Unacceptable grammars? an eye-tracking study of English negative concord

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCES BLANCHETTE ◽  
CYNTHIA LUKYANENKO
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Negative Concord ◽  
Negative Sentence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Time Reading ◽  
Negative Subject

abstractThis paper uses eye-tracking while reading to examine Standard English speakers’ processing of sentences with two syntactic negations: a negative auxiliary and either a negative subject (e.g., Nothing didn’t fall from the shelf) or a negative object (e.g., She didn’t answer nothing in that interview). Sentences were read in Double Negation (DN; the ‘she answered something’ reading of she didn’t answer nothing) and Negative Concord (NC; the ‘she answered nothing’ reading of she didn’t answer nothing) biasing contexts. Despite the social stigma associated with NC, and linguistic assumptions that Standard English has a DN grammar, in which each syntactic negation necessarily contributes a semantic negation, our results show that Standard English speakers generate both NC and DN interpretations, and that their interpretation is affected by the syntactic structure of the negative sentence. Participants spent more time reading the critical sentence and rereading the context sentence when negative object sentences were paired with DN-biasing contexts and when negative subject sentences were paired with NC-biasing contexts. This suggests that, despite not producing NC, they find NC interpretations of negative object sentences easier to generate than DN interpretations. The results illustrate the utility of online measures when investigating socially stigmatized construction types.

A computer model for the perception of syntactic structure

1968 ◽  
Vol 171 (1024) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Serial Order ◽  
Speech Disorders ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Associative Chain ◽  
Plausible Model ◽  
First Sound ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Almost All

In his paper ‘The problem of serial order in behavior’ Karl Lashley (1951, p.113) points out that ‘language presents in a most striking form the integrative functions that are characteristic of the cerebral cortex’ adding ‘... the problems raised by the organization of language seem to me to be characteristic of almost all other cerebral activity’. Some idea of the complexity of the integrative processes involved in speech can be gained from the fact that the adult speaker’s ability to produce syllables at an average speed of 210 to 220 a minute (or roughly 14 phonemes per second) means individual muscular events occurring throughout the speech apparatus at a rate of several hundred every second; in the case of some phonemes the total time required to activate the muscles involved in their production being as much as twice as long as the duration of the sound itself. Not very much is known at present about what this involves on the neuronal level, where the rate at which individual events occur must be greater by a large factor, but it is a point of considerable interest that there is at least some evidence to suggest that in some instances the order of neuronal events might be different from that of the muscular events with which they are correlated.* The point Lashley is making in his paper is that any form of behaviour revealing this degree of complexity in its organization cannot be analysed as an associative chain of reflexes. But, as he points out, in the case of speech the evidence against the associative chain hypothesis is particularly compelling. This arises from considerations of two kinds. The first is the fact that the character of certain sounds is determined not only by the sounds that precede them but also by those that follow them. The second is the fact that the character of certain sounds is determined not only by the sounds in their immediate environment but also by the position they occupy with respect to the syntactic structure of the utterance. To take just one example, the speech of Standard English speakers contains at least twelve varieties (allophones) of the phoneme t . But whenever this is the first sound in a word and is immediately followed by a vowel they will always use the aspirated allophone never any of the others. This is clear evidence that in producing utterances speakers follow out principles of organization relating to syntactic structure. To produce a plausible model for speech we have to postulate not only principles of organization more complex than the Markov processes of associative chain theories but hierarchies of organization, elements on one level corresponding to what Lashley calls ‘generalized schemata of action' and Miller, Galanter & Pribram (1960) call ‘plans’ which are carried out on the level below. Evidence in favour of such a model can be obtained from a study of speech disorders, ranging from the transpositions occurring in the speech of a tired or nervous speaker to remarks of aphasics indicating that although for the most part they can only produce strings of unintelligible sounds they still ‘know what they want to say’. All these disorders can be viewed as involving in some degree a breakdown in integrative functions, an inability to carry out successfully plans for utterances.

scholarly journals Disability, Human Resources and Behavioral Economics: The Labour Inclusion Case of Ilunion Hotels of the Costa del Sol (Spain)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7932
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Cruz-Morato ◽  
Carmen Dueñas-Zambrana ◽  
Josefa García-Mestanza
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Economics ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
The Social

The situation of labour inclusion of people with disabilities in Spain is still too negative, in spite of the different efforts carried out by public and private sector. Previous research points to social discrimination as one of the main causes of the situation. Ilunion Hotels is one of the most important hotel companies in Spain focused on labour inclusion of people with disabilities. The objective of this paper is to explore the social inclusion case of Ilunion Hotels of the Costa del Sol, the actions that they have developed to improve the labour integration of this collective, based on a behavioral economics theoretical model (with a high relevance of the influence of social stigma, stress theories and coping to stress responses). We look into the specific situation of two of the three hotels developed as Special Employment Centres (sheltered employment contexts defined by Spanish legislation) and the possible impact of their Support Units for Professional Activity. Case study methodology is considered the most appropriate, according to the research objective, supported by semi-structured interviews with the hotel managers. The results show that, although Special Employment Centres are effective in improving labour integration in the short term and could contribute to change the long-term social perspectives about workers with disabilities, they could be also reinforcing the social stigma existing in the ordinary market.

