Culture-specific Aspects Research Articles

“We Hold Culture in Our Hearts”: A Phenomenological Study of Hispanic/Latina Homeschool Experiences

ABSTRACT Although one of the fastest-growing homeschool subgroups, there are no empirical studies specifically considering Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e homeschool families. This study asks Hispanic and Latina parents to describe what homeschooling means to them. Using phenomenology, intersectionality, and community cultural wealth, we interviewed 18 mothers across the nation. We find that preservation or reclamation of cultural heritage is the most meaningful result of the decision to homeschool. Specific aspects of culture found are family cohesion, familial language, and living the values of a strong work ethic and the need to be resourceful. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.

The Metaverse Territorial Brand: A Contemporary Concept

The “Metaverse Territorial Brand” integrates core and interconnected elements into a virtual, interactional, experiential, and immersive space known as the metaverse. This type of brand encompasses the connection with immersive territories that may or may not be digital twins of real territories. It also encompasses two interconnected physical scales: the territorial and the regional, involved in another type of emerging territorial scale, known as the metaversal scale. Therefore, the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” is a digital-immersive extension of the territorial brand of physical territories, encompassing specific geographical and cultural aspects, but directed to the metaverse environment. This brand is a symbolic digital construction, but also a multifaceted one that incorporates discursive and visual elements, articulated by the social actors of the immersive territory, aiming to create a specific and distinct identity for a space in the metaverse. When talking about social actors in the metaverse (users), we highlight that this set of actors may or may not be the same as the physical territory. It is also important to highlight that both the territorial brand directed to physical territories and the “Metaverse Territorial Brand” are formed from the power relations of a given set of social actors. Therefore, without the strategic intention of a plurality of social actors that stimulate these relationships, there is no type of territorial brand involved.

Transliteration in Selected Nigerian Novels and The Discourse in Traditional Ceremonies in Urhobo And Ukwani

The study investigates the use and importance of transliteration in selected Nigerian novels as well as the discourse in traditional ceremonies such as marriage and funeral in Urhobo and Ukwuani in Delta State. Unlike in literary works where some works have been done in transliteration, none has been carried out on the English used in traditional ceremonies. Even in literary works, studies on transliteration are mostly aimed at how English is "domesticated" to reflect African culture. None of the studies has actually specified what aspects of African culture each transliterated expression reflects. Owing to this gap in literature, this work aims at providing a socio-linguistic explanations for the special linguistic choices made in Achebe's Arrow of God, Anthills of the Savannah, Chimamanda Ngozi, Adichie's Purple Hibiscus and in traditional ceremonies. The theoritical framework adopted for the study is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis of communication accomodation, which attempts to explain the relationship between language and the interpretation of social reality. Data were sourced from the novels and the speeches of spokesmen in marriage and funeral ceremonies of heterogeneous nature and were analysed through descriptive method. The following research questions guided the analysis: i. Are there defining characteristics that determine the English used in the novels and the traditional ceremonies? ii. Are there similarities between the language used in the novels and the ones used in the traditional ceremonies? iii. Is the variety of English used relevant to African culture? iv. What specific aspects of African culture do the linguistic choices made reflect? The findings from the study show that the expressions identified reflect and promote African culture. The findings also show that there are similarities between the language of the novels and that of traditional ceremonies.

Collaboration, Connection, & Culture: Understanding the Impact of Institutional Culture on Online Teaching in Higher Education

Teaching and learning online is an increasingly important aspect of higher education, especially post-Covid-19. Previous studies have shown a relationship between Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and teaching efficacy and teaching efficacy and student success. However, the contextual factors impacting TPACK have not been adequately explored. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if the contextual factor of institutional culture impacts TPACK among online higher education faculty at institutions in the Southeastern United States as well as to what extent specific dimensions of institutional culture affect TPACK levels. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey that was shared with potential participants through email and social media. Data were analyzed through SPSS software using a multiple linear regression model to determine significance between the independent variables, the seven dimensions of institutional culture, and the dependent variable, TPACK. Results indicated that significance was found between two individual elements of institutional culture, 1) collaboration and team learning and 2) connection between the organization and its environment, and TPACK. These findings indicate that higher education administrators should focus efforts on creating opportunities for faculty to engage in professional development and move beyond siloed work to collaborative projects. Administrators should also ensure that the institution is connected to the local, regional, and global community through aligned institutional goals with the needs of the community and establishing opportunities for faculty to connect globally. Future research should focus on exploring the relationship between specific aspects of institutional culture that may impact quality online teaching.

