Editor's Note Contents

Dear Friends, 04 Do it Yourself

Greetings! 05 Open Page This has been a mixed month. We were 07 Sports – International happy to know about the spread of awareness against plastics, it brought cheer 13 History of Sports to know about the ban of plastics by l Maharashtra Government. 15 History of English

On the other hand, it brought us immense 18 Human History sadness to know about the demise of the great scientist Stephen Hawking. It also 20 The Universe brought us a lot of heartache to hear about the scandals at Facebook, and the ball 22 Current Affairs – International tampering issue of the Australian team. 23 Health Food It is a matter of great shame that a team of great repute and undecided supremacy in 24 Science and Technology the world of until a few years ago had to resort to underhand methods to try win a 27 Akbar – Birbal Story losing game. Winning or losing is incidental in a game. The game should always be 29 Health Tips played in its true spirit of sportsmanship. 30 Current Affairs – National Any game teaches the practitioners patience, diligent preparation, teamwork, 33 Thirukkural strategy, people management skills, and above all, instills great values and ethics. 35 Culture of

Another worrisome piece of news that came 37 Mapping India out was the Facebook – Cambridge Analytica scandal that tapped the personal 40 Environment information of millions of people without their knowledge to design opinion shaping 43 Know Your City campaigns. This shows the dark side of the unbridled and mindless usage of social 46 Indian Independence Movement media. Caution should be shown in sharing information in social media. 50 Hitopadesha Tale Put on those thinking caps and ponder on 52 Olympic Games these words. With the exams over and the holidays upon us, nothing can be a better 54 History of Indian Music time to show some concern for the society 57 Panchatantra Tale that we live in, and take on the mantle of the adults to think of the ills plaguing this world. 58 Dance Forms Until we meet again, 60 Travel and Leisure Thank you, 62 Upcoming Sporting Events With warm regards, Anand G Editor

pg - 3 of a yearly contribution reporters to make e call for student W every issue, five student per individual. For maximum 3 pages content. opportunity to contribute will be given an reporters for printing, will be have been selected Students, whose content paid a stipend. Students can contribute on any of the following topics: · Interesting facts · World around them · Art work · Poems or stories written by them · Any book reviews · Reportage of school events / cultural events · Puzzles and crosswords of their own creation This activity is only for our subscribers. Do It Yourself 04 In continuation to Origami for beginners, let us do a rabbit face this month. It is easy to make and is fun while doing, as it involves paper folding, drawing, colouring, and a lot of fun in the process.

You would require the following: l Regular Origami paper l Scissors l Colouring supplies – markers, ink, crayons, colouring pencils, glitter

Now, let go your creativity in making these origami bunnies, and decorating them. You can also use scraps and waste materials found at home to decorate these bunnies. We look forward to receiving some creative and fun entries. Do not forget to share your name, class, school along with the image of your bunny. You can send the entries to [email protected] Shri T S Krishnamurthy Former Chief Election Commisioner, Government of India

An exclusive interview with the editor, G Anand

What are the Fundamental Duties of the citizens of India?

Shri T S Krishnamurthy: The Fundamental The Fundamental Duties Duties of citizens were added to the noted in the Constitution Constitution of India by the 42nd Amendment in are as follows: 1976, upon the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee that was constituted It shall be the duty of every citizen of India – by the Government earlier that year. Originally l To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and ten in number, the Fundamental Duties were institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem; increased to eleven by the 86th Amendment in l To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our 2002, which added a duty on every parent or national struggle for freedom; 05 guardian to ensure that their child or ward was l To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and provided opportunities for education between integrity of India; the ages of six and fourteen years. The other l To defend the country and render national service when Fundamental Duties make it obligatory for all called upon to do so; citizens to respect the national symbols of India, including the Constitution, to cherish the l To promote harmony and the spirit of common country's heritage, preserve its composite brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending culture, and assist in its defense. They also religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women; obligate all Indians to promote the spirit of common brotherhood, protect the environment l To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite and public property, develop scientific temper, culture; abjure violence, and strive towards excellence l To protect and improve the natural environment in all spheres of life. However, many of these are including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and to have non-justifiable, without any legal sanction in compassion for living creatures; case of their violation or non-compliance. There l To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the is reference to such duties in international spirit of inquiry and reform; instruments such as the Universal Declaration l To safeguard public property and to abjure violence; of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 51A brings l To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual the Indian Constitution into conformity with and collective activity, so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement; these treaties. l Who is a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to his child, or as the case may be, ward between the ages of six to fourteen years. Shri Kiran Kumar Chairman ISRO

An exclusive interview with the editor, G Anand

What does ISRO do as an organisation?

