Linguistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Linguistics - Essay Example bserves that the human body and brain are built in such a way as to make language an inborn quality, and something which just comes naturally because of the physical way humans are made. A second theory, which we could call the â€Å"social† theory, looks at the interactions between human beings, and incidentally also animals, and suggests that language is an advanced form of a cognitive/behavioural process. In order to determine how appropriate these two theories are in explaining the origins of language, it is important to look for evidence which supports either of these views, or evidence which suggests some other explanation. When one considers the physical equipment that was needed for humans to begin speaking to each other, it is clear that there is a complicated mouth structure which can make sounds using air coming up from the lungs and friction or stops using lips, teeth, and tongue. Very similar physical attributes are present in quite a number of animals, including parrots and other birds which can mimic the human voice very closely. This is not true language use, however, because birds cannot hold a real conversation, beyond just repeating phrases they have learned to imitate. The sounds that speaking birds make are empty of meaning, and so they are just empty signs. This means that they can produce The great apes have more idea of what language is, and a few have even been taught to communicate true lexical units and sentences through sign language even though they lack the physical equipment to make sounds that approximate human speech. The utterances that apes make among themselves may be a very rudimentary form of language but there is not the range of sound possibility that humans have. Apes have not developed sign language on their own, even though they have demonstrated the capability to learn it. These two examples of talking birds and signing apes show that partial language abilities are present in animals but that only a specific

