PRIZREN SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL

THE DEGREE OF EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN ENGLISH AND ALBANIAN

Enes ISMETI, Ernest ISMETI — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the degree of idiomatic equivalence between English and Albanian, focusing on how culturally bound expressions are translated across these two distinct linguistic systems. Idioms pose a significant challenge in translation due to their non-literal meanings and deep cultural embedding, often requiring strategies that go beyond word-for-word translation. By analyzing a corpus of 29 idiomatic expressions, including, business, body part and sports idioms, this research identifies patterns of full, partial, and non-equivalence and explores the implications of these findings for translation theory and practice. Through comparative analysis, the study examines the strategies employed to preserve meaning when direct translation is not feasible, including paraphrasing, cultural adaptation, and metaphor substitution. Special attention is given to idioms that reflect cultural norms and societal values, such as those rooted in physicality (body parts) and competitive behavior (sports), both of which are prevalent in daily language use. The results indicate that while full equivalence is occasionally possible, the majority of idiomatic expressions require creative solutions to achieve communicative and cultural resonance in the target language. This research contributes to the field of translation studies by highlighting the importance of cultural literacy and contextual sensitivity in idiomatic translation.

HAS THE GENDER GAP NARROWED IN STUDENT ADMISSIONS IN ENGINEERING STEM COURSES? EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Emmanuel I. ORJI, Ebubechi G. ONYEABOR, Theresa O. OMEJE, Ugorji I. OGBONNAYA — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, which advocate for quality education and gender equity for all, the gender gap in the admission and enrolment of students in STEM fields, particularly in engineering, persists. The study, therefore, investigated the extent SDG has been achieved in the enrolment of students into Engineering courses. Faculty of Engineering in Nigeria University was used. The population of the is 6,159 (5,481 males and 678 females). Documentation analysis was used for quantitative data collection, while the Interview guide was used for qualitative data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, and Chi-square (x²). Findings indicate that there exists a gender gap in enrolment among students admitted to Engineering courses in the university, among others. It was recommended that the government, parents, students, and teachers/lecturers have a lot of roles to play to see that this gender disparity or gap is narrowed.

EXAMINING BEST PRACTICES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Thato SEOPETSA, Danielle NEL-SANDERS — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is characterised by disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, which present significant opportunities to transform governance, enhance service delivery, and foster community development.

This article explores best practices for local government reform, with the focus on integrating 4IR technologies to advance governance and sustainable development.

The research is situated within the context of South Africa’s local government framework and juxtaposed with international benchmarks to provide actionable insights.

The study utilised a qualitative research approach in the form of secondary data analysis, whereby academic literature, policy documents, case studies, and reports were reviewed. This methodology enabled a comprehensive examination of international best practices and their applicability in the South African context. The analysis was guided by theoretical frameworks, including the diffusion of innovation and stewardship theories, to provide insight into the adoption and implementation processes of 4IR technologies in governance.

The findings reveal that the adoption of 4IR technologies in local government necessitates inclusive governance, robust policy frameworks, and substantial investment in digital infrastructure to bridge the digital divide.

Integrating 4IR technologies into local government operations can significantly enhance service delivery and governance; however, achieving this requires addressing systemic challenges such as policy gaps, infrastructure deficiencies, and inequities in access.

This article contributes to the discourse on governance innovation by offering a comparative analysis of best practices and strategic recommendations tailored to the South African context.

FACTORIAL ANALYSIS OF RISK PERCEPTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL FARMS: EVIDENCE FROM KORÇË COUNTY

Agim NDERGJONI, Erald DODA — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to analyse farmers’ perceptions of agricultural risk in Korçë County, one of Albania’s most important agricultural regions. A structured survey was conducted with 300 randomly selected farmers, representing a diversity of farm sizes and production types across the area. The data were processed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), a statistical method that identifies latent patterns in multidimensional datasets.

A total of 25 variables were examined, grouped into five key categories of agricultural risk: production, market, financial, legal/institutional, and human resource risks. Farmers assessed both the probability of occurrence and the severity of impact for each risk factor using a 5-point Likert scale. Composite risk indices were then constructed to capture the perceived significance of each risk. The PCA helped extract the principal components underlying farmers’ responses, revealing dominant dimensions of perceived risk.

Findings indicate that production and market risks are the most prominent concerns among farmers, significantly influencing their decision-making, planning strategies, and the long-term viability of their farm operations. These two risk categories emerged as the most influential across the sample, suggesting a need for greater support mechanisms and risk mitigation strategies in these areas.

The study highlights the importance of designing targeted agricultural policies and support services that address the specific risk priorities of farmers in Korçë County. It underscores the value of strengthening farmers’ adaptive capacity and resilience in the face of environmental uncertainties and market volatility. These insights provide a useful foundation for informed decision-making and the development of sustainable, risk-responsive agricultural development policies in Albania.

AWARENESS, ATTITUDES, AND CHALLENGES OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS IN INTEGRATING EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD)

Kayode Babatunde OLAWUMI, Morakinyo AKINTOLU — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The paper explores pre-service teachers' awareness, attitudes, and challenges in integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their future teaching practices. ESD aims to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to shape a sustainable future, addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequities. Given the critical role of teachers in fostering sustainable mindsets, this study explores pre-service teachers' awareness of ESD, their attitude toward the concept, and the challenges to implementing it in the classroom. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through surveys from pre-service teachers in various training programs. The findings reveal diverse levels of awareness, with many pre-service teachers recognizing the importance of sustainable education yet expressing uncertainty about effective integration strategies. The study highlights the need for curriculum adjustments in teacher education programs to ensure that pre-service teachers have the content knowledge and practical skills to incorporate ESD into their teaching confidently. These insights offer valuable implications for educational institutions aiming to strengthen sustainability-oriented teaching frameworks and contribute to global efforts toward a more sustainable future.

THE ABSURD CHARACTER- “THE STRANGER” AND “THE LOST ONE” - ALBERT CAMUS AND FATOS KONGOLI

Elita OMAJ, Meral SHEHABI-VESELI — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper addresses the concept of the absurd in Albert Camus’s The Stranger and Fatos Kongoli’s The Lost One, works that come from different temporal and regional realities. Through a comparative method, it aims to reveal how the absurd is experienced and presented in two distinct literary worlds. In this context, similarities and differences are highlighted in the ways the characters confront the absurd: Meursault accepts it without resistance, while Thesari accepts it in an imposed manner because there is no other choice. This concept is viewed from different perspectives, also taking into account social factors, as social and political conditions play an important role in Kongoli’s absurd, whereas Camus’s absurd is deeply existential. It is understood that this comparative analysis emphasizes the universality of the theme of the absurd in literature, where the challenges faced by the individual in different cultures are also evident.