IOSR-JHSS   Volume-11 ~ Issue-1 ~ May-Jun-2013

Abstract: Folk material delivery, particularly storytelling and other folk arts like folk dance and drama, in the past suffered proper perception and in-depth analysis because they were difficult to comprehend or deliver textually or even reduce to printed text and still maintain their efficacy. For this reason, they suffered from lack of proper analysis. However, today's technological world now subjects them to rigorous scrutiny due to the sophistication of electronic media like video tapes and cameras which are employed in the recording of performances. This development has largely helped to highlight the intricacies of contextually centered performances which properly aggregate to the artist his central role in the perception of oral narratives. With the development of these electronic machines, contextual performance studies are now gaining grounds while contextual theories are enunciated and emphasized in the study of folklore all within the collaborative fields of Sociology, Anthropology and Literature. However, the usefulness of these technological developments notwithstanding, their impact on the effective delivery of folk narratives within the actual context of production i.e. within performance, still leaves much to be desired. This is obvious from the fact that the exposure of the artist or performer to the glare of klieg lights or even the presence of the camera in a performance session changes the entire atmosphere of the performance. Of course, it can be argued that all of these reactions constitute the totality of the performers' perception of his milieu or the changing circumstances in society which impacts on the delivery of folk material. The vital questions that still remain are, does the artist respond to technological development or to traditional societal demands of shaping the consciousness of the growing youthful population and Is this technology impacting positively or negatively? These are pertinent questions because despite the fast developing cosmopolitan status of African countries, the bulk of the population still reside in traditional societies that lay emphasis on traditional values, norms and practices in the education of their youths. The artists' role should therefore be to propagate and portray these cherished values rather than allow for the bastardization of culture through profuse responses to technological demands that impact negatively on the perception of youths. Watch, for instance, the impact of television viewing on children in the metropolis and their responses to elders or parental attempts to control their perception of life. Using the Bakor society as an example therefore, this paper stresses the need for an emphasis on contextual delivery of folk materials that root for tradition rather than those that emphasize blind modernization which kills respect for traditional values.

Keywords: Traditional values, Performance Context, Folklore, Technology..

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Abstract: Afghanistan and Central Asia occupies vital geo-strategic location on world map. Both are endowed with massive energy reserves. Historically, both have cordial relations and are cooperating with each others. There are many projects on which both are cooperating with each others' i.e. 670 meter bridge over Panj River, 1300 megawatt electricity project, a railway line and gas pipeline project etc. Both are highly concerned regarding the security of the region which would be needed after the withdrawal of NATO in 2014. In this regard role of three great powers China, Russia and United States would be crucial. All these three powers interests are similar and are related to energy security. These three powers are opposing each others on different grounds in the region. Basically, United States is a foreign actor while China and Russia are regional actors, who are more concerned about security of the region because any disturbance in this region also affects the internal environment. United States' interests in the region are more concerned about maintaining its influence over Central Asian states and Afghanistan. Russia is considering China as a threat in the region because rise of China is undermining Russian influence in the region. To counter US influence in the region China and Russia are using the forum of SCO along with other member states.

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Abstract: "If you can make people laugh, you can make them think, make them like and believe you." Humor represents perhaps one of the most genuine and universal speech acts within human discourse. As a natural consequence then, the employment of humor within the context of second language pedagogy offers significant advantage to both the language teacher and learner. Indeed, humor serves as an effective means of reducing affective barriers to language acquisition. This effectiveness is particularly relevant to the communicative classroom, as humor has been shown to lower the affective filter and stimulate the pro-social behaviors that are so necessary for success within a communicative context. In order to investigate these and other perceived benefits of humor within the language classroom, the researcher of the present study surveyed a diverse collection of language students and teachers and asked them to evaluate the use of humor in their classrooms. Results from this pilot-study strongly confirm a perceived effectiveness for humor as an aid to learning and instruction.

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Abstract: Declining morality was a point of grave concern for Wordsworth. He thought that Modern man has the potential for immense destruction but no corresponding moral standards to check that destruction. Wordsworth thought that life in an immoral society is extremely difficult. In such an environment Man's survival is constantly under threat and human values are ridiculed. Wordsworth believes that moral values are essential in creating peace and harmony in any society. Wordsworth sees nature as source of morality and a remedy for the sufferings of mankind.

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