EBONY: Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature

Model Minority Reconstruction in ONE OK ROCK’s “Stand Out Fit In”

Maria Niayu Risma Novianti — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study explores the model minority myth represented in one of ONE OK ROCK’s songs “Stand Out Fit In” written in English. The concept of model minority attributes the image of Asian American as hard workers in terms of academic and economic achievement in a White society, but it neglects the psychological well-being due to the pressure from Asian American parental expectation and the racism faced by Asian American adolescents. Therefore, the study aims to reconstruct the model minority concept through the analysis of song lyrics and music video scenes of “Stand Out Fit In” by using a discourse analysis framework focusing on the narrative techniques. The result shows that the activity scheme including the repetition of ‘stand out fit in’ in the lyrics and the Bian Lian dance performance in several scenes suggest the new model of model minority proposing the biculturalism concept which is not only maintaining the image of Asian American as high achievers, but also ‘fit[ting] in’ the mainstream society to challenge racism and bias perception of Asian American. This new concept of model minority indicates the cultural adoption strategy, which may lead to Asian Americans' position as ‘honorary white’ in the White supremacy.

Primary and Secondary English Slang in SCREAM VI Movie: A Sociolinguistics Analysis

Mohamad Fadhil, Beni Wijaya, Zakaria — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research analyzed the English slang in the SCREAM VI movie through a sociolinguistic framework focusing on Chapman's primary and secondary slang. Teenage characters for group identity widely use primary slang while secondary slang conveys attitudes and serves as a covert code. The qualitative descriptive method reveals that slang in SCREAM VI creates informality, expresses rebellion, and provides in-group exclusivity. The researchers collected the data by watching the film SCREAM VI, downloading the movie script, and extracting the slang words used in it. The findings highlight the dynamic role of slang in reflecting social dimensions and cultural values within youth subcultures towards the primary and secondary slang found. It is expected that future research explores slang across different media and cultural contexts to further understand its evolution and functions.

Cultivating Students’ Critical Thinking and Collaboration: Literacy Practice in Digital Storytelling Project

Wiwik Mardiana, Justsinta Sindi Alivi, Amy Krisdiana, Ika Susanti — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research explores how a teacher’s literacy practices, through a digital storytelling project, foster critical thinking and collaboration among students. It also examines students' experiences during literacy activities and the project itself. Conducted as a qualitative case study, this research involved thirty-six senior high school students. Data were gathered through classroom observations, interviews, and documentation of students’ project artifacts. The findings suggest that using reading journals during self-directed reading at home promotes critical thinking and assists students in generating ideas for their digital storytelling projects. Besides, digital storytelling projects also play a key role in enhancing students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills. Students effectively articulated issues and proposed solutions within their stories. Some topics related to the environments chosen cover air pollution, water pollution, building/housing, and illegal logging. Participation in the collaborative project encouraged students to take responsibility for their contributions and to respect differing opinions within their teams. Exploring students’ views as their reflection on experiencing literacy practices in digital storytelling projects also reveals the positive impacts on their English ability. This approach provides educators with a practical and innovative strategy to foster students’ skills, i.e. critical thinking and collaboration in the 21st century in an educational context.

An Analysis of Wordplay and Idiom Translation in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets into Indonesian

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the translation of wordplay and idioms in Chapter 1 of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets into Indonesian, highlighting the linguistic and cultural challenges inherent in translating creative language. Utilizing Delabastita’s (1993) typology for wordplay and Baker’s (2017) strategies for idioms, the research employs a qualitative comparative method. Findings reveal that wordplay is predominantly paraphrased (66.7%), often resulting in diminished humor and stylistic nuance, while idioms are largely translated literally (55.6%), occasionally producing unnatural phrasing. Nonetheless, successful cultural substitutions—such as rendering “a load of rubbish” as “omong kosong besar”—demonstrate effective dynamic equivalence. The study underscores the tension between maintaining textual fidelity and achieving cultural accessibility, offering practical insights for translators working with fantasy literature and linguistically inventive texts.

Symbolism in Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Perceived through Dayak Culture Perspective: A Post-Structuralism Approach

Suli Angelina Nainggolan, Yulitriana Yulitriana, Susanty Susanty — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research aims to examine the symbolism in Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. It focuses on five symbols in the poem namely “woods”, “farmhouse”, “village”, “dark”, and “miles to go”. First, the symbols and the meanings are identified according to the previous studies. Second, the symbols and meanings are explored through the perspective of Dayak people in Kalimantan, Indonesia. They are then compared and analyzed. The method carried out is a qualitative approach based on the principles of Post-Structuralism. The result shows that the symbolisms in the poem are interpreted differently when they are perceived from a particular culture (Dayak culture). Previous studies mention that “woods”, for instance, symbolize beauty which can drag people away from their life purpose; while in Dayak culture, “woods” are sacred and should be protected. Therefore, the meaning of a literary work is open to cross-cultural interpretation which can provide a richer and meaningful experience for the readers. It is suggested that further studies can be conducted on how symbols in the poem are perceived in other cultures. It is possible that the symbols analyzed will be different from this study since each culture might have particular symbols that might not be found in other cultures.