Shri. Kiran Kumar: ISRO, as an organisation, started if you put it in the correct orbital plane, then the with the prime objective of looking at how a new relative velocity of the two becomes zero. It means, 06 technology can be used for nation's development for a person standing on Earth, he is moving round and societal growth. To put in perspective, in 1957, once in 24 hours, satellite also is moving round the Sputnik was launched by . America and Russia Earth, once in 24 hours, so if the person looks at the were having intense competition to show who is more satellite, that satellite will remain stationary. So, it powerful, who is more militarily capable. But then, in almost looks like a tower at a height of 36000 our country, we had Vikram Sarabai, whose prime kilometers. If you want to see the advantage of a objective was, how we can look at this new tower, when you want to look at large, vast space, technology, technology of satellites moving around what you do is climb a tree or a high-rise building and Earth at different heights and different location, how look. As you go to a higher and higher position, the this object could be used for bringing benefit to the area that you are covering is large. Same way, at country. That was the key objective. As we can easily 36000 kilometers, one-third of the globe can be seen visualise, today, science and technology has brought continuously. So, you can do line-of-sight so many facilities to individual's life – whether it is communication. Line-of-sight communication communication, transportation, or tools available. All means, if two people can see each other, then you this has happened because of science and the can communicate by various means like light, scientific principles adopted in technology and electro-magnetic spectrum. making those tools beneficial, like electricity. ………to be continued. So, when the space technology became available, even Arthur Clarke had told much earlier, “If you can put a satellite in an orbit, such that the orbital period is 24 hours, the relative velocity is zero.” We know that Earth rotates once about its own axis in 24 hours, so if you make a satellite go around Earth in 24 hours, and Sports – International

Australia tour of South Africa

The cricket team is currently touring South Africa between February and April 2018 to play four Test matches. Prior to the start of the tour, South African fast-bowler Morne Morkel announced that he would retire from international cricket at the end of the series. During the third Test, Morkel became the fifth bowler for South Africa to take 300 Test . During the third Test, Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft was Smith 56 (114), Keshav Maharaj Australia, Second Innings: charged with ball tampering. 33.4-5-123-5, Vernon Philander 239/10, Usman Khawaja 75 (136), Steven Smith and 27-12-59-3 Mitchell Marsh 45 (125), Kagiso Bancroft admitted the ball Rabada 22-9-54-6 tampering to match referee Andy South Africa, First Innings: P y c r o f t a n d t h e m e d i a . 162/10, AB de Villiers 71 (127) not South Africa, Second Innings: 14 Consequently, Smith and Vice- out, Aiden Markram 32 (59), 102/4, AB de Villiers 28 (26), Captain stood down Mitchell Starc 10.4-3-34-5, Nathan Hashim Amla 27 (42), Nathan from the team leadership, and Lyon 16-3-50-3 Lyon 9-0-44-2 -keeper Tim Paine was Third Test: South Africa won by Australia, Second Innings: appointed acting captain for the 322 runs 227/10, Cameron Bancroft 53 remainder of the match. On 27 (83), Steven Smith 38 (81), Keshav South Africa, First Innings: March 2018, Smith, Warner, and Maharaj 29.4-4-102-4, Morne 311/10, Dean Elgar 141 (284) not Bancroft were all suspended by Morkel 15-4-47-3 out, AB de Villiers 64 (95), Pat Cricket Australia and sent home, Cummins 26-6-78-4 with Paine named as the captain South Africa, Second Innings: for the fourth and final Test. The 298/10, Aiden Markram 143 (218), Australia, First Innings: 255/10, following day, Cricket Australia Quinton de Kock 83 (149), Mitchell Cameron Bancroft 77 (103), banned Smith and Warner for Starc 18-2-75-4, Josh Hazlewood Nathan Lyon 47 (38), Morne twelve months, with Bancroft 15.4-2-61-3 Morkel 21-7-87-4, Kagiso Rabada 20.5-1-91-4 receiving a nine-month ban. After Second Test: South Africa won by the three players had returned 6 wickets South Africa, Second Innings: h o m e , D a r r e n L e h m a n n , 373/10, Aiden Makram 84 (145), Australia’s coach, announced that Australia, First Innings: 243/10, Quinton de Kock 65 (97), Pat he would step down from his role David Warner 63 (100), Tim Paine Cummins 27-5-67-3, Josh after the conclusion of the fourth 36 (68), Kagiso Rabada 21-2-96-5, Hazlewood 25.2-5-69-3, Nathan Test in Johannesburg. Lungisani Ngidi 13.3-3-51-3 Lyon 31-2-102-3 First Test: Australia won by 118 South Africa, First Innings: Australia, Second Innings: runs 382/10, AB de Villiers 126 (146) 107/10, David Warner 32 (67), not out, Dean Elgar 57 (197), Pat Australia, First Innings: 351/10, Cameron Bancroft 26 (64), Morne Cummins 24-6-79-3 Mitchell Marsh 96 (173), Steven Morkel 9.4-3-23-5 Sports – International Australian World Artistic Gymnastics Grand Prix 2018 Championships 2018

