ISSN 1338-6182

The Student Magazine of the Department of British and American Studies

Volume 7, Issue 1 June 2016

THE RISE OF POLITICAL

EXTREMISIM IN EUROPE
INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR PEPRNIK

PROFESSORS AND MOVIES

LANGUAGE QUOTES
KING HENRY VIII
 EDITORS
NOTE
1. LINGUAMARKET
p. 4-5 6. PROFESSORS AND MOVIES
Summer is Here
TEXT: Denisa Majtsov
p. 26-27

Dear students, colleagues and enthusiasts of

the English language and culture, the semester
has passed so quickly and the summer is 2. THE RISE OF
already here. POLITICAL EXTREMISM
IN EUROPE
Time to ease the mind and refresh our energy
p. 6-9
before we start to work on our future again.
Naturally, everybody of us has different
interests now: some people like to relax and
others prefer spending their time more actively.
However, our team hopes you will find the 3. INTERVIEW WITH
magazine interesting even in these lazy, hot PROFESSOR PEPRNIK
days. And remember, if you want to publish p. 10-19
your own content and earn some credits at the 7. FILM QUIZ p. 28-29
same time, you are also welcome to join us
next year.
Have a nice summer!
8. SUZY, THE
DRAGONSLAYER (poem)
EDITORIAL TEAM p. 30-31

MONIKA HARMADYOV EDITORS

MARTINA TOMAOVIOV
MAXIM DULEBA 9. ONE DAY SUMMER
MICHAELA POLEKOV DECIDED (story)
TEREZA MICHALKOV p. 32-35
MONIKA BENAOV
BETA BRANDTETEROV
DENISA MAJTSOV GRAPHIC DESIGN 4. ROGER MCGOUGH
DENISA MAJTSOV COPY EDITOR - A TRICKER YOU CAN TRUST
p. 20-23 10. INTERESTING FACTS
COVER PHOTO BY MARTIN KOLENI
ABOUT HENRY VIII
CONTENT PHOTOS: WIKIPEDIA, PERSPECTIVES
FREE PHOTOBANKS AND WALLPAPERS p. 36-37

5. LANGUAGE QUOTES
Perspectives is an online student magazine published twice a year. p. 24-25
www.perspectivesmagazine.sk
ISSN 1338-6182 11. HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE
PUBLISHER WORLD OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES?
KATEDRA ANGLISTIKY A AMERIKANISTIKY p. 38
FILOZOFICK FAKULTA
UNIVERZITA KOMENSKHO
GONDOVA 2
12. A TALK WITH FOREIGN
814 99 BRATISLAVA
STUDENTS
p. 39-48
CONTACT
E-mail: [email protected]

2 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 3

 EVENTS EVENTS

AUTHOR: Martina Tomaoviov

Linguamarket 2016
Just like in the previous year, on 16 March CVs were brought to the fair and many leaflets Linguamarket, so I wasnt really sure about gave us promotional leaflets and we even got a
2016 our faculty hosted the Linguamarket and other promotional objects were handed what to expect. I maybe expected it to be a bit chance to participate in a little contest. Overall,
job fair for students of translation and out. larger, but I realize that the room can only hold it offered me an overview of my options after I
interpretation studies and language teaching a limited number of stalls. The atmosphere was finish my studies, and even some options I could
at our faculty. The fair is a great opportunity We asked a participating student pleasant, we stopped by all the stalls and at each take advantage of during my studies. There were
for the students of the faculty to explore about their experience at Linguamarket: of them, the representatives eagerly explained some companies that I hadnt previously heard
theoretical possibilities of their future It was the first time that I actually attended in detail what kinds of jobs theyre offering. They of,soitwascertainlyveryusefulanditbroadened
employment as well as find a student job my horizons for sure.
that they could handle while still studying
We would certainly like to recommend this
at university. They could find out more
event to you in case you are still lost when it
about translation agencies, language schools
comes to your career path. You can get a really
and multinational corporations residing in
good taste of the real world, enquire as much
Bratislava and discuss the career opportunities
as you need about your possibilities and options
there directly with representatives of the
and widen the network of your acquaintances.
given company. The door is open for any
Were hoping to see you at Linguamarket next
company that feel like they would make use of
year!
a translation and interpretation or a teaching
graduate. Students also had a chance to attend
presentations of different companies. Many

Photos Luk Slovk

4 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 5
 EVENTS EVENTS

The rise of political extremism in Europe

AUTHOR: Martina Tomaoviov
Extremism is such a wide subject that we can really
Can the issue be tackled at all? greater than the similarities? As much as this outcome
only guess as to where its coming from and why we have seems too absurd for the 21st century, we need to make this
been seeing more of it lately. While reading about this bubble of ours burst and get serious. Europe is currently
topic I came across a few articles explaining the current in a very fragile state, and its unity might be rotting from
growing tendency towards extremism in Europe and I am the inside.
merely offering you an account of what Ive discovered.
I am by no means a political analyst or an expert in Extremist tendencies are growing in several European
the matter, and thats why Im choosing to let the more countries. The Irish Times report that the rise of political
knowledgeable speak. extremism evident in opinion polls across Europe for
some months has manifested itself in the European
First of all, we must elections. The situation
define what we mean in France may be one of

Is Europe
by extremism in this the most striking ones Extremism in the
or that form it has been its almost unbelievable
returning to present ever since the how a party with such widest sense of
the political humanity can remember. an explicitly racist and the word keeps
extremism of
However, I would prefer xenophobic agenda as appearing in
we focus on the more the National Front is
the 1930s? Is modern, elaborate form able to gain 25 percent society in certain
economic failure of extremism the way of the citizens votes. The cycles, the last
and widening
it appears ever so subtly political party has been one being the rise
in the current western around since 1972, but its
inequality leading societies. That in itself role in French politics was of the political
to the collapse excludes religious but marginal. However, extremism of the
of mainstream
extremism, which is its leader, Marine Le Pen, 1930s.
more of an outside force showed everybody that
politics? when we talk about a little rebranding goes
the Western society. a long way when it comes to covering up a troublesome
Lets therefore focus past. This tactic is not unknown to Slovak citizens either,
on political extremism, as we witnessed how a man with a neo-Nazi past had
which is connected to strong feelings of nationalism, founded an extreme right-wing party and had recently
populism and Euroscepticism. been successfully elected into the parliament.
There are currently many articles claiming that Sweden is also experiencing inner turmoil. It has been
extremism in the widest sense of the word keeps perceived as a country with one of the most generous
appearing in society in certain cycles, the last one being asylum policies. They would accept twice the number of
the rise of the political extremism of the 1930s. However, refugees per person than any other European country. To
if that truly is the case, it would seem that the humanity quote Ian Bremmer writing for Time: No country seemed
in its nature is not evolving at all and worse times are to better represent the ideals of openness and tolerance
currently ahead of us. In their article about extremism, toward outsiders. But recent opinion polls show the
the online journalism site Debating Europe posed the Swedish Democrats, a group with neo-Nazi ties, atop the
questions quite well: Is Europe returning to the political board with more than 25 percent of the vote. Five years
extremism of the 1930s? Is economic failure and widening ago, they won just 5.7 percent of the vote in parliamen-
inequality leading to the collapse of mainstream politics? tary elections. That just illustrates how omnipresent the
Or are the differences between today and 80 years ago rise of the far right has become.
Martin Koleni
6 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 7
 EVENTS EVENTS

So, why is it on this issue, just like everybody else; but The question is how this occurrence can
People are ceasing to
happening? the fact that it is such a delicate matter has be reversed in time before we have to pay
SWEDEN: only created more chaos in the society and a the bitter price. We can only strive to create believe that anything
Recent opinion There have wider gap between the conservatives and the a reasonable public discussion and, as a body can change in the hands
been opinions liberals. In addition, things have only been of students, point to the fact that no form of
of a well-balanced
polls show voiced in Slovakia made worse by the power-hungry politicians extremism has ever been good for society. We
the Swedish that the education in the government who used it as a tool for can put up anti-fascist banners on the fronts of political makeup of the
Democrats, system is actually gaining votes by purposefully creating an our universities and do our best to spread the government. And in
at fault, but other image of the migrants as intruders and even word about the ugly underbelly of extremism, their despair they are
a group with countries are connecting their arrival in our country with a but ultimately its up to the opinion makers to
neo-Nazi ties, e x p e r i e n c i n g possible terrorist threat. However, preying on lead the way in fighting this infectious disease turning and opening their
atop the board extremism as the citizens fear of the unknown has taken its and up to Europes leaders to fight for the unity thinking towards more
with more than
well, even those toll. It is said that as a result of these tactics, that is slipping through our, Europes, fingers. extremist approaches.
with much the afore-mentioned extreme right-wing party
25 percent of more developed has gained such a strong base of voters, which
the vote. education systems enabled them to join the Parliament.
with a strong Did you know that...
focus on critical Another contributing factor might be AUTHOR: Denisa Majtsov
thinking. Is it then the rise of Euroscepticism it seems like
something deeper down, something that is the European Union is being shaken up
able to override what critical thinking people quite heavily by the migration crisis and the Theres a difference between the terms refugee, asylum seeker and economic
are raised towards? Is it exhaustion from the fluctuation of the currency. Its seemingly migrants.
empty promises of politicians? Is it fear of the strong foundations are not as strong as we
unknown? Is it frustration from the staleness thought, and flaws, which were in fact always While all three terms can be summed up as migrants, they represent three different
of the situation in Europe? there to begin with, have been uncovered (its
enough to look at both Brexit and Grexit).
asylum seeker (uchdza o azyl)
Concerning Slovakia, there are various refers to a person applying for
migrant (uteenec) refers to
factors that might have contributed to the In conclusion, rough times are ahead of us, a person whose application
both as Europeans and as Slovaks. We need to asylum on the grounds of fear of
rise of extremism in Slovakia. For one, the has been successful and it
persecution in his country based
development of the political situation in find a way to tackle on the race, religion, nationality or
covers also people fleeing from
war, natural disaster, but not
Slovakia after the fall of communism has the rise of political political views. Life is in danger.
necessarily prosecution. Life is
played a significant part, I believe. Just look extremism in our
at the growing disappointment in politicians, countries, but on
It seems the in danger.

