VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Investigating the impact of caste, class, and gender on student attitudes to English in India
Keywords: south asia
linguistic power
caste
language attitude
language ideology
sociolinguistics

Prior research has noted that different social variables can predict the direction and magnitude of language attitudes, across contexts. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated whether one’s position in the the South Asian caste system affects their attitudes towards different languages. To fill this gap, this study uses thematic analysis to explain attitudes towards English in 10 school students aged 13-14 at a public school in Mumbai, India. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and field notes. The participants were found to come from different castes, each with a history of struggle for power within the caste hierarchy. Results indicate that caste location does significantly influence attitudes towards English; however, this effect is likely mediated by the language ideologies with which the students have been in contact.
Education, technology, and the pandemic: perspectives of government teachers from Sanand, India
Keywords: qualitative research

The purpose of this research is to analyze teacher perspectives on the use of technology in education in under-resourced contexts. Within the digital divide framework, it explores the factors affecting adoption and use of technology in under-resourced schools and communities. Van Dijk proposed some factors in his resource and allocation theory, which I will be examining from an individual and schools lens. It requires a reframing of access from a personal device for each individual to a shared classroom experience. This theory was chosen for its nuanced understanding of questions of access and usage. 9 teachers, who teach in various government schools across Sanand in Gujarat, were interviewed to share their perspectives. The interviews focused on the use of technology during the pandemic and thereafter. All the teachers had teaching experiences in Sanand between 2 and 30 years. They taught various subjects across grades 3 and 8. Following the interviews, analysis was conducted. The first part of analysis was through open coding. This allowed me to let the participant voice be the driving force. The second part of the analysis was done keeping Van Dijk’s theory at the forefront, which was supplemented by teacher perspectives on technology. Patterns emerged during the analysis about factors that affected adoption and use of technology. During the pandemic, online classes were conducted with much difficulty. Once cases decreased, the government decided to allow street education (sehrishikshan). Challenges and barriers to adoption were noted. Once schools resumed, various kinds of technologies were being used within schools collectively. But the distribution of these were skewed between schools and grades. The research ends with four recommendations that will help in implementing the National Education Policy 2020 even in low-resource areas.
Comparing the aid diplomacy of the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union in Africa, 1959-1971
Keywords: africa
sino-soviet split
cold war
foreign relations
aid
soviet union
people's republic of china

Against the backdrop of the Sino-Soviet Split, the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China began leveraging their disparate resources and expertise to achieve their different aims in Africa, independently adopting distinct approaches to what this thesis calls aid diplomacy. This is defined as the provision of any kind of material, technical, military, or cultural assistance intended to achieve a given diplomatic aim or otherwise further a country’s foreign policy. The thesis compares Chinese and Soviet engagement with Africa during the first full decade of decolonisation, the 1960s. By anchoring that comparison on the two socialist countries’ aid diplomacy, the thesis explores differences in their official ideologies, questions surrounding their competing national interests, disparities in their capacities as foreign policy actors and aid providers, and the divergence in their revolutionary strategies during the 1960s. The thesis will reflect on why scholarship examining the Soviet Union’s actions in Africa focuses on matters of strategy and pragmatism, whereas works which examine the competition of the two powers and on Mao-era China’s efforts in isolation highlight ideology. It further seeks to incorporate the agency and initiative of African political leaders, underscoring how two providers both faced a steep learning curve in the pursuit of their discrete policies in Africa. In so doing, it sheds new light on the Sino-Soviet Split and contributes to scholarship which sidesteps the conventional East-West axis of Cold War history. In addition, the thesis analyses how Chinese and Soviet interpretations of Marxism-Leninism and their respective strategies were experienced on the ground in Africa, opening up another perspective to the field of comparative communism and thus complicating previous narratives about the Soviet Union’s and China’s engagements with Africa and the wider developing world during this foundational era.
Studies in the language of the Anglo-Norman translations of the Psalms with particular reference to the Oxford Psalter
Keywords: Douce 320
Bodleian Library
language
manuscript
Anglo-Norman dialect
Oxford Psalter
Psalms
Anglo-Norman translations

