ³ a tiempo. (They ordered it late online and it didnt arrive on time.) Phrases Using Pedir Here are some common phrases using pedir: pedir un deseo: to make a wish.  ¿Quà © pasa con las monedas que tiramos en las fuentes cuando pedimos un deseo? (What happens with the coins we throw in fountains when we make a wish?pedir la mano de:  to ask for someones hand in marriage. Le pedà ­ la mano de mi esposa en la estacià ³n del tren. (I asked for my wifes hand in marriage at the train station.)pedir justicia:  to seek justice, to demand justice. Los manifestantes piden justicia para el hombre que murià ³. (The demonstrators are demanding justice for the man who died.)pedir la Luna:  to ask for the moon, to ask for something impossible. Nuestros clientes no piden la Luna. Simplemente quieren disfrutar de un servicio rpido. (Our customers arent asking for the moon. They simply want to enjoy quick service.)pedir perdà ³n:  To ask for forgiveness, to apologize. Me pide perdà ³n por haberme hecho tanto daà ±o. (She apologized for having caused me so much harm.)pedir permiso:  to ask for permission. Nunca l e hemos pedido permiso a nadie. (We have never asked for permission from anybody.) Conjugation of Pedir Keep in mind that pedir is conjugated irregularly, following the pattern of vestir. When the -e- of the stem is stressed, it becomes an -i-. For example, here is the conjugation of the present-tense indicative mood: yo pido (I request), tà º pides (you request), usted/à ©l/ella pide (you/he/she request), nosotros/as pedimos (we request), vosotros/as pedà ­s (you request), ustedes/ellos/ellas piden (you/they request).

Definition and Examples of Linguistic Competence

Definition and Examples of Linguistic Competence The term linguistic competence refers to the unconscious knowledge of grammar that allows a speaker to use and understand a language. Also known as grammatical competence or I-language.  Contrast with linguistic performance. As used by Noam Chomsky and other linguists, linguistic competence is not an evaluative term. Rather, it refers to the innate linguistic knowledge that allows a person to match sounds and meanings. In  Aspects of the Theory of Syntax  (1965), Chomsky wrote, We thus make a fundamental distinction between competence  (the speaker-hearers knowledge of his language) and performance  (the actual use of language in concrete situations). Examples and Observations Linguistic competence constitutes knowledge of language, but that knowledge is tacit, implicit. This means that people do not have conscious access to the principles and rules that govern the combination of sounds, words, and sentences; however, they do recognize when those rules and principles have been violated. . . . For example, when a person judges that the sentence John said that Jane helped himself is ungrammatical, it is because the person has tacit knowledge of the grammatical principle that reflexive pronouns must refer to an NP in the same clause. (Eva M. Fernandez and Helen Smith Cairns, Fundamentals of Psycholinguistics. Wiley-Blackwell, 2011) Linguistic Competence and Linguistic Performance In [Noam] Chomskys theory, our linguistic competence is our unconscious knowledge of languages and is similar in some ways to [Ferdinand de] Saussures concept of langue, the organizing principles of a language. What we actually produce as utterances is similar to Saussures parole, and is called linguistic performance. The difference between linguistic competence and linguistic performance can be illustrated by slips of the tongue, such as noble tons of soil for noble sons of toil. Uttering such a slip doesnt mean that we dont know English but rather that weve simply made a mistake because we were tired, distracted, or whatever. Such errors also arent evidence that you are (assuming you are a native speaker) a poor English speaker or that you dont know English as well as someone else does. It means that linguistic performance is different from linguistic competence. When we say that someone is a better speaker than someone else (Martin Luther King, Jr., for example, was a terrific ora tor, much better than you might be), these judgements tell us about performance, not competence. Native speakers of a language, whether they are famous public speakers or not, dont know the language any better than any other speaker in terms of linguistic competence. (Kristin Denham and Anne Lobeck, Linguistics for Everyone. Wadsworth, 2010) Two language users may have the same program for carrying out specific tasks of production and recognition, but differ in their ability to apply it because of exogenous differences (such as short-term memory capacity). The two are accordingly equally language-competent but not necessarily equally adept at making use of their competence. The linguistic competence of a human being should accordingly be identified with that individuals internalized program for production and recognition. While many linguists would identify the study of this program with the study of performance rather than competence, it should be clear that this identification is mistaken since we have deliberately abstracted away from any consideration of what happens when a language user actually attempts to put the program to use. A major goal of the psychology of language is to construct a viable hypothesis as to the structure of this program . . .. (Michael B. Kac, Grammars and Grammaticality. John Benjamins, 1992)

