Theories Of Primary Language Acquisition - 2337 Words

Two theories of primary language acquisition emerged from 1950s psychological research: B.F. Skinner’s behaviorist theory and Noam Chomsky’s biological theory of language development. Primary language acquisition addresses specifically the way in which an infant’s native language is beginning to form, starting at birth. Primary language acquisition continues to develop throughout the rest of childhood within the critical period. Skinner argued that children acquire and develop language based purely on the behaviorist theory, which states behaviors are developed and focused around conditioning. If a certain behavior produces a positive outcome, the individual is more likely to repeat that behavior. However, if a certain behavior produces a negative outcome, the individual is less likely to repeat that specific behavior. Conditioning, whether classical or operant, was the sole basis on which children acquired language. In his Verbal Behavior, Skinner gives the following example: â€Å"Out! Has the same ultimate effect as turning the knob and pushing against the door. The explanation of both behaviors is the same.† (Skinner, 1949, p. 35) In this form of operant conditioning, â€Å"Each response is acquired and continues to be maintained in strength because it is frequently followed by an appropriate consequence.† (Skinner, 1949, p. 35) Because â€Å"Out!† is followed by the â€Å"appropria te consequence,† i.e., successfully opening and leaving through the door, the behavior is likely to beShow MoreRelatedInnateness of Children’s Language Acquisition1371 Words   |  6 PagesThe subtlety of language acquisition has been the most fundamental question in the study of linguistics and human development. From Bow-wow Theory to Yo-He-Ho Theory, major theories on the origins and learnability of language have emerged in mid-20th century and heavily debated ever since. Among them, the idea of universal grammar in which is usually credited to linguist Noam Chomsky, remains the most notable and controversial theory over time. He introduced and developed the theory from 1950s to 1970sRead MoreThe subtlety of language acquisition has been the most fundamental question in the study of1500 Words   |  6 PagesThe subtlety of language acquisition has been the most fundamental question in the study of linguistics and human development. From Bow-wow Theory to Yo-He-Ho T heory, the major theories on language origins and learnability emerged at mid-20th century and has been heavily debated ever since. Among them, the idea of universal grammar in which is usually credited to linguist Noam Chomsky, remains the most notable and controversial theory over time. He introduced and developed the t heory from 1950sRead MoreDiversity And Cultural Issues Of Tesol Education1545 Words   |  7 Pagesstrategies, and approaches for engaging English language learners were examined. Students all over the world learn English for a variety of reasons. Some students must study English as a requirement. Other students may wish to travel, study abroad, or work in the global marketplace where knowledge of the English language is seen as a prerequisite for success. Still other students have migrated to communities where English is spoken as the primary language. 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The idea of mediation inherent in this notion of the language is a fundamental element of Sociocultural Theory [SCT], one of the most influential approach to learning and mental development since 1990s’, drawing on its origin from the work of soviet psychologistRead MoreThe Identity Of Saudi Arabia900 Words   |  4 Pages2013). Seeing the language as social practice, we consider its influenced and influencing on our identity. Moreover, in language learning and/or acquisition, identity is subject to change and struggle. For a first look, Saudi Arabia lacks the diversity in concern of languages that other countries have, such as the United States and Canada. However, this monolingual situation is deceivable. Hence, there is a language diversity that need to be addressed and discussed. Mehri language is one of the familyRead MoreChild‚Äà ¬Adult Differences in Second-Language Phonological Learning: the Role of Cross-Language Similarity1188 Words   |  5 PagesDifferences in Second-Language Phonological Learning: The Role of Cross-Language Similarity† examines an explanation of why it is easier for children than adults to acquire a second language other than the concept that a person has critical neurological periods where he is more able to assimilate a language. The idea examined is called â€Å"Interaction Hypothesis† (IH.) This concept is that a person’s first and second languages interact with each other. As an individual ages, his first language becomes a strongerRead MoreCritically evaluate Gardner and Lambert’s theory of instrumental and integrative motivation as a key influencing factor in Second Language Acquisition980 Words   |  4 PagesCritically evaluate Gardner and Lambert’s theory of instrumental and in tegrative motivation as a key influencing factor in Second Language Acquisition During the process of studying second language, Gardner and Lambert’s theory about instrumental and integrative motivation has a significant impact on different learners. As Falk (2000; cited in Norris-Holt, 2001) states that if learners aim to develop relationship with foreign friends or comprehend lyrics in popular song, which means that theseRead MoreHow Do Humans Acquire Language?1332 Words   |  6 PagesDo Humans Acquire Language? Humans live in a world full of communication. Humans possess a native language that separates them from other animals. Language is developed within the first few years of a person s life. By the time one is a child; he can speak and understand almost as well as an adult. Children world-wide exhibit similar patterns of language acquisition even though they may be learning different languages. How humans learn even the most complicated languages has perplexed theRead MoreEssay about How Do Humans Acquire Language?1294 Words   |  6 PagesAcquire Language? