Do Spanish causal connectives vary in subjectivity? What crowdsourcing data reveal about native speakers’ preferences

Abstract Language users have preferences for the connectives they choose to express causal relations. These choices may depend on the subjectivity involved in the relation. Dutch connectives illustrate this situation clearly: want (‘since/for’) is preferred typically for expressing subjective relations and omdat (‘because’) for objective ones. While various corpus-based studies have revealed a similar pattern in other languages, little attention has been paid to Spanish from this perspective. Recent corpus-based studies analyzed the connectives porque (‘because’), ya que (‘since’) and puesto que (‘given that’) using two different methods of analysis. Surprisingly, the findings did not coincide with the previous literature on Spanish connectives, and the semantic profile of such connectives in terms of subjectivity remained unclear. The current study again aims to investigate whether these connectives show systematic variation in terms of subjectivity, using crowdsourcing experimentation. Results show that Spanish native speakers prefer puesto que over porque to express subjective relations. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between porque and ya que. This study offers a better understanding of Spanish connectives in terms of subjectivity. Furthermore, it contributes to the assessment of the use of crowdsourcing as a useful and reliable method to elucidate the meaning and use of connectives.

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Communication Strategies Used by Iranian EFL Learners and English Native Speakers: Gender in Focus

International Journal of EFL ◽

10.21462/ijefl.v2i1.15 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Layla Hajiesmaeli ◽

Laya Heidari Darani

Keyword(s):

Language Proficiency ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Communication Strategies ◽

Numerical Data ◽

Communication Strategy ◽

Male And Female ◽

Efl Learners ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Native Speakers Of English ◽

The Difference

This article was intended to explore the frequency and order of communication strategies used by Iranian male and female EFL earners as well as English native speakers while facing communication breakdowns. Furthermore, it was aimed to investigate the difference between native speakers and non-native speakers of English in their use of communication strategies. In addition, it was probed whether gender had any effects on the use of these strategies among native and non-native speakers. To this end, the data were collected through the communication strategy questionnaire distributed among 30 male and female Iranian intermediate EFL learners and 15 English native speakers. The design of this study was a quantitative one in which the questionnaire and thus numerical data were applied. To analyze the data, Cronbach alpha and independent-samples t-tests were used. The results indicated that non-verbal and social affective strategies were the most frequent strategies used by non-native speakers and native speakers of English, respectively. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between male and female Iranian EFL learners, but a significant difference between male and female English native speakers were seen. It can be concluded that language proficiency can contribute to the type and frequency of communications strategies which are used non-native speakers; likewise, it can play a significant role in gender differences in language use.

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Dowsing for Bone

Forensic Anthropology ◽

10.5744/fa.2020.0024 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Easter ◽

Angi Christensen ◽

Michelle Miller

Keyword(s):

Law Enforcement ◽

Reliable Method ◽

Test Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Blind Test ◽

True Location ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Clandestine Graves ◽

Matthew’S Correlation Coefficient ◽

Visual Assessments

Locating clandestine graves is often a significant challenge for law enforcement and other investigators. A number of search techniques can be employed including visual assessments, canines, geophysical techniques, and imaging, often depending on the location/terrain, case information, and available resources. Dowsing is believed by some to be a reliable method for locating underground items of interest including water, oil, ore, and even graves; others, however, consider the practice to be controversial or even pseudoscience. Here we assess the ability of dowsing rods (wielded by previously inexperienced dowsers) to locate buried bones using a controlled blind test. Assemblages of bones were buried in three of nine holes. A control group of participants was asked to identify which holes they believed to contain bones by visual inspection, and a test group was asked to identify which holes they believed to contain bones using dowsing rods. Results indicate that neither method had a significant relationship with the true location of the bones (Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient –0.19 for the control group and 0.00 for the test group), and that there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.36). In this study, dowsing was not found to be a reliable method of detecting buried bones. Some practitioners continue to advocate dowsing or other scientifically questionable search methods, even charging investigators or families substantial fees for these services. It is therefore important that such techniques are well-understood and rigorously tested, and that investigators seek and employ methods that are appropriate and valid.

