Cultural Knowledge Research Articles

Responding to health literacy of refugees in Australian primary health care settings: a qualitative study of barriers and potential solutions

BackgroundOrganisational health literacy is a promising area of research that enables a focus on how systems and services can be designed in ways that are responsive to populations with varying states and levels of health literacy, knowledge, and practices, including African refugees. The challenge is how organisations and professionals do this in practice, and research in this area is in its early stages. This qualitative study examined barriers to implementing health literacy responsive care practices in primary health care settings in Australia. It also offered suggestions to potentially address the barriers to improving organisational health literacy.MethodsRefugees (n = 19), primary health care professionals (n = 14), and other key stakeholders (n = 19) were recruited through convenience and snowball strategies from three states in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. All but one participant was interviewed face-to-face via Zoom. Semi-structured interview guides were used to guide the conversations. Transcriptions from audio recordings were analysed using directed content analysis.ResultsThirteen themes were extracted from the data. Themes were organised into the following categories: structural and systemic, organisational context, individual professional level, individual patient level, and socio-community level. Major structural and system-level factors affecting organisational health literacy included rigid systems and structures and limited time. Key organisation-level factors included inflexible organisational processes and policies, institutionalised othering, discrimination and racism, and lack of interpreters. Individual professional factors were poor communication with patients and cultural knowledge gaps. Linguistic issues and service mistrust were key individual patient-level factors. Socio-community factors included limited community engagement. Participants identified potential solutions to help services navigate out of the barriers and improve their response to health literacy.ConclusionThe findings suggest that mainstream services and organisations could improve timely and appropriate health care access and utilisation for refugees through strategies such as designing services and health literacy programs with refugee communities, promoting health literacy champions in the workforce, integrating health literacy and culturally responsive care plans and strategies into organisational priorities.

Hertigar i läder och siden: Resultaten från en undersökning av tillvarataget material ur Erik och Valdemar Magnussons grav i Uppsala domkyrka

In this article, a collection of textile fragments kept in the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm is presented for the first time. The objects were found in 1906 in a partially emptied medieval grave close to the main altar in Uppsala Cathedral. Judging from the written sources, this grave originally contained the remains of the dukes Erik and Valdemar Magnusson who died imprisoned at Nyköpingshus Castle in 1318. A donation to their tomb is mentioned in a document from the 1320s. In 1729, the grave was rediscovered and obviously emptied of some of its contents. The material kept in the Swedish History Museum consists of pieces of leather, satin, silk and wool along with several fragments of wood and metal. These objects had apparently been put back into the grave after it was examined in 1729. In 2022 some of the textile and leather fragments were carbon-14 dated to the early 14th century. This time fixing supports the idea that they originate from the ducal grave. The leather was most likely used as a cover for the coffins, while some of the satin pieces may have formed a part of one or two burial cushions that were also decorated with silk tassels. Unfortunately, not enough material is preserved to determine whether the dukes’ corpses were covered with winding sheets or if they wore clothes and shoes. Despite this, the collection of fragments at the Swedish History Museum provides valuable information about the royal burial customs in early 14th century Sweden. Especially the satin cushions with silk tassels may be seen as a significant addition to our knowledge of high medieval material culture.

Challenges and Pathways for the Development of Cultural and Creative Products in University Libraries

Cultural and creative products in university libraries serve as a concentrated manifestation of the cultural connotations of higher education institutions, bearing the dual mission of cultural inheritance and knowledge dissemination. Faced with the challenges and opportunities of globalization and the new era, accurately grasping the development direction of these cultural and creative products, effectively addressing current issues, and proposing feasible development strategies are urgent research topics in this field. This paper adopts a problem-oriented approach to respond to issues such as the lack of innovative design concepts, insufficient research and development capabilities, and marketing constraints due to channels and pricing. It explores sustainable pathways for the development of cultural and creative products in university libraries through the threefold logic of discovery, guidance, and expansion.

Language is primarily a tool for communication rather than thought.

