scholarly journals ‘What and then a little robot brings it to you?’ The reactive what-x construction in spoken dialogue

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-332
Author(s):  
NELE PÕLDVERE ◽  
CARITA PARADIS
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Pitch Accent ◽  
British English ◽  
The Core ◽  
Broad Framework ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Core Meaning ◽  
Dialogic Space

In the process of compiling a new corpus of contemporary spoken British English, the London–Lund Corpus 2, we hit upon a construction used in the conversations recorded that had not previously been dealt with in the literature, namely the reactive what-x construction. Prompted by this discovery, we carried out a detailed analysis of its properties and constraints within the broad framework of Cognitive Linguistics, namely Construction Grammar, and found that the reactive what-x construction features the interrogative what directly followed by a phrasal or clausal complement x. Moreover, what forms one tone unit with the complement and never carries a nuclear pitch accent. The core meaning is to signal an immediate reaction to something said by another speaker in the preceding turn, and the dialogic functions include questions proper as well as expressions of disagreement. The two contributions of this study are: (i) to provide a definition of the reactive what-x construction and (ii) to propose a crucial theoretical extension of Construction Grammar involving a broadening of the concept of construction to cover not only the lexical–semantic pairing but also prosodic properties and the role of the construction in the interactive dialogic space in speech.

Paradigm Function Morphology: Assumptions and Innovations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Stump
Keyword(s):  
Inflectional Morphology ◽  
Formal Representation ◽  
The Core ◽  
Recent Innovation ◽  
Morphological Theory ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Fundamental Insight ◽  
Definition Of

Paradigm Function Morphology (PFM) is an evolving approach to modeling morphological systems in a precise and enlightening way. The fundamental insight of PFM is that words have both content and form and that in the context of an appropriately organized lexicon, a language’s morphology deduces a complex word’s form from its content. PFM is therefore a realizational theory: a language’s grammar and lexicon are assumed to provide a precise characterization of a word’s content, from which the language’s morphology then projects the corresponding form. Morphemes per se have no role in this theory; by contrast, paradigms have the essential role of defining the content that is realized by a language’s morphology. At the core of PFM is the notion of a paradigm function, a formal representation of the relation between a word’s content and its form; the definition of a language’s paradigm function is therefore the definition of its inflectional morphology. Recent elaborations of this idea assume a distinction between content paradigms and form paradigms, which makes it possible to account for a fact that is otherwise irreconcilable with current morphological theory—the fact that the set of morphosyntactic properties that determines a word’s syntax and semantics often differs from the set of properties (some of them morphomic) that determines a word’s inflectional form. Another recent innovation is the assumption that affixes and rules of morphology may be complex in the sense that they may be factored into smaller affixes and rules; the evidence favoring this assumption is manifold.

scholarly journals The role of deliberate practice in expert performance: revisiting Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer (1993)

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 190327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke N. Macnamara ◽  
Megha Maitra
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Deliberate Practice ◽  
Skill Level ◽  
Expert Performance ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
The Core ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practice Teacher

We sought to replicate Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer's (Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer 1993 Psychol. Rev. 100 , 363–406) seminal study on deliberate practice. Ericsson et al . found that differences in retrospective estimates of accumulated amounts of deliberate practice corresponded to each skill level of student violinists. They concluded, ‘individual differences in ultimate performance can largely be accounted for by differential amounts of past and current levels of practice’ (p. 392). We reproduced the methodology with notable exceptions, namely (i) employing a double-blind procedure, (ii) conducting analyses better suited to the study design, and (iii) testing previously unanswered questions about teacher-designed practice—that is, we examined the way Ericsson et al . operationalized deliberate practice (practice alone), and their theoretical but previously unmeasured definition of deliberate practice (teacher-designed practice), and compared them. We did not replicate the core finding that accumulated amounts of deliberate practice corresponded to each skill level. Overall, the size of the effect was substantial, but considerably smaller than the original study's effect size. Teacher-designed practice was perceived as less relevant to improving performance on the violin than practice alone. Further, amount of teacher-designed practice did not account for more variance in performance than amount of practice alone. Implications for the deliberate practice theory are discussed.

scholarly journals The Cheshire explainer. Musings about the training of explainers

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. C06
Author(s):  
Antonio Gomes da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Clear Definition ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Scientific Training ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Core ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Definition Of

The profession of explainer is still pretty much undefined and underrated and the training of explainers is many times deemed to be a luxury. In the following pages we make the argument that three main factors contribute to this state of affairs and, at the same time, we try to show why the training of explainers should really be at the core of any science communication institution. These factors are: an erroneous perception of what a proper scientific training means for explainers; a lack of clear definition of the aptitudes and role of explainers required by institutions that are evolving and diversifying their missions; and an organizational model based on top-down practices of management and activity development which underappreciates the potential of the personnel working directly with the public.

