Sentence-final particle (SFP) is a distinctive feature in various languages, including Japanese and Cantonese. In the thesis, the usages of two SFP combinations, "yone" in Japanese and "gaa3-wo3"...Show moreSentence-final particle (SFP) is a distinctive feature in various languages, including Japanese and Cantonese. In the thesis, the usages of two SFP combinations, "yone" in Japanese and "gaa3-wo3" in Cantonese, are dissected and analysed, so as to tell the differences in semantic and pragmatic effects between the SFP combinations and their individual component particles.Show less
This study analyzes the experience of Daoism in the Netherlands among practitioners of three body practices: taijiquan, qigong and Healing Tao. It describes how this ancient Chinese tradition has...Show moreThis study analyzes the experience of Daoism in the Netherlands among practitioners of three body practices: taijiquan, qigong and Healing Tao. It describes how this ancient Chinese tradition has found its place in the daily life of practitioners of three “Daoist” body practices and how the practitioners experience Daoism. Through analyzing qualitative interviews with teachers and students practicing taijiquan, qigong and Healing Tao, this thesis shows that Daoism in the Netherlands is mostly experienced as a practical guideline and serves as the basis for these body practices. For a significant number of practitioners, Daoism is applicable everywhere and gives meaning to life. It explains the world around the practitioners without requiring a strong “belief” in anything. Some practitioners connect Daoism and their body practice to its Chinese origin, whereas others believe the underlying principles are the most important. Through this analyzation, it becomes clear that Daoism is experienced stronger in the Netherlands than was expected prior to this research.Show less
In this thesis, research is done on identity change of Chinese students in the Netherlands. Three aspects of identity change have been focused on: filial identity change, religious identity change,...Show moreIn this thesis, research is done on identity change of Chinese students in the Netherlands. Three aspects of identity change have been focused on: filial identity change, religious identity change, and political identity change.Show less
In the years 1663-1665, the Danish King Frederick III (1609-1670) had the walls of his cabinet in Rosenborg Castle entirely covered by black lacquer panels by the Dutch artist François de Bray (c....Show moreIn the years 1663-1665, the Danish King Frederick III (1609-1670) had the walls of his cabinet in Rosenborg Castle entirely covered by black lacquer panels by the Dutch artist François de Bray (c. 1642-c. 1672). This room later became known as the "Chinese Tower Room". This thesis discusses the design of the "Chinese Tower Room" by tracing its history since the time of King Christian IV (1577-1648), the first Danish monarch with an interest in Asian objects, and also in relation to the environment of lacquer workers in the Dutch Republic, from where many artists working at the Danish court originated. Transculturation, the transformation of a culture by the influx of new cultural elements and the loss or alteration of existing ones, played an important role in the room's creation. It created a new symbolic cultural language that was used to reinforce the status of the monarch and the existing ideologies that legitimized his position.Show less
The aim of this research was to investigate the occurrence of rendaku in Japanese place names based on two aspects: the region in which a name occurs and the final element of the name. By using a...Show moreThe aim of this research was to investigate the occurrence of rendaku in Japanese place names based on two aspects: the region in which a name occurs and the final element of the name. By using a database from the Japan Post, 39 place names that showed variation in rendaku occurrence were investigated. It was expected that rendaku would occur in place names according to a core periphery model, where place names located in the core area would have a higher rendaku rate. The results showed that for many names, the rendaku rate was higher in the more central Kanto, Chubu or Kinki areas compared to the peripheral areas. Furthermore, it was expected that rendaku in names ending with the same element would show a similar geographical distribution across Japan. The results showed that all names ending with kawa behaved similarly, while for other elements the rendaku pattern varied per individual name. This thesis therefore concludes that rendaku in Japanese place names occurs according to a certain pattern, although this pattern varies per name. Further research, especially regarding accent patterns, is necessary in order to explain the variation of rendaku in Japanese place names.Show less
A commonly observed phenomenon is villagers have more trust in the central government rather than their local government in rural China. This article changes survey settings to urban areas and...Show moreA commonly observed phenomenon is villagers have more trust in the central government rather than their local government in rural China. This article changes survey settings to urban areas and seeks to study sources of the trust gap and implications behind it. Survey findings indicate the so-called hierarchy trust does exist in urban China. Moreover, drawing on analyses of questionnaires and interviews, this article concludes that urbanites’ evaluations of government’s performance and intention, belief in Confucianism and collectivism values, life satisfaction, previous experiences with government significantly shape their political trust.Show less