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Humans live in a world full of communication. Humans possess a native language that separates them from other animals. Language is developed within the first few years of a person’s life. By the time one is a child; he can speak and understand almost as well as an adult. Children world-wide exhibit similar patterns of language acquisition even though they may be learning different languages. How humans learn even the most complicated languages has perplexed

Artwork Year of the Goat Essay Example For Students

Artwork Year of the Goat Essay I visited the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts to see the 30th Annual Exhibition of New Year Prints.   I immediately saw the big, bright and red exhibition. The special decoration of the museum ignited my curiosity because I used to see the museum with white walls hanging with different art pieces. Since its the Year of the Goat in Chinese culture, I sensed the festive excitements. The ambience is vivid and not as dull as usual. Red walls add the festive spirit to the exhibition. I experienced the emotional effects of color that are used. The walls used to display the artworks are all red. It implies the bountiful blessings and fortunes in the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Despite the blissful feelings of surrounding, there are two pieces of paintings that caught my attentions. Both of them have their own unique characteristics. One is the silkscreen by LU Yen-Ching, Wealth, Prosperity and Auspices for the Year of the Goat, 2014, 47 x 32. 5 cm and the other is the woodcut by Lee Chiung-Hua, The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, 2014, 54. 5 x 39. 5 cm. We will write a custom essay on Artwork Year of the Goat specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Both of art pieces have similar meanings of wishing 2015 to be a happy year and hoping for a flourishing year. Thick lines and lightening effects are used in both paintings. However, there are some differences with the festive symbols used to convey the messages. Also, value, shape, color and textures are applied in both pieces differently. Both of them are drawn on different materials. One is on the woodcut and the other one is on the silkscreen. Wealth, Prosperity and Auspices for the Year of the Goat, shows the focus on the peony flowers and scale is larger than any objects in the image. The colors of flowers are bright and it catches our attentions to make it the centered part. However, in The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, the white and large goat is the focus and the emphasis. As a viewer, the goat is placed in a well- balanced position as other subjects in the image and it is the figure. The different emphasis gives viewers different intuitions about the message it wants to convey. However, we view things as a coherent whole and we conclude that they both provide the messages of wishing people a good year. From the texture aspects of each piece, the goats in The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, has more visual textures than the other one. As I observed the big white goat, I saw the details of the fur. Our eyes interpret the texture of the goat hair to be fluffy. While the waves of the sea at the back, the visual texture doesnt try to depict the texture of the water itself. The lines in the background convey the messages of a roughness. However, in Wealth, Prosperity and Auspices for the Year of the Goat, the goats at the bottom, do not have much visual textures. They dont have any specific touch to emphasize the details. While there is not actual real line in our surroundings, LU Yen-Ching and Lee Chiung-Hua create contour lines as a symbol for represented images. In Wealth, Prosperity and Auspices for the Year of the Goat, the peony flowers are drawn with thick- brushed pink lines. This portrays the flowers are the important symbol of acquisition of wealth and good fortunes. While in The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, the bat, the golden balls and the gold ingot-carrying carp are all drawn with bold lines. All of them are the symbols of excessive wealth in the image of Chinese culture. They are drawn in thick lines to mark as important images. Even though both pieces portray the same general meanings, they used different symbols. LU Yen-Ching uses peony flowers and goats as the main images to represent the excessive wealth, fortunes and health. However, Lee Chiung-Hua uses the ocean, golden balls, and goats to provide viewers the same blessings. Ocean symbolizes rise and the hope, while the goats bring us happiness. .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .postImageUrl , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:hover , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:visited , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:active { border:0!important; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:active , .