Posted by TCYonline.com on August 24, 2010
Language is not a cultural artifact that we learn the way we learn to tell
time or how the federal government works. Instead, it is a distinct
piece of the biological makeup of our brains. Language is a complex,
specialized skill, which develops in the child spontaneously, without
conscious effort or formal instruction, is deployed without awareness of
its underlying logic, is qualitatively the same in every individual, and is
distinct from more general abilities to process information or behave
intelligently. For these reasons some cognitive scientists have described
language as a psychological faculty, a mental organ, a neural system,
and a computational module. But I prefer the admittedly quaint term
“instinct”. It conveys the idea that people know how to talk in more or
less the sense that spiders know how to spin webs. Web spinning was not
invented by some unsung spider genius and does not depend on having
had the right education or on having an aptitude for architecture or the
construction trades. Rather, spiders spin spider webs because they have
spider brains, which give them the urge to spin and the competence to
succeed. Although there are differences between webs and words, I
will encourage you to see language in this way, for it helps to make sense
of the phenomena we will explore.
Thinking of language as an instinct inverts the popular wisdom, especially
as it has been passed down in the canon of the humanities and social
sciences. Language is no more a cultural invention than is upright posture.
It is not a manifestation of a general capacity to use symbols: a three year old,
we shall see, is a grammatical genius, but is quite incompetent at the
visual arts, religious iconography, traffic signs, and the other staples of
the semiotics curriculum. Though language is a magnificent ability
unique to Homo sapiens among living species, it does not call for
sequestering the study of humans from the domain of biology, for a
magnificent ability unique to a particular living species is far from
unique in the animal kingdom. Some kinds of bats home in on flying
insects using Doppler sonar. Some kinds of migratory birds navigate
thousands of miles by calibrating the positions of the constellations
against the time of day and year. In nature’s talent show, we are simply
a species of primate with our own act, a knack for communicating
information about who did what to whom by modulating the sounds
we make when we exhale.
Once you begin to look at language not as the ineffable essence of
human uniqueness but as a biological adaptation to communicate
information, it is no longer as tempting to see language as an insidious
shaper of thought, and, we shall see, it is not. Moreover, seeing language
as one of nature’s engineering marvels an organ with “that perfection
of structure and co adaptation which justly excites our admiration,” in
Darwin’s words gives us a new respect for your ordinary Joe and the
Much maligned English language (or any language). The complexity of
language, from the scientist’s point of view, is part of our biological
birthright; it is not something that parents teach their children or
something that must be elaborated in school as Oscar Wilde said,
“Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to
time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.” A preschooler’s
tacit knowledge of grammar is more sophisticated than the thickest
style manual or the most state of the art computer language system,
and the same applies to all healthy human beings, even the notorious
syntax fracturing professional athlete and the, you know, like,
inarticulate teenage skateboarder. Finally, since language is the product
of a well engineered biological instinct, we shall see that it is not the nutty
barrel of monkeys that entertainer columnists make it out to be.
- Read the passage and answer the questions
below:
1. According to the passage, which of the following
does not stem from popular wisdom on language?
1. Language is a cultural artifact.
2. Language is a cultural invention.
3. Language is learnt as we grow.
4. Language is unique to Homo Sapiens.
5. Language is a psychological faculty.
2. Which of the following can be used to replace the
“spiders know how to spin webs” analogy as used by
the author?
1. A kitten learning to jump over a wall
2. Bees collecting nectar
3. A donkey carrying a load
4. A horse running a Derby
5. A pet dog protecting its owner’s property
3. According to the passage, which of the following is
unique to human beings?
1. Ability to use symbols while communicating with
one another.
2. Ability to communicate with each other through
voice modulation.
3. Ability to communicate information to other
members of the species.
4. Ability to use sound as means of communication.
5. All of the above.
4. According to the passage, complexity of language
cannot be taught by parents or at school to children
because
1. children instinctively know language.
2. children learn the language on their own.
