S4 B1-B2 COCONUT GIRL & THE COLONIAL PARADISE

to spark a massive debate – to cause a big, intense discussion

flat out racism – obvious and direct discrimination based on race

to protect one’s customs – to protect traditions from outside influence

portrayed in the mainstream media – shown in popular entertainment

to lambast sb – to criticize sb harshly

flawed understanding – an incorrect or incomplete way of seeing sth

rigid norms – strict, unchanging social rules

malleable ideas – concepts that can be changed or adapted easily

authentic culture – traditions and practices true to their origins

free of external influence – not changed by outside forces

a staple of Mexican food – a basic, essential part of Mexican cuisine

seamless cultural appropriation – taking elements of another culture smoothly, often without credit

to do a lot for the advancement of sth – to help sth progress greatly

to borrow from sb – to take ideas or customs from sb

arrogant – overly proud, looking down on others

to exert/assert ownership over sth – to claim authority over sth

to co-exist – to live or exist together peacefully

to claim cultural appropriation – to accuse sb of unfairly

using another culture’s elements

clueless – having no understanding or awareness

to desecrate history – to disrespect or damage cultural heritage

to find commonalities in sth / to find common ground – to discover shared ideas or interests

to transcend language – to go beyond words in meaning or connection

outrage – extreme anger or shock

to point out differences – to highlight what makes things distinct

to distance ourselves from others – to separate from others
notion of paradise – the idea of a perfect, peaceful place

to enhance one’s appreciation of culture – to understand and value culture more

to commercialize sth – to turn sth into a product for profit

to persuade sb to do sth – to convince sb to do sth

to get away from it all – to escape daily life and relax

to exploit an insight – to use an understanding for advantage

marketing based around a conceptualized world – selling an idea of a perfect, imaginary place

to suspend the reality of one’s life – to temporarily forget real-life problems

at the root of this concept – the main idea behind this concept

deserted beach – a quiet beach with no people

gently lapping waves – soft, calm waves hitting the shore

addiction to paradise – a strong desire to always seek perfect places

enormous problems – very big issues

environmental destruction – serious harm to nature

poor local communities – native people living in the area with little money

beaches reserved for wealthy foreigners – beaches only for rich tourists

tourism destinations – popular places for travelers

to acknowledge the issue – to recognize a problem exists

(wildlife) conservation – protecting animals and nature

locals fenced off from the beaches – local people blocked from accessing beaches

to tackle environmental issues – to try to solve nature-related problems

fabrication of paradise – a false image of a perfect place

to wake up from the utopian lie – to realize the "paradise" is not real
idyllic island – a perfect, peaceful tropical island

sensual – suggesting physical, especially sexual, pleasure

pagan - belonging or relating to a religion that worships many gods

faux-Polynesian fantasy – a fake version of Polynesian culture

mishmash of borrowed and reimagined Pacific island culture – a mix of taken and altered elements from Pacific cultures

to flourish in America – to grow or become popular in the US

fixation with island culture – an obsession with tropical lifestyles

to embrace sth – to accept or adopt something willingly

love affair – a passionate, often temporary relationship

inspired by the sincere religious Polynesian art – influenced by genuine traditional Polynesian artwork

enterprise – a business or project, often for profit

first-person experience with sth – direct, personal involvement in sth

sensitive interactions with other cultures – careful and respectful engagement with older cultures

to resurrect a dream – to bring back a fantasy

to run off to the islands – to escape to tropical islands

to drink piña coladas in a hammock – to drink cocktails while lying on a piece of cloth hung between two tress

tacky – cheap, tasteless, or overly kitschy

to draw from a fantasy – to take inspiration from an imaginary ideal

pitfall – a hidden problem or danger

cartoonish versions of cultural iconography – exaggerated, unrealistic representations of cultural symbols

to co-opt sth – to take and use sth (often culture) for one’s own purposes

sacred meaning – deep spiritual or cultural significance

to carry on a tradition – to continue a cultural practice
to come about in (period) - to appear during a specific time

to buy into the lifestyle - to be persuaded to like a specific lifestyle

conception of sth - the original idea or creation of sth

a symbol of joyful escape - a symbole of happy freedom from daily life

everlasting summertime - never-ending summer

light breezy femininity - a delicate, carefree feminine style

to embody the feeling of vacation - to perfectly show the spirit of holiday time

to commodify sth for the tourism - to turn sth into a product for tourists

indigenous culture - the traditional way of life of native people

carefree - without worries or responsibilities

to evoke a feeling of dreamy summertime - to bring to mind a perfect summer mood

liberated summer silhouette - a free, comfortable summer clothing shape

covered in hibiscus motifs - decorated with tropical flower designs

leisure wear - comfortable clothes for relaxing

short hemline - clothing that ends high above the knees

shell necklace - jewelry made from seashells

highly sought after fashion item - a fashion piece many people want

beaded necklace - jewelry made with small decorative balls

temporary glitter tattoo - shiny body decoration that washes off

platform flip flops - raised beach sandals with thick soles

the epitome of sth - the perfect example of sth

quintessential to the aesthetic - absolutely necessary for the style

sun-kissed makeup - natural-looking makeup for a summer glow

to inform the aesthetic - to influence or shape the style

economic hardships - money problems and difficulties

to disproportionately affect sb - to impact sb more than others