An Authenticity Analysis of Reading Materials in an EFL Textbook

Syarifah Nur Halima, Pasca Kalisa — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research examines the authenticity of reading materials in the English for Nusantara untuk SMP/MTs Kelas IX textbook, using Pinner’s (2014) authenticity continuum theory as the analytical framework. The research employs a descriptive qualitative design through document analysis of five selected reading materials. Seventeen indicators across four dimensions, individual relevance, target language community, classroom applicability, and real-world connection, were used to assess the materials. The findings reveal that the textbooks perform well in terms of structural and pedagogical authenticity, demonstrated by reading materials that are aligned with the curriculum, appropriate to the students' level, and engaging. However, the analysis also revealed a lack of cultural references, real-world content, and opportunities for student interaction, which are crucial for developing communicative competence and cross-cultural awareness. Overall, the textbook offers partially authentic reading materials. It is recommended that future textbook revisions include richer cultural content and more interactive tasks to connect language learning with real-life communication and global contexts.

Investigating the Challenges Faced by EFL Students in Translating Cooking Recipes

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by EFL students in translating cooking recipes. It was conducted on sixth-semester students from class B in the translation course. The research employed a qualitative descriptive method with thematic analysis to identify and interpret key patterns within the data. Data collection was carried out through a triangulation approach, combining mixed-method questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed four main themes and one additional theme related to the students’ difficulties: (1) vocabulary-related challenges, (2) grammar and equivalence issues, (3) translation quality and self-confidence, (4) limited exposure and cultural context, and (5) translation methods and procedures as an additional theme. These challenges reflect the complexity of translating procedural texts, especially recipes, which often include culturally bound terms, specific measurements, and imperative instructions. The study concludes that translating recipes presents significant linguistic and contextual challenges for EFL students. It suggests the need for more targeted strategies and exposure to authentic materials in translation to help students improve their translation and overcome practical difficulties in translating specialized texts like recipes.

Exploring the Techniques Used by the Machine and Human Translation in Translating The Gift of the Magi into Indonesian

Erma Sujiyani, Sulamit Syeba, Maida Norahmi , Riniyati Riniyati — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The pros and cons of which one is better in producing good result of translation between Machine Translation (MT) and Human Translation (HT) has been going on for many years. In the attempt to observe which is better between MT and HT, this article focuses on exploring the techniques used by U-Dictionary as a MT and Maggie Tiojakin as a HT in translating The Gift of the Magi into Indonesian. Data in this research are the words, phrases, clauses and sentences related to the translation techniques in the original version of The Gift of the Magi and the two translation versions. The collected data are analyzed qualitatively by using Molina and Albir’s (2002) theory. The results describe that Maggie Tiojakin used 12 techniques; they are adaptation, amplification, compensation, description, discursive creation, established equivalent, generalization, literal translation, modulation, particularization, reduction, and transposition. Meanwhile, U-Dictionary used 8 techniques; they are amplification, borrowing, calque, established equivalent, literal translation, modulation, reduction, and transposition. The dominant translation technique used by Maggie Tiojakin is discursive creation (24.54%), whereas in U-Dictionary, it is literal translation (47.27%). From the different translation techniques used, it can be proven that HT uses more various techniques and has better translation result than MT, in which the translation of the literary works especially a short story done by HT is more accurate, readable, and acceptable.

The Descriptive Analysis of Students' Writing Job Application Letters by Using Canva WorkSheet

Maya Ulyani, Widuri Indah Dwi Jayanti — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Writing is a fundamental skill in English language learning. However, it poses challenges for vocational students, especially when composing job application letters. Mastery in organizing content, utilizing appropriate formal language, and applying accurate grammar is essential for effective professional communication. This study aims to analyze students' ability to write job application letters using Canva Worksheets as an instructional tool. A descriptive qualitative research design was applied, focusing on eleventh-grade culinary program students at SMKN 6 Yogyakarta. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and student worksheets. A rubric-based scoring system was used to evaluate students' writing performance, considering content, organization, vocabulary, language use, and mechanics. The analysis followed Miles and Huberman’s framework, involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Findings revealed that although some students demonstrated strength in content and organization, a significant number struggled with vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics. Only 30% achieved high scores in content, and merely 16% excelled in vocabulary. Teacher insights affirmed challenges in structuring ideas and applying formal expressions. Canva Worksheets provided structured, visually appealing resources that increased student motivation and improved writing organization. Future studies should investigate long-term impacts of digital tools on writing proficiency.

Revolution in Fable Universe: Introducing Technology in Children's Literature

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research explores the integration of technology into fable narratives as a means of introducing digital literacy to children, thus, it aims at investigating the perspectives of three experienced literature lecturers on how technology can be embedded within fable stories, focusing on narrative structure and moral conflicts. Employing a qualitative research design with a narrative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with literature. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings. Results reveal a shared view that technology should not merely serve as a narrative backdrop but should catalyse critical reflections on ethical, social, and personal dimensions of digital life. Fables are seen as an adaptable medium to instil both traditional values and modern critical thinking about technology. The study concludes that technologically infused fables have the potential to enrich children’s literature, balancing aesthetic integrity with the demands of digital literacy. It is suggested that future research expands into creating and testing specific fable models within educational settings.

Keywords: Fable, Technology, Children’s Literature, Digital Literacy