Lives on the border: language and culture in the lives of ethnic Russian women in Baltinava,Latvia

This study draws on ethnographic research conducted in a small village, Baltinava in Latvia, 2.5 kilometres from the border with Russia. The research examines how ethnic Russian women create a specific Latvian Russian identity by contrasting themselves from ethnic Latvians and Russians who live in Russia and identifying with both groups at the same time. To narrate their lives and to make them meaningful, real and/or perceived “attributes” are combined to draw boundaries between “us” and “them.” Thus, the same thing such as language can be used not only both to distinguish themselves from Russians in Russia or Latvians but also to form coherent identities and to emphasize similarities. This study suggests that ethnicities cannot be reduced to a list of set ethnic groups that are very often used in official government statistics. Ethnic identities have to be viewed as fluid and situational. Moreover, this study shows the dialectic nature of ethnicity. On the one hand, external political, historical and social processes create and recreate ethnic categories and definitions. Yet, on the other hand, the women in this study are active agents creating meaningful and symbolic ethnic boundaries.     

Stabilization and symbolism: language and regional politics in the Chuvash Republic

The government of the Chuvash Republic, an ethno-federal region of the Russian Federation, used a targeted and symbolic language policy in an attempt to stabilize the position of the republic's titular language while avoiding conflict with local Russophones and the Russian federal government. The resulting policy allowed the republic's government to frame the existence of an autonomous Chuvash republic – as well as the local elite's form of governance – as being essential to the preservation of the Chuvash language and thus the Chuvash people. In this way, it used language politics to strengthen its position vis-à-vis both local constituents and the Russian federal government. However, the limited nature of the government's program has made its gains tenuous in the face of continuing Russian political and cultural recentralization.     

‘No ‘til we know.’ Fela ba a tseba naa? Using African languages to communicate about HIV and AIDS to young South Africans

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in order to determine the extent to which the presentation of HIV and AIDS messages in different languages would affect the appreciation and comprehension of these messages among young South Africans. Interviews were carried out with 60 learners in rural and peri-rural schools in Limpopo Province. Four messages (on posters or in radio advertisements), were presented in three languages. The interviews focused on appreciation (to what extent do the participants like the messages?), perceived comprehension (to what extent do the participants think that they understand the message?), and actual comprehension (to what extent do the participants really understand the message?). The language of presentation did not prove to have any influence on appreciation, perceived comprehension or actual comprehension. A considerable gap was found between perceived comprehension and actual comprehension; participants overestimated their level of understanding. Significant correlations were found between perceived comprehension and appreciation, indicating that the better members of this target group think they understand HIV and AIDS messages, the more they like them.     

双语语言转换代价理论研究

语言转换代价是认知心理学研究的热点和焦点问题。以特定语言选择模型和非特定语言选择模型为出发点,阐述心理学家在行为研究、脑的电生理技术、脑成像技术和脑的病理研究方面所取得的进展,对研究成果进行评价,指出探索双语者语言转换奥秘是一个复杂的过程,需要在进一步提高研究方法的信度和效度上下功夫。     

Schleiermacher and Post-Metaphysical Thinking

Abstract

Schleiermacher rarely features in the now widespread discussion of the relevance of the German Idealist and Romantic traditions for contemporary philosophy because he has mainly been regarded as a theologian and theorist of textual interpretation. This essay shows that his most important philosophical work, the Dialectic, involves many ideas concerning truth and language which are generally regarded as belonging to what Habermas terms ‘post-metaphysical thinking’. Schleiermacher's views of truth and language are contrasted with those of Habermas and Rorty, and are seen as being of more than merely historical interest. His reflections on self-consciousness are shown to raise important questions for contemporary accounts of the relationship of the subject to language.     

Is Political Marketing New Words or New Practice in UK Politics?

ABSTRACT

This review of the literature on political marketing and the party most associated with it in the UK, New Labour, suggests that the relationship is not straightforward. Politicians are, for example, hesitant to use marketing language in public. The relationship is problema-tised along the three dimensions of: partial or total import into some or all of politics; functional or instrumental use by leading politicians, and the roles of transformer of politics, or transfer agent for techniques. The results suggest two responses. The first is more fieldwork into political marketing outside of electoral campaigning and inside policy making. The second is a reconceptualising of the relationship away from the transformation or transfer dimension, and towards political marketing as a methodology for understanding a very different, and very separate activity, namely politics.     

Language Teaching and Learning With Technology： Student Use,Teacher Beliefs

Korea was named the world＇s most wired country in 2003 （Wired Magazine）. Although technology is relatively new to Korea, the nation is often quick to adopt. This study examines the extent to which educational technology is being used in the English language classrooms throughout the Republic of Korea at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. This is effectuated through a survey of English as a Foreign Language （EFL） teachers teaching at these different educational levels. The survey covers frequency of use of： （1） digital devises such as CD players; （2） offline computer software such as those for English lessons; （3） online computer offerings such as listening materials and writing laboratories; and （4） out-of-class teaching tools for creating materials and for recordkeeping. In addition, teachers are surveyed on technology used in blended learning where the technology is used outside of the classroom to supplement in-class learning, e.g., recording, video, video-making, presentation tools. The survey examines the ease of use of technology in the teacher＇s educational setting and the reasons for using so much or so little technology in teaching. Interviews of high-level and low-level technology users give deeper insight into the reasons for different levels of technology use by different teachers. The survey results have implications for educational institutions on equipment handling and personnel training as well as for curriculum planners of teacher training programs in terms of incorporating instruction in technology use into EFL programs.     

协商民主中的公共治理

在当代西方政治哲学复兴之后兴起的协商民主理论与现代公共治理的理论和实践之间存在着一定的内在逻辑性。协商民主的研究视角使我们看到公民社会的思想意识、精神状态以及公共利益、美德等价值观对现代公共治理的重大意义。引入协商民主理论,倡导公共治理中的对话与协商,公民参与意识与积极的公共精神,可以促进政府与公民、政治国家与公民社会在公共治理中的良性互动,由此也将促进协商民主与善治的实现。     

浅谈公安民警语言运用的心理技巧

公安民警在执法过程中的口语运用是一个双向信息交流的矛盾运动过程,即在具体的语境下,民警通过一定的传递途径发出信息,并由授受者接受信息,以此达到执法的目的,完成执法任务的过程.因此,公安民警要有意识地提高自身的心理素质,将心理技巧即理性的情绪倾向技巧、积极的"原生态"技巧和情绪管理技巧真正运用到实际工作中去.     

如何克服课堂焦虑对英语学习的影响

引起外语学习焦虑的因素可分为交流焦虑、负评价焦虑和考试焦虑三个方面。根据英语课堂教学的实践经验,开展小组合作学习、教师的正确引导鼓励和轻松和谐的课堂气氛,是克服语言学习焦虑的有效措施。