Abstract: Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) is an Indonesian language learning aimed at foreigners. The most challenging part for foreign speakers in BIPA learning is understanding the morphological processes. This study aimed to describe the prefix /me-/ used by foreign speakers in terms of productivity, allomorphy, and usage. This research was conducted at Yale University, USA, in 2022. The conclusions of this research were (1) The process of affixation of the prefix /me-/ produced six allomorphs; (2) There was the assimilation of the first letters /k/, /p/, /s/, and /t/ in the affixation process; (3) There were four forms that appeared in the form of single words, concatenated words, compound words, and repeated words; (4) There were twelve kinds of meanings produced; (5) There was allomorph /meng-/, which was not in accordance with the Indonesian language rules; and (6) The prefix /me-/ was omitted in everyday conversation in informal situations.
Abstract: Within a context of an intense internationalization process, the creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), as well as the proliferation of rhetoric aligned with multilingualism, has, in practice, favored mainly the growth of English in tertiary education to the detriment of other European languages. This research focuses on electronic means at European universities in multilingual settings, quantifying the use of languages in a population of 88 universities by means of content analysis. The results show the poor presence of minority languages (ML), except for Spanish universities, and the limited implementation of English. Among the potential explanatory variables, the geographic area is the variable that is most strongly associated with the use of languages, although others, such as the Regional Authority Index (RAI), the vital status of minority languages, or the legal recognition of the minority language, are also significantly related to the use of a minority language.
Abstract: Emerging data sources are gaining popularity because of their accessibility, pervasiveness, and enormous potential. Blogs, images, Twitter, Foursquare (location sharing), and Flickr (photography) are significant sources of information regarding human activities. There are several elements that influence decision making behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels, including information technology and decision support systems. Recent advancements in user interfaces for social tools, in conjunction with an increase in the usage of mobile wireless computers, have resulted in the creation of social networks that are instantaneous, widely distributed, mostly unmanaged, and pervasive. The proliferation of information and communication technologies continues to open new doors. In the age of big data and new data sources, the challenge for modern businesses is to align their decision making and organizational processes with data that could help them make more informed decisions. The study also proposed a culturally responsive framework that entails emotioncy and cultuling analysis to support institutions in the process of decision making when using emerging data sources.
Abstract: Oral communication apprehension is perceived as anxiety at the time of communicating with a person or group and, as such, can be potentially influenced by cultural aspects. The study aimed to identify the relationship between accounting students’ oral communication apprehension and power distance as a cultural dimension, also considering sociodemographic variables, which included students’ age, gender, stage in the course, and professional experience. An online questionnaire was administered to accounting students, from which 365 valid answers were obtained. This research found differences by gender in the levels of both oral communication apprehension and power distance. Furthermore, it found that oral communication apprehension might be influenced by the levels of power distance, age, and gender, indicating that power distance may function as a preceding element in the communication process. By country, the findings remained stable, which confirms the historical roots between Brazil and Portugal, which is also corroborated by closer power distance indexes.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine Iranian university students’ attitudes toward the US government and the English language in the Trump era. For this purpose, 359 Iranian university students who were taking general English courses took part in the study and completed two questionnaires measuring their attitudes toward the US government and the English language in the Trump era. The results of the study indicated that Iranian university students did not have favorable attitudes toward the US government in the Trump era, while their attitudes toward the English language were more positive. Furthermore, we found that demographic information, including gender, field of study, educational level, and economic status could affect the attitudes toward the US government and the English language. We also found that participants with higher English language proficiency levels had more positive attitudes toward the English language. Finally, findings were discussed, and directions for future research were recommended.
Abstract: A distinctive feature of modern linguistics is considering language as an anthropological phenomenon. The article’s primary goal was to study national peculiarities and similarities of Kazakh, English, and Russian languages in linguistic and cultural vectors by analyzing and studying the family discourse, taking a person as the object of research within the framework of the anthropocentric paradigm. To achieve the aim, scientific and theoretical reviews were done. In the introductory part of the article, the general definition of a discourse and its types were analyzed. As the research theme is based on the family discourse, its definition was explained, and each person’s role in the family discourse was determined. In the practical part of the article, a comparative-contrastive study was done using the method of associative experiment. The research results were obtained, and the article’s purpose was fulfilled.
