Dairi Stories and Pakpak Storytelling
Dairi Stories and Pakpak Storytelling

Author: Clara Brakel-Papenhuijzen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2014-07-24

Total Pages: 363

ISBN-13: 9004261737

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This study of traditional literature in Pakpak-Dairi, an endangered North Sumatran language, is based on written and oral versions of stories. Discussing the views of well-known scholars of Sumatran languages, the book includes the texts of seven stories which were collected in North Sumatra by the well-known linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk (1824-1894) and are kept in Leiden University Library. The book also contains a story performed in the village of Sukarame by Sonang Sitakar, who may well have been one of the last Pakpak-Dairi storytellers. Presenting unique information on an endangered literary genre from North Sumatra.

A Dictionary of the Kedang Language
A Dictionary of the Kedang Language

Author: Ursula Samely

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2013-06-03

Total Pages: 793

ISBN-13: 9004256369

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A Dictionary of the Kedang Language presents the first extensive published record of an Austronesian language on the remote Eastern Indonesian island of Lembata. A special interest of the dictionary resides in the fact that Kedang lies on the boundary line between Austronesian and Papuan languages in Eastern Indonesia. The Kedang entries are translated first into Indonesian and then into English. For ease of access, finder lists are provided in Indonesian and in English. The Introduction situates the language linguistically and sketches the phonology and morphology, as well as the 'pairing' (dyadic sets) in ritual and everyday usage of items of vocabulary characteristic of Kedang.

English in Malaysia
English in Malaysia

Author: Toshiko Yamaguchi

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2016-03-21

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 900431430X

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English in Malaysia: Current Use and Status offers an account of the English language used in present-day West and East Malaysia and its status anchored in different linguistic, social and educational domains. After an Introduction giving a bird’s eye view of the status of English in Malaysia, the eight main chapters offer case studies revolving around four themes: i. linguistic features, with special focus on pronunciation and language contact; ii. language attitudes; iii. English in on-line discourse; and iv. English and language policies. The chapters cover original data and topics, seeking to draw an accurate portrait of Malaysian English, a non-native variety of postcolonial English that is currently developing its pronunciation, grammar, lexis and distinct identity.

Sinophone Southeast Asia
Sinophone Southeast Asia

Author: Tom Hoogervorst

Publisher: Chinese Overseas

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13: 9789004421226

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"This volume explores the diverse linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia's Chinese communities. Based on archival research and previously unpublished linguistic fieldwork, it unearths a wide variety of language histories, linguistic practices, and trajectories of words. The localized and often marginalized voices we bring to the spotlight are quickly disappearing in the wake of standardization and homogenization, yet they tell a story that is uniquely Southeast Asian in its rich hybridity. Our comparative scope and focus on language, analysed in tandem with history and culture, adds a refreshing dimension to the broader field of Sino-Southeast Asian Studies"--

Christianity, Colonization, and Gender Relations in North Sumatra
Christianity, Colonization, and Gender Relations in North Sumatra

Author: Sita T. van Bemmelen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2017-11-20

Total Pages: 590

ISBN-13: 9004345752

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In this book Sita van Bemmelen offers an account of changes in Toba Batak society (Sumatra, Indonesia) due to Christianity and Dutch colonial rule (1861-1942) with a focus on customs and customary law related to the life cycle and gender relations. The first part, a historical ethnography, describes them as they existed at the onset of colonial rule. The second part zooms in on the negotiations between the Toba Batak elite, the missionaries of the German Rhenish Mission and colonial administrators about these customs showing the evolving views on desirable modernity of each contestant. The pillars of the Toba patrilineal kinship system were challenged, but alterations changed the way it was reproduced and gender relations for ever.

The Bedhaya Court Dances of Central Java
The Bedhaya Court Dances of Central Java

Author: Clara Brakel-Papenhuijzen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2023-11-27

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9004644393

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The ritual bedhaya dances of the Central Javanese courts form a highly valued expression of Javanese culture. These stately dance forms, comprising complex choreographies executed to the accompaniment of archaic songs and gamelan music, are part of the cultural tradition of the Mataram dynasty. They have been preserved in the two main court centres of Central Java: Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The contents of the book range from a relatively general introduction to a detailed analysis of structural, formal features of the dances. Included are theories on the origin, social context and esoteric meaning, as well as 19th and 20th century scores of performances. The two main components of the art form, choral singing and group dancing, have each been discussed in a separate chapter. A number of song texts and choreographies, transcribed from palace manuscripts, are published for the first time. These songs represent an archaic singing style, which holds important information on the development of Javanese vocal and instrumental music. An analysis of bedhaya choreographies which are seldom performed nowadays may serve to prevent the impending disappearance of this beautiful and stylized art form. The choreographic discussion has been visualized on a 60 minute video-tape, produced from research material which was filmed between 1983-1985. This video-tape may be ordered from the author.

Dictionary of Languages
Dictionary of Languages

Author: Andrew Dalby

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2015-10-28

Total Pages: 754

ISBN-13: 1408102145

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Covering the political, social and historical background of each language, Dictionary of Languages offers a unique insight into human culture and communication. Every language with official status is included, as well as all those that have a written literature and 175 'minor' languages with special historical or anthropological interest. We see how, with the rapidly increasing uniformity of our culture as media's influence spreads, more languages have become extinct or are under threat of extinction. The text is highlighted by maps and charts of scripts, while proverbs, anecdotes and quotations reveal the features that make a language unique.