This article aims to study the composition of modern Persian ghazals on the material of selected poems by Simin Behbahani, a master of this genre in Iran,
who is rightfully recognized as “Mistress of the Modern Ghazal” (“Bānu-ye qazal-e mo‘aser”). The ghazal is the dominant form in Simin’s work. She has written more than six hundred poems in this form. Simin Behbahani not only demonstrates continuity with Persian classical poetry in her choice of imagery and poetic syntax, but also “modernizes” the ghazal with her own “invented motifs” (“ma‘āni-ye exterā‘”), which have no equivalents in classical literature. The changes that Simin introduced to the traditional form of the ghazal also affect the formal aspect — composition of the text. The classical Persian ghazal tends to be divided into two categories according to the nature of the connection between the bayts, which are referred to as mosalsal (“linear”) or parākande (“disparate”). Most of Simin’s ghazals belong to the first type and are characterized by a unity of theme and figurative-semantic structure. In her ghazals, Simin often prefers various variants of ring composition. There are few examples of this type of composition in the ghazals of the classical period. The purpose of this work is to use selected representative examples to show how Simin Behbahani develops this compositional model. This will allow us to take the first step in the theoretical understanding of the poetics of the modern ghazal (qazal-e mo‘aser) as the changes that have occurred in it at the current stage have not yet been studied properly. Using the example of three different texts, it is shown that, by working with the original methods of constructing a ghazal, Simin Behbahani as a poet who worked in the era of the individual creative type of artistic consciousness chooses a preferred compositional method for unfolding the lyrical situation in each poem.
Keywords:
Simin Behbahani; modern ghazal; classical ghazal; linear composition; ring composition
The article is devoted to the study of a possible genre classification of Sanskrit one-stanza poetry, using Bhartṛhari’s Śatakatrayam (3rd–4th centuries AD) and Vidyākara’s Subhāṣitaratnakośa (11th century AD) as examples. The existing division only by the genres of anthologies (śataka and kośa) seems too general. The
article shows that several distinct genres can be identified among the poems ncluded in the anthologies, including blessings (nandī), panegyrics (praśasti), didactic maxims in their various forms (ascetic and urban didactics), compliments to a beauty (cāṭu), poems about canonical love situations, and seasonal landscape lyrics. Thematic and, where possible, structural and stylistic features of these genres are briefly described. A connection is established between the composition of blessing stanzas and the archaic ritual riddle (brahmodya). Features of developed literary panegyric poetry are demonstrated in single-stanza verses praising kings or allegorically censuring them. The question is raised about the connection between panegyric and love poetry
of small forms and the court poem mahākāvya due to the commonality of style
and imagery. Prospects for comparing minor genres with larger genres of Sanskrit
literature are outlined.
This article analyzes the structure of original folklore texts (folktales)
from several small, unwritten ethnic groups in the southeastern regions of Tanzania
in terms of their lexical and stylistic features. These texts are introduced into
scholarly circulation for the first time. Particular attention is given to folktales in
the Vidunda, Luguru, Ngindo, and Ndonde languages, which were transcribed using
native-speaking informants. Various lexical and stylistic devices that give a certain
emotional and expressive coloring and markedness to narratives are examined, such
as reduplication, the use of ideophonic vocabulary, and interjections.
Keywords:
Bantu languages; unwritten languages of Tanzania; lexical-stylistic features; reduplication; ideophones; interjections
This article examines the diplomatic activities of the English nobleman Anthony Shirley (c. 1565–1635) in Iran. It analyzes his negotiations with Shah Abbas I (r. 1588–1629) of the Safavid dynasty and his subsequent stay at the Shah’s court. Plans for creating an anti-Ottoman coalition and establishing bilateral economic ties are presented. An analysis is provided of how Shirley contributed to shaping the image of Persia in Renaissance Europe.
