Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2011 May 12

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May 12

Where I am From analysis

Is there any website where I can look at what the poet says about her poem? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.92.150.2 (talk) 01:49, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

It seems the poem "Where I'm From" is written by George Ella Lyon. So far I haven't found the analysis you are looking for. Bus stop (talk) 01:57, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Hansard and superinjunctions

Yes, another superinjunctions question. Stories like this make me wonder: can Hansard publish debates from the House of Commons without fear of getting in trouble for violating superinjunctions? And if so, why can't newspapers simply say "We're reporting the latest news from Hansard" and avoid trouble thereby? Nyttend (talk) 01:56, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

This from the very next day answers your question in part. Hansard is covered by Parliamentary privilege so yes, it can publish what is said in the House, and newspapers may also report the proceedings of Parliament under qualified privilege. Note that my linked Guardian article names Trafigura (that article says little about the affair) only one day after the paper complained, in the item you linked, that it was barred from doing so. Sussexonian (talk) 07:30, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

People's Republic of China Language Census

India conducted a language census despite its huge population. See India's language census

Did the People's Republic of China government conduct a language census for the different chinese dialects and minority languages? Can you provide me with a web link? 174.114.236.41 (talk) 03:51, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm getting an error message when trying to access that website. You can find information on numbers of speakers of the various languages and language families spoken in China from Languages of China.

I assume you are asking for statistics from a national census on languages (rather than a specific census on languages only). Full statistics from the 6th national census conducted in 2010 have not yet been published, but a scan through the published statistics of the 5th national census conducted in 2000 does not show a table of language statistics. Looking at the census form for the 5th national census shows that there were no questions (as far as I can see) about languages. There are, however, statistics about ethnicities, which may be of interest to you. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 07:15, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

It seems to be the policy of the Chinese government to phase out the use of other chinese dialects/languages than Mandarin (Compare France!). (For instance, when I was in Canton a couple of years ago, I saw signs telling people to speak Mandarin rather than Cantonese) so I guess they are not interested in highlighting the use of other dialects/languages in the census. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.226.142.75 (talk) 08:43, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Promoting Mandarin is an active and official policy of the government. Whereas in ethnic minority areas there is at least official support (of varying degrees) for the preservation of the minority language (as in Tibetan, Mongolian etc), in ethnic Han-Chinese populations the official policy has almost no interest in preserving the local variety of (Han-)Chinese language. Cantonese has probably the strongest vibrancy because of the existence of large, functional primarily Cantonese communities like Hong Kong, but for other dialects the situation is quite dire. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 10:24, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

What's the best online stock-trading application?

There are plenty to choose from. Do they have Wikipedia articles? Which ones are better than the others, and how? (Sorry, but Google might list all stock-trading applications, but not rank the best from the worst and mediocre.) --70.179.169.115 (talk) 07:00, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I have moved this question to the Computing Desk. Please post all further responses there. Falconus^{p t c} 16:32, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Lithium company stocks

I know that LEXG most likely isn't the only one. Where is a most up-to-date list of all lithium stocks, and of that list, which ones would you recommend the most and why? (The lists might not be able to list best to worst either, so that's why I ask.

This is why I ought to jump on soon.

--70.179.169.115 (talk) 07:00, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

"This featured company sponsored advertising issue of Stock Market Authority (SMA) does not purport to provide an analysis of any company's financial position, operations or prospects and this is not to be construed as a recommendation by SMA or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Lithium Exploration Group, (LEXG), the company featured in this issue, appears as paid advertising, paid by Gekko Industries to provide public awareness for LEXG." Nil Einne (talk) 15:24, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Overcrowded refugee ship in WWII - the "Navamar"

An elderly relative of mine, a Holocaust survivor, escaped from Europe on a ship called the "Navamar", which departed from Spain and arrived in New York, in the early 1940's. He says that 1200 refugees were crowded into this ship, which was originally a freighter with a crew of twelve. He also says that this voyage was the subject of a book.

So far I have not been able to find any mention of this ship except for on this page: Survivor of the Holocaust - Escaped in ship called the "NAVAMAR". Any ideas about where I could find more information? (It it possible that I misspelled the name of the ship.)

Ratzd'mishukribo (talk) 09:32, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I forgot to add - it was nicknamed the "Nevermore".