Abstract: In modern linguistics, the issue of values has become especially acute. The value system was considered in the context of family discourse. The purpose of this article was to consider family discourse characteristics and the connection of the family discourse with the resilience theory. It defined the lingua-axiological aspect through language, national values, and communication. One hundred sixty-seven participants from Kazakhstan took part in an online survey, representing their attitude to family values. The findings revealed that family support, understanding, love, parental agreements, and having a child were rated higher than other values. Decisions were made by both parents or collectively. Participants’ answers portrayed family values as different from traditional family discourse. The study clarified the importance of family values, parents’ roles, family traditions, and methods of teaching family values. The research findings demonstrated that the narrative organization of family communication distinguishes the main signs of the lingua-axiological aspect in family discourse.
Abstract: The present research applies game theory to Austen’s Sanditon (Austen, 1817b) by analyzing the novel’s characters in the light of games, choices, and rational thinking. The application of game theory is especially relevant, considering Austen’s particular focus on interactions and choices within society in her work. Moreover, a lack of incorporation of rational and mathematical models of decision-making in the field of literature, along with the shortage of academic studies on Austen’s Sanditon (1817b) prompts the present study. In the present paper, the major characters in Austen’s original novel fragment are divided into strategic and non-strategic (or clueless) characters. Some characters (Lady Denham, Charlotte Heywood, and Mary Parker) are found to be strategic, while others (Tom Parker, Sir Edward Denham, and Diana Parker) are established as clueless. On a larger scale, the study’s concentration on rational decision-making and the prediction of character decisions in Sanditon (1817b) creates an opportunity to incorporate empirical evidence while studying works of literature.
Abstract: This study aims to provide a personal, reflective look at the experiences of migration, citizenship, and naturalization in Bosnia and Herzegovina, using an autoethnographic investigation. There is limited literature, particularly in relation to individual experiences in the country, so this study seeks to fill that gap and provide insight into the region. The research aims to answer these questions: What prompts a skilled Turkish migrant to pursue citizenship' What difficulties and opportunities arise during the citizenship application process' How does the naturalization and citizenship journey affect the cultural linguacultural concepts, experiences, identities, and aspirations of a Turkish skilled female migrant' The results highlight the cultural aspect and difficulties associated with navigating bureaucratic procedures. It is most notable that the application process for citizenship reinforced patriarchal hierarchies and male dominance at the macro level, as well as linguistic and cultural concepts and male dominance at the micro level for the author.
Abstract: This article defines the linguistic analysis of social network communication in the Kazakh language. Based on the materials of Kazakh-language social network speech, the article defines the linguistic characteristics of social network language. At the same time, language levels (phonetics, vocabulary, morphology, and syntax) and social network communication characteristics are examined. The language of social networks is used to gather materials, which are then examined using structural-functional, comparison, and description methods. The authors identify the linguistic characteristics of social networks language through the analysis of linguistic materials. These characteristics include unmotivated multilingualism, colloquialization, expressiveness, polycode, vulgarity, and cheapness of speech in network language. The identification of these social network linguistic elements reflects the article’s scholarly uniqueness. Additionally, it clarifies that virtual communication is quickly expanding into the third area in which the Kazakh language is used, expanding the notion that it only exists in two forms - oral and written.
Abstract: This article aims to highlight the ongoing presence of gender-role clichés in popular entertainment by analyzing The Fluffy Movie (2014). This case study attempts to show how mediated forms of humor are important indicators of discourse and culture. To that end, the study focuses on three instances of Fluffy’s supposedly personal accounts where he imitates the Mock Feminine to play the role of the female characters in his performance. The multimodal analysis of both the content and the mode of Iglesias’ performance reveals how ideology is transferred to his audience. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effects of pernicious content such as comedy on its audiences and to emphasize our failure to keep up with the theoretical advances of feminism in practice. The analyses show that Fluffy’s performance, as an example of popular entertainment, depicts women in accordance with patriarchal gender roles that view women as unintelligent and ignorant, thus strengthening the sexist view of women in the minds of his audience.
Abstract: The study was based on a qualitative analysis of 125 minutes of audio recordings of multilingual speech in students' natural conversations in two towns in the Western region of Kazakhstan and was supplemented by 30 semi-structured interviews with representatives of the students' microcommunity. It focused on particular ways in which youths creatively mix Kazakh, Russian, and English in their everyday conversations. We explored specific translingual practices involving grammatical fusion that allows language alternation for a variety of reasons, including referential and expressive use, as well as structural parallelism. We identified three main types of translingual practices in our corpus: combinations of Russian stems and Kazakh affixes, English stems and Kazakh affixes, and Kazakh stems and Russian affixes. We also showed the meaning-making potential of Russian and English as languages of prestige and familiarity. Overall, we provided an account of the current language situation that enabled a better understanding of multilingualism and multilingual practices in an economically significant region of Kazakhstan.