Part II Ambit of Protection, 6 Investment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
McLachlan Campbell ◽  
Shore Laurence ◽  
Weiniger Matthew
Keyword(s):  
Minority Shareholders ◽  
Central Concept ◽  
Holding Companies ◽  
Host State ◽  
The Core ◽  
Investment Treaties ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Portfolio Investments ◽  
Made In

Chapter 6 explores the central concept of ‘investment’. It first considers the core question of the definition of ‘investment’ under the ICSID Convention and under investment treaties. It then takes up four important issues: (1) the time when an investment is made in relation to the temporal scope of the treaty protections; (2) the extent to which pre-contract investment may obtain treaty protection; (3) the place of an investment; and (4) the role of host State law in defining ‘investment’. It then analyses a set of problems that arise out of indirect investments: the relation between the losses suffered by a subsidiary in the host State and the investor’s investment; the rights of minority shareholders; claims brought by holding companies; corporate restructuring as a means to gain the advantage of investment treaties; the position of ultimate beneficiaries; and the position of portfolio investments.

The Problem of Definition of Legal Concepts with “Open Texture”

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-161
Author(s):  
V. V. Ogleznev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Special Kind ◽  
Analytical Philosophy ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
The Core ◽  
Open Texture ◽  
Contextual Definition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Legal Concepts ◽  
Core Meaning

Introduction: The article discusses the problems associated with the definition of legal concepts which have the feature of “open texture”. The introduction presents the nature and meaning of “open texture”, which is understood as a special kind of indeterminacy. Such concepts are considered in the form in which they were postulated in the works of the Austrian linguistic philosopher Friedrich Waismann and the British legal philosopher Herbert Hart. Theoretical Basis. Methods. It is contested that, in Hart’s interpretation, “open texture” appears in legal concepts in borderline cases, when the meaning of the term of “concept” becomes indeterminate, unclear, uncertain, and we do not know whether or not it should be applied. Such cases should be distinguished from clear-cut cases where such doubt does not arise. The methodological basis of the study is Hart’s thesis stating that legal concepts have “core” and “penumbra” of meaning. The “core” meaning indicates a set of certain conditions, in which the use of the term “concept” is clear, while a “penumbra” meaning refers to conditions in which the its use becomes less clear. “Open texture” in this case, is an irreducible feature of legal concepts. Results. The main result of the study is the assertion that “open texture” as an irreducible feature of legal concepts, can be disproved by changing its definition. It is shown that the most appropriate kind of definition of open-textured legal concepts is the definition or contextual definition, widely used in analytical philosophy.

The Finnish abstract motion construction mennä V-mA-An [go V-inf-ill] ‘do something unwished’

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-274
Author(s):  
Jari Sivonen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Specific Element ◽  
Affective Meaning ◽  
Modern Language ◽  
The Core ◽  
Men I ◽  
Image Schema ◽  
Linguistic Structures ◽  
Core Meaning

This paper addresses the usage, development and motivation of the Finnish mennä V-mA-An [go V-inf-ill] construction. In this construction, the literal motion sense of ‘going’ has been grammaticalized to evoke an affective meaning: the activity expressed in the construction’s infinitival element is considered as unwished (e.g. Johtaja-t men-i-vät lakkautta-ma-an ohjelma-n [manager- pl.nom go-pst-3pl shut.down-inf-ill show-acc] ‘Managers shut down the show [though they should not have]’). This paper uncovers the different ways the construction is used (for example, projecting the disapproving stance onto a specific element, such as the manner, objective or result of the activity, that the speaker finds especially inappropriate when compared to the desired course of events, or creating an ironic tone for the description of an event) and reveals its lexical profile in modern language. The role of the context in the interpretation of the construction as well as its grammaticalization process are also dealt with. It is argued that the affective meaning of the construction is metaphorically motivated by a previously undiscovered image-schematic pattern “deviant path – erroneous goal”. In this schema the trajector is conceived of abstractly deviating from a projected path and ending up at an unwished ending point, and this constitutes a contrast to the desired course of events, the core meaning of the construction. The analysis supports a tenet in cognitive semantics that linguistic structures are often motivated by general cognitive processes such as metaphor and image-schema patterns.

