From book to stage to screen: semiotic transformations of Gothic horror genre conventions

ABSTRACT

This paper adopts a multimodal social semiotic approach for exploring the semiotic changes involved in the transformation of a novel into stage and screen productions. It examines how semiotic resources are deployed in each medium through elements of mise-en-scène, such as speech, music, sound, lighting, props, staging, and cinematographic techniques, and the viewing perspectives that are thus established for audiences. The genre of Gothic horror is selected for this purpose, given how this form of performance has transfixed audiences for centuries and has been adapted for both the stage and the screen. In order to demonstrate how each performance medium has produced its own unique set of foregrounding devices to enthral and captivate audiences, a comparative analysis of excerpts from the novel The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, a videotaped theatrical performance, and the 1989 British television film of the same name is undertaken. The paper discusses the implications of the multimodal semiotic approach for developing a better understanding of the semiotic transformations that horror genre conventions undergo in different media and the viewership positions that are thus re-drawn for audiences. The paper concludes with a view of multimodal recontextualisation processes which form the underlying basis of human sociocultural life.     

Management and safety of a medical mission: occupational hazards of volunteering

Medical aid missions involve travel to conflict or danger zones, posing safety risks in addition to the usual occupational risks arising from daily medical work. The note reports on a volunteer mission, using personal reports, anecdotal experiences, and the formal annual report to undertake an assessment similar to worksite assessments for hazards and control measures. Hazards were found to be prevalent, including physical noise and heat, infectious exposure from patients and local vectors, poor water sanitation, and psychosocial stress from unfamiliar environments and large patient numbers with limited means. Implementable preventative measures include increasing awareness with appropriate protective equipment usage and safety guidelines. Mission planning and management should also involve occupational health input.     

集体行动、利益博弈与村庄公共物品供给——岳村公共物品供给困境及其实践逻辑

公共物品供给匮乏是当前村庄发展中所直面的现实问题,成为阻碍新农村建设的基础性因素。但传统政府供给职能的萎缩和市场供给有限形态的存在,使得以“一事一议”为代表的村庄集体供给成为重要补充,然而实践表明村庄公共物品供给依然存在困境。村民个体理性逐渐觉醒,成为村庄公共事务管理主体,开始寻求资源有限背景下的自我利益最大化。通过岳村调查发现,村民理性表现为集体成本分担意愿,并呈现从弱到强的变化态势,集体行动的奥尔森困境则表现为投机行为泛滥、精英剥夺严重、公共选择趋于瘫痪等。重构乡村社会资本、实施“有偿”供给、政府财政介入、构建小集团供给模式成为走出村庄公共物品供给的奥尔森困境的可能选择。     

价值寻求与国际关系学科的发展

在传统国际关系的主流研究中,存在着贬低价值和内含价值追求的矛盾现象.这种现象经常被学者们所提及,但没有能够给出合理的解释.然而这一问题却与国际关系学科的生存和发展密切相关.为了确立国际关系作为一门学科存在的必要性,国际关系学者们接受了休谟问题的基本观点,并把权力置于学科研究的核心地位,从而导致了它对价值问题的逻辑性排斥.然而,随着国际关系中价值追求的拓展,国际关系作为一门学科的独立性又将面临新的严峻挑战.     

南海问题风波再起的背景

今年初,中国的周边安全形势似乎进入了一个多事之春,中国东南方向的领土领海争端呈现出一种集中爆发之势:3月5日,马来西亚总理巴达维登陆南沙群岛的弹丸礁,宣示马国对该礁及其附近海域的主权。3月9日,美国白宫发言人指责中方     

创建中国—东盟银行思路研究

中国—东盟银行的定位类似于一个新型的亚洲开发银行,主要参与者为中国与东盟10国,将由中国主导牵头成立,对于加快人民币国际化进程、提升中国在中国—东盟自由贸易区的主导权和国际话语权等都具有重大意义。本文研究提出创建中国—东盟银行的总体构想,包括:中国—东盟银行的性质与宗旨、机构设置、主要职能、资金来源、主要业务、合作方式等,并对在广西南宁市创建中国—东盟银行的必要性、可行性进行分析,提出了相关对策建议,供决策参考。     

Beyond the Real and the Paper Deal: The Quest for Contextual Coherence in Contractual Interpretation

Contract lawyers are often divided between two schools of thought: formalism and contextualism. In the realm of contractual interpretation, this division illuminates various debates surrounding the modern contextual approach. Ultimately, however, the divide between the ‘real and the paper deal’ does not fully reflect the relevant fault lines. The real contest is between rival interpretations attempting to make the most coherent sense of the available text and context surrounding the document. In characterising the true nature of the exercise, I draw upon theories of coherence to articulate a framework of ‘contextual coherence’ that involves concepts of competing narratives, the rational motivations of the parties, and the need for a holistic assessment of the best hypothesis, in accordance with the English courts’ ‘iterative approach’ to interpretation. I demonstrate that this framework enables us to explain and evaluate recent cases such as the UK Supreme Court decision of Arnold v Britton.     

日本航空民营化失败原因探究

本文对代表日本国家航空公司的日航濒临破产危机的原因进行分析探究,指出该公司虽然表面上实行民营化,但实质上一直由政府官僚把持控制领导层;不同派系的经营者长期不和;期货投资一再造成重大损失;劳资纷争解决方案失当.日航倒闭危机是一个生动的案例,为我国的国企改制提供了有益的启示.     

刑事诉权初探

现代诉权是宪法性权利,刑事诉权也不例外。刑事诉权的概念不能简单借鉴其他诉权的概念,它应等同于自诉权与公诉权之和,是指刑事纠纷的当事人因权益受侵害,依法请求国家专门机关通过诉讼方式依正当程序解决该刑事纠纷和附带民事诉讼纠纷,并最终由裁判机关依法做出裁决的宪法性基本权利。从最终意义上讲,刑事纠纷的最终解决机关应当是法院,但在审前程序中,又不应当仅仅限于法院。刑事诉权具有主体多样性、内部关系复杂性、阶段性、其他诉权的后盾与保障等特征。对于当事人诉权主体而言,刑事诉权是基本人权在刑事诉讼中的具体化。当事人适格及诉的利益是其必备要素。