When semantics and phonology collide: Gender assignment in mixed Tsova-Tush–Georgian nominal constructions

2021 ◽  
pp. 136700692110395
Author(s):  
Kate Bellamy ◽  
Jesse Wichers Schreur
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
First Language ◽  
Gender Assignment ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Translation Equivalent ◽  
Stimulus Variation ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Corpus Data ◽  
Log Linear

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This paper investigates the gender assignment strategies employed when genderless Georgian nouns are inserted into gendered Tsova-Tush utterances. We explore the linguistic and extra-linguistic factors motivating the strategies, and compare how these code-switches behave in relation to loans. Design/methodology/approach: Taking a broadly usage-based approach, we collected three types of data: (a) naturalistic corpus data; (b) semi-naturalistic production data from a forced-switch director–matcher (DM) task; and (c) a three-response forced-choice acceptability judgement task (AJT). Data and analysis: The responses from the DM task ( n = 12) and AJT acceptability ( n = 12) were analysed using descriptive (Chi-square) and inferential (log-linear) statistics. The corpus data are described qualitatively. Findings/conclusions: Both the gender of the Tsova-Tush translation equivalent (TE) and the Georgian phonology of the code-switched noun were significantly related to the response, with the TE being the stronger determinant of the two. Only marginal evidence for a default strategy was found. Production responses were found to be more consistent than comprehension responses, with more frequent lexemes displaying higher inter-participant consistency in production. Originality: Tsova-Tush, an endangered Nakh–Daghestanian language with five genders marked by prefixes, offers much-needed diversification within the code-switching literature concerning grammatical gender. This complexity also raises new questions regarding the notion of default in mixed nominal constructions. Significance/implications: Our findings support the prediction that first language speakers of a gendered language prefer a TE strategy, but contradict a relationship between default strategy and language dominance. Phonological criteria display a stronger role in gender assignment than previously found. Frequency and entrenchment of gender–noun pairings partially explain inter-speaker and inter-stimulus variation and consistency, providing a plausible pathway from code-switches to borrowings. Limitations: An unavoidable limitation is the sample size, reflecting the small speaker population. We strongly advocate for similar research in other language pairs in the Caucasus where gender systems feature prominently.

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 Code-switching within the noun phrase: Evidence from three corpora

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 695-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carmen Parafita Couto ◽  
Marianne Gullberg
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Noun Phrase ◽  
Word Order ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Word Class ◽  
Statistical Software ◽  
Switching Patterns ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Research Questions

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This study aims to improve our understanding of common switching patterns by examining determiner–noun–adjective complexes in code-switching (CS) in three language pairs (Welsh–English, Spanish–English and Papiamento–Dutch). The languages differ in gender and noun–adjective word order in the noun phrase (NP): (a) Spanish, Welsh, and Dutch have gender; English and Papiamento do not; (b) Spanish, Welsh, and Papiamento prefer post-nominal adjectives; Dutch and English, prenominal ones. We test predictions on determiner language and adjective order derived from generativist accounts and the Matrix Language Frame (MLF) approach. Design/methodology/approach: We draw on three publicly available spoken corpora. For the purposes of these analyses, we re-coded all three datasets identically. From the three re-coded corpora we extracted all monolingual and mixed simplex NPs (DetN) and complex NPs with determiners (determiner–adjective–noun (DetAN/NA)). We then examined the surrounding clause for each to determine the matrix language based on the finite verb. Data and analysis: We analysed the data using a linear regression model in R statistical software to examine the distribution of languages across word class and word order in the corpora. Findings/conclusions: Overall, the generativist predictions are borne out regarding adjective positions but not determiners and the MLF accounts for more of the data. We explore extra-linguistic explanations for the patterns observed. Originality: The current study has provided new empirical data on nominal CS from language pairs not previously considered. Significance/implications: This study has revealed robust patterns across three corpora and taken a step towards disentangling two theoretical accounts. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of comparing multiple language pairs using similar coding.

Building maps: GIS and student engagement

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Emily McGinn ◽  
Meagan Duever
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Central Concept ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Research ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Tools And Methods

Purpose This paper aims to detail the use of ESRs ArcMap in the undergraduate history classroom, as an example of pedagogical inquiry and as a method for integrating digital humanities (DH) tools and methods directly into humanities research and pedagogy. Design/methodology/approach This class is an example of pedagogical inquiry and a method for integrating DH tools and methods directly into humanities research and pedagogy. Findings With this approach, students see the immediate application of DH to traditional humanities objects of study and aid these in the pursuit of innovative research questions and methods. Originality/value The use of DH in traditional humanities classrooms as a central concept with experts from the libraries integrated into course design and project planning is unique and is a model that could be implemented at other institutions.

