scholarly journals Getting the ball rolling: the cross-linguistic conceptualization of caused motion

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILLERMO MONTERO-MELIS ◽  
EMANUEL BYLUND
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Ball Rolling ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Way

abstractDoes the way we talk about events correspond to how we conceptualize them? Three experiments (N= 135) examined how Spanish and Swedish native speakers judge event similarity in the domain of caused motion (‘He rolled the tyre into the barn’). Spanish and Swedish motion descriptions regularly encode path (‘into’), but differ in how systematically they include manner information (‘roll’). We designed a similarity arrangement task which allowed participants to give varying weights to different dimensions when gauging event similarity. The three experiments progressively reduced the likelihood that speakers were using language to solve the task. We found that, as long as the use of language was possible (Experiments 1 and 2), Swedish speakers were more likely than Spanish speakers to base their similarity arrangements on object manner (rolling/sliding). However, when recruitment of language was hindered through verbal interference, cross-linguistic differences disappeared (Experiment 3). A compound analysis of all experiments further showed that (i) cross-linguistic differences were played out against a backdrop of commonly represented event components, and (ii) describing vs. not describing the events did not augment cross-linguistic differences, but instead had similar effects across languages. We interpret these findings as suggesting a dynamic role of language in event conceptualization.

scholarly journals Feature Matching Does Not Equal Convergence: Acquisition of L2 French Accusative Pronouns by L1 Spanish Speakers

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Elena Shimanskaya ◽  
Tania Leal
Keyword(s):  
Feature Matching ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Formal Similarity ◽  
Considerable Difficulty ◽  
Feature Reassembly ◽  
The Feminine ◽  
Third Person ◽  
Surface Similarity

Our study aims to determine whether formal similarity between two languages (operationalized via the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis) allows adult L2 learners of French (Spanish native speakers; NSs) to straightforwardly acquire third-person singular accusative clitics in their L2. Additionally, we examined the role of surface similarity, since French and Spanish overlap and diverge in several ways. In terms of formal similarity, third-person accusative clitic pronouns in Spanish are almost perfect analogues of their French counterparts. In terms of surface similarity, however, while the feminine accusative pronouns are identical (“la” [la]), the masculine ones differ in Spanish (“lo” [lo]) and French (“le” [lǝ]). Participants included French NSs (n = 26) and Spanish-speaking L2 French learners (n = 36). Results from an offline forced-choice picture selection task and an online self-paced reading task did not support the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis because learners showed considerable difficulty with the interpretation and processing of these pronouns, revealing that, unlike French NSs, their interpretations and processing are guided by the feature [±Human] and, to a lesser degree, by gender, which might be due to the surface-level similarity between feminine accusative clitic pronouns in both languages.

Interaction in Distance Education

2018 ◽  
pp. 222-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evrim Genc Kumtepe ◽  
Nazife Sen Ersoy
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Transactional Distance ◽  
Interaction Interaction ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Cultural Comparisons ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Instructional Dialogue

Education is a product of the objects and actors in the process of interaction. Interaction is, therefore, an important factor that affects the quality and sustainability of education. For this reason, this section will focus on interaction and its theories and approaches which are a popular and versatile concept in distance education. In the first part of the chapter, the concept of interaction will be discussed with different dimensions and components. Interaction in the following section will be examined within the framework of Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance, Anderson's Interaction Equivalency Theorem, and Gorsky and Caspi's Theory of Instructional Dialogue. At the end of the chapter, the nature of the interaction in distance learning will be discussed in the context of the studies on instructional dialogue and the cross-cultural comparisons will be addressed to the issue of the role of interaction in distance settings.

