Raazia Sajid Taqi; Sara Khazai; Rajabali Askarzadeh Torghabeh; Kaveh Azodi
Abstract
The present research applies game theory to Austen’s Sanditon (Austen, 1817b) by analyzing the novel’s characters in the light of games, choices, and rational thinking. The application of game theory is especially relevant, considering Austen’s particular focus on interactions and choices ...
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The present research applies game theory to Austen’s Sanditon (Austen, 1817b) by analyzing the novel’s characters in the light of games, choices, and rational thinking. The application of game theory is especially relevant, considering Austen’s particular focus on interactions and choices within society in her work. Moreover, a lack of incorporation of rational and mathematical models of decision-making in the field of literature, along with the shortage of academic studies on Austen’s Sanditon (1817b) prompts the present study. In the present paper, the major characters in Austen’s original novel fragment are divided into strategic and non-strategic (or clueless) characters. Some characters (Lady Denham, Charlotte Heywood, and Mary Parker) are found to be strategic, while others (Tom Parker, Sir Edward Denham, and Diana Parker) are established as clueless. On a larger scale, the study’s concentration on rational decision-making and the prediction of character decisions in Sanditon (1817b) creates an opportunity to incorporate empirical evidence while studying works of literature.
Eva Faridah; Sabaruddin Yunis Bangun; Sanusi Hasibuan; Albadi Sinulingga; Nurman Hasibuan
Abstract
Innovation and affordances of technology-based digital platforms offer ample opportunities to enhance the efficacy of language learning. Drawing on this issue, this study sheds light on the impact of reverse learning on developing EFL learners’ pragmatic competence. To reach the objective, 64 Indonesian ...
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Innovation and affordances of technology-based digital platforms offer ample opportunities to enhance the efficacy of language learning. Drawing on this issue, this study sheds light on the impact of reverse learning on developing EFL learners’ pragmatic competence. To reach the objective, 64 Indonesian EFL learners were divided into flipped and control groups. In the reverse group, the participants learned course materials posted through WhatsApp prior to the class. The in-class learning activities were mostly emphasized to enhance the participants’ communicative ability. This study employed pre-test and post-test on Discourse Completion Test (DCT). Moreover, a written self-report survey and a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire were administered to depict the participants’ perception and acceptance of reverse learning. The results portrayed that the participants in the reverse group were more actively engaged in the learning activities and got higher scores in the post-test. The results of the self-report survey and TAM questionnaire revealed that most of the participants of the reverse group appreciated the practice of reverse learning and voluntarily acknowledged WhatsApp as a satisfactory digital platform to facilitate learning.
Neda Daliri Beirak Olia; Mahmoud Reza Ghorban Sabbagh
Abstract
This article aims to highlight the ongoing presence of gender-role clichés in popular entertainment by analyzing The Fluffy Movie (2014). This case study attempts to show how mediated forms of humor are important indicators of discourse and culture. To that end, the study focuses on three instances ...
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This article aims to highlight the ongoing presence of gender-role clichés in popular entertainment by analyzing The Fluffy Movie (2014). This case study attempts to show how mediated forms of humor are important indicators of discourse and culture. To that end, the study focuses on three instances of Fluffy’s supposedly personal accounts where he imitates the Mock Feminine to play the role of the female characters in his performance. The multimodal analysis of both the content and the mode of Iglesias’ performance reveals how ideology is transferred to his audience. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effects of pernicious content such as comedy on its audiences and to emphasize our failure to keep up with the theoretical advances of feminism in practice. The analyses show that Fluffy’s performance, as an example of popular entertainment, depicts women in accordance with patriarchal gender roles that view women as unintelligent and ignorant, thus strengthening the sexist view of women in the minds of his audience.
Haitham Y. Adarbah; Ali Al Badi; Jawad Golzar
Abstract
Emerging data sources are gaining popularity because of their accessibility, pervasiveness, and enormous potential. Blogs, images, Twitter, Foursquare (location sharing), and Flickr (photography) are significant sources of information regarding human activities. There are several elements that influence ...
