Syntactic Variation Research Articles

Language Development Opportunities in Curricular and Trade Books: A Content Analysis

ABSTRACTThis content analysis explored children's fictional storybooks and informational science books to determine their differences in high‐quality text features that support oral language (OL) development. We also explored the opportunities for OL development in curricular books compared to trade books. Using systematic coding procedures, we evaluated the genre, vocabulary, syntactic variety, supportive visuals and cultural sensitivity in books from three kindergarten and Grade 1 reading curricula (n = 521) as well as a sample of commercially‐available trade books (n = 48). Descriptive information was averaged to determine the percentage of high‐quality text features included in each book type and genre. Results indicated that informational science trade books offered more opportunities for rich language experiences than their curricular counterparts or any of the fictional books. Thus, there is reason to believe that informational science trade books with high‐quality text features may promote OL development and enhance the learning of young students.

Exploring language relations through syntactic distances and geographic proximity

Languages are grouped into families that share common linguistic traits. While this approach has been successful in understanding genetic relations between diverse languages, more analyses are needed to accurately quantify their relatedness, especially in less studied linguistic levels such as syntax. Here, we explore linguistic distances using series of parts of speech (POS) extracted from the Universal Dependencies dataset. Within an information-theoretic framework, we show that employing POS trigrams maximizes the possibility of capturing syntactic variations while being at the same time compatible with the amount of available data. Linguistic connections are then established by assessing pairwise distances based on the POS distributions. Intriguingly, our analysis reveals definite clusters that correspond to well known language families and groups, with exceptions explained by distinct morphological typologies. Furthermore, we obtain a significant correlation between language similarity and geographic distance, which underscores the influence of spatial proximity on language kinships.

Reported speech and gender in the news: Who is quoted, how are they quoted, and why it matters

News stories have a well-defined generic structure, consisting of components such as headline, lede, and body, with reported speech a prominent feature, especially in hard news stories. Reported speech serves multiple purposes, from providing evidentiality and intertextuality to contributing to the construction of newsworthiness and to the context creation of news. It is also a site of potential bias in who is cited and how, including with respect to the gender of sources. Using a large corpus of English-language news stories for all of 2023 from the main five mainstream news outlets in Canada (over 370,000 articles from news websites), I examine the gender distribution of those quoted, the syntactic variation in the structure of quotes, and the types of reporting verbs. The study provides a comprehensive overview of the extend of gender bias in contemporary Canadian news, at the same time offering insights into the nature of reported speech in modern news and how it endures and evolves, including in news meant for digital-only publication.

High frequency post-pause word choices and task-dependent speech behavior characterize connected speech in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, including impairments in speech production and fluency. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a prodrome of AD, has also been linked with changes in speech behavior but to a more subtle degree. This study aimed to investigate whether speech behavior immediately following both filled and unfilled pauses (post-pause speech behavior) differs between individuals with MCI and healthy controls (HCs), and how these differences are influenced by the cognitive demands of various speech tasks. Transcribed speech samples were analyzed from both groups across different tasks, including immediate and delayed narrative recall, picture descriptions, and free responses. Key metrics including lexical and syntactic complexity, lexical frequency and diversity, and part of speech usage, both overall and post-pause, were examined. Significant differences in pause usage were observed between groups, with a higher incidence and longer latencies following these pauses in the MCI group. Lexical frequency following filled pauses was higher among MCI participants in the free response task but not in other tasks, potentially due to the relative cognitive load of the tasks. The immediate recall task was most useful at differentiating between groups. Predictive analyses utilizing random forest classifiers demonstrated high specificity in using speech behavior metrics to differentiate between MCI and HCs. Speech behavior following pauses differs between MCI participants and healthy controls, with these differences being influenced by the cognitive demands of the speech tasks. These post-pause speech metrics can be easily integrated into existing speech analysis paradigms.