12 Month Football Training Program Essay Example for Free

12 Month Football Training Program Essay The 12-Month Football Training Program A complete football training program takes just a little planning. But the benefits are well worth the effort Football players are amongst some of the finest athletes in the world and thats a testament to their gruelling regime. If you want to perform at YOUR best whatever level that might be you can learn a lot from the way the pros train. First and foremost though, a football training program has to meet your own specific needs Training time for most players is limited. You might not have the resources (or the inclination) to train 6 days a week. And you dont have to. Your only goal should be to maximise the time you DO have at your disposal. Do that and you cannot fail to improve. Any effective training regime should be built on the back of a solid fitness assessment. And it becomes exceptionally important in sports conditioning Without objective testing you simply cannot know how effective your time and energy has been. And if youre shooting in the dark, theres no way to tweak and adjust sessions to get where you want to be. Visit the fitness testing section of the site. Youll find all kinds of tests you can perform with little or no special equipment. Spend one afternoon developing a profile of your athletic abilities and record the results. As a football player youll want focus on tests that measure strength, power and speed. For example †¢One repetition max bench press and leg press †¢30 meter sprint †¢30 meter sprint fatigue †¢Standing vertical jump †¢Standing broad jump †¢Sit and reach test Split Your Football Training Program Into 3 Phases A football training program lasts 12 months even if the competitive in-season only spans from September to December. And that applies to any football player at any level Even if you only have a couple of days a week spare for football conditioning, you should still adapt and vary those sessions over the course of a year. For the more ambitious players, this system of periodization is the ONLY way you can incorporate all the necessary elements of training without overtraining. Here are the three phases or periods of a football training program.. †¢Pre-season phase 7 months †¢In-season phase 4 months †¢Transition phase 1-2 months Wow over half a year to prepare! Thats because it takes time to develop peak strength and power. Lets have a look at each phase in more detail Individual exercises and sessions are covered in separate articles. This is how everything fits together into one, complete football training program. Pre-Season Phase of Football Training The pre-season or off-season is by far the largest phase of the annual plan. The goal is to develop optimum strength and power so that it peaks just prior to the start of the in-season. Because this phase is so long you need to break into smaller cycles often referred to as macrocycles Each macrocycle might last between 3 and 6 weeks (for the sake of ease well assume that each cycle lasts for a calendar month). The training objectives and methods vary within each cycle and theres an important reason for this Firstly, adjusting intensity and volume helps to avoid overtraining and burnout. Secondly, certain aspects of fitness are built on the back of others. Explosive power conditioning for example follows maximal strength training, which in turn follows functional strength training. Strength Power Conditioning? During the transition period (see below) its sensible to layoff strength training all together, at least for a few weeks. You should also consider a functional strength program designed to correct any imbalances that occur as a result of a strenuous football training program. This functional strength program will likely spill into very early pre-season and its designed to prepare your body for subsequently more demanding sessions. Football players are one of the few groups of athletes that can benefit from a hypertrophy program. This type of weight training is designed to increase muscle mass. But contrary to popular belief larger muscles are not necessarily stronger muscles As such hypertrophy training in football should make up only a portion of the strength training program. Maximal strength training is an important element also and leads to significantly different adaptations than bodybuilding. Linemen may want to place more emphasis on the hypertrophy phase than other players. As an example, they could split their preseason into just 4 phases -? unctional/hypertrophy/maximal strength/power. Finally, following the development of muscle mass and maximal strength, conversion to sport-specific power is crucial It is power (and not maximal strength) that is most beneficial to football players. The cycle just prior to the season start should focus on developing peak power. Speed Agility Training? In the early pre-season speed and agility work is optional and should be low in intesnity. Too much running and i nterval training can detract from the development of muscles mass and maximal strength. Some light aerobic training may feature but more as a form of active recovery than intense endurance sessions. As the pre-season progresses more emphasis can be placed on speed and agility and intense interval training. If you take the time to plan your football training program in advance, quickness and agility should hit a peak just as the season begins. Flexibility Training? Dont neglect your flexibility. Your degree of range of movement impacts on your speed, agility and to some extent your power. It will also help to prevent injuries resulting from over stretching. While too much flexibility is not beneficial either, most football players are a long way from being overly supple. Spend at least 3 days a week stretching this is on top of stretching exercises performed as part of the warm up. In-Season Phase of Football Training Compared to the substantial pre-season preparation phase this should be a walk in the park! The objective is to maintain all the gains resulting from your hard work over the previous 6 months or so. Competitive games take priority. All of your conditioning work should be based around when you play. Its important to either rest or perform lower intensity drills the day before a game. Youll also have to co-ordinate your strength sessions so that you recover fully in time. Fortunately, to maintain your new levels of strength and power takes a lot less time in the weight room. You can afford to reduce your number of strength sessions and the volume of sets and repetitions. But dont skip weight training all together. Transition Phase of Football Training The transition phase is as important as any other in the 12 month football training program. It may only last 4-6 weeks but what you choose to do over that period of time can dictate how your entire season plays out. If you dont take the time to rest physically AND mentally you WILL burnout eventually. Even if you feel fresh at the end of hard season take time out. Try another sport tennis is a favourite, or any racket sport. Just avoid weight training and pounding the roads. The only caveat is that you do something physically active If you do absolutely nothing it will be that much harder to return to training. It takes only 4-5 weeks of complete sedentary living to loose most of whats taken you the best part of year to build up. The Perfect Plan Putting it All Together Have a good look at the chart below Notice how the amount and intensity of running drills varies depending on the strength phase? Too much intense interval training alongside strenuous hypertrophy training can leave you physically exhausted. Notice also how the volume of speed and agility work increases alongside power conditioning. This makes sense as it compliments the objectives of the phase. The intensity row is a rough guideline for overall training intensity. Often that can be a subjective measure so pay close attention to how you feel. More football training programs and articles will be added on a regular basis. But this is the place where they all fit together into one cohesive, highly effective plan. Yes, it does take a little planning to bring everything together. And no doubt that plan will (and should) change as you progress. But the changes youll see in your performance are worth every minute!

Globalisation Influencing The Development Of International Relations Theory Politics Essay

