International Conference on the Humanities (ICH)
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Item Dubbing or Subtitling Interculturalism: Students' Perspectives(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Ratnayake, IrumaAlthough a relative newcomer to the field of Translation Studies, Audio-Visual translation (AVT) has advanced from the field's borderline to its' centre over the past period. AVT is a specialized area of translation that deals with transferring multimedia texts into another language and/or culture. Making Audio-Visual products is one of the most visible demonstrations of multiculturalism worldwide. Given this situation, it is evident that translators play a crucial role in transferring such material. This paper attempts to determine whether dubbing or subtitling, two main approaches of AVT, can be more effective in manifesting cultural differences. Data were collected through a questionnaire from 20 final-year undergraduates reading special degrees in Translation Studies at the University of Kelaniya. The reason for selecting such a sample to gather data is that their final year comprised a course unit titled Introduction to Audio-Visual Translation. Analysis of the results discovered that 1) A considerable amount of students are aware of interculturalism, 2) The majority of students perceive that AVT can promote interculturalism, 3) and dubbing has the most impact on promoting interculturalism 4) The most common reason stated is that oral language is the best mode to experience a culture, 5) The most common challenges in promoting interculturalism are lack of translator's knowledge on both cultures, contradictory ideologies between different cultures, particularly between religions, and technical constraints, and 6) The most suggested solutions are providing professional training to AVT translators, broadening the knowledge of translators on both cultures before translating, and conducting Audio-Visual translation from a neutral and common position that is acceptable to the majority in the respective target audience in consultation with professional translators without making decisions alone. In manifesting cultural differences dubbing and subtitling are subject to their restrictions and regarding interculturalism that must be taken into consideration.Item A Critical Study on the Law of Punishment Based on School Teachers(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Soratha Thero, Kalubovitiyana; Kolitha Thero, PahalaarawulaThe process of teaching and learning is a crucial and comprehensive operation. It is not sufficient for the teacher engaged in that process to be nourished with acquainted knowledge alone. The teacher should have professional qualifications in three domains in the targeted students' community. Therefore, this research focuses on punishment and its legal background, which is a significant aspect that a teacher should be aware of. Teachers should not deal with unconscious objects but with children. Therefore, the teacher will not be successful just by mastering the techniques of teaching. In addition, the teacher should have an understanding of students' behavior patterns and emotions. In addition to subject knowledge, it is important to have a proper comprehension of the aforementioned areas, because it helps to ensure the safety of students and teachers. Professional skills such as paying attention to all aspects and classroom management should be professionally enhanced by a teacher in working. This research focuses on the punishment of students and the harm it does to the student as well as the legal situation affecting the teacher. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected for this research, as well as through the mixed methodology. The Penal Code contains provisions regarding corporal and mental punishment of children. In addition to punishing children at school by circular "Protection of discipline in the school" has been banned, but school surveillance revealed information about punishing children. Therefore, this research examines the reasons for this and the legal implications for the teacher. Further, the practical importance of using approved alternatives is questioned by circulars.Item An Investigative Study on the Utility of Buddhist Hygiene Reflected in Buddhist Teachings (Special Reference Vattūpama and Sallekha Sutta)(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Sasanarathana Thero, GirandurukotteIn Buddhist teachings, all functions of the mind have been critically explored to gain proper knowledge of how they affect the person, including all aspects of the human body. Buddhism emphasizes the specific relationship between mind and body, which exists until the last breath of the human being. According to Buddhist philosophy, the mind plays a major role in all human bodily functions. If the mind was impure with defilements, the body might produce negative results. Having considered that process by Buddhism, leads to methods to prevent impureness of mind. The research problem of this study is how Buddhism investigates mental hygiene and whether it is a specialty. The qualitative method is used here as research methodology there in, primary, and secondary sources and discussions with prominent scholars are also used. The term ‘mental hygiene’ is described