3. language is not amenable to teaching.
4. children know language better than their
teachers or parents.
5. children are born with the knowledge of
semiotics.
5. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
1. Language is unique to Homo Sapiens.
2. Language is neither learnt nor taught.
3. Language is not a cultural invention or artifact as
it is made out.
4. Language is instinctive ability of human beings.
5. Language is use of symbols unique to human
beings.
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Posted by girish seshamani on July 10, 2010
Once you get into your B School, you are all set to begin an exciting stage in your life. Undoubtedly MBA is a coveted degree, if it is done from a reputed institute. Over a period of two years, we study or we are exposed to around 35 subjects.
The basic objective of studying these subjects, is to ensure that your fundamentals are strong. No one expects you to master all the subjects. Tomorrow when you take up a leadership role, you should have the basic knowledge about all functions, to ensure that no one takes you for a ride.
At the end of the first year, students go for summer placements. The summer placement runs for around four months. After finishing their summers, students come back and the second year begins wherein they specialize in their core area.
Before the students go for their placement, they have to choose their core specialization, as in, Finance, Marketing, Operations and Human Resources. The students have a dual specialization. On most occasions, whenever I interact with students, I see students choosing the core field due to peer pressure. When I sit with them and discuss as to what made them choose that field, the replies that I get are:
Majority of my batch mates have chosen that field
We heard it is a sunrise industry
This field pays much more than any other line
As a teacher, it pains me a lot when I see students getting into functions they are not fit for. Personally I do make it a point to tell students to identify their strengths by doing an honest introspection and to discuss the same with their family members and close circle of friends. If they have professional contacts, they are the best people, since they are already working in that line. They are not only the best source of information they will also guide you properly. Once the student narrows down on his core specialization, he will know the gap to be bridged in terms of skill sets after he interacts with professionals working in that industry.
Lot of B Schools have come out with super specialization programs which is an add on to the core specialization. The areas are:
Airlines and Airport Mangement
Shipping and Logistics Management
Retail Mangement
Supply Chain Management
Let me also tell you that there is nothing called as a sunrise industry. Each and every industry has to go through the stages of Infancy, Growth, Stability and Decline. It is part of the economic cycle.
I also reiterate the point that compensation is totally secondary. According to me, at the start of your career what you learn, is more important than what you earn. I also see students having unrealistic expectations and living in their own dream world. Your specialization should be in tune with your skills. If you choose the wrong line, apart from being a misfit for the job, you are also putting your entire career at risk. If you get into an industry purely for money, the day is not far off when you will get frustrated and land up in a mess.
Once you have identified your skill sets and decided your core specialization, ensure that you keep yourself updated in that line. You need to seriously devote time to understand the industry, the major players, the standing of the industry right now and the future of the industry. The best source of information will be newspapers like Economic Times and Business Standard. Apart from this, try to identify a mentor, when you go for your summer placements. If you prove your worth during the summer placements, there is every chance that the organization will consider you, when they come for the final placements.
I would like to share some critical points to be kept in mind throughout the program:
- Integrity is the foundation on which your career is built. Never lie. If you have done a mistake have the courage to accept your mistake, instead of trying to hide it or getting into arguments.
- Be the first person to take the initiative. Put your heart and soul in your job, when you go for summer placements.
- Be disciplined and punctual. Never take any leave.
- Strictly adhere to organizational decorum.
- As I mentioned earlier, this is the apt time to identify a mentor, who will be your guiding and inspirational force. Never try to put on a mask and show interest. They are seasoned professionals and your reputation will take a beating. Be genuine. Be yourself.
- Be in touch with your mentor and work on your weakness. This should be done throughout the program.
- If you have the habit of gossiping, work seriously on it. All relationships are built on trust. Trust is built up only once. It cannot be built again and again. Likewise during the course of your program never criticize any of your batch mates or professors.
- During the program, you will get lot of opportunities to make presentations. Take each presentation as a challenge and keep on raising your bar.
