scholarly journals Is there a bilingual advantage in phonetic and phonological acquisition? The initial learning of word-final coronal stop realization in a novel accent of English

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E Spinu ◽  
Jiwon Hwang ◽  
Renata Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phonological Acquisition ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Phonological Learning ◽  
Echoic Memory ◽  
Initial Learning ◽  
Glottal Stop ◽  
Surface Representations

Research question: We address the question of whether the cognitive advantage of the bilingual mind, already demonstrated in the case of auditory processing or novel word acquisition, also applies to other linguistic domains, specifically to phonetic and phonological learning. Design: We compare the performance of 17 monolinguals and 25 bilinguals from Canada in a production experiment with two tasks: imitation and spontaneous reproduction of a novel foreign accent, specifically Sussex English. Data and analysis: To eliminate potential sources of variability, our focus is on a sound already existing in the subjects’ production (the glottal stop), but differently mapped to surface representations in the novel accent to which they were exposed (i.e., as an allophone of coronal stops in word-final position). We measured the glottal stop rates of our subjects in baseline, training, and post-training. Results: The two groups behaved differently, with bilinguals showing a larger increase of their glottal stop rate post-training. Our results are thus consistent with a bilingual advantage in phonetic and phonological learning. Originality: We interpret these findings in light of recent psycholinguistic work and conclude that echoic memory strategies, possibly underlain by stronger subcortical encoding of sound in bilinguals, may account for our results by facilitating the re-mapping between existing mental representations of sounds and existing articulatory command configurations. Significance: Our study adds to the body of work suggesting that there may be an advantage of bilingualism in second dialect learning in adulthood, and provides an explanation in terms of perceptual strategies in which echoic memory is involved. We also contribute to the body of research suggesting that imitation of an action can result in improved understanding of that action.

scholarly journals Decline in body condition in the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the Southern Ocean during the 1990s

Polar Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Céline Cunen ◽  
Lars Walløe ◽  
Kenji Konishi ◽  
Nils Lid Hjort
Keyword(s):  
Model Selection ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Antarctic Minke Whale ◽  
Minke Whales ◽  
Balaenoptera Bonaerensis ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractChanges in the body condition of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) have been investigated in a number of studies, but remain contested. Here we provide a new analysis of body condition measurements, with particularly careful attention to the statistical model building and to model selection issues. We analyse body condition data for a large number (4704) of minke whales caught between 1987 and 2005. The data consist of five different variables related to body condition (fat weight, blubber thickness and girth) and a number of temporal, spatial and biological covariates. The body condition variables are analysed using linear mixed-effects models, for which we provide sound biological motivation. Further, we conduct model selection with the focused information criterion (FIC), reflecting the fact that we have a clearly specified research question, which leads us to a clear focus parameter of particular interest. We find that there has been a substantial decline in body condition over the study period (the net declines are estimated to 10% for fat weight, 7% for blubber thickness and 3% for the girth). Interestingly, there seems to be some differences in body condition trends between males and females and in different regions of the Antarctic. The decline in body condition could indicate major changes in the Antarctic ecosystem, in particular, increased competition from some larger krill-eating whale species.

Beyond censorship: politics, teens, and ELA teacher candidates

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Dávila ◽  
Meghan E. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Secondary English ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
Practical Experiences

Purpose Grounded in the scholarship addressing teacher self-censorship around controversial topics, this paper aims to investigate a three-part research question: How do secondary English language arts (ELA) teacher–candidates (TCs) in the penultimate semester of their undergraduate teacher education program position political texts/speeches, interpret high school teens’ political standpoints and view the prospects of discussing political texts/speeches with students? The study findings provide insights to the ways some TCs might position themselves as novice ELA teachers relative to political texts/speeches, students, colleagues and families in their future school communities. Design/methodology/approach Audio-recorded data from whole-class and small-group discussions were coded for TCs’ positioning of political texts/speeches, interpretations of teens’ political standpoints and viewpoints on discussing with students President Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union” (“A.M.P.U.”) The coded data set was further analyzed to identify themes across the TCs’ perspectives. Findings The data set tells the story of a group of TCs whose positionalities, background knowledge and practical experiences in navigating divergent perspectives would influence both their daily selection and censorship of political texts/speeches like “A.M.P.U.” and their subsequent willingness to guide equitable yet critical conversations about controversial issues in the secondary ELA classroom. Originality/value In advance of the 2018 midterm elections, this paper considers how the common core state standards’ (CCSS) recommendations to include more nonfiction documents in ELA instruction positions ELA teachers to provide interdisciplinary support in helping students think critically about political issues. It expands on the body of scholarship that, thus far, has been primarily grounded in the research on social studies instruction.

scholarly journals Comparison of working memory and sensory profile in boys and girls with writing disability

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-168
Author(s):  
Alireza Sangani ◽  
Paria Jangi
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Physical State ◽  
Multisensory Processing ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Motion ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Storage

