The Study of Language and Language Acquisition
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The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words Timothy Jay
PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words Timothy Jay Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ABSTRACT—Taboo words are defined and sanctioned by This review is organized around eight questions that are used institutions of power (e.g., religion, media), and prohibi- to pique psychologists’ interest in taboo words and to promote a tions are reiterated in child-rearing practices. Native deeper understanding of them through future research: What are speakers acquire folk knowledge of taboo words, but it taboo words and why do they exist? What motivates people to use lacks the complexity that psychological science requires for taboo words? How often do people say taboo words, and who says an understanding of swearing. Misperceptions persist in them? What are the most frequently used taboo words? Does psychological science and in society at large about how psychological science acknowledge the significance of the frequently people swear or what it means when they do. frequency of taboo word use? Is a folk knowledge of taboo words Public recordings of taboo words establish the commonplace sufficient for psychological science? How should psychological occurrence of swearing (ubiquity), although frequency data science define language? Does psychological science even need are not always appreciated in laboratory research. A set of a theory of swearing? 10 words that has remained stable over the past 20 years accounts for 80% of public swearing. Swearing is positively WHATARE TABOO WORDS AND WHY DO THEY EXIST? correlated with extraversion and Type A hostility but neg- atively correlated with agreeableness, conscientiousness, I use the terms taboo words or swear words interchangeably to religiosity, and sexual anxiety. -
First Language Acquisition Theories and Transition to SLA Mohammad
The Asian Conference on Language Learning 2013 Official Conference Proceedings Osaka, Japan First Language Acquisition Theories and Transition to SLA Mohammad Torikul Islam Jazan University, Saudi Arabia 0289 The Asian Conference on Language Learning 2013 Official Conference Proceedings 2013 Abstract First language (L1) acquisition studies have been an interesting issue to both linguists and psycholinguists. A lot of research studies have been carried out over past several decades to investigate how L1 or child language acquisition mechanism takes place. The end point of L1 acquisition theories leads to interlanguage theories which eventually lead to second language acquisition (SLA) research studies. In this paper, I will show that there have been at least three theories that have offered new ideas on L1 acquisition. However, two theories of L1 acquisition have been very prominent as they have propounded two revolutionary schools of thought: Behaviorism and Mentalism. Therefore, in the first segment of this paper I will deal with the detailed theoretical assumptions on these two theories along with a brief discussion on Social Interactionist Theory of L1 acquisition. The second segment will deal with interlanguage theories and their seminal contributions to subsequent language researchers. Finally, I will briefly show how L1 acquisition theories and interlanguage theories have paved the way for new ideas into SLA research studies. iafor The International Academic Forum www.iafor.org 499 The Asian Conference on Language Learning 2013 Official Conference Proceedings Osaka, Japan Behaviorist Theory Behaviorism or Behaviorist Theory of first language (L1) plays a crucial role in understanding the early importance attached to the role of the first language acquisition. -
II Levels of Language
II Levels of language 1 Phonetics and phonology 1.1 Characterising articulations 1.1.1 Consonants 1.1.2 Vowels 1.2 Phonotactics 1.3 Syllable structure 1.4 Prosody 1.5 Writing and sound 2 Morphology 2.1 Word, morpheme and allomorph 2.1.1 Various types of morphemes 2.2 Word classes 2.3 Inflectional morphology 2.3.1 Other types of inflection 2.3.2 Status of inflectional morphology 2.4 Derivational morphology 2.4.1 Types of word formation 2.4.2 Further issues in word formation 2.4.3 The mixed lexicon 2.4.4 Phonological processes in word formation 3 Lexicology 3.1 Awareness of the lexicon 3.2 Terms and distinctions 3.3 Word fields 3.4 Lexicological processes in English 3.5 Questions of style 4 Syntax 4.1 The nature of linguistic theory 4.2 Why analyse sentence structure? 4.2.1 Acquisition of syntax 4.2.2 Sentence production 4.3 The structure of clauses and sentences 4.3.1 Form and function 4.3.2 Arguments and complements 4.3.3 Thematic roles in sentences 4.3.4 Traces 4.3.5 Empty categories 4.3.6 Similarities in patterning Raymond Hickey Levels of language Page 2 of 115 4.4 Sentence analysis 4.4.1 Phrase structure grammar 4.4.2 The concept of ‘generation’ 4.4.3 Surface ambiguity 4.4.4 Impossible sentences 4.5 The study of syntax 4.5.1 The early model of generative grammar 4.5.2 The standard theory 4.5.3 EST and REST 4.5.4 X-bar theory 4.5.5 Government and binding theory 4.5.6 Universal grammar 4.5.7 Modular organisation of language 4.5.8 The minimalist program 5 Semantics 5.1 The meaning of ‘meaning’ 5.1.1 Presupposition and entailment 5.2 -
