Regional Languages Research Articles

Pre-Stimulus Activity of Left and Right TPJ in Linguistic Predictive Processing: A MEG Study.

The left and right temporoparietal junctions (TPJs) are two brain areas involved in several brain networks, largely studied for their diverse roles, from attentional orientation to theory of mind and, recently, predictive processing. In predictive processing, one crucial concept is prior precision, that is, the reliability of the predictions of incoming stimuli. This has been linked with modulations of alpha power as measured with electrophysiological techniques, but TPJs have seldom been studied in this framework. The present article investigates, using magnetoencephalography, whether spontaneous oscillations in pre-stimulus alpha power in the left and right TPJs can modulate brain responses during a linguistic task that requires predictive processing in literal and non-literal sentences. Overall, results show that pre-stimulus alpha power in the rTPJ was associated with post-stimulus responses only in the left superior temporal gyrus, while lTPJ pre-stimulus alpha power was associated with post-stimulus activity in Broca's area, left middle temporal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. We conclude that both the right and left TPJs have a role in linguistic prediction, involving a network of core language regions, with differences across brain areas and linguistic conditions that can be parsimoniously explained in the context of predictive processing.

Intergenerational Language Transmission of Frisian and Low Saxon in the Netherlands

An important mechanism for language maintenance is transmission from parents to their children. This mechanism is stronger for the regional language Frisian than it is for Low Saxon in the northern Netherlands. In this study, we assessed many variables potentially associated with parental language transmission for these regional languages. We analyzed questionnaire responses from around 25,000 Frisian and Low Saxon speakers participating in the Lifelines cohort study. Transmission was strongly associated with whether their children's other parent speaks the same language, and with the frequency of language use in different social contexts. Other important factors included language attitudes and the degree of urbanization of the respondent's neighborhood. Taken together, these findings suggest that language maintenance for Frisian and Low Saxon could potentially be bolstered by adequately stimulating positive language attitudes and the use of the language in different social contexts by both the government and smaller societal organizations.

Demystifying multilingual LIS journals in Scopus: Languages, coverage, metrics, and implications

This study aimed to investigate the languages, countries, geographic distribution, and commonly used journal metrics of multilingual Library and Information Science (LIS) journals indexed in Scopus. The Scimago Journal Rank (SJR) portal was used as a proxy for Scopus-indexed LIS journals. Through examination of the homepages of 249 LIS journals listed in SJR, 42 multilingual LIS journals were identified. For this study, multilingual journals were defined as those publishing in a combination of English and other languages. The findings revealed that although English-only journals have historically dominated the field, a significant number of multilingual journals have been indexed in Scopus over the past two decades. The 42 identified multilingual journals span 25 countries and encompass 18 languages, reflecting a diverse linguistic landscape in LIS scholarship. Notably, 67% are Open Access (OA) and affiliated with major publishers, including university presses. Spain and Brazil emerge as key players, accounting for 27% of all identified multilingual journals, highlighting the importance of their regional languages in LIS scholarship. However, the study also uncovered disparities in journal metrics and rankings, with multilingual journals consistently scoring lower than their English-only counterparts. Despite efforts to include regional and local journals in major databases, these results underscore the persistent challenges multilingual publications face in achieving and maintaining Scopus indexing.

Technology and Local Language: Development of An Android-Based Sundanese-English Electronic Dictionary for The Baduy Community in Indonesia

Although a large amount of research on Sundanese language has been conducted, little attention has been paid to technology-based Sundanese language use. Therefore, academic and practical efforts should be made to contribute to the preservation of regional language use by developing educational technology-based innovations. The purpose of this research is to develop an Android smartphone-based bilingual dictionary application to facilitate English learning and Sundanese language preservation, especially for the Baduy tribe community. This research is categorized into research and development using the Design Based Research (DBR) method. This research was conducted in four stages, namely: (1) initial analysis stage, (2) prototype design development stage, (3) trial stage, and (4) reflection stage. Research data were collected through instruments including literature studies, interviews, expert assessments, and questionnaires. Then the data was analyzed descriptively as material for developing Android dictionary prototypes to be tested and evaluated until a qualified application model was obtained. The results showed that the development of an Android smartphone-based Sundanese dictionary contributes to English learning and Sundanese language preservation. Implications and recommendations from this research and recommendations are also discussed for future research.

