Extensible Language Research Articles

Individual language experience modulates rapid formation of cortical memory circuits for novel words

Mastering multiple languages is an increasingly important ability in the modern world; furthermore, multilingualism may affect human learning abilities. Here, we test how the brain’s capacity to rapidly form new representations for spoken words is affected by prior individual experience in non-native language acquisition. Formation of new word memory traces is reflected in a neurophysiological response increase during a short exposure to novel lexicon. Therefore, we recorded changes in electrophysiological responses to phonologically native and non-native novel word-forms during a perceptual learning session, in which novel stimuli were repetitively presented to healthy adults in either ignore or attend conditions. We found that larger number of previously acquired languages and earlier average age of acquisition (AoA) predicted greater response increase to novel non-native word-forms. This suggests that early and extensive language experience is associated with greater neural flexibility for acquiring novel words with unfamiliar phonology. Conversely, later AoA was associated with a stronger response increase for phonologically native novel word-forms, indicating better tuning of neural linguistic circuits to native phonology. The results suggest that individual language experience has a strong effect on the neural mechanisms of word learning, and that it interacts with the phonological familiarity of the novel lexicon.

Intrafamilial phenotypic variability of Specific Language Impairment

We investigated language functions in 32 members of a four generation family with several members affected by Specific Language Impairment with an extensive language test battery in order to determine the prevalence, overlap, and homogeneity of linguistic deficits within one pedigree. In sum, one fourth of all family members tested fulfilled the criteria of Specific Language Impairment. Despite of some similarities in language abilities, different combinations of language deficits were observed, and individual language profiles varied substantially. Thus, though there is a high prevalence of language deficits in this family which raises the likelihood of a genetic origin of these deficits, and though all affected study participants displayed selective linguistic deficits with normal non-verbal functioning, language testing showed considerable variance in overlap and homogeneity of linguistic deficits. Thus, even in one genetic population, an underlying linguistic disorder manifests itself in different language abilities to a variant degree.

Understanding ethnic visibility through language use: the case of Taiwan Hakka

This study investigates how the ethnic visibility of Taiwan Hakka is improved through language use. The usage of a unique Hakka symbolic code <nganggiang stiff neck> is focused on. Based on data from the four Taiwan major newspapers, an analysis with text techniques shows that the code emerges along with social-political developments in Taiwan, with its meaning turning from negative to positive connotation. Its frequency is highly correlated with major political events in Taiwan, with peaks during the two or three years before presidential elections. It illustrates semiotic innovation, extending from Hakka to Hakka non-human, to non-Hakka, and to non-Hakka non-human frames. The salient image it creates increases Hakka ethnic visibility and enhances their ethnic identity. A significant implication is that minority ethnic groups can employ a unique symbolic code, empowering it with positive connotation. Through extensive language use, its representation can raise their ethnic visibility and enhance their ethnic identity.

Lexical and semantic group of nouns with the hipersema 'temperament' in the Serbian-Prizren speech

The concept of temperament, in the ingenuous image of the world of the Serbs in Prizren, is represented by verbal insignia and it is used for the people who exhibit certain psychological characteristics when they react emotionally to a certain external stimulus. The lexical base for this research is The collection of words from Prizren by Dimitrije Čemerkić. An extensive language corpus was taken from it which relates to the spiritual traits of people and which could also be used to reconstruct the psychological profile of the people from Prizren at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The psychological personality characterization requires the view of man from the linguistic and cultural aspect i.e. to what extent is the behaviour of an individual shaped by the social community and cultural patterns, which characteristics of temperament and response models are valued as desirable and which are undesirable in the opinion of a traditional patriarchal society, which traits create a psychological prototype of a man and woman from Prizren based on the social and cultural standards at the beginning of the last century. The lexical units motivated by psychological characteristics of people included in temperament traits were classified into lexical-semantic subgroups with hypersemas 'moody person', 'impetuous person', 'mischievous, restless person', 'playful person', 'chatty person', 'fast, reckless person', 'agile, resourceful person'. Based on the lexical and semantic analysis of the rich nominating inventory integrated by categorical semantic characteristic 'temperament', one gets an impression that the people from Prizren are open, direct with a restless spirit with the dominant temperament type of an extrovert. The semantic component of a subjective evaluation creates the image of a prototype of the temperamental man from Prizren (agile, handy, resourceful, clever, funny, playful, stable, emotionally balanced, reasoned, prudent, moderate in speech) and the image of a woman from Prizren (graceful, playful, emotionally restrained, calm, quiet, agile, skilful and sensitive). People who are moody, impetuous, quarrelsome, chatty, reckless and insensitive received a negative evaluation.

