PALIMPSEST / ПАЛИМПСЕСТ

FOREWORD

Eva Gjorgjievska — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this edition of “Palimpsest”, twenty-nine authors contributed twenty-two papers, eight of which are co-authored, offering valuable articles and contributions. We extend our gratitude to Elena Shalevska, Mehmet Kahraman, Marija Leontik, Marija Sokolova, Hana Pelouškova, Brikena Kadzadej, Admira Nushi, Jasmina Mojsieva-Gusheva, Sofija Ivanova, Ranko Mladenoski, Mauro Dujmović, Sunčana Tuksar, Luisa Emanuele, Zeki Gűrel, Lindita Kazazi, Aterda Lika, Katica Kjulavkova, Tűrkan Olcay, Özge Nur Ünal, Kamran Akhtar Siddiqui, Anastasija Anastasova, Martina Mihaljević, Maja Pivčević, Jonida Bushi, Ema Kristo, Marisa Janku, Kevin Simonov, Nina Daskalovska, Marina Dimitrieva-Gjorgjievska.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE IN HUMAN AND AI-GENERATED TEXTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Elena Shalevska — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This mixed-method study analyzes the syntactic differences between human and AI-generated text. To this end, the study includes a corpus of 20 essays (10 human, 10 ChatGPT-generated) across 10 topics, with each sentence in those essays manually coded for structure (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex). Sentence length, total word count, and number of sentences are also measured to gain further insights. Preliminary results indicate that 1. Humans’ sentences are longer, on average; 2. Both human-written and AI-generated texts rarely include compound-complex sentences; 3. 60% of AI-generated text have no compound-complex sentences whatsoever, and 4. Both AI and human texts consistently rely heavily on simple sentences, though human-authored pieces of writing display more variation in their use of simple sentences across different essays.

Keywords: Syntactic features; Syntax; Artificial Intelligence; Academic Writing; Comparative analysis.

A STUDY ON THE FUNCTIONS OF FIELD LABELS IN DICTIONARIES: THE EXAMPLE OF “KAZAK TILINIÑ TÜSINDIRME SÖZDIGI”

Mehmet Kahraman — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article focuses on the subject-based tagging of words in a general dictionary that does not require expertise and examines existing monolingual dictionaries of the Kazakh language and their tagging of language and literature, medicine and related field terms. The scanning model was used in the study, and the data were examined using the document analysis method, which is one of the qualitative research methods. The aim of the study is to discuss the basic subject conceptualization, tagging in dictionaries and the way terminology is included in dictionaries, and to provide information about what terminology entries in general dictionaries are from a lexicological perspective and how they are processed. The process of separating basic lexicographic units from terminology and its consequences for dictionaries are also briefly examined. In order to understand the “referentiality” of the entry head with a term-unit tag in a monolingual dictionary, an example study was conducted on the general dictionary of the Kazakh language, and the efficiency, benefit and effectiveness of domain name tags were also discussed.

Keywords: Lexicography; monolingual dictionary; e-dictionary; field labels.

WORD GROUPS WITH A PARTICIPLE IN TURKISH LANGUAGE AND THEIR EQUIVALENCE IN MACEDONIAN LANGUAGE

Marija Leontik — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A word group with a participle (sıfat-fiil grubu) is formed from a noun word and from a participle. For example: evde çalışan (adam)/(човек) кој работи дома/ (a man) working at home. This paper analyses the word group with a participle in Turkish language and their equivalence in Macedonian language.

Keywords: word group; participle; Turkish language; Macedonian language.

THE USE OF PARONYM PAIRS READABLE / LEGIBLE AND GENETIC / GENETICS

Marija Sokolova — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Due to their similar pronunciation, paronyms in the Macedonian language are often used incorrectly in different contexts. The reasons for the incorrect use of paronyms can be of a very diverse nature, starting first from carelessness, then incorrect pronunciation, insufficient knowledge of the language and a low level of education. In situations where an appropriate equivalent word in the native language is unknown, speakers often resort to using an international word that sounds and means something similar. This paper uses a survey to examine whether the paronym pairs “readable” / “legible” and “genetic” / “genetics” are used correctly.

Keywords: readable; legible; genetic; genetics; paronyms; paronym pairs; synonyms.

IS THE MULTILINGUAL CORPUS INTERCORP A SUITABLE SOURCE OF MATERIAL FOR CONTRASTIVE ANALYSES OF PHRASEME CONSTRUCTIONS?

