Category Archives: Wordsmith

Can you provide some examples of medieval literature that are still popular today? What sets these works apart from others in terms of their continued relevance?

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Beowulf

Beowulf, heroic poem, the highest achievement of Old English literature and the earliest European vernacular epic. The work deals with events of the early 6th century, and, while the date of its composition is uncertain, some scholars believe that it was written in the 8th century. Although originally untitled, the poem was later named after the Scandinavian hero Beowulf, whose exploits and character provide its connecting theme. There is no evidence of a historical Beowulf, but some characters, sites, and events in the poem can be historically verified. The poem did not appear in print until 1815. It is preserved in a single manuscript that dates to circa 1000 and is known as the Beowulf manuscript (Cotton MS Vitellius A XV).

Michael Crichton’s 1976 novel Eaters of the Dead is a loose adaptation of the tale of Beowulf combined with Ahmad ibn Fadlan’s historical account of the Volga Vikings.

The movie The 13th Warrior (1999) is based on Michael Crichton’s novel and of course, on the tale of Beowulf.

Sir Gawayne and the Grene Knight
(Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)

Sir Gawayne and the Grene Knight, Middle English alliterative poem of unknown authorship, dating from the second half of the 14th century (perhaps 1375). It is a chivalric romance that tells a tale of enchantment in an Arthurian setting. Its hero, Sir Gawayne (Gawain), is presented as a devout but humanly imperfect Christian who wins a test of arms, resists temptation by a lord’s wife, but succumbs to an offer of invulnerability.

The Green Knight, a movie from 2021, was based on it.

Happy International Translation Day!

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Each year, September 30 is celebrated as International Translation Day to acknowledge the crucial role that translators and language experts play in bridging communication gaps worldwide. These professionals enhance international dialogue, understanding, and cooperation, thus fostering global peace and security. Their efforts help ensure that ideas and cultures are understood and appreciated across different languages, promoting international collaboration.

The 30th of September is the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.

Art – St. Jerome in his study. A painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio

Which Charles Dickens novels should I read if I am interested in social critique and commentary on the economic and social issues of the 19th century?

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Great Expectations

Great Expectations works on a number of levels: as a critique of Victorian society and as an exploration of memory and writing. However, it is perhaps more importantly a search for true identity. During the course of the novel, Pip comes to realize that his “great expectations”—social standing and wealth—are less important than loyalty and compassion. Great Expectations was also noted for its blend of humour, mystery, and tragedy. In the original ending of the work, Pip and Estella were not reunited, but Dickens was persuaded to write a happier conclusion.

Bleak House

Bleak House, novel by British author Charles Dickens, published serially in 1852–53 and in book form in 1853 and considered to be among the author’s best work. Bleak House is the story of the Jarndyce family, who wait in vain to inherit money from a disputed fortune in the settlement of the extremely long-running lawsuit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. The novel is pointedly critical of England’s Court of Chancery, in which cases could drag on through decades of convoluted legal maneuvering.

Legal corruption permeates this novel like a disease, issuing in particular from the Byzantine lawsuit with which all the book’s characters have a connection. Dickens provides his customary witty dissection of the layers of Victorian society. Characters—from the wearyingly earnest to the brilliantly shallow, from the foolish and foppish to the vampiristic and dangerous—are all illuminated in the darkness of Dickens’s outraged urbane opus. In reality, it is the public sphere as a whole that is satirized in Bleak House. Everything resembles Chancery: Parliament, the provincial aristocracy, and even Christian philanthropy is caricatured as moribund and self-serving. The narrative, which is split between the third person and Esther, concerns moral disposition as much as social criticism. The novel has also been hailed as a progenitor of the genre of detective fiction, with the methodical and dogged Inspector Bucket as the first police detective hero in English literature.

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https://www.quora.com/Which-Charles-Dickens-novels-should-I-read-if-I-am-interested-in-social-critique-and-commentary-on-the-economic-and-social-issues-of-the-19th-century/answer/Iulia-Halatz

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My love story with the sky

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As a philologist, I am aware of books where the environment played a part and was assimilated with a character: Wessex, the imaginary county in Thomas Hardy’s novels, and in a more modernistic approach, New York in Sex and the City.

