Mixed Game Model Research Articles

The ethnopragmatics of Akan leave-takings and farewells

Abstract The paper examines leave-takings and farewells as linguistic routines in Akan. It emerged from my previous works on ethnopragmatics of Akan linguistic routines, namely apology, requests, greetings, thanking, advice, compliments, etc. This paper adopted Weigand’s (2010) Mixed Game Model, which deals with dialogic action games. It employs qualitative approaches including interviews, observation, and the recording of natural ethnographic events in the Akan society. These include closings and farewells at funerals, durbars, visits, travelling, arbitrations, folksongs, etc. The paper discusses the ethnosemantics of the leave-takings and farewell expressions. The findings of this paper will contribute to the use of dialogic action games in discussing other linguistic routines. This study will help further research in leave-taking and farewell in other Ghanaian languages.

Yes(Rom.Da). Usages and functions in L2 proficiency examinations

AbstractThe article analyses a Romanian corpus of intercultural dialogues recorded in natural settings during language proficiency examinations and discusses the usages of the frequently occurring wordyes(Rom.da). The framework is provided by the Mixed Game Model (Weigand 2009,2010,2017,2018, among others) intersected with the socio-cognitive approach to intercultural communication (Kecskes 2007,2008,2010,2013, among others). Beyond the analysis of a single lexical unit in a limited collection of texts, the author aims to demonstrate how a particular word of the lexicon becomes a culturally-socially-cognitively-discursively-rhetorically situated utterance that acquires specific functions when it is used by interlocutors who negotiate their communicative agendas to come not only to mutual understanding but also to achieve their convergent-divergent institutional purposes.

(Im)politeness mismatches in the multi-dialogic pragmatics of telecinematic satire

Abstract The paper addresses the problem of (im)politeness in light of mismatches between what we/others say and what we/others mean in a multi-dialogic search for meaning where humans integrate all their competence-in-performance and co-construct situated relationships in a more or less sustainable way. We examine how these processes occur by analyzing (im)politeness mismatches in telecinematic satire using dialogic speech act typology and methods of the Mixed Game Model to describe and explain the communicative meta-meaning of (im)politeness. We demonstrate that in satire the dialogic semantics of (im)politeness is polyvalent, interactant-relative, temporally variable, scalar and self-reflexive because it is part of integrational language-in-use engagement with the world through which humans construct multiple relational domains and relationships in them.

Optimal scheduling of data centers based on multiple games

With the increasing dominance of electricity retailers in the electricity market, it has become a new trend for the data center (DC) to participate in sales-side transactions. However, data center electricity retailers (DCERs) and DCs that purchase electricity by DCERs, as different stakeholders, will inevitably face conflicts of interest. To promote the benefit distribution of DCs and DCERs to achieve a win–win situation, our study proposes an optimal scheduling method based on multiple games and establishes a mixed game model by integrating the master–slave game method and the cooperative game method, in which DCERs take profit maximization as the optimization goal, while Internet DCs take the lowest total cost as the optimization goal. The master–slave game is adopted between the DCER and the DC, and the cooperative game is adopted among the members of the DC. The benefits are distributed through Nash bargaining. The model is solved by using the particle swarm optimization algorithm combined with the alternating direction method of multipliers. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method, we provide an illustrative example that showcases its ability to not only increase DCER revenue by 136.04% but also decrease total DC costs by 9.39%. As a result, our method facilitates a more equitable distribution of cooperation revenues.