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Reliability of Hypernasality Rating

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal ◽

10.1177/1055665618767116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 1060-1071 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Renata Paciello Yamashita ◽

Elisabet Borg ◽

Svante Granqvist ◽

Anette Lohmander

Keyword(s):

Cleft Lip And Palate ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Speech Disorders ◽

Brazilian Portuguese ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Language Background ◽

Cleft Palate Speech ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Perceptual Assessment

Objective: To compare reliability in auditory-perceptual assessment of hypernasality for 3 different methods and to explore the influence of language background. Design: Comparative methodological study. Participants and Materials: Audio recordings of 5-year-old Swedish-speaking children with repaired cleft lip and palate consisting of 73 stimuli of 9 nonnasal single-word strings in 3 different randomized orders. Four experienced speech-language pathologists (2 native speakers of Brazilian–Portuguese and 2 native speakers of Swedish) participated as listeners. After individual training, each listener performed the hypernasality rating task. Each order of stimuli was analyzed individually using the 2-step, VISOR and Borg centiMax scale methods. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of intra- and inter-rater reliability, and consistency for each method within language of the listener and between listener languages (Swedish and Brazilian–Portuguese). Results: Good to excellent intra-rater reliability was found within each listener for all methods, 2-step: κ = 0.59-0.93; VISOR: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.80-0.99; Borg centiMax (cM) scale: ICC = 0.80-1.00. The highest inter-rater reliability was demonstrated for VISOR (ICC = 0.60-0.90) and Borg cM-scale (ICC = 0.40-0.80). High consistency within each method was found with the highest for the Borg cM scale (ICC = 0.89-0.91). There was a significant difference in the ratings between the Swedish and the Brazilian listeners for all methods. Conclusions: The category-ratio scale Borg cM was considered most reliable in the assessment of hypernasality. Language background of Brazilian–Portuguese listeners influenced the perceptual ratings of hypernasality in Swedish speech samples, despite their experience in perceptual assessment of cleft palate speech disorders.

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First and Second Language Patterns of Brain Activation in Korean Layrngeal Contrasts

Korean Linguistics ◽

10.1075/kl.14.01hp ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Haeil Park ◽

Gregory Iverson

Keyword(s):

Second Language ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Occipital Lobe ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Second Language Speakers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Native Speakers Of English ◽

Specific Activities ◽

The Right ◽

The Brain

Abstract. This study aims to localize the brain regions involved in the apprehension of Korean laryngeal contrasts and to investigate whether the Internal Model advanced by Callan et al. (2004) extends to first versus second language perception of these unique three-way laryngeal distinctions. The results show that there is a significant difference in activation between native and second-language speakers, consistent with the findings of Callan et al. Specific activities unique to younger native speakers of Korean relative to native speakers of English were seen in the cuneus (occipital lobe) and the right middle frontal gyrus (Brodmann Area [BA] 10), areas of the brain associated with pitch perception. The current findings uphold Silva's (2006) conclusion that the laryngeal contrasts of Korean are increasingly distinguished less by VOT differences than by their effect on pitch in the following vowel. A subsequent experiment was conducted to establish whether more traditional, older native speakers of Korean who still make clear VOT distinctions also activate both the cuneus and BA 10 in the same task. Preliminary results indicate that they do not, whereas speakers with overlapping VOT distinctions do show intersecting activations in these areas, thus corroborating Silva's claim of emergent pitch sensitivity in the Korean laryngeal system.

