Research proposal

1)SUBJECT

My general topic is global warming. After reading some primary and secondary sources, I would like my research paper to be on the mentalities that people have towards the protection of the environment depending on their economical status. This being said, the defined approach would be compare and contrast because I would like to compare two countries which are Canada (8th richest country in the world according to the United Nations http://www.uncdf.org/francais/news_and_events/archive/hdr2003-lauzon.php) and Burkina Faso (2nd poorest country in the world according o the United Nations http://www.pnud.bf/FR/cca_undaf.htm). The goal of my research would be to show how different the representations of both countries are when it comes to the environment. Throughout the research, my strategy would be to compare both countries and show what actions are taken in comparison to the needs and then I would like to dress a portrait of both situations. The title of my project would be: The Management of Environment in Canada and in Burkina Faso Depending on the Economical Status.

2)AUDIENCE

The audience would be Professor Saint-Yves and the students of my Written Communication II class. In other words, my audience is from university and up levels. However, those classmates study in different fields and this for, I would need to include maps of the countries that will be compared and also it could be interesting to have a glossary on environmental terms.

3)DEFENCE

The reason why I chose global warming as a general topic is because the last few months have left a lot of people concerned by the obvious changes in the weather. In fact, I believe environment is a new arrived issue on the international scene and that we know little about. The reason why I chose these two countries to compare is because I have been to Burkina Faso two years ago to do environmental volunteering in a small village called Pô. I spent three months trying to understand more the environmental reality there and trying to accomplish concrete projects in order to help them. When it comes to Canada, it is my own country and I wish I knew more about it. Being in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world with so different tools than in Canada brought me to ask myself if the situation was worst here or in Burkina Faso when it comes to environment.

4)METHODOLOGY

My research steps will be to continue to find sources about both my countries if my subject is approved. Then, I will do a first draft and review my outline if some parts are weaker. After a peer-reviewing sequence, I will adjust my paper to finally have my final version. Finally, I will prepare my appendices and extra informational paper and put the work together and hand it in. Here is a first draft of my outline.

1. Status of Canada

1.1 Human Development Indices of Canada
1.2 Environmental situation
1.3 Mentalities towards environment of some important actors

2. Status of Burkina Faso

2.1 Human Development Indices of Burkina Faso
2.2 Environmental situation
2.3 Mentalities towards environment of some important actors

3. Comparison

3.1 Environmental policies
3.2 Overall portrait of the situation
3.3 The anticipated results

Differences between American and British English

Here are some differences between American English (AmE) and British English (BrE) based on the book Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan.

1) GRAMMAR
One variety of English may have numerous forms acceptable to say something in particular whereas, in the “other” English, only one form is proper.

AmE: He just sang a song / He’s just sung a song
BrE: He’s just sung a song.

AmE: It looks like it is broken
BrE: It looks as if it is broken / It looks like it is broken

*Some irregular verbs do not have the same form in British and American English
Example: Get,fit)

2) VOCABULARY
Sometimes, a given word may have a different meaning depending on the variety of English that is used.

AmE: Mad is a synonym of crazy
BrE: Mad is a synonym of angry

And often, a different word is used in both Englishes to refer to the same idea.

AmE: Candy
BrE: Sweets
AmE: Diaper
BrE: Nappy

The prepositions and participles may differ from a variety to another.

AmE: On a team
BrE: In a team
AmE: Tuesday through Sunday (to also possible)
BrE: Tuesday to Sunday

3) SPELLING
Some words are spelt in a different way in British English than in American English. Moreover, the suffixes are often subject to change between the two.

AmE: Analyze BrE: Analyse
AmE: Color BrE: Colour
AmE: Defense BrE: Defence
AmE: Program BrE: Programme

4) PRONUNCIATION
There are also differences in the speech between British and American English, mostly in pronunciation.