Comparative analysis of paraphrasing performance of ChatGPT, GPT‐3, and T5 language models using a new ChatGPT generated dataset: ParaGPT

AbstractParaphrase generation is a fundamental natural language processing (NLP) task that refers to the process of generating a well‐formed and coherent output sentence that exhibits both syntactic and/or lexical diversity from the input sentence, while simultaneously ensuring that the semantic similarity between the two sentences is preserved. However, the availability of high‐quality paraphrase datasets has been limited, particularly for machine‐generated sentences. In this paper, we present ParaGPT, a new paraphrase dataset of 81,000 machine‐generated sentence pairs, including 27,000 reference sentences (ChatGPT‐generated sentences), and 81,000 paraphrases obtained by using three different large language models (LLMs): ChatGPT, GPT‐3, and T5. We used ChatGPT to generate 27,000 sentences that cover a diverse array of topics and sentence structures, thus providing diverse inputs for the models. In addition, we evaluated the quality of the generated paraphrases using various automatic evaluation metrics. Furthermore, we provide insights into the strengths and drawbacks of each LLM in generating paraphrases by conducting a comparative analysis of the paraphrasing performance of the three LLMs. According to our findings, ChatGPT's performance, as per the evaluation metrics provided, was deemed impressive and commendable, owing to its higher‐than‐average scores for semantic similarity, which implies a higher degree of similarity between the generated paraphrase and the reference sentence, and its relatively lower scores for syntactic diversity, indicating a greater diversity of syntactic structures in the generated paraphrase. ParaGPT is a valuable resource for researchers working on NLP tasks like paraphrasing, text simplification, and text generation. We make the ParaGPT dataset publicly accessible to researchers, and as far as we are aware, this is the first paraphrase dataset produced based on ChatGPT.

Deciphering Arabic question: a dedicated survey on Arabic question analysis methods, challenges, limitations and future pathways

This survey reviews different research on question analysis, including other comparative studies of question analysis approaches and an evaluation of the questions by different NLP techniques that are used in question interpretation and categorization. Among these key findings noted includes the assessment of deep learning models such as M-BiGRU-CNN and M-TF-IDF, which come with high precision and accuracy when applied with the effectiveness of use in dealing with the complexities involved in a language. Some of the most mature machine learning algorithms, for example, SVM or logistic regression, remain powerful models, especially on the classification task, meaning that the latter continues to be relevant. This study further underlines the applicability of rule-based or hybrid methodologies in certain linguistic situations, and it must be said that custom design solutions are required. We could recommend, on this basis, directing future work towards the integration of these hybrid systems and towards the definition of more general methodologies of evaluation that are in line with the constant evolution of NLP technologies. It revealed that the underlying challenges and barriers in the domain are very complex syntactic and dialectic variations, unavailability of software tools, very critical standardization in Arabic datasets, benchmark creation, handling of translated data, and the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs). The paper discusses the lack of identity and processing of such structures through online systems for comparison. This comprehensive review highlights not only the diversified potential for the capabilities of NLP techniques in refining question analysis but also the potential way of great promises for further enhancements and improvements in this progressive domain.

Note similarities affect syntactic stability in zebra finches.

The acquisition of an acoustic template is a fundamental component of vocal imitation learning, which is used to refine innate vocalizations and develop a species-specific song. In the absence of a model, birds fail to develop species typical songs. In zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), tutored birds produce songs with a stereotyped sequence of distinct acoustic elements, or notes, which form the song motif. Songs of untutored individuals feature atypical acoustic and temporal structure. Here we studied songs and associated respiratory patterns of tutored and untutored male zebra finches to investigate whether similar acoustic notes influence the sequence of song elements. A subgroup of animals developed songs with multiple acoustically similar notes that are produced with alike respiratory motor gestures. These birds also showed increased syntactic variability in their adult motif. Sequence variability tended to occur near song elements which showed high similarity in acoustic structure and underlying respiratory motor gestures. The duration and depth of the inspirations preceding the syllables where syntactic variation occurred did not allow prediction of the following sequence of notes, suggesting that the varying duration and air requirement of the following expiratory pulse is not predictively encoded in the motor program. This study provides a novel method for calculation of motor/acoustic similarity, and the results of this study suggest that the note is a fundamental acoustic unit in the organization of the motif and could play a role in the neural code for song syntax.