Globalisation Influencing The Development Of International Relations Theory Politics Essay Globalisation is a relatively new, unpredictable process in which raises fundamental issues within international relations. Globalisation is a contested notion and under much controversy. Jeff Haynes (2003) claims there is precious little agreement about what globalisation really means.  [1]  This suggests that globalisation is constantly debated and ever changing. Shalmali Guttal (2007) argues globalisation, shaped the world over the past 50-odd years.  [2]  The international system has under gone profound changes and has witnessed the end of the war of the ideologies, liberalism and communism. This essay will explain how economic, cultural, social and political changes within globalism have influenced the development of international relations theory with reference to contemporary examples. The definition of globalisation is fundamental in order to understand how it has influenced the development of international relations theory. However it is difficult to come to a singular definition as globalisation is a subject which is underpinned by controversy. It has been described that, globalisation is a historical process à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ that links distant communities and expands the reach of power politics across regions and continents  [3]  , dating as far back as the 19th century with the industrial revolution. Essentially globalisation has in essence, condensed the world which has led to an integrated economy and has diminished geo-political boundaries. It is argued that globalisation is related to neo-liberalism and capitalism which has generated a debate as to whether it promotes wealth or greed as Marxists suggest. On one hand it is said to promote a healthy, booming economy whilst others suggest that the western liberalised countries get richer whilst the third w orld countries continue to suffer, not capable of delivering on its promises of economic well-being and progress for all.  [4]  This becomes apparent when states such as the US and Cambodia are compared. For example, GNP Per Capita in 2002 for Cambodia was $1970 whereas the US was $35244. This highlights the North; south divide caused by globalisation. Globalisation is a multi-dimensional subject which considers cultural, social, economic and political changes. Furthermore according to the United Nations, Extreme poverty remains a daily reality for more than 1 billion people who subsist on less than $1 a day. More than 800 million people have too little to eat to meet their daily energy needs.  [5]  This would argue that globalisation has not helped third world and less developed countries as neo-realism suggested. Modernisation is paramount to globalisation. With new technology, such as the internet, emails, and mobile devices, and with new means of transportation such as air travel, technologies allow the transfer of goods, services and information almost anywhere quickly and efficiently.  [6]  The theory of interconnectedness within the globe has evolved, and with it the added convenience of businesses being able to operate transnationally in order to expand and cut costs. This highlights that international relations theory needs to accommodate to this change as it now involved more people across wider areas. State centric theories have become less relevant with the emergence of globalisation. Non-governmental organisations such as the European Union and Transnational corporations such as Coca cola or Nestlà © are operating with huge turnovers, By the mid-1990s, 51 of the worlds top 100 entities were transnational companies  [7]  . They are able to influence policy due to the substa ntial profits which would benefit the economy of states they operate in however this is detrimental to the population working within the companies. This would suggest that state centric theories have become less significant with the development of international relations theory. Realism argues the importance of states-as-actors however, states have lost sovereign control over non-state actors who are able to expand and operate within different countries. This contradicts theories such as realism threatened to put sovereignty at bay,  [8]  Vernon (1971) as cited by Jones (2008) in which sovereignty stands at the foundations of the state centric theories. The idea of the nation state is argued to be out-dated, for example with the development of transnational organisations such as the United Nations. This shows that the state has little power within the international system, and would argue against theories such as constructivism having an influence in international relations theo ry. Therefore globalisation reduces states ability to make domestic decisions. Balance of power has also been influenced by globalisation. The end of the cold war symbolised the end of the bi-polar regime and a greater distribution of world power. Another state centric theory constructivism argues anarchy is what states make of it. This idea is dismissed by neo realists, there may be peace and quiet in the international system. But in anarchy, states are always seeking security; moves in that direction can be misread by other states; that is what the security dilemma is all about.  [9]  Neo realists argue that you cannot predict what another states action may be; therefore the idea of security within the state is questioned within constructivism. However on the other hand, terrorism is reinforcing state centric theories such as realism, for example, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a struggle for power among self-interested states and is generally pessimistic about the prospects for eliminating conflict and war (Walt, 1998) Despite terrorists being non-state actors, terrorism reflects the revivification of the tradition of international relations theory. For example during the 1980s Libya sponsored terrorist acts, The first and most crucial thing to understand is this. There is no international terrorism without the support of sovereign states.  [10]  Ã‚   Globalisation has enhanced the technical capabilities and global grasp of terrorism which had enabled them to work through a global network. This has been helped with the introduction of new technology in which has condensed the globe, making it easier for terrorist groups to operate. Realism is also concerned with primarily states interest. National security issues are the most importan t, and with such events as 9/11 in America and 7/7 in Britain it shows that even the stronger powers are to some extent under constant threat from terrorism. The change in international relations theory has seen the spread of Liberalism and western values across the globe. Technology has been used as a tool to promote these western values; for example through means of the media and the internet. Widespread political changes have resulted from the process of Globalisation. For example democracy has been spreading since the mid-1970s which has seen dictatorships across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America fall to democracy. A domino like effect has triggered a chain reaction in the Middle East, showing that globalisation has promoted Liberalism. Recent developments in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt reflect this profound change in international relations theory reflecting that democratisation of states. Globalisation has promoted democracy which is apparent in these countries opposing the military dictatorship and imposing democracy upon the state. Jeff Haynes highlights an example of democratization influenced by globalisation, the justice and development party in Turkey. Their aim was to promote a liberal market economy and in 2007 was allocated seats. This shows the neo realist foundations of globalisation are appealing to other nation states. Furthermore it shows that are perhaps unhappy with the way their state is authoritarian and want democratic nation. Interdependence has been a key development within international relations theory. During the process of globalisation, the Westphalian system of territorial states has declined whereas interdependence has developed. This interdependence can be viewed in a negative perspective. Realists believe that states should be self-dependent. This inter-dependence is regarded as inequality and some states having power over states. For example, the oil embargo during the 1970s shows that the oil producing countries were able to coerce those countries which imported the oil and used this as a political tool. Decline of hegemony is suggested to produce disorder, as Realists believe a dominant power is needed in international relations. This is apparent in the introduction of the gold standard; the US took the lead in the international exchange of money. Within Cynthia Webbers International relations- a critical introduction the view of neo liberalism and historical materialism is featured which contributes an insight into the globalisation debate. Neo liberalism argues that globalisation influences the development of international relations theory in a positive light whereas the materialists argue capitalism is a bad influence on international relations theory. According to Webber, neo liberalism theory would include a harmonious nature of international relations. They also claim that the economies of the states benefit, and in turn democracy between nation states. However the materialists suggest that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.  [11]  This exploitation is key into maintaining a capitalist world-system, which highlights the unequal development within international relations theory. They also argue that relationships between sovereign states are conflictual thus suggesting that international relations theory in this case would parallel realism. Ian Clark argues that the globalisation has affected international political economy. The idea of the territorial state is rejected as globalisation has removed barriers which have led to questioning of the concept of a national economy. The viability of the state as provider of security of the state change within the global system has witnessed greater freedom to trade, Non-governmental organisations and interconnected world finance. Globalisation has encouraged interdependence which became apparent in the 2008 financial crisis in which banks had to be bailed out by national governments. This crisis saw a magnitude of countries economies dramatically deteriorate, all because they had some sort of reliance upon each other. This interconnectedness reflects a change in international relations theory. Suddenly a need for a theory in which accommodates for the interconnected states is required which coincidentally highlights the need for outside regulating bodies to manage this change. In conclusion, globalisation is a complex debated issue. Nonetheless, a principal phenomenon present in contemporary international relations theory. Globalisation affects the nature of world order, and has influenced the development of international relations theory by offering a different view on the interconnectedness and how this affects different nation states, for example the spread of liberalism which is reflected in the recent upheavals in the political system in the middle east. These changes in international order highlight the relevance of new and old issues for example the changing politics within the Middle East and the oil crisis in the 1970s. Interdependence is also viewed in a negative way; in which realists believe that less contact with states means less conflict. Different theories offer different perspectives on the international system. International relations are constantly changing so theory needs to adapt in order to explain these changes. The extent to which g lobalisation has influenced the development of international relations theory is much debate. However globalisation seems to demand some new structure and highlights the need for inclusion of the new world order theories in order to explain contemporary international relations. Books.. Governing globalisation- blackwell publishers ltd- Cambridge edited by david held and Anthony mcgrew. 2002 International relations theory- realism, pluralism, globalism and beyond. (3e) Paul r viotti mark v kauppi- Allyn and baco, needham heights 1987 The follies of globalisation theory- Justin Rosenberg verso London 2000