The 2018 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 25 March 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. The race was contested over fifty-eight laps of the Melbourne Grand Prix The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are the world Circuit and was the first round of championships for artistic gymnastics. The first edition of the the 2018 FIA Formula One World championship was held in 1903, exclusively for male gymnasts. Since Championship. The race marked the tenth edition of the tournament, in 1934, women’s events are held the eighty-second race in the together with men’s events. As of 2017, over sixty different editions of the combined history of the Australian championships have been staged, and over forty different countries Grand Prix – which dates back to have earned medals in both men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics 08 the 100 Miles Road Race of 1928 – events. and the twenty-third time the event was held at the Albert Park circuit. The most successful nation, both in gold medal results and total number of medals is Soviet Union with 256 medals of which 111 were gold. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was is the second most successful country with 169 medals (78 gold), and the defending race winner. Lewis Japan is the third most successful nation at the championships with 157 Hamilton started the race from medals (48 gold). Russia, , and the United States are also, pole – his seventh pole position in usually, among the most dominant nations, especially in women’s Australia, a record for the event – artistic gymnastics events. Currently, the championship is held annually w h i l e V e t t e l on non-Olympic years. s u c c e s s f u l l y defended his race win, the forty-eighth of his career.

India is the first country Vultures can soar to successfully send a for hours without one spacecraft to Mars beat of their wings. in its first attempt Sports – International

India, Tri-Series in

First International: Sri Lanka: 152/9, Kusal Mendis 55 Bangladesh on March 16, 2018. Played between India and Sri (38), Upul Tharanga 22 (24), Bangladesh won by 2 wickets. Lanka on March 6, 2018. Sri Lanka 4-0-27-4 Sri Lanka: 159/7, Kusal Perera 61 won by 5 wickets. India: 153/4 in 17.3 overs, Manish (40), 58 (37), India: 174/5, Shikhar Dhawan 90 Pandey 42 (31) not out, Dinesh 4-1-39-2 (49), Manish Pandey 37 (35), Karthik 39 (25), Akila Dananjaya 4- Bangladesh: 160/8 in 19.5 overs, Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-33-2 0-19-2 T a m i m I q b a l 5 0 ( 4 2 ) , Sri Lanka: 175/5 in 18.3 overs, Fifth : 43 (18) not out, Kusal Perera 66 (37), Thisara Played between India and Akila Dananjaya 4-0-37-2 P e r e r a 2 2 ( 1 0 ) n o t o u t , Bangladesh on March 14, 2018. Final Twenty20 International: Washington Sundar 4-0-28-2 India won by 17 runs. Played between India and Second Twenty20 International: India: 176/3, Rohit Sharma 89 Bangladesh on March 18, 2018. Played between India and (61), Suresh Raina 47 (30), Rubel India won by 4 wickets. Bangladesh on March 8, 2018. Hossain 4-0-27-2 Bangladesh: 166/8, Sabbir 09 India won by 6 wickets. Bangladesh: 159/6, Mushfiqur Rahman 77 (50), Mahmudullah 21 Bangladesh: 139/8, 34 R a h i m 7 2 ( 5 5 ) n o t o u t , (16), 4-0-18-3 (30), Sabbir Rahman 30 (26), Washington Sundar 4-0-22-3 India: 168/6, Rohit Sharma 56 Jaydev Unadkat 4-0-38-3 Sixth Twenty20 International: (42), Dinesh Karthik 29 (8), Rubel India: 140/4 in 18.4 overs, Shikhar Played between Sri Lanka and Hossain 4-0-35-2 Dhawan 55 (43), Suresh Raina 28 (27), 3.4-0-24-2 Third Twenty20 International: Played between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on March 10, 2018. Bangladesh won by 5 wickets. Sri Lanka: 214/6, Kusal Perera 74 (48), Kusal Mendis 57 (30), Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-48-3 Bangladesh: 215/5 in 19.4 overs, 72 (35) not out, 47 (29), Nuwan Pradeep 4-0-37-2 Fourth Twenty20 International: Played between India and Sri Lanka on March 12, 2018. India won by 6 wickets. Dinesh Karthik cameo helps India beat Bangladesh Current Affairs - National Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh gets Geographica bans Plastics Indication tag for Kadaknath Chicken