Background and aims: The main problems of children with learning disabilities are in cognition and their sensations. This study aimed to investigate the comparison of working memory and sensory profile in boys and girls with writing disability. Methods: The methodology of this descriptive study was the comparative type. The statistical population of this study was all girls and boys by the age of 8-10 suffering from the writing disability in Gorgan City during treatment in a writing disability center in summer of 2018. According to the research method, the stratified random sampling method was used and 50 boys and 58 girls were selected from each group. According to research tools, the Dunn profile (1999) was obtained from the parents of the children. In the area of Daneman, & Carpenter working memory (1980), questions were asked from the children directly, and the information related to processing and storage in their memory were received. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance analysis using SPSS24 software. Results: Descriptive findings showed that mean and standard deviation in boys and girls were respectively in Processing (50.32±6.93, 54.22±7.45), Storage (48.47±6.08, 53.17±6.07), Indoctrination associated with the physical state of the body motion (34.28±7.09, 36.91±6.48), Multisensory processing (34.68±5.21, 37.94±6.57), Auditory Processing (31.74±5.84, 35.52±6.59). Also the results indicate that there is a significant difference in the writing disability among processing (P<0.006) and storage (P<0.000) of working memory subscales and the Indoctrination associated with the physical state of the body motion (P<0.000), Multisensory processing (P<0.000) and Auditory Processing (P<0.002), of the sensory profile variable in both the girls and boys with writing disability. Conclusion: with regard to the results obtained, it can be concluded that the boys group is in worse conditions in working memory and sensory processing styles, which requires a special attention and more focused educational approaches.

scholarly journals Digital costume sketching through embodied awareness

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsi Manninen
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Costume Design ◽  
The Body ◽  
Digital Medium ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Initial Results

This article presents a method for costume design, where empathy and embodiment are used as methodological choices by the designer in the character-creation process. In creating references for the sketching process, costume designers combine photos in which they portray themselves as the character that they imagine. These role-selfies, taken with a handheld tablet, work as starting points for the sketching procedure. The material for the present study is collected from MA costume design students who participated in digital character-creation courses at Aalto University, in Helsinki, Finland, and is a part of doctoral research by the author. The data are collected through a mixed-method approach and is organized as a case study investigating the experiences of using the body as a source for costume design. The research question in this study is as follows: does an awareness of one’s own body facilitate the sketching process? The initial results show that the research participants consider the method useful because it enables them to experience a stronger bodily connection with the digital medium, the imagined design and the emerging character in the costume sketching process. Hence, the findings of this study can be used to develop design and teaching practices not only in the field of costume design but also in other design processes involving character creation.

scholarly journals Confronting Cultural Barriers in Public Speaking through Multiple Learning Strategies: A Case of Indonesian EFL Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Concilianus Laos Mbato
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Public Speaking ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Public Speakers ◽  
Speaking Skills

Cultural barriers, anxiety and lack of English competence may lead to EFL students’ failures in public peaking. Conducive learning environments, right coaching and learning strategies are likely to increase the possibility of students’ success. This research aimed to investigate whether the implementation of multiple learning strategies empowered Indonesian EFL students’ public speaking skills. 56 students enrolled in three public speaking classes of Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta in the academic year 2017-2018 participated in the research. One overriding research question was postulated, i.e., to what extent does the implementation of multiple learning strategies empower students’ public speaking skills? To answer the question, classroom mixed-methods research was employed where students filled out four different questionnaires and submitted focus group discussion (FGD) results at the end of the semester. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses indicated that students had very high perceptions about the use of and the combinations of reflections, peer-, teacher-, and self-assessments, independent learning plans and activities. They believed that multiple learning strategies implemented in the Public Speaking Class enabled them to be independent, responsible, and better learners. They also acknowledged becoming more confident and better public speakers. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in public speaking in two important ways. First, learning to speak in public for non-native speakers of English should begin with raising their awareness about cultural barriers that might inhibit the development of the necessary skills in public speaking. Second, teaching public speaking to EFL students requires the adoption of multiple learning strategies including strategies to confront imminent cultural barriers. This research, therefore, urges public speaking trainers and teachers in EFL settings to include intercultural understanding and multiple learning strategies in their public speaking classes in order to empower students’ public speaking skills

scholarly journals Implementasi Prinsip Fair Trade oleh The Body Shop sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Rwanda

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-46
Author(s):  
Kathleen Mintarja ◽  
Priscilia Christian Kadim ◽  
Stella Claresta Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Fair Trade ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Trade Theory ◽  
Body Shop ◽  
The Body Shop

