Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis examines Korean diasporic identities in Japan, focusing on language's role in identity negotiations within a post-colonial context. Through investigating present day Zainichi Koreans'...Show moreThis thesis examines Korean diasporic identities in Japan, focusing on language's role in identity negotiations within a post-colonial context. Through investigating present day Zainichi Koreans' identity-making, I demonstrate their journeys in navigating the empowering and discriminating role of language.Show less
The origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been...Show moreThe origin of speech is one of the biggest unanswered questions in the evolution of mankind. Scientist from all over the world from different disciplines using different methodologies have been trying to solve the mystery that is the origin of speech. An unambiguous answer however, remains absent. Using the method of comparative morphology and microbiomechanical studies, it can be studied when in our evolutionary history the anatomy fit to support speech production first arose, and thus which species first had the ability to talk. This thesis looks at published data on different hard structures of the vocal tract, in particular the hyoid, hard palate and mandible, of Australopithecus afarensis, Homo erectus, the SH hominins and Homo neanderthalensis to compare them to those of the modern human and non-human great apes vocal tract, in order to discover what we can infer about the origin speech based on the evolution of the vocal tract. This comparison has shown that based on their features, these hominins can be divided into two categories. The first category is that of archaic morphology and is characterized by a hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of the non-human great apes, in particular, chimpanzees. This means they possessed a bullashaped hyoid body, a long and broad hard palate and a long and narrow, chinless mandible. To this group belong the Australopithecus afarensis and Homo erectus. The second category is that of modern morphology and is characterized by the hyoid, hard palate and mandible that most closely resembles the anatomical features of modern humans. This means a bar-like hyoid body, a shorter and more narrow hard palate and a short and broad mandible with a bony protuberance, the chin. To this groups belongs the SH hominins the Homo neanderthalensis. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the anatomical features of the vocal tract fit to support the production of speech were already in place with, at least, Neanderthals. Therefore, Neanderthals could speak. The way forward for future studies into the origin of speech mainly is more data, both in terms of quantity and more species, though this is not something that can be forced. Establishing the origin of speech might open up a new path into studying the origin of language, a related, but not identical topic.Show less
This research discusses whether male authors sexually objectify their female characters in comparison to female authors. This was done by analysing two classic and two contemporary fiction novels...Show moreThis research discusses whether male authors sexually objectify their female characters in comparison to female authors. This was done by analysing two classic and two contemporary fiction novels each by male and female American authors. These novels were chosen because of their similarities and because they feature a male protagonist who narrates the story. The novels were analysed for phrases used to describe the female characters appearance and these descriptions were compared to the novels of the opposite gender to check for any sexual objectification. The results revealed that male authors were more likely to sexually objectify their female characters in comparison to female authors. However, due to the size of this research, more research must be done to understand the scale and nuances of this.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis takes a look at colourblindness, a phenomenon that is often heralded as being one solution for racism and, by specifically focusing on colourblindness in everyday formal and informal...Show moreThis thesis takes a look at colourblindness, a phenomenon that is often heralded as being one solution for racism and, by specifically focusing on colourblindness in everyday formal and informal talk, looks at how colourblindness guarantees the unhindered continued existence of structural racism. The thesis also takes a closer look at the effects of colourblindness on different social actors.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
