In between Birth and Death, Past and Future, the Self and the Others: An Anthropological Insight on Commemorative and Celebrative Tattoos in Central Italy

European society has been described more than once as poor in shared rites of passage. The manipulation of skin seems to be an increasingly popular solution to fulfil perceived cultural gaps. Can contemporary tattoos be interpreted as tools of commemorating life events, especially in the occasion of births and deaths? This article analyses meanings associated with tattoos collected during two ethnographies in central Italy. Based on qualitative interviews and participant observation, the first fieldwork focuses on death-commemorative tattoos, while a 2020 (n)ethnography investigates birth-celebrative tattoos. Data confirm that the body is the mirror of the self and the skin works as the plastic stage where the embodiment of mourning and other emotions meets the social world. Tattoos are attempts of personalized spiritualities, where births and deaths become key-moments of existence that are elected pillars of the self. However, they are not (only) a private affair. This paper addresses the intersubjective valence of tattoos and their communicative purpose. In parallel with references related to both the self and the others, ethnographical data support an interpretation of tattoos as modern self-making strategies, applied to re-ordinate the past and to project a suitable self for the future.

Crowdsourcing Translation for Community-Based Tourism Empowerment in Thailand

English has not only become a lingua franca for global communication, but it also carries a symbolic power that influences local people and stakeholders in community-based tourism (CBT) in Thailand. Thai villagers encounter communicative challenges due to their limited English proficiency. Thai-English speaking tour guides are valued, as they provide translation services on behalf of CBT members whose interactions with foreign tourists are minimal and marginalized. Losses in translation regarding local wisdom and heritage are inevitably unavoidable. This chapter addresses a conceptual model of crowdsourcing translation for CBT. The study hopes that the sociolinguistic and cultural gaps can be bridged for the enhancement of other CBT communities. Crowdsourcing in the form of collaborative translation and volunteering translators' efforts can potentially provide an alternative lens for possible translation scenarios. Tourism operators and stakeholders can apply these practices to assist the local people to promote lesser-known tourist attractions in remote areas in Thailand.

Intercultural Dialogue as a Tool for Maintaining Sustainable Partnerships in Tourism

International partnerships have a reinforcing effect and lasting benefits for modern economy and social life. The principles of intercultural partnerships in tourism can be compared to other principles of sustainable development. This chapter recognises the ultimate role of sustainable development in the sphere of tourism, while applying the theory of intercultural dialogue as an approach to the SDG 17 and tracing back partnerships to the bridge where different cultures meet. Such meetings very often need a bridge to cross over cultural gaps. In view of the proposed research, one such bridge is presented by the International Tourism Fair Holiday and SPA EXPO 2020, and it is against the background of this event that the established partnerships mediated by intercultural dialogue are classified.

Developing Culturally Effective Strategies for Chinese to English Geotourism Translation by Corpus-Based Interdisciplinary Translation Analysis

As a new field of translation with its own special genre, geotourism has not yet been firmly established because geotourism translations are currently not of a sufficient professional standard. This situation does not provide geotourists with the genre’s full target of enjoyment, learning and engagement through science popularisation tourism activities. In order to better meet these three definitive purposes in geotourism, this study analyses the three basic categories of geotourism—geological features (GFs), geological processes (GPs) and cultural elements (CEs)—to determine effective strategies of geotourism translation from Chinese into English. Challenges in translation include scientific jargon, language style and cultural gaps. In this article, the advantages of Hu’s Eco-translatology theory are explained and used for minimising translation problems; and the corpus linguistics method, superior for quantitative and qualitative analysis, is utilised. As well, digital auxiliary tools Tmxmall (2014) and Sketch Engine (2003) were employed to facilitate corpus research. Through analysis, effective strategies in each of the key geotourism categories, GFs, GPs and CEs, were identified, shaped and recommended for future translators’ attention. In the results, literal translation, transliteration and free translation, addition and use of official UNESCO names were recommended to render GFs. Division and shift translation, literal translation and shift and division were recommended for GPs. Literal translation, transliteration and free translation and addition were recommended for CEs. Since this is an initial investigation in the genre of geotourism, this study has attempted to build a model platform for future study and wider research in geotourism translation and translation pedagogy for the improvement of geotourism translation quality.