Cluster head selection method of multiple UAVs under COVID-19 situation

As COVID-19 continues to spread, people are unable to move freely when their residence region is temporarily lockdown, supplies cannot normally enter into such zones, leading to the shortage of supplies in these areas. Thus to ensure the delivery of supplies while reducing contact, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deliveries have become a common way. In order to efficiently use UAV resources and reduce energy loss in data transmission while performing the tasks, clustering is often used for achieving the above objectives, where the selected cluster heads centrally plan tasks so that reduce the communication times. However, problems such as unreasonable clustering, high energy consumption of cluster heads, and high mortality of cluster heads, directly lead the low cooperation efficiency and short life cycle of UAVs. Considering the nodes often died earlier through the k-means algorithm and ant colony algorithm, and highly dependent on the base station, these factors affect the working cycle and coordination efficiency of the UAVs. Facing the issues above, the cluster head selection algorithm of UAV based on game (CHSA) is proposed, where the mixed game model is adopted to select cluster heads for each region after regional division, and selecting the representative node to perform the cluster head selection algorithm, which help to reduce the energy consumption of each round of communication between nodes. Moreover, the key properties of the CHSA algorithm are proved, and the comparison experiment are conducted to prove the CHSA algorithm can effectively reduce energy consumption and prolong the network life cycle.

Implementation strategy and emission reduction effectiveness of carbon cap-and-trade in heterogeneous enterprises

In this research, a carbon emission reduction supply chain mechanism formed by government and enterprises is developed. Using a mixed game model, we study the impact of enterprise heterogeneity and social willingness-to-pay for environmental measures on the implementation strategy and effectiveness of cap-and-trade mechanism. The choice and effectiveness of the strategies are cross-influenced by the aforementioned two factors. The former has thresholds, which serve as a basic guarantee and adjustment; the latter is a key factor affecting government and enterprise decision-making and the fairness of the sharing of emission reduction responsibilities. The quotas allocation in compliance with the rule mainly affects the allocation of industry profits and consumers’ active payment among enterprises, and is an effective tool for achieving two-way incentives. The difference between quotas and the voluntary reduction of emissions is the main reason for the surplus or shortage of quotas. We propose an emission reduction integration mechanism, which is based on the social willingness-to-pay for environmental measures, the difference of carbon emissions per unit and the quota allocation schemes, can avoid negative incentives and lack of fairness. The emission reduction mechanism can only reduce the loss of social welfare, but the government can launch appropriate emission reduction practices based on the conception of carbon neutrality to improve social welfare.

“What I advise you to do is…”

Abstract The current study aims to examine the realization of the speech act of advising among Egyptian university teachers. To this end, 50 Egyptian university teachers at a private university completed eight role-plays in which they gave solicited advice to their fellow teachers. The role-plays were recorded and later transcribed. The data were coded for the advising strategies as well as the initiators and internal/external modifiers. The results showed the participants’ preference for the use of direct advising. The results also showed a minimal influence for the advisor’s gender and years of teaching experience on the participants’ advising preferences. A major influence, however, was observed for the variable of social dominance as represented in the advisee’s academic rank. The results are interpreted in terms of the Mixed Game Model and earlier studies on the speech act of advising.

Cross-linguistic influence and the MGM

Abstract Language learning is an interactive, social effort and the role of grammar is no longer focused. Nowadays we consider most language learners to be pluricultural beings aiming at communicative language competence (cf. CEFR 2018) in another language. The role of grammar, thus, plays a subordinate role. Authentic language usage requires the analysis of authentic dialogues (via the Mixed Game Model, MGM) and awareness-raising regarding the phenomenon of language transfer (via Crosslinguistic-influence approaches). These two approaches will be merged within the article – addressed to linguists as well as language teachers.

Dialogue and Artificial Intelligence

Abstract The article focuses on a few central issues of dialogic competence-in-performance which are still beyond the reach of models of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Learning machines have made an amazing step forward but still face barriers which cannot be crossed yet. Linguistics is still described at the level of Chomsky’s view of language competence. Modelling competence-in-performance requires a holistic model, such as the Mixed Game Model (Weigand 2010), which is capable of addressing the challenge of the ‘architecture of complexity’ (Simon 1962). The complex cannot be ‘the ontology of the world’ (Russell and Norwig 2016). There is no autonomous ontology, no hierarchy of concepts; it is always human beings who perceive the world. ‘Anything’, in the end, depends on the human brain.

