The variable of gender and its interplay with mother tongue in the humor and laughter of bilingual couples

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silja Ang-Tschachtli
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Sexual Script ◽  
Human Group ◽  
Group Interactions ◽  
Self Assessments ◽  
Discourse Studies ◽  
Gender Patterns ◽  
High Level

Abstract The variables of gender and mother tongue are usually considered independently in humor research. This article aims to explore the role of gender and its interplay with mother tongue in the production, reception, and assessment of humor among 10 bilingual, bicultural couples. It investigates whether the gender patterns commonly observed are also evident in these couples’ conversations, namely that women laugh more than men (Mehu, Marc & Robin I. M. Dunbar. 2008. Naturalistic observations of smiling and laughter in human group interactions. Behaviour 145(12). 1747–1780.), that women laugh more about men than the reverse (Jefferson, Gail. 2004. A note on laughter in ‘male-female’ interaction. Discourse Studies 6. 117–133. DOI:10.1177/1461445604039445.), and that men produce more humorous utterances than women do (Ross, Elaina M. & Jeffrey A. Hall. 2020. The traditional sexual script and humour in courtship. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research 33(2). 197–218. DOI:10.1515/humor-2019-0017.). On average, the female bilinguals produced 29.6% more laughter pulses and laughed 7.4% more frequently, and their laughter episodes were consistently longer than their partners’. However, the participants’ mother tongue was found to have a stronger influence on their production and reception of laughables than their gender, and the native speakers produced more successful laughables, despite their partners’ high level of L2 proficiency. Interestingly, the couples’ self-assessments often did not match their actual laughing behavior and appeared to be clearly gendered; no couple considered the female partner to be funnier, and several men even questioned their partner’s sense of humor, while male humor was often praised.

scholarly journals AUTHENTICITY WITHIN THE EIL PARADIGM

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (34) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.Y ZHEBRATKINA ◽  
◽  
V.V ROMANOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
International Communication ◽  
Mutual Understanding ◽  
English Teacher ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
International Language ◽  
High Level

The purpose of this work is to study the relevance of the phenomenon of authenticity in the expanding context of English as an International Language (EIL). Based on the data of modern science on this issue, as well as on the results obtained during the generalization and analysis of existing experience, we concluded that authenticity should be considered within the framework of English as an international language, taking into account the inevitable need to adapt extralinguistic elements to the situation of international communication, while paying due attention to the need to comply with the norms of native speakers in phonology and grammar. Authenticity within the paradigm of English as an International language presupposes pragmatic conformity: these are correctly, methodically selected materials included in a language learning course, correspondence of the materials to the needs of students, their language level, presentation of the material by the developers taking into account an international factor. One cannot fail to note a unique role of an English teacher and his irreplaceable contribution to communicative capabilities and authenticating abilities. Thus, authenticity within the framework of English as an International language requires interaction of language itself, dynamically developing and subject to various kinds of changes, students, teachers, authors of textbooks of a new rank, who take into account the needs of international communication and contextual factors as well. We shouldn`t not forget about native speakers who undoubtedly contribute to the development of English as an International language. But we need to note that, standards of native speakers are not primary for authentication process, but auxiliary. We are profoundly convinced that this cooperation will surely result in the so-called "strong" students - these are students with a high level of English proficiency, who will easily challenge international communication environment with mutual understanding at the intercultural level.

ON THE ROLE OF LINGUISTIC CONTEXTUAL FACTORS FOR MORPHOSYNTACTIC STABILIZATION IN HIGH-LEVEL L2 FRENCH

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Bartning ◽  
Fanny Forsberg Lundell ◽  
Victorine Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Information Structure ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Nonnative Speakers ◽  
Processing Load ◽  
Formulaic Sequences ◽  
Promising Area ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Level ◽  
Additional Explanation

The purpose of this article is to offer contextual linguistic explanations for morphosyntactic deviances (MSDs) in high-level second language (L2) French (30 nonnative speakers vs. 10 native speakers). It is hypothesized that the distribution of formulaic sequences (FSs) and the complexity of information structure will influence the occurrence of MSDs. The study reports that MSDs rarely occur within FSs, and if they do, they occur within sequences containing open slots for creative rule application. The rhematic part of the utterance attracts more MSDs due to the fact that this part is more syntactically complex than the preamble (the thematic part). An additional explanation is the mean length of the rhematic part, which is longer than the preamble and implies a higher processing load. A final explanation of MSD occurrence in the rheme is linked to the distribution of FSs in the information structure. The results are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on the constructs of complexity, accuracy, and fluency—a promising area of study.

scholarly journals The Consonant System of Nigerian English Shaped in the Context of Language Contact

2020 ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
А. Д. Петренко ◽  
Д. А. Петренко ◽  
Н. А. Вовк
Keyword(s):  
Language Contact ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
British English ◽  
Yoruba Language ◽  
Audio Media

