Communication Tools Research Articles

“I couldn’t say goodbye”: Thematic analysis of interviews with bereaved relatives who lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundDelivering serious news is usually challenging for healthcare professionals and the pandemic of COVID-19 and related restrictions brought additional challenges in this process.AimsTo explore the experience of bereaved relatives with receiving serious news from healthcare professionals during the pandemic COVID-19.DesignA qualitative study using thematic analysis and a codebook approach of data collected in semi-structured interviews with bereaved relatives.Setting/participantsData were collected from July to August 2022 in person/via phone with bereaved relatives who lost their relatives during the pandemic (from March 2020 to March 2022). Participants were recruited using a convenience sample and snowball method through social media and through one university hospital palliative care unit that invited bereaved relatives of deceased patients treated at the unit to participate in this study.ResultsA total of 22 participants, consisting of 4 men and 18 women, were interviewed for this study. Most of the participants were sons or daughters of individuals who had died (5 grandchildren, 14 sons/daughters, 2 spouses, 1 great-niece). Six themes were identified: Burden caused by visit ban, Fear of COVID-19, Inappropriate behaviour and communication of healthcare professionals, High need for emotional support, Need for detailed and honest communication, Tendency to make excuses for mistakes and lapses by healthcare professionals.ConclusionsDelivering serious news during a pandemic was negatively influenced by a lack of contact with patients and a lack of support and empathetic communication with staff. Overcoming these circumstances can be achieved by frequent communication using various communication tools (such as videoconferences or phone calls), and maintaining empathy and honesty in the communication process.

No Place to Go: The Relationship Between Care Partner Inclusion Practices and the Hospital Environment.

The objective of this was to explore how the physical environment in a hospital contributes to care partner inclusion practices. Despite their vital efforts in caring for people living with dementia (PLWD), care partners of PLWD often report feeling not included in their loved ones' hospitalizations. This phenomenon goes against research, policy initiatives, and hospital design frameworks that underscore the importance of including care partners in hospital care. To ensure that care partners are systematically included in hospital care, health systems must create an environment that prioritizes care partners' presence. This descriptive qualitative design employs a multimethod approach to data collection. Our team conducted direct observations in a large academic hospital and interviewed 23 clinicians/administrators and 15 care partners of PLWD to understand the relationship between hospital environments and care partner inclusion. Observational data were analyzed using a framework analysis, and interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Direct observations revealed an underutilization of environmental resources such as family-centered spaces and environmental communication tools. Interview data revealed that adequate space for care partners, the layout of patient rooms, parking accessibility, room personalization, and comfort level of the hospital space all impact care partner inclusion. Our findings highlight opportunities for health systems to create hospital environments that support PLWD and their care partners. In pursuit of systematic care partner inclusion, health systems can make adequate space for care partners, allocate dementia-friendly parking spaces, increase utilization of environmental communication tools, and increase comfort level of the environment.

The Development of Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies for Organizing International Running Events

This study employs a mixed-methods approach with the following objectives1) To study integrated marketing communication strategies for organizing international running events. 2) To examine the factors influencing the decision to participate in international running events. 3) To investigate the service marketing mix (7Ps) factors that affect the decision to participate in international running events. 4) To analyze the influence of social media on the participation in international running events. The findings reveal that successful marketing strategies for international running events require clear objectives and distinctive product positioning, incorporating creative elements with local identity, culture, traditions, cuisine, and tourist attractions into the event design. These elements should be reflected in race apparel, medals, trophies, and the overall atmosphere to enhance participants' experiences, which can then be shared on social media platforms. This approach fosters loyalty and encourages repeat participation and event promotion. Additionally, integrated marketing communication tools must be utilized to effectively engage potential participants and stimulate interest. Among the 7Ps of service marketing, the distribution channel emerged as the most influential factor affecting participation decisions. Structural equation modeling analysis further indicates that the marketing mix factors directly influence social media exposure, and both marketing mix factors and social media exposure directly impact the decision to participate in international running events. Indirectly, social media exposure mediates the relationship between the marketing mix and participation decisions.