Three Latin versions of the Psalms were known during the Middle Ages, the Roman, the Gallican, and the Hebrew. The Roman version was in the past believed to be the version written by St. Jerome as a correction of the 4th century Latin texts, which had become very corrupt textually. But Dom Donatien de Bruyne has now proved that this is not the work of Jerome, because no contemporary sources attribute it to him, no MSS have prefaces by St. Jerome, or mention him as author, and there is no trace of the type of correction which St. Jerome applied to other Biblical texts, It takes into consideration many old Greek readings, leaves faulty translations uncorrected, and contains alterations of the text for the purpose of simplification, and many Low Latin and Vulgar Latin terms.” De Bruyne's theory that parts of the genuine version of St. Jerome are to be found in his letters of 384 & 385 is, however, not entirely accepted. The Gallican version was made by St. Jerome from Origen's corrected version of the Greek Septuagint”, at the request of Pope Damasus in 393 A.D. The Hebrew version, the last translation of St. Jerome, was made from a 4th century Hebrew text, and the rest of the Old Testament in this translation later became the Vulgate text.
An edition of The Lady Mother in B.M. Egerton MS. 1994
Keywords: British Library
English drama
Henry Glapthorne
seventeenth century
Lady Mother
manuscript
17th century
Egerton 1994

The lady Mother is the ninth of the fifteen plays in British Museum Egerton MS, 1994, occupying fols. 186-211 of the collection. Except that there is no wrapper, the manuscript appears to be complete. There is no matter preliminary to the text of the play. The title is known from William Blagrave's autograph licence dated 15 October 1635 on fol. 210a.
The text begins at the top of fol, 186a and finishes two-thirds of the way down fol. 210a, Blagrave's licence being written out in the remaining space on this page. On fol. 211a is a half-page of additional dialogue, intended for interpolation at a certain point in the play. The versos of the last two folios are blank. Thus the play itself fills just under forty-nine and a half folio pages.
There are two watermarks:
(i) a ‘pot’ watermark appears on fols. 187, 188, 190 and 192. This resembles, to some extent, Briquet's 12803 (St. Pol, 1586), 12804 (Evreux, 1588) and 12806 (Amiens, 1600), but much more closely Heawood's 3584 (England? 1624), and several figures - fig. 78 in particular – illustrating watermarks found in England in the first half of the seventeenth century, reproduced in his article, ‘Papers used in England after 1600’.
(ii) a ‘crozier' watermark appears on fols. 195, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 207, 209 and 211. This slightly resembles Briquet's 1349 (Etobon, 1587), and rather more closely Heawood's 1200 (1626).
Continued in thesis ...
Investigating the relationship between Chinese Students’ IELTS speaking scores and their intercultural communication competence
Keywords: Intercultural Communication Competence
IELTS Speaking

This thesis focuses on the relationship between International English Language Testing System (IELTS) speaking scores and the intercultural communication competence (ICC) of two groups of Chinese speakers. Chinese international students typically experience difficulty when studying in English-speaking countries, so it is paramount to prepare them adequately with the necessary ICC to succeed abroad. This study started with a literature review providing an overview of ICC and the usefulness of IELTS in preparing students to achieve a high level of competence. The effectiveness of IELTS as a predictor of ICC was examined with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research. For the quantitative analysis, the participants were given a questionnaire that asked them to self-report on the Intercultural Communicative Competence Self-Report Scale. These results were then compared to their IELTS speaking scores. Additionally, participants were invited to participate in an additional interview to obtain qualitative data. These data supported previous findings in highlighting the strong relationship between students’ IELTS speaking scores and ICC, even with regard to measuring speaking skills. The data supported the conclusion that linguistic competence should not be the sole objective of a successful IELTS exam or an efficient intercultural communication exchange. Students should continue to receive further support on their learning journey to enhance their possibilities of developing their ICC and participating in efficient communication exchanges with people from other cultures.
The cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky in the Russian literary and philosophical traditions
Keywords: Tarkovsky
motion picture directors
Tarkovskiĭ
Russian
film directors
motion picture producers
film producers
cinema
Soviet Union

The central contention of this dissertation is that the cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky is informed by ethical, philosophical and aesthetic concerns that have long dominated Russian culture. The starting point is Tarkovsky’s assertion that his art represents ’a continuation of the classic Russian cultural tradition’. The main focus of the dissertation is an examination of a small group of themes in Tarkovsky’s work, and how these relate to specific antecedents in Russian culture; these specific subject areas will be discussed in terms of generic themes and motifs in Tarkovsky’s work, which include: the disruption of harmony in modern life; the despiritualization or spiritual alienation of modern man; the necessity for redemption through self-sacrifice; and the need to relate emotionally to art.
The division of the thesis is thematic, with each of the five main chapters devoted to one subject area. This has not excluded (where appropriate) at least partial consideration of other themes and motifs.
Chapter One is a discussion of Tarkovsky’s aesthetic in terms of the (cinematic) critical method known as "transcendental style’. The aim of the chapter lies in its central contention that Tarkovsky’s form, if it is to be considered against any external, critical framework, can most legitimately be defined in terms of transcendental style’, a method that concedes the dominance of respective cultural traditions to ’transcendental’ directors.
The purpose of Chapter Two is a consideration of Tarkovsky’s films mainly in terms of three distinct aspects of icon painting: contemplation, the concept of transfiguration and tradition. All of these conditions, it is suggested, are germane to Tarkovsky’s aesthetic convictions and to many individual sequences in his films.
Chapter Three is a discussion of the importance of painting to Tarkovsky’s aesthetic, and how far this demonstrates the ’Russianness’ of his sensibility. Chapter Four considers the seminal importance of nature imagery in Tarkovsky, and how representative this is of Russian cosmology, in which nature is accorded a privileged status.
Chapter Five is an appraisal of nature motifs that appear to possess great meaning for Tarkovsky, namely the earth, water, fire, and trees, as well as specific animals and birds.
A critical edition of the four gospels in the thirteenth-century Old French translation of the Bible
Keywords: thirteenth century
Gospels
Old French
critical edition
translation
Bible
13th century
manuscripts

