State Language Research Articles

SLOVAK AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF THE INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

The article represents a methodological starting point for research on teaching Slovak as a foreign language in the Slovak Republic. After the Slovak Republic joined the eurozone, it was necessary to start understanding Slovak as the state language – as a compulsory subject for Slovaks, but also to start teaching it to different groups of foreigners moving to Slovakia. This need has become even more pressing since February 2022, when the war conflict in Ukraine forced thousands of Ukrainians to leave their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Slovakia. This raised the question of how to deal with Slovak as a foreign language within the educational system of the Slovak Republic. Legislation (a law on the Residence of Foreigners in Slovakia) is also currently being prepared that will require foreigners asking for living in Slovakia to take a standardized test/exam at an accredited educational institution. However, since very few research studies on this topic have been conducted, this scholarly article lays foundations and poses methodological questions within five key thematic areas (i.e., learners’ motivation, intermediary language, textbooks, testing reference levels and error analysis, particular case studies) when directing a follow-up series of research studies and to justify why these issues are relevant. Therefore, the article explains the starting points that are anchored in previous scientific works in the field. Furthermore, the elaborated theoretical foundations and proposed research studies that will be carried out by university teachers and educational researchers are aimed at deepening scientific knowledge not only in the context of Slovak as a foreign language, but also of other minor foreign languages (e.g. Polish, Czech, Croatian, etc.).

Science in the Language of the Heart: Ukrainian Language and Literature in the New Ukrainiian School as a Driver of STEM Development

The article outlines the pathways for integrating STEM disciplines into the planning of Ukrainian language and literature lessons in secondary education institutions within the framework of the New Ukrainian School. It substantiates the growing need for interdisciplinary approaches that foster the development of core competencies while considering the advantages, potential risks, and limitations of the proposed methods. The emphasis is placed on the importance of combining humanities with natural and mathematical sciences to enhance students' understanding of a holistic worldview, illustrating the need to avoid focusing solely on one aspect of development (so-called «humanitarians» and «technocrats»). The article offers theoretical and practical recommendations for developing STEM projects that engage students in creative literary exploration through applying scientific principles and doctrines. The effective combination of STEM education principles with the field of philology enables the creation of a dynamic and effective educational environment where students perceive the interconnectedness of knowledge, develop a well-rounded intellect, and receive foundational preparation for higher education. Methods of linguistic analysis of scientific texts are discussed, demonstrating how language skills can be enhanced through scientific discourse. To illustrate the material, approximate schemes for planning integrated lessons with specific examples from both linguistic-literary and scientific perspectives are provided. To improve understanding and engagement of modern students, emphasis is placed on using digital tools and platforms that ensure integration, including online resources, interactive modeling, multimedia content and artificial intelligence. The necessity for alignment among educators of various disciplines is evident to ensure a fair assessment of proficiency in the state language and scientific literacy, which is a crucial issue during wartime when language matters become increasingly prominent, alongside scientific and mathematical literacy, for building an intellectually developed country.

The Unquiet Pedagogy of Harold Pinter’s Mountain Language : Topical Lessons from India

Abstract: In teaching Harold Pinter’s Mountain Language , I have observed how Indian postgraduate students see for themselves the institutionally sponsored biases and the hierarchized linguistic-racist ideologies these biases spawn. Political questions occur naturally to them: Why even democratic regimes should fear language itself? Why they feel driven to deploy a state language as a weapon in their war games? If English silences dissidence and considers BIPOC narratives devious and defiant, then Pinter would ask us to think differently about English and its potential linguicidal threat. The politics of interdiction that besets communities is another topic that students engage with in reading Pinter. This Note concludes with a reflection on the impossible task of translating Mountain Language for the simple reason that it stages English as at once its theatre and topic. Brought into dialogue with this conundrum is Brian Friel’s Translations , a play that stages another cultural scenario where English bespeaks colonial violence without quite letting an audience see the dubious logic of endorsing that violence.

Preoperative subjective impairments in language and memory in brain tumor patients.