people feeling uncared for, corruption and the other hand, it European
seems that people economic migrant (ekonomick migrant)
nepotism, important questions not being Union is
addressed, et cetera. We see people getting so resorted to it in refers to a person voluntarily leaving their own
desperate that at a certain point, they start the first place being shaken country to find better economic conditions,

turning towards apathy and frustration. because of their up quite while their life is not in danger.
disappointment
heavily by
As I have already mentioned, some people with mainstream categories of migrants.
would blame the fact that the Slovak education politics. the migration
system is in a desolate state and the younger crisis and the The definitions of three migrant categories fall under a document from 1951 United
generation can only dream of actually People are
fluctuation of Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees (1951 Refugees Convention).
being taught critical thinking. A strong new ceasing to believe
generation can only be raised if theyre taught that anything can the currency. Most migrants come from Syria (350k), Afghanistan (200k) and Iraq (150k).
by teachers who are well motivated and united change in the hands
in the methods of teaching. of a well-balanced
political makeup of Germany received the highest number of new asylum applications in 2015 with more
Another factor might be the migration the government. And in their despair they are than 476,000.
crisis and the way it has divided Europe. turning and opening their thinking towards
Slovakia has had a hard time taking a stance more extremist approaches. The most affected country is Hungary with the highest inflow
Source: www.unhcr.org
in proportion to its population with 1,800 refugees per 100,000

8 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 9

 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
The main thing is what you have to say,
not how you say it
William
Arthur Ward once said,
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
My interviewee definitely belongs to the last category.

Professor Jaroslav Peprnk (Department of English and American Studies,

Philosophical Faculty, Palack University in Olomouc) has been teaching for 62 years
(or 124 semesters, if you like!). Still active, and as vigorous as ever, he continues to inspire
just by his mere presence in the lecture hall.
He was so kind as to answer my nosy questions about his eventful life and share
with you, dear readers, some of the wisdom he abounds with. Hopefully, you will
Author: Monika Harmadyov; find what he has to tell at least as splendid and engaging as I did.
Photos: Jaroslav Peprnk, M. Harmadyov Enjoy!

Various aspects of adult life are said to have roots in ones childhood and adolescence. Was your life in danger during the front line events?
What was your childhood like?

In the first place, it was shorter than it officer, this time from the Red Army, because I lost some blood but not because I was crowd of people and the tanks for German
ordinarily would have been. I first noticed when the Russians arrived in my home town shot at but when I gave blood to a wounded tanks in the town square and dropped a
that something was happening when in 1938, in mid-April 1945, for the next three weeks man in our hospital. On 8 May 1945, in bomb which killed 114 Czechs (aged 4 to
at the age of eleven, I had to give up my bed they were unable to advance (e.g. Olomouc Hrotovice, the local people and the Russian 68) and 36 Russian soldiers, including their
to an officer of the Czechoslovak army. In was in the front line only one day, on May 7) troops were celebrating the liberation of this colonel. The wounded people were taken for
the days of the mobilization, troops were and needed accommodation. small town (situated to the west of my home blood transfusion to hospitals in the district.
stationed for a few days in our small town. town), when a Russian plane mistook the
One year later I realized again that In the spring of 1945 came
there might be hard times ahead when my a letter from Charlie
classmate asked me to help him choose fifteen When the war was over, I suppose you enrolled at the university nearest to your home,
books to be packed into a wooden box his asking me how his that in Brno. What had influenced the choice of your studies?
Jewish parents were sending him to a safer parents are. (Of course,
place, Palestine; they stayed behind, hoping
that nothing fatal would happen. they had perished in a I have always been an avid reader. Thus I learning English on my own fathers library

In the spring of 1945 came a letter (sent via

concentration camp.). began to incline toward the humanities. And contained a conversation textbook (starting
my early reading, the Seton Thomson animal with The Parts of Human Body), a book of
British Army field post) from Charlie asking stories from Canada, the stories of Jack London grammar, and an English-Czech dictionary. I
me how his parents are. (Of course, they had and Bret Harte, Kiplings Jungle Books, books had no teacher, in fact I was the only person
perished in a concentration camp.). But to So I was often in the company of Russian of travel and the Vinnetou novels aroused in my home town somewhat familiar with
come back to my bed In 1943 I had to give it soldiers, in particular when digging trenches my interest in English-speaking countries. English. Its knowledge earned my first fee, a
up again, for two weeks, to a German officer: for them. Recently I gave a talk to a group of English was not taught at my secondary jug of milk, when in early May
Germans troops were having a rest period in English students entitled How I survived one school, I had classes in German, Latin, and 1945 I translated a telegram
our town before being sent back to the front. world war, or How officers of three different French. So, when I was fourteen, I started for a local farmer, in which
armies slept in my bed.
And finally my bed was occupied by a third
The article continues on the next page

10 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 11

 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
his exiled son was telling him he was alive for life in general. I suppose if there had
in Venezuela. When in September 1945 I been entrance exams, I would have been It looks that your way toward English Studies was far from simple. How did you manage
enrolled at Masaryk University, I thought I rejected, but I already had quite a large to get away from the clutches of the regime?
would be able to study French and English vocabulary and due to two British lecturers
but was told that the two languages cannot in the first year of my university studies I
be combined and I had to decide on the spot was able to adapt my pronunciation fairly
After Stalins and Gottwalds death the of manual work because my less fortunate
which one to drop. easily to Kings English. In the present
Communist Party felt less self-assured, mates left for home in 1955 or later).
generation of anglicists, only Professor
Surprisingly, I kept English and in spite Hilsk in Prague, the renowned translator there were a few cases of amnesty for
of the four years of French classes I replaced of Shakespeare, also had no English classes political prisoners. Combined efforts by my Professor of English, Josef
French by History because it seemed useful at school (however, he had a private tutor). Brno professor of English, Josef Vachek, and Vachek and professor
the Olomouc professor Poldauf, who was
looking for a new assistant in the English
Poldauf, managed to
Department in Olomouc, managed to have have me released from
The university study at the Faculty of Arts took four years in those days. I suppose you me released from the power of the military the power of the military
entered a teaching job immediately after graduation? authorities (and saved me one more year authorities.

Far from it. At first, I stayed on one more men from religious families, students who In which areas of English studies did you specialize after you joined the staff of Palack
University?
year at the university to get a PhD degree had criticised their Marxist teachers, etc.
in English and Germanic Philology. The
graduation ceremony took place on St I spent four years in the P.T.P, as those
units are known now: for two years I I preferred the study of the English among other things by inserting some data
Wenceslas Day, the 28th of September. vocabulary (i.e. lexicology) and the study on the British or American realia. These
worked in a coal pit in the Ostrava region
of American English to such fields of data were largely acquired from books
Three days later the compulsory two-year and for two more years I built blocks of
linguistics as phonology or generative because between my first and second trip to
military service started and in barracks in houses for army officers in Brno.
grammar, partly because Professor Poldauf Britain, fifteen years passed when I was not
North Moravia my head was shaved clean was an eminent lexicographer. allowed to travel to the West. Paradoxically,
(the Czech Minister of Defence copied the By the way, the experience of life in a
wooden hut surrounded by a barbed wire this made the knowledge of the life and
Red Army in this). Also, I always liked to teach and tried to institutions in Britain and the USA the
fence was not new to me because I had spent make the class interesting for my students, more attractive.
Within a few weeks, however, I was the last six months of the war in a similar
transferred to a special unit recently
created for the enemies of the people. The experience of life in a From teaching English you later turned to writing textbooks of English. Which was the
In this sort of forced labour camp were
concentrated young men who had been
wooden hut surrounded very first one?
to the West (e.g. attending a Boy Scout by a barbed wire fence
meeting in the Netherlands or studying at was not new to me.
a university in London, like me). I guess the English for Physicians, because in those years I also taught students of the Faculty
of Medicine. This textbook, illustrated with
second blemish on my record was that as a
pictures chosen by me, was followed by the
university student I was a member of the wooden hut (eight men to a room), with The final work was a four-volume textbook English for Anglicists.
British Institute in Brno (my first public the difference that in 1944 the commander
lecture was delivered there, when I was 21, of the hut was an SA man, and in 1950 an
two-volume textbook And that fact was instrumental in my
on My experience of England). Among officer of the Czechoslovak Peoples Army. at first named English being chosen by the Prague
my fellow-servicemen were sons of kulaks, for Philologists and later publishing house (and the
Ministry of Education) as
renamed to English for
Advanced Students. The article continues on the next page
12 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 13
 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

the main authorof a new textbook for Olomouc and this interview was published home at the age of seven. Later her parents
London when we were both 21, later had
Language Schools. I had two very good in the weekly Instinkt. Another interview wrote she was given a bicycle. Later she two clever daughters. After high school
co-authors, Dr Nangonova (Ostrava), who was made for The Prague Post, a daily read began to drive a car, and finally she learned
one decided to open a bakery, the other
wrote the exercises, and Dr Don Sparling by foreign residents in the Czech Republic. to fly a plane and her parents were her first
one joined the US Navy and because of the
(Brno, Canadian-born), who did the English- passengers. twelve years of Japanese at school she was
language revision. stationed on an aircraft carrier in the Sea
For my classes in An American girl from Oregon, whom of Japan.
I met at an English youth hostel outside
The final work was a two-volume Lexicology I wrote
textbook at first named English for
Philologists and later renamed (because
English Lexicology and
booksellers preferred a less learned title) to the outcome of my study
Any awards you got?
English for Advanced Students. The Language of the American variety
School volumes and the latter books
together provide material for nine years of
of English was the hard-
study (5 plus 4). An American friend saw bound volume Slovnk From the Ministry of Education, the City English teacher often used in her class my
of Olomouc, my native town Ivanice (the textbook Anglitina pro pokroil, decided to
these books in the window of a bookstore amerikanism. birthplace of the painter Alfons Mucha), present to her, at the graduation ball party,
in Manhattan. An American lecturer in
the Gold Medal of Palack University. But a voucher for a stay in Olomouc so that she
Olomouc studied Czech from the textbooks
even more appreciated is when a former could meet me (it covered the expenses of the
and named his son Prokop, after the main For my classes in Lexicology I wrote English
student of mine recalls a little story I told in journey, accommodation, and dinner). The
character in the lessons. Lexicology and the outcome of my study of my class forty years before. And then there main organizer was one students mother,
Twenty years later a Prague journalist the American variety of English was the was one rather original honour: students in a member of the staff of Radio Liberty in
noticed in the metro people still studying hard-bound volume Slovnk amerikanism, a grammar school of Prague, because their Prague.
from these volumes, although the language which came out in two more reprints,
schools by that time had switched over was purchased by libraries of several US
to foreign imports, such as Headway, universities, and is quoted in a short story
Cambridge Course, etc., and he became by Josef kvoreck. I expect that beside Britain and the USA, you have also travelled to other countries.
curious about the author. So he arrived in