A narrative review on analysing and reporting research conducted using Talking Mats®, an inclusive communication tool

BACKGROUND: Talking Mats® is a visual communication tool which can support people to express their views. Talking Mats has been used in research as a more inclusive data collection tool, however, analysing the varied data produced by Talking Mats is challenging, and there is a lack of guidance on how to analyse and report these data. OBJECTIVE: We sought to provide an overview of ways in which Talking Mats data have been analysed and reported. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review of studies that reported using Talking Mats to collect empirical data, to examine how these studies analysed and reported these data. RESULTS: Studies used qualitative analysis techniques, such as: thematic, content, conversation, and framework analysis. Studies also reported clinical and research case studies and observations of non-verbal communication. Quantitative analyses were used less often, and involved transforming qualitative data into quantitative data (e.g., observing symbol placements). Many studies did not describe their methods in sufficient depth. CONCLUSIONS: We developed the Talking Mats Reporting Criteria to support researchers and practitioners to describe their Talking Mats protocols. These Reporting Criteria were developed iteratively and collaboratively between Talking Mats experts and members of the Talking Mats Research Network. Researchers and practitioners should describe their analytical approach in further detail and report the Talking Mats Effectiveness Framework of Functional Communication.

Generation of circular symmetric Airy vortex beams based on spin-multiplexed metasurface

Given that circular symmetric Airy vortex beam (CSAVB) was found to possess a stable central cavity and an opposing transport process to circular Airy vortex beam, it has been recognized as a potentially powerful tool for particle trapping and optical communication. In order to facilitate broader application scenarios, this paper presents a novel approach to the generation of multiple CASVBs based on a single metasurface. In the proposed method, three independent CSAVBs carrying different new kinds of power-exponent-phase vortices (NPEPVs) can be obtained under two orthogonal circularly polarized or an arbitrary linear polarized incident, respectively. Each of these vortex structures is characterized by a distinct orbital angular momentum, which is jointly determined by two parameters of the NPEPVs. This indicates that the CSAVB and the device have greater freedom than the canonical optical vortex beams and the previous vortex beam generators in controlling the optical vortex. These results have the potential to advance the development of vortex beams and enhance their applications in micromanipulation, optical communication and imaging.

Blockchain-Based Spectrum Sharing Algorithm for UAV-Assisted Relay System

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are promising tools in mobile communication due to their flexibility. However, the rapid development of mobile communications further intensifies the challenge of spectrum scarcity, necessitating spectrum sharing with other systems. We suggest a Spectrum Sharing Algorithm for a UAV-Assisted Relay System. The utility function of secondary users (SUs) is defined by their communication rate, rewards from relay primary users (PUs), and spectrum leasing expenses. The utility function of PUs consists of their communication rate and revenue from spectrum leasing. We propose a joint optimization algorithm for the positioning and power allocation of UAVs, maximizing the frequency spectrum utilization rate of users. Spectrum trading between PUs and SUs is modeled as a Stackelberg game, and the problem is solved by using Lagrange multipliers and KKT conditions. To enhance the security of spectrum trading, a reputation-based spectrum sharing blockchain consensus algorithm is designed. We utilize Shamir’s secret sharing method to reduce computational complexity. Additionally, we design a smart contract to optimize the functionality of transaction transfers. The findings demonstrate that the proposed algorithm enhances the benefits for both participants in spectrum sharing, while safeguarding the security of spectrum transactions.

(How) do universities listen? Evidence from institutional websites of the world's top universities

Introduction: this study investigates the implementation of organizational listening methods in Higher Education through a comparative analysis of institutional websites from top global universities and leading Lithuanian institutions. Emphasizing the role of these websites as pivotal digital platforms, the research aims to discern the extent to which universities facilitate two-way communication with stakeholders through digital platforms. Methodology: Websites were selected based on world university rankings, encompassing institutions from each continent. Websites were selected based on global university rankings, spanning institutions across continents. Qualitative content analysis employed predefined and emergent categories to evaluate interactivity and organizational listening features on these platforms. Findings reveal consistent stakeholder mapping but significant disparities in communication tools and channels, which impacts real-time, asynchronous, and symmetric engagement effectiveness. Communication structures range from integrated governance roles to fragmented responsibilities, influencing stakeholder accessibility and institutional transparency. Discussion: implications for organizational communication practices are discussed, highlighting strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement via institutional websites. The study underscores the pivotal role of communication management teams in fostering transparency and responsiveness. Conclusions: advocating for leveraging technological advancements, conclusions propose transforming websites into proactive platforms for organizational listening. Recommendations emphasize developing tailored communication strategies to optimize engagement and effectiveness in Higher Education contexts.

