Assessing Pragmatic Skills in Speech Act Production and Perception

2022 ◽  
pp. 211-242
Author(s):  
Sara Gesuato ◽  
Victoriya Trubnikova
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Skills Assessment ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Social Relevance ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Pragmatic Skills

This chapter offers an overview of the research on the assessment of pragmatic skills among L2 speakers, focusing on speech act production and reception. The main characteristics of the key variables involved in the assessment process are also outlined. These include: language users whose pragmatic skills are assessed; raters assessing language users' discourse; discursive phenomena being assessed; approaches adopted for collecting and assessing discursive data; and the criteria used as the standards for assessment. The overall aim of this chapter is to explore how inclusive the assessment of language use in its scope, methods and social relevance. The major trends challenges involved in pragmatic skills assessment practices are identified, implications are drawn from the findings, and suggestions for future research are offered.

Assessment 360°: A Panoramic Framework for Assessing English Language Learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Lewis ◽  
Nancy Castilleja ◽  
Barbara J. Moore ◽  
Barbara Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
Many Sources

This issue describes the Assessment 360° process, which takes a panoramic approach to the language assessment process with school-age English Language Learners (ELLs). The Assessment 360° process guides clinicians to obtain information from many sources when gathering information about the child and his or her family. To illustrate the process, a bilingual fourth grade student whose native language (L1) is Spanish and who has been referred for a comprehensive language evaluation is presented. This case study features the assessment issues typically encountered by speech-language pathologists and introduces assessment through a panoramic lens. Recommendations specific to the case study are presented along with clinical implications for assessment practices with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.

Point mass impulse-momentum model of the equine rotational fall

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-165
Author(s):  
M.H. Foreman ◽  
J.R. Engsberg ◽  
J.H. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Point Mass ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Collision Time ◽  
Mass Model ◽  
Impact Forces ◽  
Force Transfer ◽  
Reference Curves ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Input Variables

Rotational falls are a serious cause of injury and death to horse and rider, particularly in the cross-country phase of eventing. The forces involved when horses galloping cross-country strike an immovable fence are unknown. The objective of this study was to mathematically model those forces using existing kinematic data measured from jumping horses. Data were obtained from published research using motion capture to measure mechanics about the center of gravity of the jumping horse at take-off. A convenience method from video evidence of rotational falls was used to estimate time of collision (Δt). A point mass model using equations of impulse-momentum and incorporating key variables was systematically implemented in Matlab (r2016a). The mean collision time (Δt=0.79s) produced horizontal, vertical, and resultant impact forces of 8,580, 8,245, and 12,158 N, respectively. Reference curves of impact forces were created for ranges of relevant input variables including collision time. Proportional relationships showed that shorter impact duration led to higher magnitude of force transfer between horse and obstacle. This study presents a preliminary range of collision forces based on a simplified model and numerous assumptions related to input variables. Future research should work to build upon these estimates through more complex modelling and data collection to enhance applicability for the design of cross-country safety devices.

scholarly journals Contrastive Pragmatics: Apologies & Thanks in English and Italian

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Cuneyt Demir ◽  
Mehmet Takkac
Keyword(s):  
Social Action ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
American English ◽  
The Status ◽  
Language Competency ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Remedial Strategies

<p>Awareness of language or language competency has greatly changed from the focus of language itself as form and structure to language use as pragmatics. Accordingly, it is widely accepted that different cultures structure discourse in different ways. Moreover, studies have shown that this holds for discourse genres traditionally considered as highly standardized in their rituals and formulas. Taking inspiration from such studies, this paper employs a corpus-based approach to examine variations of the apology and thanking strategies used in English and Italian. First the apology itself as a form of social action is closely analyzed and then thanking. This study also pays special attention on analyzing and contrasting apology and thanking strategies in American English and in Italian in terms of Marion Owen’s remedial strategies (Owen, 1983), and Olshtain &amp; Cohen’s semantic formulas in the apology speech act set (Olshtain &amp; Cohen, 1983). The purpose of the study is not only to compare apology and thanking speech acts but to also learn their contextual use. The findings suggest that the status and role of the situation affect the speakers’ choice of apology and thanking strategies, and semantic formulas are of great importance.</p>