Language is a defining characteristic of our species, but the function, or functions, that it serves has been debated for centuries. Here we bring recent evidence from neuroscience and allied disciplines to argue that in modern humans, language is a tool for communication, contrary to a prominent view that we use language for thinking. We begin by introducing the brain network that supports linguistic ability in humans. We then review evidence for a double dissociation between language and thought, and discuss several properties of language that suggest that it is optimized for communication. We conclude that although the emergence of language has unquestionably transformed human culture, language does not appear to be a prerequisite for complex thought, including symbolic thought. Instead, language is a powerful tool for the transmission of cultural knowledge; it plausibly co-evolved with our thinking and reasoning capacities, and only reflects, rather than gives rise to, the signature sophistication of human cognition.

Between Maroon Tradition and State Law in Jamaica: A Case Study of Challenges to Environmental Governance in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the quest for effective environmental governance, the integration of legal and cultural pluralism within conservation strategies emerges as a critical factor, especially in regions marked by rich ethnic diversity and complex historical legacies. This paper explores the symbiotic relationship between state conservation efforts and the engagement of local communities, with a particular focus on the Indigenous Maroon communities in the Blue and John Crow Mountains (BJCMs) of Jamaica. It underscores the imperative of aligning conservation objectives with the aspirations and traditional practices of these communities to foster sustainable ecosystems and safeguard Indigenous autonomy. Central to this discourse is the development of collaborative frameworks that respect and incorporate the legal and cultural dimensions of pluralism, thereby facilitating a co-managed approach to environmental stewardship. This study emphasizes the role of collaboration and trust as pivotal elements in cultivating a mutual understanding of the interdependencies between state law and Indigenous law. This research advocates for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge between the state and community members, aiming to empower the latter with the resources necessary for effective environmental protection while respecting their legal autonomy. This approach not only enhances conservation initiatives overall, but also ensures that these efforts are informed by the rich cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge of the Maroon communities. By examining the conservation practices and governance challenges faced by the Maroons in the BJCMs, this paper reveals the nuanced dynamics of implementing state-led conservation laws in areas characterized by cultural and legal pluralism. The findings highlight the necessity for state regulatory frameworks to enable collaborative governance models that complement, rather than undermine, the traditional governance structures of the Maroons. This research contributes to the broader discourse on environmental governance by illustrating the potential of culturally informed conservation strategies to address environmental threats while respecting and reinforcing the social fabric of Indigenous communities.

Poljsko-hrvatski odnosi u kontekstu djelovanja Krakovskog slavističkog društva početkom XX. stoljeća

The article explores the activities of Krakow Slavists at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, focusing on their stance toward the Croats, particularly their culture, history, and mutual relations. The aim of the article is to illustrate how Slavic enthusiasts from Galicia perceived the role of Poles in the broader Pan-Slavist movement. This is a crucial topic because South Slavic historiography often propagated the claim that Poles were opposed to the idea of Slavic cooperation. Figures such as Marian Zdziechowski, Tadeusz Stanisław Grabowski, and Jan Magiera contradict this assertion. Opposing Pan-Slavism or Neo-Slavism did not imply that Poles rejected Slavic collaboration, but rather the role of Russia. In their opinion, Russia did not act in the Slavs’ interest but against them, pursuing the Greater Russian goals of the Tsarist regime. Consequently, they proposed alternative solutions, emphasising the central role of Polish culture and advocating for collaboration among Slavic nations on equal terms. Thanks to their knowledge of Slavic languages and cultures, Krakow Slavists maintained numerous contacts with individuals from various Slavic countries, including Croatia. After World War I, some Poles and South Slavs continued this line of thought, believing that Poland should become the cultural centre of Slavic heritage. A section of the article is dedicated to demonstrating the stance of key representatives of the Krakow Slavophile community towards Croats, supported by a detailed analysis of texts concerning Croats published in the monthly journal Świat Słowiański. This publication served as the press organ for this community, featuring contributions from foreign authors. The journal aimed to promote the Polish concept of Slavic unity and familiarise the Galician public with the issues of Slavs within and outside the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