Language Development Language Development
Language Development rom their very first cries, human beings communicate with the world around them. Infants communicate through sounds (crying and cooing) and through body lan- guage (pointing and other gestures). However, sometime between 8 and 18 months Fof age, a major developmental milestone occurs when infants begin to use words to speak. Words are symbolic representations; that is, when a child says “table,” we understand that the word represents the object. Language can be defined as a system of symbols that is used to communicate. Although language is used to communicate with others, we may also talk to ourselves and use words in our thinking. The words we use can influence the way we think about and understand our experiences. After defining some basic aspects of language that we use throughout the chapter, we describe some of the theories that are used to explain the amazing process by which we Language9 A system of understand and produce language. We then look at the brain’s role in processing and pro- symbols that is used to ducing language. After a description of the stages of language development—from a baby’s communicate with others or first cries through the slang used by teenagers—we look at the topic of bilingualism. We in our thinking. examine how learning to speak more than one language affects a child’s language develop- ment and how our educational system is trying to accommodate the increasing number of bilingual children in the classroom. Finally, we end the chapter with information about disorders that can interfere with children’s language development. -
Equative Constructions in World-Wide Perspective
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by ZENODO 1 Equative constructions in world-wide perspective Martin Haspelmath & the Leipzig Equative Constructions Team1 Abstract: In this paper, we report on a world-wide study of equative constructions (‘A is as big as B’) in a convenience sample of 119 languages. From earlier work, it has been known that European languages often have equative constructions based on adverbial relative pronouns that otherwise express degree or manner (‘how’, ‘as’), but we find that this type is rare outside Europe. We divide the constructions that we found into six primary types, four of which have closely corresponding types of comparative constructions (‘A is bigger than B’). An equative construction often consists of five components: a comparee (‘A’), a degree-marker (‘as’), a parameter (‘is big’), a standard-marker (‘as’), and a standard (‘B’). Most frequently, the parameter is the main predicate and the equative sense is expressed by a special standard-marker. But many languages also have a degree-marker, so that we get a construction of the English and French type. Another possibility is for the equality sense to be expressed by a transitive ‘equal’ (or ‘reach’) verb, which may be the main predicate or a secondary predicate. And finally, since the equative construction is semantically symmetrical, it is also possible to “unify” the parameter and the standard in the subject position (‘A and B are equally tall’, or ‘A and B are equal in height’). But no language has only a degree-marker, leaving the standard unmarked. -
Theme’ in English: Their Syntax, Semantics and Discourse Functions
The Many Types of ‘Theme’ in English: their Syntax, Semantics and Discourse Functions Robin P. Fawcett The Many Types of ‘Theme’ in English: their Syntax, Semantics and Discourse Functions Robin P. Fawcett Emeritus Professor of Linguistics Cardiff University This book is being worked on, intermittently, so please forgive any inconsistencies of numbering, etc. I would be very grateful if you felt able to send me your comments and suggestions for improvements, including improvements in clarity. However, plans for publishing this work in this form in the near future have been shelved, as a result of the decision to focus on three other books: Fawcett forthcoming 2009a, forthcoming 2009b and forthcoming 2010 (for which see the References). The last of these will include material from the descriptive portion of the present work. I still intend to bring this work up to book- publishing standard at some point in the near future. Meanwhile I am happy for it to be used and cited, if you wish. CHANGES TO BE MADE Networks derived from Figure 2 will be added at appropriate points throughout. The figure numbers will be changed to start anew for each chapter. Notes comparing this approach with the networks in Halliday and Matthiessen 2004 and Thompson 2004 will be added (noting Thompson’s use of our term ‘enhanced’). Other possible changes (marked by XXX) will be considered. Perhaps I shall add the ‘fact’ that the word beginning with ‘t’ that was looked up most frequently on dictionary.com in 2005 was ‘theme’! Contents Preface 1 Introduction 1.1 Three -
The Origin of the Celtic Comparative Type Oir Tressa, MW