Reflecting on Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflecting on Identity - Essay Example Throughout my life, I have conducted considerable self-investigation into my gender and have come to embrace many elements of feminist philosophy. Ultimately, then I recognize that being a feminist is an essential element of my identity. Today, feminism has become a highly complex term; women’s rights and equality movements, however, have been in existence since at least the late 19th century. Still, feminism did not emerge until the mid-20th century as a formal movement and philosophy (Stansell, p. 20). I recognize that many different versions of feminism have emerged since that period and there are conflicting perspectives within the feminist movement. These perspectives, however, greatly inform the way that society perceives feminists. In this way, feminists are oftentimes perceived as potentially overbearing or men haters, while other people simply view them as politically active. My personal vision of feminism is the belief that women should have equal rights throughout s ociety. In this way, feminist ideas have greatly come to form my identity. I believe that there is a degree of inequality in many instances that occurred throughout the world. This is not to say that just because one is a woman their life is necessarily more difficult than other people but, rather, women may not have equal access and equitable treatment to all the opportunities in life they fairly should. In this way, I believe that because of male physical strength society evolved in a way where women assumed less dominant roles. With the advancement of technology women’s roles remained subservient, while the need for physical advantage in society decreased. What exists then is a gap between the rights women should be afforded. Within this gap, I believe, is a fundamental recognition of my identity. I have experienced some conflicts because of my identity as a feminist. I believe that both men and women should be judged on their competency as a person and that they should be given equal voices in decision making. In many instances, however, I have recognized that males are given a greater voice than females because they exhibit more aggressive or intimidating behavior. In these situations, reflecting on feminist doctrine has allowed me to recognize that it is not right for males to take advantage of these situations. Subsequently, I have felt more empowered to speak-up and ensure that I am given treatment based on my competency and work ethic rather than on my gender. Through speaking up, I have come to personally resolve the conflict I am facing regarding such empowerment issues. I further recognize that in these situations my identity as a feminist is highlighted. I further recognize that feminism reflects my identity, as well as the way society reflects upon me. In this way, my attention is drawn to the feminist notion of objectification. For feminists, objectification occurs in the media wherein women are depicted as objects rather than situated as people deserving of equal treatment. At the heart of the conflict, I believe, is not so much that I have been objectified by the media, but that I recognize that the media’s depiction of females is not always fair and equitable. I recognize that I must self-reflexively consider my position in the world despite what the media depicts. For instance, the media may be more active in depicting males in leadership positions or positions of competency. In this way, a stereotype is established that

Technology In Education Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Technology In Education - Research Paper Example From the discussion it is clear that  students are growing up with ideas of how to play educational games and also how to connect with the world beyond the classroom through popular social media sites. In the process of learning and reading, students are taught concepts like online privacy. Consequently, technology impacts on education at its foundation. Therefore, when the children get older, their time spent on computers significantly increases. To this end, they spend a great amount of time socializing with friends and online gaming.This paper stresses that learners are already skilled in using social media, therefore, the education system is trying to make education curriculum interesting by incorporating the social media savvy demographic. Consequently, some tutors are suggesting a controversial approach in which the school     curriculum adopts social media programs which will create relevancy for education to learners.  Educators communicate directly with leaders in th eir field and are able to compare educational techniques and curriculum through social media. Moreover, they use social sites to engage in innovative concepts as well as blogs to inform each other on new ideas globally. Teachers and professors are able to spread out a conversation to social media sites to create a global audience. To this end, it is evident that the impact of social media in education is creating an educational revolution.

