Anxiety, language use and linguistic competence in an immigrant context: a vicious circle?

Author(s):  
Yeşim Sevinç ◽  
Ad Backus
2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Leonard L. LaPointe

Abstract Loss of implicit linguistic competence assumes a loss of linguistic rules, necessary linguistic computations, or representations. In aphasia, the inherent neurological damage is frequently assumed by some to be a loss of implicit linguistic competence that has damaged or wiped out neural centers or pathways that are necessary for maintenance of the language rules and representations needed to communicate. Not everyone agrees with this view of language use in aphasia. The measurement of implicit language competence, although apparently necessary and satisfying for theoretic linguistics, is complexly interwoven with performance factors. Transience, stimulability, and variability in aphasia language use provide evidence for an access deficit model that supports performance loss. Advances in understanding linguistic competence and performance may be informed by careful study of bilingual language acquisition and loss, the language of savants, the language of feral children, and advances in neuroimaging. Social models of aphasia treatment, coupled with an access deficit view of aphasia, can salve our restless minds and allow pursuit of maximum interactive communication goals even without a comfortable explanation of implicit linguistic competence in aphasia.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vít Dovalil ◽  
Adriana Hanulíková

Abstract Grammar is the structural foundation of successful communication, language use, and literacy development. Grammar is therefore sometimes viewed as the heart of language with an important place in language teaching. In a classroom setting, regulation of grammar knowledge through teachers is strongly influenced by teachers’ linguistic competence and beliefs. In this paper, we will first show the diversity in this knowledge by means of teacher interviews and speeded grammatical-acceptability data from pupils and students. We will then sketch a socio- and psycholinguistic perspective on several selected morphosyntactic variables in German. These will be discussed with reference to social forces that determine what is standard in a language (language norm authorities, language experts, model texts, and codifiers). Finally, we will draw a roadmap for teachers, language practitioners and editors looking for a qualified solution to grammatical cases of doubt in contemporary German and provide practical examples by drawing upon the German reference corpus.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAKESH M. BHATT ◽  
AGNES BOLONYAI

In this article, we provide a framework of bilingual grammar that offers a theoretical understanding of the socio-cognitive bases of code-switching in terms of five general principles that, individually or through interaction with each other, explain how and why specific instances of code-switching arise. We provide cross-linguistic empirical evidence to claim that these general sociolinguistic principles, stated as socio-cognitive constraints on code-switching, characterize multi-linguistic competence in so far as they are able to show how “local” functions of code-switching arise as specific instantiations of these “global” principles, or (products of) their interactions.


SUAR BETANG ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruly Morganna ◽  
Sakut Anshori

In dealing with the 21st century EFL pedagogy where interculturality and multiculturality are promoted to be the crucial aspects of EFL learning, this study is oriented towards investigating Indonesian EFL teachers’ conceptualization of culture in EFL classroom. The conceptualization in this sense is emphasized on their knowledge construction underlying their teaching principles. This study was conducted qualitatively by engaging three Indonesian EFL teachers selected purposively. The data of this study were garnered from open-ended questionnaires and interview. Regarding the teachers’ conceptualization, this study revealed that culture referred to the way of living becoming the framework of language use since language per se referred to a social semiotic, and the framework of learning going on inter and intra-individually. In EFL learning, culture was viewed from its interculturality. Interculturality was supported although two teachers stayed in native-speakerism specifically for linguistic competence. This study is meaningful since it serves a set of contributive knowledge vis-a-vis culture in EFL learning for EFL teachers and curriculum developers. However, this study is still delimited on cultural conception. Further studies are expected to work on the practice of cultural conception to deal with the 21st century EFL learning in Indonesia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Duque ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz

Our purpose is to illuminate compliances with, and resistances to, what we are calling "compulsory fluency" which we define as conventions for what constitutes competent speech. We achieve our purpose through a study of day-to-day communication between a woman with less conventional speech and her support providing family members and friends. Drawing from McRuer's (2006) compulsory ablebodiedness and Kafer's (2013) compulsory able-mindedness, we use "compulsory fluency" to refer to a form of articulation that is standardized and idealized and imposed on all speakers including those whose speech is less conventional. We see compulsory fluency as central to North American conceptions of personhood which are tied to individual ability to speak for one's self (Brueggemann, 2005). In this paper, we trace some North American principles for linguistic competence to outline widely held ideals of receptive and expressive language use, namely, conventions for how language should be understood and expressed. Using Critical Disability Studies (Goodley, 2013; McRuer, 2006) together with a feminist framework of relational autonomy (Nedelsky, 1989), our goal is to focus on experiences of people with less conventional speech and draw attention to power in communication as it flows in idiosyncratic and intersubjective fashion (Mackenzie & Stoljar, 2000; Westlund, 2009). In other words, we use a critical disability and feminist framing to call attention to less conventional forms of communication competence and, in this process, we challenge assumptions about what constitutes competent speech. As part of a larger qualitative study, we conduct a conversation analysis informed by Rapley and Antaki (1996) to examine day-to-day verbal, vocal and non-verbal communications of a young woman who self identifies as "having autism" - pseudonym Addison - in interaction with her support-providing family members and friends. We illustrate a multitude of Addison's compliances with, and resistances to, compulsory fluency to bring awareness to competence inherent in less conventional speech and we argue this illumination as a call for listening with greater care and more open expectations in efforts to understand, and participate in the expression of, meanings embedded in less conventional speech.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Zhang