Hana Peloušková — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The PhraConRep (COST) project is creating a repository of German phraseme constructions (sentential or non-sentential structures with free slots) and their equivalents in 14 project languages (Albanian, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Czech, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Belarusian), in which authentic evidence of these structures will be collected and described in detail. This article aims to determine whether the multilingual parallel corpus InterCorp (with Czech as „pivot “language) can serve as a suitable and sufficient source for all, or at least some, of the project languages. The analysis focuses on the size of the subcorpora for each language with German as the source language, the availability of necessary meta-information about the texts, and the occurrence of three phrasal constructions within these subcorpora. As expected, satisfactory results are obtained for the German-Czech corpus, however, InterCorp can also be very useful for Polish, Ukrainian and Croatian. For the remaining languages, the material can be extracted from so-called collections, i.e. from multilingual, automatically processed corpora which, however, lack complete meta-information (unknown source language).

Keywords: Phraseme constructions; anchors; slots; parallel corpora; InterCorp; contrastive analyses.

ACROSS BORDERS: AN EMPIRICAL EXPLORATION OF GERMAN ALBANIAN BILINGUALISM

Brikena Kadzadej, Admira Nushi — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this article, we examine German-Albanian bilingualism. This area of research is not only of scientific interest but also significantly shapes the daily lives of many people, making it socially, economically, and politically relevant. In today's world, bilingualism is not only a subject of scientific inquiry but increasingly reflects a social reality. This phenomenon is attributed to the growing mobility of people and their global interdependence: travel, studying abroad, or extended stays abroad for professional reasons, migration, waves of refugees, and ultimately the increasing internationalization of politics and economics are some of the main reasons people are confronted with new languages (cf. Mahlstedt, 1996, p. 15). Bilingualism can be fundamentally divided into two forms: belonging to indigenous ethnic groups and bilingualism resulting from international migration. Our study focuses on the latter. We rely on important scientific findings and data from empirical studies on Albanian-German bilingualism, collected through questionnaires and interviews. There has been no comprehensive scientific study on German-Albanian bilingualism to date. Our work modestly contributes to filling this research gap.

Keywords: Bilingualism; dominance; migration; empirical; survey; German; Albanian.

THE PRESENCE OF MAGIC REALISM IN THE NOVEL AND SHORT STORY OF ŽIVKO ČINGO

Jasmina Mojsieva-Gusheva — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper first provides a brief history of the term Magic Realism, which is linked to two significant anniversaries: 100 years since the establishment of the term by the German art historian Franz Roh and 90 years since the birth of the Macedonian writer Živko Čingo. The primary aim of this paper is to highlight the magical realist writing style in Čingo's prose. The theoretical insights of Wendy Faris and her five constituent elements of magical realist narrative are utilized to achieve this. After conducting a detailed analysis with numerous examples from Čingo's work, the conclusion reaffirms and emphasizes Čingo's need to employ magic realism as the most fitting way to describe the Macedonian socialist reality, complete with all its anomalies.

Keywords: irreducible element of magic; phenomenal world; unsettling doubts; merging of different realms; disruptions of time, space, and identity.

THE SYNONYMOUS CHARACTERS WITH THE ACTING FUNCTION OF HELPERS IN THE MACEDONIAN DRAMA FROM THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Sofija Ivanova, Ranko Mladenoski — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper titled “Synonymous characters with an actant function of assistants in the Macedonian drama of the first half of the 20th century” presents a semiological analysis of the synonymous characters in selected plays. It presents a semiological analysis of the synonymous characters with an actant function of assistants in the plays of Vojdan Chernodrinski: Macedonian bloody wedding, Masters, Spirit of Liberty; the drama in five acts by Nikola Kirov Majski, Ilinden; Vasil Iljoski's plays: Begalka, Chorbaji Teodos and Chest; Anton Panov's most famous play, Pechalbari; and Risto Krle's plays: Money is numbing, Antica and Million Martyrs. The analysis will be carried out using the techniques of character integration and the actant model by Algeridas Julien Greimas. Through the analysis of character synonymy, the paper ultimately identifies the synonymous characters with an actant function as assistants in some of the most prominent Macedonian dramas from the first half of the 20th century.

Keywords: drama; character; signs; integration; synonyms.

