Abstract As the world has become increasingly more global, interests in second language acquisition has also increased. More specifically second language acquisition as it pertains to the second language classroom has become a focal point. This paper examines conversation analysis, stimulated recall and the "Think Aloud Method". It compares the different approaches to theory and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
Outline
Introduction
Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Classrooms
Conversation Analysis
Analysis Utilizing Conversational Analysis
Advantages and Disadvantages of Conversation Analysis
Stimulated Recall Methodology
Utilizing the Stimulated Recall Method
Case Study Using Stimulated Recall
Advantages and Disadvantages
Think Aloud Method
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
From the Paper "Although the stimulated recall method has been utilized quite often in second language research Gass and Mackey (2000) report that the method has been severely criticized throughout its history. According the authors the most problematic aspect of stimulated recall is whether or not the findings actually reflect the though processes of the participants. For instance the authors explain that the retrospective report compiled by the researcher "is directly accessible and available for verbal reporting. This assumption is better justified with only a small amount of intervening time between the event and the recall. "
Abstract The paper argues that predicting the effect of bilingual education on student outcomes, using the work by Huddy and Sears ("Opposition to Bilingual Education: Prejudice or the Defense of Realistic Interests?") is problematical. The authors investigated the bases for parental prejudice against bilingual education but they did not investigate in any detail what the educational outcomes might be for the children involved. The paper shows that the authors made only incidental reference to the possibility that Latino, African-American or other minority students-or even Anglos-might experience diminished educational outcomes in the presence, or for that matter absence, of bilingual education. In fact, they were not investigating outcomes per se; they were investigating the source of prejudice.
From the Paper "Huddy and Sears concluded that the deepest opposition to bilingual education resulted from perceived realistic interest. They found that both parents and non-parents who perceived that programs were in competition for limited resources for education were most likely to oppose bilingual education. In addition, they noted that those parents who believed bilingual education was not of benefit to their children also opposed it."
Abstract Everybody has problems in translation. This paper attempts to clarify concepts and theories in translation theory - from Walter Benjamin to Ezra Pound - and focuses on Ezra Pound's translation of Chinese poetry and how Pound became a successful translator in modern poetry. It looks at how Pound's attention to detail and foreignizing technique made him a very vivid and innovative translator of the 20th century. The paper discusses some of Pound's translation strategies as well as explaining them by giving specific examples from his best known work "Cathay".
From the Paper "First of all, it is worthwhile to define 'translation'. In dictionary, to translate has several meanings. To translate is "to express or be capable of being expressed in another language or dialect", or "to express or explain in simple or less technical language", or "to interpret or infer the significance of (gestures, symbols, etc.)", or "to transform or convert", or "to move or carry from one place or position to another". Within the limits of these definitions, one can easily understand that the practice of translation is not simple as it seems. Rather, it is a sophisticated matter since it involves number of things, when translating something to something else-this can be a word, a gesture, a movement, or something else. Interestingly, translation can be seen as an "interpretation"; generally, the word interpretation is used in literary circles for an attempt to clarify and explain literary works. "
Abstract Examines the source of the word "church" and how it evolved from Greek to modern English. It explores the usage of the word in modern day congregations. The paper also looks at present day arguments about the true meaning of the word "church".
From the Paper "The Church is not a human organization, but a Divine-Human Organism. It is not a human corporation, but the Divine-human Body of Christ. The source of the Church is this God Himself. It is not men's invention, it is not a fruit, and result of men's social need, but it is the sole place of man's salvation. That is to say, the impression is created that men made the Church in order to be able to survive in such hard and tragic social conditions of life. Nevertheless, as we clarify before, the source of the Church is God Himself, and man's salvation takes place within it."
Abstract Just as many other language varieties, Pennsylvania Dutch has become the victim of our time, which is a time of constant and rapid change, in which nothing remains stable. Only in small religious communities such as the Mennonites or the Amish, the dialect has been preserved and is still spoken today. In this paper, firstly, the immigration history of the Pennsylvania Dutch is described briefly; afterwards a closer look at the dialect itself and its special features is taken. The paper then discusses why language varieties vanish in general and why Pennsylvania Dutch, specifically, is facing the phenomenon of the so-called "language death." Afterwards, the paper examines what may prevent a language from dying out and why may contribute to its preservation. This is done using the example of Pennsylvania Dutch, with special account of its survival in little religious communities such as the Amish.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Immigration History of the Pennsylvania Dutch
The Dialect of Pennsylvania Dutch
Why Dialects Vanish: The Case of Pennsylvania Dutch
Preservation of the Dialect
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "A different and probably one of the most influential factors to contribute to the loss of a language is mass culture (cf. Schiffman 5/2000: 4). With the distribution of television and radio networks the English language prevailed. English was the fashionable language and was now omnipresent for speakers of a dialect. It cannot be denied that television and radio and the media in general have a tremendous impact on people's attitudes, which can be observed in our society today as well, in which the media plays a central role in public as well as in private life."