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Communication involves understanding the difference between our own perspective (visual perspective, beliefs, and knowledge) and that of an addressee. Previous research found that knowledge about a...Show moreCommunication involves understanding the difference between our own perspective (visual perspective, beliefs, and knowledge) and that of an addressee. Previous research found that knowledge about a speaker’s background (e.g., stereotypes, accent, etc.) affects online language processing in listeners. However, the role and automaticity of Theory of Mind (ToM) – the ability to attribute beliefs to someone - remains unclear. Typically, we expect individuals to speak according to their beliefs and perspectives. But what if their utterances mismatch with what we expect them to know? We designed a novel perspective-taking paradigm in a virtual environment, which manipulates an agent’s belief. We then recorded electroencephalographical data from participants, while they listened to the agent making statements either matching or mismatching their false or true beliefs. Specifically, we analyzed the N400: a component, which amplitude scales with the unexpectedness of a content word. We predicted that statements mismatching an agent’s true belief (e.g., seeing a car and saying “That’s a screwdriver”) would result in larger N400 components, compared to statements matching the true beliefs. We found strong evidence for this prediction. Further, we predicted that knowledge of an agent’s unawareness that the state of affairs has changed (i.e., a false belief) is considered when interpreting their statements. We found indirect evidence for this: statements matching their false beliefs do not elicit an N400. However, statements mismatching their false beliefs (e.g., agent says something they couldn’t have known) neither are marked by the N400. Results support ToM’s role in interpreting language.Show less
In dit onderzoek is een meta-analyse uitgevoerd naar de behandeleffecten van cognitieve gedragstherapie (CGT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprossing (EMDR) en narratieve exposure therapie ...Show moreIn dit onderzoek is een meta-analyse uitgevoerd naar de behandeleffecten van cognitieve gedragstherapie (CGT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprossing (EMDR) en narratieve exposure therapie (NET) op vluchtelingen die gediagnosticeerd zijn met posttraumatische stressstoornis of symptomen van deze stoornis vertonen. Ook is onderzocht of er een verschil in effectiviteit van deze behandelvormen is voor kinderen en volwassen. Aangezien veel vluchtelingen van niet-westerse komaf zijn, is in dit onderzoek ook het moderatoreffect van cultuur- en taalaanpassing op de behandelvorm opgenomen. Een systematische literatuuronderzoek is uitgevoerd en hieruit zijn 34 studies geselecteerd die relevant zijn gebleken voor dit onderzoek volgens de inclusiecriteria. In het programma JASP zijn de analyses uitgevoerd. De meta-analyse heeft aangetoond dat CGT (-1.33, CI [-1.84, -0.82]), EMDR (-1.26, CI [-1.78, -0.74]) en NET –(1.12, CI [-1.56, 0.69]) significante behandeleffecten hebben. Tussen de behandelingen zijn geen significante effect verschillen te zien (p > 0.05). Hieruit kan geconcludeerd worden dat de resultaten van de hoofdeffecten van de behandelingen gelijkwaardig zijn aan elkaar. Dit ondersteunt het dodo bird verdict die stelt dat er geen verschillen waarneembaar zijn tussen psychotherapieën. Verschillen in behandeleffectiviteit bij kinderen en volwassen zijn niet aangetoond door gebrek aan significantie (d = 0.109, p = 0.78). Het toevoegen van de variabele taal- en cultuuradaptatie bleek geen significant effect aan te tonen (d = -0.031, p = 0.926).Show less
An in-depth analysis of the linguistic features and the use of verbs and adjectives in fantasy literature was done to establish whether gender, culture, and time had any influence in relation to...Show moreAn in-depth analysis of the linguistic features and the use of verbs and adjectives in fantasy literature was done to establish whether gender, culture, and time had any influence in relation to character related verbs and adjectives. The analysis is based on two different female authors: Nalini Singh and Sarah J. Maas. The two authors were born into different cultures, are from different ethnicities, and are part of different generations. A sample of passages was selected from several of their published works which contain descriptions of the characters’ personality and appearance, and/or contains verbs that describe actions performed by or to the protagonist. Verbs and adjectives that met the criteria were analysed and divided into different categories, such as transactive/non-transactive, and descriptive/non-descriptive adjectives. The sets of data were compared to each other and analysed based on prior research in order to determine which author could be considered to be more progressive and why.Show less
This thesis presents an analysis of the way language is used as a form of power in Nineteen Eighty-Four and Fahrenheit 451. Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four represents a society which uses the...Show moreThis thesis presents an analysis of the way language is used as a form of power in Nineteen Eighty-Four and Fahrenheit 451. Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four represents a society which uses the manipulation of meaning in order to restrict individual thought. Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 likewise presents a government whose goal it is to diminish individual thought. However, Fahrenheit 451 focuses more on the violent destruction of written language.Show less