in an encyclopedia as maintaining mental health and preventing psychoses. When this interpretation is compared with Buddhist teachings, a specific process that leads to maintaining mental health as well as preventing psychosis can be identified. External objects that take from the sense organs, as well as attachment to these things, are thought to be the cause of mental illness. Buddhism identifies many reasons for generating psychosis or mental illnesses. The impurities that arise in the mind are called kilesa. According to Vattūpama sutta, 16 types of reasons or volitions that are subject to illnesses of the mind. It also outlines five methods for avoiding and treating such mental illnesses. Sallekha Sutta also distinguishes a particular method of avoiding misbehavior that leads to producing mental disturbances. The fundamental specialty in Buddhist mental hygiene is the identification of mental illness along with the reason and its conditions, as well as the application of appropriate and fruitful methods. All in all, it’s clear that a person can get a clear knowledge of mental illnesses and also can be removed such types of reason by following paths depicted in Buddhism.Item A Study of German Pronunciation Problems Among First Year Undergraduate Students at University of Kelaniya(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Waththage, Nuwanthi BhagyaThere are some common problems when learning German as a foreign language. Among them, new language learners face many problems with German pronunciation, and it is one of the important factors that we should consider when speaking a Language. If the speakers mispronounce words, then the listener may not receive the exact message that the speaker is trying to deliver. There are some common pronunciation problems I encountered while doing this research. In the German alphabet, mostly the letter "j" sounds like "y". And in many cases, the letter "v" sounds like "f". Also, if the students do not have a proper understanding of the alphabet, they interpret the letter ß (=SS) as the letter "B". Students try to substitute English speech sounds with German speech sounds. They may also mispronounce words due to shyness. This research aims to provide new German language learners with strategies to overcome pronunciation problems. The research was done using data that were collected from 85 first-year undergraduate students at the University of Kelaniya. This target group includes students from different areas of Sri Lanka, who have different language accents. The data collecting methods of this research are doing oral tests, phonetic exercises, and interviewing German language lecturers. A set of specific strategies were used in the lesson planning, and teaching-learning process to identify the gaps. This includes promoting self-learning, using online dictionaries, and online learning apps, launching mini motivational speeches, instilling basic of the beginning, and regularly setting aside half an hour for speaking practice during German lectures. The final output of the research is to motivate them to speak in German as much as possible with confidence and improve their pronunciation and enunciation in speaking German. The key results of this study will benefit first-year undergraduate German learning students in the future.Item A Literature Investigation on Ayurveda Management and Cultural Practices for Female Infertility(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Chathurangani, U.M.K.; Perera, H. A. R. P.Infertility is a significant public health issue in the modern world, affecting over 10 % of women involved in active marital relationships. Ayurveda has mentioned most possible factors responsible for infertility are Yonidosha, Mansika-Abhitapa, Shukra- Artavadosha, Ahara-Vihara Dosha, Akalyoga, Bala-Kshaya. Another major factor in infertility is alterations in sperm quality. The fertile ratio of Sri Lanka which was 5.00 (-1.950%) in 1965 has decreased to 2.128 (-0.750%) in the present era. Sociologically, this is a problematic situation for the future of Sri Lanka. This literature investigation attempted to make a successful exploration of Ayurveda and cultural treatments for infertility in society. The data-collecting part of the research was done by the literature review method. Ayurveda classical textbooks, local cultural books, and previous research articles published on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, etc. were used for data collecting. According to the Ayurveda view of the infertility condition, the patient should be treated with Agnideepana, and Ama pāchana treatments, and after that, respectively Vātānulōmana treatments, and Shōdhana Karma like panchakarma should be applied. And also during the treatment period, the patient has recommended a strict diet plan like Peyadi Karma. These detoxification treatments help to eliminate free radicals from the body. According to classical practices Rata Yakuma ritual performance, Kadawara Kankariya, and Kumara Samayama Shanthikarma were mentioned as effective psychological therapies for infertile women to get pregnant. The main purposes of these Shanthikaramas included having a baby for infertile women, protecting the fetus of women who have habitual miscarriages, and protective delivery. According to the scientific