Embodiment Of Language Research Articles

Embodied Semantics: Early Simultaneous Motor Grounding in First and Second Languages

Background/Objectives: Although the embodiment of action-related language is well-established in the mother tongue (L1), less is known about the embodiment of a second language (L2) acquired later in life through formal instruction. We used the high temporal resolution of ERPs and topographic ERP analyses to compare embodiment in L1 and L2 and to investigate whether L1 and L2 are embodied with different strengths at different stages of linguistic processing. Methods: Subjects were presented with action-related and non-action-related verbs in a silent reading task. Subjects were late French–German and German–French bilinguals, respectively, and we could therefore collapse across languages to avoid common confounding between language (French and German) and order of acquisition (L1, L2). Results: We could show distinct effects of embodiment and language. Embodiment affected only the sensory and lexical stages of processing with increased strength and power of the N1 component for motor vs. non-motor verbs, and language affected the lexical and semantic stages of processing with stronger P2/N400 components for L2 than for L1. Non-motor verbs elicited a stronger P1 component in L2. Conclusions: Our results suggest that processing words in L2 requires more effortful processing. Importantly, L1 and L2 are not embodied differently, and embodiment affects early and similar stages of processing in L1 and L2, possibly integrating other process of action–language interaction

FEATURES OF FUNCTIONING OF EXPRESSIVE REDUCED VOCABULARY IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION TEXTS

This article is devoted to the consideration of the category of expressiveness and its embodiment in literary language and art text. Expressive lexical units belonging to the reduced lexicon in fiction works of the first quarter of the 21st century (“Textˮ by Dmitry Glukhovsky, “Earthˮ by Mikhail Elizarov and “Hijackingˮ by Danil Korecki) are singled out and their functions are determined. The analysis is carried out on the material of various lexicographic editions, among which both explanatory dictionaries and highly specialised dictionaries (dictionaries of argot, jargon) are used. The most common functions that were identified in the context of the named works are the following: characterisation of the linguistic picture of the world of the hero and the author, the “anti-aestheticˮ artistic picture of the world of the author (author’s intention) and a means of characterisation of the character – speech or author’s when using non- self-directed speech. It is indicative that some functions can be combined in the text, which is confirmed by the examples from contemporary works of fiction given in the article. It is concluded that the use of reduced expressive vocabulary in the modern fiction text demonstrates both general linguistic processes and methods of creating artistic imagery, the specificity of which is associated with a kind of “anti-aestheticˮ.

Терминология цифрового мира в свете коммуникативистики

The development of digital technologies in the modern world, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), has brought about the creation of ChatGPT, a unique ChatGPT language model capable of communicating with humans. This article is devoted to the analysis of the functioning features of the ChatGPT language model, which is a product of artificial intelligence. Trained by a human, this model is able of communicating with users, creating the impression of full-fledged communication, vividly demonstrating that information exchange can occur not only between people, but also between a person and a machine. Communicative shifts of this kind have become possible as a result of the achievements of the digital revolution, which is shaping a new cyberspace of human existence. This indicates the radical changes that are taking place in society, and lead to a paradigm shift and the formation of new thinking and its embodiment in language. The purpose of this article is to analyze the terminology and its definitions, revealing the essence and functions of the ChatGPT language model. The tasks of this paper are defined by the purpose set for the investigation and boil down to a number of operations necessary to achieve it. The novelty of this work is due to the research material, which has become the subject of linguistic analysis for the first time. The methods used in the article, such as the semantic analysis of ChatGPT terminology, its synthesis, as well as classification, has made it possible to present the terminological system of this field in the process of creating new knowledge and contributing to effective communication. As a result of the analysis of the language units in question, the authors have managed to understand the operation associated with ChatGPT training, identifying the main functions of this language model, and tracing the ways of its further development.

An Introduction to the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Embodiment and Relativity Special Issue of the Language Learning Cognitive Neuroscience Series

An Introduction to the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language Embodiment and Relativity Special Issue of the <i>Language Learning</i> Cognitive Neuroscience Series

Exploring the Potential of Architectural Semiotic in Realizing the Smart City Concept

Smart City is an urban development paradigm that integrates information and communication technology to improve the quality of life of residents, efficient resource management and environmental sustainability. Architectural semiotic, as the embodiment of visual language in architecture, has an important role in creating a smart and sustainable environment. This research aims to explore the potential of architectural semiotic in realizing the Smart City concept. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. The results of this research reveal that the potential of architectural semiotic in the Smart City concept can be optimized through steps such as literature study and concept analysis, use of modern technology, interdisciplinary collaboration, community participation, and development of design guidelines. By engaging architects, data scientists, engineers, and the public, and creating practical guidance, this research details how architectural semiotic can be effectively integrated in smart city development. It is hoped that these results will make a significant contribution in creating a smart, efficient, aesthetic and sustainable urban environment in accordance with Smart City principles.