Philosophy and human thought are replete with mutually exclusive dualism. As a result, our understanding of reality is limited and our use of conceptual language is dangerously misconstrued. In...Show morePhilosophy and human thought are replete with mutually exclusive dualism. As a result, our understanding of reality is limited and our use of conceptual language is dangerously misconstrued. In pursuit of a solution to this problem, this thesis asks how it has been apprehended by two very different traditions: that of Jacques Derrida and Buddhism. More specifically, I discuss Derrida’s semiotic theory of deconstruction known as différance, in order to broach the apparent linguistic aspect to the problem of duality. On the other hand, I explicate a variety of Buddhist doctrine in order to discuss the problem as seen through the ideas of Kyoto School Zen scholars, especially Nishida Kitarō. In line with these thinkers, I first highlight their acknowledgement of the problem of duality, before asking to what extent it actually is problematic. These implications will hopefully become clearer after I discuss the contextual scope of both traditions, which precedes an illustration of their respective theoretical approaches. Furthermore, I introduce an additional consideration pertaining to the problem of duality: the risk of re-reification. By discussing this sub-problem through the eyes of Derrida and Buddhists, I explore the idea of a middle way. Finally, I ask what a meaningful and applicable solution to the problem of duality might look like, by entertaining Victor Hori’s notion of non-duality. As such, this project seeks not only to provide a solution to the problem of duality, but also shows how intercultural philosophy allows for constructive dialogues between cultures.Show less
Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)
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This dissertation focuses on how the socio-political fabric of Vārāṇasī has changed through time, space, and memory according to Kāshīnāth Singh´s 2004 book “Kāshī kā Assī”.
As Japan is suffering from labour shortages due to it's decreasing demographics and ageing population, foreign workers should present themselves to be a solution to the labour problems in Japan....Show moreAs Japan is suffering from labour shortages due to it's decreasing demographics and ageing population, foreign workers should present themselves to be a solution to the labour problems in Japan. However Japan has not been freely accepting all sorts of foreign labour, and has been mostly restricting itself to skilled foreign labour. This paper is trying to uncover the reasoning behind this preference for skilled foreign workers, while unskilled foreign workers are also required to solve the labour shortages. This will be done by researching the stance of the labour unions, the government, the companies, and how the language might influence the interaction between the two parties of the Japanese and the foreign workers.Show less
This research looks at how Japanese gay women use English as a form of self-expression, by looking at underlying factors such as community, language use by gay Japanese, Japanese women's language,...Show moreThis research looks at how Japanese gay women use English as a form of self-expression, by looking at underlying factors such as community, language use by gay Japanese, Japanese women's language, and gay Japanese women's language itself. It then uses this knowledge to analyze the documentary Gaycation and the language used by gay Japanese women in the episode. It concludes that dependency on English loanwords increases when the conversation involves a topic related to the queer community, however apart from this Japanese gay women do not necessarily use more English while speaking Japanese.Show less
The French Language has several past tenses, including the passé composé and the imparfait. These tenses are at first sight similar to two past tenses in Dutch, the voltooid tegenwoordige tijd and...Show moreThe French Language has several past tenses, including the passé composé and the imparfait. These tenses are at first sight similar to two past tenses in Dutch, the voltooid tegenwoordige tijd and the onvoltooid verleden tijd. For Dutch learners of the French language, it may seem that you use the French passé composé, when you have to use the voltooid tegenwoordige tijd in Dutch, because both the passé composé as the voltooid tegenwoordige tijd are composed of an auxiliary and a past participle. However, there is a difference with regard to the use of these tenses in Dutch and in French. The mother tongue, in this case Dutch, can interfere with the acquisition of the French tenses by Dutch learners. It is possible that there is a negative transfer of Dutch to French. The Dutch education could help learners to acquire the correct use. This thesis examines the transfer of Dutch to French concerning the past tenses and it examines the role that plays education in the process of transfer. In the thesis, we will discuss the past tenses that are used in French and in Dutch and we will examine the role of the mother tongue (Dutch), specially the process of transfer. Furthermore we will discuss the role of de education in this transfer. In which way the education can improve the acquirement of these tenses? With the help of a forced choise task, we will try to specify the role of the transfer of Dutch to French concerning the past tenses and we will try to examine the role of education in this acquisition.Show less
