Научный архив: статьи

Maqolada Amerika milliy o‘ziga xosligining shakllanishi va rivojlanishining asosiy siyosiy va mafkuraviy omillari ko‘rib chiqiladi va milliy xarakter shakllanishining asosiy o‘ziga xos xususiyatlari tahlil qilinadi. Mamlakat fuqarolarining o‘zo‘ zini identifikatsiya qilish shakllari va milliy o‘ziga xoslik haqidagi fikrlarning xilma-xilligi, AQShning milliy o‘ziga xosligi nima, u nima bo‘lishi mumkin va nima bo‘lishi kerakligi, etnik, irqiy, diniy va lingvistik omillarning xilma-xiligi qanday qilib mamlakat birligini saqlab qolgan holda Amerika jamiyatining mafkuraviy qutblanishiga olib kelishish mumkinligi masalalari ko‘rib chiqiladi.

This paper concerns pseudo-classical knots in the non-orientable manifold Σˆ = Σ × [0, 1], where Σ is a non-orientable surface and a knot K ⊂ Σˆ is called pseudo-classical if Kis orientation-preserving path in Σˆ. For this kind of knot we introduce an invariant ∆that is an analogue of Turaev comultiplication for knots in a thickened orientable surface. As its classical prototype, ∆ takes value in a polynomial algebra generated by homotopy classes of non-contractible loops on Σ, however, as a ground ring we use some subring of C instead of Z. Then we define a few homotopy, homology and polynomial invariants, which are consequences of ∆, including an analogue of the affine index polynomial.

Autonyms, a blend of auto- (car) and -nyms (names), constitute a subclass of ergonyms (object names) and a subdomain of onomastics I am prone to term ‘autonomastics’, a subdivision which is still understudied rather unstudied. No past research has investigated autonyms as novel tradenames dealers and purchasers assign to cars in automotive transactions. The onomastic facets of autonyms have received no attention from specialist linguists across or within world languages. This article aims to conduct a seminal lexical-semiotic analysis of ‘autonyms’ (car names). A lexicosemiotic analysis of autonyms in Egyptian Arabic is conducted by analysing their lexical and semiotic aspects with particular focus on onomastic and sign-based classifications. The article undertakes a typological analysis of a convenience sample of a dataset extracted from three e-platforms (Dubizzle, Youm7, and Masrawy) and validated through an interrater reliability questionnaire. The analysis draws mainly on a comprehensive but non-exhaustive state-of-the-art typology of denominata and denominating practices. Results show that car trademarks are transacted on the local Egyptian market under culture-specific tradenames which establish iconic, indexical, and symbolic relations between the representamens and their objects. The tradenames cover a myriad of autonyms denoting animals (zoonyms), insects (entomonyms), reptiles (herpetonyms), fish (ichthyonyms), birds (ornithonyms), and objects (ergonyms). It shows the role of Egyptian Arabic vernacular in communicating collective cognition of naming practices in the Egyptian automotive community. The article recommends replicating the devised typology with crosslinguistic and cross-cultural datasets to inform future research into onomastics in general and autonomastics in particular and probably inspire automobile industries to redesign their cars accordingly.

With the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, viewers now have greater access to language and accessibility features. Audio description (AD) translates visual information into spoken language, enabling access for viewers with visual impairments. To match the experience of sighted audiences, AD must convey all visual cues, including physical appearances. Despite its importance, this area – where accessibility and inclusivity intersect – remains understudied. This paper investigates how Netflix’s AD represents different body types, physiques, and visible disabilities among able-bodied and disabled individuals. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the study analyses AD in two series, one film, and one documentary to assess clarity, accuracy, consistency, and implications of these descriptions. Findings reveal inconsistencies in describing body shape and size, with such references being rare and often contingent on plot relevance. Descriptions typically appear in contexts tied to body image or physical performance, especially relating to athleticism and (dis)ability. In cases involving disability, AD often describes mobility aids rather than the individuals themselves – an approach that avoids potentially offensive terms but risks reinforcing the taboo around discussing disability. The study suggests that these inconsistencies stem from both linguistic limitations and a reliance on perceived relevance. It concludes that prevailing discourse and stigma around describing human bodies complicate AD practices. Further research is needed to refine AD guidelines, ensuring they reflect the perspectives of both those being described and those who rely on AD.