Ecological Meanings: A Consensus Paper on Individual Differences and Contextual Influences in Embodied Language.

Embodied theories of cognition consider many aspects of language and other cognitive domains as the result of sensory and motor processes. In this view, the appraisal and the use of concepts are based on mechanisms of simulation grounded on prior sensorimotor experiences. Even though these theories continue receiving attention and support, increasing evidence indicates the need to consider the flexible nature of the simulation process, and to accordingly refine embodied accounts. In this consensus paper, we discuss two potential sources of variability in experimental studies on embodiment of language: individual differences and context. Specifically, we show how factors contributing to individual differences may explain inconsistent findings in embodied language phenomena. These factors include sensorimotor or cultural experiences, imagery, context-related factors, and cognitive strategies. We also analyze the different contextual modulations, from single words to sentences and narratives, as well as the top-down and bottom-up influences. Similarly, we review recent efforts to include cultural and language diversity, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain disorders, as well as bilingual evidence into the embodiment framework. We address the importance of considering individual differences and context in clinical studies to drive translational research more efficiently, and we indicate recommendations on how to correctly address these issues in future research. Systematically investigating individual differences and context may contribute to understanding the dynamic nature of simulation in language processes, refining embodied theories of cognition, and ultimately filling the gap between cognition in artificial experimental settings and cognition in the wild (i.e., in everyday life).

Where is the Ordinary? Understanding People’s Engagement in the Korean Peacebuilding

This article provides a nuanced explanation of the ways in which the ordinary activists engage with the Korean peacebuilding. By undertaking three years of field research and analyzing the collected data, we have found that two aspects of the engagement are of great importance. First, the ordinary activists understand peacebuilding as an embodiment of everyday identity and language. Second, they make use of peacebuilding as a realization of ordinary people power. Both aspects reflect the people’s subjective reasoning of who they are and what they can do in their conflict-affected daily lives. The findings are expected to flesh out the ongoing conversation of people-centred or everyday peacebuilding in the Korean peninsula.

Embodiment of action-related language in the native and a late foreign language – An fMRI-study

Theories of embodied cognition postulate that language processing activates similar sensory-motor structures as when interacting with the environment. Only little is known about the neural substrate of embodiment in a foreign language (L2) as compared to the mother tongue (L1). In this fMRI study, we investigated embodiment of motor and non-motor action verbs in L1 and L2 including 31 late bilinguals. Half had German as L1 and French as L2, and the other half vice-versa. We collapsed across languages to avoid the confound between language and order of language acquisition. Region of interest analyses showed stronger activation in motor regions during L2 than during L1 processing, independently of the motor-relatedness of the verbs. Moreover, a stronger involvement of motor regions for motor-related as compared to non-motor-related verbs, similarly for L1 and L2, was found. Overall, the similarity between L1 and L2 embodiment seems to depend on individual and contextual factors.

Using prosody to express evidentiality. The case of the quotative

The goal of this study was to investigate if pure prosodic marking of evidentiality, more specifically quotation, does exist and, secondly, if the particular prosodic traits involved in such prosodic marking are arbitrary or somewhat motivated. Data containing a set of identical sentence pairs in Spanish (the only difference being the presence or absence of quotation in them) was collected by means of a Discourse Completion Task and analyzed in order to find prosodic patterns. The results suggested that an affirmative answer must be given to the first question, as the quoted fragments were consistently marked in the four languages with a break before the quoted fragment (and often after it) and a change in voice quality, more specifically by raising the pitch of the snippet. An extension of the study was carried out in three different languages from three different language families (Swedish, Polish and Hungarian) to check if the traits observed were an idiosyncratic feature of Spanish or a more widespread phenomenon. The same conclusive results were observed in all three languages. Regarding the question of the arbitrariness or motivation of the prosodic markers, the results suggest that both of the prosodic traits found are indeed motivated. Speakers use metonymically traits that are the most salient when in an everyday conversation a new speaker takes the floor (a gap and a change of voice quality) to convey that the enunciator has changed and the fragment at glance is to be attributed to an individual other than the speaker. The consistent choice of pitch raising to mark the change of enunciator (as opposed to pitch lowering, for example) is argued to be related to issues of language embodiment.