Monitoring equity in the delivery of health services: a Delphi process to select healthcare equity indicators.

Health equity is a key component of quality of care and an objective for a growing number of quality improvement projects for deontological, ethical, public health and economic reasons. To monitor equity in the delivery of health services in Switzerland, there is a need to implement valid, measurable and actionable equity indicators, along with vulnerability stratifiers such as migrant status, which could lead to differences in quality of care. The aim of this study was to develop a set of healthcare equity indicators and stratifiers targeting inpatient and outpatient populations and to test their feasibility. A scoping literature review and inputs from a national interprofessional expert taskforce provided a set of indicators and vulnerability stratifiers. The most valid and measurable indicators and stratifiers were retained using a Delphi process. They were then operationalised, and their implementation tested in three Swiss hospitals from the three language regions. A taskforce of 18 experts, including a patient representative, selected 11 indicators that evaluate structures, processes and outcomes, and five vulnerability stratifiers. Although most indicators and stratifiers could be implemented in all three hospitals, data availability was limited for some variables, including patient satisfaction and access to interpreters for foreign-language patients. The equity indicators and stratifiers identified by this two-stage process have content validity, wide patient coverage and are focused on inequities in the healthcare system that are actionable through improvement projects. Both the indicators and the project methodology could be replicated in institutions aiming for more equitable care.

A Typology Linguistic Study: Is the Sibolga Coastal Dialect Ergative?

This research explores the existence of ergative language features in the Sibolga Coastal dialect. Qualitative descriptive methods were used to analyze data obtained from nine folktale titles in Bunga Rampai Rakyat Tapanuli Tengah (The anthology of central Tapanuli folktales). Of the nine stories, ten clauses were found to show an ergative pattern, where the subject in the first clause acts as the object in the second clause. The findings show that the Sibolga Coastal dialect language has the characteristics of an ergative language in its structure, with a pattern where the subject of the first clause becomes the object of the following clause. These findings indicate a tendency to use ergative language features in the Sibolga Coastal dialect. This research concludes that the Sibolga Coastal dialect uses ergative language features, although in limited quantities. These findings contribute to understanding the syntactic structure of the Sibolga Coastal language and provide new insights into the phenomenon of ergative language in the local context. The implications of this research include supporting the development of linguistic studies and regional language studies and contributing to language teaching and translation in the region. Future research can be expanded to further investigate the features of ergative language in the Sibolga Coastal dialect and the context of its use in daily interactions.

Who Are They? Redefining Demarcation of Research Participant Characteristics and Related Conceptualizations

ABSTRACTIn any research that involves people, whether as respondents or participants, demarcation of their characteristics is crucial for necessary context. These can include their roles (e.g., patient, caregiver), relationships (e.g., partner), and demographics such as age range, [dis]ability, ethnicity, gender, language, race, socio‐economic group or geographic region. Yet, despite this need for precision, terminology used for demarcation is often treated as intuitive (“y'know”). For example, age demarcations seem to be obvious but are often laden with vagueness, lack of standardization, and/or acknowledgement of differences in age ranges. Some demarcations might also be influenced by country norms or by disciplinary interpretations (e.g., legal vs medical). Considering the emphasis on respect for diversity and the need for rigor in research it seems timely to open a discussion of the many questions to be answered when demarcating characteristics of research participants. Using examples, this panel will explore some applications and definitions of demarcations.