AI-DRIVEN COMMUNICATION: THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SHAPING CONSUMERISM AND SOCIAL CONTROL IN BRAVE NEW WORLD AND NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR

Mauro Dujmović, Sunčana Tuksar — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines the dystopian visions of Aldous Huxley in Brave New World and George Orwell in Nineteen Eighty-Four, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) within the communication systems of these novels. Both Huxley and Orwell, writing in the early to mid-20th century, predicted the influence of media technologies on shaping modern consumer culture. Huxley’s depiction of AI-driven advertisements and Orwell’s portrayal of AI-powered surveillance highlight the potential dangers of mass media in manipulating thought and behaviour. Through these technologies, both novels present a world where communication systems foster a seemingly utopian, consumer-driven reality. This paper argues that AI and media technologies are not passive tools but active forces that manipulate populations and sustain capitalist ideologies: (1) Technology as Social Control: Advancements in AI and media technologies are used as tools for social control, pacifying populations and limiting critical thought; (2) Media and AI Reinforcing Commodification: These technologies create a consumer-driven society that reinforces capitalist dominance by commodifying human attention and interactions; (3) Digital Inequality and Social Stratification: The rise of digital communication technologies deepens social inequalities, dividing society into the “connected” and “disconnected”.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI); Media technologies; Surveillance; AI-powered communication; Media influence.

THE PRISON OF LUXURY AND FAME. FICTITIOUS IDENTITY FROM FITZGERALD TO DIGITAL CONTEMPORANEITY

Luisa Emanuele — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The paper aims to analyze the construction of identity through luxury and the dynamics of social recognition, comparing the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald with contemporary representations of fame and digital visibility. The intention is to investigate how, in different cultural and media contexts, the symbolic devices linked to material luxury and digital celebrity contribute to the definition and negotiation of personal and collective identity. The research is based on a qualitative and comparative methodology, through the thematic and symbolic analysis of works belonging to different narrative contexts: The Great Gatsby, Tender Is the Night and This Side of Paradise by F. S. Fitzgerald, in which the protagonists pursue material luxury; The Circle by Dave Eggers and Influence by Sara Shepard, in which the need for media approval emerges. The analysis highlights how luxury is not just an external mask, but a strategy to navigate and survive in a society that rewards appearance over substance. The search for social visibility thus becomes a form of self-separation, and fame and public identity become prismatic connotations that destroy human authenticity. The contribution is placed within the scope of Cultural Studies, in a theoretical framework that interprets identities as cultural and historically situated productions, determined by power relations and symbolic devices of inclusion, exclusion and distinction. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms of visibility and practices of social recognition that regulate access to prestige and symbolic value in contemporary society.

Keywords: appearance; celebrity; identity; luxury; mask; visibility.

A STUDY ON HALİD ZİYA UŞAKLIGİL’S NOVEL “NEMİDE”

Zeki Gürel — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article focuses on the life and works of Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil, a prominent figure in Turkish literature. The analysis centers particularly on his novel “Nemide” exploring its main plotlines, character analyses, use of time and space, and themes. The article delves into Nemide's early birth, love, intrigues, and the dramatic elements shaping the story. It emphasizes the typical features of the novel and highlights how the author paved the way for a realistic-psychological novel trend. The character analyses of Nemide, Nail, and Nahit, key figures in the novel, are presented, and the social environment and character portrayals are discussed with a realistic approach. Additionally, the article underscores the prevalence of love in the work and the author's commitment to a realistic mindset. In general, the article provides an evaluation of Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil's significance in Turkish literature and the importance of the novel “Nemide”.

Keywords: Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil; Turkish literature; Nemide (novel); Realistic-psychological novel; Character analysis.

THE TRANSLATION OF ITALIAN POETRY IN DICTATORIAL ALBANIA - THE CASE OF NIKOLLË DAKAJ – BETWEEN RESISTANCE AND PERSECUTION

Lindita Kazazi, Aterda Lika — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the life and work of Nikollë Dakaj, one of the most refined and erudite translators in 20th-century Albanian literature, whose activity unfolded in a historical context marked by repression and oblivion. A translator into the Gheg dialect of masterpieces from Italian and Latin poetry (including works by Dante, Petrarch, Leopardi, Manzoni, and Horace), Dakaj succeeded in conveying the expressive power, metrical structure, and emotional impact of the originals in his versions. An analysis of his translations—viewed through the lens of key translation theories (Croce, Steiner, Nida, Bassnett, Eco)—shows that Dakaj engaged in a true poetic recreation, transcending the traditional dichotomy between beauty and fidelity. The Gheg dialect, which he elevated through his work, becomes a vehicle of profound expressive richness. Despite political persecution and the loss of many manuscripts, Dakaj left behind a body of work that bears witness to his hermeneutic mastery and to the ethical and cultural value of translation as an artistic act. His versions are not mere linguistic transpositions but authentic poetic rebirths within the Albanian literary landscape.