The use of address forms varies from culture to culture according to each society’s sociocultural values and norms. Therefore, the variations in the choice, usage, and understanding of forms of address can create communication problems. This study investigates address forms used in Algerian society between nonacquaintances in different age and gender contexts. It aims to identify the main address categories used to address a stranger and to trace the impact of sociocultural norms and values on their preferences. For this purpose, a discourse-completion task (DCT) was used to collect data from 104 Algerian respondents of different ages and genders which were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results show that Algerians use a variety of address forms with kinship terms dominating, followed by religious terms. They testify that politeness in Algerian society is established by showing deference and respect to elders and at the same time demonstrating intimacy and closeness to the addressee, which is prescribed by the Qur’an. However, the choice of a term is determined by age, power, gender and distance. The findings reflect the collectivist and Islamic nature of Algerian society. The paper provides new insights into the impact of cultural factors on address forms and contributes to address research, cross-cultural pragmatics, intercultural communication and second language teaching.

This study investigates the role of deictic expressions in the IELTS speaking test, addressing a gap in research on how test-takers across proficiency levels use deixis in spoken language assessment. While previous studies have examined general discourse features in language testing, little attention has been given to the frequency, functions, and distribution of deixis in assessing spoken proficiency. The study analysed a corpus of 30 IELTS speaking test transcripts, covering proficiency levels from low-intermediate to advanced. Using Levinson’s classification of deixis, the study employed quantitative frequency analysis and qualitative discourse analysis to examine variations in the use of personal, temporal, and spatial deixis. The findings revealed that personal deixis was the most frequently used, followed by temporal and spatial deixis. However, the results of One-Way ANOVA test showed no significant differences in deixis usage across proficiency levels. These findings contribute to English language teaching and assessment by highlighting how deixis functions in test-taker discourse, offering insights for IELTS preparation and speaking proficiency evaluation. The study indicates the need for further exploration of discourse features in language assessment.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses in Bangladeshi private universities are positioned to equip non-native undergraduate students with the required academic language skills needed for English Medium Instruction (EMI) education. However, these courses have frequently adopted generic language proficiency models, neglecting students’ academic and disciplinary literacy needs. Moreover, the paucity of studies on EAP leaves a critical lapse in understanding what changes are required, given this misalignment. Guided by Brown’s Needs Analysis framework (2016), this qualitative study investigated non-native undergraduate students’ perceptions and experiences of EAP courses at a Bangladeshi private university offering EMI education, focusing on its method of instruction, the barriers they face and the alignment of its content with their academic and professional needs. Thematic analysis of forty-five semi-structured interviews and document analysis of EAP course syllabi revealed a misalignment between current EAP courses and students’ academic and professional needs. The development of academic writing for disciplinary courses is unfulfilled, suggesting a need for a more targeted EAP curriculum. The study identifies students’ needs as systemic failures rather than linguistic deficits and challenges the generic EAP implementation in non-native higher education contexts like Bangladesh. It concludes that context-driven curricular reform, incorporation of skill-oriented content, and enhanced pedagogic practices can make current EAP courses to be needs-responsive. Additionally, teacher training in discipline-specific pedagogy is crucial for an equitable EAP redesign as it would better align with non-native students’ academic language and professional needs.

English is the dominant medium of instruction for numerous university programmes across the Arab Gulf. While a growing body of research examines learners’ attitudes towards English Medium Instruction (EMI), issues of language preference/use have received far less attention. The research reported here sought to redress this imbalance by examining the domain-based language preferences, use, and beliefs of English majors at Oman’s national university. A mixed methods approach was employed involving the administration of a 35-item questionnaire to 120 English majors and one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 13 participants. Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s chi-squared test, and Cramer’s V test were used to examine questionnaire data, while interview transcripts were analysed thematically before data triangulation was performed. Findings indicate respondents preferred and used English for academics and intended careers, Arabic for familial interactions, and both English and Arabic or English by itself to talk about feelings and beliefs. English and Arabic were almost equally preferred for identity representation, with a significant minority of respondents expressing a desire to study their majors in Arabic. Although gender and English proficiency were not found to be related to beliefs about language importance, Arabic proficiency had a moderate, statistically significant association. Arab students employing English to express cultural beliefs and identities has not been widely reported in the existing literature. Results suggest that, despite evidence of emerging bilingualism in some domains, reform to tertiary-level language of instruction policies and planning in the region and similar contexts worldwide, including by offering Arabic Medium Instruction options, may be necessary to ensure effective education provision.

