165,370 research outputs found
Martial arts fiction : translational migrations east and west
No full textThis thesis was motivated by Robert Chard's puzzlement over the translational
phenomenon of martial arts fiction in the West. It proposes to address how the
translational migration of martial arts fiction took place, first to other Asian countries in the
1920's, but to the West only after a lapse of a few decades beginning in the early 1990's.
Adopting a descriptive approach as described by Gideon Toury, the thesis is intended to
add further to the limited inventory of case studies in urgent demand to test the polysystem
theory propounded by Even-Zohar.
The thesis is made up of two parts. Part I is a macro-level study of martial arts fiction,
intended to contribute to testing the limits of the polysystem theory. After examining
Chinese fiction as a low form in the Chinese literary polysystem and its weak function as
translated literature in the Western literary polysystem, the study explores the translational
phenomenon of martial arts fiction in the West as well as the concurrent phenomenon as to
why so little of martial arts fiction has been translated into Western languages, compared to
the copious amount into other Asian languages, to the extent of stimulating a new literary
genre or (re)writing martial arts fiction in indigenous languages in Indonesia, Vietnam and
Korea, sinicized countries or countries boasting large overseas Chinese communities.
Issues and problems related to these translational activities and cultural phenomena are
presented as tools to test the limits of the polysystem theory.
Part II is a micro-level study focussing on the specifics of rendering Fox Volant of the
Snowy Mountain by Jin Yong into English. I will argue, in the main, that many difficulties,
inherent in both the translating and reading processes, can be constructed within the
theoretical framework of Andre Lefevere's concept of "constraint", particularly that of the
universe of discourse. Lefevere's connotation of the universe of discourse will be expanded
to embrace different cultural presuppositions and literary assumptions underlying two
divergent world cultures, hence different reader expectations in the reading process.
It is hoped that the findings and results of this descriptive case history of martial arts fiction
as a literary genre in translational migrations will contribute to the accumulation of
knowledge
The physical and psychological benefits of martial arts training for individuals with disabilities
No full textPlan BThe purpose of this study was to determine the physical and emotional benefits of martial arts training for persons with disabilities. Three specific research questions were asked: Does participation in martial arts training lead to a reduction in the functional limitations caused by an individual's disability? Does participation in martial arts improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in people with cognitive, developmental, and/or physical disabilities? Can martial arts improve an individual's perceived quality of life through the development of physical and mental fitness? A survey questionnaire was used to gather relevant information. Results suggested that martial arts training does help improve physical functioning, especially in the areas of increased strength, balance, and stamina. In addition, survey respondents reported an increased sense of well-being and overall improvement iridquality of life. Implication for inclusion of individuals with disabilities in martial arts training was discussed
Aikidō and spirituality: Japanese religious influences in a martial art
No full textThis thesis examines spirituality in the Japanese martial art aikidō, which was created in the 1940s in Japan by Ueshiba Morihei. He described aikidō entirely in spiritual terms and claimed that it is an art of peace which leads religion to completion. The study has two aims: first, to show how spirituality, defined as ultimate concern and action directed towards it, is possible in the context of a martial art; second, to gain an overview of the original teaching of Ueshiba Morihei which has been fragmented and often misunderstood since his death. After considering some conceptual hindrances to appreciation of spirituality in the martial arts, the main themes of Japanese spirituality are identified in order to provide context for spirituality in aikidō. An analysis of Ueshiba's life and the evolution of aikidō is then given. Spirituality in this martial art is then evaluated by comparing the aikidō world view and method of practice with those of four religious belief systems influential in Japan: Daoism, Zen Buddhism, Shingon Mikkyō and Shinto. The research entailed reading and analysing primary and secondary documents concerning aikidō in several languages scattered in private archives and libraries, as well as discussion with a member of the Omoto organisation, consultation of library resources and quality internet sites. By positioning aikidō within a religious context, this work aims to provide a clearer understanding of the origins of aikidō in Japanese spirituality and the intent of its founder. In so doing, it hopes to contribute to removing some of the confusion which has surrounded this art's role as spiritual technique since it spread outside Japan
Martial on Ovid on Ovid. Mart. 11.104, The Remedia Amoris, and Saturnalian Poetics
No full textThis article re-examines the interactions of Martial’s epigram 11.104 with Ovidian poetry. While previous interpretations have been primarily concerned with Martial’s manifest allusion to the Ars amatoria in this epigram, its hitherto neglected relations to Ovid’s Remedia amoris are here taken into consideration. The case is made that Martial systematically alludes to motifs from Ars amatoria as well as Amores in order to confront them with their respective reworkings in the Remedia. Thus, Martial’s epigram gives an exemplary reading of the Remedia as an inversion of Ovid’s former works. Ultimately, this engagement with Ovid’s Remedia stands in the service of Martial’s Saturnalian poetics
