Cultural Representations Research Articles

Economic Contribution, Characterization, and Motivations of Tourists: The Raymi Llaqta in Peru

This study assesses the economic contribution and motivations of tourists attending the Raymi Llaqta festival in Chachapoyas, Peru. This study used an econometric analysis based on the application of two types of regression models: non-zero truncated Poisson regression and zero-truncated negative binomial regression. Data were collected through face-to-face structured interviews with domestic and foreign tourists who visited Chachapoyas during the festival. Results indicate significant spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. Tourist satisfaction averaged 3.7, with notable appreciation for the festival’s variety, authenticity, local hospitality, and safety. While both foreign and domestic tourists expressed positive views on the cultural representation and organization of the event, they suggested improvements in hygiene and promotional efforts. Despite using a structured questionnaire, response bias could affect the accuracy of self-reported experiences. This research provides valuable insights into the festival’s direct economic impact on the local economy and highlights the importance of high tourist satisfaction for effective marketing strategies.

Staging Statecraft: Dance Festivals and Cultural Representations in Konark, Odisha, India

This essay argues that dance festivals are choreographed spaces that shape cultural heritage. The Konark Dance Festival in Odisha, India, is an annual program situated around the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. The following explores the interrelationship between the modern space of the temple monument and the modern format of festival dances in Konark. The festival project juxtaposes the monument’s archaeological value with the dances’ cultural value in choreographic neatness, which requires a critical interrogation to determine the negotiations, appropriations, and discomfort these processes otherwise entail. This article also branches out into cultural discourses beyond the stated festival that examine the historical, diplomatic, and touristic networks the dance festival often encompasses. Following the creation of the modern state of Odisha (in 1936) and of the independent nation of India (in 1947), Odisha regional dance forms were remodelled to produce the state dance Odissi, which gained national “classical” recognition in the 1960s and subsequent international repute. Odissi dance has subsequently been formulated and globally circulated as an anthropomorphic symbol of the geopolitical state of Odisha. Through ethnography, visual study, and choreographic analysis, this essay explores the (re)presentational aspects of the region-state in and through dance, which rhetorically inform the staging of the Konark Dance Festival.

Ambiguous AI: Lossy Compression, Model Collapse, and Intercultural Sensitivity

This paper examines the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI), cultural representation, and intercultural sensitivity, critiquing the impact of lossy compression and model collapse on cultural expression in AI systems. The study introduces “intentional patiency” as an alternative framework, conceptualizing AI not merely as an active agent but as a cultural receptor, and in turn, producer. AI systems often rely on compression algorithms that strip away cultural complexities, rendering nuanced traditions as simplified, stereotypical artifacts. Drawing on frameworks from Ted Chiang’s metaphor of lossy compression to Wendy Chun’s critique of noise, the essay explores how AI’s data optimization selectively filters cultural diversity, perpetuating dominant narratives while silencing marginalized voices. Model collapse in generative systems demonstrates while also exacertabting the pitfalls of homogenous data to reduce cultural representations to monolithic “single stories,” echoing concerns raised by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. To address this issue, this essay advocates for an interculturally sensitive AI development paradigm, incorporating cultural expansion and ethical safeguards to mitigate cultural erasure. Through the concept of “ambiguous AI,” a paradigm rooted in probabilistic engagement and intentional patiency, the essay seeks to reframe AI’s role as a nuanced participant in cultural discourse, promoting culturally adaptive architectures.

Silk road heritage: The artistic representation of port trading culture in the images of characters in Qing Dynasty Guangzhou export paintings.

As customized artistic commodities, export paintings mirrored Guangzhou's unique overseas trade culture and social power in a microscopic view, nevertheless, few researchers have delved into the cultural relationship between the use of the painting techniques and the characters of the export paintings. Based on an iconographic approach, this article aims to analyze the historical iconography information of the Qing dynasty export paintings from the perspective of the trade development and cultural exchange between the East and West during the 18th century by the study of the export paintings' characters expressions and costumes colors, providing insights into the exploration of the value of tangible cultural heritage. In the process of our research, shows that: 1) the dominant laboring characters in the export paintings present standing postures, and most of them demonstrate negative emotions; 2) many of the characters of the export paintings show high similarities due to the assembly-line mode of painting during manufacture; 3) the portrayal of the characters in the export paintings reflects a return of a sense of humanity. This is evident in the fact that the subject of the paintings abounds in the scenes showing local folklore, working views, and daily life in Guangzhou. Meanwhile, the characters in the painting are vividly portrayed in a realistic style. The use of mixed colors on the costumes of different characters reflects a universal value of having regard for the equality of all men; 4) Guangzhou export painting decorative art evolution of the development of the dual development of Chinese and Western fusion of veins. Guangzhou export paintings of the Qing dynasty satisfied the customers' reverie for 'Oriental Civilization' and their purpose of seeking novelty of foreign cultures. It also revealed the subtle dynamics of the interplay between Guangzhou's social power, trading capital, and blending art.

