Thursday, November 28, 2019

Tourism Growth in Developing Countries

Presently, tourism is known to be one of the biggest, yet dynamic and a very fast growing sector, which has many economical benefits (Batta, 2000). Because of the high returns, substantial amount of foreign currency flow in a country, crucial infrastructures, and other amenities develop, and modern educational experiences take place rapidly affecting the economy of any given country.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Tourism Growth in Developing Countries specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More No doubt, tourism has contributed to both social and economical growth of many countries worldwide. For a number of well-developed countries such as France and Switzerland among others, tourism has been one of the greatest factors, which have steered developments both in terms of social and economical spheres (Cooper et al. 2005). However, despite of numerous developments brought by tourism, it also has the potential to cause many problems, especially to the developing countries. According to most current statistics, tourism is a sector that has impacted world economy in a positive way. Statistics clearly show that tourism provides about ten percent (10%) of the total world income (Mitchel, 2009). In addition to this, it also provides jobs directly and indirectly to a tenth of the world’s labor force (Mitchel, 2009). Looking at this topic from the perspective of development, tourism is a sector that has proved beyond doubt to be very reliable and most importantly, extremely essential due to its contribution in the economy of a country. However, most people tend only to see the positive aspect of the tourism sector without even thinking of the idea that tourism can also cause many problems. In developing countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and India among many others, where tourism is a key sector and a pillar of national economy; this sector has caused numerous problems, some that are long- term. Long-term problems such as environmental and ecological damage have severe effects to the nation and the host community as well (Mason, 2008). Tourism is highly regarded for its role in bringing people of different cultures together (Casimir, 2000). For instance, people come from all corners of the world to visit East Africa, where tourism is a booming business.Advertising Looking for assessment on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, as much as the tourism sector impacts the host communities in a positive ways in terms of culture, it is also one of biggest destroyers of indigenous cultures (Casimir, 2000). Most people find pride in cultural values that are deep rooted. Because of that aspect, tourists like visiting communities where members have maintained their cultural values. Most host communities tend to showcase some aspects of their widely held cultural values to foreigners. In a number of developing countries, cultural values and aspects are mostly highlighted through making items that are part of their culture such as carvings, cloths, utensils and so on (Rodgers, 2001). Poverty is high in most developing countries and therefore, host communities depend on selling these kinds of stuffs to foreigner to earn a living (Urry, 2003). Once tourists have bought such stuffs, considering that most of them are foreigners, they go back with them to their homes. In other words, they carry away the most treasured cultural heritage of the host community. Since most foreigners have economical power, they develop and modify such items, which have been acquired from a developing country. The next time people from developing countries realize, their cultural products are being sold in foreign lands but they take no credit for their creative products. This way, their intellectual products are sold and their cultural values became eroded. A good example in this case is the famous Ke nyan Kiondo. Kiondo was and still is a cultural heritage from one sub tribe in Kenya (the Kikuyu community). However, today Japanese people who bought the idea of Kiondo in Kenya do produce and sell it in and outside Japan earning income for the country. If Kenya was a developed country, it would have modified this product and earn good income from it. However, the irony is that Kiondo is even more popular with Japanese than it is with Kenyans. Secondly, tourism in many developing countries has interfered with people’s privacy, dignity, and authenticity (National Parks Portals, 2009). As tourists visit several developing countries to explore many things, they not only concentrate on nature, but they also try to explore and understand host’s way of life.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Tourism Growth in Developing Countries specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This involves visiting their homes and even sometimes staying with them for sometime. Where some hosts may take this as a gesture of friendship, others (Hosts) may not be comfortable with such situations. As tourist visits people in their homes, in one way or the other, they do interfere with their personal privacy (Singh, 2008). On other hand, as much as some of tourists may appreciate what they see or learn about the culture of the hosts, others may disgrace or intimidate the host community. This without doubt, interferes with the dignity of individuals. This can be caused by lack of clear and developed policy in a developing country (National Parks Portals, 2009). While tourists are highly appreciated for providing people (host) opportunities to learn about foreign cultures without having to travel across the sea, it is also one of the major causes of culture erosion in most developing countries (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008). Due to lack of proper exposure, many people in developing countries are naive. Most people in d eveloping countries have the perception that foreign cultures are more superior to theirs. Because of this perception, most host communities are carried away by some cultural values of the foreigners. In fact, some foreign tourists go to such developing countries and even