Abstract The following paper looks at the impact of European colonialism upon its own self-identity and upon its place in the world by reviewing a text entitled, :Modernity: An Introduction to Modern Societies.: While the reading glosses over the impact of the Europeans upon the indigenous peoples they were displacing, it does offer some interesting insights into how overseas adventurism changed European cartography and self-identification.
From the Paper "As much as Western imperial powers may wish otherwise, there can be little doubt that colonialism inflicted great harm upon many indigenous peoples the world over. Of all the many depredations that can be laid at the feet of colonial activity, one of the most pernicious was - and remains - population displacement. Among other things, this paper will examine the extent to which population displacement is treated in Modernity: an Introduction to Modern Societies. As will soon become evident, the paper refers to the issue of population displacement only obliquely while focusing far more upon the impact of Western expansion and colonialism upon western self-identity. "
Abstract This paper examines how John Schumann's acculturation model, which is centered on the metaphor of distance, provides a possible explanation for why people that live in North America for many decades, speak only minimal English.
Abstract This paper considers the early history of the alphabet and how it developed from pictorial representations into something that actually represented language in the form of phonemes or sounds, from early symbols through the true alphabet of the Phoenicians and the alphabets of the Greek and Roman worlds to the alphabet used today, with variations in different parts of the world.
From the Paper "The alphabet used in English and other Indo-European languages has been extensively studied to determine how the letters developed over time. Not all languages use an alphabet, and not all alphabets are exactly alike. There are similarities among many of these alphabets, showing a common history. A.C. Moorhouse notes the steps in the development of the alphabet over time. Writing began with picture-writing, offering a synoptic view of a scene or event, as seen or imagined by the artist. This gave way to pictograms, or the separation of the different items in the picture so that they were then portrayed using a number of distinct signs, each standing directly for the object shown. "
A discussion regarding the famous American phrase "Will it play in Peoria?" in relation to 'Contingent Work, Disrupted Lives: Labour and Community in the New Rural Economy'.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 3 sources, 2005, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper discusses Anthony Winson's and Belinda Leach's 'Contingent Work, Disrupted Lives: Labour and Community in the New Rural Economy' in relation to one of the most famous sayings in American history - "Will it play in Peoria?" According to this paper, this saying is rooted in the belief that small-scale local culture offer crucial insights into policies and products for the broader society. The paper further discusses how the origins of this commonly used phrase, is based on the practice of American musical theatre "trying out" acts in small towns like Peoria, Illinois, before moving to large cities like New York. This paper shows how this famous phrase is of direct relevance to understanding the significance of Winson's and Leach's work.
Abstract This essay examines what McGrath calls the "IV trickle" of modern language transformations. It discusses his arguments for such a claim as well as examines some slang examples that clearly indicate his train of thought. Lastly, it brings forth another example to illustrate McGrath's conclusions.
From the Paper "Language is often likened to a living creature, infinitely evolving yet with a solid, and even material, structure. The nature of this structure is tightly, and reciprocally, connected to the world in which language exists. Life and language evolve simultaneously. Some scholars postulate, however, that the nature of this evolution has recently changed. Gradual linguistic transfusion has been replaced by the more immediate concoction of slang words (McGrath). McGrath counters modern slang developments with historical analyses of linguistic evolution. He says that the English language is a "Frankenstein creature, originally built of spare parts." "
Abstract This paper reviews the different teaching methods and strategies for increasing young children's language skills. Of all the various teaching options available, this paper focuses on two particular methods: the Mand-Model Procedure and the delayed language programs.
From the Paper "There are several ways that language can be increased in young children, using particular teaching strategies. Some of these are as follows. Diagnostic-prescriptive approaches, including the process or ability model and the task analysis model; performance-oriented approaches, including imitating and modeling of correct communication behaviours; interpersonal-interactive approaches; syntax-based programs, including the Language Assessment, Remediation and Screening Procedures (LARSP), the Fokes Sentence Builder and the Sound Order Sense (SOS); delayed language programs; and the Mand-Model Procedure. (Winzer, 1999) "
Abstract This paper discusses social change, reflected in different social and linguistic values. It discusses the changing Canadian English in French, in relation to "Glocal English", but also, the effect of multiculturalism, in the many languages spoken in large cities. The paper presents an interview with this in mind, indicating adjustments made by native English speakers in Toronto, without thinking, due to the many citizens who do not know English well. The paper concludes that "Glocal English" and Americanization are present, but also, this other fascinating phenomenon of social and linguistic change.
From the Paper "Social Change Reflected in Linguistic Change. Introduction Social change indicates linguistic change, and notably, in an officially bilingual Canada whose English and French populations have seen the infusion of dozens of other languages, many of them that remain in daily use. In Metropolitan Toronto, one-half of the population was born beyond Canada and one grows accustomed to expecting that a stranger to whom one speaks will speak English as the second, third or perhaps fourth language. Another change pertains to both English and French Canada in the arrival of terms and pronunciations considered American and towards a more American idiom of Canadian English."
Abstract This paper summarizes an article based on male voices and the perception of sexual orientation, specifically male homosexuality and the voice characteristics that people attribute to them. The paper discusses a group of people who listen to a number of recorded voices that range from "gay-sounding" to "straight-sounding" and then cross analyze the results by studying the pitch of each voice recorded how it influenced the listeners' response.
