Language Death and Subject Expression: First-person-singular subjects in a declining dialect of Louisiana French

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-91
Author(s):  
KATIE CARMICHAEL ◽  
AARNES GUDMESTAD
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
First Person ◽  
Language Death ◽  
Louisiana French ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Pronominal System ◽  
Fluent Speakers

ABSTRACTLouisiana French is undergoing gradual language death. In such situations, it is common to find increased variability and rapid change, as speakers use the language less often and in fewer domains (Wolfram 2004; Palosaari and Campbell 2011). These processes have been observed in the pronominal system of Louisiana French (Rottet 1996; Girard 2013), with both phonological and morphological sources of variation leading to an exceptionally large inventory of first-person-singular forms in the French of the Pointe-Au-Chien Indians of Pointe-Aux-Chênes, Louisiana. Using data from a translation task, we examine the range of forms used by French speakers from this community varying in age and fluency. We note a sharp distinction in forms used by fluent versus non-fluent speakers, with the latter making use of the non-clitic formmon. To answer the question of whymonis so common amongst non-fluent speakers in this task, we apply insights from the field of second language acquisition, considering the systems of these non-fluent speakers as autonomous and systematic. We ultimately propose a potential interaction between the previously documented phonological and morphological patterns observed in this community, influencing in the forms observed.

scholarly journals A note on mans in Toronto

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Denis
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Contact ◽  
Short Note ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
First Person ◽  
Speech Community ◽  
Plural Noun ◽  
Pronominal System

This paper serves as a short note about an ongoing innovation in the pronominal system of multiethnic adolescent Toronto English. The plural noun mans is in the early stages of grammaticalizing into a first person singular pronoun in this speech community in a way similar to the development of man in Multicultural London English (Cheshire 2013). To illustrate the function and distribution of mans, examples are taken from a variety of data sources including reflexive performances of and meta-commentary about multiethnic adolescent Toronto English. While mans in Toronto English is similar to man in London, critical differences exists. The presence of such a similar innovation in both Toronto and London leads to several empirical questions about language contact, diffusion, group second language acquisition, and grammaticalization.

Conversation at Work

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guowei Jian ◽  
Francis Dalisay
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Potential Interaction ◽  
Exchange Theory ◽  
Leader Member Exchange ◽  
Member Exchange ◽  
Communication Frequency ◽  
Using Data

Although research has made significant gains in understanding the constitutive nature of conversation in the process of organizing, its predictive effects on organizational outcomes are still uncertain. To contribute in this direction, based on social exchange theory and leader-member exchange (LMX) research, this study examined the predictive effects of leader-member conversational quality (LMCQ) on employee organizational commitment (OC), and the potential interaction effects of LMCQ with LMX quality. Using data from an online survey, this study found that above and beyond communication frequency and other control variables, LMCQ is significantly associated with employee OC. More interestingly, the effects of LMCQ vary based on the level of LMX quality. These findings have significant implications at both theoretical and practical levels.

Intra- and interlaboratory sources of imprecision in drug measurements by different techniques

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 851-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M Tsanaclis ◽  
J F Wilson
Keyword(s):  
External Quality Assessment ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
External Quality Assessment Scheme ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Bartlett’S Test ◽  
Homogeneity Of Variance ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Laboratory Procedures ◽  
Assay Precision ◽  
Using Data

Abstract We compared the intra- and interlaboratory precision of seven techniques used to measure eight antiepileptic drugs, digoxin, and theophylline by using data from the international Healthcontrol external quality-assessment scheme. Scheme participants were supplied blind with 6 or 12 sets of duplicate lyophilized serum samples. Each set contained different drug concentrations, and duplicates were analyzed separately, 1 to 6 months apart. The intra- and interlaboratory components of assay variance were isolated and compared by Bartlett's test for homogeneity of variance. Fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Abbott) showed the best overall intra- and interlaboratory performance for a range of analytes. The largest intralaboratory errors were produced by techniques using the Syva EMIT assays. Our analysis of the data shows that for most analyte/technique combinations, intralaboratory sources of variation were more important than interlaboratory sources. Gains in assay precision will therefore result from attention to internal laboratory procedures.

Evaluation of Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System predictions of milk production, intake and liveweight change of grazing dairy cows fed contrast silages

2006 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. CHAVES ◽  
I. M. BROOKES ◽  
G. C. WAGHORN ◽  
S. L. WOODWARD ◽  
J. L. BURKE
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Protein System ◽  
Nutrient Partitioning ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows

