scholarly journals What Are Constructions, and What Else Is Out There? An Associationist Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vsevolod Kapatsinski
Keyword(s):  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Complex Form ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Associative Networks ◽  
Language System ◽  
Constructionist Approach ◽  
Apparent Evidence ◽  
Negative Form ◽  
Morphological Patterns

Constructionist approaches to language propose that the language system is a network of constructions, defined as bidirectional mappings between a complex form and a meaning. This paper critically evaluates the evidence for and against two possible construals of this proposal as a psycholinguistic theory: that direct, bidirectional form-meaning associations play a central role in language comprehension and production, and the stronger claim that they are the only type of association at play. Bidirectional form-meaning associations are argued to be plausible, despite some apparent evidence against bidirectionality. However, form-meaning associations are insufficient to account for some morphological patterns. In particular, there is convincing evidence for productive paradigmatic mappings that are phonologically arbitrary, which cannot be captured by form-meaning mappings alone, without associations between paradigmatically related forms or constructions. Paradigmatic associations are argued to be unidirectional. In addition, subtraction and backformation at first glance require augmenting the associative networks with conditioned operations (rules). However, it is argued that allowing for negative form-meaning associations accommodates subtraction and backformation within the constructionist approach without introducing any additional mechanisms. The interplay of positive and negative form-meaning associations and paradigmatic mappings is exemplified using a previously undescribed morphological construction in Russian, the bez-Adjective construction.

scholarly journals Definitely saw it coming? An ERP study on the role of article gender and definiteness in predictive processing

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien S. Fleur ◽  
Monique Flecken ◽  
Joost Rommers ◽  
Mante S. Nieuwland
Keyword(s):  
Noun Phrase ◽  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Functional Significance ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Predictive Processing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Bayesian Analyses

ABSTRACTPeople sometimes anticipate specific words during language comprehension. Consistent with word anticipation, pre-nominal articles elicit differential neural activity when they mismatch the gender of a predictable noun compared with when they match. However, the functional significance of this pre-nominal effect is unclear: Do people only predict the noun or do they predict the entire article-noun combination? We addressed this question in an event-related potential study (N=48) with pre-registered data acquisition and analyses, capitalizing on gender-marking on Dutch definite articles and the lack thereof on indefinite articles. Participants read mini-story contexts that strongly suggested either a definite or indefinite noun phrase (e.g., ‘het/een boek’, the/a book) as its best continuation, followed by a definite noun phrase with the expected noun or an unexpected, different gender noun (‘het boek/de roman’, the book/the novel). We observed an enhanced negativity (N400) for articles that were unexpectedly definite or mismatched the expected gender, with the former effect being strongest. Pre-registered analyses and exploratory Bayesian analyses did not yield convincing evidence that the effect of gender-mismatch depended on expected definiteness. While prediction of article form cannot be excluded, it may not be required to elicit pre-nominal effects.

scholarly journals Lithuanian Slang Adverbs of Slavic Origin

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 52-71
Author(s):  
Robertas Kudirka ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Features ◽  
Language System ◽  
Slavic Languages ◽  
System Variability ◽  
Inflectional Paradigms ◽  
Derivatives Of ◽  
Morphological Patterns

The article morphologically analyzes Lithuanian slang adverbs (215) of Slavic origin (mostly from Russian, sometimes from Polish and Belarusian), selected from Dictionary of Lithuanian Slang and Nonnormative Lexicon. There are four types of adverbs selected for analysis: hybrid derivatives of the suffix -ai from suffixal and nonsuffixal adjectives, adverbs without formants, and adverbialized word combinations. The aim of the analysis is to identify systematic morphological patterns and adaptive features. The analysis has shown that in Lithuanian slang Slavic adverbs are adapted phonetically and orthographically according to the principle of substitution of foreign phonemes as close as possible to their own. The Slavic slang lexicon tends to copy derivative models and integrate them into and inflectional paradigms of Lithuanian: morphological features are inherited from Slavic languages and specifically transformed in the Lithuanian language system; variability in borrowed slang appears due to spontaneous adaptation to language recipient features.

The relationship of the scleractinian corals to the rugose corals

Paleobiology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Critical Points ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Rugose Corals ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Biologic Factors

The Mesozoic-Cenozoic coral Order Scleractinia has been suggested to have originated or evolved (1) by direct descent from the Paleozoic Order Rugosa or (2) by the development of a skeleton in members of one of the anemone groups that probably have existed throughout Phanerozoic time. In spite of much work on the subject, advocates of the direct descent hypothesis have failed to find convincing evidence of this relationship. Critical points are:(1) Rugosan septal insertion is serial; Scleractinian insertion is cyclic; no intermediate stages have been demonstrated. Apparent intermediates are Scleractinia having bilateral cyclic insertion or teratological Rugosa.(2) There is convincing evidence that the skeletons of many Rugosa were calcitic and none are known to be or to have been aragonitic. In contrast, the skeletons of all living Scleractinia are aragonitic and there is evidence that fossil Scleractinia were aragonitic also. The mineralogic difference is almost certainly due to intrinsic biologic factors.(3) No early Triassic corals of either group are known. This fact is not compelling (by itself) but is important in connection with points 1 and 2, because, given direct descent, both changes took place during this only stage in the history of the two groups in which there are no known corals.