A rapid review of the benefits and challenges of dynamic consent

Dynamic consent is increasingly recommended for longitudinal and biobanking research; however, the value of investing in such systems is unclear. We undertook a rapid review of the benefits and challenges of implementing dynamic consent by searching five databases (Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature – CINAHL) for articles published up to May 2023 that report on participants’ or researchers’ experience of dynamic consent. From 1611 papers screened, 12 met inclusion criteria. Guided by thematic analysis with an inductive approach, we synthesised 31 benefits and 8 challenges. Benefits included: enhanced participant experience through improved consent management and tailoring; greater participant engagement and retention through increased autonomy, trust and communication; reduced costs and burden and increased accessibility and inclusivity. Participants and researchers also valued additional features that dynamic consent platforms facilitate such as two-way communication and return of research updates. The main challenges included the digital divide and consent fatigue. The papers gave recommendations to mitigate these challenges, for example by supplementing with other communication tools and allowing a broad consent approach, respectively. Overall, dynamic consent was described as a valuable consent approach with many benefits and some surmountable challenges. Most included literature was qualitative, so further research is needed to quantify the impact of dynamic consent on recruitment, retention, and participant experience. Further long-term investigations are necessary to explore whether participants want to and do change their consent over time, as well as the impact of dynamic consent on participant privacy.

Barriers and Strategies to Effective Serious Illness Communication for Patients with End-Stage Liver Disease in the Intensive Care Setting.

Background: Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) often require Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission during the disease trajectory, but aggressive medical treatment has not resulted in increased quality of life for patients or caregivers. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes relevant data thematically exploring the current state of serious illness communication in the ICU with identification of barriers and potential strategies to improve performance. We provide a conceptual model underscoring the importance of providing comprehensible disease and prognosis knowledge, eliciting patient values and aligning these values with available goals of care options through a series of discussions. Achieving effective serious illness communication supports the delivery of goal concordant care (care aligned with the patient's stated values) and improved quality of life. Results: General barriers to effective serious illness communication include lack of outpatient serious illness communication discussions; formalized provider training, literacy and culturally appropriate patient-directed serious illness communication tools; and unoptimized electronic health records. ESLD-specific barriers to effective serious illness communication include stigma, discussing the uncertainty of prognosis and provider discomfort with serious illness communication. Evidence-based strategies to address general barriers include using the Ask-Tell-Ask communication framework; clinician training to discuss patients' goals and expectations; PREPARE for Your Care literacy and culturally appropriate written and online tools for patients, caregivers, and clinicians; and standardization of documentation in the electronic health record. Evidence-based strategies to address ESLD-specific barriers include practicing with empathy; using the "Best-Case, Worst Case" prognostic framework; and developing interdisciplinary solutions in the ICU. Conclusion: Improving clinician training, providing patients and caregivers easy-to-understand communication tools, standardizing EHR documentation, and improving interdisciplinary communication, including palliative care, may increase goal concordant care and quality of life for critically ill patients with ESLD.

NARCISSISM AND ENVY'S EFFECT ON TOURISTS SHARING SELFIE IN SOCIAL COMPARISON THEORY APPROACH

Tourism, as a social endeavor, has been significantly influenced by advancements in technology and communication tools, thereby facilitating interpersonal interactions as a social activity. The widespread integration of smart technologies and the continually evolving social media platforms have fundamentally altered the rapid dissemination of tourist experiences. Consequently, this research aims to examine the tendency to share selfies on social media platforms within the framework of social comparison theory. Data were collected from 533 participants through an online survey and were subjected to Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Path Analysis within the framework of Structural Equation Modeling. The analyses revealed that narcissism and envy positively impact tourists' tendencies to share selfies on social media platforms. Based on these findings, the study offers recommendations for developing effective strategies for tourism stakeholders.

Re-Envisioning the Plant Disease Triangle: Full Integration of the Host Microbiota and a Focal Pivot to Health Outcomes.