marry there (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008.). They then go with their wedded couples back to their homes. This greatly contributes to erosion of cultures. In addition, as much as the tourism sector is credited to be environmental friendly, it has a substantial amount of effect on environment (Huybers, 2007). Tourism in developing countries can be a major cause of ecological destructions hence impacts the environment negatively. Many tourists go to developing countries as part of the adventure. Although the primary goal is to explore, tourists also influence destruction of ecology in the host country (Huybers, 2007). This may come about when tourists want to visit interior areas. In an effort to make their visitors comfo rtable, hosts will clear trees and bushes to create roads and paths.Advertising Looking for assessment on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, when they visit national parks, they at times want to camp there. In the process, they cut trees to use for camps and making fire. This causes destruction to the environment, especially the natural cover (Urry, 2003). On the other hands, cars used by tourists also cause pollution of air and consequently the environment. Tourism is associated with development in terms restaurants and hotels (Singh, 2008). With these forms of developments, many benefits are linked to this growth including creation of jobs to some people in the local community. Since most tourists are foreigners, the standards of foods and drinks in such restaurants are of high quality. This therefore means that, most locals can hardly ever work in these hotels. In addition, farmers can only supply few types of foods, as most tourists (foreigners) are not used to local foods. Due to standards and quality expected by foreign tourists, most foods and even employees are exported from well developed countries (Hu ybers, 2007). This denies opportunities for farmers to sell their products to these kinds of restaurants and it also does not accommodate people from the host community in terms of employment due to lack of skills. The amount or level of employment created by tourism is not adequate in developing countries (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008). This is due to lack of sufficient education and skills. In terms of social life, tourism is highly regarded as a sector that has the ability to engage people and promote good relations. This is because tourism brings people of different cultures together. Even though some locals in developing countries face a number of problems when dealing with foreigners, especially communication issues, good social relations is developed in one way or the other through tourism. However, as much as this sector promotes the social life, it does cause a major problem in the society. This problem is the issue of prostitution (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008). Most people in dev eloping countries are languishing in poverty and some live below a dollar a day (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008). Since the perception of locals is that tourists have a lot of money, they do anything to earn that foreign currency. For young girls and mid aged men, prostitution is one way of earning money. Young women go to nightclubs where foreigners are partying and they get paid peanuts for sex. On the other hand, young men look for older tourist women and they are paid few dollars to meet sexual needs of these tourists. Because of this factor, the social life turns to be a big evil of prostitution in areas that are widely visited by tourists. According to statistics, prostitution is relatively high in regions with high number of tourist since people are less educated (Telfer and Sharpey, 2008. They resort to prostitution to earn the foreign income. Conclusion In deed, tourism is a sector that has the potential to drive any country forward due to its economical benefits. Across the worl d, tourism sector has brought enormous economical benefits hence steering developments. Despite of its potential to bring economical benefits to a developing country, tourism is a major cause of problems. Tourism can cause ecological and environmental damage (Lew, 2008). In addition, it can cause severe effects on culture and cultural values of the host communities. This can either be through damage of cultural heritage or by culture erosion. Insufficient policies, lack of education and skills, and poverty is among several factors that make tourism to have far-reaching effects in most developing countries. Developing countries should device better approaches to address all issues in order to continue enjoying social and economical benefits from the tourism sector. References Batta, R 2000, Tourism and the Environment: A Quest for Sustainability with Special  Reference to Developing Countries, and Policy Analysis on Himachal Pradesh, Indus Publishing, Bangladesh. Casimir, M 2000, C ulture and the Changing Environment: Uncertainty Cognition and  Risks, Berghahn Books, New York. Cooper et al. 2005, Tourism: Principles and Practice, 3rd edn, Pearson Education, Harlow. Huybers, T 2007,Tourism in Developing Countries, Edwin Edgar Publishers, Cheltenham. Lew, A 2008, Long Tail Tourism: New Geographies for Marketing Niche Tourism Products, Journal of Travel Tourism Marketing, Vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 409–419. Mason, P 2008,Tourism Planning and Management, Elsevier, Amsterdam. Mitchel, J 2009, Values Chain Analysis and Poverty Reduction at Scale, Overseas  Development Institute. National Parks Portals 2009, Impacts of Tourism. Web. Rodgers, J 2001, Travel and Tourism: Advanced, Heinemann, Sandton. Singh, L 2008, Issues in Tourism Industry: Fundamental of Tourism and Travel, Isha Books, Delhi. Telfer, D. Sharpey, R 2008, Tourism and Development in the Developing  World, Rutledge, California. Urry, J 2003, Social Networks, Travel, and Talk. British Journal of Sociology, Vol 54, no. 2, pp. 155–175. This assessment on Tourism Growth in Developing Countries was written and submitted by user Zion M. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Riddles of the Anasazi Essays