while selling any other black coloured chicken. What is a Geographical Indication Tag? The Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on Maharashtra Government has products that have a specific banned use of plastic in a time- geographical origin and possess Kadaknath chicken is a unique b o u n d m a n n e r , c i t i n g qualities or a reputation that are breed identifiable by its black environmental and public health due to that origin. In order to colour due to the deposit of concerns. The decision was taken function as a GI, a sign must melanin pigmentation. This breed at cabinet meeting led by Chief identify a product as originating in is popular for its adaptability and Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The a given place. In addition, the flavourful good-tasting black ban will include plastic bags, qualities, characteristics, or meat, which is believed to have thermocol, disposable cups and reputation of the product should medicinal properties. It is native to plates, cutlery, non-woven be essentially due to the place of the tribal districts of Jhabua, polypropylene bags, plastic 10 origin. Since the qualities depend Alirajpur, and parts of Dhar in pouches, and packaging. on the geographical place of Madhya Pradesh. production, there is a clear link However, the ban exempts plastic Kadaknath chicken contains 25- between the product and its used to cover medicines, forest and 27% protein compared to the 18% original place of production. horticulture products, solid waste, of other breeds of chicken. It is tree saplings, and use of plastic in The registration of a GI is valid for also famous for its high iron special economic zones (SEZ) for 10 years after which it needs to be content, and low fat and export purposes. Similarly, plastic renewed. GI is covered as element cholesterol contents thereby covers and wrappers used for of Intellectual Property Rights rending it to be a very healthy and manufactured and processed (IPR) under Paris Convention for nutritious option. This chicken is products would also be exempted. Protection of Industrial Property. quite popular amongst the local At international level, GI is All small and medium-scale tribes for its adaptability to the governed by World Trade industries (SMEs) and big local environment, disease Organisation’s Agreement on industries involved in plastic resistance, meat quality, texture, Trade-Related Aspects of businesses will be provided and flavour. Intellectual Property Rights adequate time frame to switch over based Geographical (TRIPS). In India, GI tag is to alternative modes of businesses. I n d i c a t i o n R e g i s t r y a n d governed by Geographical Government has recommended Intellectual Property India has Indications of Goods (Registration various business models along with awarded Geographical Indication and Protection Act), 1999. This Act employment to people engaged in (GI) Tag to Madhya Pradesh for is administered by Controller plastic industries. Kadaknath Chicken. The GI tag General of Patents, Designs, and Government will also provide some will ensure that no one else can Trade Marks, who is also Registrar incentives to those who strictly use the name Kadaknath Chicken of Geographical Indications. adhere to ban decision. Sports – International