170 R. Schmitt 16: offenbar noch nicht erschienen 14. 17: Het'owm Patmic', Patmowt'iwn T'at'arac' [Hethum der Histori ker Geschichte der Tataren] / Getum Patmic, Istorija Tatar / Hetum Patmich, History of Tatars, 4°, 1981, [Vlj, 704 S. (T: Ven~tik 1842; ]3: The Origin of the Celtic Comparative Type Olr. tressa, Bambis Asoti Eganyan; 642-691 Wortliste, Namen und Datlerungen em MW Jrech 'stronger' scblieBend; 692-702 Namenliste). 18/1-2: Step'anos Taronec'i Asolik, Patmowt'iwn Tiezerakan [Stepha The comparison of adjectives in Celtic presents many interesting fea nos von Taraun Asolik, Universalgeschichte] / Stepanos TaroneCl AsohIi<, tures 1, Some of these are structural and grammatical, such as the restric Obscaja Istorija / Stepanos Taronetsi Asoghik, General History, 8', 1: tion of the comparative to predicative position and the introdnction of a A-E, 1987 15, [IV], 707 S.; 2: m:-M, 1987 15 , [IV], 683 S. (T: S. Peterburg fourth degree of comparison, the equative, beside the usual positive, 1885; B: Valarsak Arzowmani K 'osyan; I 658-666, II 638-645 Namenhste; comparative and superlative. But there are purely formal peculiarities as 1667-706, II 646--682 Wortliste)15. well. Irregularly compared adjectives are synchronically very conspicuous 19/1-2: Frik, Banastelcowt'yownner [Frik, Gedichte] / Frik, Stihotvo in Old Irish and Middle Welsh, and many of the individual irregularities renija / Frik, Poems, 8°,1: A-K, 1986, [IV], 598 S.; 2: H-F, 1987,482 S. that they display are also puzzling from a diachronic point of view. A case (T: Erevan 1941; B: DSxowhi Sowreni Movsisyan; R: Alek'sandr S~mom in point is the Old Irish comparative ending in -a, the origin of which has Margaryan; I 563, II 449 Namenliste; I 564-597, II 450-481 Worthste). -
1. Functionalist Linguistics: Usage-Based Explanations of Language Structure
MARTIN HASPELMATH, 15 July 1. Functionalist linguistics: usage-based explanations of language structure 1. What is functionalism? prototypical representatives of "functionalism" in my sense: general: Greenberg 1966, Croft 1990, Paul 1880/1920 syntax: Givón 1984-90, Hawkins 1994, Croft 2001 morphology: Bybee 1985 phonology: Lindblom 1986, Bybee 2001 non-prototypical representatives: Foley & Van Valin 1984, Langacker 1987-91, Dik 1997 fundamental question: Why is language structure the way it is? not: How can language be acquired despite the poverty of the stimulus? primary answer: Language structure (= competence) is the way it is because it reflects constraints on language use (= performance). typically this means: because it is adapted to the needs of language users main problem: H ow can language structure "reflect" language use? There must be an evolutionary/adaptive process, perhaps involving variation and selection. 2. Two examples (A) Vowel systems: The great majority of languages have "triangular" vowel systems as in (1a) or (1b). "Horizontal" or "vertical" systems as in (2a-b) are logically perfectly possible, but unattested. (1) a. [i] [u] b. [i] [u] [a] [e] [o] [a] (2) a. [i] [I] [u] b. [I] [´] [a] This reflects a phonetic constraint on language use: Vowels should be easily distinguishable, and phonetic research has shown that [i], [u], and [a] are the three extremes in the available vowel space (e.g. Lindblom 1986). 1 (B) Implicit infinitival subjects: In many languages, the subject of certain types of complement clauses can be left unexpressed only when it is coreferential with a matrix argument: (3) a. Roberti wants [Øi/*j to arrive in time]. -
The Meaning of German Wie in Equative Comparison (Follow-Up of the Project Expressing Similarity, UM 100/1-1)
Beschreibung des Vorhabens / Project Description The meaning of German wie in equative comparison (follow-up of the project Expressing similarity, UM 100/1-1) Carla Umbach Zentrum für Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS), Berlin Institut für deutsche Sprache und Literatur (ISDL I), Universität Köln Februar 2016 1 State of the art and preliminary work1 Introduction The topic of this proposal is the meaning of German wie in equative comparison including scalar as well as non-scalar cases, cf. (1). The semantics of equatives has up to now been studied nearly exclusively from the perspective of the comparative, excluding non-scalar equatives from the analysis. Moreover, the semantics of equatives has been studied nearly exclusively from the perspective of English, which does not suggest a uniform analysis of scalar and non-scalar cases due to their different forms. In German, both scalar and non-scalar equatives are based on wie-clauses thus calling for a uniform analysis. (1) a. Anna ist so groß wie Berta. 'Anna is as tall as Berta.' b. Anna hat so eine Tasse wie Berta. 'Anna has a mug like Berta's. c. Anna hat so getanzt wie Berta. 'Anna danced like Berta.' In this project, a generalized account of German equatives will be developed including scalar as well as non-scalar cases. The core piece of this account is (i) the idea that equatives express similarity, that is, indistinguishability with respect to a given set of features and (ii) that this results from the meaning of the standard marker wie, which is not semantically empty (as assumed in standard degree semantics) but has a meaning of its own. -
A STUDY of WRITING Oi.Uchicago.Edu Oi.Uchicago.Edu /MAAM^MA