Because of a rapid-ageing society, Japan is facing a shrinking society in which the relative amount of elderly citizens will increase substantially. Elderly citizens are at larger risk of...Show moreBecause of a rapid-ageing society, Japan is facing a shrinking society in which the relative amount of elderly citizens will increase substantially. Elderly citizens are at larger risk of eventually moving to an elderly care facility or passing away. When their houses become uninhabited or unmanaged, they are designated as an empty house, or akiya. In this thesis, I will investigate the question of how this rapid rise in empty houses can be explained from the perspective of the social dimension of homeownership.Show less
The purpose of this thesis is was establish how the revival of traditional gender norms by stigmatizing women’s leftover status, has influenced educated women (labeled Shengnü) in looking for a...Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is was establish how the revival of traditional gender norms by stigmatizing women’s leftover status, has influenced educated women (labeled Shengnü) in looking for a future partner online. It does this by analyzing women’s profiles on an online dating website and researches women’s self-presentation and criteria for mate selection in finding a heterosexual partner. It argues that highly educated women in the workforce (in Beijing) are influenced by societal pressures, and therefore downplay their achievements, hide information and/or lower their demands to attract a suitable mate. To verify this hypothesis, a content analysis was conducted on profiles of women residing in Beijing on the largest state-owned dating website in China, Jiayuan.com.Show less
The goal of this thesis was to research the influence of Ahok’s political situation on the ethnic identity of Chinese Indonesian students who temporarily stayed in the Netherlands. Therefore, 23 in...Show moreThe goal of this thesis was to research the influence of Ahok’s political situation on the ethnic identity of Chinese Indonesian students who temporarily stayed in the Netherlands. Therefore, 23 in-depth interviews were conducted, in which positive and negative views on Ahok’s political situation were discussed. Additionally, questions in relation to their ethnic identity were asked.Show less
In this thesis I have investigated the use of the Chinese space programme in public diplomacy strategies. There is a gap between the image the Chinese government tries to project and China's...Show moreIn this thesis I have investigated the use of the Chinese space programme in public diplomacy strategies. There is a gap between the image the Chinese government tries to project and China's behaviour on the world stage. While the intended image is that of a peace-loving nation that uses its space programme for scientific purposes that will benefit mankind, on a security level China uses its space programme for military applications and power projection. I have investigated this divergence and speculated on the future space power dynamics.Show less
Global climate change has emerged as one of the world’s most serious problems, one requiring international cooperation. China, as a large country and big emitter, is vital to such cooperation. It...Show moreGlobal climate change has emerged as one of the world’s most serious problems, one requiring international cooperation. China, as a large country and big emitter, is vital to such cooperation. It is therefore important to understand China’s position regarding climate change and international cooperation. This thesis examined China attitudes and how these are changing by conducting discourse analysis of Xinhua articles published during the 2009 and 2015 United Nations climate conferences. It found China’s attitudes shifted significantly between these two conferences and it became much more willing to cooperate.Show less
The problem of the elderly in post-3.11 Japan is not solvable at any single level. One cannot reduce all phenomena to results of a single factor, be it governmental practice, change in social...Show moreThe problem of the elderly in post-3.11 Japan is not solvable at any single level. One cannot reduce all phenomena to results of a single factor, be it governmental practice, change in social capital, or arbitrary wills of a group of people. After all, the levels that are investigated in this paper only represent some perspectives of inquiry. It is the variety and specificity of older people’s situations that a proper research on them has to respect. Correspondingly, the foremost implication of this research is the importance of being patient to and leaving space for, the multiplicity of the voices of the elderly.Show less
Dit werkstuk gaat over de morele principes die weduwen volgens het boek Lienüzhuan van Liu Xiang moesten kennen en de juiste gedragslijn die deze weduwen moesten volgen.
Why are there so many and such varied discourses about Tibet? Why do the statements about Tibet made by American, Chinese, and foreign organizations often appear to be quite different from and...Show moreWhy are there so many and such varied discourses about Tibet? Why do the statements about Tibet made by American, Chinese, and foreign organizations often appear to be quite different from and sometimes in contradiction to each other? This research focuses on how Tibet has been framed by different parties in their discourse. It examines how these parties discuss and portray Old Tibet (prior to the Chinese invasion) and Contemporary Tibet. With regard to Old Tibet I consider how Orientalist ideas have influenced and shaped the discourse on Tibet; with regard to Contemporary Tibet, two processes which influence the discourse on Tibet are discussed, namely, the commodification and the politicization of Tibet.Show less