AmE: More nasal vowels than in BrE
BrE: The sound “o” is rounded short (dog)
AmE: Pronunciation of the sound made by a+consonant is pronounced /ae/
BrE: The pronunciation is different than in AmE for the sound of the vowel like in home, go, open.
AmE: “r” is pronounced no matter where it is positioned in the word.
BrE: “r” is pronounced only before a vowel sound.
AmE: The “t” and “d” are softer and lighter than in BrE.
BrE: The “u” sound (new, tune) is pronounced like /ju:/
BrE: The suffix –ile is pronounced with /aIl/
AmE: The suffix –ile is pronounced like /l/
AmE: Every syllable is pronounced in long words ending in –ary, -ery or –ory
AmE: The final vowel of a word borrowed to French is most of the time stressed

What is standard English?

The victory of King Alfred, in 878, brought the establishment of the government of Southern England in London. As time went by, the variety of English used by the King and its government became official and was used in law, business and literature which brought its “standard” level.

What is a dialect?

Dialects receive most of the time a negative thought from people because many of them think that it is an incorrect form of language. However a dialect refers to the forms of speech of actors of history (Germanic, Scandinavian). A dialect as a systematic grammar and it is called a dialect only because it has not been chosen to be official by authoritative people.

What are the characteristics of formal English as opposed to informal or spoken English?

Formal English is mostly used in situations where the speakers or writers are careful about the way they express themselves (business meetings, with strangers, conferences). On the other hand, informal English is most of the time used with siblings. On a general note, formal is mostly used in written English whereas informal is used in spoken situations. The choice between formal and informal is highly related to the situation and environment that surrounds the speaker or writer. Some words and expressions are neutral. In grammar, contractions in verbs and negatives are a sign of informality. Even the position of a preposition in a sentence can show the formal or informal usage (What class are you in?=informal). Leaving out words is another form of informal English (Seen Luke? Instead of saying Have you seen Luke?) Some words, verbs and expression are especially used depending in the level of language that is used (I beg your pardon? as opposed to What?).

Do languages change over time? How and why?

Languages change over time. The youngsters bring new ways of using a language while elders often resist to change and stay close to traditions. The reasons why languages evolve are numerous but the most important ones are the following. First, the communicative needs such as distinguishing the singular and plural form of “you” by using expressions like “you guys”. The influence from other dialects has also brought the English language to change over time. British English often borrows expressions and sentence structures to American English. Moreover, as time goes by, languages tend to simplify themselves by using contractions and simpler structures. A hundred years ago, progressive verbs appeared and are gaining importance in the speech of English speakers.Plus, some mistakes are made by so many people that it becomes correct with time (data now used as an uncountable noun). Also, phonetically weak forms tend to disappear and to be replaced by to common form. Other changes have happened through time, for example, who has replaced whom, will has replaced the older expression shall and many others that you can find in the Practical English Usage book (Michael Swan).

Heat wave?

Here is a summary of what I would like to discuss in my research paper. We all have observed the obvious changes in the weather conditions here in Quebec but also around the world. Christmas 2006 has been one without snow for most areas here in the province of Quebec and the first official snow storm has been registrated on January 15, 2007 (Le Devoir, 01/16/07). With this in mind, I plan to base my research on how the human activities have lead us to these environment disorders. I have decided to choose this topic because it is a matter that is highly related with politics but also with our everyday life. Moreover, this research will inform my audience (my classmates and Prof Saint-Yves) and myself about an issue that will be of first importance in the next few years, considering the new environmental alarm that the international community has rung (United Nations' climate summit in Nairobi, 2006). However, I have still to find if I want to talk about the global warming only here in Quebec, or in Canada or anywhere else in the world. This being said, I have been in Africa two years ago to do volunteering in environment and I wish I could make a link with this experience in my research paper.

Welcome to my research journal!

In this space, I will publish my research work throughout the semester. I am a second-year student in International Studies. When it comes to finding a topic, I have not made up my mind yet on a definitive one but here are some ideas for my research paper topic. I am really into everything that touches interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence. Therefore, I am considering doing my research on how we can mesure the EQ. Moreover, I could make a link between this and politics, which is my major field of study. Another completely different topic that could be interesting would be the concerning weather conditions that we all have been observing lately. Anyways, the upcoming written communication classes will probably help me narrow down to a topic interesting enough to manage to spend the next semester writting and searching on. Stay in touch to see all the steps that will lead to the final paper.