Under de senaste decennierna har turismen i världen ökat kraftigt, inte minst i Sverige. Turistindustrin står inför många utmaningar och då konkurrensen ökar och avstånden krymper mellan olika länder och världsdelar är det viktigt att beakta de kulturella skillnader som finns och vad vi bör känna till om dessa skillnader när det gäller turism. Kunskapen om dessa skillnader kan vara avgörande vid marknadsföring och inrättandet av nya resmål. Turister från Mellanöstern är sällsynta i Sverige och vi vill med denna uppsats ta reda på om dessa kulturella och religiösa skillnader kan vara hinder för turism från dessa länder samt andra motiv hos dessa medborgares när de reser, samt om det finns eventuella andra motiv dom kan vara orsaken till den dåliga besöksstatistiken i Sverige. Mellan länderna i Mellanöstern finns det stora ekonomiska skillnader och denna studie har därför fokuserats på de potentiella turister som kan finnas i Gulf Cooperation Council-länderna (GCC), där uppsatsen vidare avgränsats till Dubai som ingår i Förenade Arabemiraten ”United Arab Emirates, UAE” och till Qatar. Sverige anses vara ett land som turister från UAE och Qatar borde vilja besöka, då vi har ett motsatsförhållande i klimatet, med en behaglig sommartemperatur och gröna landskap sommartid. Trots detta är antalet turister från dessa länder lågt och det borde finnas möjligheter att öka antalet turister till Sverige. Denna bakgrund har lett uppsatsens författare till problemformuleringen: vilka motiv resenärer har när de skall resa, då de potentiella turisternas ekonomi, lagar och kulturella värderingar som råder i UAE och Qatar skiljer sig väsentligt från samhället i Sverige? Med utgångspunkt i motiv- och kulturteorier är uppsatsens övergripande syfte att undersöka turisters resemotiv från UAE och Qatar, samt att belysa några kulturella faktorer som kan påverka dessa turisters val av destination. – Vad motiverar turister från UAE och Qatar, när de bokar sina resor till en destination? – Vilka skillnader finns det i de olika kulturerna mellan UAE, Qatar och Sverige som kan övervinnas och möjliggöra ett större utbyte av turister? – Vilken lärdom kan Sveriges turistnäring dra från detta? Uppsatsen grundar sig på en kvalitativ- och kvantitativ metod. Den kvalitativa datainsamlingen har skett med hjälp av personliga intervjuer med medborgare från UAE och Qatar, samt intervjuer med lokala aktörer och aktörer från Sverige. Den kvantitativa datainsamlingen består av enkäter som delats ut till medborgare i UAE och Qatar. För att stärka uppsatsens primärdata har sekundärdata i form av hemsidor, litteratur och vetenskapliga artiklar använts. Slutsatserna av studien är: både motivation och kultur har stor påverkan på turisters val av resmål. Kunskap/okunskap om resmålet när det gäller kultur, religion och en mängd olika krav som kommer ur detta är viktiga att beakta för att lyckas locka turister från dessa länder.

The object of this study was to assess the influence of native language, as a principal cultural characteristic, one users’ behavior when using a web-based e-commerce application. The study expands on previous research by comparing English and Russian users. The research also considered demographic data to assess additional factors that influence behavior and task performance. The research design encompassed an online shopping application with two different navigation menus. One menu was based on the action-object model and the other was based on the object-action model. The user interface was created in two different languages (Russian and English). This study suggests that language, as a cultural indicator, has a direct relationship to user satisfaction and performance in e-commerce web applications.