Constructing two phonological systems: A phonetic analysis of /p/, /t/, /k/ among early Spanish–English bilingual speakers

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-68
Author(s):  
Earl K. Brown ◽  
Mary T. Copple
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Voice Onset Time ◽  
First Language ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
English Bilingual ◽  
The Usa

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: Many early Spanish-English bilingual speakers in the USA learn Spanish as their first language at home and English in school. This paper seeks to elucidate whether these speakers develop a separate phonological system for English and, if so, the role of primary and secondary cues in the development of the second language (L2) system. Design/methodology/approach: The phonetic realization of the voiceless stops /p/, /t/, /k/ is analyzed among three groups: early Spanish-English bilinguals; L1 English speakers who are late learners of Spanish; and L1 Spanish speakers who are late learners of English. The participants ( N = 15) engaged in a reading task and a conversation task in each language during a single recording session. Data and analysis: 1578 tokens of /p/, /t/, /k/ were extracted and analyzed using acoustic software. Voice onset time in milliseconds and center of gravity in Hertz were analyzed, and monofactorial and multifactorial analyses were performed to determine the role of linguistic background. Findings/conclusions: Evidence is found of two phonological systems among early bilingual speakers, with varying degrees of assimilation to the phonological systems of the native speakers of each language. Originality: We argue that early bilinguals construct their L2 system of /p/, /t/, /k/ in English based on the primary cue of voice onset time rather than the secondary cue of center of gravity, as they are accustomed to noticing differences in voice onset time in Spanish and because the center of gravity of /p/, /t/, /k/ in English is more variable than voice onset time, and therefore represents a more variable and less predictable cue for early bilinguals as they construct their L2 system. Significance/implications: This paper contributes to the literature on the construction of phonological systems and to research detailing the speech of early Spanish-English bilinguals.

Naming Patterns and Inductive Inference: The Case of Birds

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 189-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Tarlowski
Keyword(s):  
Inductive Inference ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Feature Weighting ◽  
Stable Category ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Language And Thought ◽  
Taxonomic Class ◽  
The Cross ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractAlthough past research demonstrated that online presentation of labels plays a role in inductive inference few studies have shown that naming practices affect stable category representations that enter into inductive judgments. In this study we provide evidence for a relationship between naming and inductive inference by examining Polish and Spanish speakers’ inferences within the taxonomic class Aves. Birds in Polish are named with one label, ptak, while Spanish uses two labels, ave and pájaro. Size is the feature that determines whether Spanish speakers label a bird as ave or pájaro. As a result, compared to Polish speakers, Spanish speakers attach higher weight to bird size. This is evidenced by the fact that Spanish speakers’ perception of strength of inferences from birds decreases more strongly as a function of size dissimilarity between premise and conclusion. The hypothesis that feature weighting mediates in the influence of naming on induction is supported by the cross-linguistic differences in perceptions of animal similarity. The set of findings reported here contributes to the understanding of inductive inference and the relationship between language and thought.

Cross-Linguistic Variation in the Layered Structure of PP

2020 ◽  
pp. 191-217
Author(s):  
Hisako Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Layered Structure ◽  
Linguistic Variation ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Case Morphology ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Parallel Pattern ◽  
Principled Account ◽  
Nominal Morphology

This chapter provides a novel observation concerning cross-linguistic variation regarding NP-ellipsis (henceforth NPE) inside articulated PPs and considers its theoretical implications. It first shows that although NPE is equally available in nominals in English, Chinese, and Japanese, the parallel pattern breaks down when NPE takes place within PPs. This study proposes a principled account of the cross-linguistic variation in question on the basis of (i) the layered internal structure of PPs, (ii) the syntactic reflection of fusional/non-fusional case morphology, and (iii) a phase-based analysis of ellipsis. The proposed analysis correctly predicts not only the availability of NPE within PPs but also one without PPs in English, Chinese, and Japanese. This chapter also provides theoretical implications for the role of phases in ellipsis and the cross-linguistic differences in nominal morphology.

scholarly journals Research assessments should recognize responsible research practices — Narrative review of a lively debate and promising developments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noémie Aubert Bonn ◽  
Lex Bouter
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Review ◽  
Research Assessment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Lively Debate ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
The Common ◽  
High Integrity ◽  
Responsible Research ◽  
The Way

Research assessments have been under growing scrutiny in the past few years. The way in which researchers are assessed has a tangible impact on decisions and practices in research. Yet, there is an emerging understanding that research assessments as they currently stand might hamper the quality and the integrity of research. In this chapter, we provide a narrative review of the shortcomings of current research assessments and showcase innovative actions that aim to address these. To discuss these shortcomings and actions, we target five different dimensions of research assessment. First, we discuss the content of research assessment, thereby introducing the common indicators used to assess researchers and the way these indicators are being used. Second, we address the procedure of research assessments, describing the resources needed for assessing researchers in an ever-growing research system. Third, we describe the crucial role of assessors in improving research assessments. Fourth, we present the broader environments in which researchers work, explaining that omnipresent competition and employment insecurity also need to be toned down substantially to foster high quality and high integrity research. Finally, we describe the challenge of coordinating individual actions to ensure that the problems of research assessments are addressed tangibly and sustainably.