The embodiment and disembodiment of language

The embodiment and disembodiment of language

The effects of executive functions on language control during Chinese-English emotional word code-switching.

Executive functions (EFs) have great impact on language control indexed by language switch costs during production-based language switching. Yet, how they influence language control during comprehension-based language switching between embodied first language (L1, Chinese) emotional words and less embodied second language (L2, English) emotional words is less understood. Employing an emotional priming paradigm, this study recruited Chinese-English bilinguals as participants, and used emotional faces and words as experimental materials to explore the effects of cool [i.e., inhibitory control ability, IC ability] and hot (i.e., emotional valence and emotional congruency) EFs on language switch costs (i.e., language control) during Chinese-English emotional word comprehension. The results showed larger language switch costs in the emotional congruent condition relative to emotional conflict condition, larger Chinese switch costs than English switch costs, and larger language switch costs for negative over positive emotional words in the emotional congruent condition. In addition, high-IC participants showed larger English switch costs for negative emotional words compared with low-IC participants. These results indicated that hot EF and the embodiment of language had an impact on both language control and the modulation of cool EF on language control, and that the components of hot EFs interacted and jointly affected language control during language switching.

Body into Narrative: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Signatures of Action Text Processing After Ecological Motor Training

Embodied cognition research indicates that sensorimotor training can influence action concept processing. Yet, most studies employ isolated (pseudo)randomized stimuli and require repetitive single-effector responses, thus lacking ecological validity. Moreover, the neural signatures of these effects remain poorly understood. Here, we examined whether immersive bodily training can modulate behavioral and functional connectivity correlates of action-verb processing in naturalistic narratives. The study involved three phases. First, in the Pre-training phase, 32 healthy persons listened to an action text (rich in movement descriptions) and a non-action text (focused on its characters’ perceptual and mental processes), completed comprehension questionnaires, and underwent resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Second, in the four-day Training phase, half the participants completed an exergaming intervention (eliciting full-body movements for 60 min a day) while the remaining half played static videogames (requiring no bodily engagement other than button presses). Finally, in the Post-training phase, all participants repeated the Pre-training protocol with different action and non-action texts and a new EEG session. We found that exergaming selectively reduced action-verb outcomes and fronto-posterior functional connectivity in the motor-sensitive ∼ 10–20 Hz range, both patterns being positively correlated. Conversely, static videogame playing yielded no specific effect on any linguistic category and did not modulate functional connectivity. Together, these findings suggest that action-verb processing and key neural correlates can be focally influenced by full-body motor training in a highly ecological setting. Our study illuminates the role of situated experience and sensorimotor circuits in action-concept processing, addressing calls for naturalistic insights on language embodiment.

Up right, not right up: Primacy of verticality in both language and movement.

When describing motion along both the horizontal and vertical axes, languages from different families express the elements encoding verticality before those coding for horizontality (e.g., going up right instead of right up). In light of the motor grounding of language, the present study investigated whether the prevalence of verticality in Path expression also governs the trajectory of arm biological movements. Using a 3D virtual-reality setting, we tracked the kinematics of hand pointing movements in five spatial directions, two of which implied the vertical and horizontal vectors equally (i.e., up right +45° and bottom right −45°). Movement onset could be prompted by visual or auditory verbal cues, the latter being canonical in French (“en haut à droite”/up right) or not (“à droite en haut”/right up). In two experiments, analyses of the index finger kinematics revealed a significant effect of gravity, with earlier acceleration, velocity, and deceleration peaks for upward (+45°) than downward (−45°) movements, irrespective of the instructions. Remarkably, confirming the linguistic observations, we found that vertical kinematic parameters occurred earlier than horizontal ones for upward movements, both for visual and congruent verbal cues. Non-canonical verbal instructions significantly affected this temporal dynamic: for upward movements, the horizontal and vertical components temporally aligned, while they reversed for downward movements where the kinematics of the vertical axis was delayed with respect to that of the horizontal one. This temporal dynamic is so deeply anchored that non-canonical verbal instructions allowed for horizontality to precede verticality only for movements that do not fight against gravity. Altogether, our findings provide new insights into the embodiment of language by revealing that linguistic path may reflect the organization of biological movements, giving priority to the vertical axis.