Suicide Loss Survivors: Navigating Social Stigma and Threats to Social Bonds

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110265
Author(s):  
Dorothy M. Goulah-Pabst
Keyword(s):  
Social Stigma ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Personal Narratives ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Solidarity ◽  
Sociological Study ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

The complicated grief experienced by suicide loss survivors leads to feelings of abandonment, rejection, intense self-blame, and depression. Stigma surrounding suicide further burdens survivors who can experience rejection by their community and social networks. Research in the field of psychology has delved into the grieving process of suicide loss survivors, however the effects of suicide require more sociological study to fully understand and support the impact of the suicidal bereavement process on the social interactions and relationships of those left behind after death. This study aims to contribute to the body of research exploring the social challenges faced after the suicide of a loved one. Based on the analysis of powerful personal narratives through qualitative interviews shared by 14 suicide loss survivors this study explores the social construction of the grieving and healing process for suicide loss survivors. Recognizing that the most reliable relief is in commiseration with like experienced people, this research points to the support group as a builder of social solidarity. The alienation caused by the shame and stigma of suicide loss can be reversed by the feelings of attachment to the group that listens, understands and accepts. Groups created by and for suicide loss survivors should be considered a necessary tool to be used toward healing those who suffer from loss by suicide.

Perception of Fry Register in Black Dialect and Standard English Speakers

1984 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D. Saniga ◽  
Margaret F. Carlin ◽  
Susan C. Farrell
Keyword(s):  
English Speakers ◽  
Standard English

Speech samples from 30 women, grouped by race and use of standard southern English or black dialect, were judged for perception of fry register vocalizations. All subjects speaking standard southern English were perceived to utilize significantly fewer fry vocalizations than were black subjects speaking black dialect.

scholarly journals Scientists: Engage the Public!

mBio ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika C. Shugart ◽  
Vincent R. Racaniello
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Public Communication ◽  
The Public ◽  
Advanced Society ◽  
The Social

ABSTRACT Scientists must communicate about science with public audiences to promote an understanding of complex issues that we face in our technologically advanced society. Some scientists may be concerned about a social stigma or “Sagan effect” associated with participating in public communication. Recent research in the social sciences indicates that public communication by scientists is not a niche activity but is widely done and can be beneficial to a scientist's career. There are a variety of approaches that scientists can take to become active in science communication.

scholarly journals Psychological Profile and Consumption of Healthcare Resources in Actively Employed People, Pre-Retirees, and Retirees

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4415
Author(s):  
Antonio Taboada-Vazquez ◽  
Ruben Gonzalez-Rodriguez ◽  
Manuel Gandoy-Crego ◽  
Miguel Clemente
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Personality Tests ◽  
Healthcare Resources ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
Promotion Policies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Logistic Regressions

Research on personality variables and consumption of health services in actively employed people or retirees has been extensive, but the group of pre-retirees has hardly been studied. This work attempts to determine the mental health and use of health resources of the three groups, hypothesizing that, as the group of pre-retirees does not receive the social stigma of work exclusion, it will present better mental health. A sample of 1332 Spanish participants aged between 51 and 69 years was randomly chosen, and various personality tests were applied, and consumption of healthcare resources was determined. Pairwise analysis of the three work situations using binary logistic regressions showed that pre-retirees present better mental health, although there were no differences in the consumption of healthcare resources. The implications of this study for the creation of health promotion policies targeting older people, depending specifically on their employment status, are discussed.

scholarly journals The Presentation of Self in Emigration

2012 ◽  
Vol 642 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Cvajner
Keyword(s):  
Market Economy ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
The Self ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Presentation Of Self ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Eastern European Immigrant

This article, based on five years of ethnographic fieldwork, describes the strategies for the presentation of the Self employed by Eastern European immigrant women in the Italian northeast. These middle-aged women migrated alone, are employed as live-in care workers, and often lack legal status. For them, migration is a deeply felt trauma, which they narrate as being forced upon them by the collapse of the USSR and the failures of the transition to a market economy. They perceive their life in Italy as degrading, their work is stressful and undignified, they miss their children, and they are often seen as poor mothers with questionable morals. Consequently, they seek to dilute the social stigma, presenting positive images of their selves and claiming respect from a variety of audiences. The women continuously endeavor to define their current condition as accidental and temporary and to assert their right to a better future.

