Abstract This paper examines the challenges of bilingualism in a child's life. The author argues how the presence of two languages can impact expression in different settings and amongst different groups of people. This is especially true in the context of the classroom. The writer also considers dialects as a form of bilingualism. Teachers are encouraged to teach using standard English while respecting their students' linguistic diversity.
From the Paper "Thus, bilingualism and diversity is a reality in the United States, and this is true, perhaps even more so, in California. Bilingualism alone produces not simply many languages but many dialects. Spanish is one of the most common languages other than English spoken in the United States. (Chaika, 1994, p.35) Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominican-American children may make up a teacher's classroom, and depending if these bilingual students are first, second or third generation, may speak with a different level of English and Spanish fluency. Between even their own forms of Spanish, however, there will many regional differences in dialect and vocabulary. Thus, teacher cannot even assume a natural cohesion between all Spanish speakers in the classroom, but approach every child from his or her own unique cultural and familial context."
Abstract This paper examines globalization as the most important reason why small languages are dying out. Some believe that small languages fade into oblivion because local communities and educators do not stress the significance of keeping these indigenous languages alive. The author argues that youth is the vehicle through which languages can be kept alive and transferred to the next generation. The author argues, however, that most young adults are not really interested in preserving local languages or culture. Due to vast exposure, they have come under the spell of stronger languages and culture which is the primary reason we fail to notice the beauty and richness of local languages.
From the Paper "The writer goes to explain why any language, strong or weak, big or small, minor or major is important. "It is not merely a writer's conceit to think that the human world is made of words and to remember that no two words in all the world's languages are alike. Of all the arts and sciences made by man, none equals a language, for only a language in its living entirety can describe a unique and irreplaceable world." (p. 43) He describes an experience where he realized that indigenous languages are far more colorful and expressive than the well-known widely spoken ones. Shorris comes to see why the existence of small languages is important and realizes that the extinction of these languages would be a huge loss to articulation and expression. "
Abstract This paper explains that computational linguistics, an interdisciplinary field of study, is the intersection between linguistics and computer science, which actually began in the 1950s, predating artificial intelligence's beginnings in the 1960s. The author points out that speech synthesis and speech recognition are opposites of each other because speech synthesis is the process of turning text or data into speech; whereas, speech recognition is the process of taking spoken language and converting it into text. The paper stresses that the task of making a computer understand spoken language is definitely not an easy one nor will it mastered in the near future.
From the Paper "Speech analysis is done in four basic steps: text analysis, phonetic transcription, prosodic analysis, and waveform generation. Text analysis consists of identifying sentence boundaries, proper names, abbreviations, acronyms, the accepted spelling of words, and other syntactic and semantic features. Next, for phonetic transcription, pronunciation must be found for every word, including exceptions to general rules (have and four don't rhyme with rave and sour) and heteronyms (words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently, like the verb 'to record' and the noun record)."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the Polish language which like other Slavic languages, represents an inflecting, or fusion type of language, in which single grammatical morphemes combine several functions: case, gender, and number in noun forms; person and number in verb forms. The writer claims that the Polish grammatical system closely parallels that of Russian.
Contents:
Introduction
Syntax in Polish Literature
Consider the Following Polish Examples (Giejgo 1981)
The Study and Results
Works Cited
From the Paper "Because Polish retains a rich inflectional system, morphology is the main device for expressing syntactic distinctions. Word order has grammatical functions only to a limited extent, and hence it can serve other purposes, namely, it performs pragmatic functions. Deviations from the standard (unmarked) SVO order serve the purposes of topicalization; and combined with focal stress, word order expresses special emphasis on certain elements, in a way independent from discourse structure. Furthermore, the rich inflectional system makes it possible to apply ellipsis to a much larger extent than in English. Passive participles are used in passive voice constructions. In spoken language, however, these have a limited range of use, as word order flexibility is sufficient for expressing focus, and a number of subjectless active constructions can be used for subject downgrading. Those occurring in spoken language typically involve perfective participles, used in order to refer to a resulting end state of some action, performed by an unspecified agent which is either unknown or evident or simply irrelevant. These cannot be called truncated passives, as full passives are practically never used. They are rather a subclass of attributive sentences making statements about objects."
Abstract This paper discusses how adjectives and adverbs are used to enhance the English language. There is a focus on narrative writing and how modifying clauses are used (and misused) in prose. It provides concise examples of each issue discussed and explores the implications put forth by each.