When it was not possible to travel to the there are still white places on its map,
Have you had any memorable students? West I explored (with my wife) the Eastern such as Cornwall, Manchester, Liverpool,
bloc countries and found much worth seeing Colchester.
there. After 1989 I have visited all countries
in Europe except Iceland, Finland, Denmark
Three rectors (and I examined the fourth), abroad (one became a professor of New
and Portugal.
When I was in Texas,
one ambassador, three U.S. Marines, a group York University).
of North Korean agents, the newscaster of
standing on the bank of
The farthest north I reached was Quebec
Radio Peking, and three young ladies from I keep up correspondence e.g. with a
in Canada, the farthest south Crete in the
this fairly wide river, I
Cuba (one of them afterwards became an former student of mine, later married
official interpreter for Czech delegations). to a British guy in Australia. She visited Mediterranean, the farthest east Azerbaijan, decided to cross illegally
my family when her daughter was three. the farthest west San Francisco. On the three (I had neither Mexican
But in a way, among the thousands of Recently she wrote that the daughter had trips to the USA I crossed the country from
students of mine, from the period 1954 chosen Borneo for her honeymoon, they coast to coast. Still, there are several regions
entry visa nor US re-
2016, that is from 62 years or 124 semesters, watched the orang-utans there. The pen unknown to me, e.g. from the American entry visa) to Mexico, just
there were numerous memorable people, friendships maintained over a long period South I only know New Orleans and I have across the border.
not only because they married a foreign can be very interesting. For instance, I never been to the northwest or Alaska.
national and settled in Britain, the USA or could watch the children of my friends And in spite of my eleven trips to Britain,
Australia, or because they made a career growing up. An American girl was in our
The article continues on the next page
14 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 15
 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
We arrived in Bratislava soaked wet and of the English Department) with a young
Any adventures on the way? went to the Carlton Hotel to ask about a Slovak woman. While talking, I mentioned
room. The receptionist, without looking up my teaching at the university in Olomouc,
from his paper, said, There are no rooms whereupon the girl said, Can you do me a
A funny incident is remembered from the literally, I have never seen so many stars in the free. Then he looked up and saw us, two favour? I need Volume III and IV of English
Rio Grande. This river is the boundary of sky as there, due to the distance of any city wet hikers, and repeated with emphasis: for Anglicists. Can you buy it and send it to
the USA and Mexico. When I was in Texas, lights in southern Texas or northern Mexico No rooms at all! And still later in the late me? The authors name is Peprnk. I said,
standing on the bank of this fairly wide river, I managed to find the mule, and it took me 1980s, I travelled by train to Preov (where Ill do that. Then she said, But please
I decided to cross illegally (I had neither safely back. a former student of mine was on the staff write down the authors name or else you
Mexican entry visa nor US re-entry visa) to might forget it. I said:, No, I wont forget
Mexico, just across the border.
it. And where should I send it? To Preov,
The local people told me that the US guard I suppose. No, to West Berlin, came
was vigilant only until 6 pm, then he retired to the surprising answer. She was married
his caravan, prepared his meal and watched to a German in West Berlin and now she
TV. For half a dollar I could get a ride on a mule was travelling to see her grandmother in
to take me across the river. I found a native Slovakia.
ready to help me across, paid the fee, he put
me on a mule (with no saddle) and slapped the
mules behind. I thought he would cross with
me but now I found myself in the river alone. To go back to your current activities, have
The mule was stepping carefully in the you ever translated anything from English
deep water and was slowly approaching the literature into the Czech language?
opposite bank, but then it suddenly changed
its course and began to move down the stream.
Since 1990, I have often been asked to
I nearly panicked, but the clever animal,
happy to have scared me, made another turn
translate a Czech art book into English,
and headed for the Mexican side. I had a beer so I developed the knowledge of art
(in the Mexican way: with lemon and a bit of terminology. The assignments came from
salt) in a primitive candle-lit pub and then had Olomouc Museum of Art, the National
to look for my animal. Thanks to the stars Gallery in Prague, the Diocesan Museum
in Krom, the City of Olomouc. So far
about a dozen volumes have come out,
starting with the monograph Olomouc
What about Slovakia? Was it on your map Picture Gallery I (II and III followed). The
of travels as well? And have you met any latest two items are several chapters in
Slovaks? a big book on Czech symbolism and a
translation of an analysis of a collection
of drawings. Once I even had to translate a
My aunt was Slovak, she married my
poem by Nezval, Why I Am a Surrealist,
uncle, a Czech postmaster, in Slovakia (they
for a book on Czech surrealism. Fairly
left in 1938). My first trip outside Moravia Later the waiter brought the meal with extensive quotations from Otakar Bezina
was to Slovakia, with a schoolmate of mine. meat and said, The meat comes with the
And to this day I remember the following Once I even had to translate were required for a book on symbolism.
compliments of the chef. I wonder whether
experience: In 1946 food was rationed, you the kind-hearted man realized that his a poem by Nezval, Why I Am The other commissions in poetry came
needed coupons to get a meal with meat in from Jaroslav ek and for a book of
a restaurant. Somewhere near adca we
kindness would be remembered seventy a Surrealist, for a book on
years later. On the other hand, in the early aphorisms. The early translations are
ordered sauce and knedlky, but without 1950s I was coming back with another
Czech surrealism. listed in the entry Peprnik in Kdo je kdo
meat, please, as we have no coupons). friend (from the P.T.P.) from a hiking trip in v esk republice (and the linguistic papers
the rainy Low Tatras. in Slovnk lingvist).

16 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 17

 INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
a birds eye view, with a bit of imagination and tram number two; the former takes you
you might distinguish a human figure: to hospital, the latter to the crematorium.
What has been your main preoccupation in recent years? where the brain is, there was the Princes Each year I get three Erasmus groups (from
residence, where the heart is, there was the as many as a dozen countries), one group
oldest church in Olomouc. The main square from Nebraska, one from Georgia (USA)
Its product is seven volumes: the first year Anglofonn svt a ei will come out. corresponds to the stomach, and the two and one from Durham (England).
three are on the perception of Britain The total number of pages: 3 350. I have legs are now the routes of tram number one
and America oima esk literatury passed the courses in linguistics on to the
(since the Middle Ages in the case of younger generation in our Department,
Britain, since 1776 in the case of America) and so I was able to concentrate on this
up to 2000. This was followed by two research project. What is your message to students, be they Czech or Slovak?
volumes ei a anglofonn svt, and this

They should be interested in the world perhaps hidden in a back compartment but
To sum up: What makes you like your job? around them. And by that I mean their it may emerge at any later time. I may be a
grandparents and other relatives (when little prejudiced against sports (not against
the old people die you often begin to regret walking and climbing hills) and against
that you did not ask about this or that while commercial music, and my advice is that the
Well, English is an interesting language, I picked it as something less familiar. And they were still alive), the history of the place two should not become the main ingredients
derived from various sources, and is in the lady now turned to me with a beaming where you in your life.
many respects different from my mother smile and said, Oh, you have been to Nairn? were born Also, a dog
tongue. Its detailed knowledge pays off too, How fantastic! You see, we have a cottage or lived. You is a poor
because it is used all over the world. And the nearby. Immediately I was accepted as her should try to substitute
literatures in English include many authors good friend. find out more for a human
worth reading, no matter whether they date about the friend and
from the 18th or 20th century. For a study of Third, I like to be with young people. They brave people you are never
the use of colour and another study of the who suffered too old to
words sun and moon in English prose I even outside make good
read, over a period of some ten years, scores Third, I like to be with your own friends.
of novels in the chronological order. And I young people. They country, e.g.
Last but
have never regretted it. the millions in
appear to me as sincere, the gulags and not least,
Second, the knowledge of the language still unspoiled by the hard concentration r e m a i n
must go with the knowledge of the country. camps, the thousands in exile. Speak often humble. Students as well as teachers of a
This also is an enrichment of your mind. life (which brings fierce to your real friends, whom you met in foreign language should admit that they
Besides, when you know a good deal about ambition, corruption, flesh, not on Facebook. Your interest should will never achieve a native-like knowledge
a foreigners country, he immediately will not be restricted to your own field, your of it, no matter how hard they try. For your
feel warmer toward you. On an elementary hatred, envy, etc.) profession. Read something comfort let me point out that e.g.
level of knowledge, we tend to look down from sciences (the foreign nationals
Let me who settled in
on a foreigner who mixes up Slovakia and structure of
Slovenia (and formerly Czechoslovakia appear to me as sincere, still unspoiled by express my most sincere gratitude for this country
the universe,
and Yugoslavia). I remember how once I the hard life (which brings fierce ambition, nature) if you
your inspiring words, and wish you good health and some thirty
was chosen to accompany the wife of the corruption, hatred, envy, etc.) Being in their are in the lots of new material for your arsenal of gripping life years ago,
Lord Chancellor (i.e. the British minister of company in a way rejuvenates you. And humanities, stories in the years to come married a
Justice) to Svat Kopeek, outside Olomouc, you want to be on the same wavelength and reversely, Czech wife,
while her husband was giving a lecture at with them. I also like to show foreign a scientist could find and have children
the Faculty of Law. In the car, the lady in a students round Olomouc and speak to pleasure in literature (and not only that of attending Czech schools will always be
rather cool voice said, Have you ever been them about the local history, and do so in the last twenty years). Young memory is a detected as non-native speakers of Czech.
to Scotland? I said, Well, Ive travelled a different way than an official guidebook very efficient machine. What you absorb On the other hand, do not despair. The main
there quite a lot, I even was in Nairn. This does. E.g. I may begin, If you take a look at now, much of it will remain there, though thing is what you have to say, not how you
is a little place on the most northern coast, the historical part of Olomouc from the air, say it.
18 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 19
 ARTICLES ARTICLES