The importance of mechanistic models for ration balancing with forages is indicated and physical limitations to intake emphasized, because these limit energy and nutrient supply to cows grazing forages, especially grass. Ration-balancing models using fresh or ensiled forages to complement pasture will need to accommodate intake limitations due to rumen fill, clearance, chewing or other criteria. The potential of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) model to predict milk production from diets based on pasture and forage supplements was tested using data from two experiments. Data were obtained from studies in which pasture was complemented with contrasting silages including maize, pasture, sulla, lotus and forage mixtures, comprising 0·30–0·40 of dry matter intake (DMI). Twelve diets were used in the evaluation. DMI, liveweight (LW), days in milk, and diet composition were determined during the trials and used as inputs in the model. Across all diets, a significant relationship existed between predicted and actual values for DMI (R2=0·58), milk yield (R2=0·59) and LW change (R2=0·51), but there were still large unexplained sources of variation. No significant mean bias was observed for any of the variables, but the slope of residual differences against predicted values was significantly different from zero for milk yield, LW change and for DMI (P<0·06). The results indicate a satisfactory prediction of milk production when cows are neither gaining nor losing weight, but that a systematic bias exists probably because of the failure of the CNCPS model to account for energy and nutrient partitioning.

scholarly journals Estimation of additive genetic and environmental sources of quantitative trait variation using data on married couples and their siblings

2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANGITA KULATHINAL ◽  
DARIO GASBARRA ◽  
SANJAY KINRA ◽  
SHAH EBRAHIM ◽  
MIKKO J. SILLANPÄÄ
Keyword(s):  
Body Height ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Environmental Variation ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Total Serum Cholesterol ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Pedigree Errors ◽  
Using Data

SummaryTwin studies have been used to understand the sources of genetic and environmental variation in body height, body weight and other common human quantitative traits. However, it is rather unclear whether these two sources of variation could be really separated in practice. Here, we consider a special study design where phenotype data from married couples and their siblings have been collected. The marital status gives information about the shared environment, while siblings give information about both genetic and environmental variation. To dissect sources of variation and to allow some deviations and pedigree errors in the data, we model such data using a robust polygenic model with finite genome length assumption. As a summary, we provide the estimates for age-dependent proportions of total variation which are due to polygenic and environmental effects. Here, these estimates are provided for body height, weight, systolic blood pressure and total serum cholesterol measured from subjects of the Indian Migration Study.

scholarly journals PROCESSES OF EXCLUSION AND NEW RURALITY: COMMUNITY CHANGE IN THE LIVES OF RURAL OLDER PEOPLE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S398-S399
Author(s):  
Sinead Keogh ◽  
Kieran Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Older People ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Community Change ◽  
International Literature ◽  
Remote Locations ◽  
Rural Settings ◽  
Using Data ◽  
New Rurality

Abstract Rural settings are sites of rapid change. Now sharing many of the processes that characterise their urban neighbourhood counterparts, older people’s rural communities, even those in remote locations, are being altered by forces driven by gentrification and population churn. While the potential for displacement is apparent, the extent to which older people respond to these processes is not well understood. The degree to which these shifting contexts produce new exclusionary mechanisms for older people to contend with and new opportunities for them to exploit has yet to be sufficiently explored. This paper aims to address the intersection of exclusion and community change in the production of a new rurality for older people. The analysis will 1) present an overview of the relevant international literature, and 2) highlight the current and emerging exclusionary processes that are impacting on the lives of older people using data from individual narratives and time-use diaries.

Genetic epidemiology of binging and vomiting

1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick F. Sullivan ◽  
Cynthia M. Bulik ◽  
Kenneth S. Kendler
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Complex Traits ◽  
Population Based ◽  
History Of ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundBulimia nervosa is typically defined as the combination of the behaviours of binging and vomiting. We sought to clarify the relationship of these behaviours from a genetic epidemiological perspective.MethodUsing data on the lifetime history of binging and vomiting from a personally interviewed population-based sample of female twins (n = 1897), we applied bivariate twin modelling to estimate the sources of variation for these traits.ResultsThe association between having ever binged (23.6%) and having ever induced vomiting (4.8%) was very strong (odds ratio=8.78, P < 0.0001). The best-fitting model indicated that lifetime binging and vomiting were both heritable (46% and 72%) and influenced by individual-specific environmental factors (54% and 28%). The overlap between the genetic (ra = 0.74) and individual-specific environmental factors (re = 0.48) for the two traits was substantial. No violations of the equal environment assumption were evident.ConclusionsIncluding binging and vomiting under the rubric of bulimia nervosa appears to be appropriate. Our data are consistent with the identification of binging and vomiting as complex traits resulting from the interplay of multiple genes and individual-specific environmental influences. In contrast to ‘environmentalist’ theories, our results suggest that genetic influences may be of particular relevance to the aetiology of binging and vomiting.

Native language attrition and developmental instability at the syntax-discourse interface: Data, interpretations and methods

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTONELLA SORACE
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Developmental Instability ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Language Attrition ◽  
Heritage Speakers ◽  
Integrated Domains ◽  
Pronominal System ◽  
Discourse Interface