Abstract This study discusses the pragmatic functions of four Chinese equivalents of the English ‘sort of’ based on a Chinese TV forum corpus: youdian (有点), yidian (一点), youyidian (有一点), keyishuo (可以说). It finds that the Chinese ‘sort of’ tends to cluster with verbs or adjectives rather than nouns. ‘Sort of’ is infrequent in the formal setting of this study and serves three pragmatic functions: mitigation, approximation and evasion, with the first two functions being much more frequent than the last one. ‘Sort of’ performs more of an interpersonal than an informational function. This study highlights the elasticity of ‘sort of’ in Mandarin Chinese in the form of fluidity, stretchability and strategy, contributing a fresh account of pragmatic markers. This study implies that elastic language use is a natural part of linguistic competence (particularly pragmatic competence) and forms a strong bond with effective linguistic communication.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Acheoah John Emike ◽  
Garba Azika Jega ◽  
Okoh Gloria Onyemariechi

This study is a socio-pragmatic analysis of selected utterances of interlocutors whose discourse subject is “Covid-19”. In using language, it is not enough to be grammatical; language use should be underpinned by contextual nuances because this is a good way of using language as actions that produce results or effects. Therefore, the analysis of the selected linguistic structures in this study is an investigation of linguistic competence demonstrated through lexical choices and speech act sequencing. The approach explored in the study is discursive and integrative; for example, instead of strictly listing the speech acts performed in each utterance, they are mentioned in terms of how they impinge on the on-going interaction. The study underscores who says “what?”, “how?” and “why?”. Although this study is mainly hinged on the Pragma-crafting Theory, Bach and Harnish’s [1] speech act taxonomy is explored in the classification of the speech acts performed in the utterances. On the whole, the study concludes that the socio-pragmatic use of language is underpinned by the psychological and situational context(s), and produces expected results due to speaker-hearer shared knowledge.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Masrufa Ayesha Nusrat

Using literary material for developing language skills has gained new attention for both L1 and L2 learners in the last two decades. In my paper I would like to explore the possibilities and loopholes of teaching language through literature in Bangladesh at the tertiary level. Our language classes follow traditional lecture-based teaching techniques and use almost no literary materials for teaching language. Mostly ‘referential’ materials are taught by Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method which are exclusively confined to everyday real-life situational use and does not engage learners’ imaginative faculties. Therefore, I have tried to demonstrate how literary texts or ‘representational texts’ can develop English proficiency, foster critical thinking and encourage creative language use. I have also critiqued our material selection; teaching approaches; evaluation; and rote learning during exam. As a result a gap has long been created between language and literature at the tertiary level, hampering language acquisition. Although critical practices like, Literary Theory and Cultural Studies, have enriched our academia and generated impressive curriculum (such as World Literature in English, Comparative Literature and Applied Linguistics and ELT), learners’ basic linguistic competence has declined considerably. I have tried to recommend ways to solve these problems by introducing language-based teaching approach and integrating language with literature. Keywords: representational material, referential material, language-based approach, stylistics, literature with a small ‘l’, literary language, imaginative language use, literary and linguistic competence, product-based and process-based teaching and learning


Author(s):  
Eda Derhemi

AbstractThis article discusses the nature of the attrition of the Arbresh dialect of Piana degli Albanesi. It investigates the state of language use, the state of structural decay, and the linguistic attitude of Arbresh speakers. It concludes that this Arbresh dialect is undergoing a process of “dysfunctional attrition,” which consists of a progressive shrinkage of linguistic domains and functions, a decrease in the number of speakers, and a decline in linguistic competence as the speakers’ age diminishes. Unlike previous views, it maintains that dysfunctional attrition is not necessarily characterized by stigmatization and rejection of the language. The study emphasizes that a positive attitude towards the language is not a guarantee of linguistic survival, and that other aspects of language deterioration and loss must not be neglected in the process of linguistic revitalization.


2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Stell

Abstract Ethnicity and language have often been considered jointly on the grounds of their intrinsic interrelation: hard ethnic boundaries are manifested by the use of heritage languages, while dynamics of assimilation reduce the need to linguistically project ethnic distinctness. This article seeks to test the interrelation between patterns of language use and ethnic boundaries in the context of Suriname by analyzing perceptions of ethnolinguistic boundaries elicited from a sample of young informants from Paramaribo. The findings suggest that Surinamese ethnic boundaries are salient, albeit eroding in urban areas. Erosion is visible at a linguistic level in what seems to be a general shift in urban areas toward Dutch and Sranan Tongo. However, this shift might be proceeding at different paces from one ethnic group to the next. As a result, ethnicity is reflected in variable levels of linguistic competence in Dutch and Sranan Tongo.


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