The disease triangle is a structurally simple but conceptually rich model that is used in plant pathology and other fields of study to explain infectious disease as an outcome of the three-way relationship between a host, a pathogen, and their environment. It also serves as a guide for finding solutions to treat, predict, and prevent such diseases. With the omics-driven, evidence-based realization that the abundance and activity of a pathogen are impacted by proximity to and interaction with a diverse multitude of other microorganisms colonizing the same host, the disease triangle evolved into a tetrahedron shape, which features an added fourth dimension representing the host-associated microbiota. Another variant of the disease triangle emerged from the recently formulated pathobiome paradigm, which deviates from the classical "one pathogen" etiology of infectious disease in favor of a scenario in which disease represents a conditional outcome of complex interactions between and among a host, its microbiota (including microbes with pathogenic potential), and the environment. The result is a version of the original disease triangle where "pathogen" is substituted with "microbiota." Here, as part of a careful and concise review of the origin, history, and usage of the disease triangle, I propose a next step in its evolution, which is to replace the word "disease" in the center of the host-microbiota-environment triad with the word "health." This triangle highlights health as a desirable outcome (rather than disease as an unwanted state) and as an emergent property of host-microbiota-environment interactions. Applied to the discipline of plant pathology, the health triangle offers an expanded range of targets and approaches for the diagnosis, prediction, restoration, and maintenance of plant health outcomes. Its applications are not restricted to infectious diseases only, and its underlying framework is more inclusive of all microbial contributions to plant well-being, including those by mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, for which there never was a proper place in the plant disease triangle. The plant health triangle also may have an edge as an education and communication tool to convey and stress the importance of healthy plants and their associated microbiota to a broader public and stakeholdership.

Postage Stamps as Political and Religious Propaganda: The Case of Hamas

The article, “Postage Stamps as Political and Religious Propaganda: The Case of Hamas,” analyzes the use of postage stamps by Hamas between 2009 and 2019 as a medium for disseminating political, religious, and nationalist messages. After assuming control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas issued 148 stamps, utilizing them to assert its legitimacy, promote resistance to Israel, and shape a Palestinian historical narrative. Although these stamps were not recognized by the Universal Postal Union, they served as an important communication tool within Gaza. The study reveals that over half of the stamps focus on themes related to the national struggle, including martyrdom, military operations, and Palestinian unity. Additionally, religious symbols, particularly those related to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and international commemorative events are prominent features. The findings suggest that stamps were strategically employed by Hamas to strengthen its role in the Palestinian struggle and to enhance its domestic legitimacy. The article concludes by proposing further comparative research between the stamps of Hamas and those issued by other non-recognized entities, while also addressing the potential influence of the 2023 Gaza conflict on future stamp issuance.

JAK inhibitor selectivity: new opportunities, better drugs?

Cytokines function as communication tools of the immune system, serving critical functions in many biological responses and shaping the immune response. When cytokine production or their biological activity goes awry, the homeostatic balance of the immune response is altered, leading to the development of several pathologies such as autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Cytokines bind to specific receptors on cells, triggering the activation of intracellular enzymes known as Janus kinases (JAKs). The JAK family comprises four members, JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and tyrosine kinase 2, which are critical for intracellular cytokine signalling. Since the mid-2010s multiple JAK inhibitors have been approved for inflammatory and haematological indications. Currently, approved JAK inhibitors have demonstrated clinical efficacy; however, improved selectivity for specific JAKs is likely to enhance safety profiles, and different strategies have been used to accomplish enhanced JAK selectivity. In this update, we discuss the background of JAK inhibitors, current approved indications and adverse effects, along with new developments in this field. We address the issue of JAK selectivity and its relevance in terms of efficacy, and describe new modalities of JAK targeting, as well as new aspects of JAK inhibitor action.

Esophageal Expert Development of a Preliminary Question Prompt List for Adults With Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Modified Delphi Study.

Question prompt lists (QPLs) are structured sets of disease-specific questions intended to encourage question-asking by patients and enhance patient-physician communication. To date, an EoE-specific QPL has not been developed for EoE patients. To develop a preliminary QPL specific to adults with EoE by incorporating input from international esophageal experts. Sixteen experts were invited to generate QPL content through a modified Delphi (RAND/University of California, Los Angeles, CA) method consisting of 2 rounds of independent ratings. In round 1, experts provided 5 answers to the prompts "what general questions should patients ask when being seen for EoE?" and "what questions do I not hear patients asking but given my experience, I believe they should be asking?" In round 2, experts rated each question on a 5-point Likert scale, and responses rated as "essential" or "important" (determined by an a priori median threshold of ≥ 4.0) were accepted for the EoE QPL. Ten esophageal experts participated in both rounds. Round 1 generated 100 questions. Questions were combined and modified to reduce redundancy, yielding 57 questions. After round 2, 51 questions (85%) were accepted for inclusion (median value ≥ 4.0) in the final QPL. Questions were then divided into 4 themes based on disease domains: (1) "What is EoE?," (2) "Treatment Options," (3) "Follow-up Surveillance and Long-term Risks," and (4) "Allergy and Genetic Testing." The largest number of questions covered was "What is EoE?" (16/51 or 31%). Questions with the highest agreement median (5.0) included examples such as "what should I do if I get a food impaction?" and "what are the treatment options?" This is the first preliminary EoE QPL developed in the field of medicine. We hope implementation enhances effective patient-physician communication by encouraging patients to ask relevant questions that experts prioritized. Future studies will aim to modify this communication tool by incorporating patient perspectives.