Can items derived from international literature be used in national quality of life instruments? A qualitative study conceptualising the EQ-HWB in China

IntroductionThe EQ Health and Wellbeing (EQ-HWB) is a new questionnaire for measuring quality of life (QoL) from a broad perspective. The items of the EQ-HWB were derived based on a ‘qualitative review’ of literature, which reported primarily on Western studies. It can be argued that the QoL is a cultural-related concept and therefore people from China have a different understanding of the QoL. This study aimed to explore whether Chinese citizens could understand the EQ-HWB’s candidate items and what they thought of those items. In doing so, we wanted to examine the face validity of the candidate items and explore if further cultural adaptation is necessary.MethodsThis research was part of the E-QALY project, in which 36 candidate items were selected for the EQ-HWB from a 97-item pool. In China, three interviewers investigated the face validity of these EQ-HWB candidate items in semi-structured qualitative face-to-face interviews. Respondents were invited to report ‘problems’ with regard to the interpretation of the items and these problems were grouped into themes. We explored to what extent those themes related to specific cultural aspects in China. We also classified the rates of reported problems for each item into three groups: 1) less than 20%, 2) from 20–50%, and 3) over 50%.ResultsFor 17 items the rate of reported problems was less than 20%, 15 items fell into the second group (with 20 − 50%) and for 4 items the rate of problems reported was more than 50%. The thematic analysis revealed eight themes: ambiguous problems in the interpretation of 16 items; difficult to understand (11); contained a complex negative expression (10); examples used seemed inappropriate (7); misleading connotation in Chinese (2); long and complex (2); complex response options (1); and use of non-colloquial language (1).DiscussionOur research shows that EQ-HWB candidate items require careful examination to make them more comprehensible. Most of the reported problem themes were generic problems related to the items, and only a few face validity issues appeared to relate to specific cultural aspects in China, even though most of the items were based on Western studies. Our findings are reassuring for the instrument’s international application, especially in China.

Substance Use Among Illinois Farmers

Background: People in agriculture face unique stressors and occupational hazards, and relatively little is known about substance use in this population. The purpose of this study was to describe substance use among farmers in Illinois. Methods: We conducted a mail survey of Illinois farmers that included the Brief ASSIST to assess substance use for lifetime and past three-month use of ten different substances. The survey also included questions about farming characteristics, mental health, stress, coping, social support, and demographic characteristics. We used chi-square and non-parametric tests to assess group differences. Results: Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and sedatives were most reported as used for a lifetime and in the past three months. About three-quarters of the sample had recently used alcohol. Recent tobacco use was associated with not being married, less education, and less concern about climate-related farm stress. Recent sedative use was associated with greater concern about isolation-related farm stress. People who reported multiple substance use were at a greater risk for suicide and were more likely to meet the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. None of the participants reported recent use of cocaine, heroin, inhalants, or hallucinogens. Conclusion: Specific social and cultural aspects of farming and farm communities may contribute to substance use among people working in agriculture. Future research can help to better understand this intersection and make recommendations for programs and resources to promote adaptive coping strategies.

Investigating Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama

The traces of earliest human settlements are found on the bank of rivers which are one the natural forms of drinking water which are considered as a lifeline of the settlements. Since ancient time, Indian Culture assigned motherly values to rivers because of their significance in respective regional settings. Through-out the Indian Subcontinent, traditions and rituals evolved from ages around the rivers have shaped up some commonly followed cultural aspects along with some specific rituals to the rivers. Circumambulation of River Narmada, Shri Krishna Poojan on Yamuna River Banks at Vrindavan are examples of some of these specific cultural aspects. Out of the most sacred seven rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, Godawari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaweri); River Narmada has special cultural significance with its strategic geographical location dividing Indian subcontinent in Northern and Southern parts. This research is aimed to investigate the role of intangible Heritage in constructing the phenomenon of Narmada River Parikrama based on the parameters like historical importance, poetic references, mentions in Puraans, folk culture, religious importance, TapoBhumi Narmada (रेवा तीरे तप: कुर्यात!) with the very unique cultural aspect of Parikrama (Circumambulation) of a river as a deity. Parameters to understand cultural footprints were delineated to these aspects with the focus of completing one stage of research in stipulated time schedule. The religious aspect includes Tirthsthana (Sacredscapes) on the Parikrama Path on North and South banks, rituals, and activities followed by the devotees, and the connectivity of Lord Shiva with River Narmada. A famous verse says नर्मदा का हर कंकर है शंकर! (Means, each gravel of River Narmada depicts Lord Shiva.) Hence the religious thread in cultural heritage studies is very strong and needs to be established with the Parikrama perspective. The analytical methodology for conducting research included study of various literature references about River Narmada written by historians, poets, Saints, and ancient scriptures like Puraan, Mahatmya etc. available in the form of books, doctoral research thesis, research papers and scholarly articles. These literature sources refer River Narmada focusing on various perspectives. They are critically analysed and inferences regarding role of intangible cultural footprints around Narmada River banks in forming the Phenomenon of Parikrama are summarized in this paper. Next stage of the research or a way-forwards of this research study can be continued further to establish manifestation of Parikrama Concept in the tangible cultural heritage with respect to spatial planning and built forms.