Статья представлена в русле социолингвистических исследований. Актуальность научной темы связана с выявлением роли английского языка в нигерийском социуме. Основная цель работы — установить корреляцию фонетических характеристик родного языка (йоруба) и британского английского, что позволит определить специфику произношения и формирования системы консонантизма нигерийского варианта английского языка. Статус ряда элементов системы согласных языка йоруба вызывает споры среди исследователей. Источники указывают на варьирование количества согласных фонем. Если сравнивать нигерийский вариант английского языка с системой консонантизма британского английского, можно отметить, что первый содержит 22 согласные фонемы, аналогичные фонемам британского английского, за исключением двух. Сопоставляя системы консонантизма языка йоруба и британского английского, констатируем, что в обоих языках присутствует ряд похожих фонем, при этом имеются такие фонемы, которые характерны лишь для одного из языков. Можно предположить, что носители языка йоруба как родного испытывают сложности в освоении нехарактерных для этого языка фонем британского английского в ходе его усвоения и использования в процессе общения. Следует также подчеркнуть, что при анализе речи информантов из Федеративной Республики Нигерия, записанной на аудионосители, обнаружены явления фонетической интерференции в ходе реализации согласных фонологических переменных английского языка. The article is presented in the wake of sociolinguistic research. The topicality of the issue is connected with defining the role of the English language (further — EL) in the Nigerian society. The main purpose of the work is to reveal the correlation of the phonetic characteristics of the mother tongue (Yoruba) and British English (further — BrE), what will allow to define the specifics of pronunciation and formation of the consonant system of Nigerian English (further — NigE). The observations brought us to the following conclusions. The consonant system of the Yoruba language (further — YL) provokes dispute among the researchers. According to the sources, the number of the consonant vowels in YL varies from seventeen to nineteen. If we compare NigE with the consonant system of BrE, then it is possible to say that the former contains twenty two consonant phonemes which coincide with the phonemes of British English except two cases. Collating the consonant systems of the YL and BrE, it can be noted that both languages have similar phonemes. There are also such phonemes which are typical of only one language from the pair. It is possible to suppose that the YL native speakers have difficulties studying BrE phonemes which are not typical of the YL during learning and using the EL in communication. Also it should be said that the analysis of the speech of informants from the Federative Republic of Nigeria recorded on the audio media showed the presence of the phonetic interference in the production of the EL consonant phonological variables.

Mastering Mandarin Endocentric Phrases: A Five-Step Technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Mok Soon Sim ◽  
S. Suchithra A/P K. Sankaran ◽  
Lau Suk Khin
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Simplified Method ◽  
Demonstrative Pronouns ◽  
Measure Word

Mandarin Endocentric Phrases (MEP) is a type of Mandarin phrase which is classified according to its internal structure. It is formed by two components which share a [modifier-head word] relationship. The modifier component precedes the head word it modifies. The role of the modifier is to describe or limit the head word. The Five-Step Technique is a simplified method of arranging words to form MEP. It helps non-native speakers to master the process of sequencing MEP. This technique is informed by findings from research on error analy-sis in the use of MEP among Malay students in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam campus in 2019. UiTM Malay students are influenced by their mother tongue which is the Malay language when they learn the MEP, thus they often make mistakes in the construction and translation of MEP. This Five-Step technique delineates the cor-rect sequence of MEP into five parts, starting from the demonstrative pronouns, followed by the measure word, modifier or adjective, parti-cle “de” and finally the noun or object. This technique will enable stu-dents to produce error-free MEPs and instinctively build their motiva-tion to master the language. Ideally, Mandarin teachers can use this innovative teaching approach to create an interactive and collabora-tive learning partnership in the Mandarin classroom.

scholarly journals Ukrainian font: origins, stages of formation, stylistic features

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonina Dubrivna ◽  
Sofiia Doronina
Keyword(s):  
Visual Communication ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Folk Traditions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level ◽  
National Style

The purpose of the article is to highlight the peculiarities of the establishment of the Ukrainian font and analysis of the interaction of formative and figurative features in the retrieval system of national style. The methodology is built according to the general principles of art history of scientific knowledge based on system-analytical, complex-historical, formal approaches, and generalization. The scientific novelty lies in the revelation of visual and communicative aspects and artistic and stylistic features of the Ukrainian font within the context of a comprehensive definition of the factors of its formation and development. Conclusion. The perspective of the development of the modern Ukrainian font is outlined, which lies in the assertion of the national component based on the stable foundation of the past, the contradictions of evolution, and the formation of its new forms and models. The special role of the Ukrainian font as a means of visual communication with a high level of perception by native speakers of the Ukrainian language is determined. The positive effect of using accidental fonts in order to embody Ukrainian authentic folk traditions has been revealed. Keywords: Ukrainian font, national style, writing, font graphics, visual communication, perception.