England Tour of New Zealand

Third : New Zealand: 339/5 Played on March 3, 2018 at in 49.3 overs, Ross Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Taylor 181 (147) not New Zealand won the toss and out, Tom Latham 71 elected to bowl. England won by 4 (67), Tom Curran 8.3- runs. 0-57-2 toss and elected to bowl. New England: 234/10, Eoin Morgan 48 Fifth One Day International: Zealand won by an innings and 49 (71), Ben Stokes 39 (73), Ish Played on March 10, 2018 at runs. Sodhi 10-0-53-3, Trent Boult 10-1- Hagley Oval, Christchurch, England, First Innings: 58/10, 47-2 England won the toss and elected Craig Overton 33 (25) not out, to bowl. England won by 7 New Zealand: 230/8, Kane Mark Stoneman 11 (20), Trent wickets. Williamson 112 (143) not out, Boult 10.4-3-32-6, Tim Southee Colin Munro 49 (62), Moeen Ali 10- New Zealand: 223/10 in 49.5 10-3-25-4 1-36-3 overs, Mitchell Santner 67 (71), New Zealand, First Innings: Henry Nicholls 55 (81), Adil Fourth One Day International: 427/8, Henry Nicholls 145 (268) Rashid 10-0-42-3 Played on March 7, 2018 at not out, 102 University Oval, Dunedin, New England: 229/3 in 32.4 overs, (220), 34-9-78-3, Zealand won the toss and elected Jonny Bairstow 104 (60), Alex James Anderson 29-10-87-3 to bowl. New Zealand won by 5 Hales 61 (74), Mitchell Santner 10- England, Second Innings: wickets. 0-44-1 320/10, Ben Stokes 66 (188), Mark England: 335/9, Jonny Bairstow First Test: Played between 22 and Stoneman 55 (91), Neil Wagner 138 (106), Joe Root 102 (101), Ish 26 March, 2018 at Eden Park, 32-11-77-3, Todd Astle 16.1-5- Sodhi 10-1-58-4 Auckland, New Zealand won the 39-3

2018 BNP Paribas Open

The Results: Women’s Doubles: Men’s Singles: Hsieh Su-wei and Barbora Juan Martin del Potro Strycova defeated Ekaterina defeated 6- Makarova and 6-4, The 2018 BNP Paribas Open is a 6-4 professional tournament 4, 6-7, 7-6 played at Indian Wells, California Women’s Singles: in March 2018. It is the 43rd edition defeated Daria of the men’s event and 30th of the Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2 women’s event, and is classified as an ATP World Tour Masters Men’s Doubles: 1000 event on the 2018 ATP World and Tour and a Premier Mandatory defeated and Mike event on the 2018 WTA Tour. Bryan 7-6, 7-6 Sports – International IAAF World Indoor Championships 2018

THE MEDALS TALLY STANDS THUS:

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total 1 United States 6 10 2 18 2 Ethiopia 4 1 0 5 3 2 2 1 5 4 Great Britain 2 1 4 7 - Authorised Neutral Athletes (ANA) 2 1 0 3 5 2 0 1 3 6 Ivory Coast 1 1 0 2 7 Cuba 1 0 1 2 7 1 0 1 2 9 Burundi 1 0 0 1 9 1 0 0 1 The 17th IAAF World Indoor Championships was held by 9 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 International Association of 9 Serbia 1 0 0 1 12 Athletics Federation (IAAF) 9 Venezuela 1 0 0 1 between 1 and 4 March, 2018 in 14 Jamaica 0 2 0 2 Birmingham, . This was the city’s second hosting 15 Germany 0 1 2 3 of the event, as it previously did so 15 0 1 2 3 in 2003. 17 China 0 1 1 2 18 0 1 0 1 18 0 1 0 1 18 0 1 0 1 18 Qatar 0 1 0 1 18 South Africa 0 1 0 1 23 0 0 2 2 24 Belgium 0 0 1 1 24 Estonia 0 0 1 1 24 Greece 0 0 1 1 24 Italy 0 0 1 1 24 Kenya 0 0 1 1 24 Morocco 0 0 1 1 24 Portugal 0 0 1 1 24 Switzerland 0 0 1 1 Lazy people think more. 24 Trinidad and Tobago 0 0 1 1 Artificial Hockey Pitch