Legislative Proposal For New Indecency Language In Telecom Bill :: essays research papers

Legislative Proposal for New Indecency Language in Telecom Bill I. Summary   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although the October 16, 1995 legislative proposal purports to regulate â€Å" computer pornography†, the proposal contains fatal flaws which render the proposal at best counterproductive and at worst devastating to on-line communications. First, it prohibits, but fails to define, â€Å"indecent† speech to minors -- a dangerously vague, medium-specific, and, after decades of litigation, still undefined concept, which may include mere profanity. This may tie up successful prosecution of the law in courts for years to come, while courts wrestle to divine a constitutional definition of â€Å"indecent† -- and while companies are left with uncertain liability.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Second, the October 16 proposal may actually hold systems liable for communications over which they have no specific knowledge or control. The proposal purports to target those who â€Å"knowingly† send prohibited communications -- itself a relatively low standard of liability that may not even require actual intent or willfulness. Nevertheless, because the proposal i) defines the elements of criminal liability in vague and contradictory terms, and ii) eliminates safeharbors in the Senate bill that would define a clear standard of care, it might hold systems liable for actions that don't reach even a â€Å" knowingly† standard of liability. As a result, access providers, system managers and operators, and employers may potentially be liable for actions of users over which they have no specific knowledge, intent, or control.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For any company that communicates by computer, the proposal: 1) Creates liability for, but never defines, â€Å"indecent† speech, a dangerously vague standard that could leave companies criminally liable for use of mere profanity; 2) Establishes vague and contradictory standards of liability that could leave innocent companies vicariously liable for communications over which they have no control; 3) Strips workable affirmative defenses from the Senate bill, eliminating a clear standard of care for companies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Not only does the proposal endanger companies, it fails to protect children. The indecency standard guarantees that enforcement will be tied up in the courts for years to come. Companies will be particularly reticent to identify and eradicate prohibited communications when they are incapable of discerning which communications are â€Å"indecent† and when the company's consequent knowledge of the communications may actually make them liable. At worst, the proposal will either shut down systems entirely or will shut down any attempts to constructively monitor and screen systems, as providers take a know-nothing stance to avoid prosecution for purported knowledge. II. The â€Å"Indecency† Standard and Uncertain and Conflicting Standards of Culpability Implicate Innocent Companies But Fail To Protect Children. A. The undefined â€Å"indecency† standard is possibly unenforceable and certainly counterproductive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although the October 16 proposal purports to regulate â€Å"computer

