Acuity: Journal of English Language Pedagogy, Literature and Culture

Exploring EFL Instructors’ Awareness and Perceptions of Using ChatGPT in Language Education

eda tayşı, Tuğçe Hamamcıoğlu, Tuğçe Hamamcıoğlu, Zerrin Gürkaya Dindar — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Since it was first releasd in 2022, ChatGPT has rapidly become widespread as a well-known and widely used chatbot. This innovative tool has attracted interest from language teachers and researchers for its potential benefits in language learning and teaching. Despite this, there is very little scientific understanding of to what extent and how it is used for language learning and teaching purposes. To this end, this study aimed to investigate university level EFL instructors' awareness of ChatGPT's potential for language learning and teaching, and their perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of using it. A questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed-ended questions was administered to 153 EFL instructors working in different universities in Türkiye. The study found that although participants were aware of ChatGPT's capabilities and found it very useful for material development and lesson planning, they were concerned about inaccuracies, unreliable information, prompt difficulties, ethical issues, overreliance, and ineffective outputs. The findings of this study present several important implications for the effective integration of AI tools like ChatGPT into language instruction.

Current Issues in the Implementation of English Language Subjects in Elementary Schools

Arsyi Rizqia Amalia, Edwita², Durotul Yatimah³ — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The aim of this research is to identify the English language skills of junior high school students who have just graduated from elementary school, as well as identify problems in implementing English language learning in elementary school. This research was motivated by the interview result with junior high school teachers who stated that there are a big differences in English language skills among students who had just graduated from elementary school which became an obstacle in learning English process in junior high school, this was believed to occur due to issues in implementing English language learning in elementary school. This research used a mixed method with a research sample of 150 students from two junior high schools in the Sukabumi City and Sukabumi Regency areas. The results of this research show that the English language skills of students both in the city and regency show that more than 50% of students scored below 60 and fall into the category of very low English skills. This study reveals that English language education in elementary schools faces various challenges, including inconsistencies in the quality of English language teaching, gaps in access to English language teachers, limited use of teaching materials, learning methods and media. Despite these challenges, there is a high level of interest in English among students, indicating that with the right support, the implementation of English subject in elementary school will be better.

Parent’s Role in Developing Children's English-Speaking Skills through Home-Based Language Learning

Yenni Christina — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the critical role that parents play in assisting their children in improving their English-speaking abilities through language learning activities carried out at home using the Narrative Inquiry approach. The research aims to provide a thorough understanding of how parent-child interactions affect language development in addition to formal education. Recognizing the importance of the home environment, the study intends to illuminate the unique contributions parents make to their children's English proficiency, emphasizing the necessity of a thorough approach to language learning. Using in-depth interviews to gather rich, qualitative data, the main technique is narrative inquiry. Parents talk about their experiences and methods for encouraging English speaking in the family. This method enables a detailed investigation of the complex relationships and narratives that emerge in the setting of parent-child language development. Preliminary findings highlight a diverse range of home-based language learning activities, such as interactive dialogues, storytelling, reading English book, watching videos, using online applications, and language-rich routines. The narratives provide insights into the unique strategies parents employ to cultivate their children's language skills, revealing a profound impact on English-speaking abilities. Therefore, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop their English-speaking skills.

Uncovering the Philippines and Indonesian Teachers' Pedagogical Beliefs in the 21st Century Learning

Rozanah Herda, Octo Lampito, Arnel Travero — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0700

English as the medium of teaching in this 21-st century learning demands teachers to be more competent and professional. In the EFL context, the English-integrated skills should be mastered by professional teachers to teach and design learning scenarios based on the skill. However, multifaceted issues and challenges are faced by teachers. This quantitative study with a causal-comparative design aimed at revealing the Philippines and Indonesian Teachers' Pedagogical Beliefs in Teaching English. This study had two research questions: 1). How are The Philippines and Indonesian teachers' pedagogical beliefs on teaching English? and 2) Are there any different findings on pedagogical beliefs between The Philippines and Indonesian teachers'? This study involved 30 EFL teachers from the Philippines (N=15) and Indonesia (N=15). The participants were selected randomly from state and vocational institutions in the Philippines and Indonesia. The data were collected through a close-ended questionnaire, and the descriptive statistic was analyzed using SPSS version 25. The findings revealed that teachers in both countries showed a good pedagogical perspective. However, a finding from the Philippines group showed teachers chose to be neutral in giving additional learning material and media to students. These findings gave the researchers broader input on how teachers in the Philippines and Indonesia showed their professional perspectives on teaching aspects.