The financial cost of coccidiosis in Algerian chicken production: a major challenge for the poultry sector

ABSTRACT Coccidiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Eimeria, is a significant economic burden to the poultry industry. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the financial losses associated with Eimeria infection in chickens in Algeria, relying on data provided by key stakeholders in the Algerian poultry industry to assess sub-clinical as well as clinical impact. We employed the updated 2020 version of a model established to estimate the cost of coccidiosis in chickens, taking into consideration specific cultural and technical aspects of poultry farming in Algeria. The findings predict economic losses due to coccidiosis in chickens of approximately £86.7 million in Algeria for the year 2022, representing £0.30 per chicken raised. The majority of the cost was attributed to morbidity (74.9%), emphasizing the substantial economic impact of reduced productivity including decreased bodyweight gain and increased feed conversion ratio. Costs associated with control measures made up 20.5% of the total calculated cost, with 4.6% of the cost related to mortality. These figures provide a clear indication of the scope and economic impact of Eimeria infection of chickens in Algeria, illustrating the impact of practices common across North Africa. They underscore the ongoing requirement for effective preventive and control measures to reduce these financial losses while improving productivity and welfare, ensuring the economic sustainability of the Algerian poultry industry.

Clinical paediatric tuberculosis research: field experiences from Cape Town, South Africa

Clinical paediatric tuberculosis research: field experiences from Cape Town, South Africa

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression Among Women in Low‐Income Developing Rural Areas: A Cross‐Sectional Study in China

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) significantly affects the welfare of mothers, infants, families, and communities. Mothers in rural areas often face low incomes, poor social security, low education levels, and inadequate medical services. These specific cultural, social, and economic aspects have led to a worsening of PPD in rural areas. However, the current situation of PPD among women in rural areas of China is still insufficiently explored.Aim: This study aims to explore the prevalence and risk factors of PPD among women in low‐income developing rural areas of China.Methods: A cross‐sectional design was used in this study. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was applied to evaluate PPD symptoms. General demographic questionnaire, obstetrics‐/pediatrics‐related questionnaire, and psychosocial‐related questionnaire were adopted. Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) was utilized to assess experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy and postpartum. Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) was utilized to measure their levels of social support.Results: Of the 467 participants, the overall prevalence of PPD among women in rural areas of China was 16.5%, and the average EPDS score was 8.35 (SD = 4.50). PPD occurred most frequently at 7–9 months postpartum (33.8%). Six factors associated with PPD were whether the sex of the baby was in line with the family’s expectations, monthly income of partners, social support, IPV during pregnancy and childbirth, and negative life events in the last 1 year, as well as physical and mental exhaustion from caring for a baby.Conclusions: This study sheds light on the prevalence and various risk factors associated with PPD among women residing in low‐income developing rural areas of China. The findings highlighted the need for targeted interventions and support systems designed to address the specific socioeconomic and cultural difficulties encountered by rural mothers.

