scholarly journals Humor and the Creative Use of English Expressions in the Speech of University Students: A Case From Jordan

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402091455
Author(s):  
Essa Salem ◽  
Marwan Jarrah ◽  
Imran Alrashdan
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Word Formation ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Sequential Approach ◽  
Jordanian Arabic ◽  
Linguistic Resource ◽  
Arabic Word ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Arabic And English

The present study examines the use of English lexical insertions to create humor by Jordanian university students. The data of the study are collected from spontaneous tape-recorded conversations from 62 participants of both males and females, representing different age groups (from 18–23 years old) and belonging to different specializations (e.g., engineering, pharmacy, mathematics, business, and English). The recorded conversations are qualitatively analyzed applying Auer’s sequential approach to code-switching to attain a local interpretation of lexical insertions for humor effect from English into Jordanian Arabic (JA). The findings of the study reveal that Jordanian university students exploit their bilingual repertoire to create humor by playfully and innovatively switching to English. This is shown to take place by unexpected switching points, a switching that flouts Arabic syntactic constraints, a violation of code-switching constraints, incongruity and incompatibility of translating Arabic culture-bound expressions to English, and imposing Arabic word formation templates to English insertions. Specifically, five patterns of code-switching of humor are found, namely, switching around the interrogative, playful affixation, phonological playfulness, haphazard calquing, and the imposition of Arabic morphological rules on English lexical insertions. The study argues that humorous insertions are in fact a marker of solidarity and an in-group membership. Humorous insertions are also shown not to contribute to the content of the message or the pragmatic meaning. Bilingual university students (of Arabic and English) purposefully make use of an additional linguistic resource to mock certain propositions.

scholarly journals Insomnia among Egyptian Samples of University Students and Employees

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdel-Khalek ◽  
Maysa al Nyal ◽  
Hanan Saeed
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Principle Components Analysis ◽  
Female Employees ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Male University Students ◽  
Two Age Groups

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of insomnia, differences between males and females, and between two age groups, and to explore the factorial structure of the Arabic Scale of Insomnia (ASI). Samples of university students (n=500) and employees (n=457) of both sexes were recruited. Female university students obtained the highest mean total score on the ASI, followed by female employees, male university students, and finally male employees. The salient significant differences were between female students and male employees and between male and female employees. Despite the differences in the prevalence rate of insomnia between the four groups, they all agreed on that the least prevalence rate was for the item: “I feel depressed when it is time for me to go to bed, whereas the highest prevalence rate was for the item: “My interrupted sleep annoys me.” Principle components analysis yielded three factors for each group. Most of their names were not identical. The most salient finding of this study was the statistically significant sex differences in insomnia in favor of women. It was concluded that is it important to introduce counseling for those who obtained high scores on the ASI. 

scholarly journals Arabic English Code Switching among Saudi Speakers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ibrahim Alsalami
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Code Mixing ◽  
Working People ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Arabic And English ◽  
High Level ◽  
Better Than

Many studies have been conducted on code-switching worldwide, but few were carried out on Saudi context. Therefore, this study inquires the use of code-switching among Saudis who speak both Arabic and English to identify the reasons of code-switching and to know the significant differences regarding gender, age, qualification, and level of English. The study raises two questions. They are: 1) What are the reasons of code-switching of Saudis as native speakers of Arabic? And 2) Are there significant differences for code-switching of Saudis as native speakers of Arabic due to gender, age, qualification, and level of English? A descriptive-analytical approach has been adopted, and SPSS program is used. A questionnaire (30 items) was distributed to a sample of 426 Saudis. Findings showed that those with high-level proficiency combined Arabic and English languages more due to their awareness of English language expressions and found English vocabulary more expressive and delivered their ideas better. Moreover, working people used code-switching extensively. Furthermore, postgraduates were found to be better than others. Additionally, genders were both exposed to the same circumstances. Finally, individuals among all age groups combined both Arabic and English languages due perhaps to several reasons. Therefore, the researcher recommends that it might be better to study the significance of forming training courses to keep the interest of natives to take pride and use it in all aspects of life. Finally, the researcher suggests conducting another study on investigating code-switching among instructors in EFL classrooms and exploring code-mixing since there are few studies.