Keywords: Teachers' Beliefs, Pedagogy, Teaching English

The Implementation of Gamification to Enhance Grammar and Vocabulary In EFL Students' Writing Skills

Muhammad Rayhan, Sriati Usman, Andi Patmasari, Erniwati — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research objective aims to explore the effects of gamification in improving students' English writing skills. Many students face challenges in developing this skill due to limited vocabulary and difficulties with grammar. The study focused on 10th-grade high school students using a quasi-experimental design with a quantitative approach . Data were collected by using pre-test and post-test assessments of recount text writing. The quality of writing was evaluated using criteria such as content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics, based on Heaton's (1988) framework. Findings indicated that the experimental group, which utilized gamification, achieved a better mean score (28.22) compared to the control group (24.64). However, Mann-Whitney test results indicate there is no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.393 > 0.05). This implies that while gamification shows potential in improving grammatical accuracy and vocabulary in writing, its impact remains statistically insignificant. The study suggests that for gamification to be more effective in writing instruction, it may require a longer implementation period, better calibration of task difficulty, and an enhanced feedback system targeting grammar and vocabulary development.

Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy: Perspectives of Iranian Female EFL Teachers in Building Their Teacher Immunity

Farhad Khabazian, Seyyed Hossein Kashef — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Teacher Immunity is one of the essential factors for successful language teaching in educational
contexts. This study aimed to explore the factors which positively contributed to female EFL teachers’
Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy as predictors of their Teacher Immunity in Iranian EFL
contexts. A qualitative interview design was adopted to address the research questions. Furthermore, a
convenience sampling technique was employed to select 15 female EFL instructors from various foreign
language institutes in Urmia city. A semi-structural interview questionnaire was used to collect data for
the current study. Additionally, Thematic Data Analysis was employed to extract major themes from the
comments and expressions of the participants. Based on themes emerged from female EFL teachers’
comments, self-awareness, effective communication, building a good rapport and conflict management
factors could positively predict EFL instructors’ teacher immunity. In addition, confidence in teaching,
availability of resources and materials, teaching experience and persuasion of instructors were the
factors of female EFL teachers’ self-efficacy which could positively predict their teacher immunity in
EFL contexts.

Power through Translanguaging in Writing Class Discourse: An Indonesian Case Study

Angga Maulana, Wawan Gunawan, Mahardhika Zifana — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study looks at how power is established when translanguaging occurs in writing class discourse using English as the language of instruction. It is a qualitative research method using a case study methodology. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews with class lecturers, focus groups with nine students, and classroom observations. Fairclough's (2001) notions of "power behind discourse" and "power in discourse" serve as the analytical foundation for this study. He defined three types of aspects: subjects, or the "subject positions" that persons might hold; connections, or the social ties that people develop during talks; and content, or what is said or done. The findings demonstrated that translanguaging helps students conceive complicated concepts, negotiate meaning, and preserve their language and cultural identities. It also promotes collaborative learning environments, which normalize language variety while increasing students' confidence and academic autonomy. Translanguaging helps students to use their language resources, which promotes agency and critical engagement with academic information. However, it also emphasizes the power dynamics in students' linguistic identities, in which the usage of many languages threatens English's supremacy. By analyzing these interactions, this study emphasizes the need of inclusive instructional practices that empower students while respecting their language variety.

Exploring Inflectional Morphemes in Sentences Written by EFL Students

Artika, Siska Bochari, Desrin Lebagi, Maf'ulah — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The objective of this research was to find out the types of inflectional morphemes that the students frequently misused and to find out the difficulty factors faced by students in using the type of inflectional morphemes. The population of this research consisted of 5th-semester students from the English Education Study Program at Tadulako University. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique, and there were 136 students in the 5th-semester class. The method of this research depends on the quantitative descriptive data using statistical analysis. Tests and questionnaires were used to collect the data. The researchers found that the ablaut adjective as an irregular form is the type of inflectional morphemes frequently misused by the students; the frequency of many incorrect forms is 160, and the difficulty factors that are affecting the students' use of inflectional morphemes are psychological as internal factors and peer and advisor support as the external factors.