Thomas Hardy chose to set most of his work in an area he called ‘Wessex’, the name of one of the ancient Saxon kingdoms of England. The area covers mainly the South and West of the country. Here you can visit Hardy’s fictional settings such as ‘Christminster’, the Oxford of today, or ‘Melchester’, which is Salisbury, with its famous cathedral spire.

Most likely, the sky is the love of my life and the silent character, prevalent in all my days. I grew up looking up at the arabesque dance of the clouds, populated with the characters from the fairy tales I was reading incessantly. For me, and since I was a child, happiness is a bit of a sky that I truly own. During sunsets, I would sit and marvel at all the shapes and colors, thinking that my favorite fairytale characters lived in castles in the clouds or in lilac and rose gardens.

Nevertheless, I feel close to the heath in The Return of the Native in my love for the sjy.
Egdon Heath is the fictional part of Wessex (also fictional) in which The Return of the Native takes place. It is a large, uninhabited expanse covered with gorse and heather and few trees. The heath, which Hardy describes as isolated and lonely, resists civilization and is the dwelling place instead of the natural and the Celtic, pagan history of England. Edgon Heath has a way of resisting outside forces and keeping its inhabitants from leaving.

What about you? What is your secret escape realm? 

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#Englishcoach, #copywriter #editor #proofreader #chieffairytalerofficer

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Tips For Job Seekers: Tough Interview Questions

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How do you gain influence and trust as a new hire?

The objective of this question is to ascertain your approaches to establishing professional relationships and fostering self-assurance in your capabilities as a new member of a team or organization. Employers are particularly interested in candidates who can not only excel in their respective fields but also contribute to and improve the organization’s overall dynamic. Consequently, it is imperative to clearly articulate your approach to establishing trust and influence with new colleagues. The following are the primary factors to take into account when responding to this question:

Your initial interactions with new team members and how you exhibit your competency.
How you build relationships professionally.
Your clarification, understanding, and execution of your responsibilities.
Your attitude towards teamwork and collaboration.
How you handle constructive criticism, mistakes, and learning opportunities.

Answer Example
In previous roles, I’ve found that three main strategies have helped me earn trust and influence as a new hire. Firstly, I invest time to get to know my colleagues as individuals. I think it’s essential to understand their roles, challenges and how I might assist them. Secondly, I believe in making my actions speak for me; I work diligently to perform as promised, meet deadlines, and achieve the required standard or higher. Lastly, I accept feedback and continuously strive to improve, demonstrating that I value learning and growth.

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Check out this article for more tips about mastering your interview: Tips For Job Seekers: What is an idea that is used in your career to add value to an organization?

As a passionate writer, I recognize the immense value of video content in today’s digital landscape. To enhance my teaching, I have embraced AI-generated video content, even though filmmaking isn’t my forte. By leveraging AI technology, I transform my articles into engaging videos, providing a rich resource for my students to continue their learning journey beyond the classroom. My video content covers a variety of topics, including trending news, the global economy, new English vocabulary, and essential economic concepts. Join me in exploring these subjects to support your quest for mastering the English language!

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Tips for Job Seekers: The Myth of the Cover Letter

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How many impressive cover letters do you think you have written? And, if you’re a recruiter, how many have actually impressed you?
I’m betting the answer is none.

I write cover letters virtually every day, but I am sure none of them is dazzling.

I am committed to crafting the perfect cover letter.

Until I am done, I always give as example Eudora Welty’s cover letter for The New Yorker.

It is the best one ever written, that is why I introduce it at my Creative Writing Course under the heading “How To Pitch Yourself”.

Next topic: Why are Cover Letters so hard to write? Stay tuned!

What is your favorite cover letter?

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Tips For Job Seekers: Too good to be true

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I occasionally apply for jobs to gain valuable insights for my students, assist them in their pursuit of better positions, or expand my knowledge in a specific field. By nature, I am very curious, and I consider that information is everything in this day and age.