Montrul's study is an important contribution to a recently emerged research approach to the study of bilingualism and languages in contact, characterized by its sound theoretical basis and its reliance on data from different – and traditionally non-integrated – domains of language development: bilingual first language acquisition (Müller and Hulk, 2001; Paradis and Navarro, 2003; Serratrice, 2004; Serratrice, Sorace and Paoli, in press), adult second language acquisition (Filiaci, 2003; Sorace, 2003), and native language attrition (Gurel, 2002; Tsimpli, Sorace, Heycock and Filiaci, in press). The generalization that is emerging from this approach is that interfaces between syntax and other cognitive systems (i.e. discourse pragmatics, lexical-semantics) exhibit more developmental instability than narrow syntax. For L1 attrition, which is the specific focus of the paper, this means that aspects of grammar at the syntax–discourse interface are more vulnerable to attrition than purely syntactic aspects. The identification of restrictions on the domain of occurrence of attrition is consistent with much previous descriptive research on this topic (e.g. Seliger and Vago, 1991). More recently, the same conclusion has been reached by a study on individual language attrition by Tsimpli et al. (in press), who investigated knowledge of the referential pronominal system in Greek and Italian in very advanced speakers of English. In this paper, Montrul tests the generalization on second-generation speakers of Spanish – or “heritage speakers” – a bilingual group that presents different characteristics from the adult L2 speakers investigated in Tsimpli et al.'s study. In addition to referential subjects, she also focuses on a different interface area of grammar – direct objects – that had not been investigated before. In these respects, Montrul's study is a welcome development. In other respects, however, the data are less than convincing and do not allow a straightforward interpretation. My commentary focuses on three fundamental questions raised not only by this study, but also by this type of research in general. The main focus will be the expression of referential subjects since this aspect of grammar has been investigated in other studies and therefore offers the possibility of direct comparison among results.

scholarly journals A CONCORDÂNCIA VERBAL COM A PRIMEIRA PESSOA DO PLURAL EM PANAMBI E PORTO ALEGRE, RS

Organon ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (28-29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Stahl Zilles ◽  
Leonardo Zechlinski Maya ◽  
Karine Quadros Da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Data Base ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Stress Pattern ◽  
First Person ◽  
Porto Alegre ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Using Data

This is part of a project about several related morphosyntactic changesin Brazilian Portuguese using data from VARSUL data base. Two cities in RS areconsidered: Porto Alegre, the capital, and Panambi, a bilingual community. Thesample included 32 interviews stratified according to sex, age, and level of formaleducation. The variable investigated is verbal marking with first person pluralsubjects. The variants are: standard agreement (-mos ending) and twononstandard forms: zero and /s/ deleted -mo inflections. Supposing two differentvariable rules, we made three separate Varbrul analyses: a)contrasting the threevariants; b) contrasting zero inflection with both -mos and -mo endings takentogether; and c)contrasting only -mos and -mo endings. The distribution of thevariants was: 53% of standard tokens, 34% of -mo endings and only 13% of zeroinflection. Results showed different factor groups associated with zero inflectionand nonstandard -mo inflection, supporting the idea of having two separatevariable rules. The level of formal education turned out to be the only significantfactor group in common for both nonstandard forms. It was also highlighted in thethree-way comparison. Zero inflection was favoured only when the target wordhad antepenultimate stress, suggesting avoidance of this stress pattern. Thebilingual community had an effect only on zero inflection.

Sources of variation in fibre diameter attributes of Australian alpacas and implications for fleece evaluation and animal selection

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. McGregor ◽  
K. L. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Selection Efficiency ◽  
Sources Of Variation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Dark Shade ◽  
Entire Male

Sources of variation in fibre diameter attributes of Australian alpacas and implications for fleece evaluation and animal selection were investigated using data collected in the years 1994–97, from 6 properties in southern Australia. Data were analysed using REML (multiple regression analysis) to determine the effect on mean fibre diameter (MFD) and coefficient of variation of MFD (CV(FD)) of age, origin (property), sex (entire male, female), breed (Huacaya, Suri), liveweight, fibre colour, individual, and interactions of these effects. The mean (n = 100) age (range) was 4.2 years (0.1–11.9), liveweight 72.0 kg (12.0–134 kg), MFD 29.1 μm (17.7–46.6 μm), CV(FD) 24.33% (15.0–36.7%). A number of variables affected MFD and CV(FD). MFD increased to 7.5 years of age, and correlations between MFD at 1.5 and 2 years of age with the MFD at older ages were much higher than correlations at younger ages. Fibre diameter 'blowout' (increase with age) was positively correlated with the actual MFD at ages 2 years and older. There were important effects of farm, and these effects differed with year and shearing age. Suris were coarser than Huacayas with the effect reducing with increased liveweight; there was no effect of sex. Fleeces of light shade were 1 μm finer than dark fleeces. CV(FD) declined rapidly between birth and 2 years of age, reaching a minimum at about 4 years of age and then increasing; however, CV(FD) measurements on young animals were very poor predictors of CV(FD) at older ages, and the response of CV(FD) to age differed with farm and year. Suris had a higher CV(FD) than Huacayas on most properties, and MFD, liveweight, and sex did not affect CV(FD). Fleeces of dark shade had higher CV(FD) than fleeces of light shade in 2 of the years. It is concluded that there are large opportunities to improve the MFD and CV(FD) of alpaca fibre through selection and breeding. The potential benefit is greatest from reducing the MFD and CV(FD) of fibre from older alpacas, through reducing the between-animal variation in MFD and CV(FD). Sampling alpacas at ages <2 years is likely to substantially decrease selection efficiency for lifetime fibre diameter attributes.

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