The Historian and ‘the End of History’: Scientific Reflections of Milorad Ekmečić on the Problems of Historical Methodology in the Era of the Consumer Society
Author(s): Jovan J. Aleksić / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 1/2023
Keywords: Milorad Ekmečić; historical methodology; consumer society; ‘the end of history’; the history of historiography.
This study is a part of a doctoral research project entitled Life and Work of Milorad Ekmečić (1928–2015), during which we realized that this distinguished Yugoslavian and Serbian historian in the late stage of his scientific career had shown particular interest in the problems of modern methodology of history. Studying his methodological work, which was very significant in the sense of quality if not volume, we came to the conclusion that he managed to achieve considerable results in that field, applying particular multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. With his intellectual calmness, but also with experiential concern, he observed the world around him and the new problems faced by historiography at the turn of the century. He detected them on several levels: matter of periodization of contemporary history; philosophy and the sense of history after finalization of the Cold War conflict; the consumer society as a syntagm for contemporary history; the lack of auxiliary historical sciences which would study reports of contemporary media; the alteration of the nature of historical sources; the need to strengthen the outer and inner criticism; and the censorship and auto-censorship phenomena. In this context, he tried to offer authentical answers to numerous challenges of contemporary methodology and open new horizons for further research of this demanding scientific matter.
On the use of dar și [but also] in current Romanian
Author(s): Adina Chirilă / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: literary language; grammar; stylistics; language cultivation; deviation;
In more recent normative works of the Romanian language, the way in which the sequence dar și [but also] is discussed indicates an acceptance of it among the copulative coordinating constructions, along with those organized in correlative pairs. As in the case of nu numai ..., dar și [not only..., but also], the correct involvement in the discourse of dar și is necessarily controlled by the latent adversative semantic content of the conjunction dar [but] from its structure. In everyday use, however, the transmitter no longer takes into account the fact that dar și “focuses the syntactic limb it precedes, presenting it as less likely, therefore more significant”. In situations as such, dar șiappears as a verbal excess, instead of the simple coordinating conjunction și [and]. The tendency could be justified by the speaker’s need to compensate, through the formal note and lexical agglomeration, for the simplicity (sometimes pauperity) of the content that is to be transmitted.
The following pages are a sample of possible directions for analysing translations from an ancient and very special language – the Homeric Greek – into a modern language. Even if the two languages are genealogically and typologically related, any translation, naturally, is a challenge in terms of mentality and the linguistic approach. When differences imposed by the genealogical and structural-typological criterion interfere between the two languages brought into cultural contact, the difficulties in rendering the original text increase very much. However, the new versions may be very well done, because, as it is known, any natural language has compensating virtues for rendering particularities in the source language. The corpus of texts selected for our little excursion into the diachrony of Turkish translations from theIliad and the Odyssey has been extracted from the most representative Turkish version, “Erhat-Kadir”. In order to render the texts in Romanian, we have used the best-known version in this cultural-linguistic area, the “Murnu version”.
[Re]domesticating the “History of Moldavia” by J.A. Gebhardi in the translation of Ioan Nemișescu. Translation practices at the beginning of the 19th century
Author(s): Alexandra Chiriac / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: national history; invisible translator; translation practice; domestication and foreignization; translation fluency;
The theory and practice of translation in the time of the Romanian Enlightenment (1770–1830) represents a productive field of analysis for the way in which texts, ideas and terminology travel in the European space. Using the concepts developed by Lawrence Venuti of “domestication” and “foreignization” of texts through translation, the paper aims to present a case study that highlights the way in which the translator, as an apparently invisible actor, brings before his public a fluent and natural discourse, scattered with foreignizing elements that draw the attention to the translation status of the target text. A universal history written by a German author for a German readership (Geschichte der Moldau by L.A. Gebhardi in 1788), translated into Romanian by Ioan Nemișescu as a scientific text of national history (Istoria Moldovii, 1808) represents a revealing example for a translation practice anchored in the social-cultural and linguistic reality of the target culture. The translation analysis of both texts illustrates the way in which the Romanian translator makes, deliberately or not, a series of choices of transposing the German text and terminology, choices that help provide to the Romanian readership a fluent text, which blends familiar elements with a foreign scientific perspective and a modern historiographic discourse.