Keywords: translator; translation; literature; persecution; Albania.

THE NARCISSISM OF MINOR DIFFERENCES AND BALKANIZATION

Katica Kulavkova — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sigmund Freud (1918) defines the 'narcissism of minor differences' as an extreme intolerance among the closest family members or among related and neighboring peoples/nations. The excessive, pathological form of narcissism (self-love, egocentricity, megalomania) fosters rivalry, animosity, antagonism, identity extremism, verbal and bloody conflicts among peoples, including among religious, linguistic, and other communities (cultural, political, gender, racial). This paper examines the narcissistic relationships among related and neighboring peoples and cultures in the territories of the former Yugoslav federation and the Balkans. The narcissism of small differences among related and neighboring peoples is biased and accompanied by toxic narratives and toxic rhetoric. Narcissistic imagology is subjective both when it comes to self-perception and when it comes to the perception of the Other. It leads to nationalism and chauvinism, and this is a prelude to numerous civil conflicts and wars. Therefore, the narcissism of small differences should be a serious indication of a possible change in the existing regional geopolitical map. It has been and still is a factor in the destabilization and disintegration of various state entities, federations, and empires. In the small states formed after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, the narcissism of small differences has spread regarding peoples who were not part of the federation. Such is the Macedonian case which, after independence, opened up towards neighboring peoples (Greek, Bulgarian), and internally deepened the mistrust between the Macedonian people and the Albanian community. One of the manifestations of the narcissism of small differences is cultural narcissism. It promotes biased, problematic, and absurd interpretations of history, challenges the ethnic and linguistic identity of the neighbor, questions the historical continuity and national legitimacy on an international level. Such a narcissistic approach advocates not only discreet, but also explicit cultural hegemony.

Keywords: narcissism of small/minor differences; cultural narcissism; narcissistic imagology; toxic narratives; Yugoslavia; Balkanization.

THE PIONEERS OF THE BULGARIAN REVIVAL ON THE PAGES OF THE TURKISH MAGAZINE “SHEHBAL”

Türkan Olcay — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the beginning of the 20th century, the idea of developing the Ottoman Empire according to the Western model became more and more relevant. An important role in spreading the idea of modernization of Turkish society played the increasing number of newspapers and magazines, as a result of the liberalization of the press after the adoption of the Second Constitution in 1908. Among them, the most popular one is the illustrated magazine “Shehbal”, published in Istanbul by the famous musicologist, rightist and intellectual Husein Saadedin Arel (1880-1955). The main goal of the magazine is to raise the cultural level of the general readership and to promote the modernization of the country. For this purpose, the magazine covers a wide range of topics on: art, philosophy, medicine, technology, women's rights and other civil rights, social and scientific topics, which are mainly borrowed from the West. Foreign and native literature, as well as literary criticism, also have a central place. Two literary-critical articles: “Bulgarian writers and Bulgarian literature. Paisios - the first historian and writer” and “Bulgarian writers and Bulgarian literature. Followers of Paisios”, written by Husein Arif, published in numbers 97 and 99 (1914) of the magazine are the subject of the analysis in this paper. Here we attempt to study the role of the pioneers of the Bulgarian revival in the processes of the awakening of the Bulgarian national self-consciousness and the Bulgarian language and literature, as well as their influence on the Turkish readership.

Keywords: Bulgarian revival; reception of Bulgarian literature in Turkey; Turkish periodicals in the 1910s.