The theory myth

Abstract First of all, I would like to make clear that this paper is meant as a response to the attack against the Mixed Game Model (Weigand 2010) launched by Harrissians in their articles of the Special Issue of this journal (2018, 1). When I became aware of the fact that against their dogmatic position no argument can take effect, I decided not to take part directly in such a pseudo-debate but to respond in a discussion article in the next issue (see the preface of the special issue). I am writing this discussion article not in the futile hope of changing the minds of Harrissian hardliners, but because I feel obliged to the other contributors of the Special Issue who made a plea for the MGM. Moreover, I feel obliged to the readers of this journal to defend my position regarding basic issues of linguistics. I’ll focus on central points and refer to my book on “Dialogue: The Mixed Game” for details.

Complexity Analysis About Nonlinear Mixed Oligopolies Game Based on Production Cooperation

Under the influence of “the Belt and Road Initiative” launched by Chinese Government, many Chinese oligopoly enterprises begin to select certain international partners and transfer some low-end production to overseas, while keeping some of the high-end links domestic. Therefore, these enterprises form competition at both sides. To represent such a competitive status, we establish a four-oligopoly mixed game model of upstream and downstream, and examine the complexity of its characteristics. After identifying the importance of the parameters, we consider the stable region of three dimensions and based on which find the equilibrium point. The influence of the parameters on the stability of the system is then studied. Using two parameter bifurcation diagrams, we find the largest Lyapunov exponent of the two parameters, which represents the path of the system and the complexity of the system. We also discuss the effect of the system instability on the average profit of the two sides with 3-D and 4-D average profit graphs.

Theorising the untheorisable

Abstract In this article, I offer a critical discussion of the work of prominent dialogue theorist Edda Weigand from an integrational linguistic perspective. The discussion centres upon Weigand’s ‘Mixed Game Model’ (MGM), a model which is claimed to constitute a holistic theory of dialogue and to describe how language is integrated in a general theory of human action. I am particularly interested in determining how much (un)common ground exists between the two approaches especially since both style themselves as ‘non-orthodox’ and accord considerable theoretical importance to the notion of ‘integration’. In the end, I come to the conclusion that despite what turn to be some rather superficial areas of convergence, the gap between integrationist and Weigandian thought remains considerable and most likely unbridgeable. I suggest that this state of affairs can be explained by the highly divergent views concerning the nature of linguistic inquiry and the role of theory therein held by those in the respective camps.

The persuasive use of pronouns in action games of election campaigns

Abstract Action games of election campaigns are one of the best venues for politicians to team up with specialists in communication studies in order to build, review, construct or deconstruct their own or their opponent’s image with the purpose of persuading the electorate to vote for a certain political group. Various action games of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign are analysed with regard to different dialogic means used by the speaker in order to persuade the audience to vote for him. For instance, he evokes nationalistic views in his speeches and skilfully uses pronouns in order to establish his role as dominant, strong, and credible nominee for presidency. Since we focus on a particular practice in dialogic language use, we will show that the Mixed Game Model (MGM) is more appropriate to study the argumentative power of words than integrationism.

Foreign language teaching – Integrationism vs. MGM

Abstract Modern language teaching is no longer grammar based, but based on authentic real life dialogues (dialogic speech acts) which enable learners to communicate or rather to interact verbally and nonverbally competent with native speakers. The conception of language teaching curricula, especially with regard to the development of textbooks, is in need of an applicable model of communication, based on regularities or principles of language-usage. Both, Integrationism and the Mixed Game Model (MGM) opt against segregational static approaches of linguistic analysis and – at first glance – could be considered suitable approaches within the field of language teaching. Yet, I will argue that the Integrational approach is hardly applicable here, whereas the MGM perfectly suits the needs of foreign language textbook authors and editors.

