scholarly journals Bilingualism caught in a net. A new approach to understanding the complexity of bilingual experience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Kałamała ◽  
Adam Chuderski ◽  
Jakub M. Szewczyk ◽  
Magdalena Senderecka ◽  
Zofia Wodniecka

The growing importance of research on bilingualism in psychology and neuroscience motivates the need for a unified approach to understanding and quantifying this phenomenon. This study aimed to establish the first psychometric model of bilingualism. To this end, we re-analyzed two datasets (N = 171 and N = 112) from Polish-English bilinguals who completed a battery of questionnaires and tasks probing language experience. We asked whether bilingualism is best described by the factor structure (generalizable dimensions of bilingualism that are potentially explained by a higher-order construct) or by the network structure (direct and low-level dependencies between language skills and language-use practices which leads to the emergence of bilingualism).The factor and network structures were established on one dataset and then validated on the other dataset in a fully confirmatory manner. The network model provided the best fit to the data. Further network analyses showed that some indices demonstrated relatively stronger connections within the network than others. Yet, there was no central index that would explain most of the variability in bilingual experience.The results imply that bilingualism should be conceptualized as an emergent network of low-level and idiosyncratic dependencies between diverse language skills, the history of language acquisition, and language-use practices. These dependencies can be reduced to neither a single universal quotient nor to some more general factors. Overall, an indisputable advantage of the network model over the factor approach indicates the great potential of network modeling to gain a more accurate description and understanding of complex cognitive phenomena.

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 945-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Kaushanskaya ◽  
Henrike K. Blumenfeld ◽  
Viorica Marian

AbstractThe Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q) is a validated questionnaire tool for collecting self-reported proficiency and experience data from bilingual and multilingual speakers ages 14 to 80. It is available in over 20 languages, and can be administered in a digital, paper-and-pencil, and oral interview format. The LEAP-Q is used by researchers across various disciplines (Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Education, Communication Sciences & Disorders, etc.) to provide a comprehensive description of their bilingual participants, to substantiate a division of bilinguals into groups (e.g., early vs. late bilinguals), and to screen participants for adequate or threshold levels of language proficiency. Best practices for using the LEAP-Q include administration of the full questionnaire, consideration of acquisition and history of language use together with self-ratings of proficiency, and supplementation of self-reported data with objective language measures whenever possible. The LEAP-Q can be downloaded at no cost at https://bilingualism.northwestern.edu/leapq/.


Author(s):  
Dr. Manisha ◽  
Dr. Ruchi Jindal

Background: The term "ovarian cancer" includes several different types of cancer that  arise from cells of the ovary, most commonly, tumors arise from the epithelium or lining cells of the ovary.  Ovarian cancer risk is positively associated with higher consumption of dietary cholesterol and eggs, and inversely associated with a higher intake of vegetables. High consumption of fats may increase circulating estrogen levels, thus increasing the possibility of cell damage and proliferation that is responsible for cancerous growth. Material & Methods: The present study was conducted at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur (Rajasthan). Total  100 cases (females) attending the obstetrics and gynecology department for some gynecological and other problem  were selected for this study between the age of 40-60 years, who were attending cancer centre at GEETANJALI MEDICAL COLLEGE AND  HOSPITAL, Udaipur (Rajasthan).                GROUP I: - It consisted of healthy females control subjects (n=50) .By routine examination and tests, we ensured that all the subjects were healthy and there were no signs and symptoms or history of ovarian tumor and diseases GROUP II: - It consisted of ovarian cancer females subjects (n=50) with a history of ovarian tumor. Results:   Higher level of cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and low level of HDL are found in ovarian cancer patients. Conclusion: The present study we highlights the importance and role of serum lipid profile in diagnosis, prognosis and recurrence of the disease. The study shows that serum level of cholesterol, LDL, VLDL was elevated in  patients of ovarian cancer while low level of HDL are found in ovarian cancer patients. Key words: lipid profile, ovarian cancer.


2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-27
Author(s):  
Gerald Massey

Contending that the quest for a logic of scientific discovery was prematurely abandoned, the author lays down eight phenomena that such a logic or theory must explain: the banality of scientific discovery; the trainability of scientists; the high incidence of simultaneous discoveries; the ubiquity of relative novices; the fact of scientific genius; the barrenness of isolated workers; the incommensurability of concepts of successive theories; and the quasi-incorporation of old concepts, objects, and methods in successor theories, The author then presents a new theory or logic of discovery according to which discoveries are the termini of "tweak paths" generated when scientists "tinker" with the laws, concepts, methods, and instruments of a given theory. Tinkering and tweaking are illustrated by examples from many-valued and modal logic and from Darwinian biology. Through the history of planetary discovery, the accidental role played by luck or good fortune in some discoveries is explored, but the author emphasizes that in a deep sense serendipity is an in eliminable feature of all scientific discovery because scientists never know m advance whether their tweaks will lead to dead ends or to positive developments. The author's new theory of scientific discovery is shown to account for all eight explananda, ft also reveals science to be a more egalitarian enterprise than the traditional view of scientific discovery as ultimately inexplicable depicts it.