Disembodied Language in Early-Onset Schizophrenia.

A recent view on schizophrenia phenomenology underlines the impaired relations between the mind and the body. An aberrant feeling of ipseity may be the real source of suffering of the patients from psychosis and impacts general symptomatology. The disturbed connection between thinking processes and environmental stimuli may lead to language disembodiment. In the study, we aimed to experimentally test the presence of disembodied language and investigate its association with symptoms of psychosis in adolescents diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Assessment of language embodiment was conducted using the Zabór Verbal Task (ZVT) with concurrent linguistic and clinical assessment using the Thought, Language, and Communication Scale (TLCS) and Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS). The study group of patients (n = 31) aged 11–18 years, with the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria, was compared with a sex- and age-matched healthy control sample (n = 31). Patients with psychosis made more errors in ZVT than healthy controls (p = 0.01) and this parameter did not improve after 6–8 weeks of standard treatment (p = 0.55). A higher number of errors in ZVT were associated with the presence of auditory hallucinations (odds ratio [OR] 1.14; 95% CI 1.02–1.26). ZVT errors coincided with perception disorders, alternatively to the TLCS scores where we observed association with abnormal beliefs. The results of these preliminary studies indicate the value of the phenomenological approach in the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and suggest a potential involvement of language disembodiment in symptomatology.

Translanguaging drama: embracing learners’ perezhivanie for embodiment of the repertoire

ABSTRACT The creative and dynamic practices that multilinguals perform with linguistic and non-linguistic features such as the body, movement, senses, and space have been documented as integral to their repertoire. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, this article advances the concept of the repertoire through translanguaging drama as a pedagogical practice and examines the resources that can be volitionally mobilised through language learners’ perezhivanie, or the emotional, felt and lived through experience. Translanguaging drama was implemented in two English language programmes with adult learners in Canada. While these courses focused on improving English language skills, translanguaging drama was implemented to activate learners’ perezhivanie while using their repertoire, which not only facilitated communication in the English language but pushed for agency in using non-linguistic resources. I examine learners’ perezhivanie with a subset of data, which included observation notes and learner diary entries. In this article, I emphasize four main interrelated areas: (1) volition and empowerment, (2) meaning-making across languages, (3) embodiment of language – through voice modulation, facial expression, and body language–, and (4) language choice triggered by perezhivanie. Implications of the study for furthering the theorisation of language, language learning and the repertoire are discussed.

Conceptualizing the stylistic body movements in contemporary Ghanaian dances as performance art form

This paper attempts to conceptualize the stylistic body movements in contemporary Ghanaian dances through the aesthetic lenses of performance art. The expressiveness of performance art forms is frequently praised for the emotions we have toward them. These feelings are derived from the symbolic connotations and functionalities of the arts in life. Through an exploratory design of qualitative inquiry, the researchers focus on a contextual dialogue on the aesthetic visual presentations of selected contemporary Ghanaian dances as performance art forms. The critical content analysis of music videos was espoused to examine the stylistic body movements and gestures coded in some contemporary Ghanaian dances such as Azonto, Twerking, Kupe, Pilolo and Shoo as part of an empirical artistic study. Instruments for data collection were observation, document analysis and photography for the contextual visual content analyses grounded in semiotic and aesthetic theoretical discourse. This study again relied heavily on secondary data from recorded communication including music videos, books, transcripts, websites, newspaper articles, journal articles and the like to make objective inferences. The findings indicate that dance is the communication that occurs via the conduit of the dancer's body that ruptures individuals' independent existence and generates a sense of finitude. Whereas some of the dances make aggressively erotic visual statements, others are mere expressive gestural and body movements to simply entertain a targeted audience. The result further shows that, the contemporary Ghanaian dance performances transcend beyond mere entertainment but rather are an embodiment of body language emerging from the indigenous dance symbolisms. Teaching learners to perceive visual aesthetic qualities and symbolic interpretations in dance performances will deepen the appreciation of Ghanaian dance performances not just as entertainment but as another medium for expression to transmit their inherent messages. It is suggested that, these dance forms should be formalized as indigenous knowledge in a quest to blend tradition with modernity in our creative endeavours. This knowledge should be propagated through creative arts education in Ghanaian schools. Other performance art components displayed in contemporary Ghanaian dances including body painting, facial expressions, costumology and fashion accessories present another lacuna for further research by future researchers. Key words: aesthetics, dance, therapy, performance art, body, movement