Слои заимствований в карачаево-балкарской культурной лексике

Introduction. The publication of the joint monograph titled ‘Karachays. Balkars’ and edited by M. Karaketov and H.-M. Sabanchiev introduced into scientific circulation a large layer of vocabulary characterizing some specific aspects of Karachay-Balkar culture. Quite a number of lexemes associated with traditional culture prove absent in the Karachay-Balkar–Russian Dictionary (30,000 word entries). So, Karachay-Balkar terminology happens to comprise the already expected Turkic lexemes ⸺ and a huge layer of loanwords missing in other Turkic languages. Goals. The article attempts an analysis of borrowings in the Karachay-Balkar language that are not typical for other Turkic languages. Results. The etymological analysis has excluded the undeveloped (literary) Orientalisms of Arab-Persian origin associated with Islam, law, and social order. The greatest number of parallels is noted for Digor Ossetian: over 300 words contained in the mentioned monograph arrived from the latter language. Our investigation of the monograph was followed by additions of already existing etymologies from comparisons by V. Abaev ⸺ with some corrections and certain Digor Ossetian parallels. Some Orientalisms and Caucasisms assimilated into the target vocabulary have also been interpreted as Ossetian parallels, i.e. their penetration into Karachay-Balkar is assumed to have taken place through Digor. The remaining vocabulary is distributed among Western Caucasian loanwords and those from Nakh-Dagestani languages. The article provides complete materials of the borrowed terminology divided into semantic fields, which makes it possible to assess the degree and realms of cultural influence. Interpretations of how the borrowing may have penetrated into the vocabulary and, accordingly, of how the languages contacted prove instrumental in determining the intermediate ancestral homeland of the Karachay-Balkar forefathers. That may have been the area of historical Salatavia north of the Salatau Ridge, bounded on the west by the Aktash River, and on the east ⸺ by the Sulak River. The article is intended for Turkologists and experts in Caucasian studies. The material shall be of interest to historians, ethnographers, and culturologists.

Implementing Affordable Virtual Reality Interventions for Older Adults in Latin America: A Feasibility Study

Introduction:Virtual Reality (VR)-based meditation has shown to help reduce, stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger in younger adults. However, this has not been extensively studied in older adults. Furthermore, there are no standard guidelines on how VR mindfulness interventions should be implemented to ensure successful outcomes in different cultures and languages. The availability of affordable hardware raises the possibility of VR being used in low-income countries. The goal of this study is to describe and highlight some key considerations and challenges when implementing low-cost VR mindfulness interventions with older adults in Quito, Ecuador.Methods:We created a guided mindfulness intervention using low-cost VR (smartphones and Destek V5 headsets) for older adults with anxiety in Quito, Ecuador. This project is a collaboration between the Technology and Aging Lab at McLean Hospital and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Our goal was to recruit 20 older adults with anxiety from various outpatient settings in Quito. We used the free “Sites in VR” app and selected different nature scenes for each intervention. The intervention consists of a total of 10 sessions each lasting 30 minutes. We assessed depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). In addition, we also administered the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Behavior Activation for Depression scale (BADS).Results:At the time of writing, we have reached 100% of our recruitment goal and anticipate completing data analysis by January 2023. Qualitatively, our intervention revealed barriers to designing scalable VR Spanish language interventions in Latin America. Some of the main difficulties we encountered are described below: (i) There are very few virtual reality videos (360° videos) that are available for use with the DesTeK VS VR Headset in Spanish. We therefore, used a standardized Spanish narration to guide the mindfulness practice based on a script used in the United States. (ii) We found that majority of the available content is not suitable for mindfulness. Using the application Sites in VR remedied this concern, as it provides static 360° images, suitable for mindfulness. (iii) Not all technology necessary for VR interventions is readily available in Latin America: smartphones sold in Latin America do not always have a gyroscope sensor.Conclusion:Mindfulness interventions using virtual reality may be an effective way to address stress and mood symptoms in older adults across cultures. However, there are many culture-specific aspects that must be addressed before applying these interventions in different cultures. This study, conducted in Latin America, is an initial step toward the establishment of best practices and standardized low-cost VR mindfulness intervention in older adults, and many aspects addressed here may be generalizable to other cultures, settings, and countries.

Creating an Intercultural User-Centric Design for a Digital Sexual Health Education App for Young Women in Resource-Poor Regions of Kenya: Qualitative Self-Extended Double Diamond Model for Requirements Engineering Analysis

Background The stigmatization around sexual health due to culture, religious traditions, and norms leads to myths and a lack of available information and resources related to universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. Additional sexual health education not being part of the Kenya school curriculum leads to insufficient access to knowledge about safe contraception, menstruation, and female genital mutilation. A digital app could support and provide education and information for universal equal access, addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 5. Objective The study targeted the requirements for establishing a reusable framework to develop a successful accessible web-based sexual health education app and the behavioral intention to use it to obtain sexual health information by mainly young women in Kenya. Methods The double diamond model, with a problem room including the discover and define phases, enriched with cultural aspects and modeled to a self-expanded intercultural research model was used in a user-centered design thinking approach to develop a framework for requirements engineering analysis. For problem identification, semistructured pilot phase interviews based on Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were conducted, followed by expert interviews for qualitative content analysis. A sample size of 12 pilot phase interviews and 5 expert interviews was determined using data saturation. The responses were coded and analyzed according to the affinity mapping method. Results The requirements engineering analysis showed potential enablers of and barriers to the use of a digital sexual health education app. Through this qualitative study, a conservative cultural background, classic text communication, and the influence of social affiliation within society were identified as barriers, which should be enhanced through visual and auditory channels as well as a fictional character in the app. Conclusions The developed intercultural research model provides an impetus to providing digital sexual health education, integrating culture-specific aspects in the design process, while focusing on cultural and religious stigmata. The reusable framework enables identifying and overcoming hurdles in providing information about taboo and intimate topics. The overall use of online education tools focusing on intimate topics is correlated with accessibility and understanding specific cultural needs while delivering content on a basic and comprehensive level. It helps the target user from a social conservative background and in resource-poor circumstances to benefit from a digital educational solution.

