Linguistic Insights Research Articles

Two linguistic levels of lexical ambiguity and a unified categorical representation

Lexical disambiguation is one of the oldest problems in natural language processing. There are three main types of lexical ambiguity: part-of-speech ambiguity, homonymy, and polysemy, typically divided into two tasks in practice. While this division suffices for engineering purposes, it does not align well with human intuition. In this article, I use lexical ambiguity as a representative case to demonstrate how insights from theoretical linguistics can be helpful for developing more human-like meaning and knowledge representations in natural language understanding. I revisit the three types of lexical ambiguity and propose a structured reclassification of them into two levels using the theoretical linguistic tool of root syntax. Recognizing the uneven expressive power of root syntax across these levels, I further translate the theoretical linguistic insights into the language of category theory, mainly using the tool of topos. The resulting unified categorical representation of lexical ambiguity preserves rootsyntactic insights, has strong expressive power at both linguistic levels, and can potentially serve as a bridge between theoretical linguistics and natural language understanding.

Linguistic Insights from a Bilingual Letter: The Malati Dialect of Zoroastrian Dari in Yazd

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive analysis of a rare written example of Zoroastrian Dari (Behdini), a traditionally spoken language, featured in a bilingual letter composed in the Perso-Arabic script. The linguistic evidence indicates that the dialect of this letter is the Malati dialect of Zoroastrian Dari, primarily spoken in the Priests’ quarter of Yazd. The article provides a detailed examination of the phonological, morphological, and syntactic features. Furthermore, it explores the challenges of using the Perso-Arabic script to capture the phonetic nuances of Zoroastrian Dari and analyses the adaptations made by the writer to overcome these obstacles. Through a combined historical and linguistic approach, the article offers valuable insights into the language contact and script practices in Zoroastrian communities. This research contributes to the broader understanding of endangered languages and the complexities of multilingualism in written texts.

Unveiling the Stylistic Features of Tayeb Salih's "Season of Migration to the North: A Postcolonial Analysis"

The book represents the fullest example of stylistic analysis within an important novel in the postcolonial canon-Tayeb Salih's Season of Migration to the North. The research provides a deep linguistic, structural, and thematic insight into how Salih's stylistic options build a peculiar picture of postcolonial themes, cultural identity, and the difficulties and contrasts of cultural exchange. While situating the bilingual narrative, symbolic imagery, and satirical moments of intertextual dialogue and celebration of oral traditions in their historical and cultural context, it proves how such features set the tone and atmosphere of the novel and give further depth to its themes. By doing so, Salih's style refutes and rebukes colonialist discourses, while engaging readers in a critical consideration of postcolonial identity, power relationships, and cultural exchange. These findings underline the continuous popularity of the novel and its status as a strong work of postcolonial literature, with much to offer about the postcolonial condition and its representation in literature.

A Linguistic Insight into Legislative Drafting. Tradition and Change in the UK Legislation

A Linguistic Insight into Legislative Drafting. Tradition and Change in the UK Legislation

Cultural echoes: linguistic insights into death and afterlife in the Swahili language

Cultural echoes: linguistic insights into death and afterlife in the Swahili language

Linguistic insights into high-quality content for SEO: Optimizing high-quality content with Grice's conversational maxims

Attaining a first-page position in search engine results is crucial for websites, impacting their visibility. Search engine optimization involves technical and content optimization strategies to enhance a website's visibility. Central to this effort is the creation and maintenance of high-quality content that satisfies search engine algorithms and engages the intended audience. However, creating high-quality content is inherently challenging due to its subjective and multifaceted nature. This study addresses this challenge by analyzing high-quality content through a linguistic lens. It introduces a tailored framework that includes textual, stylistic, technical, and regulatory criteria, outlining the essential features of user-oriented high-quality content. Furthermore, this research advocates for the application of Grice's conversational maxims—quality, quantity, relevance, and manner—in content creation and optimization to enhance the development of high-quality content. Employing a quantitative methodology and drawing on findings from an experiment conducted on Google's search engine platform, this study promotes the effective utilization of these maxims to cultivate high-quality content and improve rankings on search engine results pages.