Ratzd'mishukribo (talk) 09:40, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

You're right, there's remarkably little trace of it on the web. You might try a search at this site for more details. Dates and a departure point might help narrow the search criterea. Alansplodge (talk) 10:46, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Eureka! ' SS Navemar - The Spanish freighter, equipped to carry 28 passengers, crammed 1,000 people into its cargo holds. The conditions were so horrible when it arrived in Cuba in 1941 that Manuel Siegel of the Joint Relief Committee in Havana wrote to the JDC that "everyone seemed to be fighting everyone else for the privilege of living. The relationships seemed more animalistic than human."' (A slight spelling mistake was throwing me off the scent). Alansplodge (talk) 10:51, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Some documentation here. Alansplodge (talk) 10:57, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks! Now that I have the correct spelling (Navemar), much more shows up. The description matches perfectly. Typhoid plagues, Nazi spies... Ratzd'mishukribo (talk) 11:04, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Can I suggest that you ask your relative to make a record of his experiences? Perhaps a taped interview if he's not up to writing it down. In a few years, there won't be anyone left to ask. Alansplodge (talk) 11:45, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

<-Yad Vashem do an excellent, sensitive service of working with Holocaust survivors to record their memories. --Dweller (talk) 13:03, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I've created a stub article at SS Navemar - please feel free to expand or correct it. Alansplodge (talk) 18:29, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Forensic Investigation:

What is the purpose and objectives of a forensic investigation? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jenny Prinsloo (talk • contribs) 09:51, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

You might have to be more specific - 'forensic investigation' could have any number of meanings depending on the context. We have an article on Forensic science, if that is any help. 130.88.134.226 (talk) 10:00, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Sounds like an essay question. WP:RD will not do your homework. But you want to start with something along the lines of: Usage of relevant scientific analysis and fields to gather evidence in criminal proceedings. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.174.117.185 (talk) 10:03, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Since 1659 (according to the OED) "forensic" has meant "legal". Since 1963, it has also been used to refer to a forensic science department or laboratory. I think (but the OED does not confirm) that it is popularly used to mean "scientific in a police context". Thus depending on who said it and when "forensic investigation" might mean legal or scientific. --ColinFine (talk) 22:15, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Sprechen Sie Deutsch... or Hebrew?

 Answered  courtesy of IP 129.206.196.205 and user Deborahjay. Thanks!

Hi, all! I'm hoping to find a German-speaking and/or Hebrew-speaking Sherlock Holmes here. I'm afraid I've forgotten most of the schoolboy German I once knew, and I don't read Hebrew at all, so I'd like to ask your help, please.

There's an article at AfD that I'm especially interested in because I researched its plausibility a month or two ago, and it seemed to come up wanting. The article is Abraham Reuel, which is actually kind of funny because if the subject ever existed, his name would have been Reuel Abraham. The article's creator was just careless in that respect.

Or that would have been his adopted name, actually, as opposed to his given one, which is reported to have been Karl Heinz Schneider. When the article first came to my attention the only remotely legitimate source for the story that was listed in the article was a cutesy little book called A Treasury of Jewish Anecdotes. That's probably not a reliable source for the purpose, I think, but once it got to AfD someone then found ... well, I'll let you look at the AfD for yourself.

The reason I'm asking you all for help is that I came up blank when I searched German language sources to try to determine whether this guy ever actually existed, let alone whether he's one of the world's most famous converts to Judaism, as our article currently maintains based on a single in-passing sentence in another source. There was nothing I could find in the proprietary databases I have access to, either.

I was wondering whether any of you who can speak German or Hebrew like a grown-up you would be able to spare a few minutes to see whether you can find anything in either of those languages about "Reuel Abraham" or "Karl Heinz Schneider" to confirm this story or disprove it as a hoax? It's certainly an interesting opportunity to put one's deerstalker on, however the AfD turns out. Many thanks,  – OhioStandard (talk) 10:43, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Just as a FYI: Schneider (lit. "Tailor") is one of the most common Surnames in German. Just as Karl Heinz is one of the old fashioned, but more prominent first name combinations making a German internet search of the topic a dolorous task. Both suggest, in their ubiquity, a hoax article. From my scant knowledge of the Aera I would find it quite implausible for a HJ-Member to organize a Battalion of men, even in the Volkssturm they were controlled by more reliable men. The HJ actually did not have battalions. This is at the least incorrect terminology and suggests a certain carelessness. The Karl Heinz Schneider the German Wikipedia finds relevant is actually an SPD politician. A oogle search indicated nothing beyond a few notes that are n the article, without proper scourcing and, incidentally, without the bit about organizing Battalions. I did not find reputable sourcing for the proposed turns of events as depicted in the article, but alas I am only an IP. I cannot help but make the comment that I find your AfD debates to be very much unlike those of the German Wikipedia and quite unsavory of something which proposes to be an Encyclopedia. --129.206.196.205 (talk) 12:37, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

