Semiotic food, semiotic cooking: The ritual of preparation and consumption of hallacas in Venezuela

Semiotica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 (211) ◽  
pp. 271-291
Author(s):  
José Enrique Finol ◽  
Beatriz Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Field Method ◽  
General Analysis ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Symbolic Approach ◽  
Culinary Culture ◽  
Latin American Countries

AbstractThe purposes of this paper are, first of all, to present a model of semiotic ritual in food consumption, and, second, to carry out a general analysis of the rites of preparation and consumption of the traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish known as hallaca, a particular kind of tamal well known in most Caribbean and Latin American countries. Our ethnographic research is based on the observation and participation field method, during which we have taken photographs, held interviews, and had discussions with actors involved in this family ritual. We have also taken advantage of our own thirty years of experience as direct participant actors. In its first part, this paper presents some theoretical and conceptual definitions that guide us through the analysis. Hallaca is not only a strong symbol in historical and contemporary Venezuelan culinary culture but it is also a living expression of a particular syncretic mixing of semiotic and culinary elements and cultural traditions. We conclude that, as a whole, semiotics of food will benefit from a ritual and symbolic approach to what is done before, during, and after cooking and consuming food. Our analysis shows as well that hallaca preparation and consumption is not only a matter of gathering and having fun but a strong, deep rooted way of expressing, communicating, and renewing profound values and beliefs among family members.

Discussion, Societal Exclusion, and Political Voice

2020 ◽  
pp. 207-223
Author(s):  
Andy Baker ◽  
Barry Ames ◽  
Lúcio Rennó
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Political Discussion ◽  
National Elections ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Informed Preferences ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Political Voice ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Normative Issues ◽  
Latin American Countries

This chapter explores the implications of horizontal intermediation for the normative issues of the quality and equity of political voice. Because its monetary costs are virtually nil, the realm of horizontal intermediation could be a haven for under-resourced and marginalized groups. The analyses of data from the panel studies and the Comparative National Elections Project (CNEP), however, show that political discussion in seven Latin American countries suffers from an exclusion problem. Individuals of high socioeconomic status (SES) are much more likely to discuss politics than individuals of lower status, and men discuss politics more than women. This has concrete consequences, as high-SES individuals and men have more political knowledge than low-SES individuals and women, respectively. The chapter then considers whether these inequalities distort the political voice of marginalized groups. In Brazil and Mexico, the degree of engagement in horizontal intermediation is positively correlated with voters' abilities to choose the candidates who best represent their issue attitudes. Because of this correlation, the poor are sometimes less likely than the rich to choose candidates who support their expressed values and beliefs about politics and policies. Moreover, the emergence of socially informed preferences during a campaign does not move voters toward their correct candidates.

The Contributions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to the Development of Transitional Justice

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-475
Author(s):  
Eleonora Mesquita Ceia
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Transitional Justice ◽  
Federal Court ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Human Rights Standards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Latin American Countries

Transitional justice refers to the set of judicial and non-judicial measures adopted by different countries in order to confront their dictatorial past. In practice, countries adopt different transitional policies according to their own political, legal, social, historical, and cultural traditions. This applies, for example, to Latin American countries, some of which enacted amnesty laws currently in force, while others tried and convicted those responsible for human rights violations. In this process, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has contributed significantly to the progress of transitional justice. Through its jurisprudence, the Court has enshrined fundamental principles related to transitional justice. In addition, it has helped Latin American countries overcome jurisprudential positions and revoke national laws that contradict international human rights standards. This article examines the contribution of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to the development of transitional justice, with an emphasis on the case of Brazil. Ultimately, it assesses the impact of selected court jurisprudence on Brazil in order to identify the quality of the existing dialogue on transitional justice between the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court.

