Interactions of stimulus quality and semantic context on N400 in visual word recognition

The joint effects of stimulus quality and semantic context in visual word recognition were examined with event-related potential (ERP) recordings. In one-character Chinese word recognition, we manipulated stimulus quality at two degradation levels (highly vs. slightly degraded) and semantic context at two priming levels (semantically related vs. unrelated). In a prime–target–probe trial flow, ERPs were recorded to the target character which was presented in either high or slight degradation and which was preceded by either a semantically related or unrelated prime character. The target character was then followed by a probe character which was either identical to or different from the target character. Subjects were instructed to make target–probe matching judgments. The ERP results demonstrated a degradation by priming interaction, with larger N400 semantic priming effects for slightly degraded targets. Moreover, the degradation effects were observed on the P200, N250, and N400. These findings provided evidence for the cascaded model of visual word recognition such that the visual processing cascaded into the semantic stage and thus interacted on the N400 amplitude. The results were compared to an earlier study with a null ERP degradation by priming interaction. The ramifications of these results for models of visual word recognition are discussed.

ICONIC ENCODING OF CORPOREALITY IN MODERN ENGLISH

The literature on the unity of emotional, volitional, intellectual, and physical states within the holistic cognitive-semantic context of corporeality shows a variety of approaches. The originality of our solution lies in the fact that the object of the prеsеnt study is the domain of Grеimassian sеmiotic thеory (including the so-called thymic category) that has been further developed: Taking into consideration that people use basic-level concepts regularly, we hypothesised that thymic category members can be selected, given that these category members are yielding information on the semantics of perception in the elementary concepts of Modern English. The data obtained suggests that the information on the thymic category is conveyed by the conceptual triad SENSE : FEELING : EMOTION. Furthermore, cognitive and onomasiological features of the basic-level concepts have been analysed. Thus, the previous research has been extended by clarifying the semiotic structure of the thymic category in Modern English and presenting the results on the distribution of cognitive-onomasiological capability within the framework of derivatives of the verbalized conceptual triad SENSE : FEELING : EMOTION. The iconic character of this conceptual complex is one of the means of naïve worldview reconstruction in word-formation. Notably, the iconic aspect is marked by cognitive-semantic shift of the thymic-neuter indices of the conceptual thymic information to its thymic-extremal analogues. This could be a result of the fact that the shift of a given type is based on the correlation of evaluation of the sign-motivator and expressive-gnoseological functions of perception performed by the native speakers. The reconstruction of the thymic composites domain reveals that the motivators of sensory type prevail. Besides, the cognitive-semantic shift was detected: the motivators are represented by the derivatives of the verbalized concept SENSE, while the concept EMOTION is lacunary, a fortiori the composite words with feel and sensation constituents are semantically more mobile and expressive. Key words: concept, corporeality, iconicity, semiosis, sign.

Speech Perception through Face Masks by Children and Adults

Face masks can cause speech processing difficulties. However, it is unclear to what extent these difficulties are caused by the visual obstruction of the speaker’s mouth or by changes of the acoustic signal, and whether the effects can be found regardless of semantic context. In the present study, children and adults performed a cued shadowing task online, repeating the last word of English sentences. Target words were embedded in sentence-final position and manipulated visually, acoustically, and by semantic context (cloze probability). First results from 16 children and 16 adults suggest that processing language through face masks leads to slower responses in both groups, but visual, acoustic, and semantic cues all significantly reduce the mask effect. Although children were less proficient in predictive speech processing overall, they were still able to use semantic cues to compensate for face mask effects in a similar fashion to adults.

