Structural Semantics in the Romance Languages

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Casas Gómez ◽  
Martin Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Binary Opposition ◽  
Historical Sources ◽  
Wilhelm Von Humboldt ◽  
The World ◽  
Holistic Concept ◽  
Holistic Conception ◽  
Structural Semantics

Structural semantics is a primarily European structural linguistic approach to the content level of language which basically derives from two historical sources. The main inspiration stems from Ferdinand de Saussure’s Cours de linguistique générale (1916), where the Genevan linguist also formulates the fundamental principles of semantic analysis: the twofold character of the linguistic sign, the inner determination of its content by the—allegedly autonomous—linguistic system, the consequent exclusion of the extralinguistic reality, the notion of opposition inside the system, and the concept of “associative relations” in the domain of semantics. This tradition was later refined by Hjelmslev and Coseriu, who introduced theoretical and methodological strength and rigor, suggesting systematic analyses in terms of semantic features linked by (binary) opposition. The second source of inspiration was the more holistic concept elaborated by Wilhelm von Humboldt, who saw language as a means of structuring the world. In the second half of the 20th century, structural semantics was mainstream semantics (to the extent that semantic analysis was accepted at all). A long series of authors deepened these historical traditions in theoretical and empirical studies, some of them suggesting secondary and/or partial models. Finally, prototype semantics and cognitive semantics strove to downgrade structural semantics by turning back to a more holistic conception of meaning including the speakers’ knowledge of the world, although not without introducing the alternative structural notion of “network.”

scholarly journals REALISATION OF INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOLOGY, PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND MATHEMATICS RELATIONS BY EXPLORING OSMOSIS PHENOMENON

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Violeta Šlekienė ◽  
Loreta Ragulienė ◽  
Vincentas Lamanauskas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The World ◽  
Holistic Concept ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Holistic Conception ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Science And Mathematics Teachers ◽  
And Training

In order to develop students' holistic concept of natural phenomena, the process of education must adopt a systematic approach to the integrity of the natural sciences. Such a systematic approach creates preconditions for understanding of educational content and training components in close interaction and for the consistent formation of a holistic understanding of the world. Interdisciplinary integration is realized through inquiry-based teaching/learning method. Scientific investigation is usually associated with knowledge of different subjects, so usage of interdisciplinary relations is indispensable for the full justification and explanation of the phenomenon or process. While analysing natural phenomena and regularities, it is important to find common points, using existing and new knowledge from physics, chemistry, biology, ecology and others. Only in this way will be developed a holistic conception of the world. This article presents the interdisciplinary links by experimentally exploring the phenomenon of osmosis. Giving one research example, Natural science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and Maths subject relationship realisation didactic possibilities are revealed in the presented analysis. The research organization and methodology of its performance, the essence of the practical work, results and conclusions are discussed. The research is proposed to to carry out in a few different lessons (physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics), which enable a systematic and integrated way for students to convey the essence of the phenomenon. Osmosis research and analysis organization scheme is presented. Wide and deep osmosis process interdisciplinary links are distinguished. How osmosis phenomenon can properly understand and master by the stages in each subject lesson are shown in. The research is carried out during implementation of the international project „Materials for Teaching Together: Science and Mathematics Teachers collaborating for better results“. Number of the contract: 539242-LLP-1-2013-1-AT-COMENIUS-CMP/. Key words: science education, interdisciplinary relations, integration, osmosis, diffusion.

scholarly journals COGNITIVE-SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF THE NOMINATION "EYE, TO SEE" IN THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 86-101
Author(s):  
B. Kassym ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Perception ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Model ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Word Formation ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Active Perception ◽  
The World ◽  
Cognitive Semantic

The article examines the role of word formation semantics for cognitive language research, for studying the cognitive model, the picture of the world. Based on the material of the modern Kazakh language, a semantic and cognitive analysis of etymologically related Turkic languages ​​with the root: КӨЗ, КӨРУ is carried out. Semantics plays an important role in the nominative process, which captures the peculiarities of human perception of the world, the specifics of the cultural and historical experience of a given nation. Cognitive-semantic models formed by these verbs represent cognitively highlighted fragments of the surrounding reality, fixed in the human mind. In derived words (motivated on a given synchronous slice of the language, preserving their internal form), such conceptual information is expressed explicitly. The analysis revealed the specific semantic features of these verbs, including fixing and active perception. As you know, in all languages, the semantic spectrum of the verbs of visual perception is wider than that of other verbs of perception, because “it is visual perception that is the most active way of understanding and understanding the world.