A CEFR-Oriented Probe into Culture: Implications for Language Learners

The Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR), adopted by the Council of Europe (2001), is an action-based framework for language education, teaching and assessment in Europe. CEFR's descriptions of language skills across all skill levels can guide language learners, educators, and assessors. Alongside language-related issues, one phenomenon considered highly by the CEFR is culture – a concept intricately connected with language. Given the significance of culture and related concepts for language education, this study evaluated the CEFR and Companion Volume to draw inferences about culture and explore the possible implications for language learners. To this end, the two volumes were subjected to content analysis. Findings indicated several types of cultural awareness (n=7), knowledge (n=4), competence (n=8), and strategy (n=1) that language learners must adopt for successful cross-cultural interactions. These cultural expectations might also be considered under plurilinguistic awareness, knowledge, competence, and strategies. The study is expected to contribute theoretically and practically since it intends to bridge the literature gap. Prospective research, however, is urged to corroborate the findings. Furthermore, the study is expected to guide future studies tackling the significance of culture for language learners within the CEFR.

Translating Cultures Unveiling the Art of Uzbek Literary Transformations

This study conducts a linguocultural analysis of 20th-century Uzbek literary translations, illuminating the complex interaction between language and culture, particularly in the nuanced translation of stories like "Shum bola" into "A Naughty Boy." Existing research often overlooks the depth of cultural understanding required for effective literary translation, a gap this study addresses by highlighting the challenges and strategies in preserving the original texts' emotional and cultural essence. Employing an integrated approach of linguistic, cultural, and sociological methods, the research examines several translations to demonstrate how cultural context significantly impacts the translation process. Results underscore the necessity for translators to have a profound comprehension of both source and target cultures to ensure meaningful translations. The findings advocate for enhanced translator training in cultural competencies, contributing to the fields of translation studies and intercultural communication. Highlights: Intricate Relationship: Emphasizes the complex interplay between language and culture in translation. Cultural Knowledge: Highlights the essential role of deep cultural understanding for effective translation. Methodological Approach: Utilizes an integrated linguistic, cultural, and sociological framework to explore translation challenges. Keywords: Linguocultural Analysis, Translation Studies, Cultural Context, Literary Translation

Perlindungan Pengetahuan Tradisional dan Ekspresi Budaya Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Pemajuan Kebudayaan

The purpose of this study is to analyze by discussing the protection of cultural knowledge seen from Law No. 5 of 2017, which at the time of the case in decision 823/K/Pid.Sus/2009 occurred where Law No. 5 of 2017 had not been passed. Indonesian society is a communal society, where there is a lack of awareness in protecting traditional culture. The emergence of various problems related to the Protection of Intellectual Property in Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expression has made the public begin to realize the importance of Intellectual Property Law itself. In this study, the researcher uses a normative juridical law research method, namely reviewing and studying literature, legislation related to Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expression by conducting a Law and Literature approach by analyzing secondary data through literature such as books, journals, articles and laws and regulations related to Traditional Knowledge. As a result, Decision No. 823/K/Pid.Sus/2009 showed that judges lacked understanding of traditional knowledge, which at that time had not been specifically regulated and only through the Patent Law, Trademark Law, and Copyright Law. Public awareness of Intellectual Property Rights is also low, leading to legal uncertainty. Law No. 5 of 2017 provides protection for traditional cultural knowledge and expressions, such as arts and customs, with the state obliged to carry out inventory, maintenance, and preservation. This law also emphasizes the importance of public legal awareness in its enforcement.

Children’s expectations of selective informing: The role of informational relevance on group membership based informing

Surprisingly little is known about how informational relevance guides children’s informing decisions. Although prior studies have demonstrated that children selectively inform and teach others these studies do not directly address whether children consider informational relevance specific to an outgroup member. We also know that children by age 5 and 6 show robust preferences for their ingroup members in various decisions but does information relevance modulate their ingroup preferences? In three experiments (N = 180), we investigated whether Iraqi Kurdish 6-year-old children expect others to inform an ingroup member or an outgroup member, depending on the informational relevance. In Experiment 1 children expected others to inform an ingroup member rather than an outgroup member irrespective of information type – extending prior work on ingroup preferences. In experiments 2 and 3, in which the relevance of the information to an outgroup member was highlighted, children’s expectation about informing an ingroup member was modulated by information type. Together, the findings suggest that children consider informational relevance to guide their expectations about others’ selective informing in the context of group membership, which could further explain how cultural knowledge is maintained and reinforced among members of the same cultural group.