Riddles of the Anasazi Essays Riddles of the Anasazi Essay Riddles of the Anasazi Essay What is the truth of the Nazis people? Were they really cannibals? Did they only kill outcasts, or anyone of their pick? Why did they live in fortified homes? The following paragraphs, hopefully impart information on the above questions. The Nazis lived in fortified homes for environmental and social reasons/theories. One environmental reason was a long drought that lasted for 23 years. However, the Nazis suffered much worse with fifty years of drought before they went Into hiding. A social theory about why they moved Into fortified homes was nomadic raiders, men/ women that drove the Nazis out of their homes and Into hiding. A terrible social reasoning would be cannibalism, when times got tough In their villages, they would make examples of the town outcasts and become cannibals. Cannibalism, were the Nazis? Or, were they peaceful people afraid of things other than the people around them? The Elders of the Nazis Tribes today, tell a story of mass murder of each village going against each other. They executed the adult males, and captured and, tortured women and small children. Kook Man Corn also suggests the possibilities of cannibalism; in his book he has documents of 76 differing cases of primitive cannibalism in the southwest. Turner researched this information for thirty years. He has a six criteria system if they reach all six points; he believes that person was killed by a cannibal. The six points are, breaking of long bones to get marrow, cut marks on bones from knives, burning of bones, and a luster on the bones from cooking in a clay pot. Biochemists in Colorado tested the bones of several Nazis people and found Human coprolite of mycologist. Its existence there means the Nazis consumed human flesh. A case against cannibalism would be to lust say people who were pronounced as witches and other social outcasts were killed in the way Turner described. I believe there was cannibalism back in Nazis times. I also believe people do not want to shed truth on what happened, in fear of what will come in our nation and in our time. Archaeologists say the push, that lead to the Nazis fleeing was environmental catastrophes that lead to savagery, and hostilities. Some experts though say there was a pull, something leading them to the south and the east. Some believe it was the Chalk Cult. The Chalk Cult is a belief that gods to ensure rain and fertilely? Proof of the China cult appears to be found on different artifacts, their story Is related In paintings and drawings. These artifacts are found near the Roll Grandee. The Nazis people were complex Individuals that we still figure out what happened to them. They have left behind some evidence as cliff dwellers, The left behind works of art, bones with markings, pottery, homes that look Like they have been left 300 years ago Instead of ages, and Pueblo people follow In some of their name dances and rituals today. Besides the facts that lay before us, we can only hypothesize the real truth as to the Nazis lifestyle and life choices. Riddles of the Nazis By bigness Nazis lived in fortified homes for environmental and social reasons/theories. One Nazis suffered much worse with fifty years of drought before they went into hiding. A social theory about why they moved into fortified homes was nomadic raiders, men/ women that drove the Nazis out of their homes and into hiding. A terrible social reasoning would be cannibalism, when times got tough in their villages, they would just say people who were pronounced as witches and other social outcasts were leading them to the south and the east. Some believe it was the China Cult. The China Cult is a belief that gods to ensure rain and fertility? is related in paintings and drawings. These artifacts are found near the ROI Grandee. The Nazis people were complex individuals that we still figure out what happened to them. They have left behind some evidence as cliff dwellers. The left behind works of art, bones with markings, pottery, homes that look like they have been left 300 years ago instead of ages, and Pueblo people follow in some of their

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Mary Daly Radical Feminist Thoughts Research Paper