A WEDDİNG RİTUAL WİTH TRACES OF SHAMANİSM AND THE OLD TURKİSH BELİEF SYSTEM: CHİCKEN FETCHİNG GAME

Özge Nur Ünal — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this study, the Chicken Fetching Game, which is important for Bursa and the surrounding provinces, was compiled from the source individuals. The study aims to preserve the beliefs and rituals that have reached the present day from the Old Turkish belief system, with respect to geographical, cultural and folkloric elements of the region and to continue the transfer of culture. This work aims to present the marriage, entertainment and wedding folklore of indigenous peoples and Balkan emigrants living in Bursa. This study identified the game's traces of Shamanism and Old Turkish beliefs. Marriage-related traditions, practices and customs that are an integral part of Turkish culture continue to be found in our localities. Consciousness is not a few years old, which considers marriage to be the fundamental phenomenon in the formation of society. The social memory that thought the family was the smallest building block of the state presented bans and heralds. In the light of beliefs and norms, each society gives a different meaning to marriage and develops practices within that framework. Marriage isn't just a matter for individuals, it's an important event for the society and for the nation in which he belongs. The marriage that underpins the continuation of the generation is considered a threshold and is considered one of the three most important events in one's life. In Anatolia, a game of Chicken Fetching, inspired by village bystander games, is played in and around the city of Bursa, and traces of the old Turkish faith system.

Keywords: Tradition; Bursa; Marriage; Chicken Fetching Game; Shamanism.

ATTITUDES OF BUSINESS UNDERGRADUATES TOWARDS ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION FOR THEIR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER ASPIRATIONS: A CASE STUDY

Kamran Akhtar Siddiqui — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

English is not only the official language of Pakistan but also the medium of instruction in higher education. Although English is often the third or fourth language for a student in Pakistan, key stakeholders have positive attitudes towards English-medium instruction. The present study was conducted to explore the attitudes of business undergraduates towards English-medium instruction for their academic and professional career aspirations. Guided by the Interpretivism research paradigm, qualitative approach was used for collection and analysis. Nineteen business students were purposively sampled from an undergraduate writing course and open-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from them. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data from the written responses of the participants. The findings revealed that participants view EMI favourably because they believe it helps them to achieve both academic and professional career goals. The participants believed that they improved their chances of enrolling in universities abroad by improving their language and analytical skills, increasing their self-confidence in the classroom and excelling in extracurricular activities. Thus, EMI may help them advance in their academic careers. The research participants also considered EMI as a way to penetrate the global employment market, showcase their abilities, and leave a lasting impression on the employers. Despite offering valuable insights into Pakistani students' attitudes toward EMI, the current study's findings are not generalizable. Future studies should strive for larger samples and extensive nationwide surveys which will assist scholars in creating a comprehensive account of undergraduates' attitudes of EMI. The findings of this study has implications for students, teachers, university administrations, and policymakers.

Keywords: Attitudes; Undergraduates; English-medium Instruction; Academic Career; Professional Career.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND SPEAKING ANXIETY IN MACEDONIAN LEARNERS OF ENGLISH

Anastasijа Anastasova, Nina Daskalovska — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A number of studies have investigated the connection between students’ proficiency level and their speaking anxiety, for which mixed results have been presented. Namely, some claim that the more proficient the learner, the lower their anxiety level and vice versa, however, some disagree. This study aims to investigate the possible relationship between language proficiency level and speaking anxiety, contributing to the existing literature for better understanding of the core issues that top and average students experience. Results revealed that the more proficient participants (C1 level) are more relaxed compared to the less proficient participants (B1 level) with the former classified as experiencing “low anxiety” while the latter - “moderate anxiety”. The main issue of the less proficient participants is found to be low self-confidence during speaking activities, which further supports the majority of the past findings, while grammatical correctness is something that high proficient participants are most aware of during speaking activities. The results also showed that both groups do not feel particularly frightened to speak right after receiving corrective feedback.

Keywords: proficiency; anxiety; speaking; self-confidence; feedback.

ORAL ERRORS TREATMENT IN FLE CLASSROOM: ATTITUDES AND PREFERENCES

Martina Mihaljević, Maja Pivčević — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Errors are an integral part of language learning and their effective treatment is essential. This article aims to explore the preferences of teachers and learners of French as a Foreign Language (FLE) regarding oral error correction methods. It also examines the correlation between learners’ dominant learning styles and their correction preferences, as well as the differences between the preferences of the two groups. The study, conducted with 99 Croatian FLE learners and 10 teachers, reveals no significant correlation between learning style and learners’ preferences for error treatment. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were observed between teachers’ and learners’ preferences. However, both groups share a positive attitude toward oral errors and their treatment, despite differing preferences. Learners favor immediate and explicit correction by the teacher, while peer correction is often perceived negatively due to its emotional impact. Teachers, while responsible for corrections, tend to adopt implicit strategies to encourage reflection and sustain learner engagement. These findings, highlighting nuanced preferences, provide insights for adapting pedagogical practices in FLE and optimizing correction strategies to better align with learners’ expectations and needs.