scholarly journals LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PROVERBS DESCRIBING FAMILY RELATIONS IN THE GERMAN LINGUISTIC PICTURE OF THE WORLD

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1048-1055
Author(s):  
Alina Eduardovna Rakhimova ◽  
Albina Fanilevna Mukhamadiarova ◽  
Fanuza Kharisovna Tarasova
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
The Family ◽  
The World

Purpose of the study: The current study deals with a close examination of the linguistic and cultural characteristics of proverbs describing family relations in the paradigm of peculiarities of the German linguistic picture of the world. The purpose of this article is to study and analyze German proverbs describing family relations. Methodology: While conducting the present research work such scientific methods were used: the method of theoretical analysis of literature on the topic under consideration, the method of semantic and structural analysis of German proverbs, the method of lexical and semantic group description, the comparative method. In the course of our study, 180 proverbs were analyzed (describing family relations with the following components: Mann, Frau, Mutter, Vater, Kind, Bruder, Schwester, Sohn, Tochter, Verwandte), reflecting, to varying degrees, the specifics of family relationships. Among these proverbs, thematic groups were distinguished. Main Findings: The semantic features of German proverbs about the family have been distinguished. The classification of German proverbs about the family to the semantic groups was done: the role of women in the family, the role of men in the family, the characteristics of the relationship between wife and husband, etc. Applications of this study: The study may be used for close browsing of the current state of investigations in this scientific area as well as for further investigations of linguistic and cultural characteristics of proverbs describing family relations in the German linguistic picture of the world. Novelty/Originality of this study: When considering the connotation of German proverbs about the family, the author discovered the following regularity: most German proverbs about the family have a positive connotation. The author conducts a semantic analysis of proverbs, during which he identifies specific features that characterize family life in Russian linguoculture. Such findings were firstly done in the current survey.

Employee engagement and the work-family conflict relationship: The role of personal and organisational resources

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-138
Author(s):  
Okechukwu Ethelbert Amah
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
The World ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Operational Issues

Organisations in Africa face constant challenges on account of internal operational issues, and the economic and political situation on the continent. Hence, organisations in Africa and indeed all over the world are expected to be continuously efficient and effective in the use of scarce resources in order to survive. Accordingly, studies conducted all over the world, including in Africa, have established that high employee engagement is beneficial to organisations, because engaged employees exhibit discretionary behaviour that achieves superior business results. However, some studies suggest that organisations are also faced with the undesirable situation in which highly engaged employees experience high levels of work-family conflict. This relationship has implications for both productivity and ethical aspects, and past empirical studies have been unable to suggest a way out. This study proposes that, on the basis of the conservation of resources model and job demand and resources model, organisational and personal resources could play a major role in resolving the dilemma. Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed that organisational resources, servant leadership and personal resources were able to provide a solution, so that individuals with high values of these resources experienced less work-family conflict. The study also discussed the practical implications of the results for HRM and sustainability HRM.

Dialectics to the rescue: Critical insights into Africa’s (under)development

2021 ◽  
pp. 194277862199344
Author(s):  
Joseph Mensah ◽  
David Firang
Keyword(s):  
Binary Opposition ◽  
Development Discourse ◽  
The World ◽  
Dialectical Process ◽  
Nature And Society ◽  
Dialectical Analysis

That dialectics, as a mode of reasoning, is routinely used to explain the worlds of both nature and society per their inherent complexities, contradictions, and states of flux makes it quite amenable to robust theorizations of development. However, since many are those who see Africa(ns) in simplistic and wholly pessimistic terms, it is unsurprising that there is a conspicuous dearth of dialectical analysis of Africa’s development challenges and prospects. This paper examines Africa’s development from the standpoint of dialectics, showing how the key tenets and concepts of dialectics—including negation, sublation, the transformation of quantity to quality, the interpenetration of opposites, and the interchangeability of causes and effects—could help us understand the trajectory and dynamics of Africa’s development. The paper conceptualizes development as a dialectical process and, consequently, sees efforts in development discourse to set Africa (or any other part of the world, for that matter) in strict binary opposition to another region as unsustainable.