Conceptualisation of culture and research methods in studies of language teaching materials: a systematic review

ABSTRACT The critical role of language teaching materials in developing intercultural citizenship has led to increased research on cultural representations within them. It has become necessary to critically review how culture has been conceptualised and the ways in which cultural representations have been methodologically approached in this growing body of research. Applying a qualitative synthesis approach, this systematic review synthesises and critiques current studies on cultural representations in language teaching materials published since 2013, focusing on how culture was conceptualised in these studies and how cultural representations were examined methodologically. Analysis of the reviewed studies reveals that existing research conceptualises culture as a multifaceted construct encompassing quantifiable objects, socially-constructed meaning, and dynamic meaning-making processes. These conceptualizations necessitate the use of diverse methods to explore cultural representations in language teaching materials. The analysis further identifies that quantitative content analysis was the method most commonly used in the reviewed literature, followed by methods associated with critical perspectives and social semiotics approaches. These findings have important implications for future research and practice relating to cultural representations in language teaching materials.

Cultural Persons’ Representations in High School English Language Teaching Materials in Indonesia

Integrating both local and target cultures in English Language Teaching Materials and emphasizes the need for balance to promote cultural diversity and understanding become an important thing in today’s era. During teaching practice activities at SMAN 17 Tebo, the researcher found that the cultural materials in the English Teaching Materials used are not balanced between the source culture, target culture, and international culture. This has an impact on cross-cultural understanding and less than optimal cultural awareness among students. The purpose of this research is to explore the representation of cultural persons in government textbook and teacher-made modules. This research uses qualitative content analysis as a research design. This research involved a sample of government-approved English language textbooks entitled “Bahasa Inggris Work in Progress” and a teacher-made module at SMAN 11 Tebo. The results show that from the theme of great athletes in chapter one of the Bahasa Inggris Work In Progress textbook and teacher-made module, it can be seen that the dominant sports branch comes from international culture. While the cultural persons represented as athletes are dominated by the source culture. It is recommended that future development of English language teaching (ELT) materials, both in government textbooks like Bahasa Inggris Work in Progress and teacher-made modules, should strive for a more balanced representation of source culture, target culture, and international culture for fostering intercultural competence among Indonesian students.

The Evolution of Advertising in Nigeria: Promoting Local Content for Sustainable Development

The complex relationship between advertising and local content promotion in Nigeria is one of the huge challenges to sustainable development. Cultural oversimplification, misrepresentation, and dominance of the West do significant damage to the representation of Nigerian culture authentically in the practice of advertising. This paper, therefore, reviews this relationship by incorporating historical evolution, and technological, cultural, and regulatory dynamics. The qualitative research design followed in this study generated primary data through the use of in-depth interviews conducted on key players in the Nigerian advertising industry. The primary data collected underwent a thematic analysis, while the historical analysis was supported by multiple sources, including historical records, publications from the industry itself, and scholarly literature. This research shall, therefore, be located within the understanding of the Cultural Imperialism Theory and the Development Media Theory as a lens to critically analyse the complexity of representations of local content in advertising. The results showed that there were positive and negative perceptions toward the integration of local content in Nigerian advertisements, as most consumers appreciate culturally authentic content. It identifies challenges and also shows how to use opportunities: bridging Nigeria's multicultural identity and digital platforms for sustainable development. This research underlines the need for a balance between global advertising practices and the local cultural nuances of impactful, sensitive campaigns that shall help lead the course of sustainable development and preserve the rich cultural heritage of this great nation.