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u14c44bc3c014a18519963813f840630d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Isolation and Society in Bartleby, the Scrivener B EssayGoats also bring us the auspices. We can conclude that Chinese symbols have common sounds and the similar messages. From the value perspective views of each art piece, both paintings have relatively high value range. Value enables our eyes to create the lifelike feelings even on the two- dimensional and flat surfaces. LU Yen-Ching uses the wild range of color between the figure and the ground. The background is a brown color and the flower is a pinkish red color. The colorful color of the flowers make the painting stands out and not flat. Also, the same effect is shown on The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, the white goat with the blue sea in the back makes the painting look more lifelike. Light is an important component to make three- dimensional work. Even though there is no actual light in both pieces, the gradual change of colors makes the subjects more defined. In Wealth, Prosperity and Auspices for the Year of the Goat, as we look from top to bottom, the brown gets darker. This is similar to the lighting effect that is shown on the peony flowers. In The Year of Goat, a Year of Flamboyance, as we look from top to bottom, the blue gets darker. This effect makes the goats stand out. Overall, wealth, prosperity and auspices for the Year of the Goat and a Year of Flamboyance have similarities on the thick lines and the lighting effects. They convey the same general message. They express the joy and happiness of the Lunar New Year. However, there are some other differences used to make them unique. Value, shape, color, festive symbols and texture are used differently throughout the paintings. These two different art pieces are also good representations of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Pope John Paul Xiii Impact on Christianity free essay sample

Pope John XXIII played a vital role in shaping Christianity as we know it today. He contributed socially, politically and liturgically and was a major influence in the establishment of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue between other churches and religions. He advocated Christian unity, social justice, human rights and the promotion of world peace, and his openness to all people led to him obtaining the name â€Å"Good Pope John†. The early life of Pope John XXIII shaped his morality and future ideas, and his travelling made him tolerant towards other people, cultures and beliefs.He believed that â€Å"No one is excluded by love† and pursued this belief throughout is papacy, even visiting prisons in order to forgive those who had sinned, considering them all his children. He had a strong personal spirituality that was central to his character and he promoted obedience and peace in all that he did, becoming a role model for many. We will write a custom essay sample on Pope John Paul Xiii Impact on Christianity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The will of God was central to his belief and Pope John XXIII defined himself as a man of action, not an authority figure, allowing Christians to connect and relate to him personally.Pope John XXIII promoted the openness of the Catholic church, establishing the second Vatican Council which worked to modernise the liturgy and Catholic Church organisations. He changed the language of the mass from Latin to Vernacular, allowing adherents to develop a greater understanding and a more active role in their worship. The Council increased the role of the Laity and women in church, allowing them to participate in readings and also removed altar rails and made priests face the congregation, eliminating the physical barrier between the priest and the congregation.His hospitality to Communists was highly controversial amongst the Catholic church, and showed how he believed strongly in developing ties in order to discuss human rights and encourage peace. During his Papacy, Pope John XXIII publis hed several encyclicals promoting world peace(Pacem in Terris) and increasing the consciousness of one’s dignity and rights of workers, women and newly independent nations (Mater et Magisterum). Pacem in Terris was addressed to the whole world and received warmly by Christians and non-Christians alike. It altered thinking about the Cold War and initiated the resurgence of Catholic social teaching. John Pope XXII’s main contribution to Christianity was for human kind rather than Catholics. He affirmed human rights as the basis of peace. He explicitly praised the Declaration of Human Rights which had been issued by the UN in 1948 and has helped to recapture the Christian sense of family. By initiating the Vatican II Council, John Pope XXIII contributed to sweeping changes and widespread reforms with the Catholic church which set in motion forces that were to affect Catholics, Christians and non-Christians alike.His emphasis on world peace and creating a dialogue between Christian variants and other religions impacted Christianity’s development and expression, and created unity. He was respected and loved by many and after his death Pope John XXIII was honoured by many Protestants organisations as Christian reformer. â€Å"To the entire world Pope John has given what neither diplomacy nor science could give: a sense of unity to the human family. † – Time Magazine, article on Pope John XXIII – Man of the Year.