PROPERTY AND THE DEFINITION OF SLAVERY

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 915-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Allain ◽  
Robin Hickey
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Property Law ◽  
Legal Definition ◽  
The Core ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Core Meaning ◽  
Interpretation Problem

AbstractCurrently there is no clear understanding of the meaning of ‘slavery’ in modern international law. While generally it is accepted that the authoritative definition of slavery is provided by Article 1 of the Slavery Convention 1926, in recent times slavery has been understood in such a wide variety of ways that effectively it is a meaningless term. This paper reflects on this interpretation problem and aims to redress this balance by reclaiming the core meaning of the legal definition. It applies property law perspectives to explain the conception of ownership invoked by Article 1, to argue that it remains relevant and to explore how it might be applied in identifying modern cases of slavery.

Discussion Forum: The Dawkins Reforms and Psychology

1995 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
Alan Robson
Keyword(s):  
Applied Research ◽  
Free Enterprise ◽  
Free Markets ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Lower Tier ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Technical Institutes ◽  
Definition Of

Suggestions that psychology lacks academic substance are common. Recently, in an article in the Australian newspaper, Emeritus Professor John Sutcliffe described it as a “dicky-shirt” discipline -- all form and no substance (Sutcliffe, 1994). He wrapped his observation into a general attack on the Dawkins education reforms which he correctly blames for eroding the intellectual core of Australian academic life. Many academics share Sutcliffe's concerns.The Dawkins reforms are an uneasy blend of populism and commercialism aimed at achieving the Labour government's economic goal of a “clever country”. Most conspicuously, they have involved the incorporation of former technical institutes into large multi-campus universities. The result has been the physical extension of a university presence across the country into some improbable rural backwaters. Inevitably these dramatic changes in the size and spread of universities have been accompanied by a change in the definition of the role of universities. Topics of study which were once the domain of lower tier tertiary institutions now find a place in the core academic centres. The result has been a shift in the balance of academic interest from abstract to applied research and teaching.Feeding into these changes has been what Sutcliffe describes as a “money-driven” ethos. After decades of intervention to redress inequalities and irrationalities stemming from the operation of free markets, Labour governments in various parts of the West have capitulated to historical forces and pre-emptively embraced the free enterprise policies of the traditional right.

Creative Grammarians: Cognition, Language and Literature – An Exploratory Response

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Schneck
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Construction Grammar ◽  
Cultural Reproduction ◽  
Creative Potential ◽  
Rule Based ◽  
Rule Based System ◽  
Present Volume ◽  
Language And Literature ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Any definition of creativity is a ‘machine’ which produces exactly those instances of creativity that follow the rules of the respective definition – so how does one escape the conundrum of defining individual creativity without turning it into a mere act of reproduction? One of the central tenets of the present volume is that Construction Grammar is particularly suited to bridge the gap between everyday linguistic creativity and highly professionalized and conventionalized forms of cultural reproduction, especially creative literature. While it appears to merely follow a trend in cognitive linguistics, which emerged and firmly established itself over the last three decades, and which emphasizes the creative potential of linguistic practices over and against the definition of language and speech as a rule-based system of engendering constraints, Construction Grammar insists on its ability to provide a most profitable interdisciplinary approach for the study of creativity and language – one that would also be able to embrace and empower the study of literary creativity.

scholarly journals A study of dialogic expansion and contraction in spoken discourse using corpus and experimental techniques

Corpora ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nele Põldvere ◽  
Matteo Fuoli ◽  
Carita Paradis
Keyword(s):  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Experimental Methods ◽  
Appraisal Theory ◽  
First Person ◽  
British English ◽  
Spoken Discourse ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dialogic Space

This study examines the dialogic functions of expansion and contraction of first-person epistemic and evidential Complement-Taking Predicate (CTP) constructions, such as I think complement, I suppose complement and I know complement, in spoken discourse. It combines corpus and experimental methods (i) to investigate whether CTP constructions are used to open up the dialogic space for new ideas or counterarguments, or to fend off alternative views, and (ii) to identify what contextual factors play a role in determining the dialogic force of the constructions. First, an exploratory analysis of CTP constructions in the London–Lund Corpus (LLC) of spoken British English is carried out with the aim to identify important contextual factors and generate hypotheses about their dialogic effects. Then, a laboratory experiment is conducted to test the impact of the three most prominent factors for speakers' interpretations of utterances containing CTPs. The results indicate that CTP constructions do not only serve to expand the dialogic context in which they occur, but also to restrict alternative views. Interlocutor status, the co-occurrence of other stance markers and prosodic marking of first-person CTP are shown to have a significant effect on the dialogic function of the expressions. These findings call into question some claims in appraisal theory about the role of CTP constructions in discourse, and highlight the need for a flexible approach to the analysis of these poly-functional stance expressions.

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