Visualizing Words: The Effectiveness of Colored Pictures in Teaching Vocabulary

Nita Andriani, Hastini, Siska Bochari3, Sudarkam R. Mertosono4 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study uniquely explores the combined impact of colored pictures and student motivation on vocabulary mastery, an intersection rarely examined. This research investigates the effectiveness of colored pictures as a teaching medium and the role of student motivation in improving vocabulary comprehension among eighth-grade students at SMPN 19 Palu. A quasi-experimental design was employed, including 55 pupils split into two groups: a control group (n = 27) and an experimental group (n = 28). The experimental group was taught using colored pictures, whereas the control group followed conventional methods of instruction. Vocabulary mastery was assessed through Tests before and after, and students' motivation was measured using a Likert-scale questionnaire. The findings revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group by a substantial margin, achieving an average post-test score of 72.92, compared to 61.46 in the control group. There was a statistically significant change (p < 0.05), demonstrating the effectiveness of colored pictures in enhancing vocabulary mastery. Moreover, students with higher motivation in the experimental group was successful. Superior scores, with average of 75.30, compared to 69.10 for those with moderate motivation. These results confirm that colored pictures not only enhance vocabulary acquisition but also boost student engagement and motivation. The study suggests that integrating colored pictures into teaching strategies is a valuable approach to improving vocabulary mastery and fostering a more engaging setting for learning. For educators and legislators looking to improve vocabulary mastery results in language instruction, these studies provide useful insights.

Spotify as a Tool for Pronunciation Enhancement Among Eighth Graders: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Sellinda Putri, Hastini, Sriati Usman, Siska Bochari — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to find out the effect of the using Spotify application, using English songs and podcasts, affects students' pronunciation at SMP Negeri Model Terpadu Madani Palu. The research used a quasi-experimental design with two groups: an experimental class that used Spotify and a control class that used traditional methods. The sample consisted of two eighth-grade classes chosen using purposive sampling. Data was collected through pre-tests and post-tests to measure students' pronunciation before and after the treatment. The results showed that the average score of the experimental class improved significantly from 14.58 to 24.77, while the control class increased from 20.83 to 38.89. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test confirmed that the experimental class had a significant improvement (Z = -3.963, p = 0.000). However, the Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference between the experimental and control classes (p = 0.677). This means that while Spotify helped improve students’ pronunciation, it was not proven to be more effective than traditional teaching methods. In conclusion, using the Spotify application can help students improve their pronunciation, especially for the consonant sounds /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /θ/, and /ð/. Even though the improvement was not greater than the conventional method, Spotify still made learning more interesting and interactive for students.

Non-English Majored Students' Attitudes Toward Developing Digital Reading Practices on Online Newspaper Websites

Nguyen Huu Chanh, Chau Thuc Quyen — Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The aim of this study is to explore Vietnamese accounting students' attitudes toward using online newspaper websites to develop digital reading practices. Based on Sudiran’s (2015) framework, the research employed a mixed-methods approach by using questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The results indicated that students generally had positive attitudes toward online newspaper websites, particularly regarding their academic benefits, such as improving reading skills and enhancing academic performance. However, students showed varied preferences for usage frequency, with a preference for weekly access rather than daily use. While students acknowledged the role of online newspapers in communication and information retrieval, challenges related to digital literacy and user confidence were highlighted. The study suggests that online newspapers have potential as educational tools but that efforts to improve digital literacy and platform accessibility are needed to increase student engagement. The findings provided valuable insights into the nuanced views of students, which have important implications for both educators and developers seeking to integrate digital tools into learning environments.

CLIL Projects for Critical Thinking and Digital Citizenship in Moroccan Classrooms

Rachid Bendraou, Taoufik ALAOUI HICHAMI — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the effect of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) project-based learning, incorporating Moroccan culture and digital citizenship, on the critical thinking, cultural consciousness, and local identity of first-year middle school students in Morocco. The study employs a quasi-experimental design, involving an experimental group (n = 28) instructed using the CLIL strategy and a control group (n = 28) receiving traditional instruction. To evaluate progress in their critical thinking abilities and knowledge of Moroccan cultural traits, both groups were administered pre- and post-tests. The data was analysed using paired t-tests, which demonstrated a substantial increase in the post-test scores of the experimental group compared to the control group. These results indicate that integrating digital citizenship and local culture into CLIL can improve the critical thinking skills and cultural awareness of students. The significance of culturally applicable content and pedagogical approaches in the development of intercultural competence and awareness is underscored by the study. The results are limited by the small sample size and brief duration, indicating the necessity of additional research with larger, more diverse samples and extended time frames to verify them and investigate CLIL's effects in a variety of educational contexts.

