Linguistic Accommodation

Accommodation is the process whereby a listener makes adjustments in response to behavior of the speaker. In the area of linguistics we might broadly label as theoretical pragmatics, within which we include much of formal semantics and philosophy of language, accommodation is the mechanism whereby hearers modify their representation of the conversational background so as to match assumptions that the speaker has made. The most pervasive type of accommodation involves presupposition, when a speaker takes some type of information for granted. Accommodation of presuppositions occurs when the listener adjusts their knowledge state in order to match the information that a speaker has presupposed. For example, if a speaker says, “I have to go pick up my sister from the airport,” there is a presupposition triggered that the speaker has a sister. If the listener is not already aware of the existence of the sister, they must accommodate this information by adjusting their information state accordingly. Two dominant approaches to modeling presupposition behavior have emerged in the past few decades, resulting in two broad understandings of accommodation. For a class of dynamic semantic theories, accommodation is a process that involves satisfaction in local contexts. On the other hand, a wave of research on presupposition as anaphora relies on a notion of accommodation as the creation of antecedents to enable anaphoric resolution that would otherwise fail. Within both understandings of accommodation, the particular mechanisms can also vary. Some accounts weigh the plausibility of material to be accommodated, some accounts weigh the alternative contexts within which material might be accommodated, and some weigh the amount of descriptive content contributed by the presupposition. Besides accommodation in theoretical pragmatics, a broader notion of accommodation is prominent in sociolinguistics, as well as further afield from linguistics in social psychology and anthropology. This notion includes not only the beliefs of the interlocutors, but also many other aspects of speech style and communicative behavior more generally. This literature primarily draws from communication accommodation theory (CAT), according to which a speaker adjusts their communicative behavior based on that of their interlocuter. Commonly, this adjustment involves mirroring, but interlocutors may also adjust to make differences salient rather than emphasizing similarity. While theoretical pragmatic and sociolinguistic accommodation are distinct notions with independent intellectual histories, presupposition accommodation can be seen as a special case of sociolinguistic accommodation. Both involve a hearer’s adjustment in response to a speaker. However, the former is more restrictive, concerning only adjustment to increase similarity, and only adjustment of aspects of what Lewis termed the conversational scoreboard, within which he includes the beliefs of the speaker and hearer.

Akomodasi Komunikasi Aparatur Sipil Negara Magang di Perusahaan Manufaktur

Magang merupakan salah satu upaya Kementerian Perindustrian (Kemenperin) untuk mendorong pegawainya mampu mencermati berbagai dinamika kondisi aktual dan melakukan berbagai penyesuaian untuk melakukan langkah-langkah proaktif dalam mendukung industri nasional. Perbedaan budaya pada kedua jenis instansi dapat menjadi hambatan yang menimbulkan ketidakpastian dan kecemasan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui akomodasi komunikasi yang dilakukan oleh peserta magang dan hambatan-hambatan yang dialami dalam proses akomodasi komunikasi tersebut. Studi ini menggunakan Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) yang merujuk pada empat tahapan model Giles dan Anxiety Uncertainty Management (AUM). Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah kualitatif interpretif dengan metode studi kasus, dan teknik pengumpulan data dengan wawancara mendalam. Penelitian menemukan bahwa peserta magang melakukan akomodasi kovergensi, divergensi, dan sedikit akomodasi berlebihan untuk dapat menyesuaikan komunikasi dengan pegawai PT X. Akomodasi komunikasi bertujuan untuk proses penyesuaian antarbudaya agar terbentuk saling pengertian di antara individu yang terlibat, tercipta perasaan nyaman, menurunkan hambatan komunikasi, dan mereduksi ketidakpastian dalam berinteraksi untuk mencapai komunikasi yang efektif. Internships are one of the efforts of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) to encourage employees to observe various dynamics of actual conditions and make multiple adjustments to take proactive steps to support the national industry. Cultural differences in the two types of institutions can be obstacles that cause uncertainty and anxiety. This study aims to determine the communication accommodation made by interns and the barriers experienced in the communication accommodation process. This study employed Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) which refers to the four stages of the Giles model and Anxiety Uncertainty Management (AUM). It used is a qualitative interpretive approach with a case study method and data collection techniques with in-depth interviews. The study found that the interns accommodated convergence, divergence, and a little excessive accommodation to adjust their communication style to PT X employees. Communication accommodation aims at the intercultural adjustment process to form a mutual understanding between the individuals involved, create a feeling of comfort, lower communication barriers, and reduce uncertainty in interacting to achieve effective communication.

Slovene Immigrants and their Descendants in North America: Faces of Identity

The monograph consists of two complementary parts: the first presents the author's research on Slovene American and Canadian communities, the second narratives by the immigrants and their descendants themselves. Language use and attitudes of Slovene Americans and Canadians as well as the relationship between their sense of ethnic identity and the degree of mother tongue maintenance is examined. A rapid shift from Slovene to English is observed across generations. Language choice both on individual and community levels is explained within the Communication Accommodation theory (Giles and Ogay 2007). Despite the relatively high symbolic value that the participants attribute to Slovene, it is not central to their ethnicity. The most important ethnic identification factor is culture in its broadest sense (from customs to sense of belonging). The majority feels more bicultural than bilingual, American and Canadian, but also Slovene, which they perceive as a source of pride and an enrichment of their lives.