Deconstructing the Richness of Understanding the Nature of Language, Learning, and Social Change: A Journey Through SFL Action Research for Teachers in Pursuit of a Multilingual Equity Agenda

This essential volume, edited by Meg Gebhard, illustrates how K-12 teachers use Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and action research to support the development of disciplinary literacy among diverse learners in high-stakes school reform contexts. With contributions from teachers, teacher educators, and researchers, this book empowers teachers to be agents of change in their schools by designing and implementing of curricula, instruction, and assessment that build on students' cultural and linguistic knowledge. This book provides a framework, tools and resources for teaching and supporting multilingual students and ELLs through case studies and contexts. This book aims to improve teachers' professional practice through critical SFL pedagogy and to support teachers in combating racist and xenophobic (anti-immigrant) rhetoric by contributing to their schools' equality agenda.

TRANSFORMING LITERARRY TEXTS: A MULTILITERACIES APPROACH TO ENGAGING DIGITAL NARRATIVES

Combining technology with literary texts may help solve the obstacles faced in modern education. Digital storytelling (DST) is an engaging approach that involves students with literature, developing creativity, cultural knowledge, and character development, while creating a dynamic classroom atmosphere. This research investigated how the lecturer use multiliteracies pedagogy to facilitate students in transforming literary text into a DST and their responses to this process. The researchers used purposive sampling and performed a qualitative case study to get detailed insights into how multiliteracies instruction transforms literary text into digital storytelling among 25 ELT students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo. The results showed that the DST task promotes students’ active involvement with texts. They scrutinised the components of the narrative and converted the text into a digital story. The stages of multiliteracies teaching had a good influence on students’ learning experiences, improved their comprehension of literary content, and encouraged them to combine literature and technology. Ultimately, multiliteracies teaching may transform passive learning into active engagement and foster students’ creativity, cultural proficiency, and multimodal literacy abilities.

Social attitudes in sustainable fashion: the role of environmental knowledge on sustainable development goals (SDGs)

PurposeThis study investigates and explores sustainable fashion based on social attitudes toward culture and sustainable fashion effects in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), based on environmental knowledge and consumer satisfaction initiatives. It explicates sustainable fashion on the sustainable development agenda in addressing the gap of cultural value, environmental knowledge and sustainable fashion in SSA.Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative approach, the study employed a web-based online cross-sectional survey to extract tangible information from 620 participants from SSA. The study integrated theory of planned behaviors (TPB) model and hypotheses. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test all proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that low environmental knowledge, influenced by geographical and cultural differences, affected fashion value, as which is predictively significant for sustainable fashion. However, attitude and cultural value results found statistical significance for consumer satisfaction in sustainable fashion. Furthermore, mediation was attained between consumer behavioral and environmental knowledge of sustainable fashion. The study recommends government policies on educational awareness and textile regulations for environmental garbage disposal possible harmful effects of climate change and finally, designing innovative initiatives for environmentally friendly fashion.Originality/valueThis study examines the environmental and social attitudes as well as behavioral effects, of an ecosystem that would most likely have a short life period, eliminate disposal dumps and foster an environmental control policy. Consequently, the study’s conceptual model and extended TPB contribute to how sustainable fashion supports environmental knowledge, consumer attitudes and cultural behaviors in fashion among Sub-Saharan Africans.

Exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals on providing supported asthma self-management for Bangladeshi and Pakistani people in the UK.