oi.uchicago.edu A STUDY OF WRITING oi.uchicago.edu oi.uchicago.edu /MAAM^MA. A STUDY OF "*?• ,fii WRITING REVISED EDITION I. J. GELB Phoenix Books THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS oi.uchicago.edu This book is also available in a clothbound edition from THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS TO THE MOKSTADS THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS, CHICAGO & LONDON The University of Toronto Press, Toronto 5, Canada Copyright 1952 in the International Copyright Union. All rights reserved. Published 1952. Second Edition 1963. First Phoenix Impression 1963. Printed in the United States of America oi.uchicago.edu PREFACE HE book contains twelve chapters, but it can be broken up structurally into five parts. First, the place of writing among the various systems of human inter communication is discussed. This is followed by four Tchapters devoted to the descriptive and comparative treatment of the various types of writing in the world. The sixth chapter deals with the evolution of writing from the earliest stages of picture writing to a full alphabet. The next four chapters deal with general problems, such as the future of writing and the relationship of writing to speech, art, and religion. Of the two final chapters, one contains the first attempt to establish a full terminology of writing, the other an extensive bibliography. The aim of this study is to lay a foundation for a new science of writing which might be called grammatology. While the general histories of writing treat individual writings mainly from a descriptive-historical point of view, the new science attempts to establish general principles governing the use and evolution of writing on a comparative-typological basis. -
The Theory of Language Acquisition Described by Lightbown and Spada
Yoriko Iida Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan 2008/12 1 Some suggestions pertaining to teaching and learning in order to improve communication skills in English as a foreign language in Japanese middle and high schools Abstract: This paper will examine English education, especially with regards to speaking and communications in Japanese middle and high schools using the theory of language acquisition described by Lightbown and Spada. Firstly the study will speak about cases of English education in Japan and after that, it will review Lightbown and Spada‟s theory. Finally, it will point out some suggestions and examples on how to teach and learn so as to develop English communication skills in Japanese middle and high schools by referring to the situations of English education in Japan and the theory of language acquisition. 1. Introduction According to the Yomiuri newspaper on August, 17, 2007, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) asserted that the basic principle of curriculum guidelines in elementary, middle, and high schools was going to be changed from the pressure-free education system to a policy aimed at students‟ academic development. The goal of this new policy will be to foster language skills which help students explain their opinions clearly orally and in writing form. Because of the policy, the classroom hours of primary subjects will increase as well as those of the English class in middle schools. Foreign language curriculum guidelines in middle and high schools by MEXT continue to emphasize improving English language skills, especially in speaking and communication. They mention the importance of raising practical communication skills in English and positive attitudes toward communications and understanding English-speaking peoples‟ cultures through the language. -
Similatives and the Argument Structure of Verbs∗
Similatives and the argument structure of verbs∗ Jessica Rett May 2012 Abstract I begin with the observation in Haspelmath and Buchholz (1998) that languages tend to use the same morpheme to mark the standard of comparison across equation constructions. In English, it is the morpheme as, in similatives like John danced as Sue (did) and equatives like John is as tall as Sue (is). The first goal of this paper is to provide an analysis of as that accounts for its distribution across these constructions. The second goal of this paper is to provide an account of Haspelmath and Buchholz's second observation, which is that while languages can form equatives with parameter markers (the first as in John is as tall as Sue (is)), languages generally do not form similatives with parameter markers. I suggest that equation constructions are a test for lexicalized argumenthood, i.e. that the equation of a non-lexicalized argument prohibits the presence of a PM, and, for English, vice-versa. This leads to the conclusion that, contrary to recent claims (Pi~n´on2008, Bochnak forthcoming), verbs, unlike adjectives, generally do not lexicalize degree arguments. 1 Introduction This paper has a narrow empirical goal and a broader theoretical goal. The former has to do with several con- structions which form a natural morphological and semantic class across languages: equation constructions, exemplified in (1) and (2) in English. (1) a. John read the same book as Sue. same/different construction b. John is as tall as Sue. equative (2) a. John danced as Sue did. (manner) similative b.