scholarly journals Influence of Negative Transfer of Mother Tongue on Chinese English Learners’ Pronunciation

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1478
Author(s):  
Tingting Zheng ◽  
Qi’ang Liu
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Central China ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Chinese And English

In our modern society, English is becoming increasingly important. As is known to all, pronunciation is a significant part of a language, which is complex and flexible. Chinese learners with a fluent and native English will benefit a lot. But the fact is that Chinese learners who have learned English as a second language for a long time still have lots of different problems on English pronunciation because of the interference of mother tongue. Therefore, based on language transfer theory, this paper intends to show different English pronunciation problems of learners in several areas—Northwest China, Central China, Northeast China and Southern China. By comparing Chinese and English phoneme families, the reasons of the problems in these areas will be analyzed. This paper aims to alleviate English pronunciation problems in these areas. What’s more, it is expected that this paper will be useful in teaching of English pronunciation.

scholarly journals Common Problems in English Pronunciation Among Chinese Learners and Teaching Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
Lanqing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
English Learners ◽  
China English ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Common Problems ◽  
Difficult Part ◽  
Teaching Implications

In the process of learning any languages, pronunciation is an important part of language acquisition because pronunciation may influence a listener’s comprehension of one’s expression. An example is the classical mistake of pronouncing “sink” and “think.” Because Germans cannot pronounce /s/, the rescue worker cannot understand why a man who is “thinking” needs help. In China, English learners are also facing the problems of pronunciation. Gimson, a famous professor of linguistics in Britain, pointed out that when learning a language, one should understand 50%-90% of its grammar and 1% of its vocabulary, but it is necessary to fully master the pronunciation, thus highlighting the importance of pronunciation.[1] However, pronunciation is a difficult part of a second language acquisition. This article analyzes the problems of pronunciation and discuss some methods on how to resolve them.

Evaluating the appropriacy of Ritual Frame Indicating Expressions (RFIEs): A case study of learners of Chinese and English

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-173
Author(s):  
Juliane House ◽  
Dániel Z. Kádár
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
British English ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Chinese And English ◽  
Standard Situation

AbstractThis paper investigates the evaluation of ritual frame indicating expressions (RFIEs) in two groups of L2 learners: British English learners of Chinese and Mainland Chinese learners of English. RFIEs are expressions by means of which speakers confirm their awareness of rights and obligations in a particular standard situation. Previous research in applied linguistics has largely ignored the production and evaluation of such forms, despite the fact that they are pragmatically-loaded and, as such, are very important for the development of the (meta)pragmatic competence of L2 learners. In our study, we have conducted an experiment in which we exposed our learners to both authentic and constructed uses of RFIEs. The evaluation of their (meta)pragmatic competence has revealed notable linguacultural differences between the two groups of L2 learners.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Pronunciation among Chinese Learners of English from Malaysia and China: The Case of Voiceless Dental Fricatives /θ/ and Alveolar Liquids /r/

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Hilmi Hamzah ◽  
Aini Ahmad ◽  
Mohd Hasren Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Sound ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
Reading Materials ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Chinese Learners Of English

This study took up a socio-phonetic investigation among Chinese learners of English by comparing English pronunciation produced by Chinese learners from two different countries: (1) Malaysia and (2) China. Two segmental sounds in English were chosen for comparison: (1) voiceless dental fricatives /θ/ and (2) alveolar liquids /r/; these sounds were known to be problematic for both groups of learners. The key motivation was to explore the extent to which these two groups of English learners behaved differently in terms of the selected sounds, given the differences in their nationalities, language exposure and social backgrounds. Production data were gathered from 10 Chinese learners each from Malaysia and China. They were all undergraduate students at Universiti Utara Malaysia. Two types of reading materials were used to elicit the data: (1) discreet items (i.e., an English wordlist each for /θ/ and /r/) and (2) connected speech (i.e., an English poem each for /θ/ and /r/). The data were auditorily analysed by three evaluators using a likert-scale evaluation form. The findings show that the Chinese learners from Malaysia were able to produce the /θ/ tokens more successfully as compared to those from China, particularly in the connected texts. Those who failed to produce the target sound substituted it with /t/ (for the learners from Malaysia) and /s/ or /z/ (for the learners from China). As for the /r/ tokens, it was found that both groups of learners could produce the target sound correctly across both reading materials; only a few of them substituted /r/ with /l/. The study highlights the importance of understanding the difficulties faced by specific groups of learners when mastering English pronunciation for different purposes. It also calls for further experimental research in language instructions that can effectively cater the needs of English language learners with diverse backgrounds.