That AfD is a fairly mild one, but en:wikipedia does allow far too much mean-spirited communication. It's embarrassing and undignified. Thank you; Anyone else?  – OhioStandard (talk) 14:19, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Using Google to search in Hebrew, neither name order {"רעואל אברהם", "אברהם רעואל"} yields any hits. As this topic seems rather esoteric for the fund of knowledge available to us WP editors patrolling the Reference Desks at present, I suggest you may have achieve better results by contacting a Jewish university library or academic department period archive in this field to help you with your investigations. -- Deborahjay (talk) 13:46, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

REDACTED after reading the AfD -- Deborahjay (talk) 13:54, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm grateful for your assistance, as well, Deborahjay. Most kind; thank you.  – OhioStandard (talk) 14:13, 14 May 2011 (UTC)

Stanley Spencer balloonist and parachutist

 Answered

At my talk page an editor has asked me for more details about the background and history of the aeronaut Stanley Spencer, see questions a) to e). I started the stub from the links he provided and did some googling but I could not find much more than what is already in the stub and in the links. For German readers there is the larger article w:de:Stanley Spencer (Ballonfahrer). Can anyone find more details on this Spencer family? -84user (talk) 11:00, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Is this or this any good? Alansplodge (talk) 11:50, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Yes, excellent sources, I have now added them as inline cite and external link. I used this direct gutenberg link because the scribd link would not allow me to download the text without logging into a facebook account, something against the spirit of the gutenberg license in my opinion. -84user (talk) 19:48, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Ah, that could be why I couldn't download it either. I thought my rather elderly computer just needed another shovel-full of coal ;-) Alansplodge (talk) 21:17, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

How could their be a divorce?

How was it possible for William IX, Duke of Aquitaine to divorce his first spouse Ermengarde in 1093? Divorce was not allowed, was it? They both remarried, and after their second spouse died, Ermengarde tried to be recognized as his wife again, but her request was not granted. But, was'nt she in fact still his wife? Thank you.--Aciram (talk) 14:05, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Annulments were the usual substitute for divorce in that era, and in fact was what happened to the Duchess Ermengarde. Googlemeister (talk) 15:04, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I see. On what grounds was it annuled? If that was indeed the case, the article should perhaps use the word annullement instead of divorce to avoid musinderstandings. --Aciram (talk) 15:21, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I only see the word divorced used for his father William VIII, and the statement about consanginuity makes me think that too was an annulment, since consanginuity was the main grounds (or rather instrument) for an annulment amongst the nobility of Catholic Europe since the qualifications were so broad. Of course as the final decision was in the hands of the Ecclisiastical courts, really any reason would do if you were powerful and on good terms with the Church. Googlemeister (talk) 16:40, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Competitive advantage for becoming a financial center

Our article on the Four Asian Tigers says:

All four Asian Tigers have a highly educated and skilled workforce and have specialized in areas where they had a competitive advantage. For example, Hong Kong and Singapore became world leading international financial centres, while South Korea and Taiwan became world leaders in information technology

I understand that, for example, South Korea and Taiwan could have become world leaders in electronics and information technology in general due to cheap but skilled labor, but what characteristics are needed for a country to have a "competitive advantage" as an international financial center? --Belchman (talk) 17:42, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Both Singapore and HK had good ties with the UK, which would have been useful. Googlemeister (talk) 18:01, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Some opinions regarding Singapore are presented in this article ("Going swimmingly", The Economist, 20 April 2011). Gabbe (talk) 19:24, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Both Hong Kong and Singapore are tiny. This is a disadvantage in many businesses, where farms, factories, or large numbers of employees all require lots of space. However, money doesn't take up much room, so financial centers might be a good alternative. StuRat (talk) 07:45, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

