Linguistic Research Research Articles

Language learners, chess champions, and piano prodigies – insights from research on language contact and expert behavior

Abstract One of the central assumptions in Cognitive Linguistics is that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are domain-general and thus apply to human behavior beyond language. Examples of such cognitive mechanisms are, among others, our ability to focus attention, to memorize and categorize, as well as processes related to chunking, generalization, and inhibitory control. Testing this core assumption, however, is often difficult, as it requires us to move beyond linguistic research and to actively look for links between our language use and other areas of human cognition. This paper is an illustration of what such links could look like, particularly focusing on links between research on (Dutch-German) language contact and expert behavior. In doing so, it shows (a) that there are many shared links, for example, regarding the cognitive mechanisms of entrenchment and chunking, and (b) that these shared links (as well as potential differences across the fields) can be used to improve our linguistic theorizing. In particular, I argue that linguistic research can benefit from the insights from research on expert behavior, especially from its more advanced insights modelling individual variation, and that the shared links can help us to test the core assumption that the cognitive mechanisms underlying our language use are indeed domain-general.

Integrating approaches to the role of metaphor in the evolutionary dynamics of language

Abstract Metaphor occupies a central role not only in language use, but also in language change and evolution. Specifically, semantic extension motivated by metaphor plays an important role in extending the lexicon of languages. It is this process that enables the emergence of one of the key properties of modern languages, namely that they are open-ended, systematic, polysemous, structured semiotic systems. Here, we review results from three approaches whose integration presents an important cornerstone for an interdisciplinary account of the role of metaphor in the evolutionary dynamics of language: (1) Historical linguistics and diachronic semantics (2) Computational approaches and natural language processing, and (3) Experimental semiotics. Research in historical linguistics has shown that metaphor is a major mechanism of semantic change. Diachronic semantic analyses have not only mapped detailed historical trajectories of semantic extension motivated by metaphor, but also identified common metaphoric pathways of change as well as shared cognitive principles underlying them. Computational approaches and natural language processing have used findings and data from historical linguistics in attempts to automate the detection of metaphoric semantic change and to build data-driven models models of the principles underlying it. Experimental semiotics is a paradigm in which participants have to create novel communication systems in the absence of language. It represents an experimental design that can investigate cultural linguistic evolution and the emergence of metaphors and metaphorical extensions under controlled laboratory settings to shed light on the interactional and cognitive principles involved in it. Combining results from these approaches represents an important first step towards an interdisciplinary, integrative account of the role of metaphor, and processes of polysemous meaning extension more generally, in the evolutionary dynamics of language.

Corpora and corpus-based studies of the languages of the Russian Federation

The article describes corpus resources for the languages of Russia and their use in linguistic research. The linguistic diversity of the country is quite substantial: currently 155 languages are identified as languages of Russia. Many of them are under threat of extinction, which makes the task of creating corpora particularly relevant as a tool for language preservation. In this study we conducted a survey among the staff of the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other colleagues, which helped us collect the data about 73 corpus resources representing various languages and dialects of Russia. The sample covers both major languages and languages with relatively few speakers, including unwritten languages. The article examines various parameters by which corpora may differ, and offers examples of research based on materials from the corpora. The final part of the article discusses the organizational aspects of creating and maintaining corpus resources. The results of the study suggest that corpus resources not only play an important role in preserving the linguistic diversity of Russia but also represent a valuable tool for various research tasks, as well as for creating other language resources.

The Subjective Tendency of Separable Phenomenon of the Separable Words

The separation structure of separable words is a construction that functionally expresses the speaker’s subjective tendency, which is the inherent law governing the phenomenon of separation of separable words. With the deepening of linguistic research, people have also begun to recognize the importance of linguistics in communication. Language is not just about expressing propositions and narrating events, it has a deeper meaning: it can serve as the speaker’s emotions or attitude, and so on. The subjective characteristics of language are also becoming the most important aspect of verbal communication.