Nicht zuletzt durch die Globalisierung kommen mittlerweile viele Geräte in vielen unterschiedlichen Kulturen zugleich zum Einsatz. Durch die Anpassung von Produkten an kulturelle Unterschiede kann die Gebrauchstauglichkeit dieser Produkte in der jeweiligen Kultur verbessert werden. Dies führt aufgrund einer höheren Kundenzufriedenheit und Sicherheit bei der Bedienung zu Vorteilen für die Nutzer der Produkte, in Folge dann auch zu höheren Umsätzen für die Hersteller der Produkte. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt am Beispiel der Nutzung mobiler Geräte Erkenntnisse für die Anpassung von Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstellen an die Anforderungen von Nutzern in China, Deutschland und den USA auf. Sie verwendet eine Kombination von quantitativen und qualitativen Forschungsmethoden. Zunächst wird ein Überblick über den theoretischen Wissensstand in den relevanten Bereichen erarbeitet, bevor Interviews mit neun deutschen Experten der Produktentwicklung mit internationaler Erfahrung einen Überblick über die Praxis der Produktentwicklung in international tätigen Konzernen geben. Auf der Basis dieser theoretischen und praktischen Erkenntnisse wird eine Online-Befragung zurNutzung mobiler Geräte im Fahrzeug mit insgesamt 269 chinesischen, deutschen und US-amerikanischen Teilnehmern beschrieben. Eine Card-Sorting-Studie mit 46 internationalen Probanden sowie eine Fahrsimulatorstudie mit 33 deutschen Probanden untersucht anschließend spezifische kulturelle Unterschiede bei der Kategorisierung. Eine weitere Fahrsimulatorstudie mit 42 chinesischen und deutschen Probanden analysiert kulturelle Präferenzen für Eingabemöglichkeiten. Die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit zusammengestellten Erkenntnisse münden in konkreten Gestaltungsregeln. Aus den Erkenntnissen ergeben sich neue Fragestellungen für die zukünftige Forschung.:1. Einleitung 2. Stand der Forschung 3. Interviews mit deutschen Experten 4. Online-Befragung unter Chinesen, Deutschen und US-Amerikanern 5. Card-Sorting-Studie mit westlichen und östlichen Probanden 6. Fahrsimulatorstudie zu Menüstrukturen mit Deutschen 7. Fahrsimulatorstudie zu Eingabemöglichkeiten mit Chinesen und Deutschen 8. Zusammenfassung und Ausblick 9. Gestaltungsregeln für interkulturell genutzte Produkte

In this thesis the activities of civic sector organisations (CSOs) in the field of foreign children's education in the Czech Republic and in the Netherlands are described. The aim is to analyze conditions which are in the field of foreign children's education in both countries, and methods and instruments which are used by CSOs. In the Netherlands there is a lot of experience with immigrants from all over the world so know how of Dutch CSOs can serve as an inspiration for Czech CSOs since in the CR there is lack of experience with immigrants. In both countries a qualitative research was done. The research was made on the basis of knowledge acquired in specialised literature. It includes semistructured interviews with CSOs members, and in the case of the Netherlands interviews with employees of two Dutch schools and with an expert on foreign children's education. In the research the information from CSOs websites were used and author's experience with volunteering for one of Czech CSO is used as well. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Current practice in language teaching based on communicative approaches emphasizes the development of language skills. Opportunities are created for students to develop their language skills through social interaction based on pair and group work. Such interaction requires the use of interpersonal skills. If students do not feel confident about their interpersonal skills, they may be reluctant to take part in communicative activities, which require social interaction. Interpersonal skills are also important if students are to use their language skills in real life situations effectively and confidently. Gender and cultural differences related to interpersonal communication may have an impact on how successful students learn a foreign language. The study explores student confidence in interpersonal skills, the role that gender may play in interpersonal relationships, and also in fostering cultural activities that are aimed at the development of interpersonal communication. Such relationships have potential implications on the teaching of a foreign language in the classroom situation. This research was conducted at a Japanese university where the researcher is a lecturer and had full access to all the resources he needed. The same research was also conducted at Chinese, Russian, and Ghanaian universities, as well as at an international school in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using questionnaires. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the problem, and to probe the issues involved more extensively. Quantitative data was collected by means of a questionnaire that consisted of multiple-choice questions. Qualitative data was gathered by means of open-ended questions. Questionnaire results were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicate that some students may lack confidence in social situations where the use of interpersonal skills is neglected. This research also found that females may be more comfortable and adept in interpersonal exchanges owing to some biological and cultural reasons. Findings also indicate that cultural differences that impact on interpersonal communication situations did not entirely support the findings from the literature review, particularly concerning the use of nonverbal communication by Japanese students. Recommendations based on research findings, are given concerning the development of interpersonal skills. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics and Curriculum Studies)

В работе предпринято исследования российско-китайской межкультурной коммуникации и культурных различий. На основании компонентного анализа теорий лингвистики, социолингвистики, психолингвистики и лингвокультуры, посредством исследования влияния российско-китайской межкультурной коммуникации и культурных различий на преподавание иностранных языков дать общие предложения по повышению уровня преподавания иностранного языка. / The work undertakes research on Russian-Chinese intercultural communication and cultural differences. Based on the component analysis of the theories of linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and linguistic culture, through the study of the influence of Russian-Chinese intercultural communication and cultural differences on the teaching of foreign languages, to give general proposals for improving the level of teaching a foreign language.

