Understanding Of Culture Research Articles

Shifting focus - the need to prioritise an inclusive public health approach to trauma

Abstract Since 2017, the Welsh government has prioritised the development of a Public Health Approach to understanding the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Taking the work of Bellis et al, and the population level research to understand the prevalence of ACEs, and associated risks (Bellis etc al, 2015), the ACE Hub Wales was established to coordinate a multi-agency, cross sector approach to preventing, tackling and mitigating the impact of adversity in childhood. The Hub developed its approach to advocate for more public awareness of the life course risks to health if the right support was not accessed or available to children, such as poor mental health and chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease in adulthood. From 2021 there has been a dramatic shift to attempting to understand the experiences, and unmet needs, of children and people who have come to Wales to seek sanctuary, migrant women who have no recourse to public funds, and people experiencing racism and discrimination. In 2021, the ACE Hub Wales co-produced a Wales national trauma-informed practice framework including a set of principles placing inclusion at the heart of the approach in Wales; shining a light on the need to have a cultural, intergenerational and gender-based understanding of adversity and trauma which links directly to, informs and supports the government’s ambitions to be a nation of sanctuary and to be anti racist by 2030. To continue to ignore the experiences of adversity and trauma by people of colour, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people; is to perpetuate the health inequity experienced in healthcare, and justice systems. Wales has committed to developing wisdom, not just knowledge, that means that a public health approach is inclusive of all of our communities in Wales. Key messages • The experiences of racialised ad minoritised communities from population studies of adversity and trauma is traumatizing. • Understanding the life course impact of adversity and trauma must include the experiences of racism and discrimination to be inclusive and trauma-informed.

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.

A Case Study of a Chinese English Language Learner: Effective English Language Learning Through Interaction

Abstract: This article examines the English learning process of Mei, a 20-year-old Chinese university student, using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. Qualitatively, semi-structured interviews and natural observations explored Mei's learning experiences and social language use. Quantitatively, her English proficiency was assessed through CEFR-standard language assessment tests. The study found that: 1) Mei demonstrated high cultural and linguistic sensitivity in social English, effectively using slang and humor; 2) While her vocabulary and syntax skills were sufficient for daily and academic conversations, her vocabulary depth was lacking in complex contexts, potentially due to native language interference. These findings have significant implications for second language acquisition teaching, highlighting the importance of cultural knowledge and suggesting personalized teaching methods to enhance learners' language communication and cultural understanding.

“Idol talks!” AI-driven image to text to speech: illustrated by an application to images of deities

This work aims to provide an innovative solution to enhance the accessibility of images by an innovative image to text to speech system. It is applied to Hindu and Christian divine images. The method is applicable, among others, to enhance cultural understanding of these images by the visually impaired. The proposed system utilizes advanced object detection techniques like YOLO V5 and caption generation techniques like ensemble models. The system accurately identifies significant objects in images of Deities. These objects are then translated into descriptive and culturally relevant text through a Google text-to-speech synthesis module. The incorporation of text generation techniques from images introduces a new perspective to the proposed work. The aim is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the visual content and allow visually impaired individuals to connect with the spiritual elements of deities through the immersive experience of auditory perception through a multimodal approach to make them feel inclusive in the community. This work is also applicable to preserve Cultural Heritage, Tourism and integrating with Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Images of the artistic cultural legacy are hardly available in annotated databases, particularly those featuring idols. So we gathered, transcribed, and created a new database of Religious Idols in order to satisfy this requirement. In this paper, we experimented how to handle an issue of religious idol recognition using deep neural networks. In order to achieve this outcome, the network is first pre-trained on various deep learning models, and the best one which outperforms others is chosen. The proposed model achieves an accuracy of 96.75% for idol detection, and an approximate 97.06% accuracy for text generation according to the BLEU score.

