Local Dialect Research Articles

Gritty Philadelphia: Orientation to local ideology as a predictor of sound change

Abstract Local orientation has been shown to influence speakers’ participation in local dialect norms and ongoing sound changes since the beginning of modern sociolinguistics (e.g., Labov, 1963). I argue here that local orientation is best understood as an orientation to the ideological imagined place, rather than to the actual physical hometown itself. Analysis of the effect of orientation to the imagined Philadelphia shows that speakers’ personal orientation impacts their adoption of an ongoing change. This change is best understood when orientation is considered alongside a major structural influence on young speakers—secondary school attendance—using a bipartite network analysis. The sound change under investigation, a change in the conditioning of a split in /æ/, is highly abstract and complex, making it an unlikely candidate for overt or intentional identity work. Nevertheless, a regression analysis finds strong effects of both structural influences and personal orientation on speakers’ advancement in this abstract change.

Development and cultural adaptation of the Saudi pediatric speech intelligibility test.

To report the development and administration of the Saudi pediatric speech intelligibility (SPSI) test. This study was carried out at King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 2021 and 2023. A pilot study was carried out in 5 regions of Saudi Arabia including 100 normal hearing children aged 7-11 years old, with 20 children from each region. The final test materials were voice-recorded by a native Saudi radio announcer, and a software-based application for administering the SPSI was developed. During the pilot study, minor adjustments were carried out to the test for more clarity. The developed SPSI software is an android-based application that includes features like automatic result calculation, data saving, and individual user accounts for examiners to review results. The SPSI test comprises 4-word cards and 2 sentence cards, each with 5 pictures, and operates in 3 modes: quiet, background noise, and competing sentences. The SPSI test has been developed in an android-based software using the Saudi local dialects. It can facilitate comprehensive and accurate assessment of speech intelligibility, particularly in children with hearing impairments.

The Jama Mapun's Kana-kanahan Ni Uruhan: the Culture of Storytelling

This paper explored the Jama Mapun legends which despite their existence in antiquity remained to complement the Jama Mapun’s culture but may vanish over time because they are not written. Sometimes in 1976, the late anthropologist Professor Arsenio E. Manuel here in the Philippines encouraged the collecting and recording of oral tradition countrywide which served as one of the bases in launching this study. At least five legends were collected and analyzed with Lavob’s Narrative Model of Analysis which is used to answer the following research questions: the linguistic features of the legends, the classification and themes of legends, and how they connect to the culture of the Jama Mapuns, and what does the legend embody within the cultural tradition of the Jama Mapun. The findings of the analysis show that the legends portray themes of the transgression of traditional belief, leadership skills, jealousy, ungratefulness, and justice. The transcribed legends reveal prevalent linguistic features of affixations, circumfixation, and reduplication of words, which sorting and correctness were accurate per verification with the grammar rules compilation of Millard A. Collins. and Virginia R. Collins (2001) lexicographers of Mapun-English Dictionary. Additionally, the dialect’s verbs are not tense-aspect as a result, particles ‘lai’, ‘lai’, ‘bay’, and ‘bawoy’ are used to recoup the function of verbs, which features among others, are identical to some other Philippine local dialects as with the seminal work of Lawrence A. Reid, & Hsiu-Chuan Liao (2004)., authors A Brief Syntactic Typology of Philippine Languages.

Generative adversarial networks for whispered to voiced speech conversion: a comparative study

AbstractGenerative Adversarial Networks (GANs) have demonstrated promising results as end-to-end models for whispered to voiced speech conversion. Leveraging non-autoregressive systems like GANs capable of performing conditional waveform generation eliminates the need for separate models to estimate voiced speech features, and leads to faster inference compared to autoregressive methods. This study aims to identify the optimal GAN architecture for the whispered to voiced speech conversion task by comparing six state-of-the-art models. Furthermore, we present a method for evaluating the preservation of speaker identity and local accent, using embeddings obtained from speaker- and language identification systems. Our experimental results show that building the speech conversion system based on the HiFi-GAN architecture yields the best objective evaluation scores, outperforming the baseline by $$\sim$$ ∼ 9% relative using frequency-weighted Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Log Likelihood Ratio, as well as by $$\sim$$ ∼ 29% relative using Root Mean Squared Error. In subjective tests, HiFi-GAN yielded a mean opinion score of 2.9, significantly outperforming the baseline with a score of 1.4. Furthermore, HiFi-GAN enhanced ASR performance and preserved speaker identity and accent, with correct language detection rates of up to $$\sim$$ ∼ 98%.

