Masaryk University Journals / Časopisy Masarykovy univerzity
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'I was doing something that wasn't aligned with me' : quit discourse on YouTube video diaries
No full textThe Great Resignation was a mainly American economic trend in which record numbers of employees voluntarily resigned from their jobs, beginning in early 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the neo-liberal thought, quitting could be viewed as a sign of weakness or an act of disobedience. This may partly explain why many American "quitters" (i.e. individuals about to or who have already left their jobs) have turned to social media platforms to upload (semi-)spontaneous videos in which they express their reasons and motivations for quitting their jobs in the form of public diaries. Within this specific historical and socio-cultural background, the present study offers a snapshot of the "Quit Discourse" by first adopting a linguistic perspective. Particularly, to understand how these individuals determine and redefine their emerging identity, the study combines sentiment analysis and corpus-informed methods with qualitative discourse analysis that draws upon recent theoretical insights from critical work sociology. Findings reveal that speakers construe quitting as a positive and beneficial experience of the self and represent themselves as purpose-driven visionaries
Strange intimacy : spirituality and intersubjective relations in Orwell's 1984
No full textThis essay deals with the spiritual dimension of George Orwell's 1984 (1949), focusing on a frequently overlooked aspect: the dynamics of the two central relationships of the protagonist, Winston Smith. Through an analysis of these relationships using the lens of Bataillean eroticism and Christian eschatology, I explore how the "strange intimacy" between Winston and O'Brien takes narrative precedence over the more conventional, unambiguously romantic affair with Julia. I also examine how the erotic undertones and the eschatological dimension of the two relationships can provide a new perspective on some of the fundamental issues of the novel, particularly its portrayal of the dichotomy between body and mind. In the focus of the analysis is the Ministry of Love torture sequence, in which the homoerotic Winston–O'Brien relationship is elevated to a spiritual level, creating an alternative, sacred temporality that prevails over the more traditional, physically driven relationship between Winston and Julia, which unfolds within ordinary historical temporality
Vocabulary, Reading Literacy, and Academic Achievement of Sixth-Grade Students: The Roles of Home Literacy Environments and Parental Linguistic-Cognitive Abilities
No full textČtenářsky podpůrné rodinné prostředí, tedy soubor aktivit a interakcí mezi rodiči a dětmi spojených s ranou gramotností, je významným prediktorem rozvoje jazyka, čtení, psaní či inteligence u dětí. Vztah mezi čtenářsky podpůrným rodinným prostředím a čtenářskými schopnostmi dětí je často interpretován jako přímý kauzální faktor. V poslední době se objevují studie, které se snaží vysvětlit souvislost mezi ukazateli gramotnosti rodičů a dětí pomocí potenciálně vrozených schopností. V této studii zkoumáme, do jaké míry lze souvislost mezi čtenářsky podpůrným prostředím a slovní zásobou, čtením s porozuměním a školním prospěchem dětí připsat jazykově-kognitivním schopnostem jejich rodičů (operacionalizované pomocí proxy indikátoru, tj. krátkého testu slovní zásoby) na vzorku žáků 6. tříd a jejich rodičů. Pro zodpovězení této otázky jsme využili mediační model v rámci strukturního modelování. Z našich výsledků vyplývá, že úroveň slovní zásoby rodiče predikuje slovní zásobu dítěte, porozumění čtenému i školní prospěch. Efekt slovní zásoby rodiče na slovní zásobu dítěte je zprostředkován skrze rodičem rozvíjené čtenářsky podpůrné prostředí. Rodiče s lepší slovní zásobou vytvářejí svým dětem gramotnostně podpůrnější prostředí, které však nemusí být významným kauzálním prvkem v rozvoji gramotnosti u dětí. Překvapivé je zjištění, že efekt slovní zásoby rodiče na porozumění čtenému jeho dítěte není zprostředkován skrz čtenářsky podpůrné prostředí. Tento výsledek tak implikuje potenciálně různé mechanismy v rozvoji gramotnostních dovedností. Tato studie na unikátních českých datech (rodič–dítě) ukazuje, že lepší výsledky žáků z podpůrného prostředí mohou spíše odrážet pasivní korelaci vrozených schopností a domácího prostředí než přímý vliv čtenářské podpory.The home literacy environment — comprising the activities and interactions between parents and children that are associated with early literacy — is a significant predictor of children's language development, reading, writing, and intelligence. The relationship between a literacy-supportive family environment and children's reading skills is often regarded as a direct effect. However, recent studies have sought to explain the relationship between parental and child literacy indicators through potentially inherited abilities. In this study, we examined the extent to which the association