An in-depth study into the issue of peer editing and collaborative writing - a practice whereby other students assist their classmates in improving their writing skills.
Abstract A study which shows that there has been a vast increase in the use of computer support technology at the college level. It explains how, in the field of composition, this has dove-tailed with an increase in the use of peer editing and collaborative writing projects as a means to improve the quality of student learning. This project explores the question of whether computer technologies facilitate quality student learning through collaborative writing and what process best supports this goal.
From the Paper "Peer editing and collaborative writing as processes have emerged from the post-modernist tradition. This tradition is focused more on the text itself and its construction than on truth claims that the author has portrayed the real world. There is also an emphasis on the relationship between the reader and text, including who reads particular kinds of texts and what happens during that reading process. The reader participates in the construction of the text, which means that the reader, and groups or types of readers, participation in the construction of the consensus concept of reality (Barthes and Howard, 1991). Falch (1994) emphasized that point in his discussion of post-modernism and collaborative writing. For him, language arises specifically from embodiment, or the material nature of human existence. Language helps people to locate their identities in relationship to the physical world. The collaboration is between human physicality and human consciousness, expressed in language. This creates a perception of, and concepts about, reality. Collaborative writing is simply a more conscious, and explicit, process of creating consensus reality."
Abstract This paper examines the functions of the three areas of the brain - the fore brain (Prosencephalon), the mid brain or the mesencephalon and the hind brain or the rhombencephalon; and explains how each region within the brain is adapted for a special task. The paper then analyzes the connection with the brain and language development and discusses some conditions such as "Broca Aphasia", with which people have the ability to understand language but find it difficult to express themselves.
Introduction
Brain and Language
The Broca's and Wernicke's Areas
The Critical Period
The Split Brain Condition
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Our principal way of communication with the world is through language. Language is the medium through which we express our feelings to the outer world. The neural basis of our language and communicating ability is an interesting aspect of study and researchers have unearthed vital information pertaining to the language processing ability of the brain. The whole process of thinking and speaking is a bit complex though it seems rather simple to us. In short we are actually executing all the minor details like jaw movement, construction of the semantics, and the sound generation everything in split second that we fail to recognize the complex task that the brain handles so effectively. Researchers have found out that we produce about one sound every tenth of a second and yet with only an error margin of one sound error per million sounds. [David Caplan] This astounding performance speaks of the power and the capacity of the human brain."
Abstract Educators that provide instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) must provide students with the primary concepts of English in the early stages of language development. As students progress and become more familiar with the language and its idiosyncrasies, advanced training is likely to acclimate students to much of the daily slang as well as complex vocabulary that they hear from native English speakers in routine conversation. It is the responsibility of the ESL instructor to provide this teaching at the appropriate juncture, and the most advantageous route is specialized vocabulary. This paper provides a discussion of the concept of word elements in the English language. It continues with an analysis of the methods by which ESL instructors teach technical or specialized vocabulary in their coursework, including various learning strategies for students. Finally, a brief discussion of the importance of specialized vocabulary in ESL acquisition precedes a conclusion.
From the Paper "Gairns and Redman (47-48) describe three forms of word building: affixation, which is the process of adding prefixes and suffixes to the base part; compounding, which is the formation of two or more words that can also stand independently as a single word, and includes three types: adjective compounds, verb compounds, and noun compounds; and conversion, which is the process by which a word may be used in more than one way, such as a noun and a verb. Furthermore, Gairns and Redman (50) discuss the difficulties involved in word pronunciation, which often demonstrates the large disparity between the ability to write words in English and the ability to pronounce them correctly. Therefore, the importance of pronunciation must be expressed in student learning in order to achieve total mastery of the English language."
Abstract The term active or passive typically denotes what type of verb and emphasis is being placed on that verb within an individual sentence. A passive sentence is derived from an active sentence and does not stand alone as a basic sentence type. The paper shows that most people speak and comprehend words in the active form. The active form can be manipulated however, so that the performer of an action within the sentence is de-emphasized, and the main subject or actor noun is moved into an adverbial prepositional phrase. The paper explores how passive sentences and phrases challenge the student of English.
From the Paper "Passive sentences by nature are difficult to comprehend and interpret, because they don?t follow the logical "thought process" most people incur when speaking. By changing the position of the subject and direct object, and the inclusion of "by" in passive sentences, an English student may not understand correctly what is being said initially. For example, one might say "Perry was beat by Jake" instead of ?Jake beat Perry.? The latter sentence, in the active form, is easy to understand. Jake is the doer in this sentence. The first sentence however, written in the passive, may confuse the reader into assuming that Perry did the beating, because Perry is assuming the position of the primary noun and "doer" of an action within the sentence. One would have to review the sentence carefully to make a proper assumption (245)."
Abstract This paper explores the use of Yiddish by Jews in America, as a way of restoring and maintaining their ties with the world they emigrated from. Specifically, the paper looks at the Yiddish Radio Project, which in collaboration with National Public Radio is trying to save the voices of this language and culture. The paper includes a brief history of Jewish immigration to America.
From the Paper "When most American's recall the history of American music they think of Jazz. If one has nay recollection of the history of Jazz he or she might also know that early Jazz creaters and performers were often poorly compensated for their effort, doing tours for very low pay with limited accomidations because they were black. One of the most beloved musical phenomena's of the twentieth century was accepted if not demanded in some of the most regal of hotels and clubs and the musicians were allowed to perform but were not allowed to eat or sleep there because of their race."
Abstract From early prehistoric times to modern day, man has been continuously improving his ability to communicate with others. The history of communications is filled with various discoveries and inventions to improve communication.
Abstract The learning of a second language is something that is most easily carried out in childhood, perhaps as part of elementary education as opposed to secondary school. This paper takes a mainly psychological approach in assessing why early language acquisition is desirable in a world which will increasingly value persons who are able to communicate in more than one medium.
Abstract This essay discusses the development of New Orleans through the linguistic influences of three different cultures. The author reviews the three dominant languages that form the dialects of New Orleans: French, Cajun, and Creole. The paper traces these three languages to their cultural origins of the French colonizers, the Acadian exiles, and the American slave trade of Africans.
Abstract This paper defines and explains the term slang, going on to give a few commonly used slang expressions spoken in the American culture. The paper in some detail defines the American slang, 'dude', giving its meaning, origin and usage.
Abstract This paper covers the availability of long-term phonological representations that gives rise to the higher memory span for words than non-words according to the Baddeley Working Memory Model.
Abstract This essay presents the argument that the words used in everyday language are associated with certain images and labels that change according to cultural contexts and are thus, at times racial in nature.
