scholarly journals EXPRESS: Individual Word Activation and Word Frequency Effects during the Processing of Opaque Idiomatic Expressions

2021 ◽  
pp. 174702182110479
Author(s):  
Ferdy Hubers ◽  
Catia Cucchiarini ◽  
Helmer Strik ◽  
Ton Dijkstra
Keyword(s):  
Target Word ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Primed Word ◽  
Idiomatic Expressions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Correct Target ◽  
Idiom Processing

Idiom processing studies have paid considerable attention to the relationship between idiomatic expressions as a whole and their constituent words. Although most research focused on the semantic properties of the constituent words, their orthographic form could also play a role in processing. To test this, we assessed both form and meaning activation of individual words during the processing of opaque idioms. In two primed word naming experiments, Dutch native speakers silently read sentences word by word and then named the last word of the sentence. This target word was embedded in either an idiomatic or a literal context, and was either expected/correct in this context (COR), or semantically related (REL) or unrelated (UNREL) to the expected word. The correct target word in the idiomatic context was always part of an opaque idiom. Faster naming latencies for the idiom-final noun than for the unrelated target in the idiomatic context indicated that the idiom was activated as a whole during processing. In addition, semantic facilitation was observed in the literal context (COR<REL<UNREL), but not in the idiomatic context (COR<REL=UNREL). This is evidence that the idiom-final noun was not activated at the meaning level of representation. However, an inhibitory effect of orthographic word frequency of the idiom-final noun indicated that the idiom-final noun was activated at the form level. These results provide evidence in favor of a hybrid model of idiom processing in which the individual words and the idiom as a whole interact on form and meaning levels of representation.

Word frequency counts

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-239
Author(s):  
Bartosz Brzoza
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Applied Research ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Subjective Frequency ◽  
Corpus Linguistic ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Frequency Counts

Abstract Lexical frequency is one of the major variables involved in language processing. It constitutes a cornerstone of psycholinguistic, corpus linguistic as well as applied research. Linguists take frequency counts from corpora and they started to take them for granted. However, voices emerge that corpora may not always provide a comprehensive picture of how frequently lexical items appear in a language. In the present contribution I compare corpus frequency counts for English and Polish words to native speakers’ perception of frequency. The analysis shows that, while generally objective and subjective values are related, there is a disparity between measures for frequent Polish words. The direction of the relationship, though positive, is also not as strong as in previous studies. I suggest linking objective with subjective frequency measures in research.

scholarly journals Theory of Mind and Linguistic Acquisition

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Ronnie Goodwin
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Mental States ◽  
False Belief ◽  
Literal Interpretation ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Idiomatic Expressions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Theory of Mind (ToM) is a conceptual theory that is credited with enabling individuals to anticipate the mental states of others, including their beliefs, desires, emotions, intentions, and additional emotive circumstances (Flavell, 2004). Linguistic acquisition is a natural development that begins to develop in children from birth and enables communication. The cognitive domains necessary to comprehend language is also required in order for the formation of ToM to develop. The interpretations made through ToM presumptions can contain the discernment of another’s false belief. In this context, the individual must be aware that the literal interpretation could be an inaccurate symbol or manufactured belief. This understanding requires a certain level of cognitive development in the child since the intention may be to signify something else and the child must be able to correctly process idiomatic expressions in order to accurately make ToM determinations (Caillies &amp; Le Sourn-Bissaoui, 2008). This paper explores the relationship between ToM and linguistic acquisition in normally developing children, as well as those with various disabilities to ascertain the degree of cognitive development necessary in order to make ToM determinations. Exploration of this relationship reveals that linguistic and cognitive development are both essential in the construct of ToM perceptions in early childhood.

scholarly journals Contributions of semantic richness to the processing of idioms

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Findlay ◽  
Gareth Carrol
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Information ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Lexical Item ◽  
Semantic Richness ◽  
Idiomatic Expressions ◽  
Perceptual Characteristics ◽  
Idiom Processing

Abstract Idiom studies typically consider variables such as familiarity, decomposability and literal plausibility, and the contributions of these to how figurative phrases are processed are well established. In this study we consider the effect of a previously untested variable: semantic richness. Semantic richness refers broadly to the range of semantic information denoted by a lexical item, and reflects features such as imageability, number of senses, semantic neighbourhood, etc. This has generally been restricted to single words and sometimes to metaphors, so here we investigate how some aspects of this measure – specifically those reflecting perceptual characteristics – contribute to the processing of idiomatic expressions. Results show that aspects of semantic richness affect idiom processing in different ways, with some (emotional valence) contributing to faster processing of figuratively related words, and others (those that highlight physical and literal aspects of the idiom) showing an inhibitory effect. We also show that for some of the dimensions of semantic richness considered here, there is a significant correlation between a measure constructed from the ratings of component words, and one gathered from ratings for the phrase as a whole, suggesting a straightforward way to operationalise semantic richness at a multiword level.

Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 7-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batia Laufer ◽  
Paul Nation
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

scholarly journals The Role of NS Personality and Experience in NS-NNS Interaction

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey M. Derwing
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
Frequency Rate ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Regular Contact ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigates the relationship of native speakers' (NSs) personality traits and experience interacting with non-native speakers (NNSs) to the use of conversational adjustments and differences in word frequency and speech rate. Eight ESL instructors and eight persons who had no regular contact with NNSs were asked to view a film, then tell a NS and a NNS partner its story. Transcripts of the subjects' film narratives to the listeners were examined for differences in word frequency, rate, and conversational adjustments. Although the ESL instructors used certain conversational adjustments significantly more with NNSs than did the inexperienced subjects, the two groups did not differ in terms of word frequency or rate. When subjects were grouped according to the personality traits of interpersonal affect and social participation, they did not differ in overall usage of conversational adjustments, but significant differences were found in both word frequency and speech rate.

scholarly journals Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition: are they related?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Nation ◽  
B Laufer
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

scholarly journals Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition: are they related?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Nation ◽  
B Laufer
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

Accent Policy and Accent Modification Enterprises as Potential Indicators of Intercultural Power Relations: A Call for an Updated Research Agenda

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brynne D. Ovalle ◽  
Rahul Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This article has two purposes: (a) to examine the relationship between intercultural power relations and the widespread practice of accent discrimination and (b) to underscore the ramifications of accent discrimination both for the individual and for global society as a whole. First, authors review social theory regarding language and group identity construction, and then go on to integrate more current studies linking accent bias to sociocultural variables. Authors discuss three examples of intercultural accent discrimination in order to illustrate how this link manifests itself in the broader context of international relations (i.e., how accent discrimination is generated in situations of unequal power) and, using a review of current research, assess the consequences of accent discrimination for the individual. Finally, the article highlights the impact that linguistic discrimination is having on linguistic diversity globally, partially using data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and partially by offering a potential context for interpreting the emergence of practices that seek to reduce or modify speaker accents.

Investigating the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Stigma Among Young Adults With History of Suicide Attempts

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meshan Lehmann ◽  
Matthew R. Hilimire ◽  
Lawrence H. Yang ◽  
Bruce G. Link ◽  
Jordan E. DeVylder
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Self-esteem is a major contributor to risk for repeated suicide attempts. Prior research has shown that awareness of stigma is associated with reduced self-esteem among people with mental illness. No prior studies have examined the association between self-esteem and stereotype awareness among individuals with past suicide attempts. Aims: To understand the relationship between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among young adults who have and have not attempted suicide. Method: Computerized surveys were administered to college students (N = 637). Linear regression analyses were used to test associations between self-esteem and stereotype awareness, attempt history, and their interaction. Results: There was a significant stereotype awareness by attempt interaction (β = –.74, p = .006) in the regression analysis. The interaction was explained by a stronger negative association between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among individuals with past suicide attempts (β = –.50, p = .013) compared with those without attempts (β = –.09, p = .037). Conclusion: Stigma is associated with lower self-esteem within this high-functioning sample of young adults with histories of suicide attempts. Alleviating the impact of stigma at the individual (clinical) or community (public health) levels may improve self-esteem among this high-risk population, which could potentially influence subsequent suicide risk.

Purification and Characterization of Lupus Anticoagulant Like Protein from Agkistrodon Halys Brevicaudus Venom

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (06) ◽  
pp. 0993-0997
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yan Li ◽  
Xiao-Wei Wu ◽  
Tie-Fu Yu ◽  
Eric C-Y Lian
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Lupus Anticoagulant ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Clotting Factor ◽  
Acid Oxidase ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Amino Acid Oxidase ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Reducing Condition

SummaryBy means of CM-Sephadex C-25, DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-200, and Sephadex G-75 chromatographies, a lupus anticoagulant like protein (LALP) from Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus was purified. On SDS-PAGE, the purified LALP had a molecular weight of 25,500 daltons under non-reducing condition and 15,000 daltons under reducing condition. The isoelectric point was pH 5.6. Its N terminal amino acid sequencing revealed a mixture of 2 sequences: DCP(P/S)(D/G)WSSYEGH(C/R)Q(Q/K). It was devoid of phospho-lipaseA, fibrino(geno)lytic, 5′-nucleotidase, L-amino acid oxidase, phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase and thrombin-like activities, which were found in crude venom. In the presence of LALP, PT, aPTT, and dRVVT of human plasma were markedly prolonged and its effects were concentration-dependent but time-independent. The inhibitory effect of LALP on the plasma clotting time was enhanced by decreasing phospholipid concentration in TTI test. The individual clotting factor activity was not affected by LALP when higher dilutions of LALP-plasma mixture were used for assay. Russell’s viper venom time was shortened when high phospholipid confirmatory reagent was used. Therefore, the protein has lupus anticoagulant property.

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