As a result, I applied for the position of (freelance) AI tutor, citing my fascination with the AI field.
The position entails training the AI to give more accurate responses, writing, and researching. I was instantly charmed. Also, I need all the information I can get for my AI training class (Mastering AI for Corporate Employees).

In addition, the AI tutor position entails correcting the AI responses and preventing hallucinatory behavior, which is a dream task for me. But, …

A week after submitting my application, I received an invitation to take a grammar test, a research ability test, and an AI query. Hmmmm. 
For someone who has been teaching English-speaking skills for a considerable amount of time, has developed custom syllabuses about English grammar, and regularly practices every aspect of the language, the prospect of a grammar test seems somewhat unrealistic. The recruitment process in bulk raised the first red flag.

In my humble opinion, the role of an AI tutor is highly specialized, requiring a highly descriptive skill set specific to professionals. The grammar test felt very odd. Moreover, companies that require longer tests frequently use the free work of applications for their own purposes. 

The second red flag was the extremely low pay for a highly creative freelance job. 
This piqued my curiosity, prompting me to conduct a thorough investigation into the company. I discovered that the most commonly associated keyword with this company was “scam.” I guess I passed the research skills test. 

I did my research, and, guess what? On Meta, LinkedIn, Reddit there are a lot of negative comments. I might say that the majority are negative comments concerning the lack of feedback from the company, the meager pay which is even lower in practice, the lack of available tasks.

Some commenters state that they have been working for the company, but the pay is much more inappropriate for their work and skills. They also claim that they were asked to take a test, failed it, and were then given very low-paying tasks to complete.

Lesson learned: Conduct considerable research on the company in question, even if it seems to be a dream position for you. It will save you a significant amount of time and positive thinking resources.

Photo by the author.
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#Englishcoach, #copywriter #editor #proofreader #chieffairytalerofficer
Want to know more?

Visit my establishments:
Copywriters, AI nerds, job seekers, and passionate travelers: go to blog.seocopywriting.ro where I share stories about writing, content strategies, AI fears and benefits, job interview strategies, and carefully select the best hotel offers for YOU.

English learners, small business owners, and solopreneurs: go to my YouTube channel, where I create videos about trending news, the English grammar, the global economy, new English vocabulary, business development, and essential economic concepts.

Reflection Emirates Pride Perfumes

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My most recent Fragrantica article is about Reflection from Emirates Pride Perfumes, an estival perfume dedicated to the warmhearted bond between Father and Son.

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”
― Umberto Eco

First, I loved the story, as I believe in the strong unseen bond between parents and children, and I am proud to have shared a very strong bond with my father. We were very much alike. He used to call me Iulius, and he instilled in me a strong sense of independence and strength. Even to this day, I keep in mind my father’s wise words and I try to follow his advice: “If you don’t work hard, your luck will dwindle. And the better you work and prepare, the luckier you become.” ; “Always play fair and admit your mistakes. There is nothing to be gained by not admitting failure or defeat, you should acknowledge your shortcomings and become better”…

Reflection’s fragrance story reminded me of the feeling that even if you are in a bad place in the present, you feel warmed up by the memory of a beautiful heavenly place that puts honey on your face. Sweet and warm. Some memories act like heaters for the heart. These are the cherished memories of my time spent with my father.

https://www.fragrantica.com/news/Reflection-Emirates-Pride-Perfumes-21031.html

Enjoy!

Photos by me, taken on my cycling trips in the Bucegi mountains.

Is writing a novel a common item on people’s bucket lists? If so, what motivates them to write a novel even though it may not be widely read or enjoyed?

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#Quora #Quoraanswers

I guess it is. It is for me, at least. I have postponed it for later, as writing a novel can take a lot of time and won’t yield significant financial benefits.

What motivates people to write novels?
Maybe having a voice.
Perhaps immortalizing some very loved ones.
Maybe remembering a long-lost world.
I am spinning the yarn of a story that is entirely mine.
Like the story of this photo.