A dependency distance approach to the syntactic complexity variation in the connected speech of Alzheimer’s disease

Previous research on the syntax complexity variation in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease primarily focuses on isolated language features like sentence length or syntactic structure, with limited exploration of their connection to memory and cognitive deficits. This study investigated the syntactic complexity variation in AD by associating working memory load with fine-grained syntactic features adopting a dependency distance approach. The findings include: (1) AD patients had shorter mean dependency distances (MDD) and more head-final dependencies compared to the HC group; (2) The patients still produced their speech under the DDM tendency but exhibited a stronger preference for simple syntactic structures; (3) Sentences produced by AD patients were statistically shorter than the HC group, and the patients exhibited greater difficulty handling syntactic structures as sentence length increases; (4) The patients could employ different syntactic structures but perform worse in extending them, particularly in nominal groups and hypotactic constructions; (5) The patients showed stronger reliance on sentence-initial adjuncts and inverted constructions. These findings suggest that syntactic impairments in AD exhibit a potential hierarchical decline along the continuum of syntactic complexity, with working memory deficits being a critical factor.

The expression of quantity in Oneida: a study in syntactic and semantic variation

Abstract One of the questions linguists try to answer is to what extent conceptual content is expressed similarly across languages. The null hypothesis is that languages express the same sorts of things but may differ in the particular morphological and syntactic constructions they use. This paper describes one semantic domain, quantification over objects in Oneida (Northern Iroquoian), where there is both variation in expression and variation in expressibility. Through a detailed and comprehensive description of quantificational expressions, we show that in Oneida quantification is pervasively and almost exclusively expressed by productive verb forms that are not number words; moreover, these verb forms head clauses (count clauses) adjoined to main clauses. We argue that to this morphosyntactic difference between Oneida and most languages corresponds a semantic difference, namely that in Oneida quantificational expressions denote properties of sets, whereas in most other languages they denote relations between sets (or between entities and sets), and this difference accounts for the systematic absence of proportional and partitive quantifiers in Oneida.

Syntactic Variations in Referential Metonymy

AbstractThis paper explores the syntactic variations of concord in sentences involving referential metonymy in English. Apart from the standard type in which syntactic agreement is shown between the metonymic NP and the verbs or pronouns that follow, this article also discusses and summarizes other types where there are various degrees of disagreement. Moreover, this paper formalizes the principles of Ruiz de Mendoza and Díez (2004) by introducing the metonymic function, and proposes simplification of these principles based on the notion of metonymy as a contingency. Finally, this paper discusses other possible factors – both contextual and non‐contextual – that may lead to these syntactic variations.

Syntactic Variation in Reduced Registers Through the Lens of the Parallel Architecture.

Diversion from the syntactic norm, as manifested in the absence of otherwise expected lexical and syntactic material, has been extensively studied in theoretical syntax. Such modifications are observed in headlines, telegrams, labels, and other specialized contexts, collectively referred to as "reduced" registers. Focusing on search queries, a type of reduced register, I propose that they are generated by a simpler grammar that lacks a full-fledged syntactic component. The analysis is couched in the Parallel Architecture framework, whose assumption of relative independence of linguistic components-their parallelism-and the rejection of syntactocentrism are essential to explain properties of queries.

Quantifying Syntactic Complexity in Czech Texts: An Analysis of Mean Dependency Distance and Average Sentence Length Across Genres

ABSTRACT This study investigates the syntactic complexity of various text-types in the Czech language by analysing the mean dependency distance (MDD), a measure that quantifies the average distance between syntactic heads and their dependents within a sentence, and average sentence length (ASL). Using data from the SYN2020 corpus, a large and balanced collection of contemporary written Czech, we calculate the MDD and ASL for different text-types. Our findings reveal distinct patterns in the MDD and ASL values across genres, suggesting that syntactic complexity varies among different types of texts. We observe a clear distinction between fiction and non-fiction genres, with fiction exhibiting lower MDD and ASL values, indicating a more compact syntactic structure. Non-fiction genres, particularly scientific literature, display higher MDD and ASL values, reflecting more complex syntactic constructions. Journalistic texts, such as newspapers and magazines, fall between fiction and non-fiction in terms of MDD and ASL values. These results demonstrate the potential of MDD and ASL as quantitative measures for characterizing and differentiating text-types based on their syntactic complexity. Furthermore, our analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the syntactic variations across diverse genres in the Czech language.