Digital Evolution: Exploring the Impact of Social Media on Local Dialects and Lexicon; An Examination of Central Kurdish Language

This study suggests a digital linguistic approach to multi-mediated communication (MMC), drawing on a case study of language variation on social media. In the early 21st century, social media (SM) has significantly impacted various aspects of human life, including language, as articulated within the theoretical framework of digital linguistics and language variation. This study explores the influence of SM on Kurdish local dialects in Iraqi Kurdistan, with a focus on vocabulary evolution and the ongoing challenge of dialect standardization. Given the high unemployment rates in Iraq, which have led to increased SM engagement, this research examines how these platforms affect dialect usage across diverse demographic groups. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates qualitative content analysis and quantitative surveys to assess SM's role in shaping linguistic practices. Findings reveal thatolder generations are more likely to maintain traditional dialects, while younger users increasingly adopt standardized Kurdish forms. The study highlights SM's dual impact: promoting linguistic convergence while posing risks to dialectal diversity. It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that supports regional dialects alongside the benefits of standardization, advocating for strategic initiatives to preserve linguistic heritage while adapting to digital influences.

بولی اورزبان: اردو کے سیاق میں تجزیہ

The initial level of language is called dialect, which helps in maintaining and maintaining daily activities, business transactions, and social relations. The majority of people depend on it. Language derives its energy from local dialects. The range of language is wide and dialect is limited. There can be many dialects in a language area, but there cannot be many languages in a dialect area. Language is the queen of expressing every concept and feeling. Language covers educational, administrative, judicial, political and literary aspects. Script is necessary for language. Due to writing, language documents are preserved and the vocabulary is also increasing day by day. Dialect is mainly verbal expression. However, it is not necessary that every dialect is devoid of writing. Normally its written forms appear in private letters and folk literature.

Is dialect proficiency associated with improved executive function?

Abstract A broad and extensive literature has investigated the cognitive consequences of bilingualism on cognitive control. Results from these studies, while controversial, support the conclusion that speaking a second language confers non-linguistic benefits. Whether other related linguistic experiences, such as dialect use, confer similar benefits remains an underexplored and open question. The common use of a diverse range of local dialects across China provides ideal conditions under which to explore this question. Using a dialectally heterogeneous sample of Mandarin-English bilingual young adults (n = 74), the present study investigated whether differences in dialect proficiency impacted on inhibition and attentional control while accounting for variation in language experience. Dialect proficiency was not associated with improved performance on the Simon task, Attention Network Test, or Flanker task, suggesting no benefits in inhibition or attentional control. Considerations for future studies investigating the influence of Chinese dialect experience on cognitive control are discussed.

Violent Extremism: Work Stories of Women Police Officers in a Mobile Force Company in Eastern Philippines

This study delved into the work experiences of women police officers assigned in mobile force companies in the entirety of Samar. Criticized for its underperforming economy due to insurgent threats, this district provided a backdrop for exploring the role of women police officers in counter-insurgency programs. The research employed a phenomenological, qualitative approach to uncover deeper insights.This study used phenomenological research design. Ten (10) women police officers from various areas in Samar, including Allen, Pambujan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Dolores and Quinapondan were chosen as informants. These officers, with a minimum of two years of experience, were selected from the Samar provincial police records.Interviews were conducted and recorded using a smartphone application, ensuring detailed and accurate transcriptions. Most responses were in English, with a small portion in the local dialect, which was translated for clarity.The study identified nine emergent themes: Community Engagement and Trust, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Community Resilience and Peacebuilding, Mental Health and Resilience, Gender Dynamics and Cultural Sensitivity, Operational Challenges and Adaptation, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Strategic and Tactical Innovation and Women's Leadership and Empowerment . These themes highlighted the importance of of the role of women police officers between the police and community, acknowledged the risks in implementing counter-insurgency programs, and noted the challenges of funding and aligning with government initiatives. The officers expressed continuous effort and aspiration in their roles, emphasizing the need for recognition in the role of women police officers.

SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND LINGUISTIC PARTICULARITIES OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN-SAXON VILLAGE TEKENDORF/TEACA

Since the researchers have dealt with the problem of the Transylvanian Saxons, their opinions have diverged, especially regarding the origin of the name Tekendorf/Teaca itself. Since this research direction has remained relatively inconclusive, the experts devoted themselves to study the Saxon dialect. In this case, they found clear similarities with the dialect spoken in Luxembourg or with the Moselle-Franconian linguistic region, which prompted them to determine the original home of the Transylvanian Saxons in this area. Later though linguistic research also revealed other influences, so it was concluded that the descent cannot be traced back to this area alone. The exceptions that led to this conclusion are in Northern Transylvania, where for example Baierdorf / Baidref / Crainimăt / Királynémeti or Tekendorf / Tengdraf / Teaca / Teke are located. In the latter case, not only does the name point to Bavaria through its striking resemblance to the town of Deggendorf, but also the local dialect, which differs from that spoken by the Transylvanian Saxons. The aim of the present work is to emphasize the special position of Tekendorf in relation to the other German Transylvanian settlements, especially concerning the linguistic peculiarities.

