Latest Articles
Linguistic Exploration
Articles

A Socio-Phonetic Investigation of the Acoustic Features of English Vowel Sounds by Lassi English Second Language Speakers

This study presents the first comprehensive acoustic analysis of English monophthongs produced by native Lassi Sindhi speakers. Despite the limited research on the Lassi dialect, its speakers engage with English as a second language, often displaying pronunciation patterns influenced by their first language. LassiTen monophthongs (/iː, ɪ, æ, e, ɑː, ɛ, uː, ʊ, ɔː, ʌ/) were elicited from ten local Lassi speakers (five male, five female) using a carrier sentence paradigm, resulting in 300 tokens (10 vowels × 10 speakers × 3 repetitions). The recordings were captured via smartphones and analyzed in Praat to measure vowel duration, fundamental frequency (F0), and first and second formant frequencies (F1–F2). The results indicate distinct gender-based differences: male speakers exhibited significantly longer vowel durations (short vowels: M-158 ms, F-98 ms; long vowels: M-279 ms, F-196 ms), whereas female speakers demonstrated higher F0 values across all vowels (averaging-220 Hz vs. -120 Hz). Spectral analysis revealed expanded vowel spaces for females, with elevated F1–F2 coordinates compared to males. The findings establish normative acoustic benchmarks for Lassi-influenced English, highlighting physiological and sociolinguistic factors in vowel production. The implications include enhancing ESL pronunciation instruction with dialect-sensitive materials and informing speech technology development for South Asian English varieties. To develop tools that consider L1 vowel patterns to provide personalized feedback for Lassi learners. The research advances linguistic inclusivity by recognizing and affirming local dialectal variations, rather than pathologizing them. The findings have the potential to influence national curriculum guidelines, promoting the integration of dialect-sensitive English instruction in provinces such as Balochistan and Sindh.

Cultural Arts Research and Development
Article

Coming of Age in J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye: Eriksonian Psychoanalytic Perspectives

This article examines J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye (1951) through the psychosocial lens of Erik Erikson’s developmental theory, illustrating the protagonist’s coming-of-age struggles as he transitions from adolescence to early adulthood. Holden Caulfield is portrayed as a teenager in crisis, clinging to the innocence of childhood—a fixation that complicates his individuation and separation from family influences in the formation of own identity. Emotionally unstable and deeply affected by traumatic experiences and the pervasive “phoniness” of his surroundings, Holden finds it difficult to succeed academically or to integrate socially with peers and schoolmates. Using the American psychoanalyst’s psychosocial model on personality development, Erikson’s eight stages chart, and especially the pertinent stages which capture the protagonist’s age, the article seeks to justify Caulfield’s plight and explore possibilities for his redemption and reasons behind his disillusionment. The argument centers on the intersection Erikson describes between two stages: adolescence and early adulthood. Holden’s problems stem from his precarious position on the threshold between these stages, as well as from unresolved childhood attachments and traumas—what Erikson refers to as a “moratorium.” The hypocritical and superficial adult world either seeks to exploit him or further isolates him, exacerbating his sense of alienation. However, his attachments to the memory of his deceased brother, Allie and to the purity embodied by his younger sister, Phoebe, offer him an escape from the ugly realities of the adult world. Overall, Salinger’s book is one of redemption; it is a significant contribution to youth culture and the ethical imperatives of supporting adolescents during their psychosocial development.

Cultural Arts Research and Development
Review

AI-Powered Innovations for Documenting and Revitalizing African Languages

The documentation and revitalization of African languages are crucial for preserving the continent’s linguistic and cultural heritage amid increasing threats of language endangerment. This study presents a systematic review of existing literature on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches to language documentation and revitalization, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were collected from twenty academic digital repositories and peer-reviewed journals specializing in computational linguistics, AI applications in language preservation, and African linguistics. Four major databases were specifically searched: Google Scholar, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online (AJOL). Peer-reviewed articles from established repositories were analyzed to explore key AI applications such as speech recognition, machine learning for transcription, neural machine translation, and digital archiving. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances language preservation by enabling automated transcription, corpus development, and the creation of interactive learning tools. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including limited data availability, ethical concerns over language ownership, and technological accessibility in marginalized communities, which hinder widespread implementation. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among linguists, AI developers, and local communities to ensure culturally sensitive and effective AI solutions. Ultimately, this review highlights the transformative potential of AI in supporting the sustainable revitalization of indigenous African languages and contributing to global linguistic resilience.