Everyday prevalence of foreigner-directed speech

L1 speakers often accommodate L2 speakers in a phenomenon known as “foreigner-directed speech” (FDS; Hatch, 1978). FDS is frequently employed as a strategy by L1 speakers to adapt their speech when talking to learners of a specific language; it is generally described as a rapport-building behavior that helps L2 speakers understand the conversation better. In a recent questionnaire study, 85% of L1 speakers reported adjusting their English when speaking to L2 speakers (Margić, 2017). Critically, L2 speakers’ reports on its consequences or effectiveness were not included. Through Qualtrics Panels, we surveyed 192 L1 speakers of English (Mage= 53 years old; 97 female/94 male/1 no response) and 201 L2 speakers of English (Mage= 37 years old; 100 female/98 male/3 non-binary) using a newly developed questionnaire to determine how speech accommodation is perceived. Contrary to previous findings, over half of our L1 participants reported that they do not change their speech when talking to L2 speakers (61%). Half reported they do not like doing it (52%), and 30% are frustrated when it is expected of them. Consistent with our L1 findings, only a third of L2 participants reported L1 speakers change their speech when talking to them (36%), 47% do not like it, and 64% are frustrated when L1 speakers do not accommodate them. Additionally, 57% report they avoid talking to L1 speakers out of fear of being judged, and 40% say that they have been talked down to by L1 speakers. Individual differences appear to modulate how L1 and L2 speakers use FDS and perceive it: For both groups, we found a relationship between the FDS questionnaire and measures of anxiety, personality, L2 proficiency, as well as the frequency of interactions between L1 and L2 speakers. Results are interpreted in light of Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles & Ogay, 2007).

Strategi Akomodasi Komunikasi dalam Proses Pembelajaran Secara Daring Selama Masa Pandemi Covid-19

This study aims to determine the communication accommodation strategy in the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic which occurred in teaching and learning activities in English at the elementary, junior high, senior high school and vocational school levels in Jakarta and also to determine the obstacles in communication accommodation strategies in the learning process. This study uses an exploratory method with Communication Accommodation Theory as a reference for data analysis used to discuss the possibility of a new phenomenon that has not been found in previous research and to examine phenomena in the context of real life. The results showed that the convergence strategy in communication accommodation in the online learning process during the Covid-19 pandemic was mostly carried out by English teachers at the SD, SMP, SMA, and SMK levels. This is to show that the teaching and learning delivery process is easier for students to understand and accept during online learning. In addition, based on the results of the interview, the researcher found that there were obstacles and impacts that were felt in the teaching and learning process taking place. Students tend to be passive compared to face-to-face learning.

Everything Irie: Examining the Occurrence of Jamaican Patois in the Greater Toronto Area

This Major Research Project (MRP) examines the occurrence of Jamaican patois in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) among people of a Caribbean ethnic or cultural background. This project supplies data on the demographic characteristics of Jamaican patois speakers in the GTA and the situational contexts in which they use the language. The study has been developed as a pilot and foundation for further qualitative research in the field of communication to investigate the motivating factors of Jamaican patois use in the GTA. This MRP uses the theoretical frameworks of Code Switching (Deubers, 2014; Langman, 2001), Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles, 2008; Gallois, Ogay & Giles, 2005; Giles & Ogay, 2007), and Co-Cultural Communication Theory (Orbe 1996, 1998) to analyze the answers received in response to a quantitative online survey questionnaire. According to survey responses, participants adjust their use of Jamaican patois in the GTA as a means of assimilation and social conformity. Overall, research participants speak the most Jamaican patois at home and while socializing and/or engaging in activities outside of the home. Participants with a higher level of income and education speak less Jamaican patois regardless of physical or social contexts and a significant number of participants speak Jamaican patois if it works to their favour. These findings indicate that, while Jamaican patois use by Caribbean’s in the GTA is associated with a lower level of income and education, the intra- and possibly intercultural affordances of the language merit further study.

Everything Irie: Examining the Occurrence of Jamaican Patois in the Greater Toronto Area

This Major Research Project (MRP) examines the occurrence of Jamaican patois in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) among people of a Caribbean ethnic or cultural background. This project supplies data on the demographic characteristics of Jamaican patois speakers in the GTA and the situational contexts in which they use the language. The study has been developed as a pilot and foundation for further qualitative research in the field of communication to investigate the motivating factors of Jamaican patois use in the GTA. This MRP uses the theoretical frameworks of Code Switching (Deubers, 2014; Langman, 2001), Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles, 2008; Gallois, Ogay & Giles, 2005; Giles & Ogay, 2007), and Co-Cultural Communication Theory (Orbe 1996, 1998) to analyze the answers received in response to a quantitative online survey questionnaire. According to survey responses, participants adjust their use of Jamaican patois in the GTA as a means of assimilation and social conformity. Overall, research participants speak the most Jamaican patois at home and while socializing and/or engaging in activities outside of the home. Participants with a higher level of income and education speak less Jamaican patois regardless of physical or social contexts and a significant number of participants speak Jamaican patois if it works to their favour. These findings indicate that, while Jamaican patois use by Caribbean’s in the GTA is associated with a lower level of income and education, the intra- and possibly intercultural affordances of the language merit further study.

Teach them to be expressive: an application of communication accommodation theory to vocal pedagogy.

There is a large amount of overlap between the disciplines of singing and communication, particularly in the area of expression. Recent science based pedagogy written by Richard Miller is considered foundational knowledge in the vocal community, however, there are concerns that this anatomically focused pedagogy prevents the development of creative and expressive singers. A thematic analysis of two of Miller’s pedagogical texts was used to collect excerpts focused on the topic of expression. A second phase intention analysis revealed that the discussion of expression was largely uninstructive, providing teachers with minimal methodology. There is evidence that Miller addresses the importance of expression in vocal performance, however, his style of pedagogy does not allow for an in depth exploration of the tactics necessary for its instruction. Applying concepts from communication accommodation theory to the pedagogy will allow for the expansion of existing techniques such as modeling, convergence and divergence into the area of expression aiding vocal instructors in teaching the art of musical expression.