Traditio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 83-116
Author(s):  
PETER O'HAGAN

Peter Lombard's influential commentary on the Pauline Epistles, theCollectanea in omnes divi Pauli epistolas,has received little extended analysis in scholarly literature, despite its recognized importance both in its own right and as key for the development of hisSentences.This article presents a new approach to studying theCollectaneaby analyzing how Lombard's commentary builds on theGlossa “Ordinaria”on the Pauline Epistles. The article argues for treating theCollectaneaas a “historical act,” focusing on how Lombard engages with the biblical text and with authoritative sources within which he encounters the same biblical text embedded. The article further argues for the necessity of turning to the manuscripts of both theCollectaneaand theGlossa,rather than continuing to rely on inadequate early modern printed editions or thePatrologia Latina.The article then uses Lombard's discussion of faith at Romans 1:17 as a case study, demonstrating the way in which Lombard begins from theGlossa,clarifies its ambiguities, and moves his analysis forward through his use of otherauctoritatesand theologicalquaestiones.A comparison with Lombard's treatment of faith in theSentenceshighlights the close links between Lombard's biblical lectures and this later work. The article concludes by arguing that scholastic biblical exegesis and theology should be treated as primarily a classroom activity, with the glossed Bible as the central focus. Discussion of Lombard's work should draw on much recent scholarship that has begun to uncover the layers of orality within the textual history of scholastic works.


Author(s):  
Jake Kurczek ◽  
Natalie Vanderveen ◽  
Melissa C. Duff

There is a long history of research linking the various forms of memory to different aspects of language. Clinically, we see this memory-language connection in the prevalence of language and communication deficits in populations that have concomitant impairments in memory and learning. In this article, we provide an overview of how the demands of language use and processing are supported by multiple memory systems in the brain, including working memory, declarative memory and nondeclarative memory, and how disruptions in different forms of memory may affect language. While not an exhaustive review of the literature, special attention is paid to populations who speech-language pathologists (SLPs) routinely serve. The goal of this review is to provide a resource for clinicians working with clients with disorders in memory and learning in helping to understand and anticipate the range of disruptions in language and communication that can arise as a consequence of memory impairment. We also hope this is a catalyst for more research on the contribution of multiple memory systems to language and communication.


2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Dodson

The taxonomic history of the Ceratopsia began in 1876 with the description of Monoclonius crassus Cope followed in 1889 by Triceratops horridus Marsh. After a peak of discovery and description in the 1910s and 1920s resulting from the Canadian dinosaur rush in the province of Alberta and the Central Asiatic Expeditions to Mongolia of the American Museum of Natural History, the study of ceratopsians declined to a low level until the 1990s, when discoveries in China, Montana, Utah, Alberta, and elsewhere, abetted by increased biostratigraphic and phylogenetic precision, led to an unprecedented resurgence of activity. Even Richard C. Fox, along with colleagues from Peking University, joined in the activity, by naming Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis. To place the activity in historical perspective, half of all known ceratopsians have been described since 2003. Despite important finds of basal ceratopsians in China, Mongolia, and Korea, North America continues to dominate ceratopsian, especially ceratopsid, diversity.


Author(s):  
STEFANUS KRISTIANTO

Secara garis besar, buku ini terdiri atas enam bab utama. Bab pertama merupakan bagian pengantar yang menyentuh tiga aspek penting. Pertama, bab ini memberi pengenalan awal tentang apa itu CBGM. Secara ringkas, Wasserman dan Gurry mendefinisikan CBGM sebagai “a method that (1) uses a set of cumputer tools (2) based in a new way of relating manuscript texts that is (3) designed to help us understand the origin and history of the New Testament text.” (hal. 3). Jadi, seperti harapan Epp, metode ini mengkombinasikan penggunaan komputer dan pendekatan kuantitatif di beberapa bagian. Wasserman dan Gurry kemudian menggaris bawahi bahwa hal baru yang ditawarkan CBGM ialah bagaimana cara metode ini menghubungkan teks antar naskah. Pendekatan ini menggunakan prinsip dasar bahwa teks antar naskah bisa saling dihubungkan dengan menggunakan hubungan antar variannya. Kedua, bab ini juga menjelaskan secara singkat lima perubahan yang dibawa CBGM. Selain perubahan teks kritikal Yunani di beberapa tempat, CBGM juga menyebabkan munculnya ketidakpastian mengenai teks awal (initial text) di beberapa tempat. Bukan hanya itu, CBGM ternyata juga mendorong penolakan terhadap kategori tipe teks (atau kluster teks menurut Epp), meningkatnya apresiasi terhadap teks Byzantine, dan berubahnya tujuan utama Kritik Teks (meski sangat tipis). Bab ini kemudian ditutup dengan pembahasan aspek ketiga, yakni alasan mengapa buku ini ditulis. Sederhananya, buku ini ditulis untuk mereka yang optimis terhadap potensi CBGM (tetapi tidak mengerti bagaimana menggunakannya) dan juga mereka yang cenderung negatif terhadap CBGM. Buku ini diharapkan menjadi penolong kedua kelompk tersebut memahami CBGM lebih baik.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Rudina Mita ◽  
Enkelejda Balla

Our study aims to highlight one of the most important aspects of the Elbasan Prefecture, the educational aspect during 1925-1928. In order to analyze the education during the mentioned years, the attention and tradition and educational environment of Elbasan had to be considered during the earlier periods since the Ottoman conquest. The historical educational experience culminated in the opening of the "Normal" School in 1909, the first high school that trained and prepared teachers' teachers for the Albanian language; experience and educational achievements of 1920-1924, years in which education was given priority on the basis of the principles of massivization, nationalization, secularization and unification. Given this educational tradition even during the years we have been studying, the Prefecture of Elbasan has taken important steps in Education. In the educational development of Elbasan, the intellectual elite and educated teachers in the West, Austria and Italy, etc., who together with their scientific formation brought together the Elbasan City and the educational experience of the countries of who came. Problems, the level of primary and secondary education, the difficulties in the education system, the lack of school buildings and funds for opening and maintaining them, the education of women in special schools by males, and the charitable activity of elbasanas in terms of education, the school of education of the children of the region are some of the aspects that we have included in our study. Through this paper, the educational aspect of 1925-1928, a little handled in the context of the local history of the Elbasan Prefecture, sheds light on. Keywords: education, school, inspector of education, general director of education, "normal" school, plotor, student


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