Understanding How the Brain Constructs Our Perception of Reality

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As Professor Alexandru Babeș explains, the human brain contains nearly 100 billion neurons (a number comparable to all the stars in our galaxy) and at least as many glial cells that play an essential role in brain function. On average, each neuron connects with (and receives information from) about 10,000 other neurons, resulting in approximately 10 to the power of 15 synapses (as the contacts between two neurons are called), that is, a quadrillion synapse. Our brain is an incredibly complicated mechanism, so Emily Dickinson’s poem, …

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Tracing the Reach of Storytelling

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In every story told, there lies meaning-making and believe-making. We catch imagery in words and worlds because we alter or construct our reality, shaping how we perceive and interact with everything around us. Storytelling began with simple forms. In his study of narrative development, Arthur Ransome identified two primary types in the dawn of storytelling: the ‘Warning Example’ and the ‘Embroidered Exploit.’  But in the beginning storytelling was not an affair of pen and ink. It began with the Warning Examples naturally told by …

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The Cultural Phenomenon of Jólabókaflóð, Iceland’s Book Flood

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‘Twas the night before Christmas, in each Icelandic home,   When families gathered, not a soul felt alone; Kleinur and laufabrauð were arranged with great care, As the magic of Christmas filled the crisp evening air. The children were nestled all snug with a book in their hands,   Sailing through sagas and tales from faraway lands; And mamma with her mystery, and I with my book,   Had just settled our brains in our cozy nook. During the Christmas festive season, the Icelandic word Jólabókaflóð makes the rounds …

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Writing Insights (2023)

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Writing is more than stringing sentences together; it is boiling down thoughts on the relentless whiteness of the page, even though there is a tension between the limitation of language and the freedom of our thoughts.  And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.   For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly. Khalil Gibran – The Prophet  Acknowledging this constraint, repetition in writing is a response to language’s limitations, an …

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Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies for Kids

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Conflicts are inevitable in human interactions and arise when individuals have different opinions, wants, or needs. This is a lesson children learn early. Whether it’s a friendly debate about which game to play or a spat over a shared toy, these everyday disagreements are opportunities for children to learn about empathy, communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Conflicts can manifest in various shapes and situations. In positive conflicts, where both parties are on equal footing and motivated to find a solution, the conflict often becomes a constructive …

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Teaching Kids Fogging Techniques Against Verbal Bullying

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Verbal bullying and complaints are communicative expressions but differ significantly in intent, effect, and purpose. Verbal bullying is an aggressive behaviour characterized by repeated harmful statements intending to belittle, hurt, or intimidate someone. It can manifest as name-calling, taunting, threatening, or derogatory remarks. It is essential to note that verbal bullying is not a one-time insult. Instead, it is systematic, recurring, and intended to exercise power. In contrast, complaints generally originate from dissatisfaction or concern about a situation or behaviour without the intent to …

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How Did English Achieve Its Worldwide Reach? (part 2)

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The English language’s global dominance is no accident. It can be traced back through a three-stage process: the initial spread of English by the British Empire, its proliferation through the two World Wars, and its reach through the soft power of the Internet age. The British Empire, often referred to as “the empire on which the sun never sets”, reached North America, India, Australia, Africa, and Asia. English became the colonies’ official language of administration, justice, business, and education. Proficiency in English was a …

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How Did English Achieve Its Worldwide Reach? (part 1)

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I first became interested in the topic of my thesis [the spread of the English language] while on holidays in Crete; there a guide jokingly told us that if the capital of the island would be destroyed and unearthed a thousand years later, future archaeologists would probably conclude that the inhabitants spoke English because all the shop-signs are in that language. Daniel Spichtinger – The Spread of English and its Appropriation Learning English presents a considerable challenge due to its linguistic irregularities. From spelling and …

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