ABSTRACT

The rise of Western and non-Western entertainment in Malaysia has faced resistance from Islamic conservatives who view foreign pop culture as a negative influence. Malay-Muslim fans of Korean pop, particularly women who wear hijabs, have been subject to extreme criticism, labelled as “cheap" or "obsessed," and shamed as idol-worshippers. While previous studies have explored the influences of K-pop, there is a gap in research concerning the experience of K-pop’s predominantly female fanbase, especially regarding their religious identity. Notably, there is a need to understand how young Malay-Muslim women who wear hijabs balance their religious beliefs with their love for Korean pop culture. In this paper, I share the preliminary findings from my pilot study, which seeks to address the research gap by exploring how these fans reconcile the conflict between their religious and fan identities. It includes examples from an in-depth interview I conducted with a fan, to demonstrate how two of the identity principles proposed by Bucholtz and Hall (2005) were employed in the analysis. These principles are in line with a social constructionist perspective on identity, which sees identities as co-constructed in interaction or to simply put as ‘talked into being’. The insights gained from this discourse analysis reflect the complex interplay of identity construction and negotiation involving self and other-positionings that include the rejection or validation of certain fan behaviours, as well as active engagement in balancing the fan identity and the religious identity. Additionally, the application of Bucholtz and Hall (2005) identity principles to the analysis of religious and fan discourses demonstrate the applicability and relevance of the principles in diverse contexts further enriching the broader scholarly discourse on identity and culture.

Keywords: Identity construction, religious identity, fan identity, K-pop, Malay-Muslim women

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ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of self-directed English listening activities on the autonomy of Chinese EFL undergraduates. The research is guided by four main questions: (1) How do self-directed listening activities contribute to autonomy? (2) Which self-directed listening activities do undergraduates prefer and find most impactful? (3) What challenges emerge during these activities? (4) How can strategies address these challenges and optimise autonomy in English listening learning? The study involves English major undergraduates and employs mixed methods to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Surveys and interviews are utilized for data collection, with surveys gauging preferences, effectiveness, and challenges and interviews providing deeper insights. Quantitative analysis, using descriptive statistics, identifies trends in the data, while qualitative thematic analysis uncovers patterns within the interview responses. The findings of this study aim to inform educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers, offering practical implications to enhance English listening teaching by assessing the efficacy of self-directed English listening activities in promoting autonomy. Empowering EFL students to take control of their language learning journey is crucial, and this research contributes valuable insights to achieve this goal. By examining the preferences, impacts, and challenges associated with self-directed listening activities, the study provides practical guidance for educators to optimise autonomy in English learning environments. Ultimately, the research contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve English language education for Chinese EFL undergraduates.

Keywords: autonomy, EFL undergraduates, empowerment, English language learning, self-directed listening activities

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ABSTRACT

This paper reports on cultural maintenance and Chetti identity in the Melaka Chetti (or Chetti) community at Kampung Chetti, Gajah Berang, Melaka. The study examines two very important Chetti cultural practices at Kampung Chetti and how community members identify themselves as Chetti, particularly in the prospect of impending assimilation into the larger Indian community due to exogamy. Participant observation and video documentation of the Bhogi Parchu and Mengammay at Kampung Chetti reveal that these annual cultural practices serve as vital platforms for the manifestation and maintenance of Chetti culture. Interviews conducted with senior and younger members of the community provided views and insights on Chetti culture, identity, and assimilation. The older generations view identity as a ‘brought along’ predetermined variable, while for the younger Chettis, their multiple, fluid identities are co-constructed, negotiated and ‘brought about’ in different social contexts. The older generations are more concerned and wary of assimilation and extinction. Three factors (religion, cultural maintenance, Kampong Chetti) may determine the community’s survival; however, in the event of assimilation into the larger Indian community, a less distinct Chetti community may emerge. It would be a significant loss to our multicultural mosaic if this distinct Peranakan Indian community ceases to exist; nevertheless, given recognition as a ‘heritage community’ by the Melaka government and as a ‘symbol of national unity’ in the recent Peranakan Festival 2023, the Chetti community may ultimately strive to survive. In conclusion, the Bhogi Parchu and Mengammay practices at Kampung Chetti not only play a pivotal part in carefully preserving the complex tapestry of Chetti cultural tradition but also contribute significantly to the dynamic and ongoing construction of a resilient identity among its members.

Keywords: Melaka Chetti, culture maintenance, identity, heritage community, Peranakan Indian

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ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on the English translation of Xi Jinping’s political discourse. This translation is not only a key component of China’s external publicity efforts but also embodies Xi Jinping’s diplomatic narrative style and the diplomatic thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, the latter of which mainly refers to the diplomatic policies and principles advocated by the current Chinese government under the leadership of Xi Jinping. By applying Mona Baker’s (2018) narrative theory, this paper aims to investigate whether and how the translation of Xi Jinping’s political discourse embodies these four core narrative features—temporality, relationality, causal emplotment, and selective appropriation—through textual analysis. It is found that the translation of Xi Jinping’s political discourse clearly manifests these four core narrative features. This not only highlights the key role and the effectiveness of the translator as the subject of translation but also provides strong support for the construction of China’s diplomatic narratives. Therefore, the narrative theory of translation has significant applicability to the translation and research of political discourse, offering a powerful analytical tool for this field.

Keywords: narrative features, narrative theory, political discourse, translation, Xi Jinping

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