<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper considers methodological questions regarding cultural/social anthropological research in multiethnic fields. Specifically, I attempt to reconsider the possibility of anthropological research by a “stranger” based on a research that I—a Japanese anthropologist—conducted in southern Slovakia. Anthropology originally developed as the study of other cultures; in some European countries, however, most anthropological research is conducted by anthropologists who are “at home”. For Slovak and Hungarian researchers, the Hungarian minority has been a common research target; therefore, many inhabitants, both ethnic Hungarians and Slovaks, have already experienced social research as subjects. Some interviewees get use to present a narrative expressing how they think about a certain topic. This research condition points to a fundamental question in the interviews of anthropological research. In this paper, therefore, my research experience is described to analyze reflexively my research position in the field.In fact, it is difficult to theoretically define the boundary between “at home” and “stranger”; the difference depends on the context of each study. Anthropologists need to interpret their narratives by considering the results of participant observation and reflexivity in the research. “Stranger” anthropologists might have the advantage of noticing informants’ reflexivity in their narratives. This discussion can, in turn, become part of an ongoing process by which inhabitants’ interactions with researchers create new master narratives in the field.</abstract>

A “Stranger” Researching Narratives in Southern Slovakia: Hungarian Minority Research by an Anthropologist Who Is Not “At Home”

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This paper aims to summarize the migration processes affecting Szeklerland based on the available official statistical data and the main results of the sociological and anthropological studies regarding the region. Emigration has been present in Szeklerland for more than 150 years. Measuring the extent of international migration—because of the significant illegal migration—is always problematic. The recording of migration in Romanian statistical data is clearly deficient. In estimating the extent of emigration, the most accurate are the international data. In the light of these, migrants of the two Szekler counties (Harghita and Covasna) can be put to approximately 12–15% of the population (62,000–85,000 people). The influence of migrants upon the emitting society is very significant: among secondary-school graduates from Sfântu Gheorghe (the biggest Szekler city), 58% have at least one person in the family with migration experience or staying abroad at the moment of the survey. Almost half of the migrant family members left for work. The most relevant destination countries are Hungary, Germany, Austria, Italy, England, and the USA. At the end of 2014, almost three quarters (72%) of secondary-school graduates from Sfântu Gheorghe were planning to emigrate in the near future. The causes and the consequences of migration in Szeklerland are multiple—they can be described with a combination of economic, incomplete, and transnational migration theories. And they can be completed with the concept of socialization deficit and the sense of personal deficiency it causes, which seems to be the primary motor of migration in Szeklerland.</abstract>

Additions to the Migration of Szekler Youth—an Overview of Statistical Data and Existing Literature

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">With respect to the current migration crisis in Europe, the term “alien” is generally identified with the Arab or Muslim (for many people: Arab = Muslim) communities. The article contains an analysis of the origins, history, and effects of this phenomenon, illustrated with the example of the Arabs in Poland – a country where both of those communities are small, where there are few immigrants as a rule, and which is not directly impacted by the refugee crisis. In general, there were no negative experiences in Polish–Arabic relations, but—due to the lack of knowledge and personal interactions with members of the Arab (Muslim) diaspora—many Poles perceive them as aliens. Why are they aliens? When did they start being aliens? And if they have always been aliens, then are they aliens indeed? In the paper, I will present an analysis of the way members of the Arab diaspora are perceived as aliens and their sense of alienness in Poland. The analysis is based on the field study of this community, with emphasis on the differences between the Arab migration to Poland/Eastern European countries and their migration to other European states. Additionally, a new theory of inclusion of an alien will be presented along with proposals concerning how to “tame” an alien for the sake of a common, conflict-free existence—because “alien” often simply means the unknown and/or the unwanted to be known.</abstract>

An “Alien” or a Stranger Indeed?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the present article, I am shortly reviewing some aspects which can be regarded as important in considering the hijab a fashion phenomenon. The social media provides us with various images in which the hijab is presented as a form of fashionable accessory, it is adapted to various modern outfits. The literature on such fashionable takes of the hijab assesses that they can be interpreted as statement messages about women’s empowerment. On the other hand, such adaptations also speak about the emergence of various subcultures about Muslim youth, which in accordance with the global sameness of youth are using social media in order to send messages and connect with each other. After a brief presentation on the role of bottom-up diffusion of fashion innovations, I am reviewing, <italic>grosso modo</italic>, two representations of the hijab: the hijab as a religious symbol and the hijab as a (fashion) manifesto about women’s empowerment.</abstract>

Hijab(istas)—as Fashion Phenomenon. A Review

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The study is, in fact, an interpretation alternative that tries to identify a griever as a stranger in a previously familiar medium. This may refer to an inner strangeness when the griever discovers a kind of strangeness in his or her relationship with himself or herself that questions his or her earlier identity or a feeling of strangeness in relation to friends and acquaintances. In the systematization of the feeling of strangeness in relation to others, I used Schütz’s “homecomer” model of a returning veteran as a starting point. This approach brings us closer to understanding the difficulties of relating to grievers.</abstract>

The Griever as a Stranger. A Discussion

Eastern-European Transnational Families as Agents of Social Change: Discursive Facets of Gender, Migration, and Childhood as Constructed Reality

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Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Social Analysis

 Acta Univerisitatis Sapientiae Social Analysis publishes original studies focused towards the analysis of various social phenomena and processes. We encourage the submission of both theoretical and empirical studies from the various fields of social sciences: i.e. sociology, anthropology, social history, social work, social policy, etc. The journal seeks to provide a stance for comparative perspectives and multiple methodologies (e.g., quantitative analyses, qualitative studies, narrative-ethnographic methods, etc.) in the approaching of these themes. Interdisciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged.   Several issues of the journal take the form of thematic issues focused on specific topics from the fields above. Proposals for thematic issues are always announced on the journal’s website.   Why subscribe and read   The focus of the journal is primarily oriented towards East-Central Europe and its regions. Empirical findings, policy analysis and critical essays aiming at describing the processes of social development, cultural reconfiguration and associated discourses taking place in this part of Europe are particularly welcome.   Why submit   Acta Universitatis Sapientiae Social Analysis is a peer-reviewed journal. All submitted manuscripts are reviewed by two anonymous referees. The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges.   Rejection Rate    27%      Archiving   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.   Article Processing Charge (APC)   The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges. 