Canada Drops NETFILE Access Code Requirement

Canada Drops NETFILE Access Code Requirement Before 2013, a four-digit personal NETFILE access code was required in order to use NETFILE to file a Canadian personal income tax return online. The NETFILE access code is no longer required. The only personal identification needed is a social insurance number and date of birth. About NETFILE NETFILE is an electronic tax-filing service that allows a Canadian taxpayer to send an individual income tax and benefit return directly to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) using the internet  and a NETFILE-certified software program.  It streamlines the  tax filing process.  NETFILE is considered secure, confidential, faster and more accurate than submitting a paper form in the mail. NETFILE Access Code In the past, a Canadian taxpayer would need an access code sent in the mail in order to file tax returns using NETFILE. By getting rid of the access code requirement, the CRA suggests NETFILE is easier to use and encourages taxpayers to use NETFILE. To get started, a taxpayer should visit the CRA  website, enter personal identifying information and receive access. Safety Measures The Canada Revenue Agency says that dropping the access code requirement does not lower their security standards in any way. The CRA  explains how it now protects the security of taxpayer personal information when Canadian income taxes are filed online. According to the CRA, the agency uses the most secure forms of data encryption available today, the same levels of data encryption that financial institutions use to protect banking information. NETFILE is a one-way, one-time transaction of information. There is no way to change any of the information or go back and view it after it has been transmitted. In fact, if an individual needs to change any personal information on the income tax return, it would need to be updated with the CRA before using NETFILE, as there is no way to change personal  information in NETFILE while in the program. There is no danger of an individual being able to access another persons tax return and claim the refund. Nor is there the possibility of an individual being able to NETFILE a second T1 tax return under another persons name.

Emergency Response to Nuclear Disasters Research Proposal

Emergency Response to Nuclear Disasters - Research Proposal Example Nearly three million people live within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of an operating nuclear power plant.1 Nuclear power plants use the heat generated from nuclear fission in a contained environment to convert water to steam, which powers generators to produce electricity, also producing by-products in the wake of this procedure like, radiation and release radioactive particles into the air which can be harmful to people, animals, crops, and the environment overall. Mutation of humans and animals, deaths of plants and infection of various species resulting in an entire food chain getting irrevocably poisoned, severely erosive acid rain, contamination of the water cycle and air as radioactive particles diffuse into the surrounding regions are some of the many devastating effects that disrupt the ecosystem of our planet. Although the construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), accidents at these plants are possible due to flaws in the design of the power plant, human error of the operators and electrical engineers involved etc. The worrying thing about these power stations is that when something goes wrong due to human error or a fault not fixed, an irreversibly massive accident can occur destroying many kilometers of area in its vicinity, contaminating it almost forever. The magnitude of its effects is determined by the amount of radiation released from the explosion, wind direction and speed, and weather condition. After Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945) nuclear bombings, two of the most famous nuclear accidents at these power stations occurred at the Chernobyl reactor 4 (Ukraine - 1986) in the former Soviet Union and the Three Mile Island (US - 1979) reactor 2 in the United States. Categorized as the most intense nuclear disaster ever, the Chernobyl nuclear explosion (1986) destroyed the unit in its entirety and released an incredible amount of radiated fallout, into the environment resulting in about 600000 deaths due to radiation exposure as revealed by IAEA and WHO studies with 56 direct