between home literacy environments and children's vocabulary, reading comprehension, and academic achievement can be attributed to the linguistic-cognitive abilities of their parents. These abilities were operationalized using a proxy indicator — a brief vocabulary test — administered to a sample of sixth-grade students and their parents. To address this question, we employed a mediation model within the framework of structural equation modeling. Our findings indicate that parental vocabulary levels predict children's vocabulary, reading comprehension, and academic achievement. The effect of parental vocabulary on children's vocabulary is mediated by the home literacy environment fostered by the parent. Parents with a more advanced vocabulary create a more literacy-rich environment for their children; however, this environment may not constitute a significant causal factor in the development of children's literacy. Interestingly, the effect of parental vocabulary on children's reading comprehension was not mediated by the home literacy environment. This result suggests potentially distinct mechanisms underlying the development of literacy skills. Using unique Czech data encompassing both student outcomes and their parents' characteristics, this study highlights that better student outcomes in supportive environments may reflect a passive correlation between innate abilities and the home environment rather than a direct effect of reading support
Čaj u Mefista: druhý ročník mezinárodní konference o výzkumu okultismu, Brno, 25.-28. října
No full textPolitical Polarization as a Trigger of Hard Euroscepticism: The case of Bulgarian 2024 EP Elections
No full textIn Bulgaria, where most of the population supports the European membership of the country, the space for Eurosceptic parties (hard or soft) is not very large. At the same time, as the case of Bulgarian 2024 European Parliament elections demonstrate a variety of political parties resort more and more often to Euros- ceptic rhetoric.Our article focuses on the most vocal Eurosceptic party in the country the political party Vazrazhdane (Revival). Vazrazhdane is a populist radical right par- ty that can be classified as a hard Eurosceptic party. In our article we argue that the hard Euroscepticism of Vazrazhdane is a result not only from the party ideological positions but also of the party strategic considerations. Another important aspect of the observed hard Euroscepticism of the party is the fact that is nurtured by the long lasting political crisis in the country and the significant political polarisation observed in Bulgaria.The article explores the hard Eurosceptic discourse of Vazrazhdane during the 2024 European Parliament Elections that happened simultaneously with snap general elections in the country. Our analysis is based on party documents, party manifestos and leaders’ and other officials’ speeches and interviews in the course of both EP and general elections in 2024
ANTARCTICA: Going places with ESP for Science
Get PDFAutorky v tomto článku představují nový mezioborový projekt s názvem „Antarktida“, který proběhl na Přírodovědecké fakultě Masarykovy univerzity. V rámci tohoto projektu spolupracoval tým učitelů cizích jazyků na zařazení série lekcí do kurzů angličtiny pro specifické účely (ESP). Tyto lekce se soustředily na výzkum o Antarktidě a jejich cílem bylo podpořit autonomii a jazykové dovednosti studentů ze třech různých oborů: biologie, geologie a geografie. Autorky v článku popisují postup, který začal seznámením studentů s tématem, a poté pokračoval přípravou studentských prezentací. Vrcholem projektu byla mezioborové minikonference, kde studenti předvedli své výzkumné projekty o Antarktidě. Studenti ve své zpětné vazbě ocenili formát minikonference, zejména skutečnost, že byli přizváni externí odborníci, aby poskytli své postřehy a komentáře ke studentské práci. V článku autorky zdůrazňují užitečné momenty z projektu a sdílejí své zkušenosti.This paper introduces a new interdisciplinary project titled "Antarctica," conducted at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. Within this project, a team of language teachers collaborated to integrate a series of lessons into their English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses. These lessons centred around the captivating research subject matter of Antarctica, aiming to foster autonomous learning capacities of students across three distinct disciplines: life science, geology, and geography. The authors describe the design process which began with students immersing themselves in the subject matter, followed by the exploration of the research proposal genre and presentation skills. Finally, students showcased their work at an interdisciplinary mini-conference. Students in their feedback appreciated the format of the mini-conference, especially the fact that external experts were invited to provide insights and commentary on student work. In the paper, the authors highlight the transferable moments for teaching that emerged during the project and share the valuable lessons learned.