Exploring the motivations of tourism social entrepreneurs

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1137-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziene Mottiar
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Tourism Destinations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the motivations of social entrepreneurs. It explores the case of the Gathering in Ireland in 2013, when against a backdrop of recession, the national Government encouraged individuals and communities to organize events and invite the Diaspora to visit Ireland as a way of helping the country to revitalize. Some 5,000 events took place across the country during the year, and this paper examines this in the context of social entrepreneurship. Three research questions are posed: Who were these tourism and social entrepreneurs who organized events as a result of the Gathering? What motivated them to engage in these activities? Will this social entrepreneurship activity be maintained beyond 2013 and how has it been impacted by the Gathering? Design/methodology/approach The empirical research was conducted in two counties in Ireland, Co. Kerry and Co. Westmeath. The research tools used were key informant interviews, a survey of event organizers and focus groups. Findings Key findings show that the Gathering has resulted in the emergence of new social entrepreneurs, but it has also had a positive impact on those who had run their events before, as it made them be more strategic in the way they planned and ran their event and also resulted in them thinking about these events in terms of tourists rather than just the local community. They also developed new skills which will aid their future development. It is clear that social entrepreneurs can play a fundamental role in the development of tourism destinations, and this is an important topic for researchers in tourism to be concerned about. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the fact that it addresses the issue of motivation of social entrepreneurs and challenges us to think more about how these types of entrepreneurs identify the problem that they will address. Furthermore, this case shows that the motivation for such action can be prompted by a national strategy, rather than as the literature heretofore represented it as an innate motivation that materialized and developed within particular individuals.

scholarly journals Developing a conceptual model of influences around integrated reporting, new insights and directions for future research

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charl de Villiers ◽  
Pei-Chi Kelly Hsiao ◽  
Warren Maroun
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual model for examining the development of integrated reporting, relate the articles in this Meditari Accountancy Research special issue on integrated reporting to the model and identify areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a narrative/discursive style to summarise key findings from the articles in the special issue and develop a normative research agenda. Findings The findings of the prior literature, as well as the articles in this special issue, support the conceptual model developed in this paper. This new conceptual model can be used in multiple ways. Originality/value The special issue draws on some of the latest developments in integrated reporting from multiple jurisdictions. Different theoretical frameworks and methodologies, coupled with primary evidence on integrated reporting, construct a pluralistic assessment of integrated reporting, which can be used as a basis for future research. The new conceptual model developed in this paper can be used as an organising framework; a way of understanding and thinking about the various influences; a way of identifying additional factors to control for in a study; and/or a way of identifying new, interesting and underexplored research questions.

Earnings management and goodwill impairment

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Davide Caruso ◽  
Elisa Rita Ferrari ◽  
Vincenzo Pisano
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Income Smoothing ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Managerial Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand whether managerial behavior in impairing goodwill arising from M & As has changed after the adoption of IAS/IFRS, searching for evidences of earnings management (EM) practices. Thus, our goal is to provide a response to the following research questions. Are goodwill impairments used by listed firms’ managers to manipulate earnings? If so, what kind of EM practice is mostly used? Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors tested the following hypothesis: H1. In the year of the deal’s closure and in the following four years, the management detects impairment of goodwill in difformity with the previous Italian regulations and related accounting practices. Moreover, the authors tried to determine, for each considered firms, potential symptoms of typical DEM practices widely debated in the financial accounting literature (income smoothing, income minimization, income minimization, or big bath accounting). Findings – Our analysis does not prove evidence of certain EM practices, but it highlights very clearly that, after the adoption of IAS/IFRS, managers’ behavior has deeply changed. Moreover, the analysis shows that there is no univocal choice in favor of a specific EM practice and that every firm pursues its own “strategy.” Originality/value – Considering the importance of the topic from both the perspectives of managerial (with regard to M & As valuation processes) and financial accounting (with regard to intangibles valuation fulfilled by applying the impairment test instead of the amortization), this work aims to provide a multi-dimensional contribution to the current debate.

scholarly journals Investigating More Effective and Less Effective EFL Learners’Attitudes and Motivational Orientation

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Yousefi Halvaei ◽  
Ali Akbar Ansarin
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Graduate Program ◽  
Motivational Orientation ◽  
Classroom Teaching ◽  
First Year ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Motivational Orientations ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Research Questions

The present study investigated the differences in attitudes and motivation between more effective and less effective learners studying at the first year of graduate university program. Based on this aim, first, the researcher developed the three-part 35-item attitude-motivation questionnaire of the present study based on the AMTB developed by Gardner (1985). Second, he selected 441 students (224 male & 217 female) studying at the first year of their graduate program at universities in East Azarbayjan province (Iran) as the participants of the study. Third, he administered the questionnaire of the study to the selected participants and asked them to complete it. Finally, he analyzed the data of the study in order to answer the mentioned research questions. The chi-square test was utilized to analyze the collected data of the study. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences between more effective and less effective learners’ attitudes and motivation. Based on the results of the study, it was argued that, the EFL syllabus designers and teachers should help the learners to become aware of their attitudes, and motivational orientations. Furthermore, they should make an effort to tailor classroom materials and classroom teaching to the EFL learners’ individual differences.