Principles of Teachers’ Multicultural Competences Development in the Art Cycle Disciplines

Multicultural competencies in education refer to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable teachers to effectively engage with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. In the context of art cycle disciplines, these competencies are particularly significant because art, in its various forms, is a powerful medium for expressing cultural identities, values, and traditions. Educators with strong multicultural competencies can help students appreciate and understand the rich tapestry of global cultures, fostering respect and empathy in the classroom. The article aims to determine the methodological principles of the development of multicultural competencies of teachers in the disciplines of the art cycle, how to develop multicultural competencies for students in the modern world, and prepare them for practical activities in the future. The methodology involves a systematic approach, which provides: a comprehensive literature review, defining research questions and hypotheses; outlines the general strategy of the research; an in-depth analysis of individual practices of developing the multicultural competence for teachers in the disciplines of the art cycle oriented to international/global projects such as "One Belt, One Road"; selection of successful practices for imitation and adoption (implementation); data analysis; conclusions and recommendations. Results. Art cycle disciplines explore the role of culture in personality development, emphasising the need for the constant development of students’ worldviews and the search for methods to prepare for multicultural competence development. By prioritising students’ perspectives and taking into account changes in the cultural environment, teachers can develop cultural sensitivity, a cornerstone of multicultural competencies. Conclusions. International experience and individual practices show that the following activities can be very effective: in-service workshops and professional development seminars specifically focused on multicultural education; creating learning communities where teachers and stakeholders (potential employers) can share their experiences, resources and strategies; encouraging teachers to use interdisciplinary approaches; participation in cultural immersion programs can significantly improve teachers’ understanding of different cultures; encouraging teachers to reflective practice and self-assessment; methodical support for curriculum development, which includes various cultural perspectives, etc.

Can ChatGPT Revolutionize Language Learning? Unveiling the Power of AI in Multilingual Education Through User Insights and Pedagogical Impact

ABSTRACTIn the era of accelerating globalization, the necessity for multilingual education is increasingly prominent. This study investigates the effectiveness of the AI‐based chatbot ChatGPT in multilingual teaching applications. This study employs a quasi‐experimental research methodology to examine the experiences of 100 international students at a university in Western China. The investigation delves into multiple dimensions of ChatGPT's effectiveness, including user interface design, operational experience, educational interaction, student engagement, personalized learning recommendations, and the enhancement of cultural understanding. The findings indicate that ChatGPT demonstrates significant potential in multilingual teaching, particularly in providing personalized learning support and facilitating cultural comprehension. However, improvements are needed in aspects of user interface friendliness, interaction naturalness, and depth. This research not only provides empirical support for the use of ChatGPT in multilingual education but also introduces a fresh perspective on integrating AI technology into educational practices, thereby advancing its role in multilingual teaching.

Corpus－Based Study on the Translation Methods of the Figures of Speech in Zhuang’s Folk Songs of Napo

The figures of speech in Zhuang’s Folk Songs of Napo exhibit distinct cultural characteristics compared to mainstream Chinese folk songs or Western literary traditions, and their translation requires careful attention not only to the figures of speech but also to the effective transmission of Zhuang culture. Based on a self-built bilingual corpus, this paper examines the translation methods of figures of speech in the English translations of Zhuang’s Folk Songs of Napo. The study reveals that translators predominantly use literal translation to preserve the cultural features of figures of speech while also incorporating free translation and imitation to align with the target language and cultural norms. By analyzing the figures of speech in Zhuang’s Folk Songs of Napo, this study explores their unique cultural characteristics and the challenges in the translation, contributing to a better understanding of Zhuang culture among the target readers and fostering cultural exchange and dissemination.

Exploring linguistic and cultural barriers in literary translation: an analysis of undergraduate students' strategies and challenges in translating Albanian texts into English

Purpose: Investigate the challenges undergraduate students face when translating Albanian literary texts into English, focusing on the cultural and linguistic considerations that impact the translation process and the concept of translation loss. Methodology: Qualitative analysis of the translation methods used by non-English-speaking students, examining the types of cultural loss, challenges, and solutions encountered. Data were collected by studying translated excerpts from the Albanian literary work "Prilli i Thyer" (Broken April), with attention to the strategies employed by students to address translation challenges. Findings: Students predominantly used literal translation, resulting in implicit, modified, and complete cultural losses. Key challenges included translating Albanian cultural words, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical differences. Despite these challenges, students demonstrated proficiency and versatility in literary translation, employing strategies such as adaptation, direct translation, borrowing, and omission. Implications: The findings highlight the need for enhanced cultural competence and linguistic skills in translation education. Recommendations include using Albanian-Albanian dictionaries and a deeper engagement with Albanian culture to improve translation accuracy and reduce cultural loss. Recommendations: Students should be encouraged to develop a comprehensive understanding of the source culture and to utilize creative translation solutions. Peer collaboration and feedback are also recommended to refine translation skills and strategies. Conclusion: This research contributes to the field of translation studies by shedding light on the intricacies of translating Albanian literature into English. It underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and linguistic proficiency in producing accurate and culturally resonant translations, ultimately fostering a more interconnected and diverse literary world