The Liverpool Poets were criticized by posh literary Roger McGough is one of Britains best known
Roger McGough - A Trickster You Can Trust critics and self-appointed judges of art, who were contemporary poets, a holder of many awards and
jealous of their literary talents and wanted them honors, often referred to as a peoples poet. He
Or Why We Need Poetry without a Capital P to disappear. Being labeled as pop-poetry, it was is the author of more than 50 poetry books and
assumed that their poetry would be here only for moderator of a popular radio broadcast Poetry
an instant and would not survive the test of time. Please. Apart from being a popular poet, he was
Luckily, the critics were wrong. As Roger McGough
AUTHOR: MAXIM DULEBA reacts to the literary critics in his poem Scorpio,
Some may even regret their youthful bile, / their
His poetry is a place
It is not a coincidence that many remarkable also strongly opposed the trend of academism in
poets have simplified poetry and opposed the poetry despite the fact that poems by Ginsberg
mistrust of popular culture, and the working class. where irony, sarcasm,
/ This is just to let them know that though forgiven
trend of cold academism. One of the reasons why and Lawrence Ferlinghetti require a profound
/ they are not forgotten.
absurdity and humor start
contemporary poetry in many cultural areas seems knowledge of American history and poems by
to be in constant crisis and suffering from a lack Gary Snyder require knowledge of the basic to dance with each other,
Poetry without the capital P was more than just
of readers is that it takes itself way too seriously,principles of Buddhist philosophy in order to be accepted by the enthusiastic readers, and that is and they do so in a perfect
and sometimes it is even isolated from the real fully understood. However, the Liverpool Poets
world. took the process of simplification even further. Like
what really matters. As Roger McGough says in harmony.
the interview for Telegraph, I cant help but make
the poetry of beatniks, their poems are suitable for my poetry accessible; thats how my brain works.
The Mersey Sound, an anthology of the Liverpool live performances and fit perfectly with music, but
Sometimes I wish I could be more mysterious,
Poets published in 1967, sold over 500,000 their allusions are purely of pop-culture character
but I dont know the tricks. Mind you, I used to also a member and songwriter of the hilarious
copies and became one of the worlds best-selling and thus very easy to understand.
get cheesed off with being referred to as a small- music band The Scaffold, a group which recorded a
anthologies of modern
town Mantovani presumably because I didnt few famous songs, such as Lily the Pink, during the
poetry. The Liverpool The Liverpool scene
do English at university and my poetry could be sixties. Thanks to the Scaffold, Roger McGough was
Poets Brian Patten, had an advantage of
appreciated by my mother and aunties. able to get in touch with Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan
Adrian Henri and Roger province literature.
McGough achieved an It was not bound to and the Beatles, and although he never felt as a part
The era of the British invasion motivated young of the music scene, he remembers with love the era
overnight, but critical London, and the poets people who felt condemned to a boring life in
fame. The major reason were not forced to of the Scaffold, where everyone was dancing at
classrooms and factories to sing, dance and have concerts with an anthology by the Liverpool Poets
for their success was follow traditions. In fun. Many younger British poets influenced by the
their refusal to write addition, the Liverpool in their pockets.
Liverpool Poets also came from the working class
Poetry with a capital Poets were proud of background and were always prepared to write good As a poet, McGough is popular because he is not
P. That kind of Poetry their working class poetry and fight against snobbery. For instance, the scared to present himself as a misunderstood
which takes itself way origins and they major Scottish poet Douglass Dunn in his poem outsider. His poems capture the lovely weirdness
too seriously and lives believed that poetry against materialism The Clothes Pit criticizes that human beings are destined to carry with
only for its own selfish deserves to be available materialistic society in the following manner: In them throughout their lifetimes, and his poetry
existence. Being a part to masses. A similar the culture of clothes and little philosophies, / They helps us to realize that we are not alone with our
of the era which gave us attitude to poetry only have clothes. / They do not need to be seen / thoughts and experiences. His vivid imagination
The Beatles, and a part might be traced in Carrying a copy of International Times, / Or the is, moreover, a place of joy. His poetry is a place
of a city described by the works of popular Liverpool Poets, the wish to justify their looks / where irony, sarcasm, absurdity and humor start to
Allen Ginsberg at the Soviet poets such as With things beyond themselves. dance with each other, and they do so in a perfect
time as a center of human consciousness in the Mayakovsky or Asadov, where neither allusions
harmony. Although his poems are approachable
universe, their poetry aimed to entertain, and these nor intertextuality play a dominant role. The poets
and humorous, this does not mean they lack depth.
poets succeeded in making an impression of real simplify language to communicate to working
Roger McGough is capable of drollery even when
and authentic people, not a bunch of intellectuals class people, or to people who did not spend their He was also a member and writing about very serious topics.
claiming that modern poetry deserves to be a lives sitting in libraries and tracing metaphors.
microcosm available only to very few. Poetry written by people deserves to be available
songwriter of the hilarious
In one of his best known poems Let Me Die a
to people, and it is always easier and more natural music band The Scaffold, a Youngmans Death, he contemplates various ways
The era of the so called British invasion did not for the masses to sympathize with a spirit of anti-
require Poetry. It required poetry. The Liverpool intellectualism. group of 1960s. of dying, but not earlier than at the age of 73, 91
or 104, while being caught in bed by his mistress
Poets were inspired by the beatniks, whose works
with her daughter, or hit by a luxurious car while

20 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 21

 ARTICLES ARTICLES
returning from a party. In his poem I Am Not
His poems capture Sleeping, the author describes his funeral in a My Cat and I
humorous manner: I want wailing and gnashing of
the lovely weirdness teeth. / I want sobs, and I want them uncontrollable Girls are simply the prettiest things
Mafia Cats
that human beings are / I want women flinging themselves on the coffin /
and I want them inconsolable. Such a humorous
My cat and I believe
And were always saddened
destined to carry with approach to serious subjects and various aspects When its time for them to leave
Were the Mafia cats
Bugsy, Franco and Toni
them throughout their of human lives is very refreshing. As the author
himself claims, I think its important to write what
Were crazy for pizza
We watch them titivating With hot pepperoni
lifetimes, and his poetry comes naturally and humor is a way of dealing with (That often takes a while)
helps us to realize that the darkness. And though they keep us waiting We run all the rackets
My cat and I just smile From gambling to vice
we are not alone with our McGoughs poems are a proof that the line between
On St Valentines Day
comedy and tragedy is unbelievably thin and hardly
thoughts and experiences. visible. McGoughs poetry is a poetry of a calm and
We like to see them to the door We massacre mice
Say how sad it couldnt last
sarcastic gentleman. When you ask him how he is,
Then my cat and I go back inside We always wear shades
he is very likely to answer, Bits of me are fine!
And talk about the past. To show that were meanies
Big hats and sharp suits
And drive Lamborghinis

Cats Protection Were the Mafia cats

Bugsy, Franco and Toni
League Love Sicilian wine
And cheese macaroni
Humor can be the best weapon against the stereotypes
Midnight. A knock at the door. But we have a secret
and hardships of everyday life. Therefore, it is important Open it? Better had. (And if you dare tell
to take into consideration that poetry is not bound only to Three heavy cats, mean and bad. Youll end up with the kitten
being tragic and filled with melancholy, as our high school At the bottom of the well
They offer protection. I ask, What for?
teachers wanted us to think. On the contrary, poetry can The Boss-cat snarls, You know the score. Or covered in concrete
offer a platform for a very meaningful and often even Listen man and listen good And thrown into the deep
For this is one secret
humorous entertainment. If you wanna stay in the neighbourhood, You really must keep).
Humor has a strong potential to turn poetry into a Pay your dues or the toms will call
And wail each night on the backyard wall. Were the Cosa Nostra
functional part of popular culture. If a vast majority of Run the scams and the fid-
contemporary poets produce poetry which, although Mangle the flowers, and as for the lawn dles
a smelly minefield awaits you at dawn. But at home we are
beautiful, binds itself purely to being an These guys meant business without a doubt Mopsy, Ginger and Tiddles.
adoration of sadness, then no wonder that so many
Three cans of tuna, I handed them out.
contemporary poets constantly complain about the lack of They then disappeared like bats into hell
readers Those bad, bad cats from the CPL.

The poems belong to the collection Bad, Bad Cats by Roger McGough and were republished
with kind permission of Christian Walker, United Agents.