Psychometric Parameters of the Spanish Version of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale (S-KUAS)1

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek ◽  
Joaquin Tomás-Sabádo ◽  
Juana Gómez-Benito
Keyword(s):  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Spanish Version ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Kuwait University ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Arabic And English ◽  
Cross Language ◽  
Language Equivalence

Summary: To construct a Spanish version of the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale (S-KUAS), the Arabic and English versions of the KUAS have been separately translated into Spanish. To check the comparability in terms of meaning, the two Spanish preliminary translations were thoroughly scrutinized vis-à-vis both the Arabic and English forms by several experts. Bilingual subjects served to explore the cross-language equivalence of the English and Spanish versions of the KUAS. The correlation between the total scores on both versions was .93, and the t value was .30 (n.s.), denoting good similarity. The Alphas and 4-week test-retest reliabilities were greater than .84, while the criterion-related validity was .70 against scores on the trait subscale of the STAI. These findings denote good reliability and validity of the S-KUAS. Factor analysis yielded three high-loaded factors of Behavioral/Subjective, Cognitive/Affective, and Somatic Anxiety, equivalent to the original Arabic version. Female (n = 210) undergraduates attained significantly higher mean scores than their male (n = 102) counterparts. For the combined group of males and females, the correlation between the total score on the S-KUAS and age was -.17 (p < .01). By and large, the findings of the present study provide evidence of the utility of the S-KUAS in assessing trait anxiety levels in the Spanish undergraduate context.

Projected future risk of leukemia and brain tumors from unnecessary brain CT scans: a multi-center study in Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Asgari ◽  
A.A. Parach ◽  
F. Bouzarjomehri ◽  
F. Shirani-Takabi ◽  
A.H. Mehrparvar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Cancer ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Brain Ct ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Multi Center Study ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
Probability Of Cancer

Introduction: Computer Tomography (CT) scans can deliver a relatively high radiation dose to the patient, therefore radiation protection for this modality is paramount. The present study determined the frequency of no abnormality detected (NAD) brain CT scans and probability of cancer induction in different age groups and genders. Methods: In this study, brain CT reports were used to identify any findings as abnormality detected (AD) and others as NAD. Then probability of future leukemia and brain cancer was estimated for different age and gender groups. Results: On average, in 65% of the cases the results were NAD (56% and 76% among males and females, respectively). Among children, 79% of the reports were NAD. The total number of projected brain cancers was 1.8 and 1.3 for males and females, respectively. The number of projected leukemia cases was 0.75 and 0.7 for males and females, respectively. For pediatric patients, brain CT scans can lead to leukemia cases about 4.5 times more often than adults. Conclusion: Brain CT scans can lead to additional cases of brain cancer and leukemia. A significant fraction of brain CTs were NAD (non-pathologic) and could practically be replaced by other radiation-free imaging modalities, especially in pediatric and young patients.

Sexual Dimorphism among the Kathmandu University Students Assessed by Anthropometric Studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (05) ◽  
pp. 20469-20472
Author(s):  
Shakya R ◽  
Bhattacharya SC ◽  
Shrestha R
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
University Students ◽  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Crime Detection ◽  
Males And Females

Objectives: To observe the sexual dimorphism among the young adult age group ranging from 18-21 years, of Kathmandu University students by measuring craniofacial circumference and canthal distances. Rationale of the study: These data could be useful for establishing the craniofacial standards and adds an implementation on plastic surgery, crime detection as well as in the industrial field. Method: 300 clinically normal students of Kathmandu University aged between 18-21 years were examined for the study. Fronto-occipital circumference, outer and inner canthal distances were measured. All the parameters were compared between males and females. Result: The cranial circumference as well as the inner and outer canthal distance in males was found to be significantly higher as compared to the females. Conclusion: The results concluded that sexual dimorphism remarkably exists in young adults of Kathmandu University students.