Philosophy and Realistic Reflection
Articles

Wahdat-al-Khayāl (Unity of Thought): A Psychologist’s Response to Wahdat-al-Wujūd (Unity of Being) and Wahdat-alShuhūd (Unity of Witnessing)

The quest to comprehend the nature of reality and the essence of selfhood has long animated metaphysical inquiry across civilizations. The current discourse presents the concept of Wahdat-al-Khayāl (Unity of Thought) as the foundational ontology. By critically engaging with classical metaphysical frameworks of Wahdat-al-Wujūd (Unity of Being) and Wahdat-al-Shuhūd (Unity of Witnessing), this work has argued that neither existence nor observation alone can adequately account for the ultimate nature of reality. Instead, thought, as the dynamic cognitive activity of Infinite Consciousness, underlies and constitutes all that appears within the cosmos. Crucially, the present philosophy challenges prevailing dualisms between subject and object, mind and matter, and being and witnessing. It posits that the apparent material universe and multiplicity of selves are not independent realities but emanations of thought, emphasizing the inseparability and supremacy of Khayāl —thought—as the ultimate ground of all existence. This perspective not only advances metaphysical understanding but also offers profound implications for psychosocial health, suggesting that wellness emerges through the reorientation from fragmented selfhood to authentic unity with infinite consciousness. By grounding reality in thought, the Wahdat-al-Khayāl framework integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary insights, offering a novel path for philosophical inquiry and psychological practice. It invites scholars and clinicians to reconsider the nature of self, consciousness, and existence, advocating for approaches that facilitate transcendence, coherence, and holistic wellness. Ultimately, this philosophy affirms that the deepest truth of our being is unity—an indivisible oneness of thought—beyond all illusion of separation and multiplicity.

Linguistic Exploration
Articles

The Impact of Globalization on Naming Practices in Israel

Changes in naming patterns within a specific society reflect socio-cultural shifts within that society. In the 21st century, globalization has become a fundamental aspect of life in both the Western world and Israel, thus significantly influencing the selection of personal names for newborns. This socioonomastic study employs a qualitative research method that involves analyzing discussions, articles, and interviews with parents. The findings indicate that the influence of globalization is evident throughout the name-selection process, especially in the psychological, linguistic, and sociological factors that inform the choice of a specific given name and its preference over other names. A significant trend that emerged from the research findings is the desire of parents in Israel to create a balance between two polarized identities―the local Israeli national identity versus a Western global identity. This results in a new integrative identity reflected in the creation of “bipolar” names that highlight the intention to bridge the two poles through various linguistic dimensions. These include an orthographic-phonetic dimension―Hebrew names that are easy to write and pronounce in English; an etymological dimension―global names that originate in Hebrew; a semantic dimension―foreign names that have meaning in Hebrew; and a lexical dimension―names that are similar or identical in form in both Hebrew and English. The significance of this research lies in its exploration of the relationship between enduring social processes and the naming decisions made by parents for their newborns, offering insights into the complex effects of globalization on Israeli culture.

New Countryside
Articles

Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Food Systems in a Warming World

Climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss are placing unprecedented stress on global food systems. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and soil degradation threaten food production and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to food. The urgency to feed a growing population—projected to reach 10 billion by 2050—demands a rethinking of how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. Nature-based Solutions (NbS), defined by the IUCN as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively,” offer a promising pathway. When integrated into food systems, NbS can simultaneously enhance ecosystem health, increase resilience to climate change, support livelihoods, and ensure food and nutrition security. Disruptions to ecosystem services due to climate change and human activity undermine food security. NbS in food systems seek to restore and protect these services while making agriculture and food production more resilient. This study explores the role of NbS in promoting sustainable food systems in the face of climate change. It assesses various NbS strategies across agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, and examines their ecological, economic, and social benefits, as well as challenges to their adoption and scaling. One way forward is to create enabling environments and integrate NbS into national climate and food policies.