Cultural Factors, Social Structures, and Social Determinants of Health: The Need for Clarity in Assessing Psychopathology

Abstract Over the past decade, researchers translating anthropological theories for clinical use have debated how practitioners should assess cultural factors, social structures, and social determinants of health with patients. Advocates of structural competency have suggested that clinical cultural competency programs demonstrate limited effects on health outcomes because of the static understanding of culture employed. They recommend that cultural factors be reformulated with an emphasis on social structures. In response, researchers in cultural psychiatry specializing in cultural assessments have developed three models—sociocultural formulation (SCF), the cultural-ecosocial view, and the contextual developmental assessment—to integrate cultural and structural factors. Their methods for integration, however, differ, resulting in various understandings of psychopathology mechanisms. This paper analyzes arguments from all four positions in this debate. It reveals a lack of consensus about interrelationships among these constructs, their definitions, and methods for assessment. The article concludes with recommendations, such as developing consensus definitions with broad stakeholder involvement; adopting a data-driven approach to clarify how specific cultural, social, or structural factors interact; and identifying how extant assessments capture clinically relevant factors across constructs to develop additional assessment tools.

Issues in Machine Translation with reference to the Story “Thakur ka kuan” by Munshi Premchand

This paper explores the issues encountered in machine translation, specifically using Google Translate, in translating Munshi Premchand's short story Thakur Ka Kuan ("Thakur's Well"). The study identifies key challenges, including the misinterpretation of cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and contextual meaning that are integral to Premchand's narrative style. Machine translation often produces literal translations that lack the nuance and emotional depth present in the original text, leading to misrepresentation of the story’s themes. For instance, socio-cultural terms and metaphors central to the story's message are frequently mistranslated or omitted entirely. The translation also struggles with maintaining consistency in tense and sentence structure, further diluting the narrative. This paper argues that while machine translation offers convenience for basic translations, it remains insufficient for complex literary works, where cultural, emotional, and contextual understanding is crucial. A comparative analysis with a human-translated version highlights these deficiencies and suggests that human input remains essential for accurate literary translations. The findings underscore the need for improved machine learning models to address these linguistic and cultural intricacies.

Chimpanzees employ context-specific behavioral strategies within fission-fusion societies.

Fission-fusion social systems allow individuals to make flexible choices about where, with whom, and in what contexts to spend their time in response to competing social and ecological pressures. The ability for fission-fusion societies to support individual behavioral strategies that vary across contexts has been suggested, but the potential function of such context-specific social choices remains largely understudied. We adopted the concept of social niche construction to explore possible differences in social complexity at the individual and group level across feeding contexts. Specifically, we examined patterns of co-attendance across two common ecological contexts in wild Central African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes) in the Goualougo Triangle, Republic of Congo. From data compiled over 6years, we used multidimensional social network analysis to study the patterns of co-attendance generated from 436 group scans at Ficus and 4527 visits to termite mounds. These two contexts were chosen, because they are both fixed spatial features across the landscape that serve as well-defined points to compare association patterns. We identified context-specific social niche construction in a fission-fusion chimpanzee society that produce different patterns of relationships and social complexity that are consistent in their expression over many years, and offer functional benefits. While enhancing our understanding of chimpanzee behavioral strategies, culture, and conservation, our investigation also indicates that the social niche construction framework aids in elucidating the evolutionary advantages of fission-fusion sociality by accounting for intra- and interindividual variability, cognition, and choice in newfound ways.

Management and organizational research in Asia Pacific: insights from a 40th anniversary review of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management

AbstractGrasping the evolving landscape of management and organizations in Asia Pacific is vital for addressing the challenges and opportunities they both face in the region and beyond. To do so, we conduct a systematic literature review using a bibliometric analysis of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management (APJM), the leading journal for management and organizational research in Asia Pacific that is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A total of 915 articles published by APJM from 2001 to 2024 were retrieved from the Scopus database and subsequently subjected to a performance analysis of productivity (publications) and impact (citations) alongside a science mapping of knowledge (themes). This study reveals a steady increase in APJM publications and citations, underscoring the journal’s growing influence. The globalization of collaboration networks is a noteworthy trend, highlighting the interconnectedness of research efforts across borders. Major themes include cultural understanding and interpersonal networks, as well as the adaptability of organizations in emerging economies. Areas such as innovation, performance, and corporate governance highlight the importance of growth, competitiveness, and responsible management structures, while research on major Asian markets like China, India, and Thailand underscores the relevance of globalization and multinational strategies. The findings offer future directions in key areas such as emerging economies and institutional environments, relationship networks and social resilience, innovation and digital transformation, managing internationalization, and methodological innovation.