Tele-Orthodontics: A Lifesaver during COVID-19 Second Wave

Aim: The study aims to evaluate the outcome of orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic using Tele-Orthodontics.  Objective: To explain how Tele-orthodontics represents an excellent way to perform orthodontic follow-ups during a period of restriction and to assess the effectiveness of follow-up using Tele-Orthodontics during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Materials and Methods: Study design: Our study involves 30 patients in total, where 15 patients did not receive any further therapy and 15 patients had Tele-orthodontics treatment, with 10 patients receiving bonding treatment, 10 receiving mid- treatment treatment, and 10 receiving retention appliances. The communication tools used in our study and proposed in our model of tele-orthodontics include an online questionnaire using Google form once every 15 days, Tele-calling with Google Meet once a month, and frontal, side profile, and occlusal view (if possible) photos via WhatsApp messenger.  Results: Tele-orthodontics proved to be the only option to complete some orthodontic tasks during COVID-19 because it provided a means of communication between the dentist and the patient. Most of the patients who underwent bonding (66.7%), on retainer (96.7%), and during mid-treatment (93.3) maintained good oral hygiene during treatment. 93.3% of the patients’ appliances on retainer were holding tight in place with no discomfort and during the treatment, 70% of the patients were comfortable while speaking and 63.3% noticed changes in their appearance. Overall, Tele orthodontics was more time-saving and more desirable economically to both practitioners and patients.  Conclusion: Tele-Orthodontics is experiencing rapid growth and fierce competition. Most of the patients maintained good oral hygiene, and also had a positive perception of the use of Tele-Orthodontics.

A Novel Resource-Aware Distributed Cooperative Decision-Making Mechanism for Connected Automated Vehicles

<div>This article proposes a new model for a cooperative and distributed decision-making mechanism for an ad hoc network of automated vehicles (AVs). The goal of the model is to ensure safety and reduce energy consumption. The use of centralized computation resource is not suitable for scalable cooperative applications, so the proposed solution takes advantage of the onboard computing resources of the vehicle in an intelligent transportation system (ITS). This leads to the introduction of a distributed decision-making mechanism for connected AVs. The proposed mechanism utilizes a novel implementation of the resource-aware and distributed–vector evaluated genetic algorithm (RAD-VEGA) in the vehicular ad hoc network of connected AVs as a solver to collaborative decision-making problems. In the first step, a collaborative decision-making problem is formulated for connected AVs as a multi-objective optimization problem (MOOP), with a focus on energy consumption and collision risk reduction as example objectives. RAD-VEGA then cooperatively solves this MOOP, taking into account the availability of AV’s onboard resources and the application layer characteristics of today’s ITS communication tools. The performance of the proposed mechanism is evaluated by solving the ZDT1 test problem and studying pareto-frontier solutions to the true front over time. The scalability of the proposed solution is estimated to be 305 CAVs, considering a communication bandwidth of 6 MB/s. Additionally, cooperative AV planning scenario examples are simulated, and the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism is demonstrated by comparing final and initial solutions after solving the MOOP using RAD-VEGA.</div>

AIIMS ICU Rehabilitation (AIR): development and description of intervention for home rehabilitation of chronically ill tracheostomized patients