• Cheap skilled (white collar) labour. Hong Kong and Singapore both have Universities producing skilled labour with English language at a high grade. They have historically been highly concentrated trade and entrepot centres. As noted they are part of the Anglosphere. The links between trade, skilled white collar labour and English language make them perfectly placed to be financial centres. Fifelfoo (talk) 08:20, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

The key differences between Hong Kong and Shanghai, to take an example of a financial/business center and a manufacturing/business center, are the rule of law, currency convertibility, capital controls and the free flow of information. Add to that some other factors such as an honest and competent bureaucracy, excellent support for international families (schools, hospitals, language), and other non-financial factors and it is obvious why Hong Kong has hundreds of Mainland companies on its stock market, and Shanghai has none.DOR (HK) (talk) 09:10, 17 May 2011 (UTC)

To all certified public accountants and/or auditors out there, i've got a question for you.

kindly elaborate ur answers and pls. answer these 2 questions clearly. 1. what is the auditor's contribution to good governance? 2.what's the biggest problem or headaches encountered by auditors?

Kindly elaborate on whether this is a homework question, and please answer clearly. Looie496 (talk) 19:03, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I'd think dealing with intentional deception (sometimes legal) would be among the biggest headaches. StuRat (talk) 21:17, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

What was the name of the place?

What was the name of the place where the constitutional act 1982 took place between Pierre Trudeau and ten provincial premiers? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.92.149.128 (talk) 19:40, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I'm not sure what you mean by "place", but our article is at Constitution Act, 1982 and you might find what you're looking for there. If you can provide more detail, we might be better able to help. Matt Deres (talk) 20:02, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

If you mean the Kitchen Accord in 1981, it was in the kitchen of the Chateau Laurier, although Rene Levesque didn't sign it. The subsequent Canada Act in 1982 was signed only by the Queen, presumably. Adam Bishop (talk) 19:59, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I think the OP means the place that had the u-shape table the politicians (Pierre Trudeau and ten provincial premiers were discussing the constitution on). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.29.33.234 (talk) 03:18, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

Oh, like in this picture? Seems like no one noted the exact place, other than "Ottawa". I suppose it was also in the Chateau Laurier? (Presumably they wouldn't have gone to the Chateau's kitchen for the Kitchen Accord if they weren't already there? But I have no idea.) Adam Bishop (talk)

What was the name of the place? 2

The answer to the original question was it took place at a venue called Ottawa National Conference Centre and here is the clip: http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/constitution//topics/1092/. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.95.105.20 (talk) 15:24, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

I think Government Conference Centre is the correct article. --JGGardiner (talk) 07:36, 14 May 2011 (UTC)

1980 referendum

I remember one of the members of Parti Quebecois called the ladies who sided with Pierre Trudeau yvettes. Were they called Yvettes because of Pierre Trudeau's other name happens to be "Yves" as in "Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau"? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.92.149.128 (talk) 19:49, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

According to Quebec referendum, 1980, Yvette was "the name of a docile young girl in an old school manual". Adam Bishop (talk) 20:04, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

I would think they would call people who vote "yes" that, as in Yes, Yes, Yvette (no article ?). The "no" voters, then, would have to be Nanettes. StuRat (talk) 21:15, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

According to an essay by a young Quebecois student of politics:

The Yvette was a elemantary book, where Yvette was a gently girl who help her mother in the house and who learned to little girl to stay at home and prepared meal, wash cloth…… And the Wife of the Quebec Liberal Party chief, named Yvette…. The problem was that Lise Payette, a Lévesques’s minister compare both Yvettes.

In other words, Lise Payette, a Parti Quebecois minister under Rene Levesque, claimed that Claude Ryan, the leader of the party opposing the independence campaign, wanted a Quebec of "Yvettes", invoking the submissive girl in primary school readers and drawing on the coincidence that it happened to be the name of Ryan's wife. There's a better-written article of unclear provenance here and brief CBC archives here (written and audio), both in English. BrainyBabe (talk) 23:00, 12 May 2011 (UTC)

Heh, that's a strange translation, or I guess written by a French-speaker with not so great knowlede of English. Ryan's wife was actually named Madeleine. Adam Bishop (talk) 07:12, 13 May 2011 (UTC)