22 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 23

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

Language Quotes
Hungarian, Romany... It is a bit unfair to generalize, as each language has its unique characteristics that
make it special Slovak and its euphoniousness, English and its vast lexicon, French and its romantic
pronunciation, Spanish and its colourfulness, Italian and its prevailing vowel sounds, German and its
you name it.
or: Passion for language, passion for life Naturally, having mastered multiple languages is not enough. The form goes hand in hand with
the meaning, so always bear in mind that you also need nice thoughts to send off to the world because
AUTHOR: MONIKA HARMADYOV according to George Crane, Language is the apparel in which your thoughts parade before the public, or
Samuel Johnson, Language is the dress of thought.
Speaking multiple foreign other cultures. And what So, what are you waiting for? I know you have been toying with the idea to start to learn another
languages can open many doors could be more beneficial in foreign language Get down to it, start right now and discover new worlds. It would be a great pity to
to us nowadays. Travelling and the contemporary prejudice- rest on your laurels because, as Marcel Proust says, A language we do not know is afortress sealed.
exploring the world, we make entwined world of ours than
good use of these skills, which sustaining a conscience of but even if you dont know the language of the person in front of you, dont worry... Everyone
our parents and grandparents, unity and empathy among smiles in the same language!
speaking in general terms, often young people?
lack The advantages of being And alittle piece of advice from Jonathan Culver to us, students of English, The English language
Learning languages not only multilingual come nicely is awork in progress. Have fun with it!
has cognitive and academic summarized in these quotes.
benefits, it also supports Now Iwill let the masters of the and we do, as it is e.g. full of oxymorons:
a greater sense of openness word speak... English is seriously funny. Many rules it follows are clearly misunderstood, therefore a small crowd
to and appreciation for
of people thinks it is pretty ugly. We do not know the exact estimate of inconsistencies in it. The only
choice we have is to act naturally and accept that fact. Consider these collocations: found missing, fully
How many of the quotations were you already familiar with? empty, original copies and the best of all... happily married! :D Isnt that crazy?
Edmund de Waal is right when he says, With languages you are at home anywhere. If you happen
to have atravellers soul, the knowledge of various foreign languages will definitely come in handy Finally, if you take interest in English etymology, this story might intrigue you...
during your travels you will feel comfortable in any country you stop by.
The following paragraph is logically incoherent if we understand all of its words in their current
You will be able to bond with locals and make friends more easily, as Nelson Mandela points out, meaning. If, however, we take each of the words in bold in a sense they had in earlier times, the
If you talk to aman in alanguage he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own paragraph contains no inconsistencies at all.
language, that goes to his heart.
The more languages you learn, the more interesting your life experience gets because according to (The earlier meanings need not be contemporary with one another. They can be found in the
Charlemagne, To have asecond language is to possess asecond soul. or Federico Fellini, A different Oxford English Dictionary.)
language is adifferent vision of life.
And, of course, not only humans need to learn a foreign language... you know: He was ahappy and sad1 girl2 who lived in atown3 forty miles from the closest neighbour. His
unmarried sister, awife4 who was avegetarian member of the WCTU, ate meat5 and drank liquor6
Meow means woof in cat.George Carlin :)
three times aday. She was so fond of oatmeal bread made from the corn7 her brother grew that
You might agree with Flora Lewis when she says that immersion into languages can turn into an she starved8 from overeating. He fed nuts to the deer9 that lived in the branches of an apple10 tree
enriching habit, Learning another language is not only learning different which bore pears. Asilly11 and wise boor12 everyone liked, he was alewd13 man whom the general
words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things. censure14 held to be amodel of chastity.
That is closely related to familiarizing oneself with the culture of the nation;
lets take Italian cuisine, for example. Once you learn all the expressions
for pasta in Italian, I guarantee you will never think about pasta the same 1 satisfied, content
way as before! 2 child, young person
Lets get a bit metaphorical with Khaled Hosseini, If culture was ahouse, 3 settlement, enclosed piece of land
then language would be the key to the front door, to all the rooms inside. 4 woman generally
Quite understandably, a polyglots life desire is to open as many rooms in 5 food generally
that house as possible. Isnt that a wonderful goal to have in mind? 6 liquid
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is also aware of the fact that language 7 grain, cereal
ignorance leads nowhere, Those who know nothing of foreign languages 8 died
know nothing of their own. 9 animal (of lower order)
But do you remember according to which criteria you chose your 10 any fruit having the structure of a pome
languages? Do any of them possess more beauty than others? Elias Canetti 11 worthy, good
ponders, There is no such thing as an ugly language. However, there is 12 peasant, countryman
this feeling among the general public that the most commonly loathed 13 lay
languages are German (you know the Schmetterling gag, dont you?), 14 opinion, judgement
24 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 25
 ARTICLES ARTICLES

Professors & Movies Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

C
Favorite actor/actress: Leonardo Di Caprio

4.
Favorite quotation from a movie: Just keep
swimming! (Finding Nemo)
AUTHOR: TEREZA MICHALKOV
A movie based on my life would be called: The
We asked several professors about their favorites in the field of cinematography and they Unsilenceable J Peter
were so nice that they found time to answer our questions. Barrer
Favorite movie: Monty Pythons The Meaning of Life
Your task is to match the names of the professors with their answers J Favorite actor/actress: Daniel-Day Lewis, Cate

D
Blanchett
(Correct answers can be found on page 49)
Favorite quotation from a movie: The future is not
what it used to be (Angel Heart, 1987)

1.
Favorite movie: Dead Poets Society A movie based on my life would be called: Eyes wide

A
Katarna Koreov Favorite actor/actress: This is difficult. Leonardo shut or How Ilearned not to be ignorant
DiCaprio, Roy Dupuis, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep...
Favorite quotation from a movie: Medicine, law,
business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and Favorite movie: The Notebook

E
necessary to sustain life, but poetry, beauty, romance, Favorite actor/actress: Meryl Streep
love, these are what we stay alive for. (Dead Poets Favorite quotation from amovie: Love is like a wind.
Society) You cant see it. But you can feel it.
Amovie based on my life would be called: Head against A movie based on my life would be called: Maybe Slovak
a Brick Wall Robin Hood. (my class teacher at grammar school used

5.
to call me Janok :)
Lucia
Favorite movie: It is hard to say. But if I should choose Paulnyov
one title, it would be a crazy comedy by Serbian film Favorite movie: A very difficult question (for anyone!),

2.
director Emir Kusturica Black Cat White Cat, due to its but if I think about it a bit, I would say there are two:The
Unbearable Lightness of Being(1988), andVetko o mm

6.
unforgettable springs of wild and absurd humour.

B
Favorite actor/actress: It is hard to choose one, but I rd(1992). I could watch either film again and again.
Favorite actor/actress: Well, Daniel Day Lewis is

F
will try. Among actors I would choose Jack Nicholson,
with his unforgettable performance e.g. in the movie exceptional, as is Brad Pitt. And Cate Blanchett and
As Good as it Gets. From actresses I would opt for Julia Meryl Streep are simply fantastic!
Roberts for her charming and irresistible smile. One Favorite quotation from a movie: Lots, but
of her fine roles in movies is e. g. Notting Hill, superbly lets go with something from Fargo (1996).
Ivan Lacko accompanied by Hugh Grant. Marge Gunderson: So that was Mrs Lundegaard on the
floor in there. And I guess that was your accomplice in
Favorite quotation from amovie: Yes, I will return to
the wood chipper. And those three people in Brainerd.
the already mentioned movie Black Cat White Cat. It is Lucia
And for what? For a little bit of money. Theres more to
the last line from the movie, but also a quotation from Otrsalov
life than a little money, you know.
another movie, Casablanca: This is the beginning of a
A movie based on my life would be called:
new beautiful friendship, uttered by one of the oldest

3.
MyHomeAwayfromHome
Mafia Roma guys of this film.
A movie based on my life would be called:
I dont know what to chose. But maybe one title which
Ldia is suitable could be Mareek, Pass Me aPen. I chose it, I Favorite movie: The Help,Alice in Wonderland (2010)

G 7.
Machov guess, because it has a school setting, but secondly, also Favorite actor/actress: Colin Firth, Helen Hunt
because its protagonist, Ji Kroupa, is forced to raise Favorite quotation from amovie: I have two: Marin
his qualification by taking an evening course at a local 1. I need you to trust me. / Of course I trust you. / Am I Gazdk
secondary engineering school (priemyslovka), which ever going to be able to understand what this is? / I need
he agrees to take with a great resistance, similarly as you to trust me.
I had to undergo various stages of education from 2. The question is...who are YOU?
elementary through secondary school up touniversity A movie based on my life would be called: Dont quit!

26 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 27

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

Film Quiz 8. Who composed music for the popular

franchise Lord of the Rings?
How well do you know the world of cinema?
A) Hans Zimmer
AUTHOR: TEREZA MICHALKOV
B) Howard Shore
1. For which movie did Leonardo di Caprio
C) James Horner
finally win the Academy Award this year?
A) Titanic
9.Which actor said, There is no bad
B) The Revenant
religion, there are only bad people?
C) The Aviator
A) Morgan Freeman
5. Which movie award is given by HFPA?
(Hollywood Foreign Press Association) B) Robert de Niro

A) SAG Awards C) Harrison Ford

2. From which famous movie is this quote:
Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know
B) BAFTA
what youre gonna get
10. Which actor plays the lead role in the
C) Golden Globes
A) Forrest Gump movie One Flew over Cuckoos Nest?
B) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory A) Brad Pitt
6. Which English word refers to a popular
C) Pulp Fiction and successful film, usually with a big B) Jack Nicholson
production budget?
C) Denzel Washington
A) blockbuster 11. What is the name of the golden humanoid
robot from the Star Wars trilogy?
3. Which actress holds the record for the B) franchise
A) C3PO
most Oscar nominations?
C) filmcracker
B) P2L8
A) Julia Roberts
C) R2D2
B) Meryl Streep 7. Which of these actors has never played
the character of Batman?
C) Jennifer Lawrence
A) Christian Bale
B) Ben Affleck
4. What is the name of the main character C) Ryan Reynolds
in the popular movie The Godfather?
12. Which of these Oscar-nominated movies
A) Donny DeVito is based on atrue story?