Self-management support improves asthma outcomes and is widely recommended in guidelines, yet it is poorly implemented in routine practice. There may be additional challenges in the context of ethnic minority groups, where making sense of culture may be necessary. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals on supporting UK Bangladeshi and Pakistani patients to self-manage their asthma. One-to-one semi-structured interviews with professionals (primary and secondary care; medical and nursing) who routinely provide asthma care to Bangladeshi or Pakistani patients. Topics addressed included perceptions of professionals in supporting patients with asthma self-management and ideas for improving culturally competent care. Data were analysed thematically. Nine professionals, from a range of ethnic backgrounds, with considerable experience of treating patients from these communities were interviewed. Despite organisational restrictions (language and time/resources) and expressed gaps in cultural knowledge and training, all interviewees reported attempting to tailor support according to culture. They used their perception of the patient's culture (e.g., big families and family involvement), integrated with their perception of patients' ability to self-manage (e.g., degree of responsibility taken for asthma), to formulate theories about how to culturally adapt their approach to supported self-management, e.g., supporting barriers in understanding asthma. There was consensus that gaps in cultural knowledge of professionals needed to be addressed through training or information. Interventions recommended for patients included basic education, group meetings, and culturally relevant action plans. In the absence of formal training and constrained by organisational limitations, self-management support was adapted based on personal and professional perception of culture. These ideas were based on experience and formulated a chain of reasoning. Professionals recognised the limitations of this approach and potential to overgeneralise their perceptions of culture and adaptations of supported self-management. Interventions were desired and need to address professional training in cultural competence and the provision of culturally relevant materials.

Reform of College English Teaching Content in Engineering Colleges against the Background of New Engineering Education

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the development of new engineering education. College English, a compulsory course aimed at non-English majors in China’s universities, bears great responsibilities in training high-quality innovative engineering talent with an international perspective. After an examination of the current College English teaching content and an analysis of college students’ needs for English learning, the paper proposes three ways to reform the teaching content of College English in light of nurturing new engineering talent: integrating language and cultural knowledge with subject-specific knowledge, enhancing students’ ability of applying English in their professional domains, and emphasizing both humanistic education and professional competence in College English teaching.

EFL College Programmes In Egypt And Saudi Arabia: Advantages And Difficulties In Intercultural Instruction

The present study evaluated faculty and student perceptions of the challenges and benefits of intercultural and multicultural education in EFL college classrooms. Using the descriptive approach through survey, the study further investigates the benefits and barriers to inter/multicultural education in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, including content integration, acculturation pedagogy, and the incorporation of cultural knowledge in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses as perceived by faculty and students in both countries. The sample consisted of 25 EFL instructors and 33 fifth and sixth-grade EFL students from King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia, as well as 45 TEFL students from Beni Suef University in Egypt. Findings revealed that while both teachers and students value cultural integration, challenges such as limited resources and cultural sensitivity persist.. Notably, the results showed that literature-based English teaching could be an efficient medium for introducing the target language culture to students. However, challenges include acquiring requirements to develop intercultural competence, professional development needs, and obstacles that hinder EFL instructors from teaching linguistic and cultural competence.

Ethnopedagogy-based Thematic Modules to Improve the Understanding and Cultural Literacy of Elementary School Students

The decline in students' local cultural knowledge and the decline in the level of understanding of students' concepts in thematic learning are problems that need to be overcome. This study aimed to develop a thematic learning module based on ethnopedagogy to enhance understanding and cultural literacy of the fifth-grade elementary school students. This research utilized an R&D method adopting the ADDIE model, which consisted of five stages (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). The instrument used to collect data in this study was a questionnaire. This questionnaire was given to several experts, such as the design experts, material experts, and language experts, to see the feasibility of the module as well as the teachers’ and students’ responses to see the practicality of the module. Then, a test and a questionnaire were administered to examine the effect of the ethnopedagogy-based thematic learning module on students' understanding and cultural literacy. The data were then analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the module was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (Manova). This study suggested that the ethnopedagogy-based thematic learning module fulfilled the very feasible criteria with an average score of 93.61% from the design validator, 93.26% from the material validator, and 91% from the language validator. Furthermore, from the response given by the teachers, a score of 92.65% was obtained with a very attractive category. Then, the small-scale trial conducted on students obtained a score of 96.67% with a very attractive category. Apart from that, the thematic learning module based on ethnopedagogy was also able to improve the understanding and cultural literacy of the fifth-grade elementary school students, as proven by the results of the product effectiveness test using the Manova test which obtained a significance value of 0.00 < 0.05.