deaths off the explosion. The 4000 cancer deaths due to exposure to nuclear carcinogens are just a meager part of the expected 100000 fatalities. The after effects of this nuclear power plant disaster were Nuclear rain in places like Ireland as the radioactive fallout traveled over an extensive geographical area spreading all through the Western Europe in just a span of 1 week resulting in contamination in large areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Four square kilometers of pine land forests turned brown and died in addition to numerous animal deaths and the remaining badly poisoned with thyroid and reproductive problems, now known as the 'Red Forest'. However, the later g enerations did not suffer these problems. About 336000 people's evacuation, resettling due to this tragedy and the horrendous large scale loss of life and lifestyle pose nuclear power catastrophe as one of the most irreversibly destructive threats in this contemporary society of technological development where precautions and safety measures direly need to be adopted to avoid a bigger loss.The Kyshtym (1957) disaster in a Russian nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Mayak, the Windscale fire (UK - 1957)

Leadership and Managment Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Leadership and Managment - Assignment Example This paper approves that the manager sees the existence of the conflict but deliberately tries to avoid it. The manager tries to ignore the sentiments raised by the team members. In as far as the aspect of accommodating is concerned, it can be seen that the other party tries to appease others through placing their priorities on top of his. The other aspect is related to compromising where each party tries to give up something as a way of resolving the conflict. this stage deals with behaviour where it can be seen that the conflict becomes visible in the organisation. In this case, the behaviour of the team members has negatively changed since there is low morale in the organization after the encounter described above. Communication involves the exchange of information between parties involved in a certain conflict. In order to solve group conflicts, there are certain steps that can be taken by the leaders. There are three ways of solving inter-group conflict namely: peaceful coexiste nce, compromise and problem solving. This essay makes a conclusion that in an organisation, it can be noted that conflict is inevitable but it can be solved amicably depending on the leader’s capability and interpersonal skills towards finding ways of resolving conflicts. In the scenario described above, it has been noted that the leader is too authoritarian hence he could not listen to the views of the members of the team. This created the conflict described above. Therefore, it is recommended that the leader should implement the following measures in order to avoid a similar situation in the future.

Ganguro Girls Essay Example for Free

Ganguro Girls Essay Many of the world’s greatest technologies are Japanese technologies. Many of the world’s best selling cars are Japanese cars. Japanese fashion, especially Tokyo fashion is among the most diverse and dynamic fashion in the world. The Japanese are known fashion lovers that Japanese girls always surprise the world with new and interesting trends not only in fashion but also in accessorizing. In fact, many of the Japanese, including the men, have high sense of fashion that typical Japanese in the streets of Tokyo would look like a magazine front cover model who just turned to life. From the looks of glamorous geishas, to the teenage school girls wearing short skirts, the Japanese teenager is now again making headlines as the Ganguro girl. The Ganguro is setting new trends, and earning criticisms not only from the foreigners but even from the Japanese population. Ganguro Girls According to Funch, Japanese teenagers are a continuing source of strange but interesting fashion trends. Today, almost everyone in Japan are talking about the Ganguro look (Watrous) especially with the fact that the Kugaro, the Ganguro and the Yamanaba are continuously growing in numbers and are becoming more visible in the streets, in shopping districts and in bars. Watrous added that with their rather attractive colorful outfits, the Ganguro, with their towering shoes and skimpy clothes, face piercing and hair bleached and teased, are easy to spot and easy to dismiss as those Americans