Keywords:
Anthony Shirley; Abbas I; England; Iran; Safavids
The present article is focused on the Interregnum of 1727–1757 in Morocco — a controversial and turbulent period that followed the death of Moulay Ismail (1672–1727). This ruler who was the third sultan of the Alawi dynasty (1631–present time), consolidated the power and laid the foundations of the precolonial Moroccan state. He adopted a policy of strict centralisation towards the Berber-speaking tribes of the Atlas Mountains who always tried to maintain their independence from the state. The incursion of these tribes into the Atlantic plains had traditionally played a disruptive role for social, economic and political life in Morocco, and Ismail was able to stop this process. However, after his death a struggle for power began between his numerous descendants, and the political and economic crisis was followed by a new wave of tribal resistance. The author concludes that the crisis of the Interregnum could be seen as an inversion of the strict tribal policy pursued by Moulay Ismail. Based on the Moroccan annals and city chronicles, the paper analyses different approaches of Alawi sultans to the resolution of the crisis during this period. Special attention is paid to the role of Moulay Abdallah, who was able to find the way out of the crisis. The comparative analysis of the Moroccan chronicles shows that the solution laid not in the fight against Berber tribes, but in the search for compromises between them and the throne. Moulay Abdallah’s strategy in dealing with the tribes established a new policy of Moroccan rulers in the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries, which meant a greater use of arbitration and reliance on different tribal forces.
Keywords:
Morocco; Alawis; tribal resistance; centralisation; the Interregnum
In recent years, global and regional crises have prompted Japan to strengthen its defense capabilities, deepen military alliances, and develop a network of strategic partnerships both within the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. A country that for decades relied primarily on its alliance with the United States is now seeking to become a more active and autonomous regional actor that helps shape rules and build coalitions. Despite a growing body of research on Japan’s foreign policy strategy, the implications of the course toward strengthening Japan’s international role in the field of security remain insufficiently explored, particularly in terms of how this approach influences regional cooperation frameworks such as QUAD and Japan’s engagement with ASEAN countries. The article examines Japan’s use of the FOIP and QUAD frameworks as instruments of foreign policy influence and advancement of strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The relevance of the topic is underscored by the intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the escalating situation around Taiwan, and China’s increasing military and political activity. Japan’s shift toward a more active role in regional security highlights the internal contradiction between its constitutionally enshrined limitations and the growing need to contribute to the regional security order. This tension presents a key challenge for the current cabinet: to maintain economically beneficial relations with China while adhering to a security discourse centered on military buildup and responding to U.S. demands for a greater Japanese contribution to regional defense.
Keywords:
Japan, Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), QUAD, ASEAN, regional cooperation
The Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), launched by Japan in 2022, represents a new platform for regional cooperation in the fields of decarbonization and green energy. The article examines the key parameters of AZEC’s formation, its institutional characteristics, and the preliminary results of its implementation in 2023-2024. At this stage, AZEC functions as a flexible coordination framework without a strict international legal basis, which allows adaptation to diverse national contexts but simultaneously creates risks of limited long-term sustainability. Particular attention is given to the analysis of projects implemented in Southeast Asian countries and Australia, including hydrogen and ammonia technologies, biomass power generation, microgrids, and energy management systems. Case studies from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other participants highlight the multi-level nature of cooperation, encompassing energy, industry, and the agricultural sector. Despite its modest quantitative impact (approximately 0.0785% of the region’s total installed capacity by the end of 2024), the initiative’s qualitative significance lies in piloting innovative technologies, shaping the institutional foundations of climate policy, and strengthening a regional “ecosystem” structured around Japanese technological solutions. At this stage, AZEC functions primarily as a mechanism for demonstrating and testing models of low-carbon development, as well as a channel for the transfer of norms, knowledge, and governance practices. Its contribution to the energy transition in East Asia is therefore less about immediate capacity expansion and more about creating the conditions for future scaling of Japan’s energy sector in the region and deepening of green cooperation.
The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India have traditionally shared similar economic development goals, but their principles for achieving them differ. While both countries initially relied on five-year plans, their paths began to diverge by the end of the 20th century. China continued to refine its system of prescriptive five-year plans, building on its accumulated experience. Meanwhile, India abandoned this approach by creating the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). The new model is based on a series of coordinated plans of varying timeframes, fostering cooperative federalism and the development of grassroots innovation that more closely responds to local needs. Thus, China’s centralized model and India’s decentralized system represent contrasting governance philosophies. Despite this, both demonstrate a key capacity for adaptation, ensuring resilience and technological transformation. The experiences of China and India, their ability to flexibly respond to global challenges and long-term risks, serve as valuable guidance for other developing economies.