basis, the items contained in these Shanthikarmas induce a pleasant mind in the infertile woman and induce chemical changes in the body. It helps to create mental satisfaction for the conceiving. Therefore physically and mentally the woman has been balanced by Ayurveda and cultural treatments and made positive outcomes for female infertility.Item The Effectiveness of the Flipped Classroom Approach in Improving Speaking Skills of Adult ESL Learners in a Sri Lankan University Context(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Hemali, Dilini; Ganepola, GavithriCompetency in speaking English is crucial in contemporary Sri Lanka as it is employed in every official domain as well as in other existing fields such as trade, science, technology, and education. Nonetheless, literature claims that Sri Lankan youth lacks English speaking skills in required contexts. Hence, the present study is an attempt to address this issue by investigating (1) the effectiveness of the flipped classroom (FC) approach in improving the speaking skills of ESL learners (2) learners’ perceptions towards integrating the FC approach, and (3) challenges faced by teachers using the FC approach. An ESL tertiary education institution was chosen as the research context and the study comprised a sample of stratifiedrandomly selected 120 first-year undergraduates of the University of Kelaniya, whose proficiency was at the elementary level. The sample comprised three groups; one control and two experimental groups, where traditional teaching and flipped-based teaching were applied respectively. The data were collected utilizing a mixed-method research paradigm including a pre-test / post-test design, an attitudinal questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. Accordingly, a Paired Samples T-test was used to determine the statistical significance of the undergraduates’ test scores. Thus, a thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the open-ended questionnaire items and the semi-structured interviews. The findings reported that the mean scores of the post-test marks of the experimental groups have surpassed the ones of the control group. As such, it points towards the effectiveness of the FC approach in improving the speaking skills of learners. The questionnaire analysis on undergraduates’ perceptions towards this approach revealed their satisfaction whereas a few challenges were identified based on the lecturers’ responses at the semi-structured interviews. Conclusively, the researcher recommends ESL practitioners integrate the FC approach as it improves learners’ speaking skills.Item A Comparative Study on the Correct Usage of Punctuation in Writing Tasks of Adult Learners of English as a Second Language(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Jayasinghe, Ramani R.Language communication is a vital component in the Humanities, and today, most of us use verbal and written expressions to communicate. Written expressions are highly effective for communicating and transferring knowledge or providing information to others. Symbols we use to make the comprehension of texts more precise are called punctuation marks. For example, the punctuation mark '!' is used to show strong emotion or to give a command. "The Diploma in English for Professional Purposes (DEPP)" course is conducted by the Department of English Language Teaching, University of Kelaniya, for adult students who learn English as a Second Language (ESL). Even the Sinhala- speaking students are exposed to formal ESL teaching from Grade 03 to Grade 13 in Sri Lankan schools, the researcher, who was involved in teaching and coordinating this DEPP course, observed that despite this exposure to English language teaching at school, the correct usage of punctuation of the adult Sinhala- speaking students who follow this DEPP course is still not satisfactory. The aim of the study was to compare and contrast the accurate use of eight punctuation marks among a group of adult ESL learners during writing tasks. A number of 50 students' answer scripts on writing skills were randomly selected from the DEPP 2019 course. The particular chosen task, which was to add the correct punctuation marks in a given passage, was marked. The data of the students' marks were collected using the quantitative method and analyzed using the SPSS-22 software, ANOVA HSD Tukey Test. The results showed several significant differences among the correct usage of punctuation marks. The findings of this research can be used to facilitate teaching punctuation marks to adult students in the ESL classroom and to make the necessary changes in the relevant curriculum.Item A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Using Animations versus Miming In Teaching Action Verbs in English as a Second Language: Sri Lanka(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Ganepola, Gavithri H.; Hemali, DiliniDue to globalization, fluency in English as a Second Language (ESL) is regarded as an important factor in today's society. As a result, ESL-learning countries tend to focus more on developing learners' English knowledge through various methods that deviate from traditional teaching approaches to increase learners' interest and motivation in the learning process. Although a substantial amount of research has been conducted on the