scholarly journals Predicting voice choice in symmetrical voice languages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja Riesberg ◽  
Maria Bardají i Farré ◽  
Kurt Malcher ◽  
Nikolaus P. Himmelmann

Abstract Western Austronesian symmetrical voice languages exhibit at least two basic transitive constructions. This paper investigates what factors influence speakers’ choice of one voice over another in natural spoken discourse. It provides a thorough assessment of all factors that have been proposed to be relevant for voice choice in the literature on symmetrical voice systems. Using the Indonesian language Totoli as a case study, we show that unlike in languages with asymmetrical voice alternations, argument-related properties such as topicality, activation state, animacy, etc. do not play a major role in voice choice in symmetrical voice languages. We argue that for symmetrical voice alternations other factor groups are relevant than for asymmetrical voice alternations and that the clear structural differences between the two alternation types are mirrored in functional differences.

1998 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Diehl

Analyses of the assemblages from the floors of Upland Mogollon pithouses show that variation in artifact frequencies may be attributed to differences in the intensity of abandonment and post-abandonment formation processes, such as caching, scavenging and trash dumping. The proportion of pithouses that contain caches or de facto assemblages is provocatively constant across sites—roughly 18 percent. This observation may be useful for refining estimates of the populations of sites or regions, for recognizing the size of social groups, or for identifying the abandonment sequences of pithouse villages. Prior studies that attribute variation in the frequencies of different classes of artifacts to functional differences in the uses of pithouses are rejected on the grounds of methodological inadequacy.


SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401989427
Author(s):  
Siti Zaidah Zainuddin ◽  
Alexander Charles Damiano-Nittoli ◽  
Azlin Zaiti Zainal

The main aim of the present study is to build knowledge and understanding regarding the linguistic use of hedging by Malaysian speakers of English in academic spoken discourse and, more specifically, doctorate students presenting their thesis in the candidature defense. It looks not only to describe the specific nature of spoken academic hedging in Malaysia but to make inroads into identifying cultural factors that shape the way this hedging takes place. To realize these aims, a corpus-based investigative case study that used both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Transcriptions of candidature defenses and semi-structured interviews regarding the nature of doctoral candidature defense were used to gather the data. The study found that national culture and the dynamic power distance in the educational culture surrounding the defense had an effect on the interpersonal hedging used by Malaysian speakers and the gap in hedging use between panel members and candidates. Disciplinary culture was also observed to influence hedging, specifically in referencing other work and testing theory to build an argument.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Gisriel ◽  
Jimin Wang ◽  
Gary W. Brudvig ◽  
Donald A. Bryant

AbstractThe accurate assignment of cofactors in cryo-electron microscopy maps is crucial in determining protein function. This is particularly true for chlorophylls (Chls), for which small structural differences lead to important functional differences. Recent cryo-electron microscopy structures of Chl-containing protein complexes exemplify the difficulties in distinguishing Chl b and Chl f from Chl a. We use these structures as examples to discuss general issues arising from local resolution differences, properties of electrostatic potential maps, and the chemical environment which must be considered to make accurate assignments. We offer suggestions for how to improve the reliability of such assignments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslı Yenenler ◽  
Umut Gerlevik ◽  
Ugur Sezerman

AbstractObjectiveWe identify the impacts of structural differences on functionality of EG3_S2 endoglucanase enzyme with MD studies. The results of previous experimental studies have been explained in details with computational approach. The objective of this study is to explain the functional differences between shuffled enzyme (EG3_S2) and its native counterpart (EG3_nat) from Trichoderma reseei, via Molecular Dynamics approach.Materials and methodsFor this purpose, we performed MD simulations along 30 ns at three different reaction temperatures collected as NpT ensemble, and then monitored the backbone motion, flexibilities of residues, and intramolecular interactions of EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes.ResultsAccording to MD results, we conclude that EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes have unique RMSD patterns, e.g. RMSD pattern of EG3_S2 is more dynamic than that of EG3_nat at all temperatures. In addition to this dynamicity, EG3_S2 establishes more salt bridge interactions than EG3_nat.ConclusionBy taking these results into an account with the preservation of catalytic Glu residues in a proper manner, we explain the structural basis of differences between shuffled and native enzyme via molecular dynamic studies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik De Smet ◽  
Freek Van de Velde

This paper examines two cases of so-called syntactic amalgams. In syntactic amalgams a particular string that is shared by two constructions is exploited to combine them, in such a way that one of the constructions functions as a modifier of the other. Typical examples are after God knows how many years (< after many years + God knows how many years) and a big enough house (< a big house + big enough). In formal theories, these kinds of constructions have been insightfully described as ‘grafts’. However, the exact process through which these amalgams arise remains unexplored. When studied closely, these processes reveal form–function friction not fully accounted for by the graft metaphor. Syntactic amalgams typically serve a subjective function and have been recruited for this purpose. However, because they consist of a syntagm that is still internally parsable, they tend to resist full reanalysis. More precisely, their original syntax continues to constrain their use. As such, amalgams get caught between their original syntax, which remains transparent, and their new function, which suggests a new syntactic status. This appears clearly from contrastive studies of amalgams in Dutch and English that are functionally similar but whose use is constrained in different ways due to structural differences between the two languages. Our first case study deals with the Dutch and English amalgam wie weet / who knows. A contrastive analysis of the development of the respective items shows both the conservative effect of the origin of change and the attraction exerted by the target of change. The second case we discuss in detail involves so-called transparent free relatives. A contrastive analysis shows the role of the overall grammar of a language in licensing change, in this case with Dutch word order posing more difficulties to the new focusing function of transparent free relatives. In general, both case studies show the formation of syntactic amalgams to be sensitive to system pressures both in the course of their development and in the eventual outcome of change.