Combining formal and functional approaches to variation in (morpho)syntax: Introduction to the special issue

Abstract This special issue examines the question of how both formal(ist) and functional(ist) accounts or elements of theorizing can contribute to the explanation of (morpho)syntactic variation. Are formal and functional approaches really irreconcilable with each other, as often seems to be taken for granted by their respective advocates? It will be argued instead that they are rather complementary and that both can make a valuable contribution to explaining linguistic variation, in synchronic as well as diachronic respects. The integration of ways of looking at a certain phenomenon or problem from the respective other camp is proven to provide a significant added value and should not be excluded. The volume focuses on several Germanic languages and dialects, more specifically on German, Dutch, and Swedish varieties. It unites different formal and functional perspectives and, not least, it considers also semantic and phonological factors. The models covered include different versions of generative grammar, information-based morphology, construction grammar/construction morphology, natural morphology, and sociolinguistics.

The Rhetorical Uneasiness: A Study of Rebecca Whittington’s Translation of Jibanananda Das’s Malloban

This paper aims to explore the translation of socio-cultural and rhetorical nuances of language between Bangla and English with a case of the translation of Jibanananda Das’s 1973 novel Malloban by Rebecca Whittington in 2022. The act of translating such a rich and culturally nuanced text poses substantial challenges, as it involves the delicate balance of preserving the essence of the source text while making it accessible to a new linguistic and cultural context. In the process, the translator, whose native language is American English, is led to straddle domestication and exoticism, thus creating linguistic, semiotic, and syntactic variations in her rendition of the source language text. This paper attempts to assess the fidelity of the translation to the original work while scrutinizing the translator’s choices in capturing the intricate wordplay, colloquial expressions, metaphors, and narrative subtleties that are hallmarks of Jibanananda Das’s writing. This paper also examines the instances where the translation may inadvertently alter or dilute the original text’s impact and the implications of such alterations for readers of the translated work. Furthermore, this study delves into the emotional and cognitive dimensions of bilingual reading.

한국어 이항 서술어 ‘좋다’의 논항 실현 양상 연구

This study focuses on double subject constructions with the predicate ‘cohta((be) good/like)’, sourced from messenger corpus, finally categorizing them into six types in terms of their syntactic and semantic properties. A significant finding is that 97% of the analyzed sentences fall into type 1 and type 2, with a maximum of three noun phrases being realized. Type 1 and type 2 are notably distinct in several aspects including the semantic traits of noun phrases, the placement of adverbs of degree, the variability in the use of particles, and verb phrase expansion. Although the research is confined to specific conditions, limiting its general applicability to Korean double subject constructions, it can contribute to general Korean syntax by exploring a wide range of cases, including those typically unrealized, and highlighting the frequent syntactic and semantic variations beyond just the particles 'i/ka' and 'un/nun'.

The syntactic variety and semantic unity of the V de resultative construction in Mandarin Chinese

Abstract The V de resultative construction has been an intriguing issue in Chinese linguistics. Theories have been put forth regarding what the morpheme de (here called de result to avoid confusion) does in this construction. In this article, the preexisting theories are empirically questioned. It is shown that the presence of de result is not obligatory when the result predicate takes some special forms. A procedural account is proposed of how the typical V de result construction and its variants deliver the same logical form although they involve different functional morphemes. As a bonus, this account provides an improved model explaining the phenomenon that the V de result construction can have multiple readings.