Usage in Second Language Acquisition: Critical Reflections and Future Directions (Book Review)

In Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research, the term usage refers generally to a learner’s exposure to language, their production of it, and how they apply it in social interactions and deliberate practice. Though important in SLA research, usage does not have a standardized definition, with usage-based approaches defining it in various ways, and many focusing on a single aspect of language use. As a result, conducting comparisons across studies is challenging, and usage-based pedagogical practices could be misinformed. With a misrepresented concept of usage, second language (L2) educators employing usage-based teaching in the classroom may fail to prepare students for actual situations of L2 use. Usage in Second Language Acquisition: Critical Reflections and Future Directions (2024) aims to address this challenge by bringing together existing definitions and theorizations to provide a transparent description of usage and how it relates to L2 development. The editor’s goal is to understand the extent of agreement and disagreement of key theoretical constructs among approaches, to clarify how they are represented differently in literature, and to provide recommendations for future research in linguistics and pedagogy. [First Paragraph of Review]

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF COMPOUNDING IN THE NOVEL THE BURNING MAZE: THE TRIALS OF APOLLO BY RICK RIORDAN

This research concerned a morphological analysis of compounding within The Burning Maze: The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan. This study morphologically described the importance of language in conveying deep emotion and thematic richness. This descriptive qualitative linguistic research employed the observation and auto-expert judgment methods for the data collection and morphological note-taking techniques for the data analysis. The results revealed patterns of word combinations that contributed to the linguistic richness and depth of the themes. The discussion interpreted these findings in the context of the novel’s storytelling, providing further understanding of the role of morphology in character development and plot complexity. The results showed that compounding in The Burning Maze: The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan had a combination of elements with the form of the Noun (N) + Verb (V); Noun (N) + Noun (N); Verb (V) + Verb (V); Adjective (Adj) + Noun (N); Verb (V) + Noun (N); Adverb (Adv) + Noun (N); Noun (N) + Adverb (Adv); Adjective (Adj) + Verb (V); Adjective (Adj) + Adjective (Adj); Adverb (Adv) + Adjective (Adj); Verb (V) + Adverb (Adv); Noun (N) + Adjective(Adj); Verb (V) + Adjective (Adj). Besides revealing linguistic nuances in literary works, this research has strived to deepen our understanding of the intricate layers within literature, showcasing how the careful selection of words enhanced the reader’s immersive journey into the literary landscape.

Multispecies language landscapes

Abstract The Hawaiian monk seal is the most endangered of all pinnipeds (walruses, sea lions, and seals). The threat of extinction has loomed large for these seals, especially as sea-level rise threatens to inundate their primary habitat, but an alliance of conservation actors, from federal agencies to non-profit volunteer groups, are working to bring this species back from the brink in Hawai‘i. Today, the monk seal population is finally beginning to recover, but as monk seals make a comeback and reclaim busy beaches, new and unpredictable human relationships with monk seals are taking shape in an uncertain time of climate change. Drawing on data from my ethnographic research of the monk seal-human contact zone in Hawai‘i, in this article, I explore possibilities for a multispecies approach to linguistic and semiotic Landscape research that seeks to ‘multiply’ our understanding of social life and meaning-making in public space as a rich, multispecies entanglement.

Phraseologisms as an object of Linguistic Research

Abstract This article examines phraseological units that reflect the national and cultural identity of the English people. The relevance of the work is related to the endless interest of modern linguists in the problem of the relationship between the language and culture of the people, in studying the problems of national-cultural specificity of phraseological units. The phraseological units of the English language are an image that reflects the uniqueness of the life of the English people in the process of development as a separate nation. The purpose of the article is to show the relationship of phraseological units with the national character of the English and to show how phraseological units reflect the national mentality of the English people. In order to achieve the goal of this work, the following tasks have been set: - to study the theoretical opinions of linguists on the topic of phraseology; - to identify the phraseological units of the English language with national-cultural shades; - to analyze the phraseological units identified during the research.

