In The News

Korea Herald: Why Arabic Is So Popular Among South Korean Students?

Bak Se-hwan December 25, 2017
Students intent on entering the best colleges make strategic choices on every detail, and that was behind Arabic becoming the most popular second-choice foreign language for Korean students taking the Suneung, a college entrance exam. English and a second foreign language are among the test subjects. “More than seven out of 10 Suneung test-takers chose Arabic as a second foreign language this...

The Guardian: United by Blood: Afghan Artists Come Together for Iran Exhibition

Saeed Kamali Dehghan November 16, 2017
An exhibition in Tehran showcasing Afghani artwork has shed light on a deep-seated problem in the country: the marginalization of Afghani peoples. Saeed Kamali Dehghan, writing for the Guardian, describes Elyas Alavi’s performance piece: He “invites participants to give blood. Samples are taken by a professional nurse and splashed on the wall next to each other.” Alavi was inspired “after his...

Financial Times: Inside China’s Secret “Magic Weapon” for Worldwide Influence

James Kynge, Lucy Hornby and Jamil Anderlini October 26, 2017
The United States once charmed the world with innovations and a confident culture – but stagnation, insecurity and a lack of civility have weakened what Harvard’s Joseph Nye identified in the 1980s as soft power. China’s Xi Jinping, in consolidating his own power, sees value in presenting a confident and caring face to the world. The headquarters for China’s soft-power strategy is in Beijing and...

BBC News: Namibia's Himba People Caught Between Traditions and Modernity

Pumza Fihlani August 31, 2017
Small rural villages around the world are less isolated, and encroaching modern ways of life divide their people about how quickly to accept another language, women’s rights and family planning, schools and new curricula, or specialized businesses and consumerism. Pumza Fihlani of BBC News write about Namibia’s Himba people. “A steady stream of young men and women has been opting to leave the...

The Economist: Stumped for Words: Language Battle Hampers Algeria’s Development

August 28, 2017
The legacy of the French settler-colonial project continues to impact the politics of education in Algeria. “The republic’s official language is standard Arabic, but few children grow up speaking it, so they often feel lost on their first day of school. Berber, the tongue of perhaps a quarter of Algerians, was officially recognised last year – but no one can agree on which of its six dialects...

Caixin: Hunger for Homegrown Content Helps Chinese TV Shows Edge Past Foreign Rivals

Cai Tongxu July 11, 2017
The Chinese are eager for television shows about China, and development of new content – reality shows, game shows, gossip shows and more – attracts millions of yuan in investments. “After years of being accused of ripping off foreign television hits, Chinese variety show producers have started scripting their own templates to feed the hunger for homegrown content,” reports Cai Tongxu for Caixin...

Los Angeles Times: Muslim and Latino Groups Unite During Ramadan

Anh Do June 6, 2017
Activists are seeking to unite Muslim and Latino communities in Orange County, California, and joined in organizing an event to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with Taco Trucks at Every Mosque. “Organizers said the idea is to demystify Islam through the sharing of food and to unite two groups, Muslims and Latinos, facing increasing discrimination in the Trump era,” reports Anh Do for...