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PROGRAMA DE LENGUAS MODERNAS-FEAV
THE REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD IN BRITISH TRAVEL
WRITINGS.
THE AMATEUR ANTHROPOLOGISTS
THE CONSTRUCTION OF TIME AND DIFFERENCE
1.Travel: writing and ideology:
TIME and THE OTHER
In his book Time and the Other: How Anthropology Makes its Object, Johannes Fabian discusses the importance of Time in relation to the Other. Time is the most important factor in constructing the Other, explains Fabian, as it is through Time that the anthropologist can bring the Other into being. Simply said, there is no Other if there is no distance in Time. Fabian puts forward his theory of denial of coevalness (37) and highlights the praxis. Denial of coevalness means "a persistent and systematic tendency to place the referent(s) of anthropology in a Time other than the present of the producer of anthropological discourse" (31). This denial is achieved either by circumventing the questions of coevalness or by preempting the question "with the help of a radically taxonomic approach" (38).
THE TRAVELER THE NATIVE (THE OTHER)
Is sophisticatedIs educatedMakes use of advanced technology
Has free willIs not superstitiousHas a superior understanding of the world and of his/her own place in it
LIVES IN THE PRESENT
Is simpleIs undereducatedMakes use of rudimentary tools
Does not have free willIs superstitiousDoes not understand his/her place in the world
LIVES IN THE PAST
TIME and THE OTHERdenial of coevalness
British traveler in 19th Century
Sao Paolo promotional image
Rio de Janeiro as seen by travelers
Past and Present in Brazil
CONSUMER TRAVEL TO PLACES CONSTRUCTED THROUGH MEDIA, LITERATURE, AND FILM.
S H E R L O C K H O L M E S , L O R D O F T H E R I N G S , A N N E O F G R E E N G A B L E S .
THE RISE AND DEMISE OF TOURISTIC LOCATIONS.
2. Travel: places of the imagination
MEDIA TOURISM
Often called TV tourism, movie tourism, the term Media Tourism, coined by Stijn Reijnders, is a more apt one as it includes also literary tourism.
Sherlock Holmes, Lord of the Rings, Anne of Green Gables are literary works that were made into TV series and movies and gained international recognition.
Media tourism is the new tourism and it is gaining more and more fans across the globe, every single day.
221b, Baker Street - set up in 1990, the layout is based on the descriptions from the books
Places of the Imagination
They have existed for about a centuryThey have been growing in impact, attracting more tourists with the development of tv and movies
They are imaginary places that attract tourists in search of the fictitious experience
Tourists are usually fans who want to experience a unique bond with the place and characters (walk in the characters’ shoes)
These places relate to “how imagination really takes places” (Reijnders, 17)
Media tourism as part of a circular processArtists are
inspired by their knowledge of physical places.
They construct stories using their creative imagination
These imagined places are appropriated by fans
Some of these fans set off on the trail of physical references to the imaginary world
(Rejinders, 17-18)
Imagination/
perception
3.Imagina
ryplaces
4.Fans
1. Physica
l places
2.
Artists
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
LORD OF THE RINGS
BRITISH AND AMERICAN DISCOURSE OF TRANSYLVANIA AND DRACULA IN MOVIES,
PLAYS, BOOKS.
DRACULISM: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT MANIFESTS
DRACULA TOURISM, ROMANIA'S NATIONAL DILEMMA
3. Travel: Dracula tourism
British and American Discourse
For Britons and Americans, Transylvania was, and forever is, the land of the vampire Dracula, as imagined by Bram Stoker.
Academics and amateurs continue to say that vampire beliefs are native to Romania – which is false. Not even the strigoi, the nefarious character of Romanian folklore is a vampire or anywhere close to it.
The so-called Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania, one of the most recognizable images in the world that is based on fiction.
If one visits the official website of Bran Castle (http://bran-castle.com/dracula.html), one would be terribly mislead by the misinterpretation of the local folklore and traditions, as well as by the contention that Stoker’s character is not based on the Romanian ruler Vlad the Impaler.