Does context matter? Examining robbery reporting in a high crime country

2021 ◽  
pp. 174889582110313
Author(s):  
Wilson Hernández ◽  
Katrina R Heimark
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Multilevel Modeling ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Violent Victimization ◽  
The World ◽  
Victimization Rate ◽  
Global North ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
High Crime

Most empirical studies that examine why individuals report property crimes to the police have focused on Global North countries where crime rates are low. This study is situated in the most violent area of the world, Latin America, and examines Peru, which has the highest robbery victimization rate in the Americas. This article examines the applicability of theories of crime reporting in this Global South context using a large sample and multilevel modeling. We find that trust in the police has no impact on the reporting of the robbery of one’s cellphone, purse or wallet. The theories of rational choice and Black’s stratification of law provide strong explanations for the reporting of robbery of these personal items. Individuals of higher social status and those who reside in districts with low levels of social disadvantage are more likely to report, as well as those who have experienced violent victimization.

Misunderstanding and Misuse of Darwinism

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-345
Author(s):  
Hubert Markl
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Evolution ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Human Species ◽  
Wilhelm Von Humboldt ◽  
Gregory Bateson ◽  
Neural Imaging ◽  
The World ◽  
True Meaning ◽  
The Many

The reason why I wavered a bit with this topic is that, after all, it has to do with Darwin, after a great Darwin year, as seen by a German scientist. Not that Darwin was very adept in German: Gregor Mendel’s ‘Versuche über Pflanzenhybriden’ (Experiments on Plant Hybrids) was said to have stayed uncut and probably unread on his shelf, which is why he never got it right with heredity in his life – only Gregory Bateson, Ronald A. Fisher, and JBS Haldane, together with Sewall Wright merged evolution with genetics. But Darwin taught us, nevertheless, in essence why the single human species shows such tremendous ethnic diversity, which impresses us above all through a diversity of languages – up to 7000 altogether – and among them, as a consequence, also German, my mother tongue, and English. It would thus have been a truly Darwinian message, if I had written this article in German. I would have called that the discommunication function of the many different languages in humans, which would have been a most significant message of cultural evolution, indeed. I finally decided to overcome the desire to demonstrate so bluntly what cultural evolution is all about, or rather to show that nowadays, with global cultural progress, ‘the world is flat’ indeed – even linguistically. The real sign of its ‘flatness’ is that English is used everywhere, even if Thomas L. Friedman may not have noticed this sign. But I will also come back to that later, when I hope to show how Darwinian principles connect both natural and cultural evolution, and how they first have been widely misunderstood as to their true meaning, and then have been terribly misused – although more so by culturalists, or some self-proclaimed ‘humanists’, rather than by biologists – or at least most of them. Let me, however, quickly add a remark on human languages. That languages even influence our brains and our thinking, that is: how we see the world, has first been remarked upon by Wilhelm von Humboldt and later, more extensively so, by Benjamin Whorf. It has recently been shown by neural imaging – for instance by Angela Friederici – that one’s native language, first as learned from one’s mother and from those around us when we are babies, later from one’s community of speakers, can deeply impinge on a baby’s brain development and stay imprinted in it throughout life, even if language is, of course, learned and not fully genetically preformed. This shows once more how deep the biological roots are that ground our cultures, according to truly Darwinian principles, even if these cultures are completely learned.

STRUCTURAL AND SEMANTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF DISHES IN GERMAN RESTAURANT DISCOURSE

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-119
Author(s):  
Nadezhda G. KANTYSHEVA ◽  
Inna V. Solovyova
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Institutional Discourse ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Complex Words ◽  
First Time ◽  
Comprehensive Study