Rhetoric for Crowds

Gustave Le Bon’s eminent work The Crowd is considered as one of the fundamental works in mass psychology. Concurrently, the importance of this work and the impact it had on communication practices has been recently recognized by some of the scholars. While The Crowd primarily places focus on meticulous description of origin and psychological condition of the crowd, this paper suggests that, among others, Le Bon uses psychological discourse to define rhetorical precept that can be used as an agency for eliciting such condition. It is the purpose of this paper to extract and present the guidelines suggested by Le Bon in his work for mass oratory and corroborate it with apposite rhetorical theory in order to lend credibility to this thesis. Through broader treatment of rhetorical modes of pathos (state and language that induces it), orator, oration, and kairos (the right moment), with other hitherto rhetorical and linguistic insights, Le Bon constitutes activation means for evoking the psychological phenomena of the crowd. This paper represents Le Bon’s explicit and implicit rhetorical instructions in The Crowd by constructing the rhetorical model and indicating that his scholarly contribution was rhetorical as was psychological, suggesting consideration of his inclusion in the history of rhetoric and his contribution to the development of contemporary communication practices. This paper represents an interdisciplinary rhetorical model that engages the field of interest of various scientific disciplines, such as linguistics, rhetoric, communicology, public relations, and their subbranches.

Linguistic insights into customer satisfaction: an exploratory analysis of online reviews for gaming destination resorts in Las Vegas

Linguistic insights into customer satisfaction: an exploratory analysis of online reviews for gaming destination resorts in Las Vegas

Contextual Ambiguity Framework for Enhanced Sentiment Analysis

Negation is a universal linguistic phenomenon that affects the performance of Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications, especially opinion mining data. Many words exists in sentences that have multiple interpretations or sentiments depending on how they are placed with respect to the negation word in the sentence. A cutting-edge framework is designed to tackle the nuanced challenge of detecting contextual ambiguity through negation in sentiment analysis. The approach uniquely combines advanced natural language processing techniques with deep linguistic insights, enabling the accurate interpretation of sentiment in complex sentences where negation plays a key role. The framework identifies negation cues and their scope, then assesses their impact on sentiment, considering contextual dependencies and word semantics. The model's innovation lies in context-sensitive algorithms that adeptly handle different sentence structures and idiomatic expressions, a notable advancement over traditional sentiment analysis tools. Particularly effective in interpreting sarcastic or ironic statements, the framework significantly outperforms existing models in accuracy, especially in negation-heavy contexts. This advancement enhances sentiment analysis applications like social media monitoring and customer feedback analysis, offering a more nuanced understanding of public opinion.

Towards inclusivity in AI: A comparative study of cognitive engagement between marginalized female students and peers

AbstractThis study addresses the need for inclusive AI education by focusing on marginalized female students who historically lack access to learning opportunities in computing. It applies the theoretical framework of intersectionality to understand how gender, race and ethnicity intersect to shape these students' learning experiences and outcomes. Specifically, this study investigated 27 high‐school students' cognitive engagement in machine learning practices. We conducted the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test to explore differences in cognitive engagement between marginalized female students and their peers, employed comparative content analysis to delve into significant differences and analysed interview data thematically to gain deeper insights into students' machine learning model development processes. The findings indicated that, when engaging in machine learning practices requiring drawing diverse cultural perspectives, marginalized female students demonstrated significantly higher performance compared to their peers. In particular, marginalized female students exhibited strengths in holistic language analysis, paying attention to writers' intentions and recognizing cultural nuances in language. This study suggests that integrating language analysis and machine learning across subjects has the potential to empower marginalized female students and amplify their perspectives. Furthermore, it calls for a strengths‐based approach to reshape the narrative of underrepresentation and promote equitable participation in machine learning and AI. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Female students, particularly those from underrepresented groups such as African American and Latina students, often experience low levels of cognitive engagement in computing. Marginalized female students possess unique strengths that, when nurtured, have the potential to not only transform their own learning experiences but also contribute to the advancement of the computing field. It is critical to empower marginalized female students in K‐12 AI (ie, a subfield of computing) education, seeking to bridge the gender and racial disparity in AI. What this paper adds Marginalized female students outperformed their peers in responding to machine learning questions related to feature analysis and feature distribution interpretation. When responding to these questions, they demonstrated a holistic approach to analysing language by considering interactions between features and writers' intentions. They drew on knowledge about how language was used to convey meaning in different cultural contexts. Implications for practice and/or policy Educators should design learning environments that encourage students to draw upon their cultural backgrounds, linguistic insights and diverse experiences to enhance their engagement and performance in AI‐related activities. Educators should strategically integrate language analysis and machine learning across different subjects to create interdisciplinary learning experiences that support students' exploration of the interplay among language, culture and AI. Educational institutions and policy initiatives should adopt a strengths‐based approach that focuses on empowering marginalized female students by acknowledging their inherent abilities and diverse backgrounds.