Size-At-Age Variability and Sexual Dimorphism of Morphometric Characteristics in the Late Ontogenesis of the Marsh Frog, Pelophylax Ridibundus (Anura, Ranidae), from Terrytory of Crimea

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
V. N. Peskov ◽  
N. A. Petrenko ◽  
V. Yu. Reminnyi
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Morphometric Characteristics ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Marsh Frog ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Size At Age ◽  
Linear Body

Abstract We study size-at-age and sexual variability of morphometric characteristics of the marsh frog. According to the size of the body, males were divided into three size-age groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus), females — into four groups (juvenis, subadultus, adultus, adultus-I). We found that the chronological age of frogs (skeletochronology) does not always correspond to their biological age (size and proportions of the body). We noted that the semi-adult males are reliably larger than females by mean values of 26 studied morphometric characters. Males and females of “adultus” group do not differ by linear body size, significant differences were found in body proportions (7 characters). For the females of “adultus-I” group, the mean values of 26 characters are significantly larger than for “adultus” males. The results of our study showed that with the age of the marsh frog, the level of exhibition, directionality and structure of morphometric sex differences changes.

Reproductive behavior

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Olzer ◽  
Rebecca L. Ehrlich ◽  
Justa L. Heinen-Kay ◽  
Jessie Tanner ◽  
Marlene Zuk
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Sexual Conflict ◽  
Female Choice ◽  
Reproductive Behavior ◽  
Mating Systems ◽  
Insect Behavior ◽  
Sequential Approach ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Males And Females

Sex and reproduction lie at the heart of studies of insect behavior. We begin by providing a brief overview of insect anatomy and physiology, followed by an introduction to the overarching themes of parental investment, sexual selection, and mating systems. We then take a sequential approach to illustrate the diversity of phenomena and concepts behind insect reproductive behavior from pre-copulatory mate signalling through copulatory sperm transfer, mating positions, and sexual conflict, to post-copulatory sperm competition, and cryptic female choice. We provide an overview of the evolutionary mechanisms driving reproductive behavior. These events are linked by the economic defendability of mates or resources, and how these are allocated in each sex. Under the framework of economic defendability, the reader can better understand how sexual antagonistic behaviors arise as the result of competing optimal fitness strategies between males and females.

Internal versus External Locus of Control for Three Age Groups

1974 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Staats
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
External Locus ◽  
Internal Locus ◽  
Internal Locus Of Control ◽  
College Population ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
External Locus Of Control

Rotter's I-E Scale was administered to a non-college population of males and females in 3 age groups: 5–15, 16–25, and 46–60. Internal locus of control expectations increased with age. A trend for males to be more internal in their beliefs was suggested.

scholarly journals All sites but skin cancer incidences analyzed worldwide by sex, age, and skin type over time (1955-2007), advancing age, and UVB dose reveals important carcinogenic drivers

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Dianne E. Godar ◽  
Rossen Gurov ◽  
Stephen J. Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Skin Type ◽  
European Ancestry ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Over Time

Because we observed increasing incidences over time, advancing age, higher estrogen levels, decreasing UVB (290-315 nm) doses, or lower vitamin D3, and Human Papillomavirus hiding in immune-privileged sites of hair follicles play roles in melanoma, we wondered if the majority of cancers might have similar carcinogenic drivers. To investigate this possibility, we performed worldwide analysis of all sites but skin cancer over time (1955-2007), advancing age, and UVB doses for males and females with all skin types and ages (0-85+) and in five age groups using IARC data. To investigate Human Papillomavirus’s role, we analyzed the incidences of breast, prostate, and colon cancers in a developed country with European ancestry (New Zealand) having high amounts of androgenic hair and a developing country with Asian ancestry (India) having low amounts of androgenic hair. To potentially add epidemiology to the already established role of estrogen in cancer, we analyzed males and females in various countries around the world using the incidence of breast cancer (> 70 yr.) as an established indicator of estrogen levels. The analysis reveals cancer incidences are steadily increasing over time in developed but not developing countries regardless of skin type. Only US white, but not black, breast, prostate, and colon cancer incidences in the oldest age group significantly decreased with increasing UVB dose suggesting a role for vitamin D3. The data suggests the carcinogenic drivers in many cancers are estrogen, increasing age (or reactive oxygen species), decreasing vitamin D3 levels, and persistence of Human Papillomavirus infection in immune-privileged sites.

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