Cultural Arts Research and Development
Article

Mamluk Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism: The Interplay of Heritage Value, Cultural Identity, and Behavioral Intentions in Promoting Roots Tourism

This study examines the interplay between heritage value, cultural identity, and behavioral intentions in promoting sustainable roots tourism associated with Egypt’s Mamluk cultural heritage. While scholarly attention has predominantly focused on Egypt’s Pharaonic legacy, Mamluk-era sites (13th–16th centuries)—noted for their synthesis of Islamic architecture and geopolitical significance—remain understudied despite their potential for diaspora engagement. Employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this research adopts a quantitative approach to analyze survey responses from 215 international visitors with ancestral ties to Mamluk-linked regions (Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey). Regression analysis explained 62.3% of the variance in sustainable tourism intentions (R² = 0.623). Results revealed strong positive relationships among cultural heritage value (*r* = 0.730), cultural identity (*r* = 0.697), and sustainable behavioral intentions. Architectural aesthetics (M = 4.43/5) and emotional identity (M = 4.28/5) emerged as significant predictors, though perceived behavioral control (M = 3.98/5) suggested logistical barriers. The findings underscore the need for immersive storytelling, community-centered strategies, and policy reforms to enhance visitor experiences and preservation outcomes. This study promotes theoretical and practical approaches to sustainable tourism by integrating TPB with frameworks of historical values, so that Mamluk sites can be established as agents of socio-economic flexibility and cultural diplomacy. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and sampling focus, warranting longitudinal studies with broader demographic inclusion.

Linguistic Exploration
Articles

An Onomastic Analysis of Shop Names: A Case of Manyama Market in Zambia

Motivated by the role of commercial onomastics in trade and business, this study linguistically analyses shop names in the multilingual context of the Manyama market in Kalumbila, Zambia.  Three objectives guide this study: to identify the morphological processes employed in the formation of shop names at Manyama Market, to describe the contributing factors in shop name choices at Manyama Market, and to establish the significance of shop names as a resource in trade and business in the informal economy of Kalumbila’s Manyama market. For an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon, this study collected data using unstructured interviews, audio recordings, and observation. A total of fifteen shop names were purposively sampled together with ten owners. As the study is purely qualitative, the findings were transcribed and analyzed thematically through the revealed themes. For a comprehensive analysis of the findings, this study applied theories of lexical morphology and Social semiotics. The study reveals that several morphological processes are employed in the creation of shop names. Some of the processes include compounding, acronymization, initialization, and loaning, among others. The study shows that several factors influence the decision to name a shop. These factors include anglicisation, religious alignment, commemorative, and family name alignment, and indigenization. The study concludes that several linguistic aspects are taken into consideration when creating a shop name. When applied, the process results in the expression of various meanings that elicit different responses based on how customers respond to a business.

Announcements
  • Editor-in-Chief Recruitment Notice

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    Dear Colleagues in the Academic Community,   Transportation Development Research is a newly established academic journal aimed at providing scholars with a platform for exchanging and sharing research achievements. Currently, we are seeking an experienced and dedicated scholar to serve as the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of our journal.   Responsibilities and Expectations:   Lead the academic direction and development strategy of the journal. Oversee the review process and select suitable reviewers to ensure the quality of submitted manuscripts. Collaborate with the editorial team to drive the day-to-day operations and development of the journal. Actively engage with the academic community to enhance the visibility and impact of the journal.   Qualifications:   Demonstrated excellence in the relevant field with a strong academic track record. Substantial academic and peer-review experience. Enthusiasm for advancing the development of the journal and the ability to lead a team. Active participation in academic discourse with a strong academic reputation.   Application Process:   Interested individuals are invited to submit their resumes and a letter of application for the Editor-in-Chief position to tdr@bilpub.com.   We look forward to your contributions in building Transportation Development Research into an outstanding academic journal. Thank you for your attention and support.   Best Regards,   Editorial Team Transportation Development Research