The Effect of Peer Feedback Technique in Improving Students’ Writing Skill in Descriptive Text

SISKA SUAIB, Aminah Suriaman, Budi, Jamiluddin Jamil — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The purpose of this research was to determine whether peer feedback techniques can improve students' writing skills at Man Insan Cendekia KOTA PALU. This research employed a quasi-experimental design, which consisted of two groups, namely the control group and the experimental group. Researchers gave pre-tests to determine the ability of the two groups before giving treatment. The pre-test result showed that the control group scored higher than the experimental group. Then, the researchers gave the treatment using peer feedback techniques in the learning process to the experimental group. Finally, researchers gave the post-test to both groups. The post-test result showed that the experimental group achieved higher scores compared to the control group. It is because of the use of peer feedback techniques that students can identify mistakes in their writing and receive suggestions from peers, so they are able to write texts well according to comments and suggestions from their friends. The results of the research show that the use of peer feedback techniques has a positive effect on improving students' writing skills at Man Insan Cendekia Kota Palu

Improving Students’ Vocabulary through Android-based English Textbook; An Experimental Study

Virgi Septiara Fajrin, Husni Mubarok — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study was conducted to determine whether Android-based English textbooks (ABET) could enhance the vocabulary skills of tenth-grade students at MA Miftahul Ulum. This study employed a pre-experimental approach featuring a one-group design that includes pre-tests and post-tests. The population was 30 students, and the sample used saturation sampling. Data was gathered through a multiple-choice test consisting of 45 questions in total. Data was gathered using a pre-test, an ABET treatment session, and a post-test to measure students' vocabulary improvement. This study employed statistical data analysis methods, including descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test, utilizing SPSS software. The results showed that the effect of education on students' vocabulary was statistically significant; the students' mean score in the post-test (73.60) significantly exceeded the pre-test mean (48.26), and the t-test computation yielded a significance value of 0.000. The figure falls below the 0.05 threshold, indicating statistical significance. The results showed that students' attention and vocabulary increased significantly from the Android-based learning media ABET, so it can be an alternative choice to printed materials. This study suggests that the use of digital textbooks should be expanded to prove a more dynamic and accessible EFL educational environment.

EFL Students’ Perceptions on the Use of Promova for Learning English Vocabulary

Miftahul Jannah, Ernita Daulay — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study explores EFL students' perceptions of using the Promova application to learn English vocabulary. The study employed a qualitative descriptive method with 30 XI^th-grade students at a senior high school in Medan. Data were collected through Likert scale questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that students perceive Promova as a user-friendly, flexible, self-directed learning application. Interactive features, such as quizzes, flashcards, image illustrations, and AI-based pronunciation feedback, increase vocabulary memorization, enhance understanding, and boost learning motivation. While most students feel confident and enjoy learning with Promova, some remain neutral about its impact on long-term motivation. These findings suggest that Promova is an effective vocabulary-learning tool for EFL students. This study implies that mobile applications like Promova can be used as an engaging and tailored language learning media. This study contributes to the literature review by offering an understanding of students' experiences using the Promova application in Indonesian secondary schools, a topic rarely discussed in previous studies. Additionally, the results can be a useful reference for teachers, application developers, and future researchers when designing vocabulary learning media suited to students' needs and interests.

Exploring Junior High School Student’s Experiences in Learning English Conversation through Drama, English Camp, and Tourism

Refi Regita Sari, Aryati Prasetyarini — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Drama, English Camp, and Tourism are considered effective strategies for improving students' conversational skills in secondary schools. However, studies exploring the integration of these three approaches are still limited. Addressing this gap, the present study aims to explore students’ experiences in an innovative English learning program, specifically through Drama (English Performance), English Camp, and Edutrip (Tourism), and to identify the benefits and challenges encountered in improving their speaking skills. The study is driven by students’ low interest and lack of self-confidence in speaking English in conventional classroom settings, highlighting the need for innovative and engaging learning environments. This research employed a qualitative method with a case study design. Data were collected through interviews and documentation involving six students from a global class at one Muhammadiyah junior high school in Surakarta who participated in the English Conversation Program. Data were analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model, including data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The findings show that the English Conversation Program offered enjoyable and contextual learning experiences, improving students’ confidence, fluency, pronunciation, and spontaneous speaking ability. The main challenges faced included pronunciation difficulties, anxiety, and limited vocabulary, which were addressed through self-practice, peer collaboration, and vocabulary preparation. This study highlights the importance of experiential learning in enhancing students’ English speaking skills.