Current Trends in the Development and Use of Personalized Implants: Engineering Concepts and Regulation Perspectives for the Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

The recently adopted Medical Device Regulation (MDR) has finally entered into force on 26 May 2021. As innovation and especially the advent of customized prostheses has deeply modified many surgical procedures in our discipline, it is imperative for the contemporary surgeon to become aware of the impact that the MDR will have on many aspects, including the choice of the manufacturer, the evaluation of the devices, point-of-care 3D printing labs, and medical software. In this paper, the authors tried to identify the cultural gaps in clinical practice that the MDR is supposed to fill. To achieve this purpose, a task force of experts was reunited, including CMF surgeons with direct expertise in medical software and 3D printing, mechanical and material engineers, facing the topic of the MDR from a multidimensional perspective. In this article, surgeons and engineers review many crucial aspects concerning the points of the regulation that mostly affect the field of implantable devices for the cranio-maxillo-facial skeleton. The result of interdisciplinary research is a paper aiming to provide surgeons with the knowledge on the fundamental processes of additive manufacturing, increasing the clinician’s awareness on the evaluation of a customized implant before surgery and on the underlying regulatory framework.

"You Shall Tell Your Sons!”

Teachers and schools are facing constantly challenges in teaching biblical narratives for the young. The source of these challenges can be ascribed to many different things. First, there are historical and cultural gaps between the ancient texts and the modern audience. Second, there is a cultural gap between the schools, teachers and the new generation of students who belong to the first generation to be born in the 21st century. Third, it seems difficult to reach students growing up in a world shaped by the virtual reality and by the so-called “influencers”. Both the described situation and the mentioned cultural gap are getting even worse since the beginning of corona-crisis: the whole world is found in lockdown, many are obliged to use social media and virtual reality for a long period. Against this background, the present paper suggests a teaching attitude or approach which could enable the teachers to be more effective in teaching and more importantly, to bring the world of biblical narratives closer to students, providing alternative means of shaping their way of thinking and forming their identity.

Collaboration in Virtual Environments: Honouring the Métis Method of Visiting

During COVID-19, many collaborative research teams and community partners pivoted to undertake their work in a virtual way. In this discussion, we capture the mechanics, logic, and situations under which virtual methods became relevant to applied interdisciplinary work. Using a shared voice, we chart the nuances of training and research through the redesign, the reimagining of research protocols, and the nuanced cultural gaps that exist between virtual connection and in-person visiting with community partners, Métis Knowledge Keepers, and experts. Through referencing our reflexive archive of experiences, emails, fieldnotes, and meeting minutes, we address how our attempt to simulate virtual informed consent has consequently provided insights into the value of co-creation and the importance of honouring visiting as a Métis method in virtual environments.

Family Dynamics at the Intersection of Languages, Cultures, and Aspirations: Reflections of Young Adults from Immigrant Families

This study examined family dynamics and parent–child relations that stem from the intersection of languages, cultures, and aspirations of first-generation parents and their U.S.-raised children. Based on 50 in-depth interviews with young adults from ethnically diverse immigrant families, this study explored reflections and distinctive themes characteristic of the participants’ immigrant childhoods and relationships with parents. From a more mature perspective of young adulthood, participants’ narratives demonstrated acceptance of the unique features of their family dynamics and appreciation of their immigrant parents’ idiosyncrasies and sacrifices. Despite some struggles to bridge generational and cultural gaps through language and cultural brokering, these young adults were highly motivated by their parents’ aspirations and work ethic to uphold their end of the immigrant bargain and achieve success. The study has important implications for educators, counselors, and other practitioners working with immigrant parents and their children.

A REVIEW OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION ORIENTATION AMONG MALAY WORKERS TOWARDS SILENCE BEHAVIOUR TENDENCY

This article discusses the review of the concept of culture, value, and belief in the Malay community. The focus is on the Malay workers working in a German organisation in Malaysia. Previous studies show that there are communication and cultural gaps when workers from various races and countries working in a multinational organisation. Asian communities mainly Malay, practices collective values such as cooperation among members, care about others' dignities and, silence due to some factors which indirectly affect communication orientation while working with other races. These practices are different from the European community who observes individualistic values. Typically, the Malays work together in voicing opinions or maintaining long-term relationships. In this article, the authors discuss the groupthink theory, which may influence the workers' behaviours in organisations and decision making.

Developing the Neurology Diversity Officer

Academic Neurology Departments must confront the challenges of developing a diverse workforce, reducing inequity and discrimination within academia, and providing neurologic care for an increasingly diverse society. A neurology diversity officer should have a specific role and associated title within a neurology department as well as a mandate to focus their efforts on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion that affect staff, trainees and faculty. This role is expansive and works across departmental missions but it has many challenges related to structural intolerance and cultural gaps. In this review, we describe the many challenges that diversity officers face and how they might confront them. We delineate the role and duties of the neurology diversity officer and provide a guide to departmental leaders on how to assess qualifications and evaluate progress. Finally, we describe the elements necessary for success. A neurology diversity officer should have the financial, administrative and emotional support of leadership in order for them to carry out their mission and to truly have a positive influence.