november 2004
Features
Election Day has Roman roots
Spanish teacher B. S. reflects on time in China
Election Day has Roman roots
by J. R.
In more ways than one, our modern elections have ties to the ancients. The words alone, that we commonly use are based in Latin. One such word is election, derived from “e” meaning “out”; and “ ligere” meaning “to pick, choose, or select”. So to elect means to pick out.
Another such word is representative, from the Latin verb “ repraesentare”. Roughly translating each piece, it is “re”, meaning again and “ praesentare” meaning to put something clearly before the mind. Even such a word as victory has Latin roots as it is derived from the Latin “ victoria” and “ vincere” meaning to conquer.
As a final Latin derivative the well-used word Republican is tied to Rome . This word is from the Latin “ res publica”. “ Res” means thing, affair, interest; and “ publica” means the public. So republicans are interested in the affairs of the public.
Many parts of our government are from ancient times as well. The idea of a Constitution comes from ancient Rome where it was called the twelve tables. The twelve tables were made as a result of multiple strikes by the common people of Rome demanding more power and rights. When the elite of Rome discovered how hard the work that the commoners did was, they were forced to make a deal to make them come back.
In actuality our government is basically a larger model of that of Rome . They created the idea of an Republic, which, contrary to popular belief, we are. A Republic is a mix of a constitution and a democratic election process. The people elected were also used to represent the masses, unlike the Greek predecessor where entire towns were required to vote at one time.
China Journal
Spanish teacher B. S. reflects on time in China
by J. H. and J. T.
1/11/05re the best hosts you could ever ask for!” says B. S., F. A. Day Spanish teacher who taught in China for four months last spring.
According to B. S., by U. S. standards, some people who she met in the streets were very rude. “In every line I was in, people cut to the front, and the subways were loud and noisy,” says B. S. There are also many elder people who are doing Tai Chi, waltzing and walking in the streets.
“The language was difficult, especially the tones,” explained B. S., “Once I was there, however, and I was forced to learn it, I picked it up quickly.”
The food was amazing and the buildings are beautiful. B. S. comments, “The architecture, history, and culture are so rich, it’s incredible.”
The school day, especially the schedule, was very different from a Newton school day. First thing, at 7:40 , there are 20-minute morning exercises. The classes are 40 minutes long, with 10-minute breaks in between classes. During these breaks students could go outside, play games, or just hang out with friends. The lunches were 11/2 hours long.
“The technology in the classrooms is great!” B. S. exclaimed. Also, the kids stay in the same classrooms and the teachers move, that way kids take better care in their rooms because it is their own.
There are bike lanes, like car lanes but only for bikes. Additionally, Smith’s main form of transportation was biking. “The subways and buses were very precise and organized,” said B. S..
Seven students and two teachers went on this trip. Five students are Newton North alumni and two are Newton South alumni. The other teacher besides B. S. was a teacher at Newton South High School . “It was wonderful to see the kids, see all the wonderful things, and learning from them,” commented B. S.
This exchange has been going for 20 years. B. S. thinks this is a very good experience for the six students and two teachers from China , as well as the seven students and two teachers from the U. S. The Chinese come to America every fall while the U. S. goes to China during the spring.
B. S. thinks that when the Olympics come to China , it will be a wonderful experience to open the minds of the Chinese residents. “I will always have a place to go, and friends so far away,” B. S. said.
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