The second half of the twentieth century witnessed unprecedented growth in the number of international actors. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of non-state actors that, on many occasions, helped solve problems and improve lives. This makes the responsibility of people’s welfare no longer only held by the government. One of the most prominent examples is the role of Body Shop on improving the living standard of Rwandan. Twenty four years after the genocide that killed almost 800,000 people, the country of Rwanda is rebuilding with the support of international communities, including multinational corporations. The Body Shop’s Community Trade commitment has been a key part of bringing local producers into international supply chains and empowering them. Therefore, the research question in this paper is “How is the role of The Body Shop on implementing fair trade principles towards the Rwandan society?” To answer the research question, the authors use several theories and concepts; such as pluralism, multinational companies, and fair trade theory. In addition, the research method to be used by the authors is a qualitative study method. This research found that The Body Shop has launched a Moringa Community Trade program as an embodiment of efforts to improve the welfare of Rwandan people after the genocide occurred. This community trade initiative aims to be one small step forward to achieve financial stability for the people currently living and working in Rwanda.

scholarly journals Deleterious effects of prolonged bed rest on the body systems of the elderly - a review

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Petruccio Cabral Monteiro Guedes ◽  
Maria Liz Cunha de Oliveira ◽  
Gustavo de Azevedo Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Boolean Operator

Abstract Objective: to describe the deleterious effects of prolonged bed rest on the body systems of the elderly. Method: an integrative-narrative review was carried out, with the following research question: What are the effects of prolonged bed rest on the body systems of the elderly? The PubMed and Virtual Health Library databases were searched with the following terms: "bed rest” and "elderly" with the Boolean operator “and”. Results: a total of 1,639 articles were found. After application of the established criteria, nine articles remained, and 20 were added to maintain the citation of the primary source, giving a total of 29 articles. Conclusion: the immobility associated with prolonged bed rest is detrimental to the health of the elderly, as it affects several systems, such as the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and urinary systems, which may lead to the onset of diseases in addition to those that led to bed rest.

Using student activity trends to inform purchasing: a layered model for collection management

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-56
Author(s):  
Katherine F. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
The Body ◽  
Collection Management ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Activity ◽  
Layered Model ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Theoretical Paper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of a layered model for describing student activity that librarians can use to inform collection management decisions. It proposes using student activity in the classroom and the library, physically and virtually, to increase understanding of student curricular and research needs. The model can be used as a tool to facilitate conversations and can be adapted for use in large and small projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper used a theoretical approach using Mathematics Department as an example, with supporting evidence from existing studies and research. As a theoretical paper, data are discussed in the framework of what information you might use. Findings Experimentation suggests that the framework of student activity provides a meaningful assessment of collection contents that can be used to inform collection development activities. Implementation of the model in response to a specific research question may build evidence towards the assertion that patterns of academic activity and library use should be used to improve collection offerings. Research limitations/implications Further research is required to determine which criteria are most appropriate for inclusion in specific collection development activities and which questions are best suited for modeling. Practical implications The paper includes implications for developing student “personas” that can be used in collection building and beyond. Social implications The framework introduced can be used by libraries of any size or type to develop a layered model of student, or more generally user, activity. Originality/value This paper adds a flexible, responsive process to the body of collection assessment methods.

COMPARING THE L1 AND L2 MENTAL LEXICON

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Wolter
Keyword(s):  
Native Speaker ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Mental Lexicon ◽  
The Body ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Lexical Development ◽  
Individual Word ◽  
Tentative Model ◽  
L1 And L2

This paper explores the possibility that, contrary to the findings of past studies, the L1 and L2 mental lexicon may in fact be structurally similar, with depth of individual word knowledge determining a given word's degree of integration into the mental lexicon. The paper begins by reviewing the body of evidence relevant to the research question, and then presents the design and results of an investigation comparing nonnative and native speaker patterns of responses in light of depth of word knowledge scores. In discussing the results of the study, a tentative model for the process by which words are integrated into the mental lexicon is proposed, and the long-standing belief that a shift from predominantly syntagmatic to predominantly paradigmatic responses is indicative of lexical development is challenged.

scholarly journals Teachers’ Perceptions of the Home-School Collaboration: Enhancing Learning for Children with Autism

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chana Josilowski
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Parental Engagement ◽  
The Body ◽  
Home School ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
School Collaboration ◽  
Involved Parents

This study aimed to explore the relationship between teachers and students’ families and address the deficiencies in the body of research regarding the performance gap between children with autism and their age-equivalent peers. The research question was: How do teachers of children with autism perceive the home-school collaboration and its impact on learning? Ten state-certified special educators with at least 3 years’ experience teaching children with autism, and experience collaborating with their students’ families participated in face-to-face interviews, answering 8 open-ended questions in this generic qualitative study. Inductive thematic analysis yielded 6 themes: (a) collaboration improves learning, (b) communication is vital, (c) collaboration supports overall student improvement, (d) challenges impact collaboration, (e) parental involvement is imperative, and (f) teachers find ways to promote parental engagement. A strong home-school connection improved students’ ability to grasp material in the classroom, decreased the children’s anxiety and enhanced their sense of security; also, involved parents reinforced the learning process at home. Recommendations for future research include studying a larger sample to increase generalizability and covering a larger geographic area for better representation of the population.

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