- Be mentally alert and focused on the program.
- In group presentations you may have to work with other candidates who are not known to you. Extend your full cooperation and take the responsibility of keeping the group bonded together. Each individual will have his idea. Genuinely congratulate your group member if he has come up with excellent points. It is natural to get discouraged if your points are not included in the presentation. Try to find out why the point is not relevant. Always remember that our learning process continues till death. Moreover when you start your career you will inevitably be part of a team. You cannot afford to create disharmony within the group.
- Be very careful whenever you speak. Choose your words with care. Never indulge in any kind of casual talk. Likewise ensure that you are well dressed and maintain good hygiene. Groom yourself to become a person who can be trusted.
- Work on your vocabulary. Keep a daily target and strictly adhere to it.
- Keep working on honing your listening skills. There is a huge difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is done with the ears. Listening is done with the mind and the heart. Powerful listeners can create miracles.
The basic objective of having summer placements is to get exposed to what an organization is, how does it work, the role of each department and how the industry works as a whole. This is because most of the students are fresh from college and directly enroll for an MBA Program.
The second year is the time when you have to hone your skills in your line or function and ensure that you keep abreast of all the latest developments in that line.
Likewise during your final placements make a very careful choice. There are two critical points which you need to keep in mind. The first is the reputation of the organization. The second is the Human Resource Interventions that the organization has in place. All professional organizations have an individual career growth plan for each employee. They also have structured training programs to help the new employee develop his skill sets and also get him exposed to all the functions. Your first job is the most critical because it is going to determine the entire course of your career. When an organization selects an employee, it does so with a long term perspective in mind. Never make the mistake of job hopping. It is suicidal. As of today, job hopping is looked upon very negatively by all reputed players in the industry. Even an experience of five years in an organization, makes the other company think. You need to have a really valid reason for quitting the organization.
My only advice to all MBA students is to make the right choice in terms of their specialization. Once you make the right decision, believe me, it will be an eternal honeymoon for you.
CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by R Nagesh T on July 2, 2010
As you know, Reading Comprehension (RC) is one of the critical sections of any MBA entrance examination. For students, who are not so good in mathematics, this section becomes even more important. For obvious reasons, it is preferable for such students to start with the English sections. Now, how to approach the RC test?
The basic rule is a known factor. One has to be an avid and good reader of English. The preparation must be such that a student is able to read and comprehend a sentence in one go. Repetitions or going back and forth will not help the cause.
Nevertheless, for scoring high marks in a MBA entrance examination, one needs to be smart as well.
Firstly, it is important to practice on all types of topics during preparation for entrance tests. Many students prefer to go to tutorials and benefit from a series of practice tests and mock tests conducted by them. Very often, RC tests have an option, say, to attempt 5 out of 7 or more passages. Now, the passages, which are left unattempted, are most probably the ones that were either lengthy or difficult to comprehend. It is advisable to practice these passages, later on at home. The students will be in better frame of mind during MBA entrance, if they cover them as well.
Secondly, it is important to be an intelligent reader. Answering questions would be easy, if the student focuses on what the passage is trying to convey, rather than on the specific words or jargons used. Again, one has to practice and learn to fine tune the reading speed in accordance with different topics and their complexity. It helps in faster understanding of passage and swift answering of questions.
Thirdly, it is preferable to attempt the RC section after the English Usage (EU) test. The initial few minutes of the test may create nervousness. Attempting EU, which is far easier, before RC, provides the much needed warm up. It may also help in gaining confidence before attempting RC which requires high levels of concentration, fast reading and quick comprehension.
Fourthly, one is advised to glance through the RC section. This is important:
a) to have an idea of the length of different passages and number of questions at the end. Remember, it is not necessary that a bigger passage will have more questions or a small passage will have fewer questions. To save time, it is advisable to attempt those passages first, for which passage/questions ratio is less.
b) each passage may be diverse in terms of subject-matter and flow of language. The passage may relate to social concerns, politics, philosophy, economics and business among others. Again some passages may be difficult to comprehend and some may be easier. Therefore, one needs to choose those passages first, which he or she is comfortable with.
c) time management is extremely important. Students who are not so good in mathematics may be required to devote more time for that section. It is more crucial for such students to take preparation for RC very seriously, which would enable them to complete the RC section efficiently in less time.
