Attitudes of Japanese Learners of English Towards English Users in ELT Textbooks

Through a combination of questionnaires, focus groups, and class interviews, this study investigated the attitudes of Japanese secondary school students towards the representations of English users and English-language communications appearing in English language textbooks. The results showed a congruence of student preferences for inner-circle (IC) (Kachru, 1985) orientations with the IC-oriented features most commonly found in English textbooks approved and used in Japanese secondary schools. They also revealed how student familiarity with textbooks influences preferences for the ways English users and English-language communications are represented in them. 本研究では、質問紙、フォーカス・グループ、クラス・インタビューを用いて、日本の中学・高校生の英語教科書の中の英語使用者と英語コミュニケーションの描写に対する態度を調査した。調査の結果、生徒の英語圏（inner-circle内心円）(Kachru, 1985) を好む傾向と、日本の中等学校で使用されている文部科学省検定英語教科書に最もよく見られる、英語圏主流を示す特徴に、一致が見られた。また、調査結果は、生徒の教科書に対する慣れや親しみが、生徒の教科書中の英語使用者と英語コミュニケーションの描写方法についての嗜好に、どのように影響を与えるかについても明らかにした。

Anatomic Study and Assembled Navigation Template-Assisted Implantation for Anterograde Transpubic Screws

Objective: Research the anatomical parameters of the anterograde transpubic screw corridor and evaluate the safety of anterograde transpubic screw placement assisted by the assembled navigation template.Methods: A total of 50 normal subjects, including 25 males and 25 females, underwent pelvic CT scanning in our hospital from January 2020 to September 2020. A 3D model of the ilium was established. The ilium was divided into zone Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ according to Nakatani classification. The anterograde transpubic screw channel completely passes through zone Ⅰ and Ⅱ to form corridor A. The anterograde screw channel completely passes through zone Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ to form corridor B. The diameter and length of the inner circle, the distance from the center of the inner circle to the posterior superior and to the inferior iliac spine of corridor A and corridor B were measured, respectively. A total of 9 patients underwent anterograde transpubic screw and transverse sacroiliac screw placement assisted by the assembled navigation template in our hospital, including 5 males and 4 females, were retrospectively analyzed. Operative time, blood loss, incision length and fluoroscopy times were recorded. Grading score and Matta score were evaluated after surgery.Results: In 50 normal subjects, the diameter of corridor A was 11.16±2.13 mm, and that of corridor B was 8.54±1.52mm, and the difference between the two corridors was statistically significant (P=0.000). The length of corridor A was 86.39±9.35 mm, and that of corridor B was 117.05±5.91 mm, with significant difference between the two corridors (P=0.000). The surface distance from the screw entry point to the posterior superior iliac spine in corridor A was 109.31± 11.06mm, and that in corridor B was 127.86± 8.23mm, the difference between the two corridors was statistically significant (P=0.000). The surface distance from the screw entry point to the posterior inferior iliac spine in corridor A was 91.16±10.34 mm, and that in corridor B was 106.92±7.91 mm. The difference between the two corridors was statistically significant (P=0.000). Nine patients successfully completed surgery, and a total of 18 sacroiliac transverse screws and 11 anterograde transpubic screws were inserted with the assistance of assembled navigation templates. The mean operation time of the 9 patients was 108.75±25.71 min, the blood loss was 141.11±50.21 ml, the incision length was 14±4.62 cm, and the intraoperative fluoroscopy was 17.89±4.01 times. Matta scores were excellent in 5 patients and good in 4 patients. One of the anterograde transpubic screw was in Grade 1, and 10 were in Grade 0. One S1 screw was in Grade 1, and 8 S1 screws were in Grade 0. Nine S2 screws were in Grade 0.Conclusions: Majority of the patients can accommodate anterograde transpubic screw s with diameter of 6.5 mm. Anterograde transpubic screw placement assisted by an assembled navigation template is clinically feasible, and with low cortical breaches.

Oblomov and Myshkin: Some Aspects of the Issue

The article examines one of the possible parallels between the protagonists of the novels Oblomov and The Idiot , which was formulated by Dostoevsky himself. He pointed out both the similarities between Myshkin and Oblomov and the differences between the two. The purpose of the article is to explain the special status of the characters of Dostoevsky and Goncharov, which is linked to their explicit or implicit desire to save the world. The task is to systematize various views of scholars on the issue of Dostoevsky and Goncharov, especially in the light of their relation to the Russian spiritual tradition. The thesis is put forward that the similarity between the two protagonists may be explained by the similarity of the two authors views on the problem of secular holiness. In both novels similar versions of the plot of salvation are realized, in which the protagonist claims to be the savior of others, although another motif, that of personal salvation, is emphasized by Goncharov in Oblomov and has Dante origins. While in the case of Myshkin his wish to be Christ-alike lead him to a personal catastrophe, and the destruction of his inner circle, in Oblomovs case there are no such losses, there are even some advantages in the form of the emerging life of Shtolz and Olga, in the form of awakening to a new life of Agafia Matveevna Pshenitsyna. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that both Dostoevsky and Goncharov did not forget about the human nature of their characters, but the former, as Goncharov put it, allowed his Myshkin, Prince Christ, to wear a divine robe and thus largely predetermined his failure as a savior, while the latter alleviated the traits of holiness in his Oblomov, leaving only traces of them, which attract people to the character making them and their small world better.