Economics 247 Assignment 2 Version A Essay

Economics 247 Assignment 2 Version A This assignment has a maximum total of 100 marks and is worth 10% of your total grade for this course. You should complete it after completing your course work for Units 6 through 10. Answer each question clearly and concisely. 1. In perfect competition, one result of the model was that there were no economic profits in the long run. In a monopoly, the firm typically earns a positive economic profit. Why is there this difference? The lack of barriers to entry will allow competitors to enter the market unil economic profit is zero. These firms are price takers, and they cannot affect prices because their demand curve is horizontal.(4 marks) 2. Assume that a single firm in a pure competitive industry has a fixed cost of $6500 and variable costs as indicated in the table below. a. Calculate the TC, AFC, AVC, ATC, and MC columns for this firm. (5 marks) Total Output TVC TC AFC AVC ATC MC 00 0 600 70,000 1000 76000 1400 81000 1800 87000 2200 90000 2600 93000 2800 96000 3000 100000 3100 110000 b. Explain the concepts of economies and diseconomies of scale, and describe the underlying reasons why both occur. (4 marks) 3. At its current level of production, a profit-maximizing firm in a competitive market receives $12.50 for each unit it produces, and it faces an average total cost of $10. At the market price of $12.50 per unit, the firm’s marginal cost curve crosses the marginal revenue curve at an output level of 1000 units. What is the firm’s current profit? What is likely to occur in this market and why?(4 marks) P=12.5 TR=P*Q = 12.5 * 1’000 = 12’500 TC=ATC*Q = 10 * 1’000 = 10’000 Profit=TR-TC = 12’500 – 10’000 = +2’500 Profit is positive, but for perfectly competitive markets there will be no profits at all in the long-run, so in this markets new firms will enter  market attracted by profits thus increasing market supply and reducing equilibrium price till it reaches close to P=$10, consequently leading to zero economic profits in long-run. For lower price this firm will be pressed to reduce output a bit for new P=MR=MC equilibrium. 4. a.Why would a firm in a perfectly competitive market always choose to set its price equal to the current market price? If a firm set its price below the current market price, what effect would this have on the market? (4 marks) The assumptions of perfect competition that matter here are that in perfect competition 1 every firm is so small compared to the market so as to have no effect on market price 2 everyone is aware of everybody’s price. Now if you set a price lower than the market, you are only cutting your nose to spite your face since you would sell as much as a higher price. (Remember, how much you produce is determined by your MC and the output level you produce at is the minimum MC). Cutting the price to sell more also costs more to produce; you are worse off. If you set a price higher than market, noone will buy from you. Explain how a firm in a competitive market identifies the profit-maximizing level of production. When should the firm raise production, and when should the firm lower production? In a perfectly competitive market, all firms are assumed to be very small compared to the market. Now the price is set at the market level, and as a small firm you take it as given; you couldn’t sell at a higher price since nobody would buy from you. Now in the long run, you should be at the minimum point of your cost curve, ensuring you make just normal profits. The price is your MR and at the minimum point of your AC curve your MC cuts it: MC=MR and AC=AR. If the market price is higher than this, new entrants will sniff the opportunity created by super normal profits and the market supply curve shifts right/up, reducing price until there are no more super ormal profits  to be earned. If market price is lower, then firms are making losses, some exit and supply curve shifts left driving price up. In equilibrium, each firm is producing at the minmum point of the AC, where MC=MR=P. Hence the firm temporarily raises production when P>min AC and makes supernormal profits until new entrants drive price back down; or lowers production temporarily when P