All-Turkish Lexical Layer in Turkic Languages and Uzbek Language Dialects

Abstract It is known that the study of dialects is one of the urgent issues of today's linguistics. World linguistics has made significant progress in the field of dialectology in the study of dialects, in creating a perfect areal description of dialectal phenomena. From the conducted research, a scientific conclusion can be drawn that it is possible to talk about the forms of language tools, i.e. the methods of expression, in the expression of all philosophical categories in the ancient monuments and in our current language. Like all philosophical concepts, the meaning of space and time is a linguistic image of the subjective perception of the objective world. That is why the linguistic research conducted in that direction requires communication with the sciences of philosophy, logic and psychology, leaving the framework of linguistics. Time-space-calendar words form a separate system in ancient Turkish written texts, and their comparative study with our current language is studied as an urgent issue of linguistics. Also "anda//anta" (at that time), "yil (year), kish (winter), kiçë//keçe (night), kuntuz (day), tun ortusi (midnight) ” words find their reflection in ancient monuments and lay the foundation for the emergence of representatives of the Turkic language, in particular, the Uzbek and Azerbaijani languages. In the system of means of expressing spatial concepts in the language, the phonetic space is considered the beginning, the beginning. That is, the phonetic space can be called the basis of space expression through language. At the same time, the grouping of words, morphological forms, syntactic units according to the time and space content, analysis of the specific aspects of those language units, many manifestations of concepts denoting the time and space content in the Azerbaijani language. The explanation of the forms of the edges was carried out based on the requirements of theoretical linguistics.

Quantifying Parental Perceptions of Their Experiences With Their Young Children's Use of Power Mobility Devices.

To quantify and explore parental perceptions of their experiences with their child's use of the Explorer Mini (EM) and a modified ride-on car (mROC) in young children with cerebral palsy. Data were gathered throughout a multisite, randomized, counterbalanced AB crossover 16-week clinical trial, wherein all participants used device A (EM) and device B (mROC) for 8-weeks each. Semistructured parent interviews were conducted at baseline (T0), post-intervention period 1 (T1), and post-intervention period 2 (T2). The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program was used to objectively analyze the transcribed interviews. Twenty-four child-parent dyads participated in the study. Parental perceptions were related to children's gross motor abilities, cognitive development scores, and device use order (EM-mROC or mROC-EM). Parents were positive about a potential means of helping their children. While most preferred the EM, opinions were contingent on the PM device, device use order, and child-centered factors.

Exploring Speech Acts in Suicide Notes from the Forensic Linguistics Approach: A Comparative Study of Chinese and American Cases

Suicide notes are the information left by people who commit suicide. In these notes, people employ various speech strategies to express their emotion and will. The strategies and content in suicide note vary with culture. Using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) and Chinese LIWC (CLIWC) programs, this study looks at the speech actions in suicide notes as well as the linguistic and affective traits of suicide notes from Chinese and American individuals. The results show that while expressive acts and social words are more prevalent in American notes, suggesting stronger social connectivity, forceful acts predominate in all countries. Chinese suicide notes, on the other hand, show more directed actions and a greater frequency of both good and negative feelings in these actions. Despite the study’s limitations due to the small sample size, it provides valuable insights into the cultural differences in the language of suicide and suggests directions for future research, including larger-scale analyses and the development of AI-driven tools for suicide prevention.

An Analysis of Cantonese Verbal Humor in Table for Six from the Perspective of Pragmatics

Table for Six is a Hong Kong comedy movie released in 2022. With a box office of 77 million Hong Kong dollars, it won the historical championship of Hong Kong comedy films and was well-received by the public upon its release. It is a superb example of a “Dayo Wong-style movie” , with a ton of amazing Cantonese verbal humor. The cooperation principle, a crucial pragmatics theory, is used in this study along with qualitative research methodologies to investigate the mechanism of verbal humor production in the Cantonese setting. The article strategically selects four very representative character dialogues in the movie and conducts an in-depth analysis of them using the cooperative principle’s quantity maxim, quality maxim, relation maxim and manner maxim, further broadening the scope of linguistics research in the Cantonese context.

Bilingual and Binational Identity of Arabic-Speaking Immigrants: Language Contact and Mobility Perspectives

Growing applied linguistics research has discussed the upsurge of the usage of Arabic language among Arabic speakers in the United States (Bale, 2010; Sehlaoui, 2008); language contact and conflict among Arab Americans (AAs; Rouchdy, 2002); and how mobility—both virtual and physical—influences their identities (Duff, 2015). This study researches how AAs define their affiliation to the Arabic language in the United States to understand their attitudes on language variety and ethnic diversity, religion and identity, and stereotypes of Arabs. After analyzing interviews, all three AA participants self-selected their identity based on linguistic and physical contexts. Thus, the findings suggest further research on AAs should consider cyberidentity as a factor for bilingual speakers and compare it with Arabic speakers in their home country.