Subjective reports can reveal relevant information regarding the nature of the impairment of brain tumor patients, unveiling potential gaps in current assessment practices. The co-occurrence of language and memory impairments has been previously reported, albeit scarcely. The aim of this study is therefore to understand the co-occurrence of subjective language and memory complaints in the preoperative state of brain tumor patients and its impact on Quality of Life (QoL). 31 brain tumor patients (12 LGG, 19 HGG) underwent a semi-structured interview to assess subjective complaints of language deficits, co-occurrences between language and memory dysfunction, and changes in QoL. Group and subgroup analyses were conducted to provide general and tumor grade specific data. 48.4% of patients mentioned co-occurrence of language and memory impairments in reading, writing, and conversation. The HGG group reported co-occurrences in all three of these (reading: 31.6%; writing: 21.1%; conversation: 26.3%), while the LGG only described co-occurrences in reading (25%) and conversation (8.3%), although these were not statistically significant. All patients with co-occurring language and memory deficits reported these to be linked to reduced QoL (48.4%). In patients with an HGG, this number was slightly higher (52.6%) than in patients with an LGG (41.7%). Language impairments co-occur with memory dysfunction as perceived in patients' daily life. Patients see these impairments as affecting their quality of life. Further attention to dedicated language and memory tasks seems necessary.

Evaluation of Label Compliance to Allergens in Imported Asian Food Sold in Northern Italy

Abstract Background The import of Asian food is strongly increasing in the EU. In Italy, the Asian market has expanded over the last 3 decades. Unfortunately, the labelling of these products often implies errors, mainly due to linguistic differences. Consequently, it can become a consistent problem regarding food safety, in particular for allergens declaration. According to EU Reg. 1169/2011 (Annex II), allergens must be labelled in bold and translated in the current language of the Member State. Asian food non-compliant labelling could enhance the probability of allergic consumers to get adverse events; accordingly, it is important to increase controls on the imported products. The present work investigates the label compliance to allergens on Asiatic products imported in Northern Italy. Methods Totally, 39 foodstuffs were tested for gluten, 93 for white egg proteins and 118 for milk proteins by commercial ELISA kits according to manufacturers’ instructions. Samples were considered non-compliant when the results were above 20 mg/Kg, the law limit for gluten, or above the milk LOD (10 µg/Kg) and the egg LOD (0.4 mg/Kg). Results Data showed 18% (CI 95% 0.09-0.32) of non-compliant samples for gluten: 6 samples > 80 mg/Kg (snacks and ready to eat meal) and 1 sample containing 48 mg/Kg (snack). In addition, 19.4 % (CI 95% 0.13-0.28) showed presence of egg proteins (noodles, snacks, patties and pasty). Finally, 13.6% (CI 95% 0.08-0.21) samples were irregular for undeclared milk (noodles and snacks). Conclusions Products label report their content and represent an important element for food trading and tracing. The results obtained confirm a high percentage of non-compliant labels, underlining how the consumption of imported products can represent a health risk for allergic consumers. The present work highlights the importance of imported food monitoring to guarantee the consumers health, and of the implementation of standardized/international regulated labelling rules. Key messages • Many non-compliant labels about allergens was observed on Asiatic products. • Correct labelling of allergens in imported food should be monitored to avoid adverse events.

Курдский народ в борьбе за независимость (вторая половина ХХ – начало ХХI в.) и геноцид в Иракском Курдистане

The article delves into the struggle of the people of Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan for self-determination and the repression of the ruling regime in Iraq, which brought the Kurdish population to the brink of extermination. The issue of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq has been on the agenda for many decades. The Iraqi Kurds achieved self-government at the cost of incredible efforts. It is emphasized that the recognition of the right to territorial autonomy by the Iraqi government in 1974 was a success of the Kurdish national movement. However, the infringement of the rights of the Kurds continued. The apogee of the repressions were the events of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 and the use of chemical weapons against the population of the autonomy. In 2005, Iraq promulgated a new draft Constitution, which reflected the opinion of all ethno-confessional groups of the country – Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds: the country was declared a Federal Republic, and the Kurdish language was declared the state language on the territory of Kurdistan. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the centuries-long struggle of the Kurds of Iraq ended with the proclamation of autonomy and the granting of democratic rights and freedoms to the population of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. And the facts reflected in the documents of international organizations on the deliberate destruction of the Kurdish minority in Iraq, especially during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, are obvious. An important condition for the success of the Kurdish national movement at any stage of its development is the unity of its ranks. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of historicism and objectivity. Documentary materials, personal sources, and media news data serve as the empirical basis of the study and are introduced into scientific discourse.