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the structural and semantic features of dish names and their descriptions in German in the field of restaurant discourse. The study employs cognitive discourse analysis, elements of comparative and contextological approaches, taking into account linguocultural parameters. The relevance of the comprehensive study of the names of dishes in restaurant discourse is due to an increased interest in the parameterization of lexical units in different types of institutional discourse. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the fact that for the first time, within the framework of a restaurant menu, not only the nomination of a dish is considered, but also the structural and semantic characteristics of its description are analysed. An attempt is made to analyse a connection between the nominations of dishes and their description in the restaurant menu, as well as to determine the semantic dominants of the genre under study. It is concluded that the text of the menu as a whole presents a combination of the language for special purposes and the language of advertising. In interaction with extralinguistic factors, the nominations of dishes and their descriptions not only document the culture of food in society, but also reflect the ethnocultural picture of the world. Based on the analysis of the menu texts, it is established that structurally the names of dishes are complex words or phrases, built mainly according to the attributive model. The description of dishes performs the function of verbalizing the sensations of taste and clarifying the method of preparing dishes, characterizing the quality of dishes, their ingredients, and the intensity of taste. Evaluative parameters in descriptions are expressed at the lexical, grammatical, syntactic and stylistic levels.

The Ethical Summons Extended by Le Clézio’s “Martin” and Other Casualties of Peer-Victimization

Janus Head ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-135
Author(s):  
Keith Moser ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Victimization ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Nobel Laureate ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The World ◽  
Effects Of Bullying ◽  
Invaluable Tool

This interdisciplinary essay investigates J.M.G. Le Clézio’s short story “Martin” from the collection entitled La Fièvre (Fever) from the lens of recent empirical studies related to bullying. The 2008 Nobel Laureate in Literature creates a rending portrait of the physical and cerebral anguish suffered by casualties of peer-victimization. The profound inner turmoil experienced by the protagonist Martin mirrors the searing pain felt by millions of innocent victims around the world on a daily basis. Although the nefarious, long-term effects of bullying are often dismissed by misinformed individuals as a reflection of “boys being boys,” research unequivocally demonstrates that bullying is a global pandemic that should be taken seriously. In this disquieting narrative from the early part of his illustrious career, Le Clézio extends an ethical summons to the reader which compels us to think harder about the dire social consequences of bullying. Specifically, the tragic dénouement leaves little room for ambivalence concerning the author’s position related to the anguish experienced by casualties of peer-victimization. In “Martin,” it is the destabilizing realism that attacks the sensibilities of the reader the most. Although this text is a work of fiction, it deeply resonates with the reader given that deplorable incidents, which leave deep inner scars, like the one described in “Martin” occur far too often all across the globe. When analyzed in conjunction with the disconcerting research compiled by international scholars from around the world, “Martin” is an invaluable tool that allows us to catch a small glimpse of the unbearable torment felt by the victims of these heinous crimes.

scholarly journals From Mind to Picture: A Systematic Review on Children’s and Adolescents’ Understanding of the Link between Artists and Pictures

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina Vivaldi ◽  
Richard P. Jolley ◽  
Sarah E Rose
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Child Psychology ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Developmental Milestones ◽  
Italian Language ◽  
The World ◽  
The Subject

Pictorial symbols have multiple layers of meaning: not only do they represent objects, events and ideas about the world, they also represent the intentions of artists as well as other artist attributes (age, skill, originality and knowledge, mood, style and sentience). Although children’s developmental milestones of pictorial understanding have been the subject of a long-standing debate, their understanding of the relation between artists and pictures has often been neglected. The aim of this article was to conduct a systematic review on children’s and adolescents’ understanding of the relation between artists and pictures. PsycINFO and Web of Science databases were searched for English, Spanish, German, and Italian language empirical studies that examined this link in 2- to 18-year- olds. Forty-two citations (64 studies) from 14 different countries met the inclusion criteria. Results revealed the majority of the studies focused on the understanding of the artist’s intention. Although research on children’s and adolescents’ understanding of other attributes is scarce, and there were inconsistencies across the methodologies used, it seems that they first acknowledge intention and only later become more aware of how artist’s attributes are communicated through intention. The results of the review encourage subsequent research to provide a clearer conceptualised model of child and adolescent understanding of the artist-picture relationship. Such a model should be placed within a wider framework of the network of relationship between the artist, picture, world and beholder. Finally, consideration of how the development of understanding the artist-picture relationship is bi-directionally influenced with other developmental milestones in the child psychology is encouraged, particularly picture-production and theory of mind, and variations in atypical populations.

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