Barriers and facilitators of hypertension screening and referral by village health teams in Eastern Uganda: a COM-B analysis

AimThe study explored the barriers and facilitators to Village Health Teams’ involvement in hypertension screening and referral to a health facility in Eastern Uganda.MethodsThis was an exploratory qualitative study in June 2023 in Bugembe town council, Jinja city, Eastern Uganda. We conducted in-depth interviews with VHTs from four villages guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation behavioral change (COM-B) model framework. Interviews were conducted in both English and Lusoga, the local dialect, and were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then translated into English. The data was thematically analyzed, and themes on barriers and facilitators were mapped onto the COM-B model.ResultsWe interviewed 12 VHT members, predominantly female (83.3%), with a median age of 48 years. The participants demonstrated various limitations in both knowledge and practical experience on hypertension screening. Notably, VHTs needed a comprehensive understanding of hypertension, especially in interpreting blood pressure readings, and many demonstrated inexperience with blood pressure devices. Other barriers included societal misconceptions and stigma about hypertension and the lack of blood pressure machines. Motivationally, VHTs expressed feelings of undervaluation and the impact of societal attitudes towards hypertension in their work. Despite these challenges, there were facilitators, such as a basic understanding of hypertension, community trust, and support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their openness to training and intrinsic motivation to improve community health were notable strengths.ConclusionVillage health teams in Uganda need enhanced training on hypertension prevention and control, improved resource allocation, and motivation strategies to contribute to a reduction of its burden.

On determining of the protograph features based on the graphic-orthographic systems of manuscripts

This article is concerned with the study of medieval manuscripts and the determining of the features of protographs based on the graphic and orthographic systems of their scribal copies. The study involves three manuscripts created in Nuremberg in the 15th century. The texts of the mentioned manuscripts are copies from the first two complete translations of one of the medieval treatises. Based on the study of the graphic and orthographic systems of these texts, as well as some of their morphological features, the author of the article makes an attempt to establish the relationship between the texts under study, as well as to restore some of the features of their protographs. The sources of influence on the formation of the graphic and orthographic portrait of the scribe were identified as a result of the study of the graphic and orthographic features of the texts. Among them the author identifies the written tradition of the scriptorium, features of the local dialect and dialect areas, as well as characteristic features of the protograph. A separate group includes such a source of variability as the individual preferences of the scribe. Analysis of the graphic and orthographic portrait of each of the scribes who participated in the creation of the texts under study allows us to determine the approximate time and place of creation of the protograph, as well as changes characteristic of each stage of conscious processing of the text. As a result of the study, a diagram was drawn up that clearly demonstrates the relationships between the texts under study.

The use of artificial songs to assess song recognition in imprinted female songbirds: a concept proposal.

We propose an experimental paradigm to examine acoustic features responsible for song preference and recognition in songbirds. Song preference in female songbirds is often influenced by early song experience. That is why several Estrildid species, including our subject species, the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora), are known to show an imprinted preference for their father's songs. After confirming that Java sparrow females preferred their father's song compared to non-imprinted through song playbacks (first step), we repeated the playback tests in the same subjects using synthesized stimuli (second step). To create synthesized stimuli, we removed all the complex frequency modulations and subharmonics from song notes that we used for the first step playback tests to see the effect of spectrometric features on song recognition. The results indicated that females showed higher rate of calling towards synthesized father song stimuli, suggesting that the macroscopic patterns would play more important roles in song recognition than the microscopic acoustic features. Although we looked at spectrometric features and father-imprinted song preference in this study, similar testing can be applied in many ways to test preference for local dialects or subspecies-specific songs.

Comparative Study of Beijing Dialect Translation in Teahouse from the Aesthetic Perspective

As one of Lao She’s masterpieces, Teahouse is a gem and a milestone in Chinese drama which is renowned both domestically and internationally. This article examines the translation of Beijing dialects in two English versions of Teahouse translated by Ying Ruochen and Howard from the perspective of reception aesthetic theory. The results indicates that Ying’s version focuses on stage performance, using simple or concise language which to some extent differs from the aesthetic expectations of the target language readers, while Howard’s translation, aiming at readers’ acceptance, tends to employ formal expressions and lengthy sentence structures, which are less suitable for stage presentation and performance.By revealing the translation differences in local dialects in the versions under this theoretical framework, this paper is hoped to provide valuable insights for translation studies and practice.

