A r t i c l e s

ALIEVA,, Natalia F: Some Phenomena of Inter-level Isomorphism in the Grammatical Systems of Asian Languages, p. 3
KRUPA, Viktor: A Mythological Metamorphosis:Snake or eel?, p. 9
BELKA, LUBOŠ – SLOBODNÍK, MARTIN:The Revival of Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Asia:
A Comparative Perspective, p. 15
KUNDI, Mansoor Akbar: Federalism in Pakistan: Problems & Prospects, p. 37
PAWLIKOVÁ-VILHANOVÁ, Viera: Christian Missionary Enterprise in Africa. A Synonym for "Cultural Imperialism"?, p. 49
DROZDÍKOVÁ, Jarmila: Dis/United Colours of Feminism, p. 69

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ABSTRACTS

SOME PHENOMENA OF INTER-LEVEL ISOMORPHISM IN THE GRAMMATICAL SYSTEMS OF ASIAN LANGUAGES

Natalia F. ALIEVA
Bol. Kozlovsky
per. 11, kv. 7, Moscow 107078, Russia

The phenomena of the level-structure of languages, of the inter-level relations inside that structure are the main constituents of the problem of the systemic character of the language as a whole. Precisely the development of a systemic approach to language is one of the principally important achievements of linguistic science in the 20th century.

A MYTHOLOGICAL METAMORPHOSIS: SNAKE OR EEL?

Viktor KRUPA
Institute of Oriental and African Studies, Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Klemensova 19, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovakia

One of the interesting mythological motives shared by West and East Polynesia is the reptilian hero whose role and behaviour in mythical stories is conditioned by its physics and the reactions triggered in the human mind. Some of these features are replicated by the mythical eel even in West Polynesia where both species are known to live. Put very briefly, the semantics of snake/eel is debated in two overlapping triangles; (A) the first one consisting of snake/eel-Hina - Maui, and (B) the second one including snake/eel- Hina-and coconut palm.

THE REVIVAL OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN INNER ASIA: A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Luboš BELKA
Institute for the Study of Religions, Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia

Martin SLOBODNÍK
Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Countries of East Asia, Faculty of Arts, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia

The article focuses on the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in 1980's and 1990's in Buryatiya, the Mongolian Republic and Amdo, the north-eastern part of the Tibetan plateau. It discusses the common features and differences in the destruction of religious life in these areas in 1920's and 1930's (Buryatiya and Mongolia) and 1958-1966 (Amdo). It deals with the process of religious revival, especially of the monastic aspect of Buddhism, and the issues which accompany it: for example the relations between the secular state and religion, religion as an identity building factor, the quantitative and qualitative character of this revival, the identification of new tulkus (sprul sku).

FEDERALISM IN PAKISTAN: PROBLEMS & PROSPECTS

Mansoor Akbar KUNDI
Pakistan Studies Section, Edebiyat Faculty, Istanbul University,
Beyazit, Istanbul, Turkey

Relations between the federal-provinces have been a subject of political and constitutional debate since the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistan, which is divided into four provinces, has been dominated by Punjab, the largest of four provinces, by predominant membership in the bureaucracy and army. The other three units have shown their discontent over the allocation of powers Between the federal government and the provinces and raised their voice for more autonomy and political safeguards. The praetorian character of Pakistan with the army ruling the country for most of the period has added to the problems of federalism.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE IN AFRICA. A SYNONYM FOR "CULTURAL IMPERIALISM"?

Viera PAWLIKOVÁ-VILHANOVÁ
Institute of Oriental and African Studies, Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Klemensova 19, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovakia

There are many studies and historical analyses of Christian missionary enterprise in Africa ex-T Coring the subtle interplay of missionary encounters with African peoples. Some recent accounts of Protestant missions and British or German imperialism are arguing that there was a very close connection between Christian missions and "cultural imperialism". The complexity of the problem Defies any generalization of the missionary impact on Africa and such portrayal of the missions' activity is problematic and open to discussion. An analysis of the White Fathers's attitudes and activities proves that African societies possessed considerable power to absorb Western influences selectively and their choices have shaped a process of cultural exchange.

DIS/UNITED COLOURS OF FEMINISM

Jarmila DROZDÍKOVÁ
Záhrebská 6, 811 05 Bratislava, Slovakia

From among the divisions that in the last decades of the twentieth century beset the theoretical field of feminism, the split between white feminism and black (Afro-American) feminism, and concurrently, between the political and cultural positions of Euro-American, First World women and those of Third World women of colour seems the most divisive.