Development of Digital Teaching Materials for Short Story Texts Based on Local Wisdom in Middle Schools (Phase D)

Education must integrate local wisdom to prevent cultural values ​​from fading in the era of globalization. The Merdeka Curriculum supports this with the flexibility to emphasize character education and independence. Digital teaching materials based on local wisdom, such as short story texts, can improve students' reading, writing and cultural understanding skills. The aim of this research is to develop and test digital teaching materials for short story texts based on local wisdom for junior high school students. This research used the ADDIE method with the help of 2 media and language validators as well as 6 students and 3 teachers in testing teaching materials. Data collection techniques were carried out using questionnaires, interviews and documentation. The teaching material design process begins with an analysis of student needs and the curriculum, followed by creating a storyboard and validation by two validators who state that the teaching material is very worthy of being tested. The implementation of local wisdom-based teaching materials shows high effectiveness, with student responses reaching 90% and teacher responses 87%, both in the very good category.

Mobile-enhanced virtual exchanges through asynchronous video interaction: Learners as ethnographers in the L2 classroom to promote intercultural communicative competence

This practice report focuses on the integration of virtual exchange (VE) with mobileassisted language learning (MALL), where learners act as ethnographers within the context of language education. This VE model harnesses mobile technology capabilities to exchange personal and immersive cultural insights through asynchronous video content using Flip.com. The model consists of three integrated sections: Preparation, Intercultural Exchange, and Reflection. This report covers a pilot implementation of the mobile-enhanced VE model to evaluate the outcomes on Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC). The project lasted eight weeks, covering various topics, such as greetings, food, and education. Participants were L2 learners of Spanish in the United States and L1 Spanish speakers in Spain. Outcomes were evaluated through a survey where students in the United States self-assessed their perceived ICC gains. This survey, grounded in Byram’s (2009) ICC model, measured changes in students’ attitudes, knowledge, skills of interpreting and relating, skills of interaction, and critical cultural awareness. Students reported substantial improvements in all areas of ICC, highlighting enhanced engagement and understanding of the target culture facilitated by the mobileenhanced VE model. This report provides insights for the incorporation of mobile technology for VE projects in L2 settings, emphasizing its role in expanding global interconnectedness and deepening intercultural learning among learners by offering a more dynamic, authentic, and immersive learning experience.

Investigating Gender-Based Stereotypes in Advertisement Landscape: A Multimodal Analysis of an Indian Town

Abstract This study examines the prevalence of gender stereotypes in outdoor advertising within an Indian satellite town, focusing on the portrayal of women and men in stereotypical gender roles. Images of outdoor advertisements were collected from the busy streets and subjected to purposive sampling for analysis. The analysis was done with critical discourse analysis and multimodal discourse analysis. The results reveal a clear endorsement of men in powerful and high-status positions, while women are consistently depicted as objects and confined to traditional roles as homemakers. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of addressing gender issues, not only for cultural understanding but also for recognizing the pervasive influence of gender-based social conditioning, which undermines the foundation of an equitable society.

Enhancing Learner Autonomy and Cultural Awareness: Strategies of Vietnamese Tertiary-Level EFL Teachers

<p style="text-align:justify">This qualitative study investigates the strategies employed by Vietnamese tertiary-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to promote learner autonomy (LA) and enhance cultural awareness. This research provides a deeper understanding of EFL teaching practices in this setting, conducted in the context of Vietnam’s evolving educational landscape, where English proficiency and cultural competence are increasingly prioritized. The study utilized semi-structured interviews with nine EFL teachers from two different Vietnamese tertiary institutions, representing various career stages: novice, mid-career, and near-end career. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, revealing a range of strategies encompassing collaborative learning, technology integration, personalized feedback, real-life scenarios and role-play, reflective learning practices, local culture incorporation, contextualized language instruction, critical thinking, and cultural analysis, student-centered environments, interdisciplinary approaches, language skills for intercultural communication, and authentic material use. Findings highlight the multifaceted nature of language teaching, emphasizing not just linguistic competence but also cultural understanding and LA. These strategies are crucial in a globalized world where intercultural communication is a key skill. The study suggests the need for continuous professional development and policy support for diverse and holistic teaching practices. It offers practical insights for EFL educators, particularly in similar socio-cultural contexts, on integrating various strategies to enhance language skills and cultural awareness.</p>