The Role of Non-State Actors in the Linguistic Policy in the Republic of Moldova

This article examines the evolving role of non-state actors in the politics of language, using the postSoviet Republic of Moldova as a case study. Over the past half-century, the increasing influence of non-state actors in global political systems has led to shifts not only in international relations but also in domestic policy areas such as language policy. Traditionally the exclusive domain of the state, language policy has become an arena of interaction between the state and various non-state actors, including political parties and non-governmental organizations. This interaction, termed the «politics of language,» extends beyond national borders, particularly in cases where a country's population is linked to kin states. In Moldova, the political landscape is divided between pro-Russian Moldovanists, who advocate for a distinct Moldovan identity and the use of “Moldovan” as the state language, and pro-Romanian Romanianists, who promote Romanian identity and language. The research identifies the key actors in Moldova's language politics and reveals that, during the country's independence, the politics of language has shifted from a conflict between the state and intellectual elites to a more complex set of relations between multiple actors, with Romanianists gaining influence. The role of the state has been significantly weakened, as evidenced by the Constitutional Court's reduced capacity to maintain constitutional stability, becoming instead a tool for non-state actors.

Языковое законодательство в межвоенной Польше как элемент национальной политики: историография проблемы

The paper deals with the language policy of Poland as an element of national policy. The international treaties on the protection of national minorities, the Constitution of Poland of 1921 and the laws adopted on July 31, 1924 “On the State language and working language in State institutions and self-government institutions”, “On language and organization of school work for national minorities”, “On language in courts, prosecutor’s office and notary institutions” are considered. In the Second Polish Republic, one third of the population consisted of national minorities, for whose rights the Polish Sejm adopted these laws. The laws provided for the limited use of the languages of national minorities – Lithuanian, Belarusian and Ukrainian. In certain cases, Polish civil servants were required to use the languages of national minorities in their activities. Due to their inconsistency and half-heartedness, the laws were not actually implemented and caused discontent both among representatives of national organizations and among the majority of Polish political circles. Among historians and in journalism, the laws “On Language...” also caused a discussion. Most researchers believe that the Polish language legislation did not aim to actually improve the situation of national minorities, but only to imitate their protection in order to form a positive image of a “democratic” Poland in the international arena.

Economic aspects of error identification in semi-structured publications in the state language

Due to the rapid growth of information on the Internet and social networks, research in the field of computational linguistics has become very relevant. The volume of information that people and machines create in natural language needs to be processed, analyzed and verified. Information retrieval systems, dialog systems, and machine translation tools are used for this. The range of automatic text processing systems is very wide, it covers various tasks. Finding errors in texts and words, identifying and correcting incorrect words is one of the most important tasks of natural language processing (NLP). The article provides an overview of semi-structured data, methods and technologies for identifying incorrect words in natural languages. The paper gives an overview of semi-structured data, methods and techniques for detecting incorrect words in natural languages. The aim of the research is to develop an effective approach for detecting and correcting errors occurring in Kazakh-language texts, especially in the context of limited resources and unstructured data. The research includes the use of machine learning techniques as well as economic analysis of the costs of developing and implementing such solutions. The proposed approach facilitates the automation of text verification, which can significantly reduce the cost of manual data processing and improve the quality of information in various spheres, including business and public administration.

The Russian language and state language policy in the formation of modern Russian civilization

This article examines the meaning and role of the Russian people unity, the role of communication in society in the state language, which is the fundamental basis of the civil self-identity of Russians. The article also substantiates the role of Russian language policy in four aspects (educational, scientific, cultural and legal) in order to preserve language as the cultural heritage of the nation in the formation of Russian civilization. The article emphasizes that the ability of the language to preserve the history, culture, and identity of the people for a long time ensures and maintains the state of national security and its spiritual unity at a high level.

МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЕ РЕКОМЕНДАЦИИ И СИСТЕМА УПРАЖНЕНИЙ ПО ФОРМИРОВАНИЮ СОЦИОКУЛЬТУРНОЙ КОМПЕТЕНЦИИ РУССКОЯЗЫЧНЫХ ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ НА УРОКАХ КАЗАХСКОГО ЯЗЫКА

The article is devoted to the urgent problem of the formation of socio-cultural competence of students in the lessons of Russian as a non-native language, the key aspect of the study of which was the theoretical justification and practical development of a methodology for the formation of socio-cultural competence of students. The problem of the formation of socio-cultural competence became especially relevant at the beginning of the XXI century, which was due to significant social transformations in the modern world. Currently, it is socio-cultural competence that can become a moral and spiritual guideline for the development and strengthening of the integrity and diversity of the entire human community. Today, the main goal of studying the Kazakh language as a state language in a secondary school is to provide pedagogical conditions for a deeper and meaningful understanding of the world, its real, concrete historical essence, and the relationship between different peoples and cultures. That is why close attention is currently being paid to teaching Russian-speaking schoolchildren the Kazakh language as the state language of the Republic of Kazakhstan, providing intercultural communication, "dialogue of languages and cultures" The author analyzed the theoretical literature, models of scientists on the formation of socio-cultural competence are given. The article asserts the assumption that the use of new technologies, techniques, techniques, tools (collaborative learning, comparative analysis, role-playing games, the use of linguistic and cultural units, etc. They contribute to the successful formation of socio-cultural competence of students in the process of teaching the language as an official language of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Influence of introducing a story stem in an interactive play context on maternal and their four-year-old children's use of mental state language.