The Gospels from the thirteenth-century Old French translation of the Bible (BXIII) are preserved in manuscripts of BXIII and the so-called "Bible Historiale Complétée" (BHC), comprising the latter part of BXITII and most of the Old Testament books of Guiart des Moulins's "Bible Historiale" (BH). The thesis, on the basis of two select passages from the Gospels and a description of the manuscripts and early editions of BXIII, BH and BHC (given as Appendices I and II), analyses the growth of BHC and the textual relationship of BHC manuscripts to BXIII. The earliest of four redactions found in BXIII and BHC is identified; the Gospels are edited from this redaction (MSS A-D) with the help for removing errors of MSS EF which are copies of one of the other redactions; notes to the text principally indicate possible sources of the Gospel glosses.
BXIII is a translation apparently written for orthodox Catholics. (The Church authorities accept translations as such, but restrict access to theological books in whatever language at times and places of heretical activity.) It can be dated c. 1235-1260, and may have been written by Dominicans in Paris for Dominican nuns or tertiaries. The translation was subsequently used for reading pericopes and, by the fifteenth century at least, for edifying reading in general. Bibliophile interest in the work seems confined to King John II and his descendants. Other known owners include predominantly lesser nobility, with some members of the bourgeoisie in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The work was known in England before the end of the thirteenth century. The thesis contains an indication of the other French Bible translations available in the thirteenth century, and an account of some linguistic questions arising from BXIII and MSS A-F.
Effects of pedagogical translanguaging on grammar learning for Chinese Primary School students in early foreign language learning
Keywords: grammar development
Chinese EFL learners
pedagogical translanguaging

This intervention study investigates effects of pedagogical translanguaging on grammar development among 145 sixth-grade Chinese primary school students who are at the early stages of learning English as a foreign language (EFL). In a pre-post design, the participants were randomly allocated to a Translanguaging group, an English-only group, and a Control group to learn the target “there be” structure by watching the same video. The Translanguaging group and the English-only group later practiced the target sentence structure in a “spot-the-difference” activity within the same amount of time. The three groups were evaluated based on a translation test and a grammaticality judgement test presented aurally. Observation of the practice activity and focus group interviews with the Translanguaging and English-only group were also conducted. Results show significant gains for all three groups from pre-tests to post-tests, but no significant difference between the gains of the three groups. However, as reflected in the practice activity and the interviews, the Translanguaging group practiced the target sentences more and with higher accuracy and expressed more positive attitudes towards the learning. These findings demonstrate that pedagogical translanguaging at least does not harm grammar learning. It allows learners to have more opportunities to practice, which suggests that it might be effective in boosting learning over a longer intervention.
Micro-photoluminescence studies of CsPbBr3 based
nanostructures
Keywords: nanotechnology
micro-photoluminescence
perovskite
semiconductors
quantum dots
quantum optics
optoelectronics