A Review of Empirical Research on English Writing Instruction Based on Cognitive Linguistic Approach

The complexities of writing pose various difficulties for those learning a second language, making it a principal area of academic research in linguistics. Lately, breakthroughs in the field of cognitive linguistics have spurred the development of innovative techniques and approaches to studying English composition instruction. Studies that integrate a cognitive linguistic approach (CLA), particularly the principles of schema theory, have demonstrated a considerable uplift in the proficiency, productivity, and overall competence of learners when it comes to writing. The objective of this paper is to methodically compile and integrate these research insights, with the goal of providing a foundation for further exploration in the sphere of cognitive linguistics and educational strategies.

Do physicians and patients speak different languages: quantitative evidence from linguistic analysis

Abstract Background Misunderstanding and miscommunication between physicians and patients are well-accepted sources of poor therapy adherence and poor outcomes. Some of these issues are suspected to occur because these two groups speak different "languages". A likely component of such language difference is vocabulary; specifically, the use of medical terminology. Nonetheless, there are other psychological aspects of language such as authoritative and emotional use. The text analysis programme, Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC), was used to assess such features. LIWC is an established tool that analyses the frequency of words that fall into various linguistic, psychological, and emotional categories. The aim was to compare text from both physicians and patients. The context was the use of anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods Three articles from English-speaking countries (Australia, Canada, and the UK) were examined. These articles presented transcribed verbal communications between interviewers and groups of physicians and patients. More than 80 separate comments, each ≥ 20 words, made by each group were extracted from the articles and analysed. The total number of words was 8,609 from physicians and 4,804 from patients. Data were collected for the following LIWC analysis categories: (1) the proportion of big words (words with ≥7 letters), (2) clout; high scores suggest that the speaker is confident, authoritative, and has a high level of social dominance. It implies that the individual is speaking from a position of strength or influence; and (3) emotion: this category is integral to understanding how people communicate feelings and emotions. Results As anticipated the number of big words was higher in physician interviews (19±1%) than for patients (12±1%; P=0.0013). The clout indicator also showed the physicians with a higher score (43±6 vs 16±6; P=0.028). In contrast, in the emotion category, patient scores (1.19±0.02) were higher than for physicians (0.58±0.15; P=0.016); primarily because of a three-fold higher negative emotion score (0.53±0.08 vs 0.16±0.11; P=0.048). Conclusions Physicians and patients used language differently. As expected, vocabulary differed; physicians used more big words. This is consistent with greater use of medical terminology, a known source of miscommunication. The higher physician clout score indicates the potential for a power imbalance. The greater use of emotion-related words by patients is consistent with their anxiety and concern. Human judgment and contextual analysis are required to fully understand and address the nuances of communication and associated understanding. Nevertheless, LIWC can play a supportive role. If we identify language patterns likely to result in miscommunication or misunderstanding, steps can be taken to mitigate the effects. LIWC provided quantitative insight into qualitative impressions and revealed subtle, but potentially vital, differences.

Decoding Metadiscourse Markers in Estonian Academic Texts: A Language-Specific Perspective

This article presents the development of a specialized data set for analyzing Estonian metadiscourse markers in academic usage, extending Hyland's interpersonal metadiscourse model to a non–Indo-European language. Our goal is to show how metadiscourse, as a feature of a writing tradition, can reveal aspects of writing in languages other than English, complementing the traditionally Anglo-centric perspective in metadiscourse research. By analyzing 21 Estonian linguistics research articles, we offer a transparent procedure to address methodological issues in metadiscourse studies and demonstrate the need for language-specific adjustments in the framework. We introduce statistical methods for analyzing multidimensional associations among marker categories, linguistic level, and rhetorical text structure. The findings suggest that Hyland’s metadiscourse model can be adjusted for specific languages, highlighting the influence of language structure on metadiscourse category variation and linguistic expression levels. The study reinforces that the distribution and manifestation of metadiscourse are shaped, among other factors, by unique writing traditions.