Новообразования в публицистических текстах региональных СМИ на эрзянском языке: словообразовательный аспект (на материале журнала «Сятко» / «Искра»)

The aim of the research is to identify the lexical peculiarity and word-formation processes in journalistic texts of regional mass media. The paper examines neologisms, lexical units created based on the internal resources of the regional (Erzya) language. The work emphasizes the important role of the media in preserving, enriching, and transmitting native languages. The scientific novelty of the research lies in conducting a structural and semantic analysis of neologisms, which, based on extensive linguistic material, allowed for identifying and characterizing the main productive word-formation models and methods of word formation in the modern language of the media in Erzya. As a result of the research, it was found that the most productive methods of word formation include suffixation, root affixation, compounding, and substantivization. It was also noted that the neologisms identified from journalistic texts perform a stylistic function of influencing the reader (listener) due to their rich emotional-expressive charge and wide semantic content.

Maintaining the Existence of Regional Languages in Lohiatala Village, Kairatu Barat District, West Seram Regency

Maluku as an archipelago region contains cultural richness from various aspects by its indigenous people, especially local languages ​​which are a means of conveying thoughts and ideas. Local languages ​​themselves have institutionalized identity values ​​within the indigenous people who adhere to them because reality shows that the language in question confirms its origin. The difficulty is the inability of society to adapt to the development of globalization without ignoring regional languages ​​as local wisdom and identity. Of course this shows a shift to the point of language extinction, the existence of indigenous countries is also threatened due to the loss of identity as a marker of their identity. From the description of the reality of this indigenous community, strategic steps need to be taken, namely consolidating the local language (Alune) of Lohiatala Country which in the past was used to interact by ancestors into written form, this is because in the present it is generally unknown to the younger generation or school-age children. Furthermore, it is followed up by writing a dictionary of local language vocabulary so that it can be studied by the community today and in the future. This activity will be carried out through one of the Tridharma of higher education, namely Community Service with a verification method (confirmation of the writing of the definition of the local language per vocabulary accompanied by its meaning in Indonesian) against the results of the search that has been carried out in 2023, and the publication of the dictionary book "Bahasa Alune Orang Lohiatala" with ISBN

OF THE DEAR DICTIONARIES. ON THE SPECIAL LEXICOGRAPHY OF GERMAN IN ROMANIA – AN ENCOURAGING REVIEW

Starting from some considerations about the historic language usus, the article presents the status and the peculiarities of Romanian German. Statements regarding the current linguistic status of the German language in Romania and its speakers are being made with regard to the present linguistic context, aiming to highlight the profile of German as a regional language and to point out the need for its lexicographic charting in specialised dictionaries.

Penerapan Kearifan Lokal di Bandar Udara Internasional Sam Ratulangi di Manado

Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado plays a strategic role as the main gateway for tourists visiting North Sulawesi, making significant contributions to local tourism and the economy. The implementation of local wisdom at this airport, such as the use of regional languages and the integration of cultural elements in terminal design, aims to enrich the tourist experience and showcase the cultural richness of North Sulawesi. However, challenges remain regarding capacity and service quality, as well as maintaining the authenticity of local culture. This study aims to analyze how the application of local wisdom at Sam Ratulangi International Airport impacts the tourist experience in North Sulawesi and to evaluate the local cultural values implemented at the airport in enhancing the visitor experience. The research design uses a qualitative approach with a case study method to assess the application of local wisdom at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado. The study, conducted in July 2024, combines interviews, observations, and documentation to gather data. Interviews with airport managers, local communities, and passengers provide insights into the impact of local wisdom. Observations focus on cultural elements at the airport, while documentation includes official data and relevant literature. Data validity is tested through triangulation of techniques and sources. Data analysis involves reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing to address or refine the research problem. The study findings indicate that the application of local wisdom at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, such as traditional Kolintang music, batik exhibitions, and the use of regional languages, enhances the tourist experience by creating a distinctive atmosphere that introduces North Sulawesi's culture. Local values such as "mapalus" (community cooperation) and "torang samua basudara" (we are all brothers) are reflected in the friendly and efficient service, leaving a positive impression and shaping tourists' views of the region as rich in culture and humanitarian values.

