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Dissecting Sentence Anatomy A baseline morpho-syntactic analysis between English and Japanese [Condensed]
I would like to preface this essay by explaining the environment in which it was born. After meeting fellow student-linguistic, Utano Imada, the two of us began discussing the differences and fun aspects of our respective languages from the perspectives of both a native and non-native of each language. We then both discussed wanting to teach both languages and how we believed both perspectives on a language (those from a native and those from a learner) are important to those wishing to learn the language. From here we had the idea to do a long-term research project on the differences and similarities between English and Japanese, including a small focus on how these things can then be adapted and taught to learners. This essay is a precursor to that larger project due to my lower levels in the subjects at hand. Though I have a decent grasp on my first language, English, I am still learning Japanese and do not possess it as a foreign language to the degree that Utano possesses English as her foreign language. Utano also possesses a higher understanding of morph-syntactic rules, even in English, than I do of Japanese and English. Therefore, the main purpose of the research project was for me to bring up my skills to be more on par with those of my future research partner, as well to prepare myself for a preferred future in not only linguistics as a whole, but also foreign language learning and linguistics
Illuminations, Volume 7, Spring 2025
On the Spring 2025 Issue
In this edition of Illuminations, students were asked to submit work that they associated with the feeling of nostalgia. This is an emotion that manifests in different ways for every person, and the submissions showcased in this year’s issue reflect that.
This year, the submission guidelines were relaxed and opened to allow students a chance to submit any kind of work they are proud of, beyond the realm of nostalgia.
Through prose, poetry and art, this year’s contributors have done an amazing job at representing the passion, dedication and wide range of skill that the honors students at UMF exemplify.
Thank you to everyone who submitted for consideration in the Spring 2025 edition of Illuminations
Relationships Between High-Elevation Lake Water Chemistry and Soil Chemistry
Past atmospheric deposition of sulfuric and nitric acids (“acid rain”) has acidified high elevation lakes across Maine and New England, affecting the ecology of the lakes and their surroundings. Since the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990, acid deposition has declined and many of the affected lakes have begun to recover. However, this recovery trajectory does not look the same at all lakes. Across western Maine, nine high-elevation lakes have been part of long-term water chemistry monitoring since 1986 and show variation in their pH trends over time, with five of the lakes increasing in pH, three declining in pH, and one showing no trend. To investigate why acidification recovery trends vary by lake, we explored relationships between water chemistry pH and ANC trends as response variables, and lake and watershed morphology and current watershed soil pH and dominant ions as predictors. We found no significant relationship between lake recovery and morphology, watershed morphology, or watershed soil pH. However, there was a relationship between soil pH and the lake sulfate trends. Further studies focusing on underlying surficial geology and longitudinal data collection on watershed soil chemistry will be useful to further reveal influences on lake recovery from acid deposition
Ewww, Rats: A Literature Review of Children’s Books Including Rats
This literature review examines the role of rats in picture books and juvenile literature. Twenty-three books in total are reviewed. Seven of which are picture books. They range from the years 1908 to 2021. These books are reviewed under four categories: Positive Attributes, Negative Attributes, Illustrations, and the Cruelty and Exploitation of Rats. I have found that rats are depicted in a multitude of ways. Negative depictions of rats are brought up in almost every book including a rat character. This brings me to believe that rats are viewed negatively in children’s literature. Throughout this essay, I discuss each category in depth, using examples from the books I have read. Not all books I have read are included in this paper, but most are. I end this paper by concluding that rats are viewed in a mostly negative way
Seasonal Variability in Peak Flow of Maine Rivers
Questions and Hypotheses
How has the timing of peak flow changed over time? ○ Hypothesis: Peak flow has moved earlier in the spring due to a warming climate melting snow earlier.
How has the variation of flow changed over time?
○ Hypothesis: Flow has grown more
variable in more recent years due to an increase in more variable precipitation patterns, especially in the spring months
Salmo Slaar
We are conveying the message of nature returning home to itself. Atlantic Salmon hatch in rivers, live in the ocean, and come back to the same river to lay eggs and die. Dams built in Maine have interrupted their natural routes. Humans have disrupted their coming home. But dams are starting to be removed, allowing Salmon to return home.
This is our representation of this natural phenomenon
Water\u27s Mark
A Soundscape designed during the Music and Environment class of 2024 spring between Maine and Italian students: Using the natural sounds of Maine during spring, laid over a beautiful piece of music played by an Italian student, the group made an enlightening piece about the ethereal feel of water in its many elements. With the music piece named Watermark by Enya, the group decided to call the soundscape “Water’s Mark” as a play on words for how water leaves its mark on everything it touches. Water is everywhere and connects us no matter our backgrounds, locations, or choices. The Farmington and Italian students hope that this piece can inspire others to focus on the bodies of water around us
Perceptions of Venetianisches Gondellied, op 19 n 6, by Mendelssohn
50 people listened to Venetianisches Gondellied, op 19 n 6, by Mendelssohn. Half Listened to a live piano version, half to a recorded version online. Participants then were asked questions about their experiences listening to the music. The results were presented with a video made of some of the personal comments in the survey
Regional Differences of Climate Change in Maine: Flow rates, Precipitation, and Snowpack
● Maine winters are changing rapidly, associated with changes in climate.
● These climate-linked changes are implicated in flooding, changes in snowpack, and changes in flow regimes in Maine.
● In this study, four different regions in Maine were analyzed to evaluate changes over time in snowpack, river ice, fall-through-spring precipitation,February Snowpack water equivalen
Bella Ciao in Three Locations
We chose Bella Ciao as our song because of its relevance to Italy\u27s history. We left that decision to our musicians, who were Filippo, Riccardo, and Breckon.
Next, we wanted to tie it to nature and the environment because of our course theme. So, we decided to make short clips of three different scenarios in Maine: the field by the sand, clear water, and the candy itself. We collected sounds of water and birds and filmed ourselves in different places. This was directed by Truly, Alex, and Maria