Searching for ‘success’: generation, gender and onward migration in the Iranian diaspora

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Onward Migration ◽  
Social Fields ◽  
Transnational Social Fields ◽  
High Level ◽  
Iranian Diaspora

This article uses the concepts of ‘transnational social fields’ and ‘habitus’ to explore the multifaceted role families play in shaping the aspirations of onward migrating youth. The article draws on biographical life history interviews conducted with the children of Iranian migrants who were raised in Sweden but moved to London, UK as adults. The findings of the study suggest that from a young age, all the participants were pressured by their parents to perform well academically, and to achieve high level careers. These goals were easier to achieve in London than in Sweden for several reasons. Interestingly, however, participants’ understandings of what constituted success and their motivations for onward migration were nuanced and varied considerably by gender. The study contributes to an understanding of the role of multi-sited transnational social fields in shaping the aspirations of migrant youths, as well as the strategies taken up by these migrants to achieve their goals.

A CASE STUDY OF NL INFLUENCE IN UNIS FKIP ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS' INTERLANGUAGE

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Irmala Sukendra ◽  
Agus Mulyana ◽  
Imam Sudarmaji
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Similar System ◽  
The One ◽  
L1 Acquisition

Regardless to the facts that English is being taught to Indonesian students starting from early age, many Indonesian thrive in learning English. They find it quite troublesome for some to acquire the language especially to the level of communicative competence. Although Krashen (1982:10) states that “language acquirers are not usually aware of the fact that they are acquiring language, but are only aware of the fact that they are using the language for communication”, second language acquisition has several obstacles for learners to face and yet the successfulness of mastering the language never surmounts to the one of the native speakers. Learners have never been able to acquire the language as any native speakers do. Mistakes are made and inter-language is unavoidable. McNeili in Ellis (1985, p. 44) mentions that “the mentalist views of L1 acquisition hypothesizes the process of acquisition consists of hypothesis-testing, by which means the grammar of the learner’s mother tongue is related to the principles of the ‘universal grammar’.” Thus this study intends to find out whether the students go through the phase of interlanguage in their attempt to acquire second language and whether their interlanguage forms similar system as postulated by linguists (Krashen).

Salvaging the Mother Tongue in Exile

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
Tomás Espino Barrera
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Attrition ◽  
The Past ◽  
Progressive Loss ◽  
First Language Attrition ◽  
Lost In Translation ◽  
Deliberate Effort ◽  
Deep Sense

The dramatic increase in the number of exiles and refugees in the past 100 years has generated a substantial amount of literature written in a second language as well as a heightened sensibility towards the progressive loss of fluency in the mother tongue. Confronted by what modern linguistics has termed ‘first-language attrition’, the writings of numerous exilic translingual authors exhibit a deep sense of trauma which is often expressed through metaphors of illness and death. At the same time, most of these writers make a deliberate effort to preserve what is left from the mother tongue by attempting to increase their exposure to poems, dictionaries or native speakers of the ‘dying’ language. The present paper examines a range of attitudes towards translingualism and first language attrition through the testimonies of several exilic authors and thinkers from different countries (Vladimir Nabokov's Speak, Memory, Hannah Arendt's interviews, Jorge Semprún's Quel beau dimanche! and Autobiografía de Federico Sánchez, and Eva Hoffman's Lost in Translation, among others). Special attention will be paid to the historical frameworks that encourage most of their salvaging operations by infusing the mother tongue with categories of affect and kinship.

Decision making power of college girls in relation to clothing

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parul Gill ◽  
Poonam Malik ◽  
Pankaj Gill
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Satisfaction Level ◽  
College Going ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
High Level ◽  
Garment Design ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The present study was undertaken to explore the decision making patterns of college girls in relation to clothing and their satisfaction level with these decision making patterns. Thirty under graduate college girls from Panipat city were approached to record their responses regarding decision making in relation to clothing and satisfaction level through a well structured questionnaire. It was found that most of the girls (56.66%) themselves made the decisions about the type of garment (Indian, western or both) they wear and majority of girls (70%) were highly satisfied with this decision making. Parents performed the role of buyers for their college going daughters' garments in most of the cases (63.33%) and the 73.33% girls had high level of satisfaction with this. In most of the cases (60%) the decision about the garment design was made by the girls themselves and they were highly satisfied with it. Keywords: clothing, college, girls, decision making.

The role of cross-linguistic stress pattern frequency and word similarity on the acquisition of English stress pattern by native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Post Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
American English ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Stress Pattern ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English As Second Language ◽  
Word Similarity ◽  
L1 Transfer

This is a preliminary study in which we investigate the acquisition of English as second language (L2[1]) word stress by native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese (BP, L1[2]). In this paper, we show results of a multiple choice forced choice perception test in which native speakers of American English and native speakers of Dutch judged the production of English words bearing pre-final stress that were both cognates and non-cognates with BP words. The tokens were produced by native speakers of American English and by Brazilians that speak English as a second language. The results have shown that American and Dutch listeners were consistent in their judgments on native and non-native stress productions and both speakers' groups produced variation in stress in relation to the canonical pattern. However, the variability found in American English points to the prosodic patterns of English and the variability found in Brazilian English points to the stress patterns of Portuguese. It occurs especially in words whose forms activate neighboring similar words in the L1. Transfer from the L1 appears both at segmental and prosodic levels in BP English. [1] L2 stands for second language, foreign language, target language. [2] L1 stands for first language, mother tongue, source language.

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