title: Mechanism for grain refinement of magnesium alloys by superheating

authors: Cao, Peng

subjects: Magnesium alloys

abstract: The mechanisms for grain refinement of magnesium alloys by superheating have remained ambiguous since 1931. A model has been proposed on the basis of the recent understanding of the grain refinement of both high purity and commercial purity Mg–Al alloys. The model explains most of the experimental observations about superheating. Analysis of the grain size data obtained from different Mg–Al alloys as a function of the growth restriction factor with and without superheating provides good support to the model.

text: Mechanism for grain refinement of magnesium alloys by superheating The mechanisms for grain refinement of magnesium alloys by superheating have remained ambiguous since 1931. A model has been proposed on the basis of the recent understanding of the grain refinement of both high purity and commercial purity Mg–Al alloys. The model explains most of the experimental observations about superheating. Analysis of the grain size data obtained from different Mg–Al alloys as a function of the growth restriction factor with and without superheating provides good support to the model.

year: 2007-04

title: Investigating the transparency of language for place value understanding: Comparing indigenous Southern African languages and European-based languages

authors: Larkin, K.

subjects: place value

abstract: In this article we investigate the transparency of language in learning place value in either a Southern African indigenous language (isiXhosa, Setswana, Oshiwambo or Emakhuwa) or a European-based language (Afrikaans, English, German or Portuguese). Since language is a key mediator in developing place value understanding, it is important to investigate the ways in which the transparency of various languages may impact place value learning. A review of pertinent literature and an analysis of literal translations of number words (to thousands) of our eight languages lead us to the conclusion that Southern African indigenous languages are more accessible in their meaning, in relation to place value, than the four European-based languages spoken in Southern Africa, which we analysed. We identified two key advantages in the indigenous languages: (i) there was transparency of the ‘places’ in how numbers are named; and (ii) there was logical alignment between the spoken and symbolic representation of numbers. Despite this, many Southern African learners learn mathematics in English, Afrikaans or Portuguese even though this is not their home language (L1). This means that many learners are denied access to the transparency of the place value concepts that exist in their L1 and must manage learning place value, not only in a yet to be learned ‘foreign’ language, but also in one where they must learn to decode the idiosyncratic ‘irregularities’ of the way those languages name numbers. We conclude this article by discussing the implications of these findings for the teaching of place value in Southern African classrooms, in which indigenous learners are often learning in a European-based language that is not their L1.

text: Investigating the transparency of language for place value understanding: Comparing indigenous Southern African languages and European-based languages In this article we investigate the transparency of language in learning place value in either a Southern African indigenous language (isiXhosa, Setswana, Oshiwambo or Emakhuwa) or a European-based language (Afrikaans, English, German or Portuguese). Since language is a key mediator in developing place value understanding, it is important to investigate the ways in which the transparency of various languages may impact place value learning. A review of pertinent literature and an analysis of literal translations of number words (to thousands) of our eight languages lead us to the conclusion that Southern African indigenous languages are more accessible in their meaning, in relation to place value, than the four European-based languages spoken in Southern Africa, which we analysed. We identified two key advantages in the indigenous languages: (i) there was transparency of the ‘places’ in how numbers are named; and (ii) there was logical alignment between the spoken and symbolic representation of numbers. Despite this, many Southern African learners learn mathematics in English, Afrikaans or Portuguese even though this is not their home language (L1). This means that many learners are denied access to the transparency of the place value concepts that exist in their L1 and must manage learning place value, not only in a yet to be learned ‘foreign’ language, but also in one where they must learn to decode the idiosyncratic ‘irregularities’ of the way those languages name numbers. We conclude this article by discussing the implications of these findings for the teaching of place value in Southern African classrooms, in which indigenous learners are often learning in a European-based language that is not their L1.

year: 2025

title: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics

authors: Schoenberger-Orgad, Michèle Anne

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

text: Strategic framing: indigenous culture, identity, and politics This article analyses the role played by culture and the strategic communication of culture in the formation and establishment of the Māori Party. As an indigenous grassroots party, which achieved electoral success in the 2005, general election in New Zealand, the Māori Party offers an unusual case of cultural primacy as a political party for indigenous people. The Māori Party campaigned to be the first successful party to give a distinctive voice to Māori in a parliament dominated by Pakeha (New Zealand Europeans).

In examining the Māori Party's formation and campaign as a case study, the article focuses on socio-political conditions, issues of national identity, media changes, and the cultural relations between Māori and Pakeha. It pays particular attention to those that influenced public opinion during the 14 months of election campaigning. It argues that the strategic framing of the Māori Party as a movement giving a distinctive voice for Māori established the foundations for the campaign's success. In conclusion, the significance of the achievements of the Māori Party in the 2008 general election are discussed as evidence of the now distinct and recognized representation of Māori within the New Zealand democratic process.

year: 2011