Abstract: The major financial scandals have called into question the role of the audit profession and have pushed toward the adoption of new standards or methodologies. The purpose of rethinking this practice was to improve the quality of the audit mission. The literature review of this study highlighted a multitude of variables that can impact audit quality. The independence of the auditors, the size of the audit firm, and the national culture are all examples of the factors raised by past studies. Through this paper, we highlighted the effect of cultural dimensions on the quality of a legal audit mission. A questionnaire was assigned to auditors from three countries: Morocco, Belgium, and Canada. The analysis of the data collected was done via SPSS. We concluded that the quality of the legal audit missions depends on individualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance. Also, we found that power distance and long-term orientation have no impact on audit quality.
Abstract: This study aimed to describe the complaining speech act strategy used by Covid-19 survivors from the gender and education perspective. Data were collected using structured interviews with 36 hospitalized survivors of different genders. The results indicated that female patients with undergraduate education use the modified blame strategy, while those with non-undergraduate education use the annoyance strategy. Undergraduate women complain more politely than non-undergraduate women and use longer and more interrogative sentences to soften the interlocutor. Non-undergraduate women blame using direct sentences showing irritation. Furthermore, men with undergraduate education use the annoyance strategy, while non-undergraduates use the ill consequences strategy. Undergraduate and non-undergraduate men tend to use aggressive complaining strategies and ask for improvement from their speech partners. However, women with undergraduate education sometimes realize their complaints to their interlocutors more rudely in the form of judgment than non-undergraduate women and men, as well as undergraduate men.
Abstract: This paper reports the uses and practices of literacy in English among a group of students in the Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Data was gathered from two undergraduate students. The findings of the study suggest that the students experienced rich and varied use of English outside of school than in school. The study also uncovered that the students’ experience with English outside of school is largely afforded by new technologies and that popular culture played a considerable role in their lives. The investigation studied the in-school and out-of-school literacy practices of the two students to evaluate if there are complementing and contrasting features in the two environments. The findings of the study suggest that awareness of how students use and practice English in different communities may enable instructors to integrate elements of literacy outside of school into their school literacy practices to facilitate their learning. By incorporating elements of out-of-school literacy into school literacy, students may be able to engage in meaningful literacy uses and practices that help them face the growing challenges of using English in the 21st century, which is an important aspect of Oman Vision 2040.
Abstract: This article considers the fact that culture, as a person’s activity and as a set of spiritual and material values, norms, ideals, and behavioral patterns, is involved in the multifaceted process of structuring the social space and building society. The purpose of this research article is to review the system of language symbols that carry culture‎ and the many differences which exist between countries, peoples, social groups, social communities, languages, customs, traditions, lives, and cultural values. Furthermore, the multifaceted nature of intercultural communication from the sides of anthropology, linguistics, sociology, psychology, information theory, and culture is revealed and analyzed. It is also argued that the problem of culture and language is the basis of anthropological research from the ‎viewpoint of intercultural communication in building a cultural model of the nation.‎
Abstract: In ancient Egypt, kings were believed to have both cosmic and political roles. One of the tools they employed to announce such roles was their royal titularies. This paper conducted a thematic analysis of the titularies of all native ancient Egyptian kings over the seven dynastic periods (from 3150 B.C. to 332 B.C.). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct this thematic analysis of 1,164 titularies embraced by 260 native Egyptian kings in the fields of Onomastics or Egyptology. We examined the linguistic repertoire used in these titularies employing two methods: manual and via Word Counter and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The analysis yielded three main themes: Relation to the divine, theme of war and conflict, and relation to the land. Findings revealed a marked consistency in the thematic distribution across periods and titulary categories. Findings also showed significant changes in the use of theonyms and toponyms in all periods.
Abstract: Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) is Indonesian language learning intended for foreigners. The aim of this research was to examine the vocabulary, terminologies, and grammar used by BIPA students with the corpus linguistics application, Kortara. This research was conducted at Fatoni University and Yale University with 51 BIPA students. This research used a mixed-methods approach, comprising the quantitative method that was used in the early stage of research to obtain the research data and the qualitative method for the analysis process. The research results showed dominant mastery of vocabulary by BIPA students, mostly nouns, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, and adjectives. There were 11 vocabularies with the highest frequency. Based on the results of the analysis, effective and efficient vocabulary learning principles and techniques were structured for BIPA students as an introduction to word types and variations of word formation in the Indonesian language.