Discovering endangered Tibetic varieties in the easternmost Tibetosphere

Dartsendo (Dar-rtse-mdo in Written Tibetan), generally known as Kangding, is a town in the easternmost Tibetosphere, located in Ganzi (dKar-mdzes) Prefecture, Sichuan, China. This town has played an important role for the tea-horse trade since the Ming Dynasty, and is inhabited by both Tibetan and Han Chinese. Under these circumstances, extensive language contact has existed for a long time. Dartsendo Tibetan is the Minyag Rabgang vernacular of Khams Tibetan, and it was once considered as a lingua franca-like variety in the Minyag Rabgang area. However, Dartsendo Tibetan is currently facing extinction. This paper will discuss: (1) the historical background and language situation in Dartsendo, (2) the current language situation of Tibetic languages spoken in the centre of the Town, and 3) the process of endangerment of the local variety. Based on these descriptions, this paper will also propose a method for identifying endangered varieties in the Tibetic languages.

Language components for modular DSLs using traits

Recent advances in tooling and modern programming languages have progressively brought back the practice of developing domain-specific languages as a means to improve software development. Consequently, the problem of making composition between languages easier by emphasizing code reuse and componentized programming is a topic of increasing interest in research. In fact, it is not uncommon for different languages to share common features, and, because in the same project different DSLs may coexist to model concepts from different problem areas, it is interesting to study ways to develop modular, extensible languages. Earlier work has shown that traits can be used to modularize the semantics of a language implementation; a lot of attention is often spent on embedded DSLs; even when external DSLs are discussed, the main focus is on modularizing the semantics. In this paper we will show a complete trait-based approach to modularize not only the semantics but also the syntax of external DSLs, thereby simplifying extension and therefore evolution of a language implementation. We show the benefits of implementing these techniques using the Scala programming language.

Multimodal interaction with virtual worlds XMMVR: eXtensible language for MultiModal interaction with virtual reality worlds

Based on a philosophy of integrating components from multimodal interaction applications with 3D graphical environments, reusing already defined markup language for describing graphics, graphical and spoken interactions based on the interactive movie metaphor, a markup language for modeling scenes, behavior and interaction is sought. With the definition of this language, we hope to have a common framework for developing applications that allow multimodal interaction at 3D stages. Thus we have defined the basis of an architecture that allows us to integrate the components of such multimodal interaction applications in 3D virtual environments.

Robots that Talk and Listen Judith A. Markowitz (editor) (President of J. Markowitz, Consultants, Chicago, IL) Berlin/Boston/Munich: Walter de Gruyter, 2015, hardbound, ISBN 978-1-61451-603-3; PDF, e-ISBN 978-1-61451-440-4 EPUB; e-ISBN 978-1-61451-915-7

<b>Robots that Talk and Listen</b> <b>Judith A. Markowitz (editor)</b> (President of J. Markowitz, Consultants, Chicago, IL) Berlin/Boston/Munich: Walter de Gruyter, 2015, hardbound, ISBN 978-1-61451-603-3; PDF, e-ISBN 978-1-61451-440-4 EPUB; e-ISBN 978-1-61451-915-7