Finally, and more importantly, one is required to be calm and confident while attempting the RC section. It’s a combination of preparation and temperament, which holds the key for scoring high marks in a MBA entrance examination.
Posted by TCYonline.com on June 3, 2010
Written By Mansi Praveen
MBA – Masters in Business Administration – these are the few words which have haunted me since the past three years of my life.
The series of mock tests, mock interviews, their results, mugging vocab, solving timed test papers..blah blah blah….i am sure all the MBA aspirants would be able to understand these feelings. These sentences would follow me like the puppy in the Hutch ( now Vodafone ) advertisement…wherever i go, my saga of MBA preparation follows 
A typical cribbing conversation in one complete cycle of form filling -> preparing -> final exams -> results -> interview >- final results would be :
Me: Yaar, this is the last time i am writing the CAT exam. if this time nothing happens, i will continue in my field ( whereas i knew that CAT form filling is going to be an endless festival for me which i would be celebrating each year, hehe)
Me again: You know, XYZ has got admission into ABC (choice of words is not coincidental!), i have been preparing for so long but nothing happens. It all about Luck and no hard work!
Me again: I hate this job, this year i am gonna prepare for GMAT, enough of CAT now. CAT doesn’t deserve me ( innocent me )
Me again:I will apply for executive MBA now..what is the eligibility criteria for that?
There are umpteen sentences i remember which I used to share with my noble friends ( Thanks guys for that).
But now, the story has ended. Finally i got admission into one of the reputed colleges in India and i am joining on 13th June.
As they say, it is not the destination which matters, rather the journey. My tryst with this journey has ended….have learnt a lot from it and value what i have got more so because of this journey…
Have loads of stuff to write about it, but finally ending it with the crux of what i have learnt from this – “Yes, luck does matter…but it is nothing in comparison to the hard work and conviction you put in to reach where you want to be!”
Posted by NIRANJAN RAJPUROHIT on May 31, 2010
I had following calls – SIBM-Pune, SCMHRD, SPJAIN (Mumbai), XIMB, IIT Roorkee.
Since I attended so many GD, GT and PIs, it would not be possible for me to narrate all the experiences. However, I would like to share a few things which are very important for any college.
1) Be honest. Never bluff.
2) If you are a fresher, be prepared for technical questions like – ur final year project, ur seminar, ur training, ur favorite subject, etc
3) If you have work-ex, be prepared for questions related to business of ur company like – who were ur clients, what was the business of the clients, ur company’s hierarchy, sales and turnover of ur company, number of employees, etc.
4) Interview is a pre-planned game. Pls understand this. Go prepared with answers for all the question like – introduce urself, why MBA, why this particular college, ur hobbies, ur strengths, weakness, career goals, etc.
5) For every question, ur answer shud be logical and if the interviewer asks, u shud be able to give suitable examples to justify wat u have said.
6) Be prepared for cross-questions.
7) Smile wen u enter the room.
Come formally dressed. Proper haircut and clean shaven. It is very important. .
9) Remain updated about all GK and current affairs stuff. Read morning’s newspaper on the day of interview.
10) Always have a stand and have ur own opinion about whatever is asked to u, esp. in the case of debatable issues and current affairs.
11) Never talk about placements in the interview. Never compare any college.
12) Do a lot of research about the college before attending its interview. It helps u to speak confidently in the interview wen asked for questions related to why mba and why this college, etc.
13) Be thorough about ur hobbies. It is very much possible that ur entire interview can go discussing ur hobbies. If u don’t know all the details, say, about ur favourite game, u are out. It gives a very bad impression.
