Abstract This paper describes an experiment to examine the systems of the human memory responsible for language processing. It is designed to show how visual information is stored in a visual spatial sketchpad that is involved in manipulating visuo-spatial images. The experiment explores the average storage capacity of this spatial pad and the number of subsystems that might be involved in the processing of various languages. Once verified it establishes a firm ground for comprehension of how languages are processed.
From the Paper "Long term memory is the capacity store that can store large amounts of information up to long periods of time. Long term memory is used in this experiment for the storage of letters because it has a larger capacity and items entered in the LTM have a bigger retention interval. Short term memory can store up to 5 to 7 letters and hence for the encoding and retrieval of 12 to 13 letters, LTM has to be employed."
This paper explains the terms contractarinism and neo-Intuitionism and gives an overview of their positive and negative characteristics with regards to ethics.
Abstract Contractarianism is a form of social contract, one which nonetheless is a tacit one. The writer looks into this term and follows with a comparison to neo-Intuitionism. In the end we see that the bottom line for the compatibility of intuition with ethics rests upon the condition that, while intuitions can be useful, they must never be our final arbiters.
From the Paper "If we expect from others only that they not interfere with our activities"save if those activities threaten to harm them"then we can say that they are honouring our negative right to liberty. A negative right amounts to being a right to non-interference; that is, that people not do certain things. Positive rights, on the other hand, require that we do something for, or provide something to others. In a sense, however, positive rights include negative rights, since positive rights are simply added on. A note of caution though: the more positive rights which are added?and this is why the earlier qualification "in a sense"?the greater the chances that negative rights will be usurped."
Abstract This paper defines Hermeneutics as "the theory or philosophy of the interpretation of meaning". This paper examines the origins of this philosophy in order to better understand its uses today. After discussing the major contributors to the development of this study, the paper mentions some writings which provide a hermetical analysis of literature. These include Leonard Orr's "De-structuring the Novel: Essays in Applied Postmodern Hermeneutics" and Hans-Georg Gadamer's "Dialogue and Dialectic: Eight Hermeneutical Studies on Plato".
From the Paper "Furthermore, hermeneutical criticism is often compared to a dialogue. The reader and the text respond to each other until understanding is reached. This hermeneutic conversation avoids the one-sidedness that is associated with other critical approaches. Gadamer believes that it allows the interpreter to use questions as the "universal mediator in the dialectic between the prejudice prior to the encounter with the work and the new element which denounces it . . .?(Orr Dictionary 231). Theorists refer to the conversation between the interpreter and text as spiel (game or play). But David Haliburton warns that calling this interaction play does not ?reduce it to a hedonistic pastime . . . playing is a high and serious act" (Orr Dictionary 232). And unlike other types of play, such as chess, the game is an ongoing process that never ends."
Abstract This paper is in two parts. The first part reviews and summarizes past work in ape language research, including the Gardners' work with the chimp Washoe, Francine Patterson's work with Koko the gorilla, Lyn Miles's work with Chantek the orangutan and Sue Savage-Rumbaugh's work with bonobos and chimps. The second part is a proposal for an experiment to teach American Sign Language to a group of bonobos and then use these communicative abilities to test their memory and planning abilities. It includes descriptions of bonobo behavior in the wild and captivity, an argument for gestural language as the first human language and a description of the means of teaching and testing the bonobos in the proposed experiment. The paper includes a table and illustrations.
From the Paper "During the Oligocene epoch of the Tertiary period, a small monkey-like creature lived in the rainforest trees in central Africa. About thirty million years ago, this primate ancestor diverged into two distinct species; one would father the line of Old World monkeys, including baboons and macaques. The other would become the predecessor of modern apes and humans. Around twenty-two million years ago gibbons split away from that line and formed a branch known as the lesser apes. Six or seven million years later, orangutans too diverged from the ape lineage and migrated to the Asian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where they remained highly arboreal. Another eight or nine million years passed, during which this ape line began to spend more time on the ground, and gorillas split off to become their own species. Two million years more went by, bringing us to the Pliocene epoch, which began about five million years ago. It was at this crucial point in evolutionary history that our ancestors and the ancestors of modern chimpanzees and bonobos took different paths, the former leading to bipedality, ground-based life, and hominization, the latter eventually splitting into two more distinct species about three million years ago, both of whom would remain remarkably similar to us physically, behaviorally, emotionally, and intellectually (Goodall, Hook, Leakey, Linden 1992)."
Abstract According to the paper, the procedure includes observation, deduction and research question development, hypothesis formation and experimental testing. The writer illustrates how employing the scientific method consists of seven steps-- observation; idea; logic, major and minor premise; hypothesis, necessary conclusion; hypothesis testing and experimental design; data evaluation; and results interpretation.
From the Paper "Step four, hypothesis with necessary conclusion, involves the development of a testable hypothesis. When the hypothesis is generated, valid selection criteria must be used. This criteria includes the following: multiple working hypotheses, with a minimum of null and principle hypotheses; objectivity; presentation which seeks to gain knowledge rather than to presume outcome; falsifiability, hypotheses must be susceptible to adverse developments; consideration of the most parsimonious hypothesis when multiple equal ones are given; and the hypothesis must be logically valid (Gastaldo, 1999, pp. 1-2)."
Abstract "A Wrinkle in Time", by Madeleine L?Engle does not present all the aspects of a fantasy novel, however, it does employ many. The novel demonstrates both fantastical and science-fictional facets. These subjects are analyzed and placed into their respective genres. Theme, setting and language are examined and deconstructed. Examples are also given to show appropriate genre.
From the Paper "Furthermore the struggle is an attribute common to fantasy and it is shown in this book with Meg and the group fighting, and eventually destroying IT. Even though the quest is purely fantasy there are elements of science fiction present in the theme. The way the group travelled through outer space is a feature of science fiction. Also the concept of IT, the pulsating brain, controlling the people of Camazotz, and "The Black Thing" fit into the realm of science fiction."
Abstract Sexuality is not a central theme in Frank Norris's novel "McTeague". So although sexuality does have a role to play in "McTeague", it is a comparatively minor one. The most important part for sexuality and the way Norris portrays it is as a sort of signpost or illumination to the grander passions of avarice and revenge that drives the central narrative.
Abstract The word length effect is a phenomenon that involves a human being's capacity to recall short words better than long words. Words that take less time to pronounce, therefore, are more easily remembered. There are two well-developed explanations of the word length effect. These are Baddeley's working memory model (WMM) and Nairne's feature model. This paper compares the predictions of each view concerning interactions between word length and irrelevant speech.
Abstract This essay talks about the similarity between mathematical statements and language structures. What is essential to both is that there are fixed rules which determine what mathematical symbols have meaning and what do not. Language also functions in a similar way. As Keith Devlin states, all languages are variations on a single theme (Devlin 7). Thus, Both mathematics and language are governed by particular rules that are syntactically or structurally similar.
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes jargon used in military aviation in terms of the pros and cons of the jargon, how it has evolved, how one acquires jargon, whether additions are made frequently, and whether aspects of the jargon have been applied outside the organization.
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 shows that the languages of Malagasy and Guugu Yimidhirr are different and from different areas. The paper explains that they have a similar form of linguistic expression created through socialization and the acculturation of their societies over time.
Abstract This paper discusses the similarity between mathematics and language. Human languages have certain structures that facilitate the expression of ideas. These structures operate by the same rules as mathematics.
Abstract This paper examines the development of the alphabetic letter B. It traces the evolution of its representation and appearance. This evolution is linked to changing forms of reproduction technology namely pre-printing, printing with movable type and digital production. Visual examples are also included.