like in the 1980s who forced their bangs into towering crispy hair dos above their faces. From this view, Watrous intimated that the Ganguro girls can easily be figured out as those teenage Japanese girls obsessed with black and American fashion and culture. Ganguro literally means black. So the Ganguro look refers to the heavily tanned face and the very black-faced Japanese girls (Masaichi). The Ganguro Look Funch described the Ganguro look to have hair dyed to blonde or brown, plucked eyebrows, tan skin (sometimes beyond tan), the mini-skirts and the cool towering shoes. In a web page entitled, â€Å"Ganguro†, Ganguro is defined as that fashion trend among Japanese girls that literally means ‘face-black’, an outgrowth of the chapatsu hair dyeing. Perhaps, one of the reasons that Ganguro is so named is the fact that ganguro girls cover and paint their faces with black or brown make-up to hide their rather white complexion. The most basic look for a typical Ganguro gril include the blonde-bleached hair; perm and willed to a towering hairpiece; and set for amore than half a day and costs about $400 dollars (â€Å"Gnaguro†). The Ganguro look is also not complete without the deep tan, an artificial tan obtained from tanning salons and make up (â€Å"Ganguro†). The intention of having their skin tanned is to attain a look similar to their American idols TLC and Lauryn Hill, known for their black American look (Watrous). In order to have the tan that they want, Ganguro girls frequent tanning salons, purchase sun lamps and cover their face with brown make ups (†Ganguro†). .Sometimes, a Ganguro, with limited income and fund resorts to cheaper and conventional way of tanning, like covering their entire face with brown magic marker (Watrous). Meanwhile, those with enough money would prefer Tokyo’s hippest salons and hair stylists for their trendy afro perms and tans (Watrous). Moreover, in the article, â€Å"Ganguro†, it is mentioned that the purpose of the tanned look is to achieve the blonde California beach girl look. It cannot be denied that the Ganguro look is influenced by the American fashion and American fashion icons and trend setters. For the Japanese, the attraction of having that tanned skin as opposed to the normal white complexion of Japanese women, as portrayed by the geishas, is a great challenge and interesting to try and experiment on. In fact, according to the article, â€Å"Ganguro†, the Ganguro look â€Å"goes against the grain of the usual Japanese standard of female beauty, which calls for skin as white as possible†. This brings to life the Ganguro look, which is believed to have started sometime in the 1990s, with the famous Okinawan singer, Amuro Namie (â€Å"Ganguro†). The look is also attributed to super model Naomi Campbell wherein the teenage girls imitated her make up and clothing style (Masaichi). The Japanese population recognizes the white complexion as standard for its women. For this reason, the Japanese are not actually fond of dark skin. Many Japanese are fond of the white skin which is known as Shirohada (Masaichi). The white skin- face according to them makes the face fuller. Because of these preferences, the typical Japanese will not actually go out of her way to have a tan (Masaichi). According to Masaichi, this prevailing standard can also be attributed to the emergence of the ganguro fashion so much so that the customary proscriptions against the dark skin encouraged the girls to getr really tan and dark. Masaichi also stated that the ganguro girls wanted to be in the minority. This makes them more exotic and unique unlike the majority of the Japanese ladies. Masaichi finally stated that â€Å"the fresh-looking Ganguro seem to offer hope – a fresh current of air flowing through the stale homogeneity of Japanese society†. One of the most apparent characteristics of the Gangaru look is the used of extraordinary accessories to go with the unique clothes. Important accessories include the platform shoes or boots, the photo stickers and cellular phones with the centerpiece of the total ganguro look being the 15 centimeter of higher platform shoes and sandals that make them look taller than the usual Japanese teenager (â€Å"Ganguro†). Many believed that the Ganguro look is wanting in attention that is why the Ganguro girls use the attractive hairs, clothes, shoes and accessories. According to the article, â€Å"Ganguro†, the Ganguro look â€Å"lets them look down on the world or to have the world look