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A three-minute test of implicit language processing for large sample sizes: Proof-of-concept application in a public science event

10.31234/osf.io/83zqg ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gwen Brekelmans ◽

Claudia Bruns ◽

Vanessa Meitanis ◽

Michael Coleman ◽

Vitor Zimmerer

Keyword(s):

Language Processing ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Time Window ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Public Science ◽

Monitoring Task ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Short Time Window ◽

Short Time

Research into human language processing is challenged by its implicit nature of processes, the short time-window in which they take place, and heterogeneity within the population. We used a word monitoring task to measure implicit sensitivity to grammar, semantics, and the strength of word collocations, when listening to natural spoken sentences. We report substantial and novel adjustments to the paradigm, which allowed a participant to be tested in about three minutes, and data from a proof-of-concept study for which we recruited 125 visitors of different backgrounds to a science event. Linear mixed-effects models suggest that participants’ response time to target words was 45ms slower when words were less predictable in their grammatical, semantic, or collocational context (p = .034). There was no significant difference between language conditions. However, in non-native speakers, grammatical manipulation was less effective than manipulations of semantics and word collocations (p < .08), which is consistent with theories of shallow language processing in non-native speakers. There was no significant effect of age on language sensitivity. Effects generally replicated findings based on standard word-monitoring methods, suggesting that the novel adjustments can be applied in situations where participants’ time is limited, e.g. at events, in schools or online.

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Comparative Studies of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Prolotherapy for Proximal Biceps Tendinitis

Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow ◽

10.5397/cise.2011.14.2.153 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 153-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Young Lae Moon ◽

Sang Ho Ha ◽

Young Kwan Lee ◽

Yi Kyu Park

Keyword(s):

Reliable Method ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Biceps Tendon ◽

Plasma Therapy ◽

Sonographic Guidance ◽

The Third ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ucla Score ◽

One Year ◽

Shoulder Score

PURPOSE: This research sought to study Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) and prolotherapy for shoulder pain and dysfunction related to symptomatic biceps tendinopathy, and to judge effective results.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 100 cases that had significant inflammatory effusion of the biceps tendon (that was shown on MRI), and was refractory to conservative treatment. The cases were followed up for more than one year and were divided into 2 groups. The 1st group received PRP therapy; the 2nd group received prolotherapy under sonographic guidance. We evaluated results for visual analog score (VAS), (Korean Shoulder Society Score (KSS), UCLA Score, Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) for 12 months.RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the first month after the procedure. However, in the third, sixth, and twelfth months after the procedure, the 1st group showed significant improved results for VAS, KSS, UCLA, and CSS scores compared to the 2nd group (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Among nonsurgical treatments, both PRP and prolotherapy could be effective against biceps tendinopathy. But, PRP treatment is considered as more reliable method than prolotherapy for maintaining effective results.

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136 COMPOSITIONALITY/NON-COMPOSITIONALITY OF IDIOMS: NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS’ CONSTRAINTS TO COMPREHENSION

Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics ◽

10.17509/ijal.v6i1.2745 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 135

Author(s):

Yvonne Pedria Velasco

Keyword(s):

Group Performance ◽

Native Speakers ◽

College Freshman ◽

Statistical Relationship ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Idiom Comprehension ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Idiomatic Expressions ◽

Sample Test ◽

Native Speakers Of English

Informed by Jackendoff’s (1997) Representational Modularity (RM) Hypothesis which states that, similar to how people make sense of categories, they also systematically make sense of language. This study seeks to discover the way non-native speakers of English negotiate meaning when faced with idiomatic expressions that are modified either by a process of passivization or by a process of quantification; and whether idiom comprehension influence judgments of appropriateness of use of the modified expressions. Employing a researcher-made questionnaire that underwent content validity and reliability tests, the instrument was administered to four college freshman classes from four different higher education institutions. Findings reveal that a significant difference was found between group performance in the passivization and quantification tests through a one-sample test. However, an absence of a statistical relationship between the scores in the test and the participants’ judgment of appropriateness of use (spoken, written, spoken and written) was revealed by the statistical analysis.