Regulation AB II: Lessons for the CMBS Industry

On February 9 at the ABS Vegas 2015 conference in Las Vegas, a panel of experts discussed some of the latest thinking on Regulation AB II as it relates to the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market. The panel primarily addressed three specific provisions of the Reg AB II shelf registration requirements and the unique effects these provisions have on CMBS: the chief executive officer certification, the asset reviewer requirement, and dispute resolution provisions. The extensive language of the CEO certification creates significant liability for the CEO that did not exist prior to Reg AB II, which could be mitigated through measures such as extra-careful review of cash flows, waterfalls, and other prospectus details; a “disclosure committee”; and certifications from third parties. In the event investors invoke the asset-reviewer provisions, a clear list of representations and warranties that should be tested and specific testing procedures may be helpful in aligning an asset reviewer’s and an issuer’s criteria for breaches of reps and warrants that should be considered material. How effective arbitration or mediation provisions will be is difficult to determine because CMBS have never experienced any significant level of put-back claims, but the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council’s model remediation language could be a useful reference in developing and interpreting provisions for Reg AB II implementation.

An on-the-fly grammar modification mechanism for composing and defining extensible languages

Adaptable Parsing Expression Grammar (APEG) is a formal method for defining the syntax of programming languages. It provides an on-the-fly mechanism to perform modifications of the syntax of the language during parsing time. The primary goal of this dynamic mechanism is the formal specification and the automatic parser generation for extensible languages. In this paper, we show how APEG can be used for the definition of the extensible languages SugarJ and Fortress, clarifying many aspects of the syntax of these languages. We also show that the mechanism for on-the-fly modification of syntax rules can be useful for defining grammars in a modular way, implementing almost all types of language composition in the context of specification of extensible languages.

An Effective Methodology with Automated Product Configuration for Software Product Line Development

The wide adaptation of product line engineering in software industry has enabled cost effective development of high quality software for diverse market segments. In software product line (SPL), a family of software is specified with a set of core assets representing reusable features with their variability, dependencies, and constraints. From such core assets, valid software products are configured after thoroughly analysing the represented features and their properties. However, current implementations of SPL lack effective means to configure a valid product as core assets specified in SPL, being high-dimensional data, are often too complex to analyse. This paper presents a time and cost effective methodology with associated tool supports to design a SPL model, analyse features, and configure a valid product. The proposed approach uses eXtensible Markup Language (XML) to model SPL, where an adequate schema is defined to precisely specify core assets. Furthermore, it enables automated product configuration by (i) extracting all the properties of required features from a given SPL model and calculating them with Alloy Analyzer; (ii) generating a decision model with appropriate eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT) instructions embedded in each resolution effect; and (iii) processing XSLT instructions of all the selected resolution effects.

Evaluating the Uralic–Yukaghiric word-initial, proto-sibilant correspondence rules