Jacobson’s Distinctive Features and the Analysis of assimilation in Kurdish Bahdini local dialect

Distinctive Features are generally used to describe the smallest units of sound in both phonetic and phonological analyses which aims to differentiate between the meaning of one word and another in a certain language. The topic of distinctive features has always caught the interest of phonologists and many schoolars used these features as the smallest units of sounds in order to describe sound features in all human languages. This research is an attempt to represent the distinctive features of Kurdish language, as well as to explain assimilation through Jacobson,s Distinctive Features in order to reach some phonological rules in Kurdish language. Samples are taken and analysed from revels written by speakers from the center of Duhok in order to represent the distinctive features of the sounds which affect the adjacent sounds, as well as creating the rules of the sounds which affect each other. Jacobson’s features are mainly based on a acoustic description of sounds. The most important hypotheses of this research show that this theory meets the following requisitions: Distinctive Features (DFs) can describe a natural class of sounds. They can also describe the distinctions of sounds in all languages of the world and these features can be defined phonological. In conolusion it is clear that in Bahdini local dialect, The changes often affect the sound which carries the feature (±voiced) of stop and fricative sounds in general, and upon the feature (+voiced) of fricative in novel particularly.

Contextualizing family planning messages for the BornFyne-PNMS digital platform in Cameroon: a community-based approach

BackgroundFamily planning (FP) is crucial for reducing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, particularly through the prevention of unsafe abortions resulting from unwanted pregnancies. Despite Cameroon’s commitment to increasing the adoption of modern FP strategies, rural and poor populations still exhibit low demand due to limited access to healthcare services. This study documents the approach in developing family planning messages for the BornFyne prenatal management system as a platform to improve family planning awareness and enhance uptake.MethodThis is a mixed-methods study that employed the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study included a cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions in four districts of Cameroon. The survey explored household perspectives of FP and the use of mobile phone. Focus group discussions involved women, men, and community health workers to gain in-depth insights. Thematic analysis using themes from the HBM guided the analysis, focusing on perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action.ResultsThe survey included 3,288 responses. Thematic analysis of focus group discussions highlighted knowledge gaps and areas requiring additional information. Identified gaps informed the development of targeted FP messages aligned with BornFyne objectives and the Health Belief Model. Results revealed that most respondents recognized the benefits of FP but faced knowledge barriers related to side effects, cultural influences, and communication challenges between partners. Focus group discussions further highlighted the need for education targeting both men and women, dispelling misconceptions, and addressing adolescent and youths’ ignorance. The study emphasized the importance of tailored messaging for specific demographic groups and culture.ConclusionDeveloping effective FP intervention messages requires a nuanced understanding of community perspectives. The BornFyne-PNMS family planning feature, informed by the Health Belief Model, addresses knowledge gaps by delivering educational messages in local dialects via mobile phones. The study’s findings underscore the importance of community-based approaches to contextualizing and developing FP content targeting specific populations to generate tailored messages to promote awareness, acceptance, and informed decision-making. The contextualized and validated messages are uploaded into the BornFyne-family planning feature.

UNPACKING MULTILINGUAL INDONESIAN ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS ENGLISH AND ITS PROMISES

Issues regarding attitudes and perceptions about English and its cultural politics have been widely and significantly reported in literature. As an international language, English signifies multiple and complex benefits and challenges. This paper aims to extend the discussion by interrogating students’ attitudes and unpack their views towards promises of English in Indonesian Islamic higher education (HE) settings. Participants in this study were undergraduate English Literature students who had engaged with the introductory principles of (Critical) Applied Linguistics (CPL). Data was collected through questionnaires (with closed and open-ended questions) from 58 participants, 19 males and 39 females, and semi-structured interviews with four students. The findings elucidated different views on varieties of English as students showed a quite moderate view of varieties of English from non-inner circle countries instead of treating them as something deficient. Dependency on native speakers’ English variety, however, seems to be negotiated in that the participants view intelligibility as more important in communication than, for instance, correctness. Moreover, students in the present study view speaking English with a local accent as something acceptable. Although not absolutely certain, they still presume that having competence in English can offer better hope in their future.