Intercultural Competence for Teachers of German as a Foreign Language – Mixed Game Model and Multi-Collectivity

Intercultural Competence for Teachers of German as a Foreign Language – Mixed Game Model and Multi-Collectivity

The language of Akan herbal drug sellers and advertisers

Abstract This paper addresses the language and pragmatic strategies used by Akan herbal drug sellers to persuade would-be-buyers. It adopts the theoretical framework of Weigand’s Mixed Game Model (MGM) and defines persuasion as a variable of competence-in-performance, and language use as the basis of dialogic interaction. It investigates how sellers employ politeness, honorifics, humour, digression, personification, proverbs, metaphors and hyperbole in dialogic action games. The herbal drug sellers are grouped into three: (a) those normally plying on Ghana’s major roads and at bus stations, (b) those who are on radio and TV and (c) those who advertise on radio and TV. We will discuss excerpts of five recordings in the Akan language and translated into English.

Modified covariance intersection for data fusion in distributed nonhomogeneous monitoring systems network

SummaryMonitoring networks contain monitoring nodes that observe an area of interest to detect any possible existing object and estimate its states. Each node has characteristics such as probability of detection and clutter density that may have different values for distinct nodes in nonhomogeneous monitoring networks. This paper proposes a modified covariance intersection method for data fusion in such networks. It is derived by formulating a mixed game model between neighbor monitoring nodes as players and considering the inverse of the trace of fused covariance matrix as players' utility function. Monitoring nodes estimate the states of any possible existing object by applying joint target detection and tracking filter on their own observations. Processing nodes fuse the estimated states received from neighbor monitoring nodes by the proposed modified covariance intersection. It is validated by simulating target detection and tracking problem in 2 situations: 1 target and unknown number of targets.

Examination of Restaurants Online Pricing Strategies: A Game Analytical Approach

ABSTRACTThis article studies the optimal pricing strategy employed by restaurants in cooperation with third-party websites. Using a mixed game model that consists of a Nash game among multiple restaurants and a Stackelberg game between these restaurants and a third-party website, this paper describes the cooperation and competition among the participants. Results suggest that the restaurants may not always provide price discounts for the third-party website because of the switching behaviors of their offline loyal customers. Moreover, the cooperation between a restaurant and a third-party website is encouraged only when the number of loyal customers is smaller than a threshold, which also depends on restaurant capacity.

Dialogue in the stream of life

The paper considers dialogue from the point of view Wittgenstein has called ‘the stream of life’ and aims at describing analytically what happens in complex dialogues of performance. A short overview is given of approaches which use the term ‘communities’ to structure performance, e.g. ‘communities of practice’ or ‘speech communities’. Contrary to these approaches which are either oriented towards parts of the whole, such as speech, or address the whole only vaguely by terms of the social context, a genuinely holistic theory needs a solid constitutive basis which is considered to be the sequence of action and reaction in the complex whole of the action game. Language use means dialogic action. By analysing a complex authentic action game the methodology of such a holistic theory like the Mixed Game Model can be demonstrated in detail.

Pragmatics re-established on its feet

The “Mixed Game Model” as a linguistic theory conceptualizes the natural ability of human beings: “competence-in-performance”. The theory rests on a holistic view of language and dialogue that takes into account the physically and socially complex and more or less chaotic universe we live in. Competence-in-performance is thereby rooted in human biology. This ability enables people to communicate in an extremely context-sensitive manner. It rests on the subtle integration of three fundamental registers of human mental functioning in dialogic communication: perception (including emotional perception), cognition, and natural language. This explains why the theory is called the Mixed Game. The Mixed Game defines language as dialogue, conceptualizing the components of natural language along action and reaction. The book gives us a new foundation to the pragmatics of the human communication system, a rigorous systematic methodology to study all kinds of dialogues, from the simplest to the more sophisticated, from the most informal to the most institutional or professional. This book also suggests various theoretical and practical developments. It is useful not only for linguists, but also for all researchers in psychology, sociology, and more generally in all the human sciences.