Mary Daly Radical Feminist Thoughts - Research Paper Example Her first publication â€Å"The Church and the Second Sex† resulted in her termination as a lecturer. Daly’s second publication was â€Å"Beyond God the Father† in this publication, she portrays God as a substantive subject. In her publications, she follows Paul Tillich example who is known for his foundational work in feminist theology. Her third book published in 1978 â€Å"The Metaethics of Radical Feminism† shows how men throughout history aim at oppressing women. In some of her publications, she gives some of the chants that can be used by women to free themselves from oppression. With this, this research paper gives the ancient/ classical sources that Daly uses in building her arguments about feminism. The essay will also give the themes that Daly uses. Lastly, how the themes are influential in the contemporary world. In her publications, Daly uses Biblical historical tales for instance the Genesis and the fall into freedom. By using these tales, she portrays how religion has created inequalities between Saxes by different destructive religious patterns. In her publication, she argues that, women are supposed to rule men. The Biblical historical tales are well illustrated in her publication â€Å"Tillich’s Theological Influence on Mary Daly†. This work of art gives the thought process of the radical theologian feminist Mary Daly. Daly interacts with Tillich’s idea to bring out the aspect of feminism. In this publication, Daly had different opinions on Tillich’s sexual life especially concerning her wife Hannah (Lyon1). Daly writes that Tillich expresses a form of religious doublethink, which makes him to be deceived hence self-acceptance. In analyzing Tillich’s life Daly does not explicitly connect the power of the Supreme Being to sexual oppression. This text il lustrates Tillich’s theological influence and ideas in building her argument on feminism and how women are oppressed. In Daly’s book â€Å"Beyond God the Father: Towards a Philosophy of Women’s Liberation†, the author brings out different themes concerning women's liberation. In this book, she portrays the feminist spiritual program that she believes that it is of great help to women. This is by how she believes that women should take a place in the current patriarchal religious thus creating a strong foundation of feminist theology. All this is aimed towards women's liberation. In this book, Daly portrays how God is the only static and authoritarian male figure. She clearly shows how father figure has led to the subjugation of women (Daly 1986). This is because most people believe that, the father is the backbone of the systems of symbols. She further claims that religious subjugation results to the subjugation of all other areas in life social, politica l, and economic. Because of this, she states that, the feminist spiritual revolution will replace the traditional concept of feminism. Daly says that women are supposed to realize their own potential to overcome male domination (Daly 1986). She says that women should be ready to ensure that they do away with all socially sanctioned women abuses, such as female circumcision. The second book, which contains different themes of great help in this research paper, is â€Å"The Church and the Second Sex†. This book uses biblical accounts to portray the role of women in the society. It shows how women are able to survive in servitude. In this book, she shows how women feel that they are in a homeless world owned by only women (Daly 1). The writer also shows how Jesus treated a woman that is the relationship between women and Jesus. In the New Testament, women are portrayed as persons, which clearly contrasts with the modern

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Service Excellence Management Report Research Paper

The Service Excellence Management Report - Research Paper Example It is clear from analysis that the management of Cathay Pacific Airlines is operating with the vertical organizational structure. Moreover, the organization is focusing on too much centralization in its decision making and strategy development process. Employee management has become one of the biggest challenges for the management of the organization. Too much centralization and flatter organization structure is affecting the motivation level of employees, which can reflect in the customer service management process. The organization has adopted old industrial model. Therefore, they are failing to retain their skilled employees. Some recommendation plans have been provided in the report to overcome the contemporary issues. Service excellence can be considered as an attitude that engrained in each and every organization. It begins and ends with people within the organization. Global business environment has become highly competitive as several organizations within the industry are trying to implement unique strategies in business operation process in order to gain potential competitive advantages over the competitors. Customer experience, customer expectation level and customer satisfaction level are the three major aspects in service excellence. In this present era of globalization, consumers always expect better service from the organizations beyond high quality products. It is true that, demand for high quality and differentiated services is increasing significantly among the consumers around the globe. Therefore, several organizations in this contemporary global business environment are looking to provide effective customer service in order to gain potential competitive advantages over the competit ors. Effective customer service and service excellence of organizations highly depends upon the knowledge and skill of