Exploring contemporary visualization of traditional Chinese arts: Relationship between calligraphy elements and visual communication effects

This study aims to explore the relationships between calligraphy elements, visual communication effects and cultural significance in the context of contemporary visualization of traditional Chinese arts. Thematic analysis was conducted on interview responses to uncover insights into the complex dynamics at play. In-depth interviews with professionals and scholars provided firsthand perspectives on integrating calligraphy elements in visual communication, the effects of visual communication on audience perceptions and the role of cultural heritage in design practice. Comparative analysis with existing literature further enriched the understanding of the variables’ relationships and their implications for theory and practice. The findings reveal intricate relationships between calligraphy elements, visual communication effects, and cultural significance. Calligraphy elements enhance visual communication by imbuing design materials with cultural depth, authenticity and emotional resonance. Visual communication influences audience perceptions of cultural significance, shaping their attitudes and behaviors towards cultural artifacts and representations. Furthermore, cultural heritage informs design practice by providing a rich source of inspiration and meaning, guiding the creation of culturally resonant and effective communication materials. This research contributes to theoretical advancements in visual communication, cultural studies and design theory by uncovering insights into the relationships between calligraphy elements, visual communication effects, and cultural significance. The practical implications for professionals in design, marketing and cultural heritage preservation include providing practical guidance for creating culturally resonant communication materials and informing policies and initiatives that support the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

How to tame your hormones: menopause rage in media discourse

ABSTRACT While feminist scholarship has challenged earlier misogynist discourses around menopause, menopause continues to be associated with women’s rage. Focusing on UK news and advice websites (2018–2024), we ask if and how this association is figured in contemporary cultural representations and what cultural and political work it performs. We situate our examination within three converging contexts: 1) the unleashing of public displays of women’s rage in Anglophone media in the wake of the #MeToo movement; 2) the changing cultural terrain of ageing women and their growing influence in public life; and 3) the rising visibility of menopause in the UK. We identify four distinct patterns: 1) construction of rage as a natural and biological symptom of the hormonally imbalanced ageing female body; 2) bundling of rage with other symptoms associated with menopause; 3) repudiation of menopausal women’s rage; and 4) positioning of menopausal women as responsible for managing their rage. These patterns render menopausal women’s rage visible while simultaneously disavowing and obscuring its legitimacy as an apt response to gender injustice. The analysis shows how menopausal women’s apt rage over gender and racial injustice is being depoliticized and reduced to hormone-induced behaviour that ageing women are exhorted to self-manage.

Exploring the Temporal, Spatial and Characteristic Trends and Key Influencing Factors of Tianjin’s Industrial Heritage

Tianjin is currently in the phase of urban stock renewal, yet its industrial heritage encounters significant challenges, including constrained spatial development, a misalignment between industrial progress and the reuse of industrial heritage, and an understated cultural representation. This study utilized geospatial analysis methods, including kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse analysis, and gravity migration model analysis, to elucidate the distribution characteristics of Tianjin’s industrial heritage across temporal, spatial, and typological dimensions. Moreover, a geographic detector was employed to assess the impact of various factors on the development of Tianjin’s industrial heritage, ultimately elucidating the correlations between existing challenges and objective patterns. The conclusion of this paper presents three strategic approaches for the renewal of industrial heritage, emphasizing historical culture, environmental space, and sustainable development. These strategies are designed to provide a solid research foundation for protecting and revitalizing Tianjin’s industrial heritage resources.

The Social and Cultural Representation of Saudi Dialects in the Media: A Sociolinguistic Study of Najdi and Hijazi Dialects

The Social and Cultural Representation of Saudi Dialects in the Media: A Sociolinguistic Study of Najdi and Hijazi Dialects

Reality TV, Nigerian Idol, and cultural preferences for Afrobeats music

ABSTRACT Reality TV, particularly Music Reality Shows (MRSs) like Nigerian Idol, has emerged as a significant dimension of television programming, providing a platform for cultural representation and interactivity. Afrobeats, a music genre that originated in West Africa, has gained global acceptance and recognition in recent years with great influence on the global cultural landscape. This study examined the cultural preferences of viewers towards the use of Afrobeats music in the Nigerian Idol reality TV show. Cultivation theory was adopted as the theoretical framework to investigate the level of viewership of Nigerian Idol among residents of Lagos, Nigeria, and explore their cultural preferences for Afrobeats music. Through a mixed methods approach involving a quantitative survey and focus group discussions (FGD), the study gathered data from residents of Lagos, Nigeria. The results reveal a reduction in viewership of Nigerian Idol compared to previous seasons, indicating shifting audience interests. However, there is a significant cultural preference for Afrobeats music compared to other genres of music, particularly those of foreign origin, among viewers who have encountered the Nigerian Idol. This also confirms the growing influence and acceptance of the fast-rising Afrobeats genre. The findings underscore the role of media, particularly television programmes such as Reality TV Shows, in shaping cultural identity and preferences. The correlation analysis confirms a strong relationship between viewership levels and cultural preferences for Afrobeats music in Nigerian Idol, highlighting the impact of television programming on audience perceptions and tastes for cultural artifacts like music. The study contributes to understanding cultural dynamics in the context of Reality TV Shows, music, and cultural entertainment, emphasizing the need for producers to adapt to evolving audience preferences and embrace digital innovations to sustain viewer interest.

