scholarly journals African multilingualism viewed from another angle: Challenging the Casamance exception

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 939-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Sagna ◽  
Abbie Hantgan
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Language Community ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Frequency Counts

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions: The former region of southern Senegal, the Casamance, has been portrayed throughout the literature on African multilingualism in a singular light, for example, as an area where monolingualism does not exist. The purpose of this article is to stress the previously unacknowledged importance of monolingual settings and practices by discussing data that have yet to be presented in the literature. Design/Methodology/Approach: We investigate rural multilingualism and monolingualism across the Casamance by carrying out the following four studies: (a) we conduct a survey of 62 villages with a questionnaire and our newly created ‘blindfold test’, classifying them into two main types; (b) with 34 women we study the role of exogamy in multilingual language acquisition in one of the villages; (c) we analyse child language production data and child directed speech to examine the existence of monolingual language acquisition; (d) we examine the sociolinguistic profiles of 101 speakers of one language community to investigate intergenerational multilingualism. Data and Analysis: Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts. Additionally, we couch our results on multilingualism in the theory of canonical typology. Findings/Conclusions: We propose a distinction between multilingual settings, e.g. communities where speakers are most likely to accommodate, and who live among villages largely located on national roads and around cities, and monolingual settings, which constitute most of the villages of the Casamance and where language acquisition is monolingual and where migration, rather than exogamy, accounts for the development of individual multilingualism. Originality: This article contributes unprecedented research methodology for the study of complex multilingual situations such as those found in African multilingual contexts. Significance/Implications: Our study adds to the growing understanding of small-scale multilingualism and the emergence of multilingualism in monolingual contexts.

Asymmetric semantic interaction in Jedek-Jahai bilinguals: Spatial language in a small-scale, non-standardized, egalitarian, long-term multilingual setting in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-507
Author(s):  
Joanne Yager ◽  
Marianne Gullberg
Keyword(s):  
Language Production ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Spatial Language ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Topological Relations ◽  
Topological Relation ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Semantic Interaction

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: We investigate semantic interaction in bilinguals’ topological relations descriptions in a small-scale, non-standardized, egalitarian, long-term multilingual setting in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: Two groups of bilingual speakers of Jedek and Jahai (8 Jedek-identifying, 6 Jahai-identifying bilinguals) and two groups of monolingual Jedek and Jahai speakers (15 Jedek, 3 Jahai speakers) described the Topological Relations Picture Series in a director-matcher task, the bilinguals completing the task in both Jedek and Jahai. Data and analysis: We compare the semantic boundaries of Jedek and Jahai topological relation markers (TRMs) as used by the monolingual and bilingual groups in extension maps and congruence analyses. The analyses focus on the TRM klɛŋ, which is identical in form but semantically different in the two varieties. Findings/conclusions: We find evidence for asymmetric interaction in the expression of topological relations in Jedek and Jahai, with bidirectional influences in the Jahai-identifying bilinguals and a unidirectional influence of Jedek on Jahai in the Jedek-identifying bilinguals. This is commensurate with predictions based on Muysken’s framework of bilingual optimization strategies. Originality: The analyses shed new light on the nature of semantic interaction in bilingual systems by providing evidence from hitherto understudied bilingual language production in small-scale, non-standardized, egalitarian settings. Significance/implications: The results suggest that Muysken’s model is useful for understanding different bilingual outcomes, and highlight the complexity and connectedness of bilingual semantic systems. They also stress the need for more work in a variety of bilingual settings if we are to more fully understand the nature of bilingual systems.

The speakers of minority languages are more multilingual

2021 ◽  
pp. 136700692110231
Author(s):  
Nina Dobrushina ◽  
George Moroz
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Data ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Language Evolution ◽  
First Language ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
Language Community ◽  
Second Languages ◽  
Research Questions