Resume Tips Part 3 Words and Phrases to Delete from Your Resume

Resume Tips Part 3 Words and Phrases to Delete from Your Resume Choosing the right wording on your resume is very important. Some words pack a punch, and some leave the reader wanting more information. For the final segment in my resume tips series, well focus on two verbs that dont have much power: â€Å"Assisted† and â€Å"Helped.† On one list of recommended resume verbs, Power Verbs for Your Resume from The University of Iowas Pomerantz Career Center, the verbs assisted and helped are listed under a very specific category: Helping. That is the only place where these verbs belong! You should delete these words from your resume and use more powerful verbs. Take a look at some examples below. Telling us on your resume that you assisted somebody with something is only as informative as you make it. Honestly, I do not care that you assisted on a film shoot. I want to know that you held a camera or a boom; that you ordered pizza (or handled catering orders); or that you troubleshot in emergency situations. It is essential that you don’t get fooled into thinking that Assisted and Helped are always power verbs. They often just lead to vague and uninteresting bullets. Instead of Helped Example #1 Compare: a. Helped artists and network personnel. b. Accompanied artists to television appearances and mediated between the artists and network personnel. Instead of Assisted Example #2 Compare: a. Assisted with small claims cases. b. Handled all phases of collection and litigation of small claims cases. Attended small claims court; directed court clerk and court commissioner regarding what action to take on firm’s cases. Version b. in both cases is much more interesting and descriptive than version a. When Helped and Assisted are Appropriate There are limited situations in which it can be appropriate to use the words assisted or helped. For example: a. Helped disabled adults to perform simple job tasks at their job locations. b. Assisted elderly residents with their personal and financial recordkeeping. Note in these last two examples, that although there might be other ways to phrase the bullets, we are not left wondering, â€Å"Well, what did you do exactly to help or assist?† Take a look at your resume. Did you find the words â€Å"Helped† or â€Å"Assisted†? If so, can you be more specific about what you did? Draw us a picture. We want to know. For more resume tips and writing assistance, go to The Essay Experts Resume Writing Services. We can help you choose the right words for a powerful resume that gets results.

Cerca and Other Related Spanish Words Indicating Closeness

Cerca and Other Related Spanish Words Indicating Closeness The words and phrase cerca, cercano and cerca de are very commonly used in Spanish to indicate proximity or closeness in location, time, number or degree. Most common is cerca de, which is used as a preposition. Common translations include by, near, about and close to: Cerca de 12 millones de personas sern vacunadas contra la fiebre amarilla. About 12 million people will be vaccinated against yellow fever. Hay muchos hoteles cerca de Disney World. There are many hotels by Disney World. Quiero estar cerca de ti siempre. I want to always be close to you. Los activistas dicen que Cataluà ±a est cerca de la abolicià ³n de la tauromaquia. The activists say Catalonia is close to bringing an end to bullfighting. Despliega Colombia 22 batallones cerca del là ­mite con Venezuela. Colombia is deploying 22 battalions near the border with Venezuela. Hay una buena probabilidad de que veamos una estabilizacià ³n de los precios cerca de febrero o marzo, dijo el presidente. Theres a good chance well see a stabilization of prices around February or March, the president said. Cerca by itself functions as an adverb: El fin del mundo est cerca. The end of the world is near. Hay cuatro tranvà ­as que pasan cerca. There are four streetcars that pass nearby. Tan cerca y a la misma vez tan lejos. So close, and yet so far away. El asteroide pasar tan cerca que podremos verlo. The asteroid will pass so close well be able to see it. El triunfo est cerca. Victory is near. The adjective form is cercano: Tenemos una casa cercana al aeropuerto. We have a house near the airport. Descubre tus cinco amigos ms cercanos en Facebook. Find your five closest friends on Facebook. El futuro (aà ºn no cercano) est en la computacià ³n molecular. The future (but not the near future) is in molecular computing. A few related words have other meanings: The verb cercar typically means to surround or to enclose: Los estudiantes cercaron las oficinas. The students surrounded the offices.The noun la cerca typically refers to a fence or wall. El concepto de la cerca electrificada fue descrita por primera vez por Mark Twain. The concept of an electric fence was described for the first time by Mark Twain.The phrase acerca de usually means about in the sense of concerning: Hablaban acerca de nosotros. They were talking about us.