Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, language: English, abstract: Nowadays the word 'Mafia' refers nearly all groups or gangs involved in organized crime. However, originally, Mafia meant an organized criminal organization of Italian, predominantly Sicilian, heritage. In fact, this word is a mere literary creation while the real name is 'Cosa Nostra' meaning 'our thing'. For many years the common understanding of the Mafia was strictly limited by argument on whether there even was a Mafia. In the recent decades...

Scientific Study from the year 2009 in the subject English - History of Literature, Eras, course: -, language: English, abstract: In the development of languages particular events often have recognizable and at times far-reaching effects. The Norman Conquest and the Black Death are typical instances that shaped the Middle English. In the Modern English period, the beginning of which is conveniently placed at 1500, numerous new conditions began to play an important role, conditions that previously either had not existed at all or were present in only a limited way, and they caused English to...