B) Al Pacino A) Mad Max Fury Road

C) Vito Corleone B) Martian

C) Spotlight

28 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 29

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

Suzy the Dragon Slayer In this realm I am known as Gnarly

Paws,
Said Suzy as she flipped her hair
so hard she woke up Mr. Bear Bear.
AUTHOR: MONIKA BENAOV devourer of light and happiness.
I hereby declare another tickle contest!
twas the abundance of giggles
Once upon a time from the highest tower echoing Everyone, charge at the beast!
that summoned me to haunt this place,
in a castle made of clouds in the castle made of clouds.
roared the dragon.
liveda rainbow princess, It was Suzy, the dragon slayer - As she began to tickle the dragons tail
It must have been the last weeks tickle
bubblier than all. a heroine like no other. contest fear could no longer prevail.

Go on with your games, fluffy that summoned this ferocious beast. The whole fluffy kingdom joined in
citizens.
She played her harp every day Thought Suzy to herself. and all the dragon could do was grin.
I do not fear the creatures flames!
until her fluffy friends So you feed on happiness?
danced their tiny paws away He chose never to leave the cloudy
And she walked through the cloudy kingdom
in that castle made of clouds. gate. Indeed. I came to devour the princess,
for there was enough happiness for him
While her fluffy friends went on roared the dragon spitting flames. to feed on.
playing,
But alas! Suzy asked: But what will you eat Suzy built him a cave out of rainbows
Suzy put on her vest so she could then?
A frightful ROAAAARRRR! so she and this beast could be
investigate
Then? Ehm... I dont really have a plan. neighbors.
pierced the clouds
this evil roaring.
and knocked the fluffies off their tiny
paws. I see... follow me, you poor foolish The rainbow princess with her magic
She hopped from cloud to cloud, beast.
made him a bow tie of out cloudy
following the wicked sound. Ill show you how to get your fix. fabric.
Calm down everyone!
Until she laid her eyes upon Said Suzy, scratching her head And every day when she played her
It must be Mr. Bear Bear from next
harp
door. a giant maleficent dragon! and off they went.
the dragon was the first to dance his
said the rainbow princess
paws off.
for Mr. Bear Bear would always Who art thou that darkens On the back of the beast she appeared
snore.
my kins giddy games? and the whole fluffy kingdom
screamed.
Spoke the dragon slayer
This is no snoring! Fear not, my fellow fluffy citizens!
words of a fearless warrior.
said a mysterious voice You are all saved by my awesomeness.

30 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 31

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

One Day Summer Decided Well, no one else has anything like that, Ellen uttered as if it was nothing
special to say. Then she asked Summer: And what about you? Im sure you also
have many extraordinary things.
AUTHOR: BETA BRANDTETEROV
Uh, what? Summer stopped listening for a while.
One day Summer decided to build a hot-air balloon and fly away. Building
such a balloon would be a piece of cake for her. Namely, her daddy was a hot- Doesnt your dad travel around the world? He must have collected thousands
air balloon engineer and had already taught her everything about balloons. of them.
She knew about the right temperature of the air necessary for taking off, about
the right material for the basket and also all the stories. What stories? Well, I dont think I have any extraordinary things, Summer said. My daddy
the stories from his trial flights. How he almost crash landed in the desert or, usually brings me pictures of the places he has visited.
her favorite one--how once he flew so close to a flock of flamingos that the
whole basket was covered with pink feathers. This story often appeared in her Ellen certainly wasnt a mean girl, but sometimes she just didnt know how
dreams. Dreams in which she herself was a flamingo and circled around her to react and said the first thing that came to her mind. It is a well-known fact
family flying in the balloon. that children are very sensitive (they sometimes turn into adults and ignore
other peoples feelings or even pretend they dont have any, but that is another
Although Summer loved her fathers stories and she often wished she could story), so no wonder that Summer felt touched by what Ellen was about to say,
share his experience, it wasnt the main reason for her to fly away. It all began even though she tried her best to hide her feelings.
on Tuesday morning. Summer woke up, did her hair, had some breakfast, but
she had no idea what was happening at school at that very moment. It was Its not important where you are, but what you can afford.
quarter to eight when she put her dress and stockings on a school uniform of
Summer didnt notice how the rest of the day went by. She wasnt sure how
Y City Elementary School.
to react to what her friend had said, so she pretended nothing had happened.
She put on her shoes and headed to school without a particular reason to However, her head was filled with gloomy thoughts and with plans how to
hurry. The school was right next to her house; she only had to cross a small prove that she was special.
park. That was probably the reason why she always arrived at school three
As soon as Summer got home, she ran straight to her dads office. With her
minutes before her classes started, while her classmates attended a morning
schoolbag still on her back, she searched the drawers of his desk and looked
youth club.
for one of his construction plans. Of course, she had a rough idea how to build
That morning, Summer could hear Ellens voice even before she had entered a balloon, but you just want to be sure when constructing a thing like that.
the class. Finally, she managed to find a light-blue paper with all the necessary details.
A second later, she was sitting in her room thinking about all the things she
Im serious! My sister got this for me near the South Ocean. Only two people would need to construct the basket.
there collect these shells.
Bast rope, yes, I have that. There should be some wood in the cellar and I will
Just as Summer was sitting down next to Ellen, Benny asked: So this is the use our fence for the metal construction. That shouldnt be a problem. Who
only pearl alga in the world? would miss a piece of the fence? she was talking to herself. Summer started to
work right away.
32 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 33
 ARTICLES ARTICLES

What are you doing, sweetie? Summers mom wondered, as it was The flamingo just giggled. I know what you want to do and why. But you
already dark outside and Summer didnt even leave her room. dont have to fly away to be special. You are the only one with a feather like
this. Im the only talking flamingo and with this feather, you can call me any
Im building a hot-air balloon, Summer replied. Her mom just
time you need. But not on Saturdays. Even flamingos like to have a day off. And
laughed.
neither on Tuesdays. I love my Tuesday poker.
Are you going on a trip all by yourself?
But my friends wont believe me, Summer hesitated.
Summer was about to nod, but then she decided to leave this question
Why should they believe you? You know its true. You wouldnt leave your
unanswered. All parents have this annoying habit of forbidding
parents just like that, would you? What would they do without you?
their children to do something without a particular reason, even if
its something completely safe and simple. What if this was the case? But my daddy has been to so many amazing places and all he has ever
Summer couldnt take the risk, so she just smiled. brought were postcards. Nothing special I just wanted to prove that

A couple of hours later, the balloon was ready. Summer hid everything The flamingo flapped its wings and giggled again.
under her bed, but if you looked close enough, you could see a part of
the basket sticking out. Since Summer was going to leave that night, she And how do you think I got here? Someone must have called me. I apologize,
figured it didnt matter. She would prove everyone that she WAS special. I should have come a month ago, in time for your birthday, but I got stuck in
When her parents came to check on her, she pretended to be sleeping. Africa. Your dad wanted to surprise you and I was supposed to be the surprise.
Then she waited for about half an hour (but it could easily be five minutes
All of a sudden Summer realized how small-minded she was. Of course her
or five hours its not easy to estimate time when youre lying in your
parents would be worried. Of course its important what she knew and not
bed quietly).
what Ellen was saying. She ran home immediately, with the feather hidden in
When she was sure that her parents were asleep, she took the basket her pocket. When she got there, she slipped into her parents bed.
and the balloon and threw them out of the window as quietly as possible.
I love you, she mumbled and hugged her little brother Philip who was
Then she climbed down and went to the park. There she put all the parts
sleeping between her parents.
together and soon the balloon was ready to take off. Summer was about
to hop into the basket when she noticed a pink feather on her sleeve. She
Up to this day, no one in Y City knows how the huge balloon got in the middle
looked up, but there was no bird.
of the park, but sometimes they see a pink flamingo circling above the houses
until it disappears in one of the gardens.
Im right here, Summer! a voice came from the basket. She screamed
a little as she looked inside and saw a real flamingo. The flamingo flapped
its wings and turned its head towards Summer. Summer, go home. Your
parents will be worried when they find out youre gone.

How come youre talking? I thought flamingos couldnt talk! she

wondered.

34 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 35

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

Interesting facts about Henry VIII

AUTHOR: MICHAELA POLEKOV

Henry VIII, one of the most famous monarchs in the history of England, is mainly However, one day, while he was jousting, he fell off his horse and was left unconscious for
remembered for having had six wives and having established the Church of England. But two hours. After this accident he started to gain loads of weight and he became so stout he
what else do you know about this king apart from his fondness for women and bad relations needed help to get on his horse. In his final years, he even had to be carried around his palace
with the Pope? There is a number of interesting stories and peculiarities to be told about his on a little cart. The charismatic young king turned into afat, ill, selfish and
Majesty. arrogant despot.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.
As far as Henrys hobbies are concerned, he really liked music. He could play the lute,
the harpsichord and he even composed several songs that became very popular throughout
England, for example, Pastime with Good Company, a song about courtly enjoyments. Apart
from that, he was into sports, hunting, jousting and archery.

Henry VIII was a big fan of making peculiar laws. Some of the most curious ones are
the following:

every Englishman had to practise archery for an hour on Saturdays;

2. Anne Boleyn people needed to be able to beg legally, beggars had to obtain a licence, but the
4. Anne of Cleves
beheaded divorced
licence was only given to the elderly, the sick and the disabled and if those able to
work were caught begging, they were punished by whipping.

a series of laws called Sumptuary Laws, which dictated people what and how much
to eat or what to wear.
3. Jane Seymour
1. Catherine of Aragon died They were practically concerned with almost every aspect of everyday life and their main
divorced
objective was to maintain the distinction among the social classes in English society.