Semantic Valence and Cultural Representation of Phraseological Units (Kazakh and English)

The rules for the compatibility of idiomatic units in the linguistic consciousness of native speakers are a particular problem that is related to the formation and evolution of the language norm. It is still unknown what is the catalyst for the transformation of language norms — usage or the laws and rules of the language. As a result of the cultural interpretation of a phraseological unit in the process of its use, the most important component of the cultural and linguistic meaning of the phraseological unit is formed, the content of which is the value-emotional attitude to what is happening. The focus of the article is the notion that phraseological valence - beyond grammatical structure to cultural and semantic dimensions. This perspective likely emphasizes the importance of cultural and semantic factors in shaping the meaning and usage of phraseological units, rather than purely grammatical considerations. Comparing English and Kazakh phraseological units with similar concepts but different cultural representations provides an insightful examination of how language reflects unique cultural perspectives and values. The article determines that there is a certain pattern in the semantic variation of phraseological units, and also compares the semantically equivalent and non-equivalent structure of English and Kazakh phraseological units. The purpose of the article is to prove that in the valence of phraseological units the role of the transitive meaning, rather than the literal meaning, predominates, and the grammatical construction has valency.

Analyzing assisted reproductive treatment representations in Italy and Spain through newspapers.

With the increase in infertility cases recorded over the last 20 years, there is a considerable demand for assisted reproductive treatments (ART). However, there is significant variation in the availability of such treatments across different countries. Legislation on assisted reproduction is influenced by various cultural expressions, making it seemingly impossible to create a single representation adaptable to different contexts. This work investigates the cultural representations of ART in Italy and Spain. We collected 1,735 articles from two Italian and Spanish newspapers, with all the articles containing the respective translation of ART from 2013 to 2022. The two corpora were analyzed using the Emotional Text Mining (ETM) methodology. The analysis produced 3 clusters in the Italian corpus and 5 clusters in the Spanish corpus. From the Italian results, a view of ART emerged that is linked to ethical limitations and the ideal of the traditional family. In contrast, the Spanish results depict ART in terms of community, rights, public health, and birth seen in itself. In conclusion, this study highlights the strong differences between Italian and Spanish cultures regarding ART. The results could be used to improve clinical practices and legislation surrounding ART.

Influence of Gender-Marked Kazakh Proverbs on the Content of Cultural Stereotypes

The purpose of the research is to analyze the content of the concept of "man" - "woman" based on Kazakh proverbs. The study of the concepts "man" and "woman" allows us to approach the study of gender as a cultural representation and reveal all its many-sided content, namely social, psychological, and cultural aspects. The analysis of proverbs in the research material is quite justified. Proverbs, reflecting folk wisdom, appear as a product of the people's creativity. They do not only reproduce the national-specific vision of the world, but also participate in its formation, and play a significant role in enriching the language with cultural concepts. They demonstrate the Kazakhs' idea of men and women as part of their linguistic worldview. Thus, to get the most complete picture of how gender manifests itself in the stereotypes fixed by the language, we consider it appropriate to describe the proverbial units of the Kazakh language, which reflect gender stereotypes. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to select appropriate material for analysis. A total of 30 Kazakh proverbs were selected from different sources. The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis to identify common patterns related to gender stereotypes.

Investigating cultural ecosystem services of the Caatinga on Flickr

Public interest in nature can be promoted through social media by assessing the importance of a species to people and identifying new emblems of conservationist appeal. We aimed to assess the public interest in cultural ecosystem services in the Caatinga (seasonal dry forest). Ecosystem services were categorized based on approximately 1500 photographs posted on Flickr. These photographs were analyzed using manual and deep-learning (DL) approaches. The most observed categories for both approaches were “Enjoyment of the Landscape” (36.8%), “Appreciation of Nature – Animals’’ (25.6%), and “Social Activities” (19.3%). However, we found significant differences between manual and DL classifications owing to the difficulties in classifying categories using the DL model. The findings suggest a low cultural ecosystem service representation on the photo-sharing platform Flickr in the Caatinga region, even after removing 67% of the collected data. This may be attributed to the limited interest in Flickr among the Caatinga residents. Deep learning (DL) techniques hold potential for studying cultural ecosystem services, but their efficacy depends on the algorithm's capacity to discern human-nature interactions and various natural elements. Our observations indicate that increasing the scale of the training and test datasets and incorporating additional categories to account for Caatinga diversity may enhance the results.