The embodiment of language

AbstractIn this paper an understanding of psychotherapeutic conversation is outlined emphasising whole-body functioning. The underpinning of conversation by both Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems (CNS &amp; ANS) and evolutionary developments that support social engagement and language are considered. An idea will be taken up that for psychotherapy, language needs to be understood within each patient as more than meets the eye, rather than less, providing a potential for exchanges in the therapeutic conversation that enhance the growth of self for each individual. The notion ofculminativepatterns of communicative interaction speaks to this growth and the enhancement of a sense of meaning in personal contexts. This goes beyond an analytic approach, implying synthesis, integration and growing coherence over time. Human development is towards social engagement, building upon a capacity for relations that are rewarding to the parties involved (Meares 2016). The problem of responding to embodied communication in psychotherapy is considered in relation to moments of meeting, seen as mutative in therapy. Each person is anembodied textwith potential for elaboration, re-shaping and discovery. Clinical illustrations are provided, demonstrating a linguistic model of therapeutic growth and an experimental method that provides a window onto the exchange characteristics of language. To close, the problem of systematising embodiment and its relation to the conversation is considered, along with the implications for therapy and future research, integrating linguistics and interactive functional measures of the body.

ENGLISH CONCEPT HAIR AS A FRAGMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PICTURE OF THE WORLD

The article is devoted to the consideration of the features of the verbalization of the concept HAIR in the English language. The purpose of the work is to examine the structure of the English concept HAIR as a fragment of the English-language picture of the world of the English-speaking society. The main attention is focused on the analysis of the language embodiment of the given concept in the professional variant of the picture of the world. This goal of the study led to the use of such general methods of analysis as descriptive method and method of observation, analysis and inductive generalization, which made it possible to systematize and present an objective linguistic classification of the processed factual basis. Among the special linguistic methods we use componential, definitional and conceptual analysis, as well as contextual-interpretative and quantitative methods. The English concept HAIR is a fragment of the conceptual picture of the world, which is reflected in the language picture of the world, namely in its three fragments, verbalized by the constituents of the lexical-semantic groups, distinguished according to the somatic feature. They are head hair, facial hair, body hair. The analysis of the language and speech material showed that the structure of the English concept HAIR in the picture of the world is a three-component formation, which consists of a core, a nuclear zone and a periphery. The core of the concept HAIR in the professional picture of the world includes such conceptual features as somatic, gender, structure and development. The nuclear zone includes objective conceptual features, namely: health, age, protection. The periphery of the concept consists of professional, religious, and social-group social-identifying functions. The prospects for further research are seen in the consideration of the mentioned aspects of verbalization on the material of English artistic speech as well as professional discourse.

Embodied Semantics in a Second Language: An Interdisciplinary Review

Abstract This review focuses on embodied semantic theories of language, which assume a concomitant activation of sensorimotor areas during verbal processing. Behavioural and functional studies showing the influence of semantic treatment on perceptuo- and sensori-motor cortices are here presented. We focus on embodiment of the second language (L2) in bilingual subjects which, contrary to the native language (L1) embodiment, has been much less addressed. After providing current models of bilingual language processing, we will consider factors which may explain different depths of embodiment of L2, as observed in several studies. In particular, we will provide insight into proficiency (i.e. the ability one has in L2 usage), immersion (i.e. the degree of exposure to L2) and the age of acquisition of L2. We will also provide suggestions regarding the potential expansion of knowledge in this domain: embodied semantics research in bilinguals might give a boost to therapeutic approaches to the rehabilitation of bilingual aphasic patients. Lastly, considerations are presented about theoretical as well as practical implications for translation research.

ОРКЕСТРОВАЯ СЮИТА В ТВОРЧЕСТВЕ МОЛДАВСКИХ КОМПОЗИТОРОВ

This article is a brief overview of the genre of the orchestral suite in the works of the composers of the Republic of Moldova. The history of the orchestral suite in Moldova from its beginnings to the present day has 100 years old. During this time, it has undergone certain transformations, while retaining its main qualities: the brightness of the musical language and timbre embodiment. The article notes the variety of performing ensembles for which suites are written: these are symphonic, chamber, string, pop and jazz orchestra, orchestra of folk instruments. Special attention is paid to the introduction of nationally characteristic instruments (nai, fluier, caval, taragot, cymbals) into the classic orchestras. One of the aspects is the manifestation of the features of the instrumental concert in the suite cycles. Key words: suite, partita, cycle, orchestra, timbre, concerto, traditional instruments