Selection and Increasing Complexity in Evolution

This paper explores the concept of complexity in the evolution of life and human culture, proposing that the overarching increase in complexity is driven by the fundamental mechanism of selection. From the origin of life to contemporary human culture, selection plays a pivotal role in favoring complexity in reproductive processes and cultural expressions. The paper distinguishes two main phases of life on Earth: the emergence and evolution of life and animals, and the subsequent emergence of the human species with its complex cultural expressions. Despite apparent differences, both phases are argued to be guided by the same fundamental mechanism—selection, taking various forms such as adaptive natural selection, non-adaptive selection, sexual selection, and memetic selection. The paper identifies the acquisition of language as a crucial development, influenced by imitation and sexual selection, and suggests that the strong selective pressure for language has driven the rapid growth of the human brain and intelligence. This enhanced intelligence, in turn, has played a pivotal role in cultural, scientific, and technological achievements marked by unprecedented levels of complexity. The role of memetic selection is explored in the dissemination of religion across human societies, and the unintended consequences of Martin Luther's introduction of literacy and schooling for Western culture are examined. By integrating evolutionary principles with cultural and linguistic insights, this paper offers a comprehensive perspective on the unifying force of selection in the evolution of complexity in life and human culture.

Mapping Quranic Exegesis in West Java: Influential Figures and Linguistic Insights

This article delves into an exploration of Tafsir Al-Quran works by influential scholars from the West of Java. Unlike traditional geographic delineations, this study does not restrict its focus to the administrative boundaries of West Java as a province but extends to broader regions in the western part of the island. The investigation employs a qualitative research methodology, primarily engaging in library research which involves the comprehensive collection and analysis of data from authoritative books on the subject. Moreover, the study is enriched by a manuscript study approach, where ancient and contemporary Tafsir texts authored by scholars from this region are examined in detail. Through this meticulous research, the study has uncovered numerous Tafsir works, each bearing the unique interpretative style of its author. The findings highlight the intellectual and theological contributions of these scholars, emphasizing the diversity and richness of Islamic scholarship in western Java. One of the distinctive features of these Tafsir works is their linguistic variety. The texts are found in Arabic, which is widely used in Islamic scholarly writings, as well as in Sundanese and Indonesian, which reflects the local linguistic and cultural integration into Islamic scholarship.The study not only sheds light on the specific Tafsir works and the scholars behind them but also paints a broader picture of the religious and cultural landscape in western Java. This approach provides valuable insights into how regional characteristics influence religious interpretation and contribute to the broader discourse in Islamic studies. The research is pivotal for scholars interested in regional Islamic studies, comparative religion, and the interplay between language, culture, and religious scholarship.

Linguistic perspectives on strategies in the three kingdoms: An analysis of the cooperative principle in the Jingzhou Event

This study delves into the application of linguistic theories, particularly the Cooperative Principle, in analyzing historical events, using the Three Kingdoms period's Jingzhou event as a case study. The research aims to explore how linguistic insights can enhance our understanding of historical figures’ communication strategies and decision-making processes. The paper discusses the interplay of language, politics, and military tactics in the Jingzhou event, highlighting the importance of Grice's Cooperative Principle in historical discourse analysis.

ЯВЛЕНИЯ ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ ГРАММАТИКИ КАК МЕЖКУЛЬТУРНЫЙ КОМПОНЕНТ В ПРЕПОДАВАНИИ ИНОСТРАННОГО ЯЗЫКА

The process of speech generation is intricately linked with cognitive styles, linguistic culture, and pragmatic factors. Intercultural communication practices seek to embrace a new mindset, assimilate into a different linguistic culture, and understand the perspective of its inhabitants. Grammatical constructions convey substantial linguistic, cultural, and cognitive insights about native speakers. This article aims to enhance scientific comprehension of the correlation between language grammar, socio-cultural reality, and the cognitive style of native speakers in the context of teaching English and French to native Russian speakers. It is essential to highlight the cognitive and linguocultural aspects of grammatical phenomena, emphasizing that grammar represents not only a set of intricate sentence construction rules but also embodies the result of the historical development of consciousness within a linguistic culture. Notably, the disparities between linguistic cultures are visibly apparent when examining aspectual and temporal meanings.

Integrating Linguistic Theories into English Language Education in Tourism Sectors: A Comprehensive Framework

The intersection of linguistic theories and English language education holds immense potential, especiallywhen applied to the context of the tourism sector. This article explores the development of a comprehensiveframework that seamlessly integrates linguistic theories into English language education, with a specific focuson the tourism industry. By combining the theoretical insights of linguistics with practical language teachingstrategies, educators and stakeholders in the tourism sector can enhance communication skills and culturalcompetency among professionals. The article presents a holistic approach that aims to bridge the gap betweenlinguistic theories and language education, offering a roadmap for effective integration in the tourism domain.This research is descriptive qualitative research. 10 Competence units, 24 elements of competence and 20materials were found in this research.Keywords: Linguistic, English, Education, Framework

Multimodal meaning-making in student presentations: the impact of explicit feedback in a German as a foreign language classroom