A parallel between the first verse of the biblical genesis, the poem “The Secret Rose Garden” and the Sephirotic Tree of Kabbalah
Author(s): Andrei Victor Cojocaru / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: comparative analysis; philology; old literature; biblical text;
This article proposes a study on the border between comparative literature and the hermeneutics of symbols. Although the traditional literature of the Middle East offers many possibilities, the context of the analysis will focus mainly on a parallel between the representation of the Sephirotic Tree of Kabbalah (also called the Tree of Life) and certain verses from the poem “The Secret Rose Garden” written by Mahmūd Shabestarī. At the same time, we will use as a link between the two contexts a symbolic interpretation of the first verse of the biblical genesis. Along with highlighting some of the peculiarities involved in deciphering the Hebrew alphabet, this approach aims at an approach that facilitates the transition from a type of intellectual Kabbalah to a reception related to intuitive Kabbalah. Consequently, the comparative literature appears more as a pretext for contextualizing the method of approach, as well as for presenting illustrative examples.
Translating and adapting the lexicographic definitions in the Slavonic–Romanian Lexicon from the Ms no 3473
Author(s): Dinu Moscal,Ana-Maria Gînsac / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: old lexicography; Slavonic–Romanian lexicons; Ms no 3473 B.A.R.; translation; lexicographic definitions; historical semantics;
The late 17th century Slavonic–Romanian Lexicon preserved in the Ms no 3473 from the Romanian Academy Library belongs to a group of six Slavonic– Romanian lexicons translated following Pamvo Berynda’s Slavonic–Ruthenian Lexicon (Kyiv, 1627). These dictionaries most likely originate from a common unpreserved translation, having been studied mainly from the perspective of their filiation. The present study surveys aspects of the lexicographic approach in Ms no 3473, discussing the strategies adopted by the Romanian compiler(s) and their cultural determinant, the criteria applied in establishing the Romanian definitions and the semantic evolution of a few Romanian words. The examined examples reveal that the source was modified by simplification or, less often, amplification. Although the supplementary explanations mainly concern culture-specific terms and neologisms whose definitions often imply challenges, the definition techniques vary. Bilingual lexicons’ type definitions alternate with those of monolingual dictionaries type, which may be due both to the model and to the intervention of the translator and/ or the copyist.
Some remarks on an 18th century text and its fragmentary modern edition - Pildele filosofești [Philosophical Parables] (1713)
Author(s): Victor Celac / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: Philology; old documents; historical lexicology; old literature; translation;
In this article I will approach and try to clarify an unusual spelling (sumparao) which occurs in a text from the beginning of the 18th century, attributed to Antim Ivireanul. It is the question of a Romanian translation, made after an intermediate Greek version, of a distant French original. At the same time, I will point out some questionable (or more than questionable) spellings, from a fragmentary modern edition of the respective text, published by Alexandru Duțu in 1968 (ciocotințește for ciocotnițește; ciocotinția for ciocotniția; împărteșuțează for împărteșugează; roscoasă forroscoașă; scuteleșteforșutelește). I will also point out some unusual, rare lexical units, some of them representing antedatings compared to the oldest attestations registered in the reference works in the field (deletnicie; însoțime; răsfățăciune; soțiime). In so doing, I will propose certain semantic and/or etymological clarifications.
Author(s): John Dewey / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 15/2022
Keywords: logic; method; law; philosophy;
Human conduct, broadly viewed, falls into two sorts: Particular cases overlap, but the difference is discernible on any large scale consideration of conduct. Sometimes human beings act with a minimum of foresight, without examination of what they are doing and of probable consequences. They act not upon deliberation but from routine, instinct, the direct pressure of appetite, or a blind ‘hunch’. It would be a mistake to suppose that such behavior is always inefficient or unsuccessful. When we do not like it, we condemn it as capricious, arbitrary, careless, negligent. But in other cases, we praise the marvellous rectitude of instinct or intuition; we are inclined to accept the offhand appraisal of an expert in preference to elaborately calculated conclusions of a man who is ill-informed. There is the old story of the layman who was appointed to a position in India where he would have to pass in his official capacity on various matters in controversy between natives. Upon consulting a legal friend, he was told to use his common-sense and announce his decisions firmly; in the majority of cases his natural decision as to what was fair and reasonable would suffice. But, his friend added: “Never try to give reasons, for they will usually be wrong.”
Since its inception in 1994 as an organised group or network with a claim on rulership of the country, the Taliban has been generally described as an “Islamic movement” committed to the implementation of sharia in Afghanistan. Such description may accord well with the group’s professed objective but reveals itself reductive at best and misleading otherwise on closer scrutiny. This article argues that the “Taliban” represents a hybrid phenomenon that deploys religious and political narratives just as it deploys organised crime in pursuit of maximum power and profit.
