• Overcoming Adversity, Embracing Change: Addressing Challenges in Language and Culture in Asia
  Hajar Abdul Rahim and Nurul Farhana Low
  
  Abstract: The notion of adversity is inherently negative, yet it can be a positive force for change. Inspired by this and in relation to the recent pandemic which saw the lives of the global community disrupted and challenged, the 6th International Conference on Linguistics, Literature and Culture (ICLLIC 2022) chose “Overcoming Adversity, Embracing Change” as the main conference theme. This article is an overview of selected articles from the conference that address issues in language and culture in the Asian context, emerging from the pandemic and contemporary social factors such as globalisation, diaspora and modernity. They include examination of innovations, adaptations and new practices in language, literature and culture that demonstrates Asian linguistic and literary dynamism and resilience in embracing change in the face of adversity.
  
  Keywords and phrases: Asian language and culture, linguistics, literary theory, adversity and change

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• Digital Technologies, Social Media, Global and Local Languages in Southeast Asia
  James Mclellan
  
  Abstract: This article aligns with the theme, “Overcoming Adversity, Embracing Change: Addressing Challenges in Language and Culture in Asia”, and with the call for papers for this conference. It takes an optimistic but critical stand on questions of digital technologies, including social media in multilingual societies. The telephone, radio, television and more recently the internet were all in their turn (wrongly) seen as heralding the demise of normal face-to-face communication, and as threatening the continued existence of minority indigenous languages in multilingual nations. But the Chinese traditional saying, “A crisis is an opportunity riding a dangerous wind”, remains relevant in the pandemic and post-pandemic era. Technologies are not in themselves language-specific, nor are they necessarily biased towards powerful, global languages. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and others do not force users to shift towards Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic or English. I discuss examples of mixed language use in Southeast Asian social media contexts, taking up the point raised by Deterding (2020, 175) in his article based on his keynote presentation at the previous conference in this series: “perhaps trying to analyse the different languages in Brunei as distinct entities is flawed. In the modern globalised world, languages no longer belong in distinct boxes that can be neatly labelled”. The key argument is that the mixing of local vernacular and powerful global languages does not necessarily signal an impending language shift. On the contrary, such hybrid discoursal practices in social media may be viewed as a minority language maintenance and survival strategy.
  
  Keywords and phrases: digital technologies, social media, global and local languages, mixed language, multilingual

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• The Use and Features of Malaysian English Lexemes as Social Media Hashtags
  Nur Fatima Wahida Mohd Nasir, Hajar Abdul Rahim and Cherish How
  
  Abstract: Social media has changed the way societies all over the world communicate in this modern age. Studies on this research area have shown that of the various forms available, hashtags (#) have a higher means of attraction, as they often produce social media trends and innovative linguistic items that are developed through several approaches, including the use of non-native English varieties. This interesting trend is the motivation for the current study, which explores how features of Malaysian English (ME) lexemes, are used as social media hashtags. To date, linguistic research on social media in the Malaysian context has focused on identifying the use of Malay and English slang words in general. There is relatively little research on the use of localised ME lexemes as hashtags in social media. The current study addresses this gap by employing a cross-sectional survey of the use and practice of a list of 30 ME lexemes by Malaysian speakers and a content analysis of the morpho-syntactic features of these lexemes as social media hashtags based on valid hashtag taxonomies from previous research. The study found that popular ME hashtags used in social media posts are mostly composed of short strings in the form of the # + two words and # + code-switching variation. Interestingly, the analysis of the morpho-syntactic features of one particular ME lexeme with distinct characteristics led to the development of a new category, namely “# + discourse particle”.
  
  Keywords and phrases: Malaysian English, nativised English lexemes, social media, hashtags, non-native English

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• A Corpus-Based Cognitive Linguistic Analysis of Taste Words: The Case of English “Bitter” and Chinese Ku
  Zhang Ting , Hicham Lahlou and Yasir Azam
  
  Abstract: This study explores the polysemy of the word “bitter” in English and ku in Chinese. It examines the similarities and differences between their semantics and identifies the cognitive mechanisms that motivate their semantic expansion. The study attempts to answer two questions: (1) What are the similarities and differences between Chinese ku and English “bitter” in terms of meaning? (2) What cognitive mechanisms motivate meaning extensions of these two words? To this end, 汉语大词典 (Chinese Dictionary), 英汉大词典 (English-Chinese Dictionary), the British National Corpus (BNC) and BLCU Corpus Center (BCC) were employed. The two dictionaries were utilised to investigate the multiple meanings of the two terms, while the BNC and the BCC were employed to identify metaphors and metonymies in sentences. Theoretically, the study is informed by Lakoff and Johnson’s conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy. The results showed that half of the meanings of “bitter” and ku overlapped, but there were still some differences. Their semantic expansion is motivated by both conceptual metonymy and conceptual metaphor. In addition, the words under investigation differ in the emotions expressed. English “bitter” is more negative, while Chinese ku is more positive. The present findings have important implications for education and cross-cultural communication in language.
  