Middle East Crisis Essay -- essays research papers

The Middle East Violence in the Middle East must be stopped for the good of humankind. Fighting in recent days has been hazardous and fatal. There are many things that can be done to prevent this violence. A permanent cease-fire must be in effect, the international community should get involved and land claims must be worked out. These three things are necessary in order to resolve this situation. A permanent cease-fire would be very important. If a permanent cease-fire was in effect, the death tolls will be dramatically lowered. The first step in the cease-fire process would be to unite both the Israelis and the Palestinians in an international peace conference. This conference would make both countries realize that the violence that is occurring is serious and horrible. The Palestinians must cease their protests. These protests in the recent days have been turned into bloody battles because of the â€Å"rock throwers†. The rock throwers cause the Israelis to return fire. In the worst case, this violence could turn into a mass murder. The violence might become so violent, that there would be many unnecessary deaths and a potential genocide, which has happened in other countries such as Yugoslavia with this similar situation. This is not the only thing that has to take place in order for the peace process to proceed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The international community should be involved in the peace process. The United Nations condemns this violence and should ...

Explore the theme of loneliness in Mice and men Essay

Explore the theme of loneliness in Mice and men, how does Steinbeck show the loneliness of an itinerant lifestyle through three particular characters. Many of the characters in mice and men are lonely and this motivates them to look for an alternative way of life. This is one of the reasons why they are drifters. They are continually searching often without knowing what they are really looking for. Characters are also lonely because of something within themselves. Different characters seek comfort in different things, for Candy this is his dog, for George and Lenny it’s each other â€Å"I want you to stay with me Lenny†, for Crooks it’s his pride and skill at pitching horseshoes. These small comforts are the only things that keep these men going. They have no family to feed so the only real motivation they have to work is to keep themselves alive. Right from the beginning of the book Steinbeck emphasizes the loneliness of George and Lenny by putting just two men in such a big and empty space â€Å"On one side of the river the golden foot-hill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains†. Steinbeck uses lexical choice like Strong and rocky to make the description more cinematographic so that you can actually see these two small mean compared to their mountainous surroundings. These two men have travelled together for all of their lives. They were friends as children but now George has had to take a more parental role over Lenny. â€Å"You know damn well what Lenny, now hand over that mouse.† The use of the word damn makes George sound much more authoritative. Lenny being mentally disabled is probably a lot less lonely in his mind compared to the other characters in the novel as his brain seems to be more child like and he is easily occupied â€Å"I’d just love to pet those rabbits George†. The main goal in Lenny’s life is to have his own rabbits. In a way this would be his way of becoming less lonely as he could be an authority figure over them rather than everyone else telling him what to do. George is Lenny’s best friend and mentor. He is the closest thing to family that Lenny has got from what we can tell in the book and although he gets angry sometimes and talks about how he could do so much better without Lenny, â€Å"When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts, I never get no peace.†, he knows deep down that without Lenny he wouldn’t be the same â€Å"No – look ! I was jus foolin, Lenny cause I want you to stay with me.† When Lenny threatens George that he will actually leave George realises the loneliness that they would both face if Lenny carried out the threat and told Lenny to stay. Crooks is the stable-buck on the ranch. Although most of the men are lonely none of them are outcasts. This is an advantage which Crooks doesn’t carry. He is a Negro and in the 1930’s racial discrimination was an every day practise â€Å"where the hell is that god damned nigger?† Writing about coloured people in this context in those days wasn’t a problem and people wouldn’t think twice about using words such as â€Å"nigger† or â€Å"Negro† to a black persons face. Crooks has no friends, he just sits in his own little room in the stables â€Å"and he had books too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905.† Reading these books has made Crooks intelligent and being so bitter this intelligence makes him manipulative at times. For example he teases Lenny about George not returning from town â€Å"S’pose George don’t come back no more, S’pose he just took a powder and just ain’t coming back.† He knows that Lenny is easily fooled and teasing him is a way of gaining a higher social status as he has someone to ridicule. Crooks has no woman in his life and the book doesn’t mention that he ever has. The only time Crooks isn’t lonely is when the men play the horseshoe tossing game. Crooks in this unique social activity is aloud to take part and forget that he is a social pariah â€Å"Outside came the clang of horse-shoes on the playing peg as Crooks scored top points† In conclusion one of the novels main themes is loneliness. There isn’t one character in the whole story who doesn’t feel lonely. All the men move to a ranch and just as they make good friends it becomes time to move in to the next ranch and start again. For Crooks he will most likely stay in the same place for all his working life living alone until such time he becomes useless and then he will be thrown out into a world that has no place for him. By the end of the novel the only two people who escape this life long loneliness seem to be Lenny and Curlies wife.