Henry also had a liking for animals. He kept a large number of different species, for
example, ferrets, dogs, hawks, nightingales, canaries and falcons. His most unconventional pet
5. Catherine Howard 6. Catherine Parr was amarmoset, a type of a small tropical monkey.
beheaded survived
During his reign, he had about 72,000 heads chopped off. Those belonged to, among others,
To start with, he was not meant to be king at all because he had an older two of his wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard as well as his advisors, servants, priests,
brother. As Henry was supposed to enter the Church, he focused on studying, writing religious etc.
essays and praying, not on royal issues. However, his brother died young and he became the
heir to the throne.
Henry ordered the most beheadings
In his youth, King Henry VIII was a very handsome man: he was in good trim and
of all the English monarchs.
health, charming, educated and captivating. Good looks and riches attracted a lot of women
and he quickly changed his focus of attention from the Church to the ladies of the court.

36 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 37

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

How well do you know the world

of foreign languages? A talk with foreign students
Hi there, language enthusiasts! AUTHOR: Monika Harmadyov,
Lets play alittle true or false game. Michaela Polekov
This semester we went on our little big students from all over theworld, which enabled us
Well take our hats off to you if you get more than half of the answers right J adventure: we decided to do an Erasmus exchange to learn so much about life in other countries. We
programme and study abroad. It turned out to asked some ofthem to share their thoughts about
AUTHOR: Monika Harmadyov, be a great decision because we gained a lot their country, education and technology with us
Michaela Polekov TRUE or FALSE? ofexperience by immersing ourselves in a different and they were more than willing to express their
1. There are more than 7,000 languages in the world. culture. We broadened our horizons and made new opinions.
friends. We were surrounded by other international
2. The oldest written language is believed to date back to about 1500 BC.
3. 12% of the worlds population speaks Mandarin as their first language.
4. There are 25,000 characters in the Chinese language. What makes your country special?
5. A quarter of the worlds population speaks at least some English. Laura, France
I think it is landscape that makes my country
6. South Africa has 11 official languages the most for a single country. special. There is the ocean, the sea, mountains and
7. One language dies about every 14 days. also castles.
8. There are 24 working languages of the EU and 7 official UN languages.
9. You can use an ATM in Latin in the Vatican City. What does education mean to you?
10. There are 6 imaginary languages in The Lord of the Rings.
In my opinion, education means to learn how to
answers speak, how to write and how to be polite, respectful
1. F - There are more than 2,700 languages in the world. There are more than 7,000 dialects. 2. F - Perhaps the oldest written language is believed to date to others. It also allows to gain knowledge.
back to about 4500-5000 BC. Archaeologists and linguists call it Proto-Saharan. Inscriptions in the language were found near the Kharga oasis west of so-called
Nubia. 3. T; 4. F - There are 50,000 characters in the Chinese language. Youll need to know about 2,000 to read a newspaper. 5. T; 6. T; 7. T Eastern Siberia, the
Northwest Pacific Plateau of North America and Northern Australia are hotspots for endangered languages. Approximately 230 languages are now completely Does technology control our lives?
extinct. 8. F - There are 24 working languages of the EU and 6 official UN languages. 9. T; 10 F - There are 12 imaginary languages in The Lord of the Rings.
I think technology controls our lives because all the time we use our mobile phones, laptops
and the internet. We are dependent on technology and we are connected all day long.
DID YOU KNOW THAT...
Esperanto is an artificial language but is spoken by about 500,000 to 2 million people, and
2 feature films have been made in the language?
the most difficult language to learn is allegedly Basque, which is spoken in north- Magda, Poland
What makes your country special?
western Spain and south-western France? It is not related to any other language in the
world. It has an extremely complicated word structure and vocabulary.
50% of educational time in Luxembourg is devoted to learning English, German, and Thats a really hard question, but there are a lot of things
French? that make it unique. I think nature in Poland is beautiful (even
though it is sometimes cold there). We have mountains, the
many languages in Africa include a click sound that is pronounced at the same time as
sea, lakes, a lot of forests and green areas. I think that food is
other sounds? You must learn these languages during your childhood to make the sound
also different and good, especially pierogi y urek which
properly.
all my foreign friends love.
Somalia is the only African country in which the entire population speaks the same
language, Somali? And the people! We are true patriots, but we are also really
the Bible is available in 2,454 languages? open to other cultures. We are friendly and always ready to
there are 13 ways to spell the o sound in French? help, especially young people. If you want to be a guest in a
the most common letters in English are R, S, T, L, N and E? This might be a piece of useful Polish house, get ready to be treated better than family.
information for playing hangman. J
apalindrome is a word which reads the same backward or foreward? For example, racecar.

38 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 39

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

What does education mean to you? Does technology control our lives?

It's a really important part of my life. Thanks to education I create my future (of course it's Yes, unfortunately, it does. I remember the time when I was a little girl without a mobile
just a part of it). I study what I really love to do and I hope that education will open for me the phone or iPad or anything I went to the park to play with my friends and we invented new
door to a good job and a good life. It creates my personality, my world and my thoughts. games and had so much fun now bored little kids dont want to play anymore because mamas
iPad solves the problems: you just have to download a new game and life is happy again!
Does technology control our lives?
People dont talk so much anymore. They go to see each other, but then they just talk via
Definitely YES! Nowadays, life without technology doesnt exist and I think it isnt good. Whatsapp with other friends. They have a lot going on in all different social media, they might
Because in a few years technology will dominate us. Its already started to do so children have 10000 friends on Facebook, but still they are lonelier than ever.
prefer playing online to playing in playgrounds; factories need just a few people to control You have to be all the time available. If you dont answer your phone in 5 minutes, people
machines; virtual friends start to be more important than real friends. Its so sad. Of course, we think youre dead. That makes life stressful.
need technology, but we should have more control of it.
And not only the mobile phones. Technology controls our whole life. Everything is driven by
electricity, and when theres a thunderstorm and there is a blackout, everybody is going crazy.
People seem to be unable to spend one short day without TV, a hairdryer, a microwave oven,
Heta, Finland What makes your country special? cars, computers or electronical-whatever. Thats a bit sad.

One speciality of my country is the nature. In Finland I dont mean we should go back to nature and hunt elephants with only one piece of canvas
there are not so many inhabitants, so we have few big on us like Tarzans, but too much is too much. Technology is a good servant but a bad master.
cities. However, there are lots of beautiful lakes, green We have lots of great inventions that make our life easier, but we should remember that life
fields, huge forests and all kinds of wild animals. The shouldnt be too easy. If we only concentrate on thinking about what machines we can build to
variety of flora and fauna is extraordinary. And the air make our beds, do our breakfast or brush our teeth, we forget whats truly important. We forget
is clean we dont have so much pollution as some other to LIVE
countries do.

The other thing that makes Finland special is the

people. In Finland you can find the most punctual, serious
and hard-working people on Earth. When a Finn promises What makes your country special?
something, s/he will keep their promise no matter what. Fernando, Mexico
And one typical characteristic of the Finns is the thing In my country people are very supportive. You will
that we call sisu - that means that we never give up and always find the help of a Mexican when you ask for it.
even in difficult situations we try to do everything we can Mexican cuisine plays a very important role in the
to make things happen. Were passionate about the things identity of the Mexicans. And when it comes to sharing,
which are important for us - ice hockey, sauna and swimming in iced lake after that, and of the Mexicans always offer you a part of what is theirs
course, salted liquorice. The Finns might be shy and they might seem a little bit reserved and with a smile.
cold, but we have a warm heart and we care about our people and our nature.
What does education mean to you?
One thing you shouldnt forget is the language. It belongs to the same language family as
Hungarian, but its completely different. People say that its the hardest language to learn in the Education is not only going to school because since
whole world, and thats true indeed. In addition, we kind of have two languages: one for writing you were born your parents began to teach you how to
and one for speaking, both completely different! behave in society with respect and kindness.

What does education mean to you? Does technology control our lives?
Im now going to start my studies at a university - Im going to study law. Before this, in I think technology has not yet gained full control of our lives, but its true that it
primary school, secondary school and upper secondary school, Ive always loved studying and makes us more useless in everyday life. I think that in the future technology will
learning. I highly appreciate the people who have studied a lot and I think education is one of control everything we can handle ourselves.
the most important things that were giving to our children, teenagers and young adults. So
education means a lot for me. Education is the thing that gives us the tools to see the life then
we can use these tools as we want to.
The article continues on the next page
40 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 41
 ARTICLES ARTICLES

What makes your country special? What makes your country special?
Ana, Spain Veronika, Czech
Spain has many good points that make our country republic
In my opinion, the special thing about the Czech
an unforgettable place for people that come to visit us.
Republic is that we are a small country with agreat
Food, good weather or wonderful views are some of the
concentration of successful people in many areas:
treasures that cross borders when people speak about our
sport, science, art, etc. The next thing is our beer
country, but honestly, I think that what makes Spain a
and our capital Prague and a lot of castles and also
special place is more than these. When a Spanish person
natural landmarks.
leaves his country, apart from all these things, this person
will miss the people, the way we live, the traditions and
lores, popular arts, music... Our culture is definitely the What does education mean to you?
most important thing.
Education for me is one of the most important
What does education mean to you? parts in my life - it determines my next direction,
my job and my main interests. I feel that education
In just one word, education means freedom to me. Culture and knowledge are two of the is a big opportunity to learn a part of the world more
most important values that can make someone grow up as a free person. Ignorance is so deeply and to use this knowledge well and give it to
dangerous, it can make us think we are free when the truth is that we cannot see beyond what the others.
we usually see.
Does technology control our lives?
Does technology control our lives?
In one sense, I think it does whether we use the internet or a smartphone, we are controlled
Probably, to say that technology controls our lives could be a very strong statement, but in many directions. On the other hand, in my opinion, it depends on how we let technology
it definitely has a huge influence on our way of life and our social life. In my opinion, new control us. However, the best solution is to use technology to help us and to have the control in
information technologies should make us the most social generation in history, instead of that, our hands.
when I travel in public transport, or even when I see friends meeting around me, I have the
feeling that we communicate in person less than ever before.

What makes your country special?