From the Paper "Male Voices and Perceived Sexual Orientation Male Voices and Perceived Sexual Orientation Introduction The background of the research is based on a study that was conducted by three Canadian University Professors who studied the perceptions of male voices in terms of which sound gay and which sound straight. The authors described how they discussed this research topic openly with their students. Their students agreed, "gay men speech mirrors the patterns of stereotypical high-pitched women's voices" (Smyth, Jacobs, & Rogers, 2003, p. 331). The authors developed a gay-sounding and straight-sounding scale based on listener ratings to record and measure the perception of sexual orientation based on a person's voice (Smyth, Jacobs, & Rogers, 2003, p. 329)."
Abstract The paper examines the different forces which makes language such a central role in our lives. The paper looks at how we gain our language skills, how we deal with these language skills socially and culturally and how they define us communally and individually. The paper looks, finally, at how we form our perceptions of ourselves in this world.
From the Paper "For many people, the acquisition of language occurs so naturally and happened so long ago, that it is a process that they rarely consider. It might cross one's mind when one has a baby or meets someone with a language disability, yet, these thoughts usually recede in accordance with our busy schedules. However, the acquisition and development of language is so intricate and amazing that it is rather amazing it occurs so naturally overall. Language is responsible for a large scope of our human abilities, and thus it is our task to fully examine our language and communication capacities in regards to our development of language."
Abstract The paper describes the ongoing interest to chimpanzee's language ability, although they are a largely non-verbal species, who communicate by way of gestures. The paper explains that efforts to teach chimpanzees to speak, as they are almost 100 per cent genetically similar to Homo sapiens, are hoped to produce knowledge of human language acquisition, in the beginning and subjects of language development.
From the Paper "Marcel Danesi summarized post-World War II efforts to teach chimpanzees to speak, led by the 1960s research of Allen and Beatrix Gardner of the University of Nevada, that centered on their female subject "Washoe" which commenced when the chimpanzee was almost one year of age. (2004: 42, Gardner:1975) Washoe proved capable of using 132 signs of American Sign Language (ASL) within five years. Moreover, Washoe could combine signs to express sets of syntactic relations. The same was accomplished by four other chimpanzees taught ASL that, along with Washoe, were analyzed by Roger S. Fouts. (1996)"
Abstract The goal of the exercise is to elicit a language autobiography, an account that focuses on the language experiences of someone who has grown up with more than one language. The paper explains that these language experiences may be tied to different speakers, places or both. The person selected was a woman who emigrated from Greece immediately following WWII. The paper also includes a transcription of the interview.
From the Paper "Me: First, let me say how much I appreciate your taking the time for this interview. Yia-Yia: It's my pleasure. When Kali asked me if I'd be interested in speaking with you, I thought it would be a good experience for both of us. Me: It's interesting that you should say so. Why is that? Yia-Yia: We Greeks can be very insular, even when we live in other countries. It's always good to have the opportunity to clear up some misconceptions, especially when most Americans only have information about the Greek culture through church festivals. Me: Believe me, I'm glad to have the opportunity. So, my first question for you is, what languages do you currently speak? Yia-Yia: I speak mostly Greek and English, of course and some French. I learned some French by staying in Rheims with family after the war."
Abstract This paper focuses on the primary language impairment of linguistically diverse students. The researchers' intent is to develop appropriate interventions for students that have difficulty with their language of origin, despite their enrollment in an educational system, which supports another language. The paper includes specific questions to be addressed within the study.
From the Paper "The purpose of the study focused on the primary language impairment of linguistically diverse students. The researchers intent was to develop appropriate interventions for students that had difficulty with their language of origin, despite their enrollment in an educational system, which supported another language. The researchers developed specific questions to be addressed within the study. These questions were: * Why support the home language when it is not the language used in school for the majority community? * Does continued support for the home language undermine attainment in the second language? * Should we support the home language when it includes the code switching or mixing of two traditionally separate languages? * What are some strategies that can be used to support the home language when it is a language that the speech language pathologist (SLP) does not speak ?"
Abstract This paper reviews an article by Nancy Hornberger in which she discusses the issue of biliteracy. The paper discusses how Hornberger stresses the fact that although there has been an established plan for first and second language learners in the United States, there has been little evidence that discusses the development of a biliteracy continuum which is essential for multiple language learners. The paper further discusses how according to the article, most educators in today public education system have not previously had the ability to realize that there are correlations in biliteracy that can be used in support of both languages.
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of prosody, pointing out that it is a very difficult concept to define as it interrelates with other corresponding variables and is perceived differently according to the individual. Also, though it is acknowledged as a definite and highly influential part of language, definition and speech perception research on the topic has to date been more limited than one might think. The paper explains that most traditional research has focused on describing the acoustics of prominence and phrasing in restricted speaking styles without revealing knowledge as to how auditory and visual signals actually interact to signal communicative functions in expressive speech.
Abstract This paper discusses Christian hermeneutics, explaining that it is an involved process that requires a significant effort on the part of the reader in order to make a correct interpretation of the Biblical text. The paper further explains that one of the most effective ways to interpret Biblical text is through the grammatical historical method. Using this method the reader interprets the text in terms of the grammar of the original language of the Biblical passage and then interprets it using the context of that passage writer.
From the Paper "The Christian Bibles provides the guidelines by which many Christians, if not most Christians attempt to live their lives. Unfortunately, not only was the Bible written close to 2000 years ago, it was also written in at least one other language English. For these reasons, the words of the Bible are often subject to interpretation, or misinterpretation, by many special interest groups whose main purpose is to push their own agenda. The simplest explanation of the term "Christian hermeneutics" refers to the study and interpretation of the Christian Bible. According to Hank Hannegraaf, the purpose of hermeneutics is to provide a guideline and "rules" to anyone who might attempt to interpret the Bible (par. 3)."