How syntactic complexity indices predict Chinese L2 writing quality: An analysis of unified dependency syntactically-annotated corpus

Previous syntactic complexity (SC) research on L2 Chinese has overlooked a range of Chinese-specific structures and fine-grained indices. This study, utilizing a syntactically annotated Chinese L2 writing corpus, simultaneously employs both large-grained and fine-grained syntactic complexity indices to investigate the relationship between syntactic complexity and writing quality produced by English-speaking Chinese second language (ECSL) learners from macro and micro perspectives. Our findings reveal the following: (a) at a large-grained level of analysis using syntactic complexity indices, the generic syntactic complexity indice (GSC indice) number of T-units per sentence and the Chinese-specific syntactic complexity indice (CSC indice) number of Clauses per topic chain unit account for 14.5% of the total variance in writing scores among ECSL learners; (b) the syntactic diversity model alone accounts for 24.7% of the variance in Chinese writing scores among ECSL learners; (c) the stepwise regression analysis model, which integrates fine-grained SC indices extracted from the syntactically annotated corpus, explains 43.7% of the variance in Chinese writing quality. This model incorporates CSC indices such as average ratio of dependency types per 30 dependency segments, the ratio of adjuncts to sentence end, the ratio of predicate complements, the ratio of numeral adjuncts, the mean length of Topic-Comment-Unit dependency distance, as well as GSC indices like the ratio of main governors, the ratio of attributers, the ratio of coordinating adjuncts, and the ratio of sentential objects. These findings highlight the valuable insights that syntactically annotated fine-grained SC indices offer regarding the writing characteristics of ECSL learners.

Syntactic variation in Hong Kong English

Kirkpatrick and Lixun (2021) maintain that two significant morphosyntactic processes have been at play in early Englishes. These are simplification and regularization. Simplification refers to the relatively simplified inflectional morphology in English today. Kirkpatrick and Lixun (2021) provide an example for the word stan (i.e., stone in Old English) that showed great differences in the singular and plural form in nominative, accusative, genitive and dative case in Old English. Another process is regularization, through which some of the strong verb forms for past tense in English have changed to take the weak or the regular form. To illustrate, the past tense of work was wrought but over time, it has changed to worked.

Across time, space, and genres: measuring probabilistic grammar distances between varieties of Mandarin

Abstract This paper aims to quantify distances between varieties of Mandarin (diachronic, regional, and situational) as a function of the similarity in the choice between syntactic variants in the Mandarin theme-recipient alternation (yŭ/gěi dative alternation). We use a novel corpus-based method, Variation-Based Distance and Similarity Modeling, which draws inspiration from work in comparative sociolinguistics and quantitative dialectometry. Analysis reveals that, while there is a relatively stable probabilistic grammar across the investigated varieties, historical varieties do exhibit a relatively higher degree of heterogeneity than synchronic varieties. Despite the overall high similarity of the latter, we identify substantial probabilistic differences between fictional writings of Modern Mainland Mandarin and all other synchronic varieties. Our findings thus provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that the transition from Early Mandarin to Modern Mandarin over the past two centuries has witnessed salient grammatical shifts and also empirically demonstrate the interaction between genre variability and regional variability in Modern Mandarin.

Parent implementation of a treatment for late talkers based on cross-situational statistical learning principles: Treatment fidelity and acceptability

Purpose Early intervention based on principles of cross-situational statistical learning (CSSL) for late-talking children has shown promise. This study explored whether parents could be trained to deliver this intervention protocol with fidelity and if they found the intervention to be acceptable. Method Mothers of four English-speaking children aged 18–30 months who scored <10th centile for expressive vocabulary were recruited to an 8-week group training program. Parents were taught principles of CSSL and asked to perform 16 home treatment sessions (30 minutes each) in total, providing auditory bombardment of target words in full sentences at high dose number and syntactic variability, using a range of physical exemplars. Home diaries and two videotaped sessions measured treatment fidelity. Pre- and post-treatment questionnaires measured acceptability. Result One parent discontinued the study after the second group training session. Three parents completed 15/16 group training sessions and reported completing 87% of home sessions. Two parents demonstrated implementing the intervention as per the target dose number by the first fidelity session (Weeks 2/3), and the third parent was very close to meeting target dose number by the second fidelity session (Weeks 7/8). Conclusion Parents can be trained to deliver an intervention based on cross-situational statistical learning principles.