Maternal and child mental state language is associated with improved socioemotional and cognitive child development. This study examined if introducing a story stem (a narrative playing out socioemotional conflicts) in a play situation facilitated maternal and child mental state language compared to a free-play (baseline) situation, and if mothers and children with low baseline mental state language profited more from the story stem situation. Participants were 101 four-year-old children and their mothers. Maternal and child mental state language correlated and providing the story stem increased both maternal and child mental state language. Providing a story stem increased mental state language more for mothers and children groups with lowest mental state language at baseline compared to a high mental state language group. The results indicate a validation of the use of story stems to increase maternal and child mental state language within a typical population.

Къэбэрдей-шэрджэсыбзэр ужьыхынымкIэ, кIуэдыжыпэнымкIэ шынагъуэ зыпылъ Iуэхугъуэ щхьэхуэхэр

This paper highlights the most important issues of the state and functioning of the modern Kabar-dino-Circassian language in impending globalization and the existing realities in the field of state language policy. The study examines the fundamental risk factors that, without appropriate drastic measures, will inevitably accelerate the process of extinction and subsequent disappearance of the Adyghe language. Material for the presented research was normative legal acts in the field of functioning, preservation and development of the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federa-tion, journalistic materials of the republican newspaper “Adyge Psal”, Kabardian broadcasts of radio and television of the Republic. The work uses descriptive, comparative research methods, synthesis, and analysis. Conducted research allows us to conclude that the most important condi-tion for the preservation and development of minority languages, which include Kabardino-Circassian, is the implementation of a unified “protective” state language policy in the country, which would not only declare the legal and social status of the language but also provide a real opportunity for its use in official spheres with a guarantee translation, since an indispensable con-dition for the functioning of any language is its relevance to society; the suppression of the cur-rently violent interference in the natural course of language development by introducing fictional terms into its vocabulary instead of established lexical units that native speakers actively use.

Formation of the Scientific and Educational Landscape of the Digital Economy of the Countries of the Organization of Turkic States and the Eurasian Economic Union

The importance of creating and disseminating national digital terminology in the state language was noted. Problems in the field of language terminology in the IT sphere are considered. The impact of the digital transformation of the economy and the spread of English technical terms into the national language is described. A project has been proposed to create a dictionary of digital terms in the Kazakh language with the participation of international experts from the countries of the Organization of Turkic States and the Eurasian Economic Union with the aim of their possible harmonization and use of the online platform.

Toddlers' visual exploration during decisions predicts uncertainty monitoring 1 year later.

The longitudinal relation between toddlers' behaviors in uncertain situations (e.g., information seeking, hesitation) and preschoolers' uncertainty monitoring was investigated (between 2014 and 2019 in Northern California; Time 1: N = 183, M = 28.99 months, 53% female, 67.8% White; Time 2: N = 159, M = 41.64 months, 52.2% female). Eye movements and response latencies were recorded as children identified a target from two partially occluded (Time 1) or degraded (Time 2) images. Confidence ratings for identifications were collected at Time 2. At Time 1, gaze transitions between response options, but not response latencies and mental state language, predicted Time 2 uncertainty monitoring. Overall, these findings provide the first direct evidence of connections between toddlers' uncertainty behaviors and preschoolers' uncertainty monitoring.

The dynamics of development of the Ukrainian-language segment on TikTok: evolution and contemporary challenges

This article examines the dynamics of development of the Ukrainian-language segment on the TikTok platform, evaluates the influence of this social media application on the formation of Ukraine's information space, and identifies key trends and changes in Ukrainian-language content from its inception on the platform to the present day. The study explores the emergence, development, and peculiarities of the TikTok platform in the global and Ukrainian information space, identifying factors contributing to the creation and dissemination of Ukrainian-language content on TikTok. Research delves into the content produced by Ukrainian bloggers on TikTok and considers its potential impact. It is found that TikTok initially served predominantly as a Russian-language entertainment platform upon its introduction to Ukraine, evolving later into a multifunctional tool facilitating the widespread dissemination and consumption of Ukrainian-language content. The growth of the Ukrainian-language segment on TikTok contributes to the formation of national identity and culture, as well as the strengthening of the state language. Ukrainian bloggers utilize the platform to promote Ukrainian values, social initiatives, and mobilize public opinion amidst Russian military aggression. Analysis of TikTok's development dynamics provides grounds to anticipate its increasing influence on our country's information space.