Abstract This study examines the impact of teacher feedback on seven students’ presentations on social and cultural topics held in a German-as-a-foreign language classroom in Japan. Following the submission of self-recorded presentation drafts on an online learning platform, students received explicit feedback on how their spoken commentary related to the visible information on slides derived from the theoretical insights of social semiotics and systemic functional linguistics. After allocating one class to revising their work, students presented their finalized presentations, which were video recorded, cut, and prepared for analysis. Subsequently, a total of 14 sections that underwent alterations in both the draft and in-class presentation were scrutinized following a qualitative multimodal discourse analytical framework. By demonstrating the differences between two students’ early drafts and their final in-class presentations, this study shows how adding verbal language that extended a slide’s content strengthened audience engagement through interpersonal functions in language, gaze, body orientation, and gesture. Further, restructuring and inserting additional entities on the PowerPoint slide helped emphasize the talk’s ideational components. The findings of this study have implications for multiliteracies pedagogy in a foreign language context, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach that considers language and other modes as complementary aspects of communication.

Book review: Álvarez-Gil, F. J. (2022). Stance devices in tourism-related research articles: A corpus-based study

This volume in the prestigious Linguistic Insights book series (Peter Lang) fills an acknowledged lacuna in studies considering the tourism research article from a gender perspective. Indeed, the attention paid to the tourism research article (RA) has been, if anything, fragmentary, since, as noted in Lin and Evans (2012), no attempt has been made to fully outline the generic structure of the RA in tourism. This is precisely one of the focuses of interest of this monograph, which aims to provide genre scholars and language professionals with an outline of the genre pattern of the RA and the lexicogrammatical choices associated with each generic section, together with a detailed description of the specific stance-taking devices. This is really the main aim of this book, as its title expressly calls for. Much of the information presented in this monograph, as attributed therein, belongs to a major research project conducted over the years on the language of tourism in English and other languages (cf. Álvarez- Gil, Payet, & Sánchez Hernández, 2020).

Computational Approaches to Phonology: Advances in Speech Recognition and Synthesis

This article explores the field of computational approaches to phonology, with a particular focus on recent increases in popularity and speech synthesis. Phonology, as a department of linguistics, deals with the observation of sounds and their work in language. Recent improvements in this area have resulted in major improvements in accuracy and efficiency, towards the integration of deep recognition strategies together with recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). the models have tested the ability to capture complex phonetic patterns and decorate the overall performance of computerized speech reputation structures. These advances have seen packages in multiple domains, such as virtual assistants, text-to-speech structures, and language acquisition tools. This article looks at the main computational procedures used in phonology, along with characteristic-based representations, rule-based modes, and statistical methods. It explores demanding situations related to phonological evaluation, which include phoneme segmentation, pronunciation variants, and language-specific problems. In addition, this paper discusses mixing phonological knowledge with device learning strategies, which enables the development of robust and correct speech recognition and synthesis systems. As usual, this research represents remarkable advances from computational methods to phonology, particularly in the geographical area of speech recognition and synthesis. the combination of technology and linguistic insights has increased the accuracy, naturalness, and efficiency in processing spoken language. These enhancements open up new opportunities to enhance human-pc interaction, language recognition, and many other packages that rely on speech-based technologies.

A common language and shared understanding of family violence? Corpus-based approaches in support of system responses to family violence

Family violence is an enduring social problem with devastating impacts. The Victorian Government (Australia) Royal Commission (state inquiry) into Family Violence (rcfv) noted that language is implicated in the under-reporting and under-recording of violence, and emphasised the importance of agencies having ‘a common language’ and ‘shared understanding’ of family violence. Our analyses examine written submissions to the rcfv for frequencies and collocations, focussed on the construction and roles of human referents. We utilised corpus-assisted discourse analysis to explore whether community service and law-based professional bodies do have common vocabularies and if these represent shared ideas, responding directly to agendas set by those involved. Our analyses show key differences but also uncover a shared lack of agency given to victims and a loss of focus on the role of those who inflict these forms of violence. We argue for the utility of corpus linguistic methods to show empirically how language is used to construct conceptualisations of family violence across key sectors of the service system. We intend this research as a starting point for discussion between professionals working to improve cross-sector communication, by bringing linguistic insights to this deep-rooted social issue.

Hansard at Huddersfield: Adapting Corpus Linguistic Methods for Non-Specialist Use

This article introduces the Hansard at Huddersfield web application, which allows users to make a range of different searches of the Hansard data (1803–2021) and which draws on the insights of corpus linguistics (CL) and visualization techniques to appeal to researchers from backgrounds where these approaches are relatively underused. The web application aims to be accessible and includes advice on interpreting the results of searches as well as always allowing the user to access the original Hansard text. This article explains the scope and functionality of the site as well as its architecture, and gives example uses of the system.