CULTURAL UNIVERSALS IN THE RITUAL TRADITION OF THE TURKIC-MONGOLIAN PEOPLES: VOCABULARY AND CONTEXT

В данной статье рассматривается в семантическом контексте с обрядовым действом лексика в сибирских тюркских и монгольских языках, связанная с культом гор, земли и воды. Основными языками исследования являются алтайский, бурятский и якутский с привлечением монгольских, хакасских, тувинских параллелей. У тюрко-монгольских народов прослеживаются общие принципы организации сакрального пространства, концептуально схожие ритуальные действа в коллективном обряде, посвященном духам-хозяевам местности, присутствуют универсальные атрибуты и символы, характерные для шаманизма и буддизма. Впервые проведен сопоставительный анализ лексем, семантики и символики слов, связанных с обрядовыми действами и сопровождающий их вербальный контекст. Целью работы является выявление сохранности, распространения и трансформации культурных универсалий, имеющих вербальное выражение. Актуальным представляется исследование древнейших культурных кодов, сохранившихся в предметной и акциональной сферах обрядности. Понятие культурного кода в изучении обрядности позволит получить ключ к пониманию культурной картины мира и расшифровать глубинный смысл составных частей обряда (смыслов, знаков, символов, норм и т. д.). В итоге констатируем, что некогда существовала единая тюрко-монгольская традиция шаманизма, имевшая общую культурно знаковую систему, что подтверждается лексическим материалом и их обрядовым контекстом. Рассмотренные два основных ритуала жертвоприношения (кровавые и бескровные) доказывают как древние связи, так устойчивую универсальную последовательность и сохранность акциональных кодов в обрядовом событии монгольских и тюркских народов Сибири. Выявлено, что ключевые лексемы, используемые в предметном коде, имеют универсальную семантическую нагрузку в обрядовом событии. Лексические соответствия и схожие ритуальные предметы и действа, скорее всего, доказывают восхождение обряда к единым корням с последующими региональными и временными трансформациями. Установлено, что одинаковые атрибуты ритуала со схожим или разным лексическим обозначением являются архетипами, отражающими общие культурные коды тюркских народов Сибири и монгольских этносов. The authors consider the vocabulary of Siberian Turkic and Mongolian languages, related to the cult of mountains, land and water in a semantic context with the ritual action. The main languages of the study are Altai, Buryat and Yakut with the involvement of Mongolian, Khakas, and Tuvan parallels. In rites of Turkic-Mongolian people devoted to the host spirits of the area, the general principles of the organization of the sacred space, conceptually similar ritual actions are traced. There are universal attributes and symbols which are illustratory of shamanism and Buddhism. For the first time, a comparative analysis of lexemes, semantics and symbolism of words related to ritual actions and accompanying their verbal context was carried out. The purpose of the work is identifying the preservation, dissemination and transformation of cultural universals with verbal expression. A study of the oldest cultural codes preserved in the subject and actional spheres of rite seems relevant. The concept of a cultural code in the study of rite will provide a key to understanding the cultural picture of the world and allows deciphering the deep meaning of the components of the rite (meanings, signs, symbols, norms, etc.). As a result, we state that there was once a united Turkic-Mongolian tradition of shamanism, which had a common culturally significant system. It is confirmed by lexical material and their ritual context. The considered two main rituals of sacrifice (bloody and bloodless) prove both ancient ties and a stable universal sequence and the preservation of national codes in the ritual event of the Mongolian and Turkic peoples of Siberia. It is revealed that the key lexemes used in the subject code have a universal semantics in the ritual event. Lexical correspondences and similar ritual objects and actions most likely prove the ascension of the rite to single roots with subsequent regional and temporary transformations. It was established that the same attributes of the ritual with a similar or different lexical designation are archetypes reflecting the general cultural codes of the Turkic peoples of Siberia and Mongolian ethnic groups.

Reduced semantic context and signal-to-noise ratio increase listening effort as measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Objectives: Understanding speech in noise can be highly effortful. Decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of speech increases listening effort, but it is relatively unclear if decreasing the level of semantic context does as well. The current study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to evaluate two primary hypotheses: (1) listening effort (operationalized as oxygenation of the left lateral PFC) increases as the SNR decreases and (2) listening effort increases as context decreases. Design: Twenty-eight younger adults with normal hearing completed the Revised Speech Perception in Noise (R-SPIN) Test, in which they listened to sentences and reported the final word. These sentences either had an easy SNR (+4 dB) or a hard SNR (-2 dB), and were either low in semantic context (e.g., “Tom could have thought about the sport”) or high in context (e.g., “She had to vacuum the rug”). PFC oxygenation was measured throughout using fNIRS. Results: Accuracy on the R-SPIN Test was worse when the SNR was hard than when it was easy, and worse for sentences low in semantic context than high in context. Similarly, oxygenation across the entire PFC (including the left lateral PFC) was greater when the SNR was hard, and left lateral PFC oxygenation was greater when context was low. Conclusions: These results suggest that activation of the left lateral PFC (interpreted here as reflecting listening effort) increases to compensate for acoustic and linguistic challenges. This may reflect the increased engagement of domain-general and domain-specific processes subserved by the DLPFC (e.g., cognitive control) and IFG (e.g., predicting the sensory consequences of articulatory gestures), respectively.

For the Symbolics and Semantics of “Fire” in German Phraseologisms

Phraseologisms represent the important and valuable legacy of the nation as they reflect not only cultural and historical ideology, but customs and traditions as well. The given research deals with the establishment of symbolics and semantic context of “Fire” in German phraseological units. German phraseological dictionaries are used as the research object. Fire is a guarantee of improving human lives. It is the symbol of creative energy and destructive force as well. When the fire flame is under the human control it brings warmth, light and kindness. As soon as human reveals less care towards it the fire instantly turns into a dangerous, destructive force bringing death and collapse. Fire has different symbols in different religions. In Hinduism, fire is the symbol of creativity, absolution and demolition, in Islam – birth and destruction, in Buddhism – wisdom, in Christianity it is the symbol of reanimation. Human ensures his/her welfare and safety with the help of fire. Fire is the symbol of native home, native land and family: Das heimische Feuer – native fire/hearth. Fire can figuratively express different emotions. Phraseologisms expressing love are mostly found out: Feuer der Liebe – fire of love. In a figurative way, fire also indicates such human traits as intrepidity, bravery, sympathy, goodwill, hatred, anger, enthusiasm and hope. Figuratively fire also has the mission of increasing the power of trait.