This paper evaluates and expands upon previously suggested sound rules governing the phonological outcome of early root-initial proto-sibilants (*s- and *ś-) and proto-affricates (*š-, *ć- and *č-) in Late Proto-Yukaghir (PY), as shown by cognate correspondences in Proto-Uralic (PU) and by Tungusic and Turkic borrowings. The proto-sibilant *s- underwent deletion (*Ø-), retention (*s-) or lateralization (*l-); *ś- was retained unchanged and earlier *š- had changed into *č- in PY. Universally, PY proto-sibilants and proto-affricates find regular lexical correspondences in PU as described by a set of non-trivial phonological rules:&#x0D; Pre-PY *sVr/k/γ- &gt; PY *lVr/k/γ-: a regular lateralization of the sibilant in Yukaghiric occurred with back vowels and *-r-, *-k- and possibly *-γ-, but not *-q-, through an intermediary hypothetical *θ- stage.&#x0D; Pre-PY *sVl/ŋ- &gt; PY *ØVl/ŋ-: a sibilant deletion rule occurred with any vowel and *-l- or *- ŋ-.&#x0D; However, all structures of the intermediate type Pre-PY *sV1ŋ/l/m/n-k/q-V2-, where V1 is a back vowel, pose an exception wherein sibilant deletion was blocked, and the sibilant was either retained or changed into a lateral. Sibilant deletion still occurred in these cases if V1 was a front vowel.&#x0D; Pre-PY *ś- &gt; PY *ś- &gt; KY š- &amp; TY s-: the Yukaghir lexicon in these cases likely developed through intermediate *š’-/*θ’- from Old Yukaghir. Furthermore, Pre-PY *š- &gt; PY *č- regularly.&#x0D; All of these sound changes are controlled by phonology and affect borrowings as well as inherited vocabulary from before PY, but do not affect post-PY borrowings. The sibilant-deletion rule is clearly an influence from extensive language contacts with Yakut-speakers, and certain roots show that the Yukaghir rules of synharmonism were already in effect prior to sibilant deletion. In addition, the results are concurrent with several older cognate suggestions between Uralic and Yukaghiric and further add to this corpus. Identifying these historical processes also strengthens the evidence that the Yukaghir languages are genetically related to the Uralic language family.

Cognitive Control in Bilingual Children

Studies comparing the cognitive control of bilingual and monolingual speakers are inconclusive about the nature and underlying mechanisms of differences in language-related processing. In the present study, in order to disentangle the impact of second-language onset age of acquisition and bilingualism on cognitive control, we compared a group of bilingual Dutch/French children who had started acquisition of both languages at birth (simultaneous bilingual group) to a group of children who had started acquisition of their second language at the age of 3 years (early bilingual group). Both groups had equal proficiency in the two languages. All participants completed an extensive language test battery in Dutch and French and conducted a linguistic (verbal fluency) and a nonlinguistic cognitive control task (the color Simon task). We found higher global accuracy rates for the simultaneous bilingual group on the Simon task. Surprisingly, we did not find any differences in mean reaction time between the two bilingual groups. In conclusion, this study finds no advantage in terms of verbal fluency, but does reveal that acquiring two languages from birth onward gives simultaneous bilingual children an advantage on the Simon task, even over early bilingual children and when second-language proficiency is held constant.

“Grammar Nazis never sleep”: Facebook humor and the management of standard written language

This paper uses Language Management Theory (Nekvapil and Sherman, Language management in contact situations. Perspectives from three continents. Peter Lang, Frankfurt/Main, 2009) to investigate Facebook pages as a site and instrument of behavior-toward-language, focusing specifically on the use of humor. The language in question is Czech, which is not the subject of extensive formal language policy. We show how standard written Czech is promoted on the micro level of everyday humorous interactions on Facebook, specifically those which correspond to the superiority theory of humor (Billig, Laughter and ridicule: towards a social critique of humour. Sage, London, 2005). We examine two pages which declare their affiliation with the idea of “Grammar Nazis”. These pages were created in order to support the noting and evaluation of deviations from standard written Czech for humorous purposes, primarily through collections of individual mistakes found in both online and offline communication. A qualitative analysis of 550 posts from these two pages investigated (a) the linguistic phenomena which were managed, (b) the actors, settings and genres which were the sources of the noted deviations, (c) the humorous character of the management and (d) the depiction of the actors in organized management in regard to the “Nazi” metaphor and perceived norm authorities in the Czech context. The analysis revealed that the practices of individuals organizing under the title Grammar Nazis on Czech Facebook represent a necessarily incomplete language management process cycle, performed by non-experts, driven by standard language ideology, and associating “grammar” primarily with orthography. Given that the knowledge of orthography is related to one’s education and cultural capital, it thus serves as an instrument of social differentiation.