 
Testing the homogeneity of climate series of surface air temperature in Barentsburg (Svalbard)
Get PDFObservations on surface air temperature in the Barentsburg (Svalbard) are one of the longest on the Svalbard. They started in 1932 (with a break between 1941 and 1947). In this study, we checked the homogeneity of this series, because the measurement site of Barentsburg meteorological station was relocated twice (in 1978 and 1984). The station relocation might be a cause of inhomogeneities in temperature data sets. During the 2nd measurement series (June 1978 – January 1984) microclimatic features were revealed, caused by the closer position of the measurement site to the fjord and its lower altitude than the former site had. However, the inhomogeneities on the boundaries of this period were not found by several statistical tests. Therefore, this series can be used in its original form without introducing any corrections to study the climate of Svalbard. The resulting composite series (1932-2023) contains the largest amount of direct instrumental observation data compared to similar series obtained at other weather stations of the archipelago
Further Escalation of the International Situation – Reports to the Military Office of the President of the Republic in Czechoslovakia on the Situation in Poland in 1936
Get PDFThe article focuses on the military-political reports of the Military Office of the President of the Czechoslovak Republic from 1936 and builds on the previous article dealing with 1935, which was conceived in a similar way and is a direct continuation.1 Czechoslovak-Polish relations in the interwar period were far from ideal. However, there were mutual contacts2 and the Czechoslovak military attaché in Poland and other representatives of the diplomatic corps played a very important role in this respect. Their surviving reports are quite detailed and tell of important changes and developments in Poland. This study presents them with a commentary on the events mentioned and with the necessary setting in the contemporary context
"Сделан былью…" : Франц Кафка в русских переводах
No full textThe article is the first of its kind to analyze the substantial body of Kafka's texts translated into Russian; it also describes the history of Kafka's reception through early translation in Russia and the dynamics of the changing literary scene regarding Kafka's work throughout 20th and early 21st century. The translation analysis covers Kafka's main novels (The Castle, The Trial, Amerika) and stories. The diaries, letters and aphorisms were selectively studied in the original and in translation, but were not included in the illustrative examples in this article due to its limited size. The translations done by R. Rite-Kovaleva, M. Rudnitskiy, G. Notkin, E. Katseva, S. Apt and others are analyzed alongside the newest much talked-of texts, such as the translation into Russian from the English translation done by L. Bershidskiy, which allowed us to address the underexplored topic of trilingualism in the literary translation. The author follows the views of Walter Benjamin on the reasons for multiplicity and quality of translations, as well as the opinions of A. Filippov-Chekhov about the technique "nouveau chamanique" as the expression of B. Brecht's epic system in translation.В статье впервые рассматривается значительный объем переводов текстов Ф. Кафки на русский язык, прослеживается логика знакомства с Кафкой в России — опосредованно и через первые переводы, — и описывается динамика изменения литературной среды его восприятия на протяжении XX – начала XXI веков. Анализ переводов включает основные романы Ф. Кафки ("Замок", "Процесс", "Америка") и малую прозу. Дневники, письма и афоризмы были также выборочно изучены в оригинале и переводе, но в корпус примеров не вошли, поскольку рамки статьи, к сожалению, ограничены. Переводы Р. Райт-Ковалевой, М. Рудницкого, Г. Ноткина, Е. Кацевой, С. Апта и др. дополняются новейшими нашумевшими текстами, такими как перевод Л. Бершидского на русский язык с английского перевода, что невольно заставляет затронуть малоисследованную тему трилингвизма в художественном переводе. Автор статьи ориентируется на взгляды Вальтера Беньямина на причины множественности и качество переводов и суждения А. Филиппова-Чехова о технике "nouveau chamanique" как своего рода воплощении эпической системы Б. Брехта в переводе