A.N. Ostrovsky and F.M. Dostoevsky: to the History of the Relationship

The article reconstructs the relations between two contemporaries, two classics of Russian culture – Alexander Ostrovsky and Fyodor Dostoevsky. The relations are considered in the dynamics of their development. Despite the fact that contemporaries of Ostrovsky and Dostoevsky noted the playwright’s critical perception of Dostoevsky’s work, the emphasis is placed on the friendly nature of their relationship, the proximity of their aesthetic views, and the commonality of their creative framework. The article stresses that the proximity of their aesthetic views on artistic creativity will become the basis for Ostrovsky’s cooperation with the Dostoevsky brothers’ journal “Vremya” (Time). The research undertaken here analyzes the reasons for the termination of this cooperation and the nature of further relations between Ostrovsky and Dostoevsky, their mutual assessment of each other’s creativity. As a result, it is noted that although Dostoevsky did not enter Ostrovsky’s inner circle, in his plays the playwright addressed the issues that worried both of them.

The Theodorus Variation

The Spiral of Theodorus, also known as the "root snail" from its connection with square roots, can be constructed by hand from triangles made with from paper with scissors, ruler, and protractor. See the Video Abstract. Once the triangles are made, two different but similar spirals can be made. This paper proves some things about the second spiral; in particular that the open curve generated by the inner vertices monotonically approaches a circle, and that the vertices are ultimately equidistributed around that inner circle.

The Emergence of an “Intersecting Circle” in Kachru’s Three Concentric Circles of World Englishes: A Case of Ethno-linguistic Neutrality in Central Nigeria

There is evidence that contemporary Nigeria is drifting towards a society of monolingual English users a component of which could be defined as lacking in ethno-linguistic identity. This trend is found among a generation of young Nigerian urban dwellers (between the age bracket of (12 and 25) who can neither communicate in their parents’ native language(s) nor indeed in any other Nigerian indigenous language; their only medium of communication is English. Although based on their childhood exposure to the English language and their relative competence in it, English can be described as their ‘‘mother tongue’’ but the fact that they are not native speakers given the socio-geographical circumstances of their birth excludes them from Kachru’s (1988) Inner Circle classification of native speakers. Consequently, these Nigerians are left without a clearly defined ethno-linguistic affiliation. This paper interrogates this emerging sociolinguistic phenomenon in especially Central Nigeria, with the aim of stimulating scholarly consciousness on the ethno-linguistic identity of this category of Nigerians, and its implications for English usage among them. The submission of the paper is that another circle, “the intersecting circle”, be created for them since they bestride both the inner circle in having English as their “mother tongue” and yet they are not native speakers of the language

Which English Should We Stand For? Voices from Lecturers in Thai Multicultural Universities

The rapid transformation of English linguistic landscapes has introduced the world to newly emerging English varieties or World Englishes, which are not typically employed in the Inner Circle. To address the defying phenomenon, this qualitative study explored the perceptions of Thai university lecturers on World Englishes, Thai English and the feasibility of implementing World Englishes and Thai English in the classrooms. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 15 English lecturers in 5 universities across the Thai regions. Analyzed by content analysis, findings revealed that the participants demonstrated mixed perceptions. While most of the participants viewed British and American Englishes as representations of standard English varieties and questioned the legitimacy of World Englishes and Thai English, others reportedly recognized and accepted the existence of World Englishes and considered Thai English as a tool to convey Thai identities and cultures. The findings also indicated that most participants outright disapproved of World Englishes and Thai English in teaching practices, and these varieties were substantially marginalized and devalued. However, to prepare learners for realistic use of English and increase their awareness of World Englishes and Thai English, the remaining participants suggested that English language teaching should embrace flexible linguistic conventions that allow spaces for Inner Circle, Outer Circle and Expanding Circle Englishes.

Manoeuvring for succession will intensify in Cameroon

Significance This has been acrimonious and at times violent as local party barons position themselves in the context of growing concerns over 88-year-old President Paul Biya’s succession. The CPDM’s dominance, Cameroon’s history of rigged elections and the weakened opposition have focused most speculation around figures in the president’s inner circle. Impacts Biya may look to make minor changes in the electoral code designed further to divide the opposition. A succession crisis may provoke a military coup. A succession crisis may dramatically increase ethnic, regional and religious tensions.

Désiré Bourneville: A Socialist in Charcot’s Inner Circle

Désiré Bourneville was one of Jean-Martin Charcot’s most important disciples. His previous works as an alienist allowed him to influence his master’s interest in hysteria, which led to the creation of a service regarded as a neurological mecca. During his time under Charcot, Bourneville, a passionate left-wing radical, had to coexist with characters representative of the conservative, <i>bourgeois</i> Parisian society. The aim of this study is to describe Bourneville’s life and work, as well as the ambiguity of a progressive man such as him, immersed within the economic and cultural elites.