Research On the Impact of Pop Music In 2000s Films: Shaping Youth Culture Through Soundtracks

This research delves into the profound impact of pop music on youth-oriented films of the 2000s, examining aspects such as cultural representation, emotional connection, and financial gains. The introduction underscores the critical importance of this topic in understanding how media shapes youth culture and influences societal perceptions. By focusing on iconic films like "High School Musical" and "Mean Girls," the study illustrates how pop music is used to enrich narratives and captivate audiences, making it an integral part of the storytelling process. The analysis reveals several key issues, including cultural homogenization, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the prioritization of commercialization over artistic integrity. These challenges highlight the need for a more thoughtful integration of music in films to avoid superficial portrayals and promote authenticity. To address these issues, the research recommends expanding the range of musical themes to reflect diverse cultures and experiences, breaking away from stereotypes to foster more nuanced character portrayals, and balancing commercial objectives with creative expression in future film productions. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of this research in guiding media practices toward greater cultural diversity in youth-oriented entertainment. By adopting these recommendations, filmmakers can create richer, more diverse content that resonates emotionally with audiences while also contributing positively to the cultural landscape.

Representation of Cultures in Local Italian Language Textbooks for Chinese Universities: A Diachronic Content Analysis

ABSTRACT This study explores the evolving landscape of cultural representations within locally produced Italian as a foreign language (IFL) textbooks in the Chinese educational context. Employing a diachronic content analysis, three distinct textbooks spanning different chronological periods (1972, 1991, 2022) were scrutinised to discern the nuanced evolution of cultural representations. Findings reveal a notable transformation in emphasis, shifting from an initial spotlight on source culture towards an increasing prominence of target culture across successive textbooks. What is more, a consistent emphasis on cultural products, cultural practices, and cultural persons (this latter following Moran, 2009), with an emergence of cultural perspectives in the latest textbook, aligns with an evolving understanding of culture in the domain of foreign language teaching. The observed dynamics, evident through both explicit and implicit representations, underscore the multifaceted relationship between educational priorities, socio-historical contexts, and cultural representations in language textbooks.

Language, Cultural Identity, and Spirituality —A Case Study of the Representation of Minority Ethnic Subjects in Chinese Ethnographic Documentary

AbstractSince the 1990s, there has been a surge in ethnographic films by Han directors in China, highlighting the complex interplay of power dynamics between these filmmakers and the minority communities they portray. This study examines these dynamics through the lens of spirituality and cultural representation, focusing on the film “Ashiq: The Last Troubadour.” A case study and interviews with the director, Liu Xiangchen, reveal an essentialist portrayal of the Uygur Ashiq that emphasises their spiritual and cultural identity on Uighur language chant, inadvertently reinforcing Han dominance. The analysis suggests that while the director's intentions reflect a critical self‐awareness, the film perpetuates the marginalisation of the Ashiq. We argue that ethnographic cinema should offer a more nuanced depiction of ethnic minorities and their minority language to challenge social injustices further and promote inclusivity in China's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.

Cultural Sensitivity and Social Well-Being in Embassy Architecture: Educational Approaches and Design Strategies

Over the past two decades, the expanding environmental and ecological crises highlight the need to broaden the concept of sustainability to encompass support for cultural sensitivity and social well-being. This study explores the role of architectural education in fostering cultural sensitivity and social well-being in embassy architecture within a framework of environment–behavior studies. It starts from the premise that the architectural values of a culture are deeply rooted in the relationship between the users, architecture, and surrounding environment. State-sponsored architectural works (e.g., embassies, consulates, cultural centers) built outside the country are viewed as symbolic representations of a nation’s diplomatic and cultural influence. These architectural typologies hold a unique potential to act as bridges for cross-cultural dialogue and foster a collective sense of global citizenship. In order to develop and assess the teaching curriculum, a specific assignment was given to master’s students of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, with the aim to explore how engineering education can be adopted to motivate students toward sustainable attitudes and design solutions. While traditional diplomatic architecture emphasizes inward-facing, fortress-like design strategies, establishing physical and symbolic barriers between the embassy’s territory and the surrounding context, this research advocates for a more holistic approach oriented toward cultural sustainability, openness, and integration within an urban context. Key findings highlight creative solutions for balancing cultural representation with functional requirements while prioritizing community engagement, environmental responsibility, and user well-being. By demonstrating the two distinctive architectural strategies, this study contributes to the culturally responsive embassy design within the broader context of sustainable architectural education.