On October 18, 2024 the XIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Law in the Digital Age” was held at the Faculty of Law of the Higher School of Economics (HSE). This year it was devoted to the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and law. It was considered from the standpoint of both private and public law. The conference covered the issues of the civil law regime of artificial intelligence technologies and objects created with its use, artificial intelligence and intellectual property law, as well as the topic of generative content and protection of the interests of copyright holders. The topic of regulation and self-regulation of artificial intelligence, including artificial intelligence in Legal Tech, is highlighted. Introduction of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Labor Relations: Successes, Failures, Prospects Criminal Law Protection of Digital Economy and Finance Entities Using Elements of Artificial Intelligence. Thus, the conference attempted a comprehensive discussion of the role of law in the development of AI technologies. This approach made it possible to show the relationship between the methods of legal regulation in this area, their interaction to create conditions for the development of AI technologies. The conference raised both practical and theoretical issues of the development of law in the new conditions, as well as the problems of the development of legal education.

The article explores the impact of AI on legal systems globally. It highlights how technology, particularly AI, disrupts social order and power dynamics, necessitating legal adaptations. The document categorizes global AI regulatory responses into four types: no response, reliance on existing tech regulations, fragmented solutions, and unified approaches. The European Union (EU) has adopted a unified approach with the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), aiming to harmonize AI rules, address risks, and stimulate AI development. The United States employs a piecemeal approach with the National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020 and various state laws and executive orders. Australia lacks specific AI legislation, but it has an AI Action Plan focusing on economic benefits and talent development. South Africa’s National AI Policy Framework emphasizes economic transformation and social equity. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy aims for socio-economic transformation while addressing AI risks. Canada has a Voluntary Code of Conduct and a proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). The document critiques current AI regulations for incomplete definitions and a lack of focus on the broader societal purpose of AI. It stresses the need for regulations to consider ethical dimensions and societal impacts. The document concludes that AI regulation must balance innovation with social order, human dignity, and safety, emphasizing the urgent need to address AI’s energy and water consumption to prevent potential global instability.

The authors consider animation and game tourism as one of the important areas of tourism. During the study, it was found out that animation and gaming activities are actively used in modern tourism. By improving the quality of tourist services and expanding the number of services (including animation and game tourism), the tourism services sector is actively developing and its income is growing.

The requirements for reliability and durability are increasing every year for the critical elements of bridge structures, as there is a steady increase in the number of vehicles and volumes of cargo movement. Such structural elements include bearing parts of spans of bridges, which perceive loads from the mass of spans, transport cargo and compensate for deformations from thermal expansion and contraction. Antifriction polymeric materials are used in all newly developed designs of bearing parts. The reliability and durability of bridges as a whole depend on the physical, mechanical and operational properties of such materials. The change in the length of spans due to temperature fluctuations is carried out due to sliding along the polymer layers. The article presents a critical analysis of the polymer and metal-polymer materials used as sliding supports. A review and analysis of standardized anti-friction materials for possible use as sliding layers in the bearing parts of bridges have been carried out. The most promising fluoroplastic composite materials capable of operating without lubricant are presented. An analysis of metal-fluoroplastic sheet materials was made, new metal composites were proposed, in which various mesh materials with a high polymer content in the working layer are used as an anti-friction layer. Such materials can be used as guides for the moving bearing parts of the bridge without the use of lubricants. It is shown that the use of the described modern wear-resistant anti-friction materials will significantly increase the bearing capacity and service life of sliding bearings.