DRACULISMDraculism is the discourse that enhances the characteristics of a place or person with the specific aim of linking the object of the discourse to Stoker's vampire, Dracula. Draculism does not refer to the legends surrounding the historical figure Vlad Ţepeş, which would have long been dead if not for Stoker. Draculism is the direct result of Stoker's vampirization of Vlad Ţepeş and of Transylvania. It is from Stoker's novel that the West's understanding of current and past developments in the region is derived. As such, the Other Europe is too often seen as barbarian or retrograde because of its alleged link to the fictional Transylvanian vampire.
(from C. Artenie, PhD research)
Draculism – how it manifestsIn tourism:People looking for Dracula’s castle
People wanting to eat “impletata” – which doesn’t exist
People wanting to learn about Romanian vampire supersititions and therefore going to Romania to hunt vampires
In politics and intercultural exchanges:
Romania is viewed through the lens of Stoker’s novel as vampire-country
Romanians are ignorant and superstitious beyond reason
Romania is a lawless contry and Romanians are blood-thirsty (a.k.a. angry, confrontational, unreliable)
Dracula tourism, Romania's national dilemma
In The Dracula Dilemma: Tourism, Identity and the State in Romania, Duncan Light discusses in detail this awkward position in which Romania finds itself: the land of the infamous vampire – but that benefits and could benefit even more the tourism industry.orthe land of a proud history and natural beauty, but that has little else (as it seems to the West) to offer the international traveler.
SOURCES, INFORMATION
CULTURAL QUOTIENT
THE B B C COUNTRY PROFILES
THE CIA WORLD FACT BOOK
TRAVEL GUIDES AND TRAVELOGUES.
4. Travel: the informed tourist
Sources, Information
Internet: articles, blogs, official websites, tourism agencies, flickr, youtube, etc.
TV: travel shows, travel channels, news, documentaries, movies.
Print: travel guides, travel books, photo albums, newspapers, magazines.
Literature and Movies
Cultural Quotient IQ + EQ = CQ
Developing Cultural Awareness Read a little upon the history and geography of the local area or country. DO NOT ASK what is the capital, or the language spoken. WIKIPEDIA is just a click away.
Find out some basic components of culture, values, traditions and beliefs from the person’s native area (religion, education and economic activity)
If going to another country, BE POLITE AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE
Have some information about the country’s writers, artists, movies, music
Try and understand cultural differences without judging from your own perspective – DO NOT BE JUDGEMENTAL.
DO NOT STEREOTYPE – do not assume that even though you read about something the people you will meet will necessarily behave like you expect.
The BBC country profiles Let’s check COLOMBIA
“Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions.
They also include audio and video clips from BBC archives.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19390026
Is it accurate? What would you say about Colombia?
WHERE English-speakers look for information
WHERE English-speakers look for information
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, The CIA World Factbook 2014 (sold on amazon.com) offers complete and up-to-date information on the world’s nations. This comprehensive guide is packed with detailed information on the politics, populations, military expenditures, and economics of 2014.For each country, The CIA World Factbook 2014 includes: Detailed maps with new geopolitical data
Statistics on the population of each country, with details on literacy rates, HIV prevalence, and age structure
New data on military expenditures and capabilities Information on each country’s climate and natural hazards Details on prominent political parties, and contact information for diplomatic consultation
Facts on transportation and communication infrastructure And much more!
WHERE English-speakers look for information
travel guides and travelogues
Recently (Sept.11 2014), Yahoo! Travel had an article about Colombia:10 Reasons Why You Should Drop Everything and Head to Colombia
https://www.yahoo.com/travel/10-reasons-you-should-drop-everything-and-head-to-97160110352.html
Is it accurate? Why or why not?
CONCLUSION
Tourism as a business is constantly evolving although some deep seated prejudices seem to still be around.
Media tourism is becoming stronger and more important than just travel for pleasure or adventure.
English-speakers are both globe trotters and descendents of imperial practices of travel and othering and they are the ones who influence the most how a country is perceived in the world.
Travel: marketing and advertisement
:What sells a travel destination?
The external image of a country/place vs. the internal representation.
In light of what we discussed here today, how would you advertize Colombia? How is, for that matter, advertized currently? Is it efficient? Is it accurate or does the travel industry construct another Colombia – for the tourists?
Thanks