Deskripsi Media yang Digunakan oleh Guru Kelas I dalam Modul Ajar Pembelajaran Membaca di SDN 9 Sungai Ambawang

The learning media used includes human-based, print, visual, and audio-visual media, which are aimed at helping students understand the basic reading material. This study examines the use of learning media in teaching reading for grade 1 students of SDN 9 Sungai Ambawang, an elementary school in a rural area with limited facilities. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method, through observation and interviews with teachers. Data analysis is carried out qualitatively with the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that human-based media, such as lectures and discussions, were most predominantly used (56%), while visual and audio-visual media were underutilized (16% and 4%). Although the limitations of the means affect the use of more modern media, teachers' innovations in utilizing simple media are still effective in helping students learn to read. This study recommends increasing the use of visual and audio-visual media to increase students' interest and understanding, as well as the importance of paying attention to local contexts, including the use of regional languages in reading learning.

No evidence of altered language laterality in people who stutter across different brain imaging studies of speech and language.

A long-standing neurobiological explanation of stuttering is the incomplete cerebral dominance theory, which refers to competition between two hemispheres for 'dominance' over handedness and speech, causing altered language lateralization. Renewed interest in these ideas came from brain imaging findings in people who stutter of increased activity in the right hemisphere during speech production or of shifts in activity from right to left when fluency increased. Here, we revisited this theory using functional MRI data from children and adults who stutter, and typically fluent speakers (119 participants in total) during four different speech and language tasks: overt sentence reading, overt picture description, covert sentence reading and covert auditory naming. Laterality indices were calculated for the frontal and temporal lobes using the laterality index toolbox running in Statistical Parametric Mapping. We also repeated the analyses with more specific language regions, namely the pars opercularis (Brodmann area 44) and pars triangularis (Brodmann area 45). Laterality indices in people who stutter and typically fluent speakers did not differ, and Bayesian analyses provided moderate to anecdotal levels of support for the null hypothesis (i.e. no differences in laterality in people who stutter compared with typically fluent speakers). The proportions of the people who stutter and typically fluent speakers who were left lateralized or had atypical rightward or bilateral lateralization did not differ. We found no support for the theory that language laterality is reduced or differs in people who stutter compared with typically fluent speakers.

Language Performance and Disruption of Brain Connectivity in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract Objective To explore the correlation between brain connectivity and language difficulties in children with epilepsy. We hypothesize that the epileptic cortex (where seizures arise) becomes hyperconnected to left frontal and temporal language regions thus suppressing connectivity between language regions. We expect that connectivity is associated with language performance. Method Right-handed children with Self-Limited Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes (SeLECTS) recruited from a specialty clinic, and typically developing age and sex-matched controls (63 children, 9.3+/−2 years, 37% female) recruited from the community completed a language task (verb generation) and a resting task while undergoing an electroencephalogram. Phonological awareness was measured with the CTOPP-2. Connectivity between four regions – left frontal & temporal language regions and bilateral motor regions (epileptic cortices) – was measured using the weighted Phase Lag Index. We tested for group differences in connectivity in either task and for associations between connectivity and phonological awareness. Results SeLECTS had higher left frontal to left temporal connectivity than controls during verb generation (group difference = 0.07, 95% CI 0.02–0.11, p = 0.003) but not at rest. Right motor to left temporal connectivity was elevated in SeLECTS during verb generation (difference = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01–0.07, p = 0.008) and rest (difference = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.05, p = 0.001). Higher right motor to left temporal (−55.8, 95% CI -81.5 to −30.1, p < 0.0001) connectivity during verb generation was associated with poorer phonological awareness in SeLECTS but not controls. Resting connectivity was not associated with phonological awareness in either group. Conclusions Hyperconnectivity may contribute to language difficulties and electroencephalogram may be a biomarker for phonological awareness in children with epilepsy.

