In The News

Of Do-Gooder Celebrities and Stereotyped Bleak Image

S. N. M. Abdi September 16, 2004
Many people would be thrilled by a visit from pop star Ricky Martin. This is not necessarily the case in Calcutta (Kolkata), India. Western superstars, such as Martin, periodically travel to the city for charity-related sojourns. Many Indians suggest that despite the stars' good intentions, the media hype surrounding their visits dramatizes the city's stereotypically bleak image....

Purity of Chinese Language Debated

September 13, 2004
Since China has opened its economic gates to the rest of the world, a wave of foreign words, ranging from yinqing (engine) to maidanglao (McDonalds) has flooded into its vernacular. While some linguists praise the development as evidence of Chinese vitality and openness, others fear the language is losing its purity. A solution, some propose, would be to enforce the National Language Law of the...

Massacre Draws Self-Criticism in Muslim Press

John Kifner September 9, 2004
The recent rash of violence, most notably a Russian school siege, has made terrorist activities a consistent presence in world headlines. In reaction to the latest tragedy, several Arab media members have spoken out ardently against violent Muslim fundamentalism. Remarking that Muslim groups orchestrated the majority of recent attacks, commentators openly condemned terrorist activities as...

Marginal or Mainstream?

Magda El-Ghitany September 3, 2004
Michael Moore’s controversial Fahrenheit 9/11 has suffered setbacks in the Arab world, banning largely due to its anti-Saudi content. To date, only Lebanon, Jordan, and, most recently, Egypt have released the full version of the film. In Cairo and Alexandria, the documentary has had a limited showing, as many theaters are earmarked exclusively for Arabic films. Despite these limitations,...

English Craze Hits Chinese Language Standards

Goh Sui Noi August 30, 2004
The Chinese school system is placing increasing emphasis on learning English, perhaps to the detriment of Chinese language curriculum. English is mandatory in China starting in the third year of primary school, and proficiency is integral for Chinese applying for jobs in foreign companies. However, many criticize the quality of English education and worry that it is detracting from studies in...

English Craze Hits Chinese Language Standards

Goh Sui Noi August 30, 2004
The Chinese school system is placing increasing emphasis on learning English, perhaps to the detriment of Chinese language curriculum. English is mandatory in China starting in the third year of primary school, and proficiency is integral for Chinese applying for jobs in foreign companies. However, many criticize the quality of English education and worry that it is detracting from studies in...

The Barrel of the Gun, How Not to Promote Democracy

Ronald Meinardus August 23, 2004
The spread of democracy and globalization – defining characteristics of the modern era – have resulted in the erosion of national sovereignty, according to this op-ed from the Jakarta Post. The author contends that information technology, failed authoritarian regimes, and pure human nature facilitated the worldwide proliferation of democracy. A byproduct of this spread is the seemingly...