Background The paucity of state-supported rehabilitation for chronically ill patients with long-term tracheostomies has ramifications of prolonged hospital-stay, increased burden on acute-care resources, and nosocomial infections. Few interventions describe home rehabilitation of adult tracheostomized patients. Almost none involve stakeholders. This paper describes the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) ICU rehabilitation (AIR) healthcare intervention developed to facilitate home rehabilitation of chronically ill tracheostomized patients. Methods The AIR intervention development was based on the experience-based codesign theory (EBCD). A core research-committee studied prevalent knowledge and gaps in the area. Patients-carer and health-care stakeholders’ experiences of barriers and facilitators to home care resulted in an intervention with interlinked components: family-carer training, equipment bank, m-health application, and follow-up, guided by the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework. Healthcare stakeholders (doctors, nurses, medical equipment vendors) and patient-carer dyads were engaged to gather experiences at various stages to form smaller codesign teams for each component. Multiple codesign meetings iteratively allowed refinement of the intervention over one year. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was used to report the AIR intervention. Results The first component comprised a minimum of three bedside hands-on training sessions for carers relating to tracheostomy suction, catheter care, monitoring oxygenation, enteral feeding, skincare, and physiotherapy, buttressed by pictorial-books and videos embedded in a mobile-application. The second was an equipment-bank involving a rental-retrieval model. The third component was a novel m-health tool for two-way communication with the core group and community of other patient-carers in the project for follow-up and troubleshooting. Home visits on days 7 and 21 post-discharge assessed patient hygiene, nutrition, physiotherapy, and established contact with the nearest primary healthcare facility for the future. Conclusions Findings support the EBCD-based development using active feedback from stakeholders. Assessment of feasibility, process and effectiveness evaluation will follow.

ЦИФРОВЫЕ СРЕДСТВА КОММУНИКАЦИИ В УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКОМ ПРОФСОЮЗЕ ЦИФРОВЫЕ СРЕДСТВА КОММУНИКАЦИИ В УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКОМ ПРОФСОЮЗЕ

The digital transformation of society and higher education affects university trade unions today, especially the sphere of communicative interaction between members of a trade union organization. The introduction of digital communication and information exchange tools has become a daily practice of modern university trade unions. However, representatives of the university trade union have different attitudes towards the use of digital communication tools, perceive their risks, and have different preferences in choosing certain communication tools. The purpose of the article is to identify the attitude of university trade union members to digital communication methods and their impact on various aspects of the life of university trade unions. A study conducted in 2023 in a number of universities in the Ural Federal District showed that members of university trade unions are generally ready to use digitalization tools to intensify communication and quickly achieve their goals. However, the trade union community is clearly aware of the risks of digital communication, including digital exclusion, increased information noise and reduced cohesion.

Deconstructing the Politics of Linguistic Mutation in Tom Stoppard’s Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth

Tom Stoppard’s theatrical works, Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth, serve as a significant exemplification of linguistic and political power dynamics. These plays represent a transformative shift that depicts the workings of hegemony in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War era. Stoppard, a Czechoslovakian native, crafted these satirical works in response to the brutal persecution of critical intellectuals and censorship of their dissident works. The plays voice the intellectual restlessness of the time, resisting the status quo, and illustrating the tensions that led to the 1989 Velvet Revolution. Stoppard’s innovative linguistic experimentation transforms Shakespeare’s plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, into an entirely novel linguistic system, named “Doggspeak,” which derives inspiration from Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations. This new linguistic transformation acts as a catalyst for social and political change, resisting surveillance and censorship of free speech. Stoppard’s plays, therefore, use language to alter power relations, creating space for political defiance. This paper delves into two key questions: How does Stoppard modify language in the dramatic setting, and how does this linguistic transformation shift power relations within the plays? By creating a new linguistic system, Stoppard outmanoeuvres oppressors and wittingly turns language into an instrument for political rebellion. He stages a truncated, mutant version of Shakespeare’s plays where they are banned, giving voice to the intellectual restlessness of Czechoslovakia in the 1970s. Stoppard’s plays posit that language is not merely a tool for communication, but also a vehicle for social and political transformation. Through linguistic mutation, Stoppard subverts the existing power structures and challenges the hegemony of the oppressors. This essay argues that Stoppard’s plays showcase the crucial significance of language in the struggle for political and social change, emphasizing the crucial role that language plays in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the world.

LANGUAGE CHOICE PERFORMED BY SASAK TEENAGERS: A CASE STUDY AT MATARAM 2023

Language is a communication tool between individuals to interact with each other. Sasak teenagers these days are more using Bahasa rather than Sasak language. It seems that Sasak language begins to be abandoned by Sasak teenagers in Mataram. Therefore, this study aims to identity and describe the factors that influences Sasak teenagers rarely use Sasak language as their main language and role of parents in influencing teenagers’ language choice. The method utilized in this study was ethnography. The techniques used for data collection included observation, participant, formal and informal interviews with participants and video recording of human activities, and collection of relevant sources of information. There are 12 teenagers were interviewed in this study. Based on the field data, there are four factors that influenced Sasak teenagers included environment, media, global identity and family background. In the context of decreasing use of Sasak language, the role of parents is still an important but over time this influence decreased and was changed with greater interaction with the social environment influencing teenagers’ language choices.