Abstract: It is well known that language is one of the most important tools of human communication in various media. Thus, it is necessary to consider the way language is used in the media and its role in how opinions and concepts are expressed. Understanding the language of media users increases understanding of their thoughts and convictions. Besides, the use of language can shape the impact on any audience or even contribute to controlling the direction of their potential opinions. Despite all the tremendous developments in the media, the vision for the function of language has remained the most powerful and fastest tool in reaching the inevitable results and building effective communication between the users themselves. This paper examined the many uses of language implemented in various media in order to reveal the truth of words that go far beyond the direct surface meaning of the audience’s understanding. We also analyzed some of the most dangerous and powerful examples of such an ambiguous use of language in linguistic fallacy and manipulation.
Abstract: Studies on presidential debates provide evidence that the use of boosters helps to convey strong emphasis on candidates’ ideology. This persuasive strategy is best portrayed through the schematic structure of presidential debates. Therefore, this study aims to scrutinize the boosters’ functions realized in the first American Presidential Debate 2020. This is a qualitative study with a pragmatic approach that investigates booster’s functions using the domain, taxonomy, and componential analysis. The linguistic evidence in the result shows the candidates exploited several intensifiers largely, including force indication, source tagging, accentuating, and solidarity markers. These boosters emphasize the strength of past deeds, criticizing past policies to promote definite proposals, expose repetitive emotional expression, and seek solidarity in the thesis stage. Meanwhile, in the argument stage, they function as devices for articulating offensive and defensive arguments. The results imply the essential functions of boosters in the persuasive political discourse of presidential debate viewed from its communicative purpose reflected in each schematic structure.
Abstract: The composition of the Al-’Arabiyyatu baina Yadaika (ABY) Arabic language textbook perpetuates gender inequality. This textbook not only constitutes language elements but also incorporates texts and illustrations that depict gender dynamics. This research examines the representation of gender imbalance in the composition of the textbook, including its contents and illustrations, and analyzes the portrayal of gender roles as depicted in the textbook’s examples. The study is founded on data gathered from reviewing, recording, and analyzing the textbook, with consideration given to gender relationships. The focal point of this research analysis is the ABY textbook, tailored for non-native Arabic speakers. The findings of the study reveal that the construction of the Arabic language textbook perpetuates a gender-unbalanced representation in both the text and visual depictions of males and females. This study advocates for the development of language textbooks that promote gender equality and fairness in their social and cultural elements.
Abstract: Under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, based on two communication channels of Lotman’s Cultural Semiotics, this study focuses on two intersubjective communication channels in higher education between China and the Belt and Road countries. It aims to explore “I-S/he” and “I-I” interpretation communication channels and tries to find the similarities and differences using the comparative and cultural semiotics methods. The major findings consist of three aspects. First, the “I-S/he” sign system includes bilateral, regional, and multilateral intersubjective communication; Second, the “I-I” sign system consists of Chinese and foreign “I-I” intersubjective communication; Third, the similarities between the two communication channels are in the same semiosphere. Meanwhile, the differences between the two communication channels are time and space, subject and object, and variable and invariable. At the end of this study, the authors provide some references to scholars focusing on cultural semiotics and higher education between China and the Belt and Road countries.
Abstract: Cultural literacy is a very important vehicle in strengthening the identity of a nation. Without cultural literacy skills, students will lose their identity and be uprooted from their character even though character education is the main program being promoted by the government. To overcome this, folklore as a literary work that is full of cultural values and local wisdom should be strengthened in its learning. One of the steps taken in this research is to use mixed reality-based media to teach folklore in elementary schools. This experimental research was conducted in 16 elementary schools in six districts in West Java involving 418 students. Cultural literacy skills were measured by valid and reliable instruments. The results of this study indicated that the use of mixed reality folklore media can improve students’ cultural literacy skills. The dimension of cultural literacy that increased the most was the dimension of cultural knowledge, while the dimensions of cultural attitudes and behavior did not increase much. Therefore, by implication, the proposed mixed reality folklore media can be used to improve students’ cultural literacy skills in West Java.