up to them†. The Ganguro enjoys the attention and to be regarded as a unique way of expressing Japanese fashion and art. The center of the Ganguro fashion can be found in major fashion districts in Tokyo like Shibuya and Ikebukuro (â€Å"Ganguro†). Some stated that Ganguro is also known as Yamanaba, but some consider Ganguro as merely a division of Yamanaba, together with Kugaro look. According to Watrous, another name for Ganguro is Yamanaba, which in Japan, means mountain grandmother – a name given to a mythical hag who is believed to haunt the Japanese mountains in the Japanese folklores. Yamanaba In â€Å"Ganguro†, the Yamanaba is considered to be one step beyond the Ganguro because besides the Ganguro look, the Japanese girls wear more outrageous outfits and make-up. For example, the Yamanaba wears white lipstick, white eye shadow, silvery hair with touch of glitter and fake tear drops on the cheek. More than these, they also have their own outrageous ways of talking and laughing as you see them on the streets and bars of Japan. According to Funch, the Yamanaba includes the Ganguro and the Kugaro. The Ganguro gal, according to him, are the brown-skin gals; while the gonguro gals are those in deep-brown skin. The Yamanaba girl is characterized by her white or brown hair, brown face, the heavy make up ore the panda make up (Funch). The Yamanaba girl according to â€Å"Ganguro†, also her hair with brown or gold and uses blue contact lenses to attain that â€Å"California beach girl look without the bikini† (â€Å"Gangaru†). Soemtimes, the Yamanaba also wears fake flowers in their hair (â€Å"Ganguro†). An outsider, according to Watrous, a foreigner for example, will have a hard time identifying a kogaru from a gangaru because of their similarities. However, Watrous emphasized that despite their clear similarities and shared predilection on platform shoes and body piercing, these two subcultures of Yamanaba are completely different with their differing fashion aspirations (Watrous). According to the Encyclopaedia Dramatica, the Ganguro phenomenon is more of a matriarchal subculture because it depicts the aggressiveness of the Japanese women. The Ganguro look is sometimes compared to the British punk primarily because of the hair and the outrageous fashion sense. Menkes described this similarity as the â€Å"elaborate attention to an extraordinary, even grotesque, appearance†. However, the Ganguro is g\from beyond compared to Punk. According to Menkes, Punk had its origin on a sociological perspective and phenomenon, that is, a disaffected and nihilistic youth is thumbing its nose as a convention; while the Gangaru fashion is more upbeat and is about consumerism with Prada and Louis Vuitton backpacks as integral aspect of the entire Gangaru look (Menkes). As have been mentioned earlier, the Gangaru look is also distinguished by the use of accessories. But the Ganguro do not use simple and ordinary accessories. Sometimes, the accessories are more expensive than the clothes. For example, the use of cellular phone, its cost can be very expensive. The same goes with the backpacks used for accessories that should necessarily come from brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton to achieve the ideal Ganguro look. The Encyclopaedia Dramatica provided that aside from the influences of the United States seafront retirees, the Ganguro also come from a variety of influences like the images of women in R B bands and music icons. According to Liu, the ganguro phenomenon as an imitation of the black culture did not happen over night in Japan. In fact, Liu noted that as early as the year 1840, blackface performers started to appear in Japan. With the seemingly outrageous and out of this world fashion statements, many have speculated on the motivations of the Japanese girls to have become Ganguro. According to Liu, some speculate that the ganguro girls are â€Å"using hip hop image to rebel against wearing traditional school uniforms to express individuality†. While the most obvious and popular speculation, some believe that the Ganguro is in clear imitation of celebrities (Liu); many also believe that the ganguro phenomenon is a way of self expression and to gain self identity. Liu, also added that despite the apparent opposition to the traditional Japanese fashion and social standards, the ganguro became popular with the non-ganguro that readily accepted the phenomenon. However, it cannot be avoided that there have been some