ENHANCING STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY SKILLS THROUGH NETFLIX SERIES IN THE TEACHING/LEARNING OF FRENCH

In our rapidly evolving technological landscape, the existence of digital platforms has become an undeniable reality, spanning diverse domains. The educational sector has embraced platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, Duolingo, Tandem, Kahoot, Voki, LearningApps and Padlet. Authentic materials, including articles, videos, and audio recordings, facilitate an interactive learning environment, while also supporting equal emphasis on the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Interactive, task-based activities cultivate effective communication and application of language skills. Among digital platforms, Netflix has gained popularity, particularly among youth, offering an abundance of updated series and movies to enhance foreign language skills, vocabulary, and cultural knowledge. This study employs qualitative research, specifically document analysis, to explore the role and impact of the French Netflix series in teaching/learning French as a foreign language. It seeks to highlight the significance of vocabulary instruction and demonstrate how Netflix series can be used as a tool in foreign language education to teach various topics. In accordance with Creswell's perspective on qualitative research, the study places data collected through document analysis as essential tools. As a result, it is demonstrated that the content available on the Netflix platform can be effectively integrated into classrooms where French is taught as a foreign language, aligning with the action-oriented goals specified in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe, 2001), which emphasizes practical daily language use and effective communication.

Ramuan dan Pengobatan Tradisional Pulau Penyengat untuk Sakit yang Berkaitan dengan Mata

The manuscript of Pengobatan Tradisional pada Masyarakat Pulau Penyengat (PTpMPP) contains various types of pain along with herbal ingredients, one of which is pain related to the eyes. The purpose of this study is to explain the study of ethnomedicine contained in the text of PTpMPP. The methods used are data collection, data processing, data analysis, and presentation of the results of data analysts. The data collection phase was carried out by field studies and literature studies. The data processing stage is carried out from the description of the manuscript, transliteration, and text editing. In studying its content, researchers used the theory of ethnomedicine. Studies that combine literature and ethnomedicine can provide a better understanding of how language, culture and narrative shape medical perceptions and practices in a given society. In addition, it can help improve interdisciplinary understanding of the human complexity of understanding and addressing health issues because literary works, particularly ancient texts, can reflect and shape the traditional medical knowledge and practices of different cultures. This makes it possible to understand health and medicine in a broader and more complex cultural context. Therefore, ethnomedicine is used to reveal the kinds and functions of medicinal plants used and the treatment methods contained in ancient manuscripts. The source of the data used is PTpMPP manuscript with Jawi script and Malay script, stored in Yayasan Inderasakti, Pulau Penyengat. The results of this study explain the eight causes of pain related to the eyes, namely injured eyes, eye pain (ordinary), blurred eyes, growing eyes, meat eye pain, restung eye pain, swollen eyes, and eyes for prohibition. The medical practice of treating the eight diseases belongs to the naturalistic medical system and each disease has its own herbal ingredients.

World Englishes and Cultural Linguistics: Theory and research

AbstractThis article explores the evolution of Cultural Linguistics, its fusion with Cognitive Linguistics and Cognitive Sociolinguistics, and its application to the study of world Englishes, emphasising the cultural dimension of language and cognition. It investigates key theoretical concepts in Cultural Linguistics such as cultural categories, schemas, conceptualisations, keywords, models and scenarios as essential analytical tools for examining the interplay between thought, language and culture. Using examples from English varieties in sub‐Saharan Africa, Great Britain, Ireland, India and Hong Kong, this article demonstrates how these conceptual phenomena interact at increasing levels of conceptual complexity. The discussion also distinguishes conceptual metaphor (and metonymy) from the somewhat problematic concept of ‘cultural metaphor’, previously used in some cultural‐linguistic approaches to world Englishes. Finally, the article delves into Conceptual Blending Theory as a possible extension of Cultural Linguistics that synthesises diverse cultural knowledge to interpret culture‐specific expressions in contemporary multilingual settings.