Longin, Hong Kong
What makes your country special? I think its the history and culture. China was one (China)
Nuria, Spain What makes my country special is the peculiar way of life! of the four ancient giant kingdoms for more than
I think that the good climate we have makes people more five thousand years. We experienced some great
cheerful and nicer in general. We really like to spend time times in history such as the Tang dynasty. We
with friends and family and the gastronomy is part of that. name ourselves the generation of Dragon because
we believe we have the strong cultural identity that
makes us unique all over the world. Besides this,
What does education mean to you? I think the music and food cultures also make us
special in Asia.
Education is fundamental to me. It means to learn how
to be a person and live in the world. Education is the basis
for people and society and without any doubt it plays an What does education mean to you?
important role in our destiny.
Education is a tool to improve the living standard
of humans. I believe education can change ones fate.
Does technology control our lives?
Education is power.
Technology is a constant part of my life and it is essential for many things. In spite of this, However, the current education system in Hong
I dont think it controls my life. It all depends on how you approach it: for me it is a tool that Kong makes local students frustrated because it seems
helps me in certain respects and makes things easier, but I also spend time without it. education is a negative investment. Students and the

The article continues on the next page

42 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 43
 ARTICLES ARTICLES

community have become so money-minded that students only choose business subjects as Does technology control our lives?
their major. In this case, the salary income for the majority of them is far below the living costs.
Education becomes a twist in Hong Kong. Nobody in Hong Kong could enjoy the life of study as Technology controls the majority of lives. As people do not receive proper education (as the
there is a huge studying and careers pressure. type I have mentioned and explained above), it is very easy to predict human acts towards a
given parameter. This parameter can be a new fast food product, a new tablet or a computer,
or a new song.
Does technology control our lives?
With the power of technology, it is really not difficult to predict human behaviour when one
Yes, I think so. The lives of people have become more homogenous - texts, Facebook, online finds out how much advertising needs to be done, who should be used to advertise and how
shopping, YouTube... Nowadays, people seem to have become slaves of technology. All over the many billboards to be used. Then, it is all about the vulnerability of the human mind.
streets people are just holding smartphones and keep texting. Actually, I think such an over-
reliance has made inter-personal relationships more distant, and has lead to a decline in some However, I believe that a proper education would make the minds work more critically
goods. and strengthen the threshold of vulnerability and even perhaps it would give impermeability
against diffusing/targeting control of technology on ones life.
For instance, in the past, people wrote letters, postcards and memory books when they were
going to graduate from primary school or college. However, if you still keep such a habit, others
will just laugh at you.
And I think technology has also controlled our thinking. With the advent of net language,
some of the classical literature or language proficiency of the next generation are soon to be
abandoned. This is somehow disappointing. What makes your country special? Diana, Switzerland
My country is small, but very special because of
its security of life. Very rarely do we have problems
with administrative issues and I appreciate that a
What makes your country special? Huseyin, Turkey lot. The nature in Switzerland is idyllic, there are
The level of illiteracy makes it special. lakes and mountains and its a country where you
can do all kinds of sports: from skiing to surfing.
What does education mean to you?
What does education mean to you?
Education means self-awareness. Having the accountability for your actions based on mind/
thinking/consciousness instead of fundamental human (animal) needs. Hence, an educated Education is fundamental in everyones life.
person (for me) is the one who can acknowledge his behaviour based on choices and preferences I think it is necessary to distinguish between two
that totally come out of his own self, meaning that as he shows an action he does not do it as types of education. The first is the one we receive
a result of his man needs (this term means basic human motions coming out of needs, where from our parents. They teach us how to behave in
society. The second one is school education, which
when you compare with animals one may not see any difference in similar conditions). To give
is also fundamental because it refers not only to the present, but we also learn about the
an example, a hungry animal eats if you feed it; if a hungry man eats when you give him food,
history of our ancestors. The two types of education are fundamental for us to be able to orient
he is not different from the animal because that comes out of our instincts. So, our animal part ourselves in society.
drives us.

However, if a person questions the reason of being given the food, although he needs it, this Does technology control our lives?
person acts against his animal instincts and I believe that it can only be done with education,
Yes, technology controls our lives. In the 21st century it is no longer possible to communicate
and this education is my definition of education. Education does not have to be about master without it. The economic world wouldnt work without computers, tablets or mobiles. But even
pieces of modern art, or about great empires in history, neither in mathematics or physics. in personal life technology is fundamental. A world where only letters are written
These are all important sources of knowledge that help us in very different aspects; however, a is no longer imaginable.
true education first starts with education of the man to differ him from animal kinship when he
is subject to the same level of environmental stress so that he can act differently than animals
would do.
The article continues on the next page

44 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 45

 ARTICLES ARTICLES

What makes your country special? What makes your country special?
Cristina, Brazil Solne, France
Brazil is a big country with different cultures, Foreigners usually associate France with
different climates, different food, different gastronomy, wine and some idea of sexiness, but I
landscapes. And this diversity is something were think these are just stereotypes. I wouldnt say there
very proud of. But there are two more things that, in is one particular feature corresponding to my country
my opinion, also make Brazil a special country. because its composed of a lot of different people, but it
is true that we are very attached to the French language.
First, I would say our hospitality. Once youre
in Brazil, most people will try to make you feel What does education mean to you?
welcome and have a good experience there.
I think education is really important in our society
And second, I would say our resilience. As a because it is a way to transcend our social class and
nation, weve been through a lot. Until today we face maybe become different from what our origins
many problems with health, security, economy... But destined us to be.
we somehow find a way to grow and keep things
going, even when were reminded daily by the news, Does technology control our lives?
national and international, that those who we I wouldnt say that it controls our lives, but it
trusted to be in the government have been betraying definitely occupies a great place in it. In my case, I cant
us for many years. spend one day without using my computer or checking
What does education mean to you? Facebook on my phone.
Education is a very important part of my life. I believe it opens the minds of people to see
things beyond their surroundings. I used to think that only comes with formal education, but
thankfully Ive learned its not true. I still think formal education is important, but now I also
know we can learn in different ways. The more ways you find to learn from life and other What makes your country special?
people, the more you will be able to see the world from different points of view. Marie, Germany
I think a country is always special
Education is about learning, and every day we are learning something new. From a book, a for its society, for its history and maybe
person or an experience, we always have the chance to become more educated, not just staying its landscape. So people in Germany
the same, with the same ideas and poor judgment of things. are worried about everything or
at least think a lot about whether
Does technology control our lives?
something makes sense, whether it
I would love to just say no, were not controlled by technology, but I think its not that is useful, and if not, how we could
simple anymore. I think were not dependent on it yet. But yes, we are very used to having improve it.
computers, smartphones and all the facilities that come along with them, and its really hard
In fact, we are thinkers, and we
when we find ourselves without them.
have always been. Thats why we
Technology is great, its something to help us at work, in communication, relationships, free are often inventors, we discuss a lot
time. But as we do with many things that are supposed to help us, we put it in a position which and are known as unsatisfied people
it was not made for. Technology is supposed to serve us, and not the opposite. But we somehow because we are always in a process of improving. This makes us great and strong if you look
find a way to give it the power to decide how much time we are going to spend in a place at development, future, technology, etc., but it also makes us weak to frustrations as seen in
(because we have to go home and watch a new episode of a TV series, no matter how much history. We as people are very practical, punctual, hospitable, great chefs and always prepared.
fun were having where we are) or at which table were going to sit in a restaurant (because we Besides, there are many other things like food or monuments, as every country has its typical
can plug in our charger, it does not matter if we have to face a wall and yet two tables ahead things. But I think most special in a country are always the people that live in it.
we would have a great view of outdoors). And these are just ordinary situations. There still are
more complex ones, like our need to post on social networks about every single thing we do,
how we use it to control everything someone else is doing, how we are so brave to say things
through the screen but completely incapable of expressing these same feelings and opinions in
person. So, my opinion is that we are not completely controlled by technology yet. But its time
to be careful, if we dont pay attention to the way were using it now we can become dependent The article continues on the next page
on it soon.

46 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 47

 What does education mean to you?
Correct Answers to Professor and Movies
I think education is the key to a better future. Without education we wont learn from the past
and will do the same mistakes that had already been done, like in a circle. Without education 1G, 2D, 3C, 4F, 5E, 6A, 7B
there is no future and its the most important thing in a humans life.

Does technology control our lives?

Actually I think this question is very difficult. But in the end I have to agree. Yes, technology
controls our lives! You just have to think about one day.
In the morning the alarm clock tells me when to get up. What would I do without it? Now
you could say: well, but you decided when it rings and not the alarm clock, and thats right. I
only used the technology. But its also right that I dont know how to wake up without it. So I
am dependent on it. We are dependent on technology.
And if you are dependent on something no one can say that it doesnt control you at least
partly. The only part that is still ours are relationships. We decide with whom we want to spend EDITORIAL TEAM
time and with whom not. With whom we fall in love, from whom we tear apart. And to whom
we feel related. But think about long-distance friendships. Would they be possible without MONIKA HARMADYOV EDITORS
technology? MARTINA TOMAOVIOV
MAXIM DULEBA
MICHAELA POLEKOV
TEREZA MICHALKOV
MONIKA BENAOV
BETA BRANDTETEROV
DENISA MAJTSOV GRAPHIC DESIGN
DENISA MAJTSOV COPY EDITOR
COVER PHOTO BY MARTIN KOLENI
CONTENT PHOTOS: WIKIPEDIA, PERSPECTIVES
FREE PHOTOBANKS AND WALLPAPERS

Perspectives is an online student magazine published twice a year.

www.perspectivesmagazine.sk
ISSN 1338-6182
PUBLISHER
KATEDRA ANGLISTIKY A AMERIKANISTIKY
FILOZOFICK FAKULTA
UNIVERZITA KOMENSKHO
GONDOVA 2
814 99 BRATISLAVA

CONTACT
E-mail: [email protected]

The End
48 | Volume 7, ISSUE 1 PERSPECTIVES | 49