Flipped Classrooms in the Digital Age: A WhatsApp-Based Approach to Improving Reading Comprehension Across Genders

Caroline Victorine Katemba, Rida A. Setyaningtyas, Jonathan H. Tobing — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Reading comprehension is one of the most important in learning English.This study aimed to find out improving students’ reading comprehension using Flipped Classroom through WhatsApp. The sample in this research is 8^th grade students from two classes at SMPN 10 Cimahi in grade eight. This research using quantitative approach and using experimental method. The student’s (female and male) reading comprehension ability show improvement. It show from the mean score for n-gain in male 0.4280 and from female is 0.5613 it means the initial ability after using Flipped Classroom through Whatsapp male and female in students’ reading comprehension is increase. In, addition, There is difference in students’ reading comprehension improvement between female and male students after being taught using flipped classroom through WhatsApp, it shows from the result of independent sample T-test is 0,001 > 0,005. The result from the questionnaire is 93.33% responded positively. In summary, it can be conclude that the Flipped Classroom through WhatsApp can help the students in reading comprehension.

Formative Assessment Evaluating Formative Assessment in the Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum

Fajar Imam Murifqi, Issy Yuliasri — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Formative assessment plays a critical role in supporting student learning by providing continuous feedback throughout the instructional process. However, many teachers have yet to implement formative assessment effectively, particularly in English language instruction under the Emancipated (Merdeka) Curriculum in Indonesia. This qualitative study investigates the implementation of formative assessment in an English class at SMP Daarul Qur’an Ungaran, a junior high school located in West Ungaran District. Data were collected through preliminary observations, classroom observations, interviews, and document analysis involving one English teacher and 28 eighth-grade students. Findings indicate that the teacher partially implements formative assessment strategies, including quizzes, oral questioning, and student reflections. However, certain aspects such as grammar and pronunciation assessments were found to be underutilized. Students generally responded positively to the feedback they received, though some formative techniques were inconsistently applied. The study highlights both the potential and the challenges of implementing formative assessment under the Emancipated Curriculum. It offers practical insights for educators and policymakers on how to improve assessment literacy and better integrate formative strategies into classroom practices to support student learning outcomes.

An Analysis of Positive Politeness Strategy Used on Expressive Utterance in “The School for Good and Evil” Movie

Jazila Atsna, Santi Andriyani — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the use of positive politeness strategies in the movie The School for Good and Evil, utilizing Brown and Levinson's politeness theory (1987). By analyzing expressive utterances, the research examines how characters convey emotions, maintain relationships, and enhance interpersonal interactions within a fantasy setting. A qualitative descriptive method was employed, with data sourced from the movie and its script. The findings reveal that the characters employ various strategies such as noticing, exaggeration, using in-group identity markers, avoiding disagreements, and offering promises to navigate themes of identity, belonging, and moral dichotomy. These strategies foster solidarity, resolve conflicts, and strengthen social bonds in the fantastical context of the story. However, the study's reliance on a single movie limits the generalizability of the findings, highlighting the need for further research across different genres and cultural contexts. This study contributes to linguistic research by showcasing how positive politeness strategies are adapted in unique narrative settings and provides insights for improving communication in real-world contexts, such as educational environments.

Critical Discourse Analysis on Arvin's Criticism on Deddy Corbuzier's Youtube Channel

Suhaib Al Faruq, Mahsun, Ahmad Sirulhaq, Burhanuddin, Johan Mahyudi — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Critical discourse studies as manifested are not just an analysis of people's social behavior as reflected through language. In relation to critical discourse studies, the language units that are the object of study are narrated as a reflection of social praxis, where linguistic units that are suspected of containing criticism can be used as material to reconstruct the intent or purpose of conveying criticism; whether criticism is aimed only at building humor between epistemic groups or is it more than just criticizing, meaning that criticism is used to fight against the domination of power. This research aims to describe the status of criticism in the principles of interpretation of critical discourse studies, especially with regard to global, local meaning and context models. The source of research data was obtained by transcribing criticism of subpoena video footage on Deddy Corbuzier's YouTube channel. The research used a qualitative descriptive approach, in which data was collected using a free-to-read, skillful listening method. The data is then analyzed by interpreting the context, semantic macrostructure, local and global meaning, relevance of the formal structure of discourse, and interpretation of the context model using the extralingual equivalent method. The results of the research show that the criticism made by comedians on Deddy Corbuzier's summons channel contains three strategic problems which are manifested by interpreting global, local meanings, as well as the discourse context model in the criticism.