Author(s):  
Alexei Kochetov ◽  
John Alderete

This article argues for the existence of expressive palatalization (E-Pal) – a phonologically unmotivated process that applies in sound symbolism, diminutive constructions, and babytalk registers. It is proposed that E-Pal is grounded in iconic sound-meaning associations exploiting acoustic properties of palatalized consonants and thus is inherently different from regular phonological palatalization (P-Pal). A cross-linguistic survey of patterns of E-Pal in 37 languages shows that it exhibits a set of properties different from P-Pal. The case study focuses on patterns of palatalization in Japanese mimetic vocabulary and babytalk. Two experiments testing native speaker intuitions of these patterns revealed that both patterns exhibit place and manner asymmetries typical of cross-linguistic patterns of E-Pal. The cross-linguistic survey, the two experiments, and analysis of the origins and structural differences of E-Pal and P-Pal provide strong empirical and theoretical motivation to distinguish the two.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 761-776
Author(s):  
Yueer Gao ◽  
Yanqing Liao ◽  
Donggen Wang ◽  
Yongguang Zou

The development of tourism leads to changes in land-use demands and patterns, which are complex and dynamic, in tourist cities. Functional differences in land use produce different travel needs and have different impacts on traffic, especially on tourism. This paper explores the relationship between tourism land use and tourism traffic. Taking Xiamen Island as an example, using multivariable linear regression models, tourism land use is divided into accommodation land use, shopping land use and restaurant land use as the independent variables of the model; and the origin-destination (OD) density of traffic analysis zones (TAZs) during National Day in 2018 (October 1 to 5) is chosen as the dependent variable. To compare the different impacts between tourism land use and tourism traffic during the tourism and non-tourism periods, the non-tourism period (March 11 to 15) is further studied. The results show the following: (1) Xiamen, as a tourism city, has not only regular traffic but also tourism traffic, and traffic during the tourism period is totally different than that in the non-tourism period. (2) Tourism land use has a considerable impact on both tourism traffic and non-tourism traffic, but the impact is greater during the tourism period than the non-tourism period. (3) In the morning peak hour of both the tourism period and the non-tourism period, accommodation land use shows prominent effects on traffic. In the evening peak hour, shopping land use significantly impacts traffic. The study provides a basis for urban tourism land use adjustment to achieve the sustainable development of tourism traffic.


1978 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 357-362
Author(s):  
H.H. Mollenhauer ◽  
D.J. Morre

The intercisternal spacings between cisternae of dictyosomes of higher plants differ from those of mammalian dictyosomes. In plants, the spacings increase from an average of about 8.0 nm at the forming face to about 14.0 nm at the maturing face. The increase in spacing coincides with the appearance within the intercisternal space of parallel filaments called intercisternal elements. In mammals, the intercisternal spacings are more nearly constant, and intercisternal elements have not been observed. Plant and animal dictyosomes may differ as well in the relative widths of the cisternal lumina, the widths of the intercisternal spacings, and in more subtle ways involving the appearance of the membranes. These structural differences may be indicative of some functional differences that contrast higher plant and animal Golgi apparatus.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 354-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Giese ◽  
Markus Albrecht ◽  
Arto Valkonen ◽  
Kari Rissanen

A unique structural study investigates the variability of anion–π bonding in the solid state structures of pentafluorophenyl arenes. The hapticity concept is used as tool to describe the structural differences of various anion–π complexes.


2004 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREW PETTEGREE ◽  
MATTHEW HALL

Perceptions of the role of the book in the Reformation are shaped by our knowledge of the German print world during the first decades of Protestant expansion. All indications point to evangelical domination of the press in the years when Luther first became a public figure, when the printed book undoubtedly played a crucial role in the dissemination of the evangelical message, and printing enjoyed a period of exuberant growth. But it is by no means certain that assumptions derived from this German model hold good for other parts of Europe. This article re-examines the German paradigm of book and Reformation in the light of two recent bibliographical projects. The first, a trial survey of publishing outputs throughout Europe, demonstrates that the different regional print cultures that made up the European book world were organized in radically contrasting ways. These structural differences were highly significant from the point of view of assisting or impeding the output of controversial literature. The lessons from this survey are then applied to an individual case study, France, which, it emerges, deviated from the German model in almost every particular. Together these two sets of data force us to call into question the natural affinity between print and Protestantism suggested by the German paradigm.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document