A Half-Century Studies on Epidemiological Features of Ancylostomiasis in China: A Review Article

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui LI ◽  
Jie GAO ◽  
Lingxi GAO ◽  
Yajun LU
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
North China ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Central China ◽  
P Value ◽  
Epidemiological Features ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Control

Background: Ancylostomiasis is a prevalent and global parasitic disease, including China. A systematic review is significant to understand the epidemiological features of hookworm and provide guidance for prevention and treatment. Methods: We systematically searched academic databases and assessed 944 papers published from1955-2015 to establish the comprehensive analysis of prevalence of hookworm disease in China. We searched Chinese databases, including CNKI, Wanfang and VIP, for literature with the subject word "Ancylostomiasis and hookworm". The data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 software using Spearman correlation analysis. Results were statistically significant for a P-value of <0.01. Results: The search yielded 532,151 cases from epidemiological investigation and 7294 cases based on hospital diagnosis. Hookworm infection was highest (15.83%) in Fujian province, with high rates also found in East China, Southwest China, Central China and Southern China and lower rates in Northwest China, North China and Northeast China. In terms of occupation, farmers had the highest proportion of infections (72.54%). There was no correlation between epidemiological investigations and hospital-diagnosed cases. However, there was significant positive correlation between hospital-diagnosed cases and misdiagnosed cases. The proportion of hospital-misdiagnosed cases was 32.80%. Conclusion: Ancylostomiasis is a serious public health problem that negatively influences health and hinders socioeconomic development. Positive measures are required by both health services and individuals to prevent and control hookworm disease.

scholarly journals Solar Brightening/Dimming over China’s Mainland: Effects of Atmospheric Aerosols, Anthropogenic Emissions, and Meteorological Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Hejin Fang ◽  
Wenmin Qin ◽  
Lunche Wang ◽  
Ming Zhang ◽  
Xuefang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Anthropogenic Emissions ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Surface Solar Radiation ◽  
Climate Change Research

Surface solar radiation (SSR) is the main factor affecting the earth’s climate and environment and its variations and the reason for these variations are an important part of climate change research. In this research, we investigated the long-term variations of SSR during 1984–2016 and the quantitative influences of atmospheric aerosols, anthropogenic emissions, and meteorological conditions on SSR over China’s mainland. The results show the following: (1) The annual average SSR values had a decline trend at a rate of −0.371 Wm−2 yr−1 from 1984 to 2016 over China. (2) The aerosol optical depth (AOD) plays the main role in inducing variations in SSR over China, with r values of −0.75. Moreover, there are marked regional differences in the influence of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions on SSR trends. (3) From a regional perspective, AOD is the main influencing factor on SSR in northeast China (NEC), Yunnan Plateau and surrounding regions (YPS), North China (NC), and Loess Plateau (LP), with r values of −0.65, −0.60, −0.89, and −0.50, respectively. However, the main driving factors for SSR in northwest China (NWC) are “in cloud optical thickness of all clouds” (TAUTOT) (−0.26) and black carbon (BC) anthropogenic emissions (−0.21). TAUTOT (−0.39) and total precipitable water vapor (TQV) (−0.29) are the main influencing factors of SSR in the middle-lower Yangtze Plain (MYP). The main factors that influence SSR in southern China (SC) are surface pressure (PS) (−0.66) and AOD (−0.43). This research provides insights in understanding the variations of SSR and its relationships with anthropogenic conditions and meteorological factors.

Observed and Projected Frontal Activities in East Asia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
Chia-Chi Wang ◽  
Huang-Hsiung Hsu ◽  
Ying-Ting Chen
Keyword(s):  
East Asia ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Moisture Flux ◽  
Central China ◽  
Cmip5 Models ◽  
The South ◽  
Front Detection ◽  
Local Moisture

