Colloquium: New Philologies (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
167 research outputs found
Sort by
Neologisms at historical turning points: Czech example
Get PDFNeologisms that had never entered official dictionaries present valuable research topic, proving the velocity of social changes. Several such examples are mentioned by V. Dvořáčková in an article about supplements (Dodatky) to the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Czech Language (PSJČ). Supplements had never been published (mostly because of the fact the vast majority of changes it contained were included in the SSJČ, a new dictionary being prepared simultaneously with supplements to PSJČ). Among neologisms Dvořáčková had sorted out were words which had never become dictionary entries, such as a pejorative term černoprdelník, meaning the priest, that reflects attitudes of political regime of the time towards the Church. Dvořáčková states that words such as černoprdelník are of great significance in exploring social changes in the Czech society of the time (1940–1950). Having in mind the iconic connection of lexicographic work and ideology, T. Dickins points out that not only the users of language understand the importance of dictionary of their national language, but so do the governing structures. Dictionaries are not only a window into the patriotic thought, but also in the dynamics of power. Therefore dictionaries are social facts filled with traces of influence (and pressure) of political regimes and also of attitudes (and resistance) towards them. The analysis of neologisms occurring during the turning points of a nation\u27s history provides a valuable insight into the users\u27 attitudes towards their language and nation. In the first part of my paper I will discuss this claim based on the examples from Czech lexicography throughout the 20th century by using relevant monolingual dictionaries, dictionaries of neologism published within Czech Language Institute and chosen examples of neologism and neosemanticism. In the second part of my paper an analysis of Czech neologism published in the database of Czech neologism Neomat will be presented. The published database contains of corpus excerpted 2013–2018. Special attention will be dedicated to the words belonging to political discourse (e.g. those containing prefix euro- or words whose meaning is related to the question of migrant crisis).
ContentChosen examples of Czech neologisms occurring during the historical turning points of 20th century.Analysis of Czech neologisms published in the database Neomat 2013–2018 concerning political changes of current time
Resisting Nationalism: Understanding Thomas Pynchon’s Postnational Vision From Mason & Dixon To Against The Day
Get PDFThe creation of so-called alternative worlds in his fiction has been seminal in establishing Thomas Pynchon as a postmodern writer. From the mysterious worlds of lady V. and the Tristero postal system in his early novels to the fictive worlds of a sailing airship beneath desert sand and the Deep Web and the software DeepArcher in his later fiction, these alternative realities have been investigated by distinguished critics from different points of view. Regarding the possibility of a post-national imagination in Pynchon’s fiction, in relation to his alternative worlds, several acclaimed scholars have prominently addressed this issue. Nevertheless, the narrative of Against the Day still needs to be meticulously analysed. This essay aims to investigate how Pynchon’s post-national vision calls into question and resists the overreaching metanarrative of nationalism in the world. By analysing the alternative realities, in connection with the issue of temporality, this essay attempts to depict the instantiation and development of a post-national vision from Mason & Dixon to Against the Day which questions the long-established dominance of nationalism in the worl
„Und wenn‘s geht, schau, dass es episch aussieht“: Epische Strukturen im Fantasy Live-Rollenspiel
Get PDFLive-action-role-play, short LARP, is an increasingly widespread hobby in Germany. The aim is to slip into different roles together with other participants in order to play and present a particular story. Even if the participants\u27 personal immersion is in the foreground, it cannot be denied that most of them also attach importance to the reception of their game by other participants. Therefore, an aesthetic component of the game is indisputable. While the most obvious comparison here is with dramatic play, this article aims to examine the structural and aesthetic similarities between the medieval epic and the LARP
Most Characteristic Elements of Sign Language Texts Are Intricate Mixtures of Linguistic and Non-linguistic Parts, Aren’t They?
Get PDFThere is a considerable number of sign language linguists who accept as proven that essential parts of sequential-simultaneous constructions in sign languages (henceforth: SL) are “gestural” and therefore do not have language status, i.e. are “non-linguistic”. This judgement applies to all elements of SL where spatial parameters are used to code indexical and iconic meanings or spatial relations. The respective argumentations contain many methodologically questionable steps and are particularly led by a strong bias towards a spoken language (henceforth: SpL) perspective. This bias includes an uncritical adoption of the results of research on gestures to SL (“uncritical” means that the inconsistencies in gesture research itself were not considered); despite the fact that gesture research was performed exclusively on SpL. Therefore, a discussion of the assumptions and analysis processes concerning SL is urgent. In order to overcome the SpL bias in SL linguistics we need a typological model which takes both SpL and SL as instances of “language” in different modalities. By abstracting from both types of language, a new extended model of “language” can be developed.
I will perform my analysis from the perspective of a typological language model which comprises both SL and SpL in equal measure. A comprehensive typology assumes that every language shows those categories which its users select as the best suited for the chosen modality or modalities. It cannot devaluate visually appropriate ones against acoustically appropriate ones. By this I want to prove that the assumption of an enormous number of gestural components in SL texts, intricately combined with language elements – concerning essential areas of SL grammar – is untenable.
The methodological shortcomings of the “Gesture School” to be indicated are: The authors neither apply a modality-independent model of language, nor transfer “gradience” and “conventionalisation” to SL conformly to typology and semiotics. Additionally, we find no consideration of:
* the coding conditions and possibilities of SL, especially related to indexical and iconic (in contrast to symbolic) morphemes
* the relation between gradient production and categorical cognitive processing in all languages
* the contrast between listability and the application of rules (by inadequate application of the listability criterion against SL morphemes like classifiers, ignoring the existing grammatical rules for them)
Transition: Trauma of the spiritual Renewal
Get PDFTransition as a political and economic concept in literary culture is an empty signifier. The article detects frames of altered value relations and incidentally earned traumas through the paradigm of FAK-ian “type” realism. Both trauma and transition are spectacular and that is their only literary function
Double Standard: Corporate Media Ideologies and the Attack on a UN Convoy in Syria
Get PDFOpinions about the reliability of news media have become largely dichotomised. The two major factions are those who embrace mainstream media and fundamentally trust them, and those who automatically reject mainstream news as propaganda. The aim of this study is to question and critique specifically the former view by pointing out the ideologically charged nature of mainstream news, while, at the same time, distancing itself from the latter extreme as well. The current system of news-making, it will be argued, essentially limits the presentable perspectives to those of the elite and the establishment, and breeds conformism. To demonstrate my points, I will analyse the coverage of the attack on the United Nations aid convoy in Urum al-Kubra on 19 September 2016. The analysis is limited to four major British news outlets. The focus will be on how the media subtly attach credibility to certain sources while discrediting or dismissing other, no less informative ones, based on the ideological favourability of what information they have to share. Discursive strategies of interest are foregrounding and backgrounding, the inclusion and exclusion of information, the embracing and questioning of sources, and the promoting and discrediting of views, etc. The main emphasis will be on the false impression of factuality and the unquestioning acceptance of otherwise highly questionable claims or allegations.