Faktor Kesulitan Siswa dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Arab di MTs Al-Manar Medan

This article explains the Factors of Student Difficulty in Learning Arabic at MTs Al-Manar Medan. This research is very important to carry out to find out the various factors that become obstacles for Mts Al-Manar Medan students in learning Arabic and find solutions. This study uses a qualitative method. Research participants were students of MTS Al-Manar Medan. Data collection methods and techniques were in the form of questionnaires distributed to students at Mts Al-Manar Medan and interviews conducted with several students and teachers teaching Arabic subjects. The findings from this research show that students’ difficulties in learning Arabic are influenced by five factors consisting of internal and external factors, namely, first, the students’ lack of memorizing Arabic vocabulary. Second, the lack of student interest in learning Arabic. Third, students come from various different elementary school educational backgrounds. Fourth, the teacher factor, which can be seen from teaching methods that are less attractive and the ability to manage the class that is not optimal. Fifth, environmental factors, for example the use of regional languages at home which is more dominant than Arabic

Clausal Postpositioning in German Regional Language

This article presents the results of a corpus study of clausal postpositioning, that is, the occurrence of a sentential constituent in the postfield of the matrix clause to which it is syntactically linked, in German regional language. Analysis of 11,027 clauses from 60 spoken regiolect and dialect texts reveals that clausal postpositionings occur most frequently as non-relative finite clauses, followed by relative clauses, and lastly, infinitival constructions. Notably, while non-relative finite clauses comprise a smaller proportion of postpositionings in regiolect compared to dialect, relative clauses and infinitival constructions show the opposite trend. Adjunct clauses occur most frequently, followed by complement clauses, in both regiolect and dialect. Furthermore, in both varieties, postpositioning is more prevalent in verb-first and verb-second clauses than in verb-final clauses. This finding is attributed to restrictions on syntactic subordination. Finally, non-relative finite clause and relative clause types that may be embedded in both the postfield and inner field are center-embedded at mean relative frequencies of 13.42% and 28.17%, respectively. These findings shed light on contradictory claims in the literature regarding the possibility and frequency of clausal embedding in the inner field.

A Study of the Regional Characteristics of Liu Xiaogeng's Choral Music Works

Background and Aim: This article takes the regional characteristics of Liu Xiaogeng's choral music works as the main research subject, aiming to sort out the regional music characteristics and regional performance characteristics of Liu Xiaogeng's choral music works, to better guide the creation of contemporary Chinese choral music works. Materials and Methods: The research method of this thesis is mainly the literature analysis method and qualitative analysis method. The literature analysis method is mainly used to collect and sort out the information about Liu Xiaogeng's choral music works, which mainly comes from China Knowledge Network, Yunnan Provincial Library, Yunnan Provincial Museum of Literature and Art, the Internet, publishers, and purchased books. The qualitative analysis method is mainly used to screen the regional dialect characteristics, regional music style characteristics, regional music theme characteristics, and regional music cultural characteristics used in the relevant literature to classify the categories. Results: The main purpose of the study is to refine and summarise the regional characteristics of Liu Xiaogeng's choral music works, which include four aspects, namely, regional dialect characteristics, regional music style characteristics, regional music theme characteristics, and regional music cultural characteristics. Conclusion: Liu Xiaoqeng composes his works with the regional dialect liner notes, folk songs, or ditties of Yunnan Province as his main materials. These dialect liner notes, folk songs, or ditties have very different regional language characteristics and distinctive modal music styles. It is these characteristics that make Liu Xiaogeng's choral music works have distinctive regional characteristics.