Abstract The breakthrough that opened literature to the masses occurred in 1456 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. This invention allowed publishers to produce literary manuscripts and documents at a much more massive scale and at cheaper prices. The paper shows that authors began to make their works more widely readable, utilizing a more common language. And so, the use of vernacular language in literature was born. The paper examines the history of vernacular use in written works, examining in particular the history of American literature.
From the Paper "Vernacular tradition as employed in literature serves to give voice to a subset that may not have one. As discussed in Liberating Voices, Jones is quoted to say that the, "foundation of every literature tradition is oral, whether it is visible or invisible in the text". Jones goes on to explain that vernacular tradition is commonly utilized when an author of a misunderstood and often oppressed population is writing about his or her culture through the use of fictionalized examples. Of particular note is the African-American population."
Abstract This paper sets out to analyse two sets of exercises in teaching various aspects of English language, from grammar, to vocabulary, to communication. The two texts are "Studying Strategies Students' Book" by B Abbs and I Freebairn and "Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate" by S Cunningham and P Moor. It looks at how each book approaches the teaching of these areas in different manners, one following a more audio-lingual based method of teaching, and the other focusing more on tasks and communication.
From the Paper "Looking first at the extract from Studying Strategies, which includes such Audio-linguist teaching tools as drills role-plays, it is apparent that this is a method in which Kuwaiti students would feel comfortable as a result of the entirety of their education being based on rote learning. They would feel comfortable with the tight structure and teacher-led instruction that extract A offers, as the only demands made of them would be to learn and repeat. In general, Kuwaitis are excellent at mimicking languages, thus making them quite proficient in oral work, the area of language learning that they feel most comfortable. In fact, the majority of Kuwaiti students are able to hold a conversation in English quite easily, and yet their accuracy levels fall below par in comparison."
Abstract This paper examines how Orwell offers his insights into the downfall of the English language in his essay. It explains how, through concise list-ridden examples, he presents clearly his reasons for believing so, succinctly bringing across his points to the reader. Orwell gives his fullest explanation of the inevitable influences of thought and language upon one another, as well as an understanding of why modern writers do what they do. He even goes so far as to offer a tutorial for aspiring writers. The author points out that most importantly, Orwell analyzes the corrupting influence of dishonest politics on the way we speak and think.
From the Paper "Orwell believes in the traditional style of the English language and that there is a definite correlation between language and action. Orwell also thought that omitting slang and long words where short ones will do could cure proper English. It is everyone's moral responsibility to use the English language with clarity. Most important, people must earn the English language and learn to use it in the correct way. Many slang words have disappeared over the years due to most choosing not to use them. It is a conscious action to do this. One must always be aware of the words they use and that they use them with clarity."
Abstract This paper discusses two foreign sources which have had an influence upon changes in the English language. Firstly, it examines the influences of the Scandinavian language family, from the time of Donsk Tunga and the 9th century Viking invasions of the British Isles. Secondly, the paper discusses Latin influences on the English language, from the 14th century to the late 20th century. The paper provides examples from each source language and looks at how the source languages in question have influenced British English with regards to dialects, place names, surnames, prefixes and compounds.
From the Paper "Before proceeding, however, it should be noted that up until the 9th Century, there was one Scandinavian language spoken throughout the countries now known as Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. This was called Donsk Tunga (Danish Tongue). The Viking period led to differences between the East Scandinavian dialects, from which Danish and Swedish have evolved, and the West Scandinavian dialects, from which Norwegian and Icelandic have evolved. Today, Danish and Swedish remain extremely similar, and it is quite usual that literate Swedes, Danes (and Norwegians) can understand each others' languages without a great deal of difficulty. Icelandic, however, has diverged further so that it is mutually unintelligible with Swedish, Danish and Norwegian."
Abstract A paper looking at how proverbs and jokes in English, as well as other languages, can be a great source of cultural insights and historical knowledge not found in grammars or guidebooks.
From the Paper "The proverb "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" is exceedingly familiar to Americans, from schoolchildren to cosmopolitan sophisticates. The saying is so well known that writer Dorothy Parker, when challenged to create a witty saying using the word 'horticulture' ultimately quipped "You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her drink." This well-known anecdote proves the fact that the original proverb is deeply ingrained in the minds of American English speakers."
Abstract This paper examines how there are many historical and modern-day factors that can be held responsible for the language divide of Flemish and French in Belgium. It looks at how these include politics and the government, education and employment and even social affairs, and are often based around linguistic disputes. It attempts to show how the country has suffered from wars and has even divided itself into what can be seen as two separate countries purely for the sake of a language choice.