In Northern Europe, the games of hurling (in Ireland) coursing and cock-fighting, or other such idle and Knattleikr (Iceland), both team ball games games." involving sticks to drive a ball to the opponents' goal, The modern game grew from English public schools date at least as far back as the Early Middle Ages. By in the early 19th century. The first club was in 1849 at the 12th century, a team ball game called la soule or 13 Blackheath in south-east London, but the modern choule, akin to a chaotic, and sometimes, long- rules grew out of a version played by Middlesex distance version of hockey or rugby football cricket clubs for winter game. Teddington Hockey (depending on whether sticks were used in a Club formed the modern game by introducing the particular local variant), was regularly played in striking circle and changing the ball to a sphere from France and southern Britain, between villages or a rubber cube. The Hockey Association was founded parishes. Throughout the Middle Ages to the Early in 1886. The first international competition took place Modern Era, such games often involved the local in 1895 (Ireland 3, Wales 0), and the International clergy or secular aristocracy, and in some periods, Rules Board was founded in 1900. were limited to them by various anti-gaming edicts, or even banned altogether. Stein and Rubino, among Field hockey was played at the Summer Olympics in others, ultimately trace aspects of these games both 1908 and 1920. It was dropped in 1924, leading to the to rituals in antiquity involving orbs and scepters (on foundation of the Federation Internationale de the aristocratic and clerical side), and to ancient Hockey sur Gazon (FIH) as an international military training exercises (on the popular side); polo governing body by seven continental European (essentially hockey on horseback) was devised by nations; and hockey was reinstated as an Olympic the Ancient Persians for cavalry training, based on the game in 1928. Men's hockey united under the FIH in local proto-hockey foot game of the region. 1970. The word hockey itself has no clear origin. One belief is that it was recorded in 1363 when Edward III of England issued the proclamation: "Moreover we ordain that you prohibit under penalty of imprisonment all and sundry from such stone, wood, and iron ; handball, football, or hockey; affiliated to the FIH. The IFWHA held conferences every three y e a r s , a n d t o u r n a m e n t s associated with these were the primary IFWHA competitions. These tournaments were non- competitive until 1975. By the early 1970s, there were 22 associations with women's sections in the FIH and 36 associations in the IFWHA. Discussions started about a common rule book. The FIH Indian hockey team 1980 Olympics gold medal players i n t r o d u c e d c o m p e t i t i v e tournaments in 1974, forcing the The two oldest trophies are the Women's field hockey was first acceptance of the principle of Irish Senior Cup, which dates played at British universities and competitive field hockey by the back to 1894, and the Irish Junior schools. The first club, the IFWHA in 1973. It took until 1982 C u p , a s e c o n d X I – o n l y Molesey Ladies, was founded in for the two bodies to merge, but competition instituted in 1895. 1 8 8 7 . T h e f i r s t n a t i o n a l this allowed the introduction of In India, the Beighton Cup and association was the Irish Hockey women's field hockey to the Union in 1894, and though Olympic Games from 1980 where, 14 t h e A g a K h a n t o u r n a m e n t commenced within ten years. Entering the Olympics in 1928, India won all five games without conceding a goal, and won from 1932 until 1956, and then in 1964, and 1980. Pakistan won in 1960, 1968, and 1984. In the early 1970s, artificial turf began to be used. Synthetic pitches changed most aspects of field hockey, gaining speed. New tactics and techniques such as the I n d i a n d r i b b l e d e v e l o p e d , The Molesey Ladies Hockey Club followed by new rules to take r e b u f f e d b y t h e H o c k e y as in the men's game, The account. The switch to synthetic Association, women's field Netherland's, Germany, and surfaces ended Indian and hockey grew rapidly around the Australia have been consistently Pakistani domination because world. This led to the International strong. Argentina has emerged as artificial turf was too expensive in Federation of Women's Hockey a team to be reckoned with since developing countries. Since the Association (IFWHA) in 1927, 2 0 0 0 , w i n n i n g t h e w o r l d 1970s, Australia, the Netherlands, though this did not include many championship in 2002, and 2010, Pakistan, and Germany have continental European countries and medals at the last three dominated at the Olympics and where women played as sections Olympics. World Cup stages. of men's associations and were Deutsch, or German, is the father-tongue of Germany. German is a West Germanic language that is mainly spoken in Central Europe. It is the most widely spoken and co-official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol (Italy), the German- speaking community of Belgium, and Liechtenstein. It is also one of the three official languages of Luxembourg. The languages which are most similar to German are the other members of the West Germanic language branch: Afrikaans, Dutch, English, the Frisian languages, Low German / Low Europakarte-deutsche-sprache 15 Saxon, Luxembourgish, and Yiddish. German is the primary school level, but