AbstractAn objective front detection method is applied to ERA5, CMIP5 historical, and RCP8.5 simulations to evaluate climate model performance in simulating front frequency and understand future projections of seasonal front activities. The study area is East Asia for two natural seasons, defined as winter (December 2nd –February 14th) and spring (February 15th –May 15th), in accordance with regional circulation and precipitation patterns. Seasonal means of atmospheric circulation and thermal structures are analyzed to understand possible factors responsible for future front changes.The front location and frequency in CMIP5 historical simulations are captured reasonably. Frontal precipitation accounts for more than 30% of total precipitation over subtropical regions. Projections suggest that winter fronts will decrease over East Asia, especially over southern China. Frontal precipitation is projected to decrease for 10-30%. Front frequency increases in the South China Sea and tropical western Pacific because of more tropical moisture supply, which enhances local moisture contrasts. During spring, southern China and Taiwan will experience fewer fronts and less frontal precipitation while central China, Korea, and Japan may experience more fronts and more frontal precipitation due to moisture flux from the south that enhances 𝜽𝒘 gradients.Consensus among CMIP5 models in front frequency tendency is evaluated. The models exhibit relatively high consensus in the decreasing trend over polar and subtropical frontal zone in winter and over southern China and Taiwan in spring that may prolong the dry season. Spring front activities are crucial for water resource and risk management in the southern China and Taiwan.

scholarly journals Status Quo and Prospective of WeChat in Improving Chinese English Learners’ Pronunciation

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanghui Wang
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Handheld Devices ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Support Functions ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Chinese English Learners

With the ubiquitous usage of wireless, portable, and handheld devices gaining popularity in 21st century, the revolutionary mobile technology introduces digital new media to educational settings, which has changed the way of traditional teaching and learning. WeChat is one of the most popular social networking applications in China featured by its interactivity and real-time communication that has attracted attention of educators to its pedagogical value. This study evaluates the utilization of WeChat in mobile learning and, in particular, its potential for improving English pronunciation among English learners in China. It probes into the perennial problems of Chinese students in English pronunciation acquisition and oral practice, discusses WeChat’s support functions in mobile learning, demonstrates the relevant empirical studies of WeChat in teaching and learning, and analyses the potential value of using WeChat in improving English pronunciation. Examinations in this paper enable one to reflect on the strengths of mobile learning by WeChat and to explore how this social media tool is likely to solve the pronunciation difficulties of Chinese English learners. It is found that applying WeChat to English pronunciation teaching and practicing helps create better self-directed learning environment, enhance learning flexibility and improve oral learning effectiveness. It is hopefully that insights gained from examining how WeChat helps improve English pronunciation learning will shed light on further innovations of teaching designs in this area.

scholarly journals Communication as necessary factor of a collective remembrance of the common life on example of Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija

2019 ◽  
pp. 327-339
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Suvakovic
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Cultural Memory ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
The Other ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Common Life ◽  
Linguistic Barriers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Ethnic Memory

Far-reaching consequences that linguistic policy may leave in the future decades are denoted in the paper, especially in regions where two nations with their differences interlace. After the World War II, it was enabled for the Albanians in the region of Kosovo and Metohija to get education entirely in their mother tongue, Albanian language, which simultaneously reduced the range of interactions with fellow citizens of Serbian nationality, the ability to understand each other, reducing also their professional possibilities. The years that followed only deepened the linguistic barrier between the two nations living in the same region, which inevitably led to constantly growing ethnic distance and escalation of conflicts. Empirical researches regarding the linguistic and ethnic distance between the Serbs and Albanians were conducted among Serbian students in Kosovska Mitrovica and Albanian students in Pristina after a long time, in December 2016 and January 2017. An opinion poll in the field was implemented along with the representative sample, while Likert scale and modified Bogardus scale were used as instruments. The obtained results showed both the ignorance of the language of the other ethnic group and unwillingness to master that language, as an obstacle for communication. The results could be the guidelines for future state linguistic and educational policy in this region. Ethnic minorities have an indisputable right to foster their mother tongue and culture but necessarily must also master the language of the state whose territory they live on. On the other hand, the Serbian population also should get to know the language of fellow citizens - Albanians, primarily for establishing communication and better understanding, but also for improving the quality of life. Establishing such a linguistic policy would gradually remove linguistic barriers, leading to the reduction of ethnic distance. It would create also the presumptions for overcoming the ?ethnic cultural memory? that deepens differences by its unilaterality, i.e. it would create conditions for the transmission of over-ethnic memory to a common life in the region where such life existed. It would represent the first condition for establishing a common ?cultural memory?.

scholarly journals Genome-Wide Analysis Reveals Genetic Structure and Selective Sweeps in Chinese Indigenous Pig Breeds

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiong Tong ◽  
Lianjie Hou ◽  
Weiming He ◽  
Chugang Mei ◽  
Bo Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yangtze River ◽  
North China ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Linkage Disequilibrium Block ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Central China ◽  
Pig Breeds ◽  
Southern Chinese