From the Paper "One of the most interesting (and misused) areas in English grammar is that of modifying clauses. These groups of words create subtle changes in a piece of writing and lend a richness and depth that otherwise would not be apparent. There are two types of modifiers: adjectives and adverbs. These two areas create a myriad of opportunities for the alteration and enrichment of a piece of narration. Modifying phrases, unfortunately, lend themselves to misuse in many instances. The results of this misuse, often labeled "misplaced modifiers" can often be quite humorous when read in context."
Abstract This paper examines the effect of language on international law enforcement. In particular, the terms "martyr" and "murderer" are considered. The author contends that the brain is at least partly fooled by this terminology. The paper concludes that law enforcement is done a disservice by using these terms, the result being that murderers are cut at least some psychological slack. It is a matter of justice being linguistically turned upside down.
From the Paper "Elias told the tale of Rodney King. No matter what deeds of misdeeds King had perpetrated, when his beating by California police officers was caught on tape, there was abundant proof of excessive force being used to subdue the man. And yet, because of the continuing tough stance of the government in its attack on crime, the beating was seen as a reasonable response by many people. In the aftermath of such incidents, Congress wrote ever tougher crime bills which, Elias contends, "provided no new strategies" but instead "merely intensified what had already been tried and shown to fail: building more prisons, curbing defendants' rights, stiffening penalties, and so on. Yet despite such draconian measures, crime rates continue to rise, and the fear of crime has reached staggering levels" (1994, p. 3+)."
Abstract This paper explains that language and mathematics are similar in that they both have rules. The author points out that people make assumptions when it comes to language and mathematics, which may not be proven and only are assumed to be correct. The paper relates that mathematics and language have many similarities such as syntax and semantics.
From the Paper ""Colorless green ideas sleep furiously," are words with specific meaning but put together in a sentence they clearly lack meaning (Devlin, Born). Does language and communication mean the same thing? Do the formulas for mathematics always have the same answers? Language and mathematics do not always make sense without the formal rules of syntax. People make assumptions when it comes to language and mathematics that may not be proven and only assumed to be correct. Mathematics and language have many similarities such as syntax and semantics."
Abstract This paper explains that obvious similarities conclude that human language may be reducible to mathematical formulation. The author points out that that mathematics consists of sets of axioms in which statements can be either true or not. The paper relates, while this does not necessarily seem very much like language, Godel's Incompleteness Theorem relates that meaning can exist outside of axiomatic sets, providing a new basis for similarity.
From the Paper "It should not be surprising that mathematicians and linguists have drawn parallels between these two disciplines. There are obvious similarities that have made many believe that human language may be reducible to mathematical formulation. Some have even attempted to use the assumption to teach machines how to speak, constructing complex utterances based on a limited number of syntactical rules. However, these efforts and others to fully connect mathematics and language have proved largely unsuccessful. The following paper will briefly examine some of the similarities between language and mathematics. By its nature, language has a combinational structure, known as syntax or grammar, that permits the communication of complex ideas (Devlin "Born")."
Abstract This paper relates that one often hears people say, "I am good with languages but useless at math" and vice versa as if the two were entirely opposite ways of thinking. The author points out that closer examination of human language and mathematics reveals a surprising number of similarities. The paper states that the most obvious similarity between the two is that both natural human languages and mathematics have a formal syntax i.e. a set of rules that governs them.
From the Paper "Human languages and mathematics seem on the face of it to be very different things. One often hears people say "I am good with languages, but useless at math", and vice versa, as if the two were entirely opposite ways of thinking. However, closer examination reveals a surprising number of similarities. The most obvious similarity between the two is that both natural human languages and mathematics have a formal syntax, i.e. a set of rules that governs them. In the case of language, this is a set of rules that governs how the words may be put together. "
Abstract This essay considers whether modern language teaching methods - namely, communicative methodologies -are really any better than older methodologies in facilitating language acquisition. The writer claims that these methods are better. Further the writer points out that this can be measured according to the learner's age, aptitude and motivation to learn another language. The writer concludes that communicative methods are more like real communication.
From the Paper "In one way, it might seem clear from the outset that communicative language teaching methodologies are superior to earlier methodologies in all measurable aspects; after all, if they were not better, there would have been little sense in deviating from the older methods. Furthermore, in terms of the three learner variables - aptitude, age and motivation - it seems as though communicative language methodologies are indeed superior. However, this is particularly the case with two of these three variables, age and motivation. This is probably because communicative methods of teaching language offer much greater flexibility, and as such, they can accommodate a range of student ages and can also go a long way toward stimulating motivation where it may not previously have existed."