Computational hermeneutics of emotion: a comparative study of emotional landscapes in the Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment”

This study employs computational hermeneutics to explore emotional representations in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Using advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, including sentiment analysis powered by the BERT model and other tools, we examine the emotional and existential aspects embedded in the narrative. Our approach combines computational tools with traditional hermeneutic methods to deconstruct the emotional journey of the protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov. We quantitatively analyze his emotional evolution before and after the pivotal crime, mapping his psychological transition from detachment to engagement. The study focuses on four key emotional dimensions: Attitude, Introspection, Sensitivity, and Temper. By transforming qualitative textual data into a quantitative framework, we provide a novel illustration of Raskolnikov’s psychological progression from a state of depersonalization to full emotional contact. This computational analysis is contextualized within a broader philosophical interpretation, drawing on concepts such as Stoic apatheia and Heideggerian Sorge. Our research serves a dual purpose: it enhances our understanding of Dostoevsky’s work while demonstrating the potential of computational methods in literary analysis. By bridging digital humanities and traditional literary criticism, this study contributes to the growing field of digital hermeneutics and opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research in literature, philosophy, and computational linguistics.

Artificial Intelligence and Linguistic Landscape research

Abstract This article explores applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Linguistic Landscape research. Traditionally, LL research has relied on manual data collection and analysis, often involving photographs of public signage, advertisements, and other visual language displays. However, this manual approach can present challenges, including time-consuming data collection, inconsistent data quality, and potential researcher bias. Two AI technologies in particular hold promise for addressing these challenges in LL research: computer vision (CV) and large language models (LLMs). CV automates the identification and extraction of text from images, improving data accuracy and enabling large-scale image analysis. LLMs, based on natural language processing, can detect, translate, and interpret multilingual text. This article explores the affordances and challenges of using AI technologies in LL research and discusses methods to improve data collection, enhance accuracy, and support the analysis of multilingual environments. It also raises ethical issues and limitations of the technologies.

Foundations and Frameworks of ELT and Applied Linguistics Research: Principles, Processes and Practices

This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the core principles, processes, and practices that characterize research in English Language Teaching (ELT) and Applied Linguistics. The article highlights the key distinctions between scholarship, aimed at personal knowledge acquisition, and research, which generates socially useful knowledge. Research in applied linguistics is problem-oriented, focused on addressing practical language-related challenges such as language acquisition, teaching methodologies, and multilingual communication. The paper emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of applied linguistics, integrating insights from fields like psychology, sociology, and computer science to provide comprehensive solutions. Methodological diversity is a hallmark of this research, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, including case studies, surveys, and experimental studies. The research cycle, from identifying a problem to collecting and analyzing data, is systematically outlined. Key areas of ELT research-such as second language acquisition, curriculum development, and language assessment-are discussed, underscoring the field's contributions to both theory and practice. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of applying research findings to improve language education, develop policies, and enhance communication across diverse linguistic contexts Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 11, Issue-4: 126-135.

Evaluating for Evidence of Sociodemographic Bias in Conversational AI for Mental Health Support.

The integration of large language models (LLMs) into healthcare highlights the need to ensure their efficacy while mitigating potential harms, such as the perpetuation of biases. Current evidence on the existence of bias within LLMs remains inconclusive. In this study, we present an approach to investigate the presence of bias within an LLM designed for mental health support. We simulated physician-patient conversations by using a communication loop between an LLM-based conversational agent and digital standardized patients (DSPs) that engaged the agent in dialogue while remaining agnostic to sociodemographic characteristics. In contrast, the conversational agent was made aware of each DSP's characteristics, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and annual income. The agent's responses were analyzed to discern potential systematic biases using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count tool. Multivariate regression analysis, trend analysis, and group-based trajectory models were used to quantify potential biases. Among 449 conversations, there was no evidence of bias in both descriptive assessments and multivariable linear regression analyses. Moreover, when evaluating changes in mean tone scores throughout a dialogue, the conversational agent exhibited a capacity to show understanding of the DSPs' chief complaints and to elevate the tone scores of the DSPs throughout conversations. This finding did not vary by any sociodemographic characteristics of the DSP. Using an objective methodology, our study did not uncover significant evidence of bias within an LLM-enabled mental health conversational agent. These findings offer a complementary approach to examining bias in LLM-based conversational agents for mental health support.