Abstract: The purpose of the article was to study and identify linguistic and cultural features of the concepts of “authority” and “politics” in the materials of Kazakh, Russian, and English. Based on the definitions of the term “concept” in linguistic studies, the semantic and structural description of the words “authority” and “politics” was given regarding the relationship between linguistic and conceptual images of the world. To identify the national features of these two concepts, a survey was conducted using the associative experimental method. The survey was attended by 1000 respondents who spoke Kazakh, English, and Russian. After analyzing the results, substantive features of these concepts in the consciousness of owners of these languages were described and distinguished. The scientific value of the research work was determined by complementing the conclusions of the work in the direction of linguoculturology, and its practical value was determined by providing specific materials for comparative analysis.
Abstract: This study provides a critical discourse analysis (CDA) account of two online newspaper articles published on February 24, 2022, by The Moscow Times and The Washington Post. Specifically, attitude analysis was used to compare and contrast the two newspaper articles to highlight that both exploited all elements of the attitude subsystems to influence the opinions and attitudes of their respective readerships, albeit with opposing agendas. The results suggest that both online news articles expressed both positive and negative attitudes to the invasion of Ukraine, albeit in different ways. The Washington Post mainly focused on the negative aspects of the invasion and reported positively on the United States’ response to the Russian assault. In contrast, The Moscow Times reported on positive actions performed by both sides. Lastly, the study found that each online newspaper’s use of language to persuade its readers to accept its narrative of the events in Ukraine is significant in shaping the ideological perspectives of its readership.
Abstract: Sexist songs are among the key tools for disseminating masculine hegemony. They lead to the normalization of sexist practices. This study investigated how sexism is constructed in Egyptian society in one form of popular culture, i.e., songs. It examined songs in two music genres: Egyptian Pop songs and Sha’by (folk) songs. To deconstruct sexist strategies in songs, we devised an interdisciplinary analytical framework that draws upon Critical Discourse Analysis and Social Psychology. It is guided by Ideological Strategies, Objectification Theory, and Terror Management Theory. This study fills a gap in the literature as it linguistically investigates women’s representation in two different music genres. Findings showed that even though women in both genres were the target of oppression and unequal gender relations, it was the mind of the woman that was the target in Pop songs, while it was her body that was blazoned forth in Sha’by songs.
Abstract: E-learning has recently gained a tremendous amount of attention worldwide; however, this phenomenon has not been studied much from the viewpoints of its immediate beneficiaries (i.e., students and teachers). This systematic review aimed at creating a conceptual framework consisting of the most significant problems and challenges vs. opportunities and solutions associated with e-learning. In doing so, we established a corpus of post-pandemic articles. Out of 2126 original research articles published between March 2020 and March 2022, 13 were included. These sources were obtained through MetSearch and were representative of 14 countries, 2726 student participants, and 1374 educator participants. Through thematic analysis, each document was categorized under certain themes. Technical, physical, mental, interaction, assessment, and pedagogical issues, as well as proper training, IT literacy, and additional burdens on students and educators, were the main challenges and problems found in association with e-learning. The opportunities and solutions included improvements in communication, interaction, teaching, and learning, as well as accessibility, convenience, productivity, and safety.
Abstract: This research article provides an overview of the works of esteemed researchers who have extensively studied the semantic meaning of color names in both domestic and foreign linguistics, as well as the linguistic expression of human emotions. The article delves into the linguistic image of the world, examining how the concept of color in national culture and the words used to express emotions can shed light on the inner world of humanity and the level of acceptance of joy and sorrow within a society. Specifically, the emotional nuances of the Kazakh language’s concept of “blue” are thoroughly explored in this article. The primary objective of this scientific piece is to cognitively analyze the emotional tone of the color “blue” within the conceptual field of color names, taking a linguistic and cognitive approach. The article scrutinizes the emotional aspects of “blue” in phraseological words from a linguistic perspective while also deeply studying their cognitive nature in linguistic and cultural cognition.
Abstract: Neoliberal ideas on education are reflected in the discourses of educational philosophies worldwide. This article attempts to analyze the corpus of the Philosophy of Education in the Sultanate of Oman to find out the extent to which the document is influenced by the neoliberal agenda on education. This question is answered by using (i) the Bakhtinian concept of words as ideological signs and (ii) the methodology of corpus-based analysis. The concordances and collocations of the selected high-frequency words are identified and analyzed in the corpus with the help of WordSmith Tools. The analysis shows that the neoliberal agenda is present in how Oman is presented to the international community as a modern, neoliberal state but is absent in the conceptualization of the principles and goals of education that emphasize the integrated growth of learners whose identities are rooted in the Islamic tradition, and the Omani heritage and culture. The results have important implications for policy-makers, administrators, and practitioners.
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