Linguistic distance and initial reading acquisition: The case of Arabic diglossia

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELINOR SAIEGH–HADDAD
Keyword(s):  
Phonemic Awareness ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Local Form ◽  
Linguistic Distance ◽  
Decoding Skills ◽  
Reading Processes ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Initial Reading

The study examined phonemic awareness and pseudoword decoding in kindergarten and first grade Arabic native children. Because native speakers of Arabic first learn to read in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), a language structurally distinct from the local form of the language they grow up speaking, it was hypothesized that the linguistic differences between the two varieties, the so-called diglossic variables, would interfere with the acquisition of basic reading processes in MSA. Two diglossic variables were examined: phoneme and word syllabic structure. The children's phoneme isolation and pseudoword decoding skills were tested. The results showed that both diglossic variables interfered with the children's performance of both tasks in both grades. The findings support the role of linguistic distance in the acquisition of basic reading processes in a diglossic context.

Practicing Philosophy, From Plato to Gadamer

2018 ◽  
pp. 91-100
Keyword(s):  
Political Philosophy ◽  
Practical Wisdom ◽  
Theoretical Knowledge ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Theoretical Philosophy ◽  
The Way

This section explains what kind of philosophy we are referring to when we talk about the role of philosophy in the cross-disciplinary type of debates that interest us here. Namely, it is a practical – rather than theoretical – philosophy; indeed, a practice in itself, rather than an analytical pursuit, which is aimed at achieving practical wisdom, rather than theoretical insights. This entails different kinds of practices – from what we would nowadays call moral and political philosophy, in Plato and Aristotle, through a certain kind of interpretive practice, in Heidegger and Gadamer, to a series of neo-pragmatist ways of living, in Rorty and Shusterman. What these have in common is a philosophical focus on what we can do, in our personal, social, and professional lives, rather than what type of theoretical knowledge we can achieve – and how. The former is a kind of philosophy that is more likely to have an impact on the way we live, than on a particular theory or line of arguments.

scholarly journals Salib Yesus – Penderitaan Maria Devosi Maria dalam Ibadat Jalan Salib Versi Solor-Lamaholot

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Paul Budi Kleden
Keyword(s):  
Human Experience ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Popular Religiosity ◽  
The Way ◽  
Local Cultures

Devotion to Mary is one of the most popular religious practices among Catholics, and can be considered one of the oldest forms of popular religiosity. Marian devotions emerged spontaneously as a mixture of elements from local cultures and the Christian faith. However, such practices can become problematic when they overstress certain aspects of human experience together with the role of Mary. This article discusses a text of "The Way of the Cross" which was composed in a dialect of the Lamaholot language as used on the isle of Solor, East Flores. Kata-kata kunci: devosi, jalan salib, penderitaan, ratapan, harapan

scholarly journals The Role of Negative Politeness in Request: The Strategies that Non-Native Speakers Apply and Fail to Apply when Performing Request

1970 ◽  
pp. 82-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Licenciada Romina Ariana Marazita
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Speech Community ◽  
Teaching Implications ◽  
The Way

As native speakers of a particular language, we are aware of its use as one of the most powerful tools for communication. The way we use language not only conveys a social aspect- that we are part of a speech community and share a discourse accent- but also shows the way we are: our personality, our ambitions, our power, our solidarity, etc. All these aspects, among many others, come into play in a conversation. The aim of this article is to analyze if non-native speakers are aware of the concept of negative politeness and how many different strategies they apply or fail to apply when performing requests. The strategies to be observed will be useful to identify the possible absence of pragmatic ability and the feasible teaching implications to improve pragmatic competence in non-native speakers; and, at the same time, reflect upon new approaches for the teaching of English as a foreign language. Key words: Pragmatic competence, speech acts, politeness, negative politeness, face DOI: 10.3126/nelta.v14i1.3094  Journal of NELTA Vol.14, No 1&2, 2009 December Page: 82-90

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