effectiveness of using various teaching tools other than the traditional teaching method, a few studies have focused on explicitly determining the most suitable method for teaching different parts of a language. ESL students find verbs difficult, confusing, and difficult to remember when it comes to English language learning. Thus, the research focused on using two effective methods used in previous studies and determining which method was more effective; miming and animation for teaching action verbs to ESL learners. This paper is about experimenting with a group conisitng of 50 grade 06 students at Ambaraluwa Maha Vidyalaya in Sri Lanka to find answers to research questions. A group of 25 students were taught action verbs using animation whereas the other 25 were taught using miming. Data was collected using pre-and post-tests, and statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS 27. An ANOVA was performed to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in the accurate performance of the two methods. The findings of the study revealed that students were more interested in using animation than miming.Item Assessing Learner Attitudes towards English Language Examinations Conducted through Online Platforms(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Hemali, B. P. D.; Ganepola, G. H.; Hakadewaththe, N. P.The increasing reliance on online platforms for teaching and learning has prompted educators and learners to utilize Learning Management Systems (LMS) and video conferencing tools such as Zoom and MS Teams. However, the effectiveness of virtual classrooms compared to traditional physical classrooms remains a subject of debate. Despite the advantages of online platforms, English language learners encounter significant difficulties when facing language skill examinations. In light of this hypothesis, the present study employs a qualitative dominant research approach to investigate the challenges experienced by learners during online language skill tests. The study sample consisted of 135 undergraduate students randomly selected from both state and private universities in Sri Lanka, all of whom had undergone online examinations. Among them, 130 undergraduates participated in a Google survey, and 30 undergraduates were selected for semi-structured interviews using purposive sampling. Computeraided software was employed to analyze the survey data, while thematic analysis was utilized to interpret both the survey and interview data. The findings indicate that online assessments primarily emphasized evaluating students' writing and reading abilities, with relatively less emphasis placed on their listening and speaking skills. Only a small number of participants were assessed in all language skills during online tests. The study also examined that the transition from paperbased assessments to online tests in Sri Lanka posed significant challenges for students, including technological difficulties, network glitches, a lack of technical experience, and heightened anxiety. In conclusion, this study illuminates English language learners’ obstacles during online language skill assessments. It underscores the necessity of addressing technological challenges and anxiety concerns to improve the quality of online exams and enhance the overall examination process for students in the future.Item The Effectiveness of ChatGPT in Literary Translations and Generating Lyrics(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2023) Attigala, Vibhavi Y.; Weerasinghe, RavihareeChatGPT is a large-scale neural language model which is developed by OpenAI. This belongs to the family of Generative Pretrained Transformers (GPT) models, which are based on a deep neural network architecture known as Transformers. According to the researchers ChatGPT has been trained on a massive corpus of textual data using unsupervised learning, which means that it has learned to understand the patterns and relationships between words and phrases in natural language without being explicitly taught. ChatGPT has shown promising results in literary text applications such as translation, summarization, and the generation of new texts. In literary translation, ChatGPT can be trained on a corpus of texts in different languages and can generate high-quality translations into the target language. This is particularly useful in situations where human translators are not readily available, or the budget of the professional translation is limited. Hitherto most researchers have identified other machine translation tools like Google translate to be ineffective when compared to manual translations in literary contexts. Thus, this research aims to analyze the effectiveness of ChatGPT in translating selected Sinhala songs into English language, using quantitative performance metrics known as “Precision” and “Recall” in the Natural Language Processing Model (NLP). Moreover, this will also evaluate the accuracy of ChatGPT in generating poems on a given subject. In addition, a qualitative inductive research approach will also be used by researchers to contextually analyze context related to the cultural sociological effectiveness of poems generated by this software. This research will be helpful in situations where human translators are not readily available, or translation cost is very high.