Self-Organization Among Delivery Platforms Workers in Neoliberal Latin American Countries. The Cases of Peru and Chile

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Karol Morales Muñoz ◽  
Alejandra Dinegro Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Labor Process ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Grassroots Organizations ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
Latin American Countries ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Recently in Latin America, numerous mobilizations of workers against the precariousness of work in delivery platforms have been developed. In this study, we argue that consolidation into strong organizations for defending platform workers’ interests is strongly related to the socio-political and institutional contexts they are involved in. Drawn upon the understanding of solidarity among workers as a phenomenon rooted in the labor process, as well as the relevance of socio-political and institutional context for the organizing processes among precarious workers, this study addresses the cases of self-organization of platforms deliverers in Chile and Peru. Based on ethnographic research, the results show common characteristics of workers’ self-organization, which are related to similar labor processes in delivery platforms. In addition, results shed light on the relevance of the socio-political and institutional context in providing resources for the consolidation of grassroots organizations, especially after platform counter-actions.

Test Use in Spain, Portugal and Latin American Countries

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Muñiz ◽  
Gerardo Prieto ◽  
Leandro Almeida ◽  
Dave Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Test Construction ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Professional Psychologists ◽  
Test Use ◽  
Latin American Countries

Summary: The two main sources of errors in educational and psychological evaluation are the lack of adequate technical and psychometric characteristics of the tests, and especially the failure to properly implement the testing process. The main goal of the present research is to study the situation of test construction and test use in the Spanish-speaking (Spain and Latin American countries) and Portuguese-speaking (Portugal and Brazil) countries. The data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by the European Federation of Professional Psychologists Association (EFPPA) Task Force on Tests and Testing, under the direction of D. Bartram . In addition to the questionnaire, other ad hoc data were also gathered. Four main areas of psychological testing were investigated: Educational, Clinical, Forensic and Work. Key persons were identified in each country in order to provide reliable information. The main results are presented, and some measures that could be taken in order to improve the current testing practices in the countries surveyed are discussed. As most of the tests used in these countries were originally developed in other cultures, a problem that appears to be especially relevant is the translation and adaptation of tests.

Test movement in Ibero-Latin American countries

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solange Muglia Wechsler ◽  
Maria Perez Solis ◽  
Conceicao Ferreira ◽  
Isabel Magno ◽  
Norma Contini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Latin American Countries

The Spanish Translation of Les Leçons de chimie élémentaire: On the Legal Status of Translation and its Various Values

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 201-215
Author(s):  
Tania P. Hernández-Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Complex Network ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Spanish Translation ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Translation Rights ◽  
International Legal System ◽  
Latin American Countries ◽  
Legal Battle

Throughout the nineteenth century, European booksellers and publishers, mostly from France, England, Germany and Spain, produced textual materials in Europe and introduced them into Mexico and other Latin American countries. These transatlantic interchanges unfolded against the backdrop of the emergence of the international legal system to protect translation rights and required the involvement of a complex network of agents who carried with them publishing, translating and negotiating practices, in addition to books, pamphlets, prints and other goods. Tracing the trajectories of translated books and the socio-cultural, economic and legal forces shaping them, this article examines the legal battle over the translation and publishing rights of Les Leçons de chimie élémentaire, a chemistry book authored by Jean Girardin and translated and published in Spanish by Jean-Frédéric Rosa. Drawing on a socio-historical approach to translation, I argue that the arguments presented by both parties are indicative of the uncertainty surrounding the legal status of translated texts and of the different values then attributed to translation.

Regional Development through Continual Improvement of Higher Education in Latín American Countries Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101
Author(s):  
Jaime Rodrigo Moreno Vallejo ◽  
Fajardo Romo ◽  
Gabriel Frank
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Regional Development ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Balanced Score Card ◽  
University Management ◽  
Social Mission ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Latin American Countries

Abstract Aiming to promote the social mission of higher education and their integration in Latin American countries, this research has a qualitative focus and it has the objective to study the normative context and the main theoretical references for the assurance of the quality of higher education for Colombia and Ecuador, examines how the continuous improvement of higher education contributes to regional development; and proposes methodological strategies that contribute to the purpose for the regional development, in a systemic, objective, measurable and achievable in time way, like are the process management and the balanced score card for University Management Strategies and to built a public policy for Latin American Universities.

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