Utilization of cultural lexicon in creative industry products

Creative industries can contribute to the economic growth of local communities while promoting and preserving local languages and culture. Based on these basic assumptions, this research was conducted to describe the forms and functions of Javanese language and culture used in creative industry products and the factors behind the use of regional language and culture in creative industries. This research used a qualitative descriptive method with a sociolinguistic and creative industry perspective. The research was conducted in three local government areas in Yogyakarta. Data collection was carried out through documentation, document analyses, and interviews. The data covers various aspects of the Javanese language and culture, such as words, phrases, clauses, sentences, proverbs, Javanese script, naming and greeting systems, and proverbs. The results show that various creative industry products incorporate the Yogyakartan Javanese cultural and linguistic lexicon in their product branding, packaging, and design content. The cultural lexicon consists of Javanese writing, art, traditional clothing, drinks, greetings, phatic forms, and proverbs. Utilizing the Javanese language and cultural lexicon in creative industries can be an effective marketing strategy and an innovative step in preserving and developing local cultural heritage. This can significantly contribute to local economic growth, increase awareness of cultural diversity, and strengthen the community's cultural identity.

Language networks of normal-hearing infants exhibit topological differences between resting and steady states: An fNIRS functional connectivity study.

Task-related studies have consistently reported that listening to speech sounds activate the temporal and prefrontal regions of the brain. However, it is not well understood how functional organization of auditory and language networks differ when processing speech sounds from its resting state form. The knowledge of language network organization in typically developing infants could serve as an important biomarker to understand network-level disruptions expected in infants with hearing impairment. We hypothesized that topological differences of language networks can be characterized using functional connectivity measures in two experimental conditions (1) complete silence (resting) and (2) in response to repetitive continuous speech sounds (steady). Thirty normal-hearing infants (14 males and 16 females, age: 7.8 ± 4.8 months) were recruited in this study. Brain activity was recorded from bilateral temporal and prefrontal regions associated with speech and language processing for two experimental conditions: resting and steady states. Topological differences of functional language networks were characterized using graph theoretical analysis. The normalized global efficiency and clustering coefficient were used as measures of functional integration and segregation, respectively. We found that overall, language networks of infants demonstrate the economic small-world organization in both resting and steady states. Moreover, language networks exhibited significantly higher functional integration and significantly lower functional segregation in resting state compared to steady state. A secondary analysis that investigated developmental effects of infants aged 6-months or below and above 6-months revealed that such topological differences in functional integration and segregation across resting and steady states can be reliably detected after the first 6-months of life. The higher functional integration observed in resting state suggests that language networks of infants facilitate more efficient parallel information processing across distributed language regions in the absence of speech stimuli. Moreover, higher functional segregation in steady state indicates that the speech information processing occurs within densely interconnected specialized regions in the language network.

Balinese Language and Local Identity in a Multicultural Context; Issues, Challenges, and Preservation Efforts

This research aims to present the issues, challenges and opportunities of Balinese regional languages ​​in the context of multicultural society and culture. In the current context, the Balinese language is experiencing a decline in interest and use in daily life which is being eroded by the use of Indonesian and English by the people. The great influence of multiculturalism is detected in this context. This is proven by the proliferation of international standard Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and High Schools, where these schools present and promise English as the language of instruction. The narrative literature review method is used as empirical data to support arguments. Some of the issues facing the Balinese language currently and in the future include the code mixing habits of parents in Bali, the proliferation of international schools, and the position of the Balinese language in the Indonesian curriculum. These issues refer to several challenges faced by the existence of the Balinese language, namely the shift in the identity of the younger generation, changes in the educational curriculum, and the shift in the function of regional languages. Several efforts have been made by various parties in order to preserve the Balinese language in the context of a multicultural society. Steps that should be taken as preservation tips in the future are packaging the language with local culture, stabilizing diglossia, using Balinese as an introductory subject, training and community development, as well as linguistic research for documentation. With this research, it is hoped that the Balinese people will pay more attention to and preserve the Balinese language. Research related to Balinese is still limited. It is hoped that this paper will be able to contribute to literature studies for parties interested in researching the Balinese language further.