America Is The Land Of The Free - 2667 Words

Chelsey Turnbull English composition America is the land of the free; it’s ironic that America also by far has more incarcerated citizens than any other country in the world. America is at war. We have been fighting drug abuse for almost a century. In 1972 president Nixon declared a war on drugs. Unfortunately, we are not winning this war. Drug users are still filling up our jails and prisons, now more than ever. The drug war causes violent crime and criminal activity due to prohibition, not the drugs themselves. Children in all of this are left neglected or without parents. The only beneficiaries of this war are organized crime members and drug dealers. The United States has focused its efforts on the criminalization of drug use. The government has spent billions of dollars in efforts to rid the supply of drugs. Even with all this money and effort of law enforcement it has not decreased the demand or supply of illegal drugs. Not only being highly costly, drug law enforcement has been counterproductive . Current drug laws need to be reviewed and changed. The United States needs to shift spending from law enforcement and penalization to education, treatment, and prevention. The war on drugs has caused many problems in the United States, family problems, financial problems and has increased crime, after forty years in this war it’s time for a change. In terms of age, 58 percent of children with incarcerated parents are under ten years of age with 8 being theShow MoreRelatedAmerica Is The Land Of The Free Essay1403 Words   |  6 Pagesthat remained. A petrified twelve-year-old me once asked my mother why we were moving to America and to that question she replied â€Å"America is the land of the free; the land of opportunities†. America did feel like an embodiment of her statement my first few years here but as time passed I began to see some clear differences in how society viewed me. I wondered, if this really was the so called â€Å"land of the free†, why are minorities incarcerated at a higher rate? And why are there such significant socioeconomicRead MoreIs America Truly the Land of the Free?1423 Words   |  6 Pages America has been talked about as the land of freedom, opportunity and a promise of better life for everyone. But has it always been all of that? the people who came to America in search of better living circumstances, did they find what they were looking for, or were they disappointed, forgotten and overlooked left to take care of themselves how they could. People who migrated over from Europe, came in large numbers once word of prosperity and better life reached their countries seeking better lifeRead MoreAmerica, The Land Of The Free And The Home1372 Words   |  6 PagesAmerica, the land of the free and the home of the brave. 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The relationship between the nation and its citizens help accomplish a pleasant environment whereRead MoreA Brave New World : America Land Of The Free And Home1323 Words   |  6 Pages A brave new world America land of the free and home of the brave or at least that’s what we’re raised to think. The suppression of civil liberties has lingered amongst us since the birth of this nation. To resolve this problem, the federal government is known to introduce legislation in order to balance equality in society. Since companies are bound to the law of the land, they must comply with all rules and regulations but often, largely successful companies will go above and beyond meeting theRead MoreAmerica: â€Å"The land of the free and the home of the brave.† When I first moved to America from India800 Words   |  4 Pages America: â€Å"The land of the free and the home of the brave.† When I first moved to America from India in elementary school, I heard countless exciting stories. The most important thing I was told was that America is the land to start over, a land full of equal opportunities, and a land of happiness. While growing older however, I started to un derstand that not everyone is comfortable with foreigners. When I was eight years old, I learned that there will always be people who will not agree with whoRead MoreAnalysis Of Langston Hughes s The Crucible 872 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica today, is looked at to be the most â€Å"free† country’s to live in. To many people in today’s society, they see America as a great place to live and that you can accomplish or get anything that the person wants. However, there are some key points that Langston Hughes shows in his two poems that can show a reader how America being perfectly â€Å"free† is not the case. Langston Hughes makes three key points in Open Letter to The South and Let America Be America Again, which are America’s equality,