This thesis summarises the photoluminescence results I have taken on the three different nanostructures of CsPbBr3 perovskite. Due to their microscopic dimensions, interesting physics phenomena under the fields of optical science and quantum mechanics have emerged. With the aid of a confocal micro-photoluminescence setup, detailed sub µm-level features can be retrieved directly for analysis. Although the three topics root from separate branches of specific physics fields, they all demonstrate how this system can be exploited as a general tool for examining the time-integrated and dynamical behaviours. Therefore, the thesis helps build the necessary knowledge for adaptation into different scenarios and external modification for a more specialised measurement. On the other side, much of the content has been devoted into systematic explanation of the relevant concepts in a self-contained fashion. These include the discussion on lasing phenomenon, Gaussian modes and triplet state. These recap or exposure to the different fields will be sufficient for the reader to understand the rest of the content.
The results are selected from the three papers I have written. The first topic is on confined Gaussian modes in CsPbBr3 microcavities. These cavities are naturally formed by the even smaller building blocks of quantum dots. The emission observed depends upon the collective behaviour of the zero-dimensional objects. The second topic is relevant to triplet state and resonant pumping of the CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. Doubly degenerate states associated to the tetragonal phase of the crystal have been presented. A resonantly optimised lasing effect then builds on this triplet signal and shows great potential for device applications. The third topic is about passivated CsPbBr3 nano/micro-rods with Pb(OH)2 cladding. A temperature-tolerant emission and bright stimulated emission from defect sites have been demonstrated.
All the three topics have illustrated the potential towards modern optoelectronic applications and the underlying physics can provide further inspiration from a slightly twisted angle for the future structure design.
In the appendix, a guide to the mapping software is introduced. This is a handy tool for analysing the complicated map data, which can be a crucial part of the PL study. The software provides control over the map position and wavelength, as well as a diffusion analyser. It also incorporates a zooming function such that local intensity rescaling is possible.
Heidin und Mörin. Zur Materialität, Visualität und Medialität höfischer Texte im Spätmittelalter
Keywords: media history
female patronage
materiality
mediality
visual culture
manuscript
medieval history
manuscript production
late middle ages
manuscript culture
visuality
book culture
material culture
history of the book

This thesis “Heidin and Mörin. On the materiality, visuality, and mediality of courtly texts in the late Middle Ages in Germany” studies the media history of two medieval German texts, Heidin and Mörin, taking as its starting point two courtly commissions; the manuscripts Heidelberg University Library, cpg. 353 and Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek cod. 2946.
The study analyses how the materiality, visuality, and mediality of book objects catered to specific audiences and how the relation between object and audience was instrumentalised to market printed editions of formerly exclusive courtly texts to new audiences. To do so, this thesis uses an interdisciplinary methodology, drawing on approaches from visual culture and material culture studies as well as media studies.
The two manuscripts are a result of courtly manuscript production, however, the context of their production differed. The dedication of the Mörin to Mechthild von der Pfalz is evidence of her widespread patronage of other literary works, whereas Heidin was likely commissioned directly by Margarethe von Savoyen. The works demonstrate the range of courtly manuscripts produced at the end of the Middle Ages, and the involvement and impact noble women had on the literary landscape. The patronesses were connected through dynastic allegiances and bibliophile interests, and manuscripts such as the Heidelberg copy of the Heidin and the Viennese copy of the Mörin were embedded in the social network of the time.
While Heidin was never put into print, the production and concept of the manuscript was heavily influenced by the new medium, resulting in a distinct style of illustrations. Mörin, on the other hand, was comparatively successful with five printed editions, as publishers utilised the particularities of the new medium to market the text to an urban readership. Analysing the different editions of Mörin revealed how publishers and printers marketed their products, anticipating and creating new audiences. The trademark use of woodcuts provided the foundation of image strategy which revealed the intended and anticipated readership. Comparison of the editions has shown that even with a relocation of print production to urban areas, it was only with later editions that the urban market developed.
Borderlands and fatherlands: 'Foreign' soldiery in the Holy Roman Empire 1576-1618
Keywords: Lower-Rhine-Westphalia
Jülich-Cleves-Berg
Nassau-Dillenburg
Imperial Circles
Free City of Cologne

This thesis analyses the use and abuse of ‘foreign’ soldiers in the political rhetoric of the Lower-Rhine-Westphalian Circle between 1576 and 1618, exploring what the categorisations applied to such men can tell us about warfare and identity in the Holy Roman Empire and beyond. It argues that the Imperial approach was characterised by nuance, flexibility, and constructive ambiguity, which allowed the region to avoid being drawn deeper into conflicts to which there was no military solution. A key reason for its success was that – despite a profusion of patriotic language denouncing foreign threats – when it came to translating rhetoric into political practice, troops were judged primarily by their profession rather than their origins. As a result, the region’s engagement with soldiers featured more continuity than either radical reform or destabilising decline.
These points are demonstrated using analysis aimed at three different levels of the Reich’s constitutional order; the Empire as a whole, local territorial principalities, and – crucially – the regional Imperial Circles which connected the other two. In Part I, the Lower-Rhine-Westphalian Kreis is examined as a forum for discussion, as a military employer in its own right, and as a borderland area alongside the neighbouring Burgundian Circle. In Part II, three representative case-studies drawn from individual Circle Estates highlight in greater depth the ways in which local authorities and commentators learned to adapt successfully to the presence of outside forces. Finally, Part III describes how Lower-Rhine-Westphalia’s experiences played out within the formal and informal networks which bound together the entire Reich.