New Assessment Practices in Mathematics

1996 ◽  
Vol 178 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Schulman
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
National Council ◽  
Assessment Data ◽  
Mathematical Ideas ◽  
Mathematics Classrooms ◽  
Assessment Tasks

Assessment practices need to change in mathematics classrooms that adopt the curriculum standards recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). An assessment system that focuses on broad learning outcomes, uses tasks that are aligned with instructional practices, involves students actively in the process, and informs teachers' instructional and curricular decisions is recommended. Such an assessment process requires teachers to identify important mathematical ideas, along with performance standards that describe what students must do to demonstrate that those ideas have been learned. Open-ended questions, observations, interviews, pre- and post-assessments, self- and peer-assessments are strategies that can be used to gather evidence of students learning. Documentation strategies are needed to help teachers organize and manage assessment data. NCTM has provided six standards for assessment that teachers can use as guidelines to help them evaluate the appropriateness of assessment tasks.

scholarly journals Representations of Gender-Diverse Characters in Adventure Time and Steven Universe

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Abigail S. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Children's Television ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gender Representations ◽  
Television Shows ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gender Neutral ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Television Representation

Television is a strong educational and socializing agent for children. Watching television can teach children appropriate language and vocabulary to use, as well as the social norms about gender behaviors or activities. Previous research on gender representations in children’s television has been limited to studying male and female characters because children’s programming has historically presented audiences with cisgender characters (e.g., boy and girls). Recently, television shows aimed at children have provided audiences with nonbinary and gender-diverse characters. This study is the first exploratory content analysis, to my knowledge, to examine the portrayal and representation of nonbinary and gender-diverse characters in children’s television. The current study examined the gender-neutral pronoun and gendered language use toward nonbinary and gender-diverse characters, as well as the portrayal of these characters as leaders, and with special skills in Adventure Time and Steven Universe. Overall, nonbinary and gender-diverse characters were portrayed as strong, positive, characters, and were represented similarly to their cisgender counterparts. This represents a promising shift toward more inclusive and equitable television representation, which may lead to the acceptance and appropriate use of gender-neutral pronouns toward peers by cisgender children, and the feeling of visibility and validation by nonbinary children. Future research should examine the impacts of these characters on viewers. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: As children’s television becomes more diverse it has the potential to positively impact the lives of cisgender (e.g., boys and girls) and nonbinary children. Because television has the potential to influence young children, gender-diverse representations in children’s television may lead to children developing more accepting attitudes and behaviors toward nonbinary peers.

scholarly journals Beyond the Words in Print: Identity Construction in Messages of Condolence

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-192
Author(s):  
Rita Akele Twumasi
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Human Existence ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
The Social

Death is part of human existence. When a person hears the news of someone’s death, it is very common for that person to express their feelings about it. This feeling is in the form of condolences which express the speaker’s sorrow, and condolences fall into the category of speech act. Semantically, condolences have a social meaning which refers to language use. Identities are created in relationships with others, and condolences are major platforms for the construction of identities, in that, existing relationships are, clearly, manifested in the messages that sympathizers expressed. Using a qualitative approach, the study analyzed twenty condolence messages which were purposely sampled from condolence messages posted in the portals of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), when one of its members passed away. The analysis of the data revealed two main identity types enacted for the deceased: role identity and Social Identity. The major Role identity enacted, metaphorically, was Father while the least role was Achiever. Second, identity as an International Figure was dominant with the Social roles, but Good Personality was used less frequently. The present study adds to studies in identity construction, in general, and studies in condolence messages, in specific.

scholarly journals Implementation Difficulties of Kuwait National Competency-Based Curriculum