Status of Coconut Farmer-Marketers: A Review Towards Sustainable Production Options

Coconut is one of the Philippines most significant crops, with the country ranking second largest producer of coconuts among Southeast Asian countries. However, quality of nuts produced dropped and competitive performance on the global scale was low. This study determined the production capability and challenges encountered by coconut farmer-marketers in the province of Capiz to provide insights into sustainable production options. This was a descriptive-correlational study, which utilized a validated and reliability tested researcher-made survey questionnaire translated to local dialect. The 382 respondents consisted of the members of the coconut farming associations in the province of Capiz. The data gathered were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, employing tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, t-test, Analysis of Variance and Pearson r. The results revealed that the coconut farmer marketers were capable of producing coconuts but encountered moderate levels of challenges. Differences were found in age, estimated monthly household income, and number of years as coconut farmer-marketers, and high to very high relationships were found between level of challenges encountered and production capability.

Department of Trade and Industry Livelihood Seeding Program- Negosyo Serbisyo Barangay: Insights to Sustainable Policy Directions

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated the Livelihood Seeding Program Negosyo Serbisyo Barangay (LSP-NSB) to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in disadvantaged areas of the Philippines. This study evaluated the program's progress and challenges faced by identified beneficiaries in Capiz province, aligning their experiences with the five strategic objectives of MSME Development Plan 2017-2022: improved business climate, access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, access to technology and innovation, and access to markets. The study offered evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance program efficiency and foster inclusive economic growth. This analyzed respondent and business profiles to recognize program implementation and challenges. It investigated if there is a significant link between implementation status and challenges faced by MSME beneficiaries. A descriptive-mixed method research design was employed, utilizing a validated and reliability-tested researcher-made survey questionnaire translated into the local dialect and conducted to 263 MSME beneficiaries, complemented by Focused Group Discussion, involving DTI implementers, beneficiaries, and barangay officials. Results showed that beneficiaries viewed the program as highly implemented overall, though facing moderate challenges, particularly in the business climate, access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, technology and innovation, and market access. Factors like educational attainment, number of dependents, business location, monthly income, and livelihood kit received affected the implementation. Similarly, number of dependents, industry sector, location of business, asset size, monthly income, and livelihood kit received impact challenges. A significant relationship was found between program status and challenges, notably in the business climate and market access.

The Lived Experiences of Discharged Patients on Quality Care in a Crowded Emergency Department

Background and Aim: In the Philippines, the problem of overcrowding in emergency rooms causes serious negative effects to delivering quality care to patients. The study aims to investigate the lived experiences of discharged patients from a crowding emergency rooms revealing the difficulties that patients encounter and offer critical insights to improve the standard of care and emergency department flow.  Method: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach, using semi-structured interviews to gather data from 16 participants who had recently been discharged from an overcrowded emergency department in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. The interviews were conducted in the local dialect, Bisaya, and were analyzed using Colaizzi's method for qualitative data analysis.  Results: The findings reveal key themes that emerged from the participants' responses; the stress and anxiety, the environmental stressors such as noise, overcrowding, lack of privacy, the Specific spaces like triage, examination rooms, and waiting areas, the technological environment, particularly equipment quality, the Extended waiting periods, rapid treatment progression, sudden discharge and contrasting temporal experiences. Lastly, human connection amidst chaos and feeling understood and cared for with kindness.  Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for improved patient flow management, enhanced environmental design, and a patient-centered approach to care delivery to prioritize patient comfort, reduce distress, and promote better outcomes especially for patients. It also shows how nurses care compassionately with patients amidst piling responsibilities in crowding emergency department.

Identity and cultural expression in Nigerian hip hop

This paper explores the profound influence of vernacular language on the construction of identity and ideology within Nigerian hip hop music. By analyzing the lyrics of prominent Nigerian hip hop artists, the study highlights how artists like Olamide, 9ice, and Tuface utilize Nigerian Pidgin and local dialects such as Yoruba to forge a distinct cultural and national identity. These artists not only celebrate their linguistic heritage but also leverage it as a form of resistance against linguistic and cultural imperialism, promoting a nationalist ideology that resonates deeply with their local audience. The paper argues that the incorporation of vernacular language in Nigerian hip hop goes beyond mere artistic choice; it serves as a critical tool for social and political commentary. This linguistic strategy enables artists to address and critique socio-economic inequalities and political issues, making hip hop a voice for the marginalized. Moreover, the study sheds light on how the use of local dialects and pidgin enhances the accessibility and relatability of the music, thereby strengthening the bond between artists and their audiences. This exploration into the intersection of language, identity, and ideology in Nigerian hip hop not only enriches our understanding of the genre's cultural significance but also underscores the dynamic role of language in shaping artistic and social landscapes. The paper contributes to broader discourses on language policy, cultural expression, and identity politics within the global context of hip hop.