exclusions. The ganguro has, in its entire history has consistently been criticized. Criticisms on Ganguro Look According to the Encyclopaedia Daramatica, apparently, the typical woman considers the Ganguro as ‘freaks’ although their fashion sense resembles that of the women in Florida. Expectedly, with the outrageous fashion sense, the Gangaru look faced various criticisms. It even faced hostility from among Japanese. According to Watrous, despite the growing number of Japanese teenagers embracing the Ganguro fashion, both the kogaru and the Ganguro encountered hostility in Japan. Watrous described how a recent publication in Kansai Time Out, through the eminent novelist Haruku Murakami, called the Ganguro as â€Å"big problem fro Japan†. Murakami also added that he â€Å"feels sadness and disgust when he passes these bleached and flamboyantly outfitted young ladies on the streets of his neighborhood† (Watrours). Many Japanese, like Murakami consider the Ganguro fashion as a disgrace for the Japanese fashion and that it devoid the Japanese women of the respect and the glamour that had long been associated to her since the time of the geishas. According to them, the Japanese women, known to have standard white complexion, should preserve the same as the true Japanese look. However, this should not serve to undermine the Ganguro fashion as it only relates to carry out influences from major fashion trends, particularly in America. The biases and prejudices against the Ganguro fashion even grew and spread into the legislature when in February of 2002, in Osaka, a laws was enacted prohibiting women to drive wearing tall boots (Watrous). This is obviously in direct prohibition among the Ganguro ladies, whose centerpiece costume includes the towering shoes and sandals. According to the legislature, the law was enacted to prevent major road accidents as a result of the driver failing to break fast enough with the platform soles (Watrous). In view of this law, the legislature proposed a maximum allowable platform height to only a few centimeters for anyone driving a vehicle (Watrous). Taking the law as a clear incident of the police power of the state, it can not be directly be considered as a clear prejudice against the Ganguro because the law is founded upon a valid ground and responsibility of the state to protect its people. IT does not intend to discriminate or unduly prejudice the Ganguro. Instead the prohibition only imposed an incidental limitation to the Ganguro fashion as a result of the intention to avoid road accidents. This is in accordance to a battery of tests conducted with drivers wearing different sole heights (Watrous) and the conclusion that the sole height can be attributed to the driver’s ability to break fast in case of road emergencies. Conclusion The Ganguro fashion, however criticized and praised remains a fact of Japanese history, particularly of japans fashion history along side with the Geishas and the popular Japanese school girl in uniform fashion. It should be respected and considered as a valid expression of fashion sense. Although the Ganguro look is believed to have come from the American fashion culture, it cannot be denied that the touch of Japanese culture is embedded in it. In fact, without the known fact that the fashion was a clear expression of obsession to black and American fashion, the Ganguro look is purely Japanese. The Ganguro is clearly a Japanese sense of fashion. It should not be viewed as something resorted to by some Japanese teenage girls in order to receive attention. Works Cited Emcyclopaedia Dramatica. â€Å"Ganguro. † 12 Oct. 2007 http://www. encyclopediadramatica. com/Ganguro. Funch, Flemming. â€Å"Ming the Mechanic: Ganguro Girls. † 2003. 12 Oct. 2007 http://ming. tv/flemming2. php/__show_article/_a000010-000633. htm. â€Å"Ganguro. † 12 Oct. 2007 http://www. livemusicstudio. com/mac/pages/ganguro. html. Liu, Xuexin. â€Å"The Hip Hop Impact on Japanese Youth Culture. † 12 Oct. 2007 http://www. uky. edu/Centers/Asia/SECAAS/Seras/2005/Liu. htm. Masaichi, Nomura. â€Å"Driving My Body. † 2000. 12 Oct. 2007 http://brokenstones. at. infoseek. co. jp/fashion/dmv. html. Menkes, Suzy. â€Å"Tokyo Is Now World Capital of Street Style: In the City and on the Catwalk, Japan Cultivates Its Roots. † 2000. 12 Oct. 2007 http://www. iht. com/articles/2000/11/14/menkes. t. php. Watrous, Malena. â€Å"Hello Kitties. † 2000. 12 Oct. 2007 http://archive. salon. com/people/feature/2000/03/08/kogaru/.