Keywords:
five-year plans, National Institute for Transforming India, NITI Aayog, China, India, economic policy
The article examines how the theme of World War II is reflected in modern Turkish literature, using as an example Z. Livaneli’s well-known novel “Serenade” (2011). The focus is on the perspective from which this theme is presented in the novel - the genocide of the Jewish people during the war, as expressed in the plot and the system of images. Particular importance is attached to the documentary factual material used by Z. Livaneli. Real facts from the wartime past are woven into the everyday life of contemporary Turkey in the novel, helping readers to better understand the tragedy of the protagonist and to appreciate his contribution to the anti-fascist struggle. The article also highlights markers of the belletristic code employed by the writer: the intertwining in the novel of the classical tradition of “high” literature with the templates of popular fiction.
Keywords:
Zülfü Livaneli; the novel “Serenade”; Turkish fiction; the Jewish genocide; the Romanian ship “Strum”
The article examines the terminological apparatus of the grammatical description of the Chinese language (wenyan) in Zhong deng guo wen dian (1907). This textbook was written in the initial period of developing approaches to describing the native language in China. During this extremely significant period, basic terms, which are also used by modern linguists, were formed. The study revealed that: 1) Zhang Shizhao distinguishes between words and morphemes, designating them as ci and zi; 2) the author sees understanding of word structure as an integral part of the study of grammar, and therefore introduces the corresponding terms; 3) since ci and zi are strictly distinguished, the variant ci is used to name classes when classifying vocabulary; 4) in the field of sentence analysis, the new terminology reflected: a) a different approach to describing the system of sentence parts; b) the need to describe the types of sentences; 5) the system of parts of speech has not undergone any fundamental changes compared to “Ma shi wen tong” (1898), although some terms have been reworked. Zhong deng guo wen dian is oriented toward the European canon of grammatical description of language, which is reflected in the author’s concepts. While earlier works introduced new terminology very cautiously, Zhang Shizhao, on the contrary, is not afraid to propose new interpretations and terms.
Keywords:
Chinese language; grammar; history of linguistics; terminology; part of speech; sentence constituent; word
This article examines the main principles for describing the broken plural as presented by Ibn Yaʿīsh (13th c.) and notes the main differences between his treatment and that of Sībawayhi (8th c.), the author of the earliest extant grammatical treatise, which makes it possible to gain an idea of how this topic developed in traditional Arabic grammar. The broken plural is of particular interest because of the large number of patterns (more than 30) and the rather complex algorithm for choosing a broken-plural form for a given singular form, and it is precisely this type of plural that receives the most attention in the treatise Sharḥ al-Mufaṣṣal.
Keywords:
Ibn Yaʿīsh, Sībawayhi, broken plural, traditional Arabic grammar
This study addresses the critical scientific problem of how urbanization processes influence the dynamics of dialect continua in the unique multi-substrate region of Western Anatolia, where the tension between preserving dialectal features and language standardization is particularly acute. The objective of this work is to conduct a comprehensive linguogeographic and demographic analysis of the transformation of the Turkish dialect continuum under urbanization. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were accomplished: 1) identifying key characteristics of the continuum (phonetic, lexical, morphological); 2) analyzing the impact of demographic factors (migration, age structure) on language change; 3) determining the mechanisms of urbanization effects (hyperurbanization, accommodation); and 4) constructing a predictive linguogeographic model. The object of study is the Turkish dialect continuum in Western Anatolia, while the subject focuses on its dynamics under urbanization and demographic influences. The hypothesis regarding the reduction of dialectal boundaries and the emergence of hybrid forms has been empirically confirmed. A multidisciplinary methodological framework was employed, including field methods (audio recordings of 120 speakers stratified by age/migration status), linguogeographic mapping in QGIS (80 parameters), demographic analysis (TÜİK data), and statistical modeling (R, SPSS). Key findings include:1) A three-zone transformation was identified: a 43% reduction (1990-2023) in the Aegean palatalization area, the emergence of hybrid regiolects (e.g., düyme for “button”), and the preservation of relic clusters (isolation index > 0.9); 2) Demographic factors account for 85% of linguistic variability (β = 0.92 for correlation “proportion of 60+ speakers → agglutination preservation”); 3) A “mosaic resilience” model and LVI index were developed to predict language shifts. Practical significance: The results are applicable for safeguarding linguistic heritage (priority documentation of LVI > 0.8 zones) and language policy planning.