Keywords: oral errors; error treatment; learning styles; teacher and learner preferences; pedagogy of error; French as a Foreign Language (FLE).

THE ROLE OF HISTORY IN LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES: A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE GERMAN LANGUAGE

Jonida Bushi, Ema Kristo — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Although the impact of historical and cultural factors on foreign language learning has long been recognized, history remains underrepresented in German language teaching. This article highlights the relevance of integrating historical content into language acquisition from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, demonstrating how such integration can enhance learners’ motivation, language proficiency, and intercultural empathy. A curriculum that systematically incorporates historical awareness—through texts, documents, or discussions of key events—can lead to more sustainable and meaningful learning outcomes. The article also provides practical recommendations for curriculum design and emphasizes the need for further research in this area.

Keywords: foreign language teaching; German as a foreign language; history; intercultural competence; motivation.

WORKING WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN GERMAN LESSONS: A CASE STUDY USING THE EXAMPLE OF CHATGPT

Marisa Janku — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into German lessons opens up new perspectives and challenges for teachers and learners alike. This case study examines the use of AI-supported learning platforms and tools in German lessons at a German-Albanian language school and analyzes the effects on the learning process and student motivation. The focus is on the use of AI to improve language skills, especially in the areas of text composition, grammar, vocabulary and written communication. As part of the case study, a questionnaire was conducted on learning motivation before and after the use of an AI-based tool such as Chatbot/Chatgpt. The aim was to measure changes in motivation, learning behavior and acceptance of digital tools. The effectiveness of these technologies in day-to-day teaching is evaluated through classroom observations and discussions with students. The results show that AI tools can promote individual learning, enable real-time feedback and increase learner motivation. At the same time, challenges such as the possible dependence on technology and the need for a balanced integration of AI and traditional teaching methods were identified. This case study offers a practice-oriented insight into the opportunities and limitations of working with artificial intelligence in the German classroom and provides valuable insights for the future design of teaching concepts.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; German language teaching; case study; language competence; motivation; adaptive learning platforms; feedback systems.

WHEN ARE STUDENTS AT THEIR PEAK PERFORMANCE?

Kevin Simonov, Nina Daskalovska — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Previous studies focusing on students' productivity have shown that different times of the day impact students' productivity and efficiency. Psychology and biology explain that the circadian rhythm is a key factor influencing students' performance during lessons and exams in the morning hours. Additionally, small changes in scheduling can affect students' performance. This study tested several hypotheses in this regard and gathered the necessary data to provide valuable insights into how students are affected by the learning process and their schedules. The results revealed that students feel more productive during the late-morning and early-afternoon hours, and they prefer the most important university activities to be scheduled during this time. Furthermore, their alertness is higher in the afternoon compared to the morning. This study provides insights into university students' feelings regarding alertness, the influence of university schedules, sleeping patterns, preferences, and similar factors, from which several practical implications are derived.

Keywords: productivity; schedule; alertness; morning; afternoon; university students.

OPPOSITION AS THE FOUNDATION OF THE NOVEL THE WORLD I CHOSE BY KALINA MALESKA

Marina Dimitrieva-Gjorgievska — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Award-winning novels often evoke a heightened sense of curiosity, and The World I Chose by Kalina Maleska is no exception. Recipient of the 2024 “Slavko Janevski” Novel of the Year Award, this work introduces a distinctive narrative approach that foregrounds introspection and psychological depth. At its core, the novel examines the internal world of Leona, a woman engaged in a process of self-discovery during a stage in life typically associated with self-assurance and stability. Notably, the narrative omits conventional physical descriptors such as age, hair color, or body type – elements rendered irrelevant in the context of Leona’s existential journey. Her character emerges gradually within a world she had previously perceived as external, even alien. As Leona steps out of her interiority, she embarks on the pursuit of an autonomous life, distancing herself from a manipulative former spouse and the psychological constraints that had shaped her subordination. The character is meticulously constructed through introspective narration and relational contrast with other figures, defining herself precisely through these oppositions.

Keywords: opposition; introspection; character; interiority and exteriority.