Ongoing conflict in Kachin State between the military and ethnic separatists - the KIA/O - has been argued in the literature to be fuelled by an array of factors. While some authors have argued...Show moreOngoing conflict in Kachin State between the military and ethnic separatists - the KIA/O - has been argued in the literature to be fuelled by an array of factors. While some authors have argued that issues of language are central to the continuation of ethnic violence, this thesis disputes this and employs an alternative framework for understanding why ethnic conflict persists in the era of Myanmar democratisation. This thesis argues that in the current renewed Kachin conflict, other issues are more crucial in fuelling the conflict. Martin Smith proposes in his 2007 paper State of Strife: The Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict in Burma, that the dynamics of ethnic conflict are cyclical in nature, with continuing violence being fuelled by continued military rule, ongoing military offensives, widespread military atrocities and a lack of guaranteed ethnic rights in Myanmar’s constitution. This thesis proposes that Myanmar, particularly in Kachin State, has entered a sixth cycle of ethnic conflict, and that the current ethnic conflict in Kachin state is fundamentally fuelled by these four criteria.Show less
The aim of this thesis is to problematize Amitav Acharya’s Global International Relations framework, demonstrate problems with IR’s reliance on the English language, as well as IR’s political...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to problematize Amitav Acharya’s Global International Relations framework, demonstrate problems with IR’s reliance on the English language, as well as IR’s political economy, and show how these three factors may impede the development and incorporation of Global IR in modern IR overall. The first argument that this thesis presents is a problematization of the emphasis on English within IR, and it will do so over the first two chapters. The first chapter of the thesis tackles with the use of English in the contemporary international climate, where, as Bunce et al. and Kubota & Okuda demonstrate how English shapes and intervenes in international politics and developments. The second chapter, which will look at the state of the English language in IR theory, demonstrates that English is tied closely together with the legitimacy of IR as an academic discipline as well as in the imagining of globalisation, and how it has shaped the creation of the Us vs. Them dichotomy that encounters so much criticism within IR. The second argument, which will be approached in Chapter 3, will turn to the political economy of IR, and how this has helped in the creation of the homogenous academic field we work in today. By looking at the development of the university as an institution for research through Kamola’s argument, the presence of the publish or perish culture, and the problems that this, combined with the English-dominated Western IR, present for the globalising of IR - one of the mission statements of Global IR. This thesis will conclude by suggesting a potential alternative approach that Global IR can look into to tackle the issues that are presented throughout the thesis.Show less
This study aims to provide an insight into the effect an international teaching background can have on language users’ attitudes and prejudices. The motivation behind this study focuses on the...Show moreThis study aims to provide an insight into the effect an international teaching background can have on language users’ attitudes and prejudices. The motivation behind this study focuses on the contact hypothesis, which posits that under certain conditions of prolonged contact, favourable impressions of other speakers may develop based on shared experience. Given the lack of previous research into more international contact settings, this study aimed to provide a brief insight into how prolonged exposure to language variation might allow for the development of more positive language attitudes. Eleven teachers from the International School of the Hague volunteered to take part in this study which aimed to test the hypothesis that prolonged contact in an immersive international environment could make raters more tolerant of other speakers’ diverse accents in English. The data was derived from an anonymous survey and short fifteen- minute participant interviews. Though no solid conclusions can be drawn due to a small sample size, the implications of this study are profound and far-reaching. Establishing how extensive contact may influence a person’s language attitudes has value in a number of fields that go beyond sociolinguistic research, with implications in international politics, economic and social relations (both national and international) and importantly, teaching. It is the hope that more in-depth research will follow this study.Show less
