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Abstract: The thesis explores otherness in A Game of Thrones, a fantasy novel written by George R. R. Martin. The research is possible because of the cultural and social diversity incorporated into the novel. Furthermore, the attention is paid not only to male but also female characters. Martin portrays otherness through exotic cultures, illegitimate children, untypical female and male characters, disability, etc. In A Game of Thrones, the story unfolds from the point of view of several characters. Since the majority of these characters are members of one (or more) out-groups, it is possible to analyze outsiders' position in a fantasy world governed by the norms set by the dominant society. The thesis begins with the theory of fantasy, focusing on the origins of the term and its use in literature. The authors that contributed to the fantasy genre are mentioned and their actions discussed. A connection is established between fantasy and history, followed by a short summary of the events in the Middle Ages. The literary term 'otherness' is introduced. Several types of otherness are listed and explained – national, ethnic and cultural otherness; gender; and disability. A short summary of the events in the novel is added. In the second part of the thesis, the otherness within the novel is analyzed. The emphasis is on how the out-groups and their members react to the norms set by the dominant society.
Keywords: fantasy, fantasy novel, otherness, history, A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin
Published in DKUM: 25.09.2018; Views: 1707; Downloads: 258
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Abstract: The new Grohar’s room in the Škofja Loka Museum that is located in a more than a thousand years old town, some kilometres northwest of Ljubljana, Slovenia, represents one of the new possibilities to popularize old local history. Ivan Grohar (1867−1911) is one of the four well-known Slovenian painters from the beginning of the 20th century, together with Rihard Jakopič, Matija Jama and Matej Sternen. These Slovenian painters are the founders of Impressionism within the modern style. Škofja Loka became the so called Slovenian “Barbizon” (i.e. French village near Fontainebleau, once the settlement of painters) and this art and old tradition inspired another Slovenian (music) artist Oskar Dev (1868−1932), who composed some of his musical works (songs and choirs) in Škofja Loka, too. His and Grohar’s period in Škofja Loka resulted in some extraordinary art works i.e. paintings and musical works. They both were inspired by the countryside that reflected on their works. This is now one of the new Slovenian’s challenges of museology and musicology in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach so the art of painting and music could be a benefit for the visitors of this and other museums.
Keywords: old local history, painter, composer, Impressionism, modern style, “Barbizon”, music pieces: songs and choirs, museology, musicology, Slovenian classical music, 20th century, Škofja Loka, 1905/1911
Published in DKUM: 08.08.2017; Views: 1767; Downloads: 85
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Abstract: Background Family history can be used as a genetic risk predictor for common non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of healthy individuals at risk of developing these diseases, based on their self-reported family history.Methods and Findings This was a cross-sectional observational study. Data were collected in the three largest occupational practices in primary health care centres in Slovenia, a Central European country. The study population consisted of consecutive individuals who came to occupational practices for their regular preventive check-up from November 2010 to June 2012. We included 1,696 individuals. Data were collected by a self-developed questionnaire. The main outcome was the number of participants at a moderate or high risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.The final sample consisted of 1,340 respondents. Moderate or high risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases was present in 280 (20.9%) participants, for the development of diabetes in 154 (11.5%) participants and for cancer in 163 (12.1%) participants. Conclusions In this study, we found a significant proportion of healthy individuals with an increased genetic risk for common non-communicable diseases; consequently further genetic and clinical evaluation and preventive measures should be offered.
Keywords: family history, predictor for disease risk, sectional study in Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 19.06.2017; Views: 1003; Downloads: 155
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Abstract: This multicentre, cross-sectional observational study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression among the working population of Slovenia and identify factors correlating with higher prevalence of depression. It was conducted in three occupational medicine practices within major Slovenian primary health care centres. The study population consisted of 1,474 respondents [73.7 % of the invited participants, 889 (60.3 %) men and 585 (39.7 %) women with mean age of (40.5±9.8) years] who visited these practices for their regular check-ups from November 2010 to June 2012 and were asked to fill in a self-developed questionnaire and score depression on the Zung’s self-rating depression scale. According to the rating, 50 (3.4 %) respondents suffered from depression. In the multivariate analysis, depression correlated with the following independent variables: self-perceived exposure to chronic stress, positive family history of depression, and primary school education.
Keywords: mental diseases, primary health care, cross-sectional study, demographic data, family history
Published in DKUM: 30.03.2017; Views: 1193; Downloads: 331
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Abstract: English is more widely spoken and written than any other language. It has become global language and it is used by at least 750 million people (Graddol, Leith, Swann, Rhys and Gillen, 2007). English is also the biggest donor language in the world and it has borrowed many words from other languages. More than fifty percent of all English words are of Latin and French origin (Finkenstaedt and Wolff, 1973). They came into English during the historical events which allowed contacts with different foreign nations and thus their culture and language. Latin and French have been the biggest suppliers of words into English. In the Old English people coined new words together because there was no need to use foreign words. However, later, people had the need to express sophisticated concepts and they found it easier to adopt existing words (Hock and Joseph, 1996). Latin has been a major influence on English. Words from Latin were introduced into Old English and Middle English by the Romans. Words were manly associated to church and its services. The French influence has been around since the Middle Ages. Before the Norman Conquest in 1066, there were contacts between the English and French cultures. After 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy won the English throne, French became the official language of government and the upper classes of Norman nobility. In the 18th and 19th centuries, French was the language of culture, prestige and civilization. In Modern Period, English borrowed from less and less languages and people were more concerned about the situation of English language (Baugh and Cable, 2002). The thesis deals with the of Latin and French borrowings by focusing on their use in contemporary English. The examples for the analysis have been collected from an issue of the English magazine, called Glamour Magazine. Each borrowing is analysed according to the different categories of various vocabulary areas it belongs to. In addition, the meaning, the etymology and word class is provided for each word. The borrowings are then evaluated according to the group, frequency, arrival into English and origin and word class.
Keywords: borrowings, etymology, history of English language, Latin and French origin, Glamour Magazine.
Published in DKUM: 10.12.2014; Views: 1754; Downloads: 149
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