Influence of Translation Techniques on the Accuracy of Interpretation of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This study analyzes the influence of translation techniques on the accuracy of the interpretation of Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women". The three translation techniques analyzed are literal translation, idiomatic translation, and dynamic equivalence. This study uses a qualitative method with a content analysis approach from the novel “Little Women”. This method was chosen to explore in depth how translation techniques affect the accuracy of interpretation in the translated novel. These findings emphasize the importance of choosing the right translation technique to maintain the integrity of literary interpretation. This study also highlights the importance of considering cultural and social contexts in the process of translating literary texts. It was found that a deep understanding of the author's original culture is essential to produce an accurate and meaningful translation. In addition, this study recommends that translators have strong linguistic and literary skills to be able to transfer the nuances and meanings contained in the original text into their translations. The findings of this study can be a valuable guide for translators and researchers in understanding the complexity of translation techniques and their impact on the interpretation of literary texts.

How fan clubs manage the authenticity of fans’ identities in Chinese idol culture

While existing research on Chinese fan cultures has explored various aspects of fan identity and fan labor, little attention has been given to the role that identity authentication plays in mediating the relationships between fans and the idol industry. This study examines the influence of fan clubs on identity authentication and management within Chinese idol fandom. Drawing on theories of social identity and authenticity, we explore how Chinese fan clubs establish criteria for being a real fan based on emotional loyalty to, and financial and data labor support of, idols. We also show how fan clubs use social media to surveil and discipline fans whose behaviors jeopardize fan clubs’ work or idols’ commercial value. The findings contribute to cultural understandings of the organization of Chinese fandom generally, and more specifically of Chinese fan clubs’ intermediary roles in shaping fans’ everyday identities and practices.

Influence of European Genre Model on Chinese Chamber Instrumental Ensemble with Piano

In today's world, the rapid development of Chinese culture and its influence on the music scene underscore the necessity for systematic research into the Chinese piano chamber ensemble. The growing interest in this musical genre challenges many widely accepted notions about musical tradition and prompts a deeper understanding of its characteristics and impact on contemporary music art. The purpose of the research is to study and analyse the musical and cultural interrelationships within the Chinese piano chamber ensemble to better understand its essence and role in the modern music world. The research methodology is based on a comprehensive approach, incorporating analysis of musical material, historical and cultural methods, as well as comparative analysis. Modern theoretical concepts are applied to reveal the significance of the piano chamber ensemble in the context of cultural transformation and to examine the interaction and influence of national and non-national musical traditions on the formation of the musical genre, as well as its role in cultural exchange and interaction between different cultural traditions. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the first attempt to systematise and analyse the musical-cultural interrelationships within the Chinese piano chamber ensemble, which opens up new horizons for further understanding of musical culture and processes of cultural exchange in the contemporary world. The conclusions of the research testify to the importance of the Chinese piano chamber ensemble in contemporary music culture and its potential as a phenomenon of musical art. It not only reflects the interrelationship between national and non-national musical traditions but also serves as a significant factor in cultural exchange and interaction between different cultural traditions.

A Javanese Dance is A Representation of Rasa in Javanese Culture

This paper presents the concept of rasa in Javanese culture embodied in Javanese dance. The ethnographic approach in the Ethnochoreology discipline used as a step in data collection was in-depth interviews with actors (dancers, choreographers) in a society with a Javanese cultural scope. The observation step in the data collection effort was carried out using the involved observation model or participant observer, completed by data collection through literature and relevant documents. The theoretical perspective and concept used as the basis for thinking in discussing the case study of the Ela-ela dance in this paper is the concept of rasa, as put forward by Paul Stange. Namely, that rasa is a "tool" or "means" of perception, or a "function" of "whisper of heart or intuition", and rasa in Javanese dance as expressed by Katarina Indah Sulastuti, that rasa in Javanese dance is an element that is integrated with the senses in the body in a comprehensive manner which involves: the sensibility of heart vibrations, sharpness of intuition, imagination, bodily intelligence, and understanding of Javanese culture. Javanese dance, in the example of the case study, the Bedhaya Ela-ela dance is a representation of the rasa in Javanese culture, namely that the Bedhaya Ela-ela dance is a form of dance that substantially depicts the life of the Javanese people and the culture of rasa which involves issues of ethics, aesthetics, and religion in Javanese culture.