Investigating the decline of the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) in South Africa
No full textThe Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) is an African endemic that occurs over a wide range of habitats but at naturally low densities. There is concern throughout its range that it is declining and it now appears to be strongly reliant on protected areas. It is classified globally as Near Threatened by the IUCN with a current consultation underway to up-list it to Vulnerable or Endangered. In this project I describe and explore the decline of the species across South Africa, using data from two repeated national bird surveys - South African Bird Atlas Projects (SABAP 1: 1987-1993; SABAP 2: 2007-2012). These analyses suggest a relatively uniform decline across South Africa in Martial Eagle reporting rates of 59% over the last 20 years. Alarmingly, these declines also occurred in protected areas, including the traditional strongholds of the Kruger National Park (54% decline) and the Kalahari National Park (44% decline). Independent survey data, undertaken in the Kalahari National Park, confirmed these declines and reinforced the validity of using the two SABAP surveys to examine population change. Within protected areas, the species is still encountered five times more frequently and is six times as abundant as compared to outside protected areas. Between the biomes, the species is encountered the least and has the lowest abundance in the Grassland biome where tree density is low, and has the highest abundance in the Savanna biome where tree density is higher. Examining environmental correlates of these population changes provided some support for two hypotheses on the causes of these declines, with climate change (increases in temperature) and power line densities negatively associated with changes in reporting rates. Although this analysis also suggested support for declines being associated with avian prey declines, this was unlikely to be a major driver nationally, because I found that overall avian prey species actually increased over this time period. Within Kruger National Park changes in reporting rates were negatively associated with Elephant densities, which may be related to a reduction in nesting opportunities (large trees) for the species. These results are an initial attempt to assess the broad drivers of decline and should help focus and prioritize further detailed research to elucidate the mechanisms behind this species decline
St. George Martial Band
No full textEarly martial band in St. George said to be the first. Identified by Albert E. Miller and J. R. Cragum in March of 1958. Left to right: William A. Terry, James G. Bleak, Jr., Wilford Terry, Elisha Cragum, Captain Oswald Barlow, Thomas Bleak, Joseph Worthen, Orson Starr
[Report to Chief J. E. Curry, by an unknown author #1]
No full textReport to Chief J. E. Curry, by an unknown author. The report contains a list of officers who gave depositions to the United States Attorney
[Report to Chief J. E. Curry, by an unknown author #2]
No full textReport to Chief J. E. Curry, by an unknown author. The report contains a list of officers who gave depositions to the United States Attorney
Japanese martial arts (JMA) practice is an effective wellbeing strategy in post-COVID: a qualitative appraisal
No full textThis study aimed to examine the experiences of Japanese martial arts (JMA) practitioners during the COVID-19 to understand how JMA impacted on their mental wellbeing. Using online semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, we explored the first-hand experiences of JMA practitioners in COVID-19 regarding their mental wellbeing. 12 practitioners were recruited through the researchers’ network. Two research questions were established, exploring the impact of COVID-19 on their wellbeing (RQ1), and how JMA helped their mental wellbeing (RQ2). Four themes were identified. Theme 1 “Little impact on JMA practitioners’ wellbeing (responding to RQ1)”; Theme 2 “JMA training as a coping mechanism (RQ2)”; Theme 3 “Self-mastery and self-development (RQ2)”, and Theme 4 “Self-reflection (RQ2)”. Our findings suggest JMA practitioners maintained good mental wellbeing during the stressful pandemic time. Mental wellbeing benefits of JMA may be summarised as “self-care”, as self-mastery, self-development, and self-reflection were reported by the participants. These benefits may lead to better coping. Longitudinal and mixed-method research is needed to better understand their experiences
Does religion make a difference? : assessing the effects of Christian affiliation and practice on marital solidarity and divorce in Britain, 1985-2005
No full textMarital breakdown rates were examined among 15,714 adults from the British Social Attitudes dataset for 1985-2005. Separation and divorce peaked at around 50 years of age, and increased significantly over the period of study. Ratios of separation or divorce were compared between respondents who had no religious affiliation and (a) Christian affiliates who attended church at least once a month, (b) Christian affiliates who attended church, but less than once a month, and (c) Christian affiliates who never attended church. The results showed that active Christians were 1.5 times less likely to suffer marital breakdown than non-affiliates, but there was no difference between affiliates who never attended church and those of no religion. Christians who attended infrequently were 1.3 times less likely to suffer marital breakdown compared to non-affiliates, suggesting that even infrequent attendance at church may have some significance for predicting the persistence of martial solidarity
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