Monday, November 18, 2019

Explain how the Cold War influenced the American government's decision Essay

Explain how the Cold War influenced the American government's decision to fight in Vietnam - Essay Example However, this time in which the U.S. operates as the only superpower and therefore the world’s dominant force, known as the ‘unipolar moment’ was first, superficial to begin with and second, fleeting. The Soviet Union’s collapse left the U.S. as the lone superpower and it quickly showed a willingness to operate unilaterally when pursuing its interests. â€Å"Those in Washington who believed that superpower status was equal to a unipolar international system justified making decisions without the cumbersome involvement of allies.† (Hogan, 2004 p.2) This unipolar moment was, of course, a myth because a gap has always existed between the U.S.’s military capacity and its capability to control world events to its liking. The U.S. certainly enjoyed and took full political advantage of the widely accepted perception of its unipolar status following the Cold War’s end. It is this perception, this myth that should be examined when attempting to understand the concept of a world superpower and its limitations in an era of globalization. A unipolar world never existed, it was a term made up by observers that only saw the surface effects of the Cold War’s end. The U.S. was also referred to as the first hyperpower by the French but both of these terms are misleading at best and if believed, especially by the U.S., dangerous, as has been shown by the arrogance displayed in the invasion of Iraq. There are other descriptions of the supposed power wielded by the U.S. including ‘leader of the free world’ and ‘indispensable power’ that should be re-thought when defining America’s political position in the world community today. A vast disparity exists between America ’s perceived capacity to wage war and its actual capability to twist events in accordance with its ambitions. The potential military power and technological edge the U.S. has over all other nations

Friday, November 15, 2019

Toys and development from theory to research

Toys and development from theory to research The first twelve months of a childs life are crucial for physical and cognitive development. At six months an infant should be able to reach for and grasp objects so that during months 6-12 they learn to transfer objects from one hand to the other, grasp a spoon across their palm, can sit without support, begin to crawl, pull themselves up and walk with assistance, and may begin to walk without assistance. These process of these developments are explained in cognitive theories. One of the most influential cognitive theorists of development is Jean Piaget (1896-1980). Piaget proposed that a child is born with a repertoire of sensory and motor schemes, such as looking, tasting, touching, hearing and reaching (Boyd Bee, 2009). Through the process of assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration, a childs schemes evolve into more complex mental schemes. Piaget proposed that this happens through the course of four stages: sensorimotor stage, pre-operational stage, concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage. It is the sensorimotor stage that concerns the development of schemes in an infant. During the sensorimotor stage, a baby understands the world through its senses and motor actions. In relation to the development of an infant from 6-12 months are Piagets substages of secondary circular reactions, and coordination of secondary schemes. Secondary circular reactions, which are noticeable around six months are an infants repetitive actions oriented around external objects. Also, at this stage, infants may show some signs of imitation, and an understanding of object concept (understanding of the nature of objects and how they behave) and object permanence (that objects continue to exist when they are out of sight) (Boyd Bee, 2009). At around 8 months of age, an infant reaches the fourth substage of Piagets sensorimotor stage the coordination of secondary schemes. In this stage, an infant begins to show an understanding for causal connections, which leads to means-end behaviour, purposeful behaviour carried out in pursuit of a specific goal. An infant can now combine schemes, and can transfer information from one sense to another (cross-modal perception). Another cognitive theory is that of Vygotskys sociocultural theory, which asserts that complex forms of thinking have their origins in social interaction rather than in an individuals private explorations (book). Vygotsky believed that a childs learning of new cognitive skills is guided by an adult (or a more skilled child/sibling) through scaffolding a structured learning experience which is most beneficial when adapted to the childs zone of proximal development (developmental level). Vygotsky also emphasizes the importance of active exploration, in particular, assisted discovery. Recommended Toys Little Bird Told Me Softly Snail Snuggle-time Play-mat and Gym This colourful, multi-textural play-mat contributes to the secondary circular reaction stage of Piagets sensorimotor stage. The mat is designed to develop fine motor skills with the help of its detachable rattle toys and teething rings. Features such as its musical antennae and baby safe mirror are included to help develop sensory schemes. The pillow, which comes with the play-mat, can help an infant to develop motor skills as it can be used as a chest support for tummy play, which can also encourage the development of gross motor skills such as rolling over, and crawling. This toy is also beneficial as it can assist infants in the coordination of secondary schemes, for example, the means-end behaviour of pressing the antennae to hear some music. This toy is also ideal for a 6 month old infant to learn through assisted discovery, as Vygotsky suggested. VTech Singing Nursery Rhyme Book This interactive book, which is full of rhymes and flashing lights, along with hide and seek functional features, of different colours and textures, is suitable for an infant of 6 months or older. This book is designed to stimulate the senses and improve hand to eye coordination. While it is an ideal toy to demonstrate Vygotskys assisted discovery with the help of an adult, it is also a toy that can help with Piagets secondary circular reactions and the coordination of such secondary schemes, such as understanding object permanence, and causal connections. This toy is also durable through further stages, as it is can help teach different language sounds, and colours. Fisher Price Rainforest Jumparoo This toy includes a variety of colours, textures, sounds, and moving toys. Not only does it encourage the development of fine motor skills through the use of toys, but it also encourages the development of gross motor skills such as standing, and turning. Jumping movements activate lights and sounds, which stimulate the infants senses, and also cause the movement of the hanging toys which help with the development of Piagets coordination of secondary schemes, e.g. intentional means-end behaviour, and cross-modal perception. This toy is full of features to facilitate Vygotskys assisted discovery, e.g. understanding cause and effect and encouraging hand-eye coordination. Go Go Caterpillar This small moving toy, suitable for 9 months plus, is colourful, and contains colourful and noisy beads within its wheels. It encourages the development of gross motor skills as it pushes the infant to crawl or continue after the toy. The toys also has letters and numbers on it, which through the help of Vygotskys scaffolding, can lead to the learning of different letter sounds. Also the simple process of pressing the toy to make it move encourages the development of Piagets coordination of secondary schemes, such as learning cause and effect through repetition, and developing cross-modal perception. Little Superstar Sing Along Stage This toy (suitable for 6 months and older) encourages singing, dancing, and discovery on a number of levels. It has colourful features, which each make unique noises, including rattles and buttons, and also has a lights display. Along with this is a microphone and instruments which play songs, and there is a built in child friendly mirror. The toy in general motivates expression and movement, and is ideal for assisted discovery, while the use of the instruments and microphone encourage the development of fine motor skills such as hand-eye coordination, and the coordination of schemes such as means-end behaviour. The colours, lights, and mirror function as sensory stimulants, while the toy as a whole helps develop the coordination of schemes, and encourages activity. Conclusion Overall, cognitive development in an infant is highly important. Piaget and Vygotsky both have cognitive theories to explain development, and while they both have limitations, they can both be applied to all of the five toys I have chosen as the best toys for physical and cognitive development of an infant, and in particular an infant between 6 and 12 months. For Piaget, the most important developments between these months are those secondary circular schemes, and the coordination of these schemes, including fine and gross motor skills, through assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration, while Vygotsky suggests that development occurs through social interactions guided through scaffolding, and assisted discovery.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Love Scene between George and Maire from Translations Essay