Abstract The paper discusses the sociolinguistics of English spoken in the Greater Toronto Area where more than half the population was born outside of Canada. The paper notes that one hears many forms of English and English as a second language. The paper brings a reference to the O'Grady text (2004) and offers a comparison with what is observed in Kingston, London and Ontario. The paper discusses grammatical errors spotted by people from elsewhere that are commonly used in Toronto as well as the slower pace of speech and higher inflection at the ends of their sentences.
From the Paper "An important adjustment of life in the Greater Toronto Area involves how many people do not speak English as the first language. In fact, more than half of the Toronto population was born somewhere other than Canada. The English they speak may be fluent, but it reflects a first language, where English was learned, if learned formally or informally and perhaps how much the individual watches American television. The stereotype of Canadians as people who speak English that is more formal than American English seems untrue of Toronto. One does notice how in public, people speak quite slowly to one another, as if expecting the other person to be "ESL" or English Fourth Language, perhaps."
Abstract This paper discusses various theories of language acquisition for second language learners. The paper looks at how the teacher's personality, aptitude, age and motivation affect how well or poorly these theories and the corresponding methods can be applied. In light of this, the paper assesses three different methods of language acquisition and the corresponding theories.
From the Paper "All SLA theories and teaching methodologies have to take individual variables into account. Previously, we have examined these variables in terms of the learner. Age, aptitude, motivation and personality all have an impact on how the teaching is implemented and how it is received. For instance, because age so strongly affects the ease with which language is acquired, teaching has to be different for different age groups. However, the way that individual factors affect teachers is important, as well. In particular, personality and aptitude affect the teaching methodology that the teacher should use and that will be most effective for him or her."
Abstract This paper examines whether it is justified for literary scholars to critique Derrida and post-structuralism as apolitical. It is evident that such criticism is accurate, for Derrida's theory of language holds that there is no inherent relationship between the linguistic signifier and the signified. The paper shows that this is broad implications, for accepting this denial of a relationship between signifier and signified requires acknowledgement that the meaning of a word issues from the structure of language itself.
From the Paper "In analyzing whether it is justified for literary scholars to critique Derrida and post-structuralism as apolitical, it is evident that such criticism is accurate, for Derrida's theory of language holds that there is no inherent relationship between the linguistic signifier and the signified. This is broad implications, for accepting this denial of a relationship between signifier and signified requires acknowledgement that the meaning of a word issues from the structure of language itself. Even more implications ensue because of Derrida's argument that words gain their meaning through the process of difference, which he described as a dual process involving differing and deferring. In this theoretical process, every element has to refer to the other element in order to define itself."
Abstract This paper demonstrates why TPR is such an effective method for language instruction. The paper thoroughly examines the nature, principles, and practice of TPR among educators, pointing out along the way the primary reasons why it is a superior pedagogical method when contrasted with some other language education methods.
From the Paper "Language acquisition is fast becoming a major part of state-sponsored education. Increasingly diverse communities in the West have made it a requisite that schools understand and cater to the needs of students from other linguistic backgrounds. In addition, the ability to quickly pick up a second language in some parts of the world is important to future socioeconomic success. For example, in the United States, an ability to speak Spanish can be exceptionally beneficial for individuals working with the public. In the West and Southwest, this is particularly important and can mean the difference between securing a coveted job and not. The real question for educators is in determining what the best means of teaching languages is."
Abstract This paper discusses police communication and law of language in courts and how it has impacted society in terms of language and cultural barriers. Forensic linguistics is also examined in terms of how police and the courts of law utilize linguists in trials. This document covers linguistic techniques and approaches such as the sliding-scale method.
From the Paper "Mention linguistics and the law in the same sentence and most people think of police cases involving handwriting or stylistic analysis to develop a writer profile for some piece of evidence, such as the ransom note in the JonBen? Ramsey murder investigation (Gibbons, 2003). Language is not only an essential component of culture, it is also part of a person's identity and serves as an important function in the exchange of ideas and information (Henrard, 2000). Language must be seen as a necessary precondition to the maintenance of human dignity (Kaplan, 1993). Language rights are crucial from the angle of substantive equality, non-discrimination on the basis of language, equal enjoyment of public services, and equal opportunities (Perkins, 2004)."