Abstract Background Chinese indigenous pigs exhibit considerable phenotypic diversity, but their population structure and the genetic basis of agriculturally important traits have not been explored. Results Here, we sequenced the whole genomes of 24 individual pigs representing 22 breeds distributed throughout China. For comparison with European and commercial breeds (one pig per breed), we integrated seven published pig genomes with our new genomes. Our results showed that pig domestication occurred at three places in Southeastern Asia, namely the Mekong region, the middle to downstream regions of the Yangtze River, and Tibetan highlands. Moreover, we demonstrated that classic morphological characteristics such as coat color are not consistent with genetic data. We found that genetic material from European pigs likely introgressed into five Chinese breeds. Two new subpopulations of domestic pigs have been identified in South and North China that encompass morphology-based criteria. The Southern Chinese subpopulation comprises the classical Southern China Type and part of the Central China Type, whereas the Northern Chinese subpopulation comprises the North China Type, the Lower Yangtze River Basin Type, the Southwest Type, the Plateau Type, and the remainder of the Central China Type. Eight haplotypes and two recombination sites were identified within a conserved 40.09 Mb linkage-disequilibrium block on the X chromosome. Potential selection and domestication signatures were identified, mainly influencing body size, along with adaptations to cold and hot temperature environments. Conclusions Our findings provide insights into the phylogeny of Chinese indigenous pig breeds, and will be of enormous benefit in identifying beneficial genes to develop superior pig breeds.

scholarly journals LANGUAGE IS ONE OF THE FACTORS OF PRESERVING THE PEOPLE'S CULTURE

Kavkaz-forum ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Л.К. ХУЖЕВА
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Joint Work ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
The People ◽  
Language Problems ◽  
National Languages

В статье поднимается актуальный вопрос о сохранении и развитии национальных языков в условиях глобализации и модернизации современного общества. Язык как один из главных факторов сохранения культурного наследия народа должен иметь поддержку со стороны государства. Главной нашей целью является поиск путей оптимального соединения традиционной культуры, ментальности народов и их языков с универсальными интересами процессов модернизации в современном обществе. Выявлены причины беспокойства разных специалистов по вопросу сохранения и развития, как национальных языков, так и национальной культуры. Предложены способы решения возникших языковых проблем, влиявших на их жизнеспособность. Так как язык является частью культуры народа, то важно при обучении родному языку вести обучение элементам культуры своего народа, которое предполагает ознакомление детей с культурой народа-носителя изучаемого языка, с особенностями быта, образа жизни, истории, традиций, обычаев, правил поведения и других ценностей. Наша задача, объединив усилия, привить детям любовь к своему народу, родному слову, народным традициям, всем тем духовным ценностям, накопленным народом из поколения в поколение, не допустить исчезновения родных языков, сохранить больше исконных слов родного языка, развивать свои традиции, обычаи и свой родной язык для будущих поколений. Начиная с детского садика, начальных классов школы, необходимо знакомить детей с историей, культурой своего народа. Они должны изучать свой родной язык, знать свою родословную. Обучение необходимо начинать с детского возраста потому, что дети легче воспринимают услышанное, увиденное. Только при такой системе обучения и воспитания дети вырастут полноценными и интеллектуальными людьми, способными внести свою лепту в национальную культуру. The article raises an urgent question about the preservation and development of national languages in the context of globalization and modernization of the modern society. Language as one of the main factors in preserving the cultural heritage of the people should gain the state support. Our main goal is to find ways to optimally combine traditional culture, the mentality of peoples and their languages with the universal interests of modernization processes in modern society. The reasons for the concern of various experts on the preservation and development of both national languages and national culture are revealed. This article suggests ways to solve the language problems that have affected viability of the languages. Since language is part of culture, it is important to teach elements of the culture when teaching the native language, which involves familiarizing children with the culture of the people carrier of the language, the peculiarities of customs, lifestyles, history, traditions, customs, rules of conduct and other values. Our task is through joint work to instill in children love of their people, of their mother tongue, national traditions, all those spiritual values accumulated by the people from generation to generation, to prevent the disappearance of native languages, to preserve more native word of the native language, develop their traditions, customs and their native language for future generations. Starting from kindergarten and primary school, it is necessary to introduce children to the history and culture of their people. They must learn their native language and know their ancestry. It is necessary to start learning from childhood because children perceive what they hear and see more easily. Only within such system of education and upbringing will children grow up to be full-fledged and intelligent people who can contribute to the treasury of their national culture.

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