Browsing by Author "Niles, S."

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The (De) Construction of Gender Identity in Children’s Literature Written in English by Sri Lankan Authors
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2012) Niles, S.
This research paper is an exploration of the social constructions of gender identities portrayed in selected texts written in English for children by Sri Lankan authors. It draws from Mythil’s Secret by Prashani Rambukwella (2009), Paduma Meets the Sunbird by Nihal de Silva (2006) and Mona’s Mission Impossible by Razana Sameem (2009). The study is based on the premise that children’s literature produced in Sri Lanka by Sri Lankan authors would seek to explore the nuances of gender identities that are constructed within Sri Lanka. The goal of this paper is to deconstruct the social constructions of gender identities that are portrayed in the selected texts in an attempt to analyze the specific gender roles that are socially acquired by children. This study addresses the question of how gender identities of children, within a Sri Lankan society, are depicted in the selected texts, and evaluates the assignment and acquisition of gender roles therein. It limits itself to deconstructing the portrayal of gender identities, and also seeks to unearth the different forces of socialization that influence the molding of a child’s gender identity, while examining the process of socialization and other contributing factors relevant to the construction of gender identities within Sri Lanka. This paper addresses a gap in research in children’s literature produced in Sri Lanka in English, and takes an interdisciplinary approach utilizing feminist, psychoanalytic and sociological theories.
The (de) construction of gender identity in children‟s literature written in English by Sri Lankan authors
(University of Kelaniya, 2011) Niles, S.
This research paper is an exploration of the construction of gender identity in selected texts written in English for children by Sri Lankan authors. The research draws from selected novels published since 2006: Mythil’s Secret by Prashani Rambukwella, Paduma Meets the Sunbird by Nihal de Silva and Mona’s Mission Impossible by Razana Sameem. The books include male and female child protagonists and are contributions of both male and female authors. The primary objective of this research is to deconstruct the construction of gender identity of children portrayed in children‟s literature written in English, by Sri Lankan authors. As identity is a „dynamic, shifting, continuous, socio cultural process‟ (Singer & Singer, 2001:310) 1 and gender is „not something one is, it is something one does‟( Salih, 2006: 55)2, defining gender identity is crucial in the developing years of a child. This study takes an interdisciplinary approach utilizing mainly feminist and psychoanalytic theories along with Charles Cooley‟s concept of the „looking glass self‟. Input derived from interviews conducted with children, authors and the publisher are incorporated into the study. The selected texts attempt to fill a void in English literature in Sri Lanka for pre and early teenagers and this study addresses the gap in research conducted in this particular field. The novelty of the research stems from addressing these concerns through focusing on the construction of gender identity based on a broader understanding of gender equality. The paper addresses the need for the construction of a gender identity that is unique to Sri Lanka and sheds light on perceptions that girls and boys may have in identifying themselves in relation to each other and their respective gender roles. This in turn may have implications on the development of the child reader and his/her understanding of gender identity.
“Enhancing TESL in Sri Lankan Universities through the use of Sri Lankan Literature Written in English”
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Niles, S.
This research study is an attempt to explore the possibilities of using English literary work by Sri Lankan authors to enhance the experience of learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in local Universities in Sri Lanka. This research bases itself on the premise that literature produced by Sri Lankans within a local context would enable students to gain a better understanding of the practical usage of the English language. Though the usage of literature has often been limited, the role of literature has been re-assessed and it is possible to view literary texts as providing rich linguistic input and effective stimuli for students to express themselves while acting as a potential source for learner motivation. Therefore this paper wishes to delve into the manner in which Sri Lankan literature (mainly poems), which is culturally appropriate, can be used to enhance English language teaching to the University undergraduates. In addition to the expected outcome of the study, it is also assumed that a number of other objectives would be met through this research. The use of English literature within the ESL classroom would enhance the oral skills and reading habits of undergraduates, facilitate critical thinking and develop awareness and sensitivity among students. The research will be conducted through classroom-based experiments and observation. This study will also seek to inform the production of teaching/learning materials that can be used effectively to ensure that the teaching/learning capacity within the ESL classrooms in Sri Lankan universities is enhanced through the use of Sri Lankan literature written in English.
Identifying and Overcoming Challenges of Teaching English as Foreign Language in Sri Lankan Universities: A Case Study
(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Niles, S.
This paper is based on an on-going case study that is being conducted during the course of a year with students who are learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Sri Lanka. The four foreign students who are participants of the case study are currently following a course in English, which consists of the basic components of reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar at the English Language Teaching Unit, (ELTU), University of Kelaniya. The researcher is aware that these language learners often find it somewhat difficult when it comes to learning EFL in a foreign environment. This research attempts to identify and explore these diverse issues faced by language learners. The research is based on the premise that the classroom instructor who teaches EFL may often come across disparities that exist between his/her goals and the student’s expectations. Therefore, the research paper addresses the question as to what issues may arise as a result of these disparities when teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and in turn seeks to overcome the challenges faced in this area in Sri Lankan Universities. The broader objective of this research is to identify and address these issues in order to improve the quality of TEFL in Sri Lankan Universities. The researcher/ classroom instructor attempts to respond to varied problems that range from issues concerning language acquisition to motivational factors. This case study is both qualitative and descriptive as it seeks to address the research problem through in-depth interviews, extensive discussions and observations. The situation of TEFL is unusual in Sri Lankan universities which are generally focused on TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language).
A Journey of Inheritance: A Study of the Documentary My Mother’s Village by Aaron Burton
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Niles, S.
This research paper is a study of the documentary film titled My Mother’s Village in which Aaron Burton attempts to portray individuals from several communities in Sri Lanka. The film is linked to the work of Burton’s mother Sharon Bell who was an anthropologist and released a documentary titled The Sri Lankan Series in 1980, which was filmed by his father Geoff Burton who was a cinematographer. This research analyses the documentary as a life narrative through assessing the portrayal of Sri Lankans while engaging with the position of Aaron Burton in compiling the film. Therefore the study grapples with the notion of inheritance as Burton argues, “we’re both looking at what you inherit. My work is about the next generation – so I look at what I inherit from my mother and father and what the people in the film inherit from their parents”. While the study challenges traditional auto/biographical practices related to singular and stable subjects and subject positions, the boundaries between biography and autobiography and notions of autobiographical truth, it also delves into aspects related to women’s life writing, caste discrimination and the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The study draws from feminist auto/ biographical and postcolonial theories, critical theories on life narratives and politics of storytelling in order to assess areas related to intergenerational continuity and construction of memory as aspects of a journey of inheritance portrayed in the selected documentary. While this documentary has been screened in several spaces including the International Centre for Ethnic Studies and the Colombo Art Biennale, limited research has been conducted on its role and function as a life narrative. Therefore this study finds increasing significance in addressing the dearth in literature on Sri Lankan life narratives in general and more specifically on Aaron Burton’s documentary film My Mother’s Village.