The Axiom General Purpose Game Playing System

A general game playing system, Axiom, was developed to overcome the limitations inherent in an existing commercial general purpose game playing system which incorporates a generic AI. Axiom extends the range of possible games via an extensible language, thereby allowing for a high degree of game-specific customization within the AI as well as in defining complex game behaviors. This paper provides an overview of the Axiom system and discusses some important aspects of the customizable AI. It also answers the question “Can a powerful game definition language be developed to enhance a popular general game platform?”

Extensible language implementation with object algebras (short paper)

Object Algebras are a recently introduced design pattern to make the implementation of recursive data types more extensible. In this short paper we report our experience in using Object Algebras in building a realistic domain specific language (DSL) for questionnaires, called QL. This experience has led to a simple, yet powerful set of tools for the practical and flexible implementation of highly extensible languages.

Evolution of Software Systems with Extensible Languages and DSLs

Domain-specific languages (DSLs) provide various advantages regarding the maintainability of software systems. Unfortunately, existing software systems don't exploit DSLs and their maintenance benefits. Based on the extensible programming language SugarJ, the authors present a process for gradually integrating DSLs into existing software systems, report on their experience in integrating three DSLs into two existing software systems, and outline a roadmap for the development of tool support for the integration of DSLs.

Embedding the shapes of regions of interest into a Clinical Document Architecture document.

Sharing a medical image visually annotated by a region of interest with a remotely located specialist for consultation is a good practice. It may, however, require a special-purpose (and most likely expensive) system to send and view them, which is an unfeasible solution in developing countries such as Vietnam. In this study, we design and implement interoperable methods based on the HL7 Clinical Document Architecture and the eXtensible Markup Language Stylesheet Language for Transformation standards to seamlessly exchange and visually present the shapes of regions of interest using web browsers. We also propose a new integration architecture for a Clinical Document Architecture generator that enables embedding of regions of interest and simultaneous auto-generation of corresponding style sheets. Using the Clinical Document Architecture document and style sheet, a sender can transmit clinical documents and medical images together with coordinate values of regions of interest to recipients. Recipients can easily view the documents and display embedded regions of interest by rendering them in their web browser of choice.

The formalization and implementation of Adaptable Parsing Expression Grammars

The term “extensible language” is especially used when a language allows the extension of its own concrete syntax and the definition of the semantics of new constructs. Most popular tools designed for automatic generation of syntactic analysers do not offer any adequate resources for the specification of extensible languages. When used in the implementation of features like syntax macro definitions, these tools usually impose severe restrictions. For example, it may be required that macro definitions and their use reside in different files; or it may be impossible to perform the syntax analysis in one single pass. We claim that one of the main reasons for these limitations is the lack of appropriate formal models for the definition of the syntax of extensible languages.This paper presents the design and formal definition of Adaptable Parsing Expression Grammars, an extension to the Parsing Expression Grammar (PEG) model that allows the manipulation of its own production rules during the analysis of an input string. The proposed model compares favourably with similar approaches for the definition of the syntax of extensible languages. An implementation of the model is also presented, simulating the behaviour of packrat parsers. Among the challenges for this implementation is the use of attributes and on the fly modifications on the production rules at parse time, features not present in standard PEG. This approach has been used on the definition of a real extensible language, and initial performance tests suggest that the model may work well in practice.

Attribute grammar macros

Having extensible languages is appealing, but raises the question of how to construct extensible compilers and how to compose compilers out of a collection of pre-compiled components. We show how having attribute grammar fragments as first-class values can be put into good use to answer this question; the approach leads naturally to a plug-in architecture, in which a core compiler can be constructed out of a (collection of) pre-compiled component(s), to which extra components can safely be added as the need arises.We extend AspectAG, our Haskell library for building strongly typed first-class attribute grammars, with a set of combinators that make it easy to describe new semantics in terms of already existing semantics, just as syntax macros extend the syntax of a language. We especially show how semantics thus defined can be redefined, thus adapting some aspects of the behavior as defined by the macro system only.