온라인 활용 상호문화 프로젝트학습에 대한 영어학습자의 인식과 경험

This paper investigates tele-collaborative project learning in which Korean EFL learners perceived and experienced Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) based on Byram’s intercultural competence(1997) in foreign language learning. This study is follow-up research of “Development and Implementation of a Platform-based intercultural English Teaching and Learning Model.” Participants were paired to do the intercultural project utilizing Zoom and social media platforms during the pandemic period. We adopted Byram’s assessment guidelines to analyze the process and perceptions of the students’ learning experiences by ethnographic method. The data was collected from the learners’ self-reflection reports, zoom-meeting observation, learners’ video presentation, and interviews. By comparing the two cultures, the paired Korean-American participants delved into their chosen topics of Korean and American culture and society. This study addresses the following three points: The tele-collaborative culture project facilitated participants in gaining insights into specific aspects of American or Korean culture; the project helped raise the participants' intercultural awareness; and the participants had the critical cultural awareness on their own culture in the global societies. They also realized that they need to build up their practical English ability to appropriately explain their own culture. This study implies that foreign language teaching needs to be redesigned to draw the learner’s direct learning to improve learners’ intercultural competence with the use of advanced technology in the global society.

Otome Games: globalization and glocalization processes, conceptualization and data analysis of Brazilian players

This paper endeavors to examine the concept and features of Otome Games in a comprehensive way by conducting an exploratory narrative review and applying a e-survey to understand the Brazilian Otome Game market and player's culture. This article also discusses the globalization and glocalization process of Otome Games, covering the actors, market share, exportation process, social issues, indigenization, culture, and definition. Furthermore, this paper offers a historical definition of Otome Games and their relation to Japanese feminine culture. Additionally, a fitting definition for Otome Games and other types of games - known as Josei Muke - is introduced. The indigenization process of Otome Games in South Korea and Brazil is also explored, demonstrating how this process is improving tourism and animation markets via transmedia. Finally, this paper presents data analysis from an E-survey of the Brazil fan community of Otome Games, revealing specific cultural and market aspects unique to Brazil setting it apart from other countries where Otome Games have been studied.

Exploring Food-Based Cultural Practices to Address Food Insecurity in Rural Appalachia.

Health behaviors, like diet, are influenced by a person's culture and the society where they reside, contributing to the presence of health disparities within a unique region. Such disparities are evident in Central Appalachia where a unique cultural identity exists. Culture-based initiatives focused on improving food security and other nutritional challenges have had success in other diverse groups, yet similar interventions considering geographically tied culture, like Appalachia, are limited. This study aims to identify specific aspects of Appalachian culture that address food insecurity to inform future initiatives that may improve adult dietary habits and food security status. Qualitative data were collected from five focus groups in one rural Central Appalachian community in 2021 (n=59). Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory Approach. Four primary themes related to culture and food insecurity emerged: 1) Community decline and economic hardship 2) Shifts in multigenerational food traditions 3) Response to limited food access and 4) Community decline and economic hardship. Participants revealed adaptations they have made in the face of geographic isolation and poverty and the pride they take in providing for themselves and one another. These findings indicate the people of Appalachia are unknowingly leveraging cultural practices to address food insecurity, yet the impact of these practices on nutritional status remains unknown. These results have implications for future studies and interventions in Appalachia which may have greater success by accounting for cultural influences compared to traditional approaches for reducing food insecurity in the region.

The Inventory of Nonordinary Experiences (INOE): Evidence of validity in the United States and India.