A complex relationship between Taliban and ISIS is often assumed, but it has not been yet systematically investigated. In this paper we will attempt to compare the two groups in the areas of their social origins, how each appeared in the Islamic arena, organizational characteristics, the influence of other ideological movements or tribal mechanisms on their organizational system, political agenda, faith, theology, jurisprudence, ethics, and Mysticism by exploring the commonalities and differences that exist between the two groups. This paper also contributes towards the conceptualization of the immediate and long-term political and security implications of the Taliban’s return to power. In addition to that, the paper discusses the relations of these two groups with the ethnic fabric of their societies and their relationship with the rest of the ideological movements in the Islamic world. These two groups cannot be understood without delving into the deep roots of their theological foundation.
AN ALGEBRAIC THINKING SKILL TEST IN PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR SEVENTH GRADERS
Author(s): Janet Jahudin,Nyet Moi Siew / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 2/2023
Keywords: algebraic thinking skills; linear equations; problem-solving; Rasch analysis; validity and reliability;
Diagnostic tests have been developed previously to measure algebraic thinking skills; however, the tests do not specifically address algebraic problem-solving. Thus, an Algebraic Thinking Test (ATT) Instrument was developed to measure algebraic thinking skills in problem-solving involving linear equations. ATT comprises nine open-ended questions with three algebraic thinking constructs: Generalized Arithmetic, Functions and Modeling. Generalized arithmetic involves students in efficient calculation and generalization; functional involves identifying number patterns, while modelling involves solving open-ended problems, identifying similarities, and performing calculations involving variables. This study is meant to determine the quality of ATT instruments through the validity and reliability analysis using the Rasch Measurement Model. The sample consisted of 120 seventh graders aged 12 to 13, selected from two secondary schools in the Tuaran district, Malaysia. The instrument was found to have a strong dimensionality and high construct validity. The reliability of Cronbach Alpha (KR-20) demonstrated a value of .90 (very high), and item and respondent reliability of .98 (excellent) and .86 (good), respectively, with an item separation index of 6.29 and 2.45 for the person separation index. ATT has good validity and high reliability in measuring algebraic thinking skills among seventh graders in secondary schools.
DIGITAL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION OF COLLEGE STUDENTS: REALITY AND OPTIMIZATION PATH
Author(s): Haili Lu,Kefeng Fu,Xiaolin Liu,Wanshan Hu / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 2/2023
Keywords: college students; digital citizenship participation; multi-stakeholders; optimization path; participation characteristics;
Digital citizenship participation refers to the utilization of digital technology by individuals or groups for the purpose of engaging in networked participatory behaviors. It involves four interconnected elements: individual, policy, political, and social participation. This study surveyed 446 college students from a private university in China and conducted interviews to explore their digital citizenship participation. It is found that college students' digital citizen participation is characterized by "strong individual interest-driven participation", "weak political concern", and "good digital citizen literacy". In order to improve college students' participation as digital citizens, it is crucial to cultivate digital literacy by applying the core competency framework of digital citizenship as a guiding principle. To create a sustainable path for students' participation, a four-pronged approach is proposed involving multi-stakeholders, namely society, government, schools, and teachers.
JAHILIYYAH RHETORIC AS A DIVINE LEGITIMACY FOR VIOLENCE: A STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF SAYYID QUTB AND THE CONTEMPORARY ISLAMIST ORTHODOXY ONAL-QAEDA, THE TALIBAN, AND THE ISLAMIC STATE
Author(s): Mohammad Khalid / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 1/2023
Keywords: Islamism; religious violence; Islamist orthodoxy; Jihad; Muslim extremism; Jahiliyyah
The Islamic conception of Jahiliyyah brings together the three most debated Muslim militant organizations of our times, namely Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and the Taliban in terms of their justification for violence. It is discussed here that despite significant differences in their political agendas, social and cultural motives as well as religious denominational affiliations, the three organizations are hegemonic in their resort to the notion of Jahiliyyah while opposing the non-Shari’ah based political rule. They converge on the idea that there is an imperative to install a system based on Shari’ah and that any actors opposed to this can be treated as enemies, deviants, and infidels, hence, worthy of violent aggression. It is demonstrated here that this particular connotation of Jahiliyyah was essentially espoused in the works of Sayyid Qutb, one of the most influential twentieth century proponents of Islamism and global Jihad. Although developed primarily to denounce Western imperialists in a postcolonial context, one may see Jahiliyyah as a contemporary Islamic rhetoric for providing the three organizations in question, valid pretexts to wage armed insurgencies against whoever they view as hostile political forces. This overall narrative, as this study indicates, relates to the broader contemporary Islamist discourse on the legitimacy of political violence in the name of religion.