scholarly journals The Impact of Change Management on the Efficiency of Organizations: An Applied Study on the DAL Dairy Factory - Sudan 2019 - 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Malak S. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Managing Change ◽  
Applied Study ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Scientific Hypotheses

Objectives: This study aims to know the effect of change in culture and technology on efficiency in Dairy Factory - Sudan, 2019-2020 and to know the views of managers on the impact of change management on efficiency, to identify the positive aspects that help in improving this efficiency as well as to identify the negatives Which limit the company's efficiency in this field, by answering the following research questions: - Is there an impact of changing culture and technology on increasing the efficiency of institutions? To answer these questions on which the problem is centered around, the following scientific hypotheses were put forward: - There is a statistically significant relationship between changing the organization's culture and increasing the efficiency of organizations, as well as the existence of a statistically significant relationship between changing technology in the organization and increasing the efficiency of organizations. Methods: The descriptive and analytical approach was used to describe the phenomenon under study, and the questionnaire was used to collect various data. The questionnaire was distributed to the sample members who numbered (55) employees to conduct the statistical analysis for this study, through the program used for the statistical analysis of social sciences, the hypotheses were tested by Median and chi-square. Finding: inflating the culture of the departments and divisions of the company, the stagnation and inflexibility of the society's culture, and the inadequacy of that culture to the requirements of work within the community, which led to an overlap in the powers and responsibilities? The most important recommendations: The necessity of changing the organizational structure to comply with the requirements of work, after carefully studying the internal and external environment, and for the change to take place based on the recommendations of specialists in administrative sciences. So that it is not random and does not lead to an inflation of the organizational structure without success. Value: The importance of the study stems from the fact that it addresses an important topic in business administration, which is managing change in organizations, which is the only way for these organizations to develop and continue to exist. It also studies the reality of change management in the DAL Dairy Factory - Sudan.

scholarly journals Predictors of Users’ Satisfaction with E-payment System: a Case Study of Staff at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Organizacija ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyinka Tella ◽  
Isah Abdulmumin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Payment System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
System A ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The University ◽  
Perceived Speed

Abstract Background and Purpose: Many organisations are using the e-payment system; however, its effectiveness has not been determined particularly in the Nigeria context. The University of Ilorin as educational organisation started using e-payment system in 2010 and up till now there has been limited or no study conducted to examine whether or not workers are satisfied with the new payment system together with other related ones they are familiar with. It is in the light of this that this study examined users’ satisfaction with the e-payment system at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: A sample of 260 academic and non-academic staff was taken from six out 12 faculties that made up the university. Using a survey research approach data was collected with a modified questionnaire. Five research questions were developed to guide the study. Results: The results revealed that, respondents (93.5%) were adequately satisfied, satisfied and moderately satisfied, while, only (6.5%) of the respondents were less satisfied and dissatisfied. Perceived speed was identified as the characteristics users mostly satisfied with, followed by system security, traceability, and convenience. Moreover, there is significant correlation among the entire e-payment characteristics/factors (perceived speed, security, anonymity, traceability, perceived ease of payment, and convenience); and that all the six factors jointly predict users’ satisfaction with the e-payment system. In order of magnitude of the prediction/contribution to e-payment, users’ satisfaction, perceived speed made the most significant prediction/contribution. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the study concluded a considerable percentage of the respondents (93.5%) are satisfied with the e-payment system at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. In lieu of this therefore, there is need to improve the e-payment system so that all and sundry could be satisfied.

Agent-based mechanism design – investigating bounded rationality concepts in a budgeting context

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Lorscheid ◽  
Matthias Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Design ◽  
Bounded Rationality ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Decision Context ◽  
Agent Learning ◽  
Groves Mechanism ◽  
Research Questions

Purpose This study aims to demonstrate how agent-based simulation (ABS) may provide a computational testbed for mechanism design using concepts of bounded rationality (BR). ABS can be used to systematically derive and formalize different models of BR. This allows us to identify the cognitive preconditions for behavior intended by the mechanism and thereby to derive implications for the design of mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach Based on an analysis of the requirements of the decision context, the authors describe a systematic way of incorporating different BR concepts into an agent learning model. The approach is illustrated by analyzing an incentive scheme suggested for truthful reporting in budgeting contexts, which is an adapted Groves mechanism scheme. Findings The study describes systematic ways in which to derive BR agents for research questions where behavioral aspects might matter. The authors show that BR concepts may lead to other outcomes than the intended truth-inducing effect. A modification of the mechanism to more distinguishable levels of payments improves the results in terms of the intended effect. Research limitations/implications The presented BR concepts as simulated by agent models cannot model human behavior in its full complexity. The simplification of complex human behavior is a useful analytical construct for the controlled analysis of a few aspects and an understanding of the potential consequences of those aspects of human behavior for mechanism design. Originality/value The paper specifies the idea of a computational testbed for mechanism design based on BR concepts. Beyond this, a systematic and stepwise approach is shown to formalize bounded rational behavior by agents based on a requirements analysis, including benchmark models for the comparison and evaluation of BR concepts.

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