F2F Class Notes (Raph)[R]

Vocabulary

Alternate (n): 1-  An alternate plan or method is one that you can use if you do not want to use another one.
E.g.: Our boss didn’t like our proposal, so we’re looking for an alternate plan.

Comic / Comic book (n): 1- a magazine or book that contains a set of stories told in pictures with a small amount of writing.
E.g.: When he was young, he really liked to read comic books.

Graphic Novel (n): 1- a book containing a long story told mostly in pictures but with some writing:
E.g.: Art Spiegelman’s “Maus” is a very well-known graphic novel.

Equivalent (adj): 1-  having the same amount, value, purpose, qualities, etc..
E.g.: She’s doing the equivalent job in the new company but for more money.
E.g.: $50 is equivalent to about £30.

Satire (n): 1- a way of criticizing people or ideas in a funny way, or a piece of writing or play that uses this style. (Adj: Satirical)
E.g.: Her play was a satire on life in the 80s.
E.g.: She wrote a satirical play criticizing the government.

Ceremony (n): 1-  a formal religious or public occasion, especially one celebrating a particular event, achievement, or anniversary.
E.g.: The winners were presented with their prizes at a special ceremony.

Late (adj): 1- used to refer to someone who has died.
E.g.: She gave her late husband’s clothes to charity.

Grant (n): 1- an amount of money given especially by the government to a person or organization for a special purpose.
E.g.: They gave/awarded her a grant to study abroad for one year.
E.g.: We got a government grant for setting up our business

Narrative (n): 1- a particular way of explaining or understanding events.
E.g.: There was pressure on academics (学者) to construct positive narratives about that period.
E.g.: Both sides in the conflict have a narrative of victimhood (受害).
E.g.: I believe that the government’s narrative is not accurate.

Alternate history of Singapore wins comics Oscars
(Source: breakingnewsenglish.com/1707/170725-graphic-novel.html)

A Singaporean graphic novelist has won three of the comic industry’s equivalent of the Oscars. Sonny Liew picked up three Eisner Awards for his comic book, “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye”. The book is a satirical rewrite of Singaporean history. Mr Liew scooped the top prize for Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material, and Best Publication Design at the awards ceremony. The annual awards show was held at the San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. Liew told reporters that he was surprised his book had done so well as he never expected he would get an international audience for it. He said: “I always wanted people to read the book and get a sense of how rich our history was.”

Mr Liew’s book outlines the history of Singapore from its struggle for independence from British colonial rule. As well as focusing on Singapore’s founding father and first leader, the late Lee Kuan Yew, Liew also highlights the role played by lesser-known people. He said: “I think the so-called official narrative Singapore story is part of our history, but it’s not the whole story and I wanted to tell a more inclusive version of our history. I hope that’s what people reading the book will get from it.” Liew initially feared his book would be unsuccessful after Singapore’s National Arts Council withdrew a grant for the book. However, this brought the book a lot of attention and boosted exposure and sales.

Grammar

Society: /səˈsaɪ.ə.t̬i/

Unemployed: /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd/

Inactive: /ɪˈnæk.tɪv/

Employer: /ɪmˈplɔɪ.ɚ/

Hire: /haɪr/

Equivalent: /ɪˈkwɪv.əl.ənt/

Equal: /ˈiː.kwəl/

Satire: /ˈsæt.aɪr/

Satirical:  /səˈtɪr.ɪ.kəl/

Colony (n):  /ˈkɑː.lə.ni/

Colonial (adj): /kəˈloʊ.ni.əl/

Initially: /ɪˈnɪʃ.əl.i/