Conceptual short-term memory (CSTM) supports core claims of Christiansen and Chater

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Potter
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Rapid Serial Visual Presentation ◽  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Visual Presentation ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Use Of Knowledge

AbstractRapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) of words or pictured scenes provides evidence for a large-capacity conceptual short-term memory (CSTM) that momentarily provides rich associated material from long-term memory, permitting rapid chunking (Potter 1993; 2009; 2012). In perception of scenes as well as language comprehension, we make use of knowledge that briefly exceeds the supposed limits of working memory.

Language processing is not a race against time

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giosuè Baggio ◽  
Carmelo M. Vicario
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Human Brain ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Language System ◽  
Moderating Factors

AbstractWe agree with Christiansen & Chater (C&C) that language processing and acquisition are tightly constrained by the limits of sensory and memory systems. However, the human brain supports a range of cognitive functions that mitigate the effects of information processing bottlenecks. The language system is partly organised around these moderating factors, not just around restrictions on storage and computation.

The Fine Structure of Rat Renal Microbodies and Cytoplasmic Bodies Following Perfusion Fixation

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 620-621
Author(s):  
J. M. Barrett ◽  
P. M. Heidger
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Renal Proximal Tubule ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Cytoplasmic Bodies ◽  
Rat Renal Proximal Tubule ◽  
Renal Proximal Tubule Cells ◽  
Perfusion Fixation

Microbodies have received extensive morphological and cytochemical investigation since they were first described by Rhodin in 1954. To our knowledge, however, all investigations of microbodies and cytoplasmic bodies of rat renal proximal tubule cells have employed immersion fixation. Tisher, et al. have shown convincing evidence of fine structural alteration of microbodies in rhesus monkey kidney following immersion fixation; these alterations were not encountered when in vivo intravascular perfusion was employed. In view of these studies, and the fact that techniques for perfusion fixation have been established specifically for the rat kidney by Maunsbach, it seemed desirable to employ perfusion fixation to study the fine structure and distribution of microbodies and cytoplasmic bodies within the rat renal proximal tubule.

An Ultrastructural Study of the Proliferation Patterns of the Reserve Cells of the Human Cervix Uteri

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
Takanori Sohda ◽  
Hiroshi Saito ◽  
Goro Asano ◽  
Katsunari Fukushi ◽  
Katsuya Suzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrastructural Study ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Cervix Uteri ◽  
Morphological Aspect ◽  
Functional Aspect ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Human Cervix ◽  
Morphological Patterns

Recently, the functional aspect as well as morphological aspect of the reserve cells in the cervix uteri drew much attention in view of the carcinogenesis in squamocolumunar junction. In this communication, the authors elucidate the ultrastructural features of the reserve cells in patients of various age groups visiting our university hospital and affiliated hospital.From conventional light microscopic point of view, the reserve cells tend to be pronounced in various pathological conditions, such as the persisting inflammation, proliferative disorders and irritation of hormones. The morphological patterns of the reserve cells from various stage and degree of irritation were observed.

Cosmetology treatments on human hair: An SEM study

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 940-941
Author(s):  
D.F. Bowling
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Human Hair ◽  
Optical Microscope ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Brightness Contrast ◽  
Sem Study

High school cosmetology students study the methods and effects of various human hair treatments, including permanents, straightening, conditioning, coloring and cutting. Although they are provided with textbook examples of overtreatment and numerous hair disorders and diseases, a view of an individual hair at the high resolution offered by an SEM provides convincing evidence of the hair‘s altered structure. Magnifications up to 2000X provide dramatic differences in perspective. A good quality classroom optical microscope can be very informative at lower resolutions.Students in a cosmetology class are initially split into two groups. One group is taught basic controls on the SEM (focus, magnification, brightness, contrast, specimen X, Y, and Z axis movements). A healthy, untreated piece of hair is initially examined on the SEM The second group cements a piece of their own hair on a stub. The samples are dryed quickly using heat or vacuum while the groups trade places and activities.

Multilinguistic Components of Spelling: An Overview

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 124-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Barber
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Model ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Language System ◽  
Adequate Information ◽  
Intervention Plan ◽  
Semantic Awareness

Spelling is a window into a student's individual language system and, therefore, canprovide clues into the student's understanding, use, and integration of underlyinglinguistic skills. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) should be involved in improvingstudents' literacy skills, including spelling, though frequently available measures ofspelling do not provide adequate information regarding critical underlying linguistic skillsthat contribute to spelling. This paper outlines a multilinguistic, integrated model of wordstudy (Masterson & Apel, 2007) that highlights the important influences of phonemicawareness, orthographic pattern awareness, semantic awareness, morphologicalawareness and mental graphemic representations on spelling. An SLP can analyze anindividual's misspellings to identify impairments in specific linguistic components andthen develop an individualized, appropriate intervention plan tailored to a child's uniquelinguistic profile, thus maximizing intervention success.

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