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Maadi Mahdi Alajmi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Instructional Technology ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Process Use ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
And Training

The study investigates teachers' understanding and use of competency-based national curriculum in Kuwait's public education schools. A developed questionnaire survey distributed to 317 teachers and 94 supervisors. Findings indicated weaknesses in professional development and training, the assessment process, use of instructional technology, financial supplies, and teacher guides. Recommendations highlight needs of a professional development and training to supervisors and teachers on implementing the national competency-based curriculum, standards-based assessments, instructional technology, instructional strategies, and financial supplies. A future research on effects of the national competency-based curriculum on student learning, teaching performance, and outcomes of educational process is highly recommended.   Received: 26 May 2021 / Accepted: 2 August 2021 / Published: 5 September 2021

scholarly journals Pragmatics in Teacher Talk: The Case of Pre-Primary Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Júlia Barón ◽  
Helena Roquet ◽  
Natalia Evnitskaya ◽  
Noelia Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Primary Teachers ◽  
Teacher Talk ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Efl Classrooms ◽  
L1 English

This study aims to explore how the speech act of requesting is performed in Catalan (L1), English (L1) and EFL classrooms by pre-primary teachers. The study examines transcripts of 40-minute video-recorded lessons (six in Catalan/L1, six in English/FL, and three in English/L1) collected in several pre-primary schools in Catalonia, Spain. Recall interviews with the teachers were also conducted in order to examine their perceptions of their pragmatic performances in the classroom. Results show that teachers predominantly use imperatives in the three groups (Catalan L1, English L1 and EFL); however, a wider variety of requesting strategies is used in the L1 lessons. The study concludes with reflections on the pedagogical implications of the findings and calls for the need to raise teachers&rsquo; awareness about the effect their language use might have on the development of learners&rsquo; pragmatic competence both in the L1 and the foreign language.

scholarly journals Speech Acts

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Conversation Analysis ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Linguistic Pragmatics ◽  
Recursive Structures ◽  
Core Language ◽  
Core Issues ◽  
Essential Insight

The essential insight of speech act theory was that when we use language, we perform actions—in a more modern parlance, core language use in interaction is a form of joint action. Over the last thirty years, speech acts have been relatively neglected in linguistic pragmatics, although important work has been done especially in conversation analysis. Here we review the core issues—the identifying characteristics, the degree of universality, the problem of multiple functions, and the puzzle of speech act recognition. Special attention is drawn to the role of conversation structure, probabilistic linguistic cues, and plan or sequence inference in speech act recognition, and to the centrality of deep recursive structures in sequences of speech acts in conversation.

REQUESTING SPEECH ACT OF UTTERANCES IN OCEAN’S ELEVEN BY STEVEN SODERBERGH: A PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 410
Author(s):  
Nurul Hasanah ◽  
Japen Sarage
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Speech Act ◽  
Syntactic Structure ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Parts Of Speech ◽  
The Real ◽  
Syntactic Form ◽  
Pragmatic Analysis ◽  
Actual Use

The term sentence and utterance are made different in terms that the former refers to syntactic structure, while the latter points out the actual function of such a structure in real communication. The same things apply to the terms request and requesting. The first term suggests the structural characteristics of sentence asking people to do something while the second term indicates the real sentence causing people to do something. The first deals with formal grammar while the second deals with pragmatics the actual use of language in communication.This article attempts to see requesting in its possible different syntactic forms as parts of speech acts in Ocean’sEleven by Steven Soderbergh. A pragmatic approach is applied since it uses context as a part of linguistic analysis involving the speaker, addressee, time, location, and genre in the conversation. A syntactic form of a sentence only cannot represent the real meaning of intention.The analysis of speech act of the conversation in the film brings us to an understanding that pragmatics encourage us to comprehend different kinds of setting to achieve requesting as a part of language use. Pragmatics as a branch of linguistics reveals mutual understanding between the speaker and the hearer.

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