  Keywords and phrases: bitter, polysemy, conceptual metaphor, conceptual metonymy, source domain, target domain

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• Belletristic to the Rescue: Transforming Crisis into Creativity in the Himalayan Foothills
  Manju Jaidka and Neeraj Pizar
  
  Abstract: The article delves into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on society, education and literature, with a specific focus on the experiences and initiatives of the Literature Department at Shoolini University in Himachal Pradesh, India. It explores the paradoxical nature of the pandemic as both a malevolent force and a catalyst for change. The article discusses the challenges posed by the pandemic, including fear-induced psychosis, domestic conflicts and economic hardships, while also highlighting the importance of adaptability in the face of unprecedented adversity. As a case study, the article describes how Shoolini University’s Literature Department responded to the crisis by organising a series of online literary gatherings, symposia and conferences, fostering connections and providing solace to individuals grappling with the isolation of lockdowns. They also detail the publication of an anthology titled Covid’s Metamorphosis: Stories of our Corona Times, which captures the diverse experiences of individuals during the pandemic. Furthermore, the article explores the shifting landscape of education and pedagogy, emphasising the need for innovative approaches in the post-COVID era. It discusses the integration of practices like yoga and meditation into the curriculum to support holistic well-being and psychological resilience, reflects on the transformative nature of the pandemic, likening it to a tsunami of change and underscores the importance of adaptability, compassion and holistic education in navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic world.
  
  Keywords and phrases: COVID-19 pandemic, transforming education, adaptability, holistic well-being, isolation of lockdowns

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• Overcoming Adversity and Challenging Ethnocentric Perceptions: An Ethnographic Case Study of Traditional Malay Boat Making in Terengganu
  Johan Awang Othman and Nurul Farhana Low Abdullah
  
  Abstract: This article examines the fate of Malay traditional boats and their craftsmen in the face of adversity in the new millennium. The Malays have a rich history of boatmaking, dating back to the days of the imperial Han dynasty when Malay, Indonesian and Indian ships dominated the trade between India and China. Among these were the Malay ships, which were recognised as enormous, ocean-going boats that won the Chinese adoration. During the Han period, Chinese warships adopted the ingenious sail-making method of Malay seafarers. However, as time passed and technology took hold, Malay boat building, like many other forms of traditional knowledge and expertise, declined. According to this study, Malay boat making represents a rich storehouse of unique Malay cultural practises. Paradoxically, existing scholarship on the subject often adopts a Westerncentric ethnocentric perspective, marginalising the craft and its craftsmen while imposing foreign worldviews upon them. This unintentional epistemological adversity, to some extent, poses a significant threat to the preservation of this endangered local Malay craft and the invaluable cultural heritage it represents. Through an ethnographic case study, this research aims to challenge ethnocentric perceptions, particularly Western by examining the construction techniques, cultural perspectives and unique elements of traditional Malay boat making in Terengganu. By comprehending and documenting this invaluable cultural heritage amid adversity, we contribute to the preservation and appreciation of Malay craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge.
  
  Keywords and phrases: traditional Malay boat, ethnocentrism, local wisdom, Malay boat making, indigenous knowledge

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• The “Edible Identity” in Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart: A Memoir
  Foong Soon Seng, Gheeta Chandran and Raphael Thoo Yi Xian
  
  Abstract: Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart is an evocative memoir of an Asian- American woman who struggled to accept her mixed heritage. A major turning point in her life was having to deal with grief over the loss of a loved one through the help of food. While food has frequently been studied in relation to grief and identity, the ways in which these intersect is less common and warrants further exploration. Given the multiplicity of identities embodied by the protagonist and their often-conflicting nature, the researchers employed Herman’s dialogical self theory (DST) as a framework to better understand her journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. With each identity being given a voice of their own, the constant negotiation among them became apparent and the role played by food in the process was also highlighted. Findings indicate that food as a primary marker for Michelle to reclaim her own heritage and identity was emphasised repeatedly in the memoir. It reinforces the notion that food is affective in nature because it is capable of evoking emotions and memories that could (re)shape one’s identity. While Michelle initially rejected her Korean (Asian) heritage, she begins to reclaim and embrace it while reconnecting with her ailing mother through their shared affection for Korean food. It is through her love of Korean food that Michelle is able to gradually embrace one of the major changes in her life and subsequently overcome the identity crisis that has been troubling her.
  
  Keywords and phrases: Korean culture, memoir, food, dialogical self theory (DST), identity, memory

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• Reimagining Chinese American Identity: Postcolonial Perspectives on Cultural Negotiation and Transformation in Laurence Yep’s Dragonwings
  Hui Zhou, Moussa Pourya Asl and Mohamad Rashidi Mohd Pakri
  
  Abstract: The Chinese immigrant and Chinese American communities have faced a long history of stigmatisation and misrepresentation due to racial bias and discrimination. This article explores the transformative growth narrative of the child protagonist in Laurence Yep’s novel Dragonwings, set against the backdrop of historical anti-Asian sentiment in the early 1900s. By adopting Said’s “imaginative geography” and Bhabha’s “third space” as analytical perspectives, the study aims to shed light on how the child protagonist’s growth challenges passive Chinese stereotypes and confronts deeply ingrained adversities within the Asian American diaspora by offering an active anti-Oriental perspective. We argue that the transformative journey of the protagonist, Moon Shadow, contests racial biases and cultural boundaries, contributing to a reflective perspective that liberates writers of colour from complicit interrogations. The analysis underlines the transgressive aesthetic within the Chinese American diaspora, showcasing Dragonwings as a quintessential postcolonial bildungsroman that embraces compromise and accommodation in selfformation. Furthermore, the exploration of the child protagonist’s growth in the context of historical realist narrative and the postcolonial lens emphasises the transgressive enjoyment that subverts established norms and identities. The study thus acknowledges the resilience and agency exhibited by the characters in the face of adversity and by understanding the emancipatory potential of growth narratives, it contributes to the broader theme of overcoming adversity and embracing change in the context of language and culture in Asia.
  
  Keywords and phrases: Chinese American bildungsroman, postcolonial context, transgressive aesthetics, racial adversities, Laurence Yep

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