Researchers increasingly recognize that the mind and culture interact at many levels to constitute our lived experience, yet we know relatively little about the extent to which culture shapes the way people appraise their experiences and the likelihood that a given experience will be reported. Experiences that involve claims regarding deities, extraordinary abilities, and/or psychopathology offer an important site for investigating the interplay of mind and culture at the population level. However, the difficulties inherent in comparing culture-laden experiences, exacerbated by the siloing of research on experiences based on discipline-specific theoretical constructs, have limited our ability to do so. We introduce the Inventory of Nonordinary Experiences (INOE), which allows researchers to compare experiences by separating the phenomenological features from how they are appraised and asking about both. It thereby offers a new means of investigating the potentially universal (etic) and culture-specific (emic) aspects of lived experiences. To ensure that the INOE survey items are understood as intended by English speakers in the US and Hindi speakers in India, and thus can serve as a basis for cross-cultural comparison, we used the Response Process Evaluation (RPE) method to collect evidence of item-level validity. Our inability to validate some items drawn from other surveys suggests that they are capturing a wider range of experiences than researchers intend. Wider use of the RPE method would increase the likelihood that survey results are due to the differences that researchers intend to measure.

A Record of the Tea Retreat: The Chaliao ji by Lu Shusheng

Abstract The Chaliao ji 茶寮記 (A Record of the Tea Retreat) by the scholar-official Lu Shusheng 陸樹聲 (1509–1605) stands out in the vast corpus of essays on tea produced in the late Ming dynasty for two reasons. Firstly, the social status of its author, who held the highest official position among all tea writers of the period, shows that tea appreciation was actively discussed among the highest echelons of the late Ming gentry. Secondly, the Chaliao ji is the earliest publication to bring together the issues of the construction of a private tea room, prescriptions for the preparation of loose-leaf tea, as well as instructions for savouring the beverage, thus further delineating specific aspects of literati tea culture as social markers. This study examines the background and content of Chaliao ji. It first provides an overview of Lu Shusheng’s biography, from his experience in officialdom to his later life in retirement, focusing on his construction of a garden and his commitment to Buddhism and tea appreciation. It then discusses the contents of the text, the several extant editions and issues regarding its authorship. Finally, it provides an English translation of the Chaliao ji accompanied by the Chinese text and commentary.

Effectiveness of the positive discipline program applied to parents of preschool children: A randomized-controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough the Positive Discipline Program is used extensively internationally, there are very few evidence-based studies on it. This study aims to examine the experimental results of the Positive Discipline Program. MethodThis randomized-controlled study had the following types of groups: intervention, active control, and non-contact control. The study sample consisted of 72 parents with children aged between 3 and 6 years. The intervention group participated in an eight-session online Positive Discipline Program, the active control group participated in an eight-session online free interaction program, and the non-contact control group received no intervention. ResultsParents in the intervention group demonstrated an increase in cooperation with their children after the training and during the follow-up period. In the intervention group, parents’ oppressive and authoritarian attitudes decreased after the training and during the follow-up period; spouses’ democratic attitudes increased after the training and their overprotective attitudes decreased in the follow-up period. Parent–child communication and unhindered listening increased in the intervention and active control groups. The problem-solving skills of the intervention group increased after the training and during the follow-up period, and sensitivity increased in the follow-up period. ConclusionAs one of the few experimental studies implementing the Positive Discipline Program, this study revealed the strengths of the program as well as culture-specific aspects that need to be improved. Further, this program was effective in improving parents’ relationships with their children, attitudes, and problem-solving skills, and it provided evidence for the program’s positive contributions to raising a child. Implications for practiceThe Positive Discipline Program can guide parents in solving the developmental and school-related problems of preschool children as well as school and adolescence children.

LEXICAL COMPARISON OF MALAY-FRENCH CULTURES IN THE TRANSLATION OF ‘RIMBA HARAPAN’ NOVEL

This paper discusses the analysis of vocabulary differences involving culture in the translation of the novel Rimba Harapan. This novel was written by Keris Mas. Data related to human cultural vocabulary were collected from the novel Rimba Harapan and translated into the French, La Jungle de l’espoir, which became the subject of research. The theoretical framework for data analysis included the cultural classification put forward by Newmark (1988) and the meaning component analysis performed by Kempson (1991). Text comparison methods were used to identify similarities and differences in meaning between the source text and the target text. The results of the analysis show that there are lexical differences in the translation process of Rimba Harapan. The results showed differences between the Malay culture in the French-language novel can be described as a lack in the lexical semantics of cultural identity. The results of this study can be of practical guidance in relation to the specific cultural aspects when using the strategy of translation when matching between English and French language.