The Love Scene between George and Maire from Translations This scene, in my opinion is the dramatic centre of Translations. The scene displays that George and Maire have fallen in love as they return from the dance together; the pair find it hard to communicate, and exhaust every method of communication before reciting place names to one another. The common language of the place names increases the tension between George and Maire until, finally, they kiss. The kiss is witnessed by Sarah who uses her new found talent of speech to tell Manus. The scene, in my view is very important as it is the catalyst for the disastrous events which follow, it leads to the disappearance of George, the search of Baile Baeg by new English soldiers, Maire’s despair, and the imminent ‘evictions and leveling of every abode’. The stage directions play a prominent part in the scene, they specify darkness and music being played, the music is significant as it is a common form of communication, everybody can relate to it. The ‘music rises to a crescendo’ as Maire and Yolland enter on stage and the audience are involved in the excitement and merriment of the pair. The music also crescendos later after Sarah has seen them which emphasizes the significance of what has just happened. The stage directions also describe their actions towards one another, the gestures and the pause before the kiss; all which would add a lot of drama and pace to the scene. Act 2 Scene 1, which is just before the love scene, is very different. Maire and George at this point are still very shy and use Owen to translate everything between them: Maire: Tell him then Owen: Tell him what? Maire: About the dance. Maire is essentially inviting Ge... ...hows that she has gone to tell him about George and Maire, bring the scene to a climax. It is also poignant that after Sarah has been given the gift of speech, she is now about to use it to tell her teacher and change everything in Baile Baeg, possibly costing George’s life. As the scene acts as a microcosm of the play’s messages, Friel displays the themes of translation, cultural differences and conflict of interests all in one scene. As a result, I think that this is a very important, if not the most important scene of the entire play, as the scenes before all build up to this moment, and the later events preceding it are all results of George and Maire’s union. Brian Friel has also managed to keep the audience interested by using tension, pace, irony and suspense; and successfully brings the end of the act to a climax, keeping the audience engaged.