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Emerging data sources are gaining popularity because of their accessibility, pervasiveness, and enormous potential. Blogs, images, Twitter, Foursquare (location sharing), and Flickr (photography) are significant sources of information regarding human activities. There are several elements that influence decision making behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels, including information technology and decision support systems. Recent advancements in user interfaces for social tools, in conjunction with an increase in the usage of mobile wireless computers, have resulted in the creation of social networks that are instantaneous, widely distributed, mostly unmanaged, and pervasive. The proliferation of information and communication technologies continues to open new doors. In the age of big data and new data sources, the challenge for modern businesses is to align their decision making and organizational processes with data that could help them make more informed decisions. The study also proposed a culturally responsive framework that entails emotioncy and cultuling analysis to support institutions in the process of decision making when using emerging data sources.
Mohammad Reza Ghorbani; Gholam Hassan Khajavy
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine Iranian university students’ attitudes toward the US government and the English language in the Trump era. For this purpose, 359 Iranian university students who were taking general English courses took part in the study and completed two questionnaires ...
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The purpose of the present study was to examine Iranian university students’ attitudes toward the US government and the English language in the Trump era. For this purpose, 359 Iranian university students who were taking general English courses took part in the study and completed two questionnaires measuring their attitudes toward the US government and the English language in the Trump era. The results of the study indicated that Iranian university students did not have favorable attitudes toward the US government in the Trump era, while their attitudes toward the English language were more positive. Furthermore, we found that demographic information, including gender, field of study, educational level, and economic status could affect the attitudes toward the US government and the English language. We also found that participants with higher English language proficiency levels had more positive attitudes toward the English language. Finally, findings were discussed, and directions for future research were recommended.
Syerina Syahrin; Ali Algryani; Julius Irudayasamy
Abstract
This paper reports the uses and practices of literacy in English among a group of students in the Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Data was gathered from two undergraduate students. The findings of the study suggest that the students experienced rich and varied use of English outside of school ...
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This paper reports the uses and practices of literacy in English among a group of students in the Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. Data was gathered from two undergraduate students. The findings of the study suggest that the students experienced rich and varied use of English outside of school than in school. The study also uncovered that the students’ experience with English outside of school is largely afforded by new technologies and that popular culture played a considerable role in their lives. The investigation studied the in-school and out-of-school literacy practices of the two students to evaluate if there are complementing and contrasting features in the two environments. The findings of the study suggest that awareness of how students use and practice English in different communities may enable instructors to integrate elements of literacy outside of school into their school literacy practices to facilitate their learning. By incorporating elements of out-of-school literacy into school literacy, students may be able to engage in meaningful literacy uses and practices that help them face the growing challenges of using English in the 21st century, which is an important aspect of Oman Vision 2040.
Monika Widyastuti Surtikanti; Djatmika Djatmika; Riyadi Santosa; Diah Kristina
Abstract
Studies on presidential debates provide evidence that the use of boosters helps to convey strong emphasis on candidates’ ideology. This persuasive strategy is best portrayed through the schematic structure of presidential debates. Therefore, this study aims to scrutinize the boosters’ functions ...
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Studies on presidential debates provide evidence that the use of boosters helps to convey strong emphasis on candidates’ ideology. This persuasive strategy is best portrayed through the schematic structure of presidential debates. Therefore, this study aims to scrutinize the boosters’ functions realized in the first American Presidential Debate 2020. This is a qualitative study with a pragmatic approach that investigates booster’s functions using the domain, taxonomy, and componential analysis. The linguistic evidence in the result shows the candidates exploited several intensifiers largely, including force indication, source tagging, accentuating, and solidarity markers. These boosters emphasize the strength of past deeds, criticizing past policies to promote definite proposals, expose repetitive emotional expression, and seek solidarity in the thesis stage. Meanwhile, in the argument stage, they function as devices for articulating offensive and defensive arguments. The results imply the essential functions of boosters in the persuasive political discourse of presidential debate viewed from its communicative purpose reflected in each schematic structure.