From the Paper "In the 1830's the Belgian constitution of the time called for neutrality regarding the linguistic education of the country's children. However, this worked to the disadvantage of the Flemish who felt that their children were being taught in the less-well equipped schools, whilst the French attended private schools thus making French the language of public administration and of the refined classes. As a result, Flemish came to be considered the language on suitable for the streets."
Abstract This paper analyzes the primary elements representing literal and metaphorical death as invoked by the characters in Ibsen's "A Doll's House" and Joyce's "The Dead." The writer of this paper examines the metaphorical embodiments of death that are heavily present in Ibsen's novel while evaluating the symbolism in regards to death in Joyce's work which is related to primary and secondary characters.
From the Paper "Perhaps the effect that the uncovered secrets and glorified memories have upon the characters in both works is each author's way of expressing their beliefs that death, in an emotional sense, is based on choice. This of course is the polar opposite of physical death, which is the one thing human beings have no real control over."
Tags: literature, death, comparative, symbolism, world, drama
A discussion whether English should be the lingua franca in the European Union. The papers also discusses the effect that globalization has had upon England and its language policies as well.
Abstract The writer explains that in the European Union, all languages from member countries are to be given the same status. In practice, many documents are only translated into English and French as translating into all the member country's languages is too complicated. The paper explains that some feel that English should become the language of the EU, despite its policy to the contrary. The writer shows that some feel that English should be used in the EU as a common language, and not as a political stance. The paper goes on to discuss the effects of immigration, emigration and tourism to the UK, and how this has affected English in the UK. The writer explains that as policies of equality and human rights take precedence, foreign languages are being used more widely in education, where once, all education was only in English. The paper explains a recent language policy to use English as the sole language for education, in order to give all children in the UK an equal chance at making the best of their learning experience. In conclusion, while a lingua franca serves to overcome many obstacles, this should be balanced by a recognition of diversity in both the English language itself and in terms of different languages within the UK.
From the Paper "However, there has recently been a greater emphasis on language diversity within the UK. As policies of human rights and equality take precedence, foreign languages enjoy more attention in schools. Since globalization and travel are greater realities today, it is possible to have a Dutch mother, a Spanish father, and be fluent in English, Spanish and Dutch. Some countries, including the UK, have begun to acknowledge this to a certain degree. It is also interesting to note the linguistic diversity locally within the UK. The United Kingdom is internally much more diverse than the general perception gives it credit for. There are many languages and cultures within this country. These include the Welsh, Scottish and Irish traditions, which remain cultures within themselves, despite the fact that English is perceived to be the dominant language within the United Kingdom. Bourne (Eggington & Wren, 1997:51) [2] notes that the modern United Kingdom has 500 000 Welsh speakers and at least 80 000 Scottish Gaelic speakers within its borders. A small number of Northern Ireland schools also still teach Irish Gaelic. Currently more than five percent of the total population in British schools is bilingual. The history of the UK is similarly colorful. Welsh, English, Latin, French and Flemish were used in Wales during the Middle Ages, while children with home languages such as Polish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Yiddish and French, among others, frequented British schools during the nineteenth century. Current language surveys reveal over 170 languages spoken in London schools, of which Bengali features the greatest number of speakers."
Abstract Stuttering is characterized by an abnormal high frequency and/or duration of stoppages in the forward flow of speech. Such stoppages usually take the form of sound repetitions, syllables or one-word syllables, prolongations of sounds or blocks of airflow or voice speech. This paper examines the speech problem of stuttering in pre-school children. It examines causes, symptoms and possible treatments. It includes a table.
Paper Outline:
General Description of the Disorder
Stuttering in Pre-school Age Children
Patterns of Stuttering
Assessment of Preschool Disfluent Children
References
From the Paper "Other factors, such as traumatic events can also disrupt speech patterns, particularly in younger children. Trautman says that there is also some research suggesting that children who have a behaviorally inhibited temperament might be at increased risk for stuttering (e.g. children who appear to be more sensitive to changes and tend to cry more often). In addition, Trauman notes that some parents have reported changes in the fluency of their child's speech after (non-related) treatment with stimulant medications, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and some asthma medications."
Abstract This paper examines the semiotic references that are found in Dennis O'Rourke's film "The Good Woman of Bangkok." The writer defines semiotics as being primarily concerned with how meaning is generated and conveyed and explains how the director used this form of communication to confuse his audience. The film, which is reviewed in this paper, discusses the prostitution industry in Bangkok and the director's goal to find the bond between the banality and the aesthetics of love. The writer also explores the semiotic codes used to define the signifier/signified relationship between prostitution and its meanings which are initially the typical codes of contemporary culture.
From the Paper "Of course the code that these men use to interpret themselves and their own behavior is of a mostly deceptive nature. It could be argued that the filmmaker uses his own interpretive code in the same manner to deceive himself. Some argue that the true reason for the film was to indulge in gratutous sex only to justify oneself afterwards. The rice farm is seen as a reward, or a payment, for Aoi to provide her services as a prostitute."