third after English and second most widely spoken Germanic language, French at lower secondary level; the fourth most after English. widely taught non-English language in the US after One of the major languages of the world, German is Spanish, French, and American Sign Language; and the first language of about 95 million people the second most commonly used scientific language. worldwide, and the most widely spoken native It is also the third most widely used language on language in the European Union. Together with websites after English and Russian. French, German is the second most commonly The German-speaking countries are ranked fifth in terms of annual publication of new books, with one tenth of all books in the world being published in the German language. In the United Kingdom, German Central Europe and French are the most-sought after foreign languages for businesses. German is an inflected language with four cases for nouns, pronouns, and adjectives (nominative, accusative, genitive, dative), three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter), and strong and weak verbs. German derives the majority of its vocabulary spoken foreign language in the European Union after from the ancient Germanic branch of the Indo- English, making it the second biggest language in the European language family. A portion of German European Union in terms of overall speakers. words are derived from Latin and Greek, and fewer German is also the second most widely taught foreign are borrowed from French and English. With slightly language in the European Union after English at different standardised variants, German is a pluricentric language. Like written texts survive is Gothic. The G e r m a n d i a l e c t s , s u c h a s English, German is also notable West Germanic languages, Luxembourgish (based on Central for its broad spectrum of dialects, h o w e v e r, h a v e u n d e r g o n e Franconian dialects), and Yiddish. with many unique varieties extensive dialectal subdivision Also, closely related to Standard existing in Europe and also other and are now represented in German are the Upper German parts of the world. Due to the modern languages such as dialects spoken in the southern limited intelligibility between English, German, Dutch, Yiddish, German-speaking countries, such certain varieties and standard Afrikaans, and others. as Swiss German (Alemannic German, as well as the lack of an dialects), and the various dialects W ithin the West Germanic undisputed, scientific difference spoken in the French region of language dialect continuum, the between a “dialect” and a Grand Est, such as Alsatian Benrath and Uerdingen lines, “language”, some German (mainly Alemannic, but also running through Dusseldorf- varieties or dialect groups are Central and Upper Franconian Benrath and Krefeld-Uerdingen alternatively referred to as dialects), and Lorraine Franconian respectively, serve to distinguish “languages” and “dialects”. (Central Franconian). the Germanic dialects that were Modern Standard German is a affected by the High German After these High German dialects, W e s t G e r m a n i c l a n g u a g e consonant shift (south of Benrath) Standard German is, somewhat descended from the Germanic from those that were not (north of less closely, related to languages branch of the Indo-European Uerdingen). The various regional based on Low Franconian dialects l a n g u a g e s . T h e G e r m a n i c dialects spoken south of these (e.g. Dutch and Afrikaans) or Low languages are traditionally lines are grouped as High German German / Low Saxon dailects subdivided into three branches: dialects, while those spoken to the (spoken in northern Germany and 16 North Germanic, East Germanic, north comprise the Low German / southern Denmark), neither of and West Germanic. The first of Low Saxon and Low Franconian which underwent the High these branches survives in dialects. As members of the West German consonant shift. As has m o d e r n D a n i s h , S w e d i s h , Germanic language family, High been noted, the former of these N o r w e g i a n , F a r o e s e , a n d German, Low German, and Low dialect types is Istvaeonic and the Icelandic, all of which are Franconian can be further latter Ingvaeonic, whereas the descended from Old Norse. The distinguished historically as High German dialects are all East Germanic languages are Irminonic, Ingvaeonic, and I r m i n o n i c ; t h e d i f f e r e n c e s now extinct, and the only historical Istvaeonic, respectively. This between these languages and member of this branch from which classification indicates their Standard German are, therefore, historical descent from dialects considerable. Also, related to spoken by the Irminones (also German are the Frisian languages known as the Elbe group), – North Frisian (spoken in Ingvaeones (or North Sea Schleswig-Holstein), Saterland Germanic group), and Istvaeones Frisian (spoken in Lower Saxony) (or Weser-Rhine group). and West Frisian (spoken in the Netherlands) – as well as the Standard German is based on Anglic languages of English and Thuringian-Upper Saxon dialects Scots. These Anglo-Frisian which are Central German dialects are all members of the dialects, belonging to the Ingvaeonic family of West Irminonic High German dialect Germanic languages which did group. German is, therefore, most not take part in the High German closely related to the other consonant shift. Benrath and Uerdingen lines l a n g u a g e s b a s e d o n H i g h