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: The paper tests the hypothesis that the larger the population of language speakers, the smaller the number of second languages mastered by these speakers. Design/methodology/approach: We match the size of the population of 29 Dagestanian languages and the number of second languages spoken by the speakers of these languages from 54 villages, and run a Poisson mixed effects regression model that predicts the average number of second languages spoken by speakers from first-language communities of different size. Data and analysis: Data for this study comes from two sources. The information on the population of Dagestanian languages is based on the digitalized census of 1926. The information on the number of second languages in which the residents of Dagestan are proficient is taken from the database on multilingualism in Dagestan (4032 people). Findings/conclusions: The study supports the hypothesis that the size of language population is negatively correlated with the multilingualism of the language community. Originality: The paper is the first to test the correlation between the size of language population and the level of multilingualism of its speakers using statistical methods and a large body of empirical data. Significance and implications: Population size is a factor that could have influenced patterns of language evolution. The population is interrelated with other factors, one of which is long-standing multilingualism. The methodological lesson of this research is that there is a difference in the level of multilingualism within a range of populations where the largest was about 120,000 people. Limitations: The data is limited to one multilingual region. The revealed correlation probably does not hold for areas where language communities do not interact with their neighbors and even speakers of minority languages can be monolingual, or for the territories where many people migrated and the area where a language is spoken was discontinuous.

scholarly journals INSECURITY AND NIGERIA’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A SURVEY

2021 ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
James WOJUADE
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Survey Research ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Communal Life ◽  
Religious Conflicts ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
Frequency Counts

This study examined insecurity as the bane of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. The study adopted a descriptive survey research. The study was guided by two research questions. The participants for this study comprised one hundred and fifty (150) educated people/youth selected from Ona-Ara local government area of Ibadan metropolis. Insecurity as the bane of socio-economic development in Nigeria questionnaire was the instrument used for this study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentage. Findings revealed that ethno-religious conflicts and unemployment are among the factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria. Social dislocation, population displacement, disruption of family and communal life are some of the impacts of insecurity on Nigeria’s socio-economic development. It is recommended that government should ensure that social security programme is pursued and systematically implemented to ensure that the populace meets their basic needs.

Language processing and language acquisition through the lens of Relational Morphology

2019 ◽  
pp. 201-232
Author(s):  
Ray Jackendoff ◽  
Jenny Audring
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Spreading Activation ◽  
Linguistic Representations ◽  
Memory Network ◽  
Complex Words

This chapter asks what is happening to linguistic representations during language use, and how representations are formed in the course of language acquisition. It is shown how Relational Morphology’s theory of representations can be directly embedded into models of processing and acquisition. Central is that the lexicon, complete with schemas and relational links, constitutes the long-term memory network that supports language production and comprehension. The chapter first discusses processing: the nature of working memory; promiscuous (opportunistic) processing; spreading activation; priming; probabilistic parsing; the balance between storage and computation in recognizing morphologically complex words; and the role of relational links and schemas in word retrieval. It then turns to acquisition, which is to be thought of as adding nodes and relational links to the lexical network. The general approach is based on the Propose but Verify procedure of Trueswell et al. (2013), plus conservative generalization, as in usage-based approaches.

scholarly journals Fresh perspectives on customer experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 430-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet R. McColl-Kennedy ◽  
Anders Gustafsson ◽  
Elina Jaakkola ◽  
Phil Klaus ◽  
Zoe Jane Radnor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Advance Theory ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide directions for future research on: broadening the role of customers in customer experience; taking a practice-based approach to customer experience; and recognizing the holistic, dynamic nature of customer experience across all touch points and over time. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is conceptual identifying current gaps in research on customer experience. Findings – The findings include a set of research questions and research agenda for future research on customer experience. Originality/value – This research suggests fresh perspectives for understanding the customer experience which can inspire future research and advance theory and managerial practice.

The role of style in the ethnolect: Style-shifting in the use of ethnolectal features in first- and second-generation speakers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 861-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ksenia Gnevsheva
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Style Shifting ◽  
Australian English ◽  
First And Second Generation

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions: The paper aimed to investigate style-shifting in the use of ethnolectal features in first- and second- generation bilingual migrants. Design/Methodology/Approach: Three groups of speakers (first- and second-generation Russian–English bilinguals as well as monolingual Anglo Australians) were audio-recorded in three different styles (conversation, interview, and reading). Data and Analysis: Their production of the goose and trap vowels across the styles was analyzed quantitatively. Findings/Conclusions: Overall differences were found between the groups such that first- and second-generation speakers produced more Russian-like vowels compared to the monolinguals; with the biggest differences between the first-generation speakers and the other two groups. In terms of style-shifting, no significant differences were found in the monolingual speakers, and both first- and second-generation speakers were found to produce most Australian English-like vowels in the conversation style. At the same time, certain differences between the two bilingual groups surfaced, such as no significant differences in the first-generation speakers’ production of the goose vowel and in the vowels’ linguistic conditioning. Originality: Previous studies have compared ethnolects in the first- and second-generations of migrants and mainstream varieties in order to theorize ethnolect formation. Several studies have also investigated intraspeaker style-shifting between more ‘mainstream’ and more ‘ethnic’ in ethnolect speakers, but such style-shifting is rarely compared across generations. Significance/Implications: The similarities and differences between the two bilingual groups suggest that ethnolectal features may be originally derived from the community language but may be reallocated to other sociolinguistic meanings in the second generation.