    29 December 2023
  • New Journal Alert: Urban Planning and Construction

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    We are excited to announce the launch of our new journal, "Urban Planning and Construction," dedicated to exploring the dynamic field of urban planning and construction. As we embark on this exciting endeavor, we invite scholars and researchers to join us as esteemed editorial board members and editors-in-chief. If you are passionate about urban planning and construction and would like to contribute to this scholarly platform, we welcome you to apply as a self-nominee or recommend suitable candidates for the positions. Kindly download the Scholar Information Form, fill it out, and submit it to the editorial department. For the inaugural issue, we are offering a special opportunity to submit manuscripts free of charge. Yes, you read that right! We are waiving all article processing fees for the first edition. To maintain consistency, please refer to our author's guidelines for formatting details, available at: https://ojs.bilpub.com/index.php/upc/about/submissions. Feel free to contact our editorial department at upc@bilpub.com for any queries, suggestions, or submissions. Join us on this exciting journey as we delve into the realms of urban planning and construction together! Urban Planning and Construction Editorial Team

    14 September 2023
  • Transport Development Study Vol. 1 No. 1 (2023): Inprogress

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    New Journal Launch! Transportation Development Research is excited to announce the launch of our inaugural issue! As we embark on this journey, we are searching for dedicated individuals to join our esteemed editorial board as editors and chief editors. Whether you would like to self-nominate or recommend someone, we welcome your participation. To express your interest, please download the Scholar Information Form, complete it, and submit it to our editorial office. Call for Manuscripts For the first issue, we are offering free manuscript processing. All article processing fees are waived! To ensure your submission meets our guidelines, please refer to the Author's Guide:https://ojs.bilpub.com/index.php/tdr/about/submissions. Contact Information For any inquiries or submission of the Scholar Information Form, kindly direct your emails to tdr@bilpub.com. Join us in shaping the future of transportation research! Transportation Development Research Editorial Team

    14 September 2023
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    We are excited to announce the launch of a new journal, Food and Drug Safety, dedicated to the exploration of topics related to the safety of food and drugs. We are currently seeking qualified individuals to join our editorial board and serve as the chief editor. If you have expertise in this field, both self-recommendations and recommendations of others are welcome. To apply, please download the Scholar Information Form, fill it out, and submit it to the editorial office. For the inaugural issue, we are offering free manuscript handling and waiving all article processing fees. Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Author's Guide: https://ojs.bilpub.com/index.php/fds/about/submissions. For any inquiries or submissions, please contact the editorial office via email at: fds@bilpub.com. We look forward to your participation and contributions in promoting food and drug safety research! Food and Drug Safety Editorial Team

    14 September 2023
  • Classical Literature First Publication (Issue 1, 2023): Inprogress

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    Welcome to our newly created journal! We are looking for editorial board members and editors-in-chief, and we invite scholars to nominate themselves or suggest suitable candidates. If you are interested, please download the Scholar Information Form, fill it out and submit it to the editorial office. It is worth mentioning that we will process manuscripts for the first issue of the journal free of charge and completely waive the article processing fee. Authors are kindly requested to refer to our author guidelines to ensure proper and consistent article formatting, the link to the guidelines is here: https://ojs.bilpub.com/index.php/cl/about/submissions . If you have any questions or need further advice, please send them to the editorial office at: cl@bilpub.com. Classical Literature Editorial Team

    14 September 2023
  • Congratulations on the success of 'MIRAI 2.0 R&I Week 2022' activity!

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    02 December 2022
  • Welcome Prof. Dr. Pablo Froimowicz to be the Editor-in-Chief of New Environmentally-Friendly Materials

    Announcements

    26 October 2022