Constitutional and legal foundations of territorial integrity in federal states: historical and legal analysis

The article explores the constitutional and legal foundations of the territorial integrity of the federal states, focusing on historical and contemporary examples. The authors examine cases of successful and unsuccessful secession, as well as legal mechanisms used to prevent separatism. We take Spain, the USA, Canada, India, and Germany, as the examples to analyze the role of constitutional provisions in maintaining state unity. A key aspect of the study is the distribution of competencies between federal structures and federation subjects, which ensures a balance of interests and prevents internal conflicts. A great attention is paid to the principle of subsidiarity and the role of federation subjects in governance, contributing to the preservation of territorial integrity. The authors emphasize the importance of integration mechanisms and constitutional guarantees in maintaining the stability of the federal states. The article establishes that the territorial integrity of federal states is ensured through a set of constitutional and legal norms that regulate the relations between federal authorities and the subjects of the federation. These norms include a clear distribution of competencies, where federal authorities are responsible for national issues such as defense and foreign relations, while the subjects of the federation have powers in local governance. The principle of subsidiarity involves the participation of the federation’s subjects in state governance, ensuring a balance of interests and preventing internal conflicts. Additionally, the supreme legal authority of the federal constitution, mechanisms of federal intervention in case of threats to integrity, and the unity of the economic space all contribute to the stability and unity of the federal state, effectively countering separatist movements. It is determined that the participation of federation subjects in the process of constitutional amendments guarantees their representation and protection of interests, preventing unilateral changes in the state structure. The state language plays an important role, promoting national unity and preventing ethnic conflicts, which is critical for multinational federations. Furthermore, the representation of federation subjects in the national parliament ensures their influence on key decision-making, promoting more balanced policies and strengthening ties between the central government and the regions.

Language Barriers, Technology Adoption and Productivity: Evidence from Agriculture in India

Abstract We study the effect of language barriers on the ability of farmers to access information about agricultural technologies in rural areas of India. We use the introduction of government-sponsored call centers (Kisan Call Centers) which offer agricultural advice in the official language of each Indian state. For identification, we compare geographically contiguous areas that sit across state borders, and exploit differences in the language spoken by farmers and call center advisors. We document that language barriers limit the adoption of modern agricultural technologies – such as high-yielding variety seeds – and negatively affect crop yields.

Emotional understanding: a training study with Pakistani preschoolers

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate whether a translated and adapted conversational training programme enhances emotion understanding in preschool children. Given the lack of such research in Pakistan (and outside the West in general), the training study reported here was conceived to fill this gap. Thirty-nine 5- to 6-year-olds at two school sites were randomly assigned to training and control groups, after screening for emotional and behavioural problems. The participants were pre- and post-tested on Emotional Comprehension after an 8-week intervention. Children from both groups listened to the translated and adapted version of the ‘Stories of Jack and Theo’, rich in mental state language. Children from the training group participated in conversations about the mental states of the story characters and themselves using semi-structured conversational procedures, while children from the control group were engaged in board games mediated by an adult. The findings showed that children in the training group outperformed those in the control group on emotional comprehension even after statistically controlling for earlier executive function and working memory.

ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND CURRENT STATE OF THE PRONUNCIATION NORM IN FRENCH LANGUAGE

This article is devoted to the development and current state of the French pronunciation norm. Learning a foreign language pronunciation in its standard variant is a difficult task not only due to the need to master new articulatory gestures, but also to understand what is normative in pronunciation. For the French language, which has more than 90 million native speakers, the issue is particularly acute. Since the establishment of French as a state language, the choice of pronunciation standard was based on the pronunciation of certain social groups (royal nobility, educated classes, radio presenters) and geographical boundaries (Paris, Ile-de-France region, major cities of France). The codification of the French pronunciation norm has evolved from strictly prescriptive to reflecting the maximum possible variants. The recent decades researches reveal a lack of uniformity in the pronunciation of native speakers, even within a homogeneous group. The modern pronunciation norm indicates the absence of a single rigid pattern and its wide regional variability.