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Geminaty w językach słowiańskich

Slavia Meridionalis ◽

10.11649/sm.2015.017 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 206-219

Author(s):

Anna Kozyra

Keyword(s):

Native Speakers ◽

Popular Opinion ◽

Slavic Languages ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The One

Geminates in the Slavic languagesThe subject of the article is the occurrence of geminates in Slavic languages. Research on the frequency of geminated consonants is based on 50-page texts read by native speakers. The results did not confirm the popular opinion that the occurrence vs. lack of geminates is a typological feature differentiating Slavic languages. The study showed, however, that today typologically significant difference between Slavic languages is the one in frequency of the occurrence of geminates. Geminaty w językach słowiańskichTematem artykułu jest występowanie geminat w językach słowiańskich. Badanie frekwencji geminat na podstawie pięćdziesięciostronicowych tekstów, czytanych przez rodzimych użytkowników języka, nie potwierdziło popularnej opinii, że występowanie vs. brak geminat stanowi cechę typologiczną, różnicującą języki słowiańskie. Badanie wykazało natomiast, że dziś typologicznie istotne są różnice we frekwencji występowania geminacji.

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Development of word lists in Telugu for assessing speech recognition threshold: alternative forms to existing word lists

International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20162181 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 147

Author(s):

S. B. Rathna Kumar ◽

Madhu Sudharshan Reddy. B ◽

Sale Kranthi

Keyword(s):

Speech Recognition ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Recognition Performance ◽

Word List ◽

Recognition Score ◽

Recognition Threshold ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Word Lists ◽

And Performance ◽

Function Testing

Background: The present study aimed to develop word lists in Telugu for assessing speech recognition threshold which might serve as equivalent and alternative forms to the existing word lists. Methods: A total of two word lists were developed using compound words with each list consisting of 25 words. Equivalence analysis and performance-intensity function testing was carried out using two word lists on a total of 75 native speakers of Telugu who were equally divided into three groups. Results: The results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the speech recognition performance between three groups for each word list, and between two word lists for each group. Hence, the two word lists developed were found to be equally difficult for all the groups and can be used interchangeably. The performance-intensity (PI) function curve showed semi-linear function, and the subjects reached the beginning of the plateau at 3 dBSL where they reached more than 90% speech recognition score for two word lists, and reached 100% speech recognition score at 6 dBSL. The 50% speech recognition score which corresponds to SRT was obtained at less than 1.5 dBSL for two word lists suggesting good agreement between PTA and SRT. Conclusions: The findings of the study are similar to the findings of existing word lists in Telugu. Thus the developed word lists in the present study can be considered equivalent and alternative forms to existing word lists in Telugu.

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Examination of root canal morphology of teeth affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): Frequency of accessory canals

International Dental Research ◽

10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no1.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 12-15

Author(s):

Can Özükoç

Keyword(s):

Root Canal ◽

Native Speakers ◽

Microcomputed Tomography ◽

3D Image ◽

Molar Incisor Hypomineralization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Molar Teeth ◽

Native Speakers Of English ◽

Root Canal Morphology ◽

Canal Morphology

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the presence of accessory canals in the root canal of the maxillary first molar teeth affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH).Methodology: A total of 12 maxillary first molar teeth affected by MIH were obtained from 10 children aged from 10 to 12 years. The frequency of the presence of accessory canals was examined by using microcomputed tomography and 3D image software. Results: Accessory canals were observed in the mesiobuccal (MB) canal in all of the samples with a statistically significant difference.(p<0.05) It was observed that the accessory canals were mostly in communication with the canals in the MB root and that furcal accessory canals were found in 10 (83.33%) teeth. The incidence of accessory canals was 75% in the distobuccal (DB) canal and it was 66.66% in the palatal (P) canal.Conclusion: The incidence of the presence of accessory canals in DB and P canals and furcation is higher in the teeth affected by MIH. How to cite this article: Özükoç C. Examination of root canal morphology of teeth affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): Frequency of accessory canals. Int Dent Res 2021;11(1):12-5. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no1.3 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

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