Keywords:
dialect continuum, urbanization, linguistic geography, demolinguistics, Western Anatolia, language change, hybrid regiolects, linguistic variability
The party line of the right-wing South African party Vryheidsfront Plus/VF Plus/Freedom Front+/FF+ is in large part focused on the necessity of the development of the rich local language diversity (including the South African sign language) as well as on the language rights’ upholding of the South African ethnic groups. The particular attention is paid to the issues of the Afrikaans language retention (the crackdown on which is painfully tolerated by the FF+) and the extension of the possibilities for its using, considering that the primary objective is to widen the spheres of the educational activities concerning Afrikaans. The party takes into consideration the uneasy situation primarily related to the formation and evolvement of Afrikaans as a separate language and then to its existence as a medium of instruction, which since the apartheid regime demolishing has been fraught with a whole variety of difficulties. Hence, the FF+ regards the history of the Afrikaans triumphs and setbacks as a decent example of the dignified struggle for the right to the full existence also for other South African local languages the native speakers of which are interested in the preservation of the cultural heritage. The party refuses to acknowledge the ostensibly subordinate position of the official state’s languages towards uniquely English assuming the actual eradication from the public sphere all of the vernacular languages besides the English one to be an unacceptable manifestation of the anglophiles’ imperialism, which is characterised by the linguistic expansion into the South African area. From the FF+ perspective, the threat of the erosion of the native languages’ role against the omnipotent dominance of English appears to be a justification for the existence of the Afrikaner nationalism, which once played a prominent role in strengthening the Afrikaans positions at all levels of the socio-political life. The FF+ insists on the necessity of the provision of educational services in the mother tongue for both pupils and students what, based on the party members’ position, will aid in the better comprehensibility of the material as well as creation of the comfortable and familiar environment for the learners. The implementation of such an intention is to attain the following goals, i.e., the promotion and the maintaining of the South African language diversity (as an integral part of the cultural mosaic) and the defending the right to the language choice of tuition. To add to it, in the party’s eyes, the right to use their own languages for the South Africans ought to be spread, inter alia, into the interaction with public agencies.
Keywords:
the current language politics of the Freedom Front+/FF+ (Vryheidsfront Plus/VF Plus); the encouragement of the teaching in the South African official languages and their use by the state bodies; the promotion of the Afrikaans language; the resistance to the English-language dominance at the expense of the local South African languages
Drawing on documents from the archives of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs, the article examines the fate of one of the most prominent figures of the Japanese Communist Party, Nosaka Sanzo: his rise to power, his contacts and cooperation with leaders of the communist movement in the Soviet Union, China, and Korea, his relations with the United States occupation forces in Japan, and his tragic final years.
Keywords:
USSR; NKVD (the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs); Japan; Communist Party of Japan; Nosaka
The article conceptualizes bibliometrics as an economic activity and as a management tool in science, linking indicator-based governance with broader scientometric practices. It contrasts two perspectives: a Western, metrics-driven model focused on efficiency and performance, and an Eastern, truth-seeking tradition grounded in cultural and philosophical views of knowledge. Methodologically, the study combines a historical analysis of bibliometrics’ evolution with an examination of RSCI (RINC), Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar data, alongside the analytical capabilities of the ISTINA information system. The paper shows how bibliometrics has matured into scientometrics that shapes funding allocation, staffing, and university strategies through global rankings (QS, THE, ARWU), international student flows, and associated revenues. It also outlines the economics of scholarly publishing (subscription bundles, open access, APCs, transformative agreements) and their implications for institutional decision-making. Focusing on Oriental and broader humanities fields, the study highlights long citation windows, undercount risks due to metadata inconsistencies and footnote practices, and the comparative advantages of Google Scholar for capturing citations. As an applied case, the paper discusses the RSCI dynamics (2017–2024) of Lomonosov Moscow University Bulletin. Series 13: Oriental Studies and derives editorial policy insights. A practical toolkit is proposed to improve visibility and measurement accuracy: content internationalization, harmonized metadata and persistent author identifiers (ORCID, ResearcherID, Scopus Author ID, IRID), English titles and abstracts, and targeted author training on citation standards. The article concludes that indicators should remain instruments for transparent, cost-effective research governance rather than ends in themselves, preserving the substantive value of scholarship—particularly in the humanities and Oriental studies.
Keywords:
bibliometrics; scientometrics; economics of science; university rankings; Oriental studies; RSCI (RINC); open access