scholarly journals The Royal Treatment: Temporality and Technology in The King's Speech

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared S. Richman
Keyword(s):  
Social Stigma ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Imperial Authority ◽  
Moral Failure ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Social ◽  
Radio Technology ◽  
Critical Understanding ◽  
Title Character

This essay examines the intersections of class, technology, and disability manifest within The King's Speech. It argues that the film obfuscates modern scientific and critical understanding of communication disorders by rendering stuttering as a moral failure rather than by attempting to understand it as a socially constructed condition contingent upon established societal and temporal norms. The essay identifies the social codes enforcing correct and eloquent speech that create a political and social climate for "compulsory fluency"—the socially imperative verbal facility promoted as necessary to participate in public life. Crucially and somewhat ironically, with its emphasis on the nobility of the title character, the film sublimates an inherent tension between media technology and the lingering social stigma surrounding disability. The King's Speech thus situates compulsory fluency as an essential component of modern kingship. By reading the film's strategic deployment of radio technology alongside its troubled representation of class and his fraught invocation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the essay reads attitudes towards vocal disability within the context of royalty, patriarchy, and national identity. Ultimately, the essay locates The King's Speech as a film whose image of modern kingship grounds itself upon a notion of imperial authority as technologically constructed but ultimately disabled by a national fantasy of historical wholeness in the fabricated kinship between a monarch and his people.

scholarly journals Social Stigma of COVID-19: A Semiotic Analysis of WHO Campaign Posters

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-168
Author(s):  
Intan Siti Nugraha ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Sign Systems ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Social ◽  
Semiotic Approach ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Visual Sign

COVID-19 has been reported to be risen in numbers of infected cases and deaths. The massive report by media and social network which focus on the spreading and infection may affect not only physical health but also individual’s and general population’s mental health, isolation and stigma. To eradicate COVID-19-related stigma and discrimination perpetuated by both individual and group of people, WHO exhibits some anti-stigma campaign posters. This study employs qualitative method to acquire deep investigation of meaning and to involve the social context. Thus, by using Roland Barthes’s semiotic approach, analyzing signifiers and signifieds, this study was aimed to unmask both denotative and connotative meanings of the stigma embed within the six health campaign posters of COVID-19 by Southeast Asia WHO. The analysis was focused not only on the verbal sign of posters (linguistic text), but also its relation to their visual sign (imagery messages). From the analysis of the two sign systems of posters, the result shows that the six posters connote acts of discriminatory behaviours, stigmatization, stereotype and blaming. Through the posters, WHO propagates people to work together to fight COVID-19 and to bring out the best humanity, to have better awareness and positive attitudes and appeals governments, citizens, media, key influencers of communities to have a role in preventing and to stop stigma surrounding in South-Asia and specifically in Indonesia which becomes the target of the poster viewers during the pandemic. Those messages are connoted through different font colors and sizes and the illustration on each poster.

scholarly journals “Where the Social Stigma Has Been Overcome”: The Politics of Professional Legitimation in Nepali Music Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 119-132
Author(s):  
Danielle Shannon Treacy ◽  
Sapna Thapa ◽  
Suyash Kumar Neupane
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Appreciative Inquiry ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Professional Responsibility ◽  
Music Teacher ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
The Social ◽  
Collective Imagination

AbstractThis chapter explores the actions musician-teachers in the extremely diverse and complex context of the Kathmandu Valley imagine that might hold potential for contesting and altering processes of marginalisation and stigmatisation in Nepali society. The empirical material was generated in 16 workshops involving 53 musician-teachers and guided by the Appreciative Inquiry 4D model (e.g. Cooperrider et al. Appreciative inquiry handbook: for leaders of change. Crown Custom, Brunswick, 2005). Drawing upon the work of Arjun Appadurai, we analysed the ways in which engaging the collective imagination (1996) and fostering the capacity to aspire (2004) can support musician-teachers in finding resources for changing their terms of recognition. We identified five actions that musicians and musician-teachers take to legitimise their position in Nepali society: (1) challenging stigmatised identities, (2) engaging foreignness, (3) advocating academisation, (4) countering groupism, and (5) promoting professionalisation. We argue that these actions suggest the need for music teachers to be able to ethically and agentively navigate both the dynamic nature of culture and questions of legitimate knowledge, which may be fostered through an emphasis on professional responsibility (Solbrekke and Sugrue. Professional responsibility: new horizons of praxis. Routledge, New York, 2011) in music teacher education.

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