Contemporary Accounts of the Cognition/Language Relationship

1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabel L. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Disorders ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Major Research ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Competing Hypotheses

The role of cognition in children's language acquisition is a topic of current debate. This article provides a review of the normative literature and a discussion of questions regarding children who have difficulty acquiring language. Key terminology is described, along with basic issues. Major research questions are identified, along with the competing hypotheses that have been proposed and the evidence associated with each hypothesis. Implications for models of language disorders and remediation activities are discussed.

L2 activation and blending in third language acquisition: Evidence of crosslinguistic influence from the L2 in a longitudinal study on the acquisition of L3 English

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA SÁNCHEZ
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Linguistic Knowledge ◽  
Third Language ◽  
Third Language Acquisition ◽  
Source Language ◽  
L3 Acquisition ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Crosslinguistic Influence

This paper reports the findings of a four-year longitudinal study that examined the role of prior linguistic knowledge on the written L3 production of 93 Spanish/Catalan learners. Two research questions guided the study: the first asked whether a background language (L1s Spanish/Catalan, L2 German) would activate in parallel with L3 English during word construction attempts involving verbal forms, and if so, which would be the source language of blending. The second addressed the progressive readjustments of L2 activation and blending in the course of the first 200 hours of instruction. The elicitation technique was a written narrative based on a story telling task. Data were collected first when the learners were on average 9.9 years old (T1), and again at the ages of 10.9 (T2), 11.9 (T3) and 12.9 (T4). The focus of analysis was on word construction attempts that involved verbal forms. The results suggest that a background language, the L2, did indeed activate, especially at early stages of L3 acquisition.

scholarly journals HRM and workplace innovations: formulating research questions

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1216-1227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg J. Bamber ◽  
Timothy Bartram ◽  
Pauline Stanton
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Change Agent ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the roles of human resource management (HRM) specialists in the contemplation and implementation of innovation in employing organisations and workplaces. Design/methodology/approach The authors review some of the literature and practice in this field as well as 11 other articles that are included in this special issue. Findings The authors propose six research questions. First, are HRM specialists analysing relevant trends and their implications for the future of work and the workforce? Second, are HRM specialists enabling employing organisations to identify and enable innovative ideas? Third, to what extent are HRM specialists leading partnership arrangements with organised labour? Fourth, what is the role of HRM specialists in creating inclusive work environments? Fifth, how should HRM specialists change to foster enterprise performance, intrapreneurship, agility, creativity and innovation? Sixth, to what extent is there an HRM function for line managers in coordination with HRM specialists in engendering innovation around “change agent” roles? Originality/value The authors argue that HRM specialists should embrace and enable innovation. The authors challenge HRM specialists to consider how they can contribute to facilitating innovation. The paper proposes further research on HRM and range of associated stakeholders who, together, have responsibility for innovating in the design and delivery of HRM to enrich our knowledge of HRM and workplace innovations.

scholarly journals Supply chain integration within global manufacturing networks: a contingency flow-based view

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruggero Golini ◽  
Federico Caniato ◽  
Matteo Kalchschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Networks ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Plant Level ◽  
Manufacturing Network ◽  
Single Cluster

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the role of the plant in a manufacturing network (MN) affects the configurations of the flows of goods among plants, suppliers and customers and how these configurations, in turn, affect the extent of adoption and effectiveness of supply chain (SC) integration. Design/methodology/approach Three research questions are developed at the plant level and then tested using an international survey (IMSS 6) featuring 364 plants which are part of an intra-company MN from 18 countries. Findings Five configurations of flows of goods emerge from the analysis. These configurations appear to be related to the role of the plant in the network and to the effectiveness of SC integration practices, but not to their extent of adoption. Research limitations/implications Research limitations include the focus on specific industries (assembly industries) and limited size of the clusters which did not allow for a deep investigation of each single cluster. Originality/value The paper creates a bridge between two literature streams (MNs and SC management) by means of an innovative flow-based perspective that can help researchers and practitioners to disentangle the two interwoven perspectives.

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