Основной целью межкультурного перевода является содействие межкультурной коммуникации, то есть задача переводчика – познакомить носителей одной культуры с другой. В соответствии с этой целью переводчик должен соответствующим образом относиться к культурным элементам переводимого текста. В процессе перевода переводчики часто сталкиваются с проблемой лакун. Лакуна – это лингвистический или культурный факт, который имеет место в одной культуре, но отсутствует в другом языке или другой культуре. Актуальность исследования заключается в поиске решения феномена лакун в китайско-российской межкультурной коммуникации. В первой главе были объяснены понятия культуры, межкультурной коммуникации и перевода через обобщение и сравнение трактовок европейских и китайских исследователей. Во второй главе были проанализированы различия значений обыденных и символических реалий в России и Китае (религиозная символика и фразеология, цветовое восприятие, сфера питания, реклама, деловая переписка и др). В третьей главе были классифицированы основные проблемы перевода и межкультурной коммуникации, а также даны рекомендации по их устранению. / The main purpose of intercultural translation is to facilitate intercultural communication, i.e. the translator's task is to introduce native speakers of one culture to another. In line with this goal, the translator must treat the cultural elements of the text being translated accordingly. Translators are often confronted with the problem of cultural gaps in the translation process. A cultural gap is a linguistic or cultural fact that takes place in one culture but does not find a corresponding language or culture in the other culture.The relevance of the research is to find a solution to the phenomenon of cultural gaps in Sino-Russian intercultural materials in the light of naturalisation and legitimation theories. Based on these principles, specific approaches to dealing with cultural deficits are proposed. The first chapter explained the concepts of culture, intercultural communication and translation by summarising and comparing the interpretations of European and Chinese researchers. The second chapter analysed the differences in the meanings of everyday and symbolic realities in Russia and China (religious symbolism and phraseology, colour perception, food, advertising, business correspondence, etc.). In the third chapter, the main problems of translation and intercultural communication were classified and recommendations for their elimination were given.

The study explored the body image of Professional Black South African women, cultural expectations, and their experiences in Westernised working milieus, utilising a phenomenological approach and qualitative exploratory design, located within Constructionism. Data were collected through purposive sampling (and snowballing) through individual face-to-face voice-recorded semi-structured interviews with 11 participants in/around Gauteng. Analysis was done through content analysis utilising thematic networks (Attride-Stirling). Major findings: Western values have influenced participants; Lower weight and thinness do not automatically correspond with assumptions about HIV/AIDS, instead correspond with healthier lifestyle choices; Body shape not weight or size was the prominent area of focus for most participants; Clothes size determines perception of overweight; Overweight has consequences. Forty-five per cent of participants were content with their bodies, 18% dissatisfied/unhappy, 18% satisfied, one happy, one apathetic. Tswanas were generally smaller-figured; Zulus, Northern Sotho/Pedi, Xhosa in general traditionally expected full-bodied women. Overt expectations in the workplace were not found. / Psychology / Master of Arts (Psychology)

This thesis deals with problems of biological and cultural determinants influencing perception of beauty. It attempts to find out if there is a common biological basis of perception of beauty or if beauty represents merely a sociocultural construct - product of a specific culture. With respect to biological determinants it concerns biological processes significantly influencing perception of beauty. In this context, these processes include probably innate evolutionary adaptations, effects of brain cognitive systems and neural correlates processing perceptions of beautiful objects. In connection with cultural determinants it presents studies emphasizing cross-cultural differences in perception of beauty. Further subject of the thesis is an aesthetic conception of subjective and objective beauty and related concept of beauty based on mathematical relations. In this connection, the creation of universally beautiful objects based on fixed mathematical rules as well as the possibility of exact measurement of beauty are discussed.

The study explored the body image of Professional Black South African women, cultural expectations, and their experiences in Westernised working milieus, utilising a phenomenological approach and qualitative exploratory design, located within Constructionism. Data were collected through purposive sampling (and snowballing) through individual face-to-face voice-recorded semi-structured interviews with 11 participants in/around Gauteng. Analysis was done through content analysis utilising thematic networks (Attride-Stirling). Major findings: Western values have influenced participants; Lower weight and thinness do not automatically correspond with assumptions about HIV/AIDS, instead correspond with healthier lifestyle choices; Body shape not weight or size was the prominent area of focus for most participants; Clothes size determines perception of overweight; Overweight has consequences. Forty-five per cent of participants were content with their bodies, 18% dissatisfied/unhappy, 18% satisfied, one happy, one apathetic. Tswanas were generally smaller-figured; Zulus, Northern Sotho/Pedi, Xhosa in general traditionally expected full-bodied women. Overt expectations in the workplace were not found. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)