Keywords: Al-Qa’eda; ISIS; media discourse; messages; terrorism
Terrorist movements express their discourse through messages, which they are keen to send a specific state or people or the whole world. However, terrorist blasts are not the only message, but rather ideological reasoning accompanies every terrorist act. This was clearly observable in the discourse of Al-Qa’eda, especially as the group tried to rely on considerable grievances which cannot be denied. Al-Qa’eda has a wide and accumulated experience in turns and events, which make it a phenomenon worthy of study. With the development of Al-Qa’eda’s experience, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s power, speed of spread, ascendancy and brutality since it took control of Mosul without noticeable resistance on June 20, 2013 has been remarkable. This moment was a point of transformation in the media’s view of the organization. And it becomes clear that any of both organizations will not be sustainable so long as they lack justifications considered reasonable by outside observers and lack grievances to push their soldiers to recruit youth and convince them with their media arguments.
Keywords: terrorism; extremism; media discourse; ISIS; Al-Qaeda; Palestinian issue
This article examines the extent to which the Palestinian issue is exploited to promote cross-border terrorist movements. The analytical descriptive approach is employed to explore the evolution of the terrorist organizations, and trace the ideology, means, and content of their media discourse. The article reveals that the extremist groups utilized the value, sanctity, and nobility of the Palestinian issue to influence Arab and Islamic societies in an attempt to give legitimacy and credibility to their presence, media discourse, and terrorist acts; disseminate their extremist ideologies; rally support and recruit new elements, and emotionally influence the public perception. The article also concluded that these terrorist organizations refrained from targeting the Israeli occupation and opposed the Palestinian national narrative about the national and political nature of the Palestinian struggle.
TERRORISTS OR LEGITIMATE INSURGENTS? THE TALIBAN STATUS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
Author(s): Fawad Poya / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 1/2023
Keywords: Afghanistan; Taliban; al-Qaeda; Terrorism; International law; sanction
The term terrorism is not subject to a universally accepted definition. However, it is generally used to describe the use of violence against civilian targets to spread fear and distress and thereby achieve ideological and/or political objectives. Specific acts of terrorism, whether national or international, have been proscribed by respective laws. The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan after Kabul’s collapse in August 2021 has raised an important question: are the Taliban different from other terrorist organizations (e.g., al Qaeda, ISIS)? This debate is significant because the groups share ideological similarities and execution practices; and at present, the Taliban face challenges of both intent and capability vis-à-vis ceasing acts of terror and ending ties with other terrorist organizations. This paper argues that the lack of a universally agreed definition of terrorism may not affect the investigation and prosecution of the Taliban’s terrorist offenses. In this regard, this paper critically appraises three factors—accountability, ties with terrorist organizations, and the inclusion of Taliban members’ names in the global sanctions regime. It also demonstrates why the international community is obligated to take both legal and ‘non-legal’ actions against the Taliban to avoid the normalization of terrorism.
A THEORY OF RELIGIOUS GRIEVANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE CONFLICT IN AFGHANISTAN
Author(s): Omar Joya,Lutfi Rahimi / Language(s): English
/ Issue: 1/2023
Keywords: political economy of radicalism; religious grievance; radicalization; grievance-based theory of conflict; conflict in Afghanistan
Grievances have been an important source of conflict throughout human history. In this paper, we attempt to explain the conflict in Afghanistan beyond the economic reasons – a premise that dominated the development discourse in the post-2001 period, yet had limited impact in terms of reducing violence and countering insurgency. We present a theory of ‘religious grievance’ in understanding the conflict in Afghanistan which shows how individuals resort to insurgency in response to their perceptions of discrimination, political exclusion, and perceptions of threat to religious sovereignty. The theory explains how and when religious grievance turns into political grievance to engender conflict in societies where a political interpretation of religion is dominant. The paper concludes with a discussion of how radicalism can be contained by investing in and promoting alternative moderate discourses to delegitimize radical narratives that have been used as a conflict mobilization strategy.
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