Peirce's Triadic Model of Sign on Tempo Digital Newspaper Cover 21st October 2024 Edition

Dwi Khumaeroh Sa'adah, R. Myrna Nur Sakinah — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Signs can be found anywhere, as exemplified by the cover of the October 21, 2024, edition of the Tempo digital newspaper, which reflects the prevailing political landscape in Indonesia. This research aims to classify the sign elements in the illustration of the Tempo digital newspaper cover and analyze their meanings. The method employed to examine these signs and meanings is qualitatively descriptive, utilizing the Triadic Model of Sign theory established by Peirce. The results of this research indicate that the seven components of the sign present in the cover show the relationship among representamen (qualisign, sinsign, and legisign), object (icon, index, and symbol), and interpretant (rheme, dicisign, and argument), which collectively contribute to the formation of meaning. This research retains significance due to its potential to enhance readers’ understanding of signs and their meanings while raising public awareness of signs that often communicate implicit messages. The research concludes that the signs featured on the cover of Tempo’s digital newspaper, ‘Dwifungsi Pengusaha-Menteri,’ appear to deliver a cautionary message to the audience, prompting them to observe and evaluate the actions of the ministers.

Subtitling Strategies and Translation Quality in Indonesian Fan Subtitle of Kung Fu Panda 4

Qory Ayuni Falhi, Widhiyanto, Rahayu Puji Haryanti — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the balance between naturalness and accuracy in the Indonesian fan-sub of Kung Fu Panda 4. It examines the subtitling strategies employed by fan translators, utilizing Gottlieb’s (1992) subtitling strategies and Larson’s (1984) principles of translation quality. Adopting a descriptive qualitative approach, the research analyzed 139 lines from the movie, focusing on their cultural and linguistic complexity. The findings reveal that paraphrasing was the most frequently applied strategy (63.31%), followed by transfer (15.11%), expansion (9.35%), condensation (7.91%), and imitation (4.32%). These strategies enabled fan translators to adapt the source text while preserving its meaning, ensuring the subtitles were culturally and linguistically suitable for the Indonesian audience. Most subtitles were rated as moderately natural (79.86%) and moderately accurate (50.36%), with a smaller portion achieving high ratings. The study underscores the need to enhance naturalness and accuracy while emphasizing the importance of incorporating subtitling strategies in translation education to address real-world challenges.

Deconstructing “The Other”: Female Resistance In Great Expectations Through Simone De Beauvoir’s Lens

Yollanda Aprila Nirwana, Ruly Indra Darmawan — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The researchers used this research to identify the forms of resistance and subordination exhibited by female characters. The research utilized a descriptive, qualitative, and feminist approach, focusing on Simone de Beauvoir's concept of Otherness in The Second Sex. Data was gathered by carefully reading and observing Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, including narration, monologue, and character behaviors. Furthermore, the researchers determined that female characters (Estella, Miss Havisham, and Biddy) lose their subjectivity as a result of the subordination of women and societal expectations that required them to conform to traditional norms in the Victorian era. Women are defined as "other" rather than autonomous beings who stand alone, according to Beauvoir's idea of subordination. Therefore, as a form of resistance in Beauvoir's concept, female characters must conduct transcendence to pursue freedom to erase their Otherness. The resistance is found using Beauvoir's concept theory of women's existence. The concept is divided into three main points: women's intellect, being themselves, and concretizing themselves—the result of resistance shaped in the form of dialogue or narration in the novel. Additionally, the researchers use this research to gather relevant information for future studies and develop feminist analyses.

Islamic Cultural Influence on Characters’ Interaction in Khaled Hosseini’s "And the Mountain Echoed"

Amalia Chairunnisa Pamungkas, Ruly Indra Darmawan — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study focuses on analyzing the Islamic culture and its influence on the characters in the novel. The novel’s main background story takes place in Afghanistan, where Islam is deeply rooted in the society. The rooted belief in Islam shaped the culture of the Afghans. Through the lens of Clifford Geertz's theory of “Religion as Cultural System,” he observes that the practice of a culture often follows the teachings of a religion in the area. This analysis also draws on the opinions of some Islamic figures as a supporting theory to define the Islamic culture portrayed in the novel. This study found that Islamic cultures are portrayed in some chapters of the novel. Moreover, the results of this analysis provide evidence that Islam in Afghanistan significantly influences the country's culture. Since the religion is rooted in Afghanistan, some cultural values follow the belief of Islam found in the characters' daily interactions. They demonstrate how women should wear hijab, how Muslims perform their worship prayers, how a family stays connected, and how younger people should interact with older individuals.