TRANS-KATA: Journal of Language, Literature, Culture and Education

Dealing With Territorial Boundaries, Space, and Time in Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi Novels (Postcolonial Perspective)

2024-01-29T12:09:05+07:00

Today's globalization eliminates time, space, distance, and national barriers. The two novels examined in this study implied those issues. The objective of this study is to analyze the territorial boundaries, spatial dimensions, and temporal aspects that evoke a profound impact in Robinson Crusoe and Life of Pi, employing a postcolonial perspective. Both of these works originated from a shared concept, specifically the theme of being stranded as a result of a shipwreck. However, these novels were written throughout distinct times spanning several centuries. Robinson Crusoe was published in the 18th century, whilst Life of Pi was published during the 21st century. The similar concept of "Castaway" does not imply the creation of an identical narrative. The level of precision in the portrayal of territorial boundaries, space, and time in these two works is noteworthy, but they exhibit certain distinctions. The narrative of Robinson Crusoe prominently features people embodying the roles of master and slave, hence highlighting the concept of social boundaries. Contrarily, Life of Pi explores the ambiguous nature of borders about territory, space, and time, as they are consistently subject to dispute. Consequently, the delineation of power dynamics between characters is likewise a matter of contestation. In conclusion, these two novels convey two different ideologies by territory, space, and time considered through the lens of post-colonialism. The span of centuries demonstrates the diversity of human interpretations of them. Robinson Crusoe conveys the idea that colonialism is inevitable. Meanwhile, Life of Pi interprets colonialism as cruelty.

The Barzanji Tradition in The Context of Cultural Studies: Exploring The Debate Between Sunnah and Bid'ah

2024-01-09T15:16:07+07:00

This article discusses the role of the famous Islamic literary work Barzanji in the context of cultural studies about concepts such as tradition, sunnah, and heresy in Islam. The Barzanji is a work that recounts the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with awe and affection and has become an integral part of religious traditions in many Muslim-majority countries. This article also aims to examine the importance of understanding tradition and sunnah in diverse cultural contexts, as well as addressing the potential issue of heresy in religious practices related to the use of Barzanji. This research uses a qualitative method with a cultural studies approach. The cultural studies approach was chosen because this research wants to examine the complex interaction between Barzanji and Muslim society. Overall, this study concludes that Barzanji plays an important role in upholding and strengthening religious identity in certain Muslim communities, especially through its recitation in religious events. That is the context of religious practice, change or innovation (bid'ah) is acceptable if it conforms to the basic principles of the Sunnah. That is, there are situations where bid'ah can be used to enhance or perfect the understanding and practice of the Sunnah. In this perspective, the concepts of sunnah and bid'ah do not have to be seen separately but can complement each other in the context of religious interpretation and practice.

Parents as Teachers in Modular Distance Learning: Relationship of Parenting Style and The English Academic Performance

2024-01-23T13:19:27+07:00

The purpose of this study was to examine the pupils’ parenting style and their English academic performance during modular distance learning in select two schools in Alamada, Philippines. More so, the study even explored the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and English academic performance and the relationship between pupils’ parenting style and English academic performance. The researchers chose one hundred twelve Grade VI pupils through stratified random sampling with proportionate allocation. An expert-validated survey questionnaire was used to identify the parenting styles utilized by the respondents, while their English-accumulated grades served as the basis of their academic performance. Based on the result, the majority of them are 10-12 years old, male, Ilonggos, and have parents with high school education. It further revealed that the parenting style experienced by the respondents is authoritative. More so, the English academic performance of the respondents was satisfactory. It also revealed that sex, age, parents’ educational attainment, and the English academic performance of the respondents have a significantly weak relationship. More importantly, the study revealed a significant yet weak relationship between the respondents’ parents’ authoritative and neglectful parenting style and the respondents' academic performance in English. The findings suggest that incorporating authoritative parenting during modular distance learning positively influences the English academic performance of the pupils, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in shaping educational outcomes in this mode of learning. It is then recommended that parents as teachers should be careful about their parenting style since this ultimately affects their pupils’ academic performance.

Assessing L1 Competence Decline among Yoruba-English Bilingual Undergraduates at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

2024-03-02T15:47:08+07:00

This study sets out to investigate the extent of lack of competence in Yoruba among Yoruba-English bilingual undergraduates at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. A mixed-methods approach was adopted for interpretations to be drawn based on the combined strengths of both datasets (i.e., quantitative and qualitative data). 123 participants, 76 males, and 47 females, completed the questionnaires, while interviews were conducted with 11 participants, 8 males and 3 females, to validate their self-assessment and gain a deeper understanding of their language abilities through open-ended questions and direct observations. Quantitative data analysis involved frequency and percentage calculations, with subsequent interpretation and discussion. Qualitative analysis entailed transcribing the interviews, interpreting the responses, and discussing the findings. Both quantitative and qualitative results were compared, and the extent to which they confirmed each other was established. Findings show that a substantial number of participants exhibited a moderate ability in their L1. Although both the current and the earlier studies point towards the decline in Yoruba competence among the young generation, particularly compared to the older generation, the current study delves deeper into participants’ competence levels through various tasks like speaking, translating, and interpreting idioms. The coverage of areas such as numeracy, days of the week, and months of the year is unique to this study as they have not been previously explored.

The Use of Particles in Ngapak Bumiayu Language: A Study of Systemic Functional Linguistics

2024-05-15T13:19:11+07:00

This study explores the use of particles in Ngapak Bumiayu, a Javanese dialect spoken in Bumiayu, Brebes, Central Java, using Michael A.K. Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics theory. Data was collected from everyday conversations of native speakers using a descriptive analysis method. The identified particles—kok, lho, kok ya, toh, wis, and bar—each have unique roles in sentence structure and meaning. The ideational metafunction shows that these particles enrich the information in sentences. Without particles, sentences present straightforward facts, but with particles, they carry additional nuances that enhance the message. For the interpersonal metafunction, particle placement affects meaning. Kok can be in any sentence position, conveying surprise or emphasis. Lho emphasizes attention. Kok ya, typically at the beginning or middle, shows wonder and affirmation. Toh, usually at the end, indicates finality. Wis, in the middle or end, signifies completion or agreement. Bar indicates ongoing or recent actions. The textual metafunction highlights particles' role in maintaining text coherence and cohesion. They ensure consistency and continuity in discourse through repetition, serving as connectors (referential cohesion), and maintaining consistent meanings across contexts (lexical cohesion). These particles are essential for structuring and organizing information in sentences and conversations. These findings illustrate the significant role of particles in enhancing communication, structuring information, and providing nuanced meanings in the Ngapak Bumiayu language.

Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety Among Pre-Service Teachers in Kepulauan Riau

2024-02-23T10:27:09+07:00

In the realm of language education, the influence of governmental regulations on language programs is substantial, as evidenced by Indonesia’s regulatory framework in Law No. 20/2003. This study examines Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety (FLTA) among pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers during their teaching practicum, focusing on the role of fear of negative evaluation, self-perception of language proficiency, and teaching inexperience. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, quantitative surveys were conducted with 68 respondents, and qualitative interviews were held with five participants in the Kepulauan Riau area. Results from statistical analyses, including regression, indicate that FLTA has a modest impact on the teaching experience of pre-service teachers. Thematic analyses from qualitative data provide deeper insights into the nuanced interplay of factors contributing to FLTA. The discussion highlights the study’s contributions to the field, advocating for the importance of practical teaching experience, mentorship, and adaptive teaching approaches to mitigate FLTA. This comprehensive approach underscores the necessity of addressing anxiety to enhance the competence and confidence of pre-service English teachers, ultimately contributing to more effective language education.