Variety Of Languages Research Articles

Linguistic discrimination in higher education: experiences of North Korean university students in South Korea

ABSTRACT As with many other countries, South Korea is increasingly ethnically and linguistically diverse – the result of changing patterns of migration and transmigration in a globalised world. However, despite these developments, South Korea retains a strong emphasis on public linguistic homogeneity in standard (Seoul-based) Korean, its national language, and related linguistic hierarchies of prestige that privilege this standard at the expense of other Korean language varieties. This combination is demonstrated clearly in the case of North Korean refugees to South Korea. Despite speaking the same language, their dialect and accent are consistently pathologized in South Korean higher education (HE) and the wider society. This article reports on a study of the experiences of linguistic discrimination faced by North Korean refugee students in South Korean HE, its often-negative consequences on North Korean students’ social and academic identities, and their strategies for mitigating and, at times, actively contesting this discrimination. The article concludes that, despite South Korea’s increasing demographic and, related, linguistic diversity, little has been achieved yet in addressing, and changing, the endemic linguistic discrimination that North Koreans face daily in HE and the wider South Korean society.

Text2NeRF: Text-Driven 3D Scene Generation With Neural Radiance Fields.

Text-driven 3D scene generation is widely applicable to video gaming, film industry, and metaverse applications that have a large demand for 3D scenes. However, existing text-to-3D generation methods are limited to producing 3D objects with simple geometries and dreamlike styles that lack realism. In this work, we present Text2NeRF, which is able to generate a wide range of 3D scenes with complicated geometric structures and high-fidelity textures purely from a text prompt. To this end, we adopt NeRF as the 3D representation and leverage a pre-trained text-to-image diffusion model to constrain the 3D reconstruction of the NeRF to reflect the scene description. Specifically, we employ the diffusion model to infer the text-related image as the content prior and use a monocular depth estimation method to offer the geometric prior. Both content and geometric priors are utilized to update the NeRF model. To guarantee textured and geometric consistency between different views, we introduce a progressive scene inpainting and updating strategy for novel view synthesis of the scene. Our method requires no additional training data but only a natural language description of the scene as the input. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our Text2NeRF outperforms existing methods in producing photo-realistic, multi-view consistent, and diverse 3D scenes from a variety of natural language prompts. Our code and model are available at https://github.com/eckertzhang/Text2NeRF.

South African English: social and linguistic aspects

The research work is devoted to the analysis of the English language variability specific characteristics in the context of modern community globalization process. The research proves that the English language variant, adapting to the realities of local languages and cultures, acquires new sociolinguistic properties. The aim of the study is to identify the specifics of such a variant of the English language as the South African English which was formed during the contact interaction of the British English language and the autochthonous languages and cultures of South Africa. The key properties of the South African English are revealed on the basis of methods groups: analysis and synthesis; comparative analysis; and the method of component analysis. The key attention is paid to the historical process formation of South African English and to the development of the English language and its role in the life of South Africa. The complex nature of long-term historical inter language and intercultural interaction has led to the formation of a heterogeneous structure of South African society, is which is presented by Europeans, numerous local peoples, Indians and their descendants living on the same territory. The complex differentiation of South African society has defined a unique variety of languages, dialects, and sociolects, among which English has a special social prestige and unites all other languages. Having a multicomponent structure, sociolinguistic differentiation of South African society contributed to the emergence and functioning a series of South African English variants types in one territory. These types are: Black South African English, White South African English, Coloured South African English. The English language of each sociolinguistic group has unique features that manifest themselves to a greater extent at the phonetic level.

Beyond description: reconceptualizing the (trans)language(ing) among international students

ABSTRACT Although there have been numerous recent translanguaging studies, less research ventured into a more critical uptake of translanguaging beyond descriptive framing. This exploratory multiple-case study investigated the (trans)language(ing) practices of Chinese international students at a predominantly White university in the US. Participants transcended the boundaries between dominant languages, dialects, and modal systems, gaining the benefits of translanguaging for pedagogy, multimodal expression, and communication within and outside the educational settings. The dynamic blending of Mandarin and Chinese dialects indicates that translanguaging holds relevance to not just marginalized bi/multilinguals but also ‘monolinguals’ whose translanguaging includes dialects and non-dominant language variety. The challenges that led participants not to do translanguaging as well as their perceptions of (not) doing translanguaging echo the call for celebrating translanguaging with caution. Translanguaging advocates for the linguistic rights of linguistically minoritized and racialized communities. It is also argued that an intersectional lens is necessary to examine the workings of power enmeshed in (trans)language(ing).

Language Death Perspectivation of Planned or Unplanned Language Death

The present paper is a conceptual paper which explores the innate nature of languages exploring how they are in constant flux. From their sociological birth to them being politically accepted, languages go through a plethora of changes. This paper explores concepts like high and low varieties of language e.g. Hindi in playgrounds and Hindi used to teach; the concept of prestige associated with a language, as well as concepts like elaborate and restricted code by Basil Bernstein. It explores the creole continuum and how they are connected to language death. Diglossic conditions may also lead to languages being used over another leading to language disuse. Certain linguistic groups, despite having a working language, assimilate themselves with a larger language due to many possible reasons (economic, political, geographical or anything else). This paper will take the discussion forward with how policy decisions can also lead to systematic extinction of certain languages due to the farsightedness of language planning. Paulo Friere (Friere, 1985) spoke about how local languages can be the backbones of language education. This paper explores the inability of state level language planning policies at incorporating local languages into the curriculum leading to eventual endangerment of the language over generations. This paper will also look at languages with shared script and how it might be the result of language imperialism over centuries. The content and opinions expressed are that of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by/do not necessarily reflect the views of Azim Premji University.

On the use of names and example sentences in the linguistics classroom

Abstract In addition to representing a main source of data in linguistic research, example sentences are a core vehicle for linguists in teaching a wide range of phenomena to our students. However, the content of these sentences often reflects the biases of the researchers who construct them: referents are typically given Anglocentric proper names like John and Mary, reflecting (at least implicitly) dominant white culture and conformity to heteronormative gender roles. To support linguists in shifting these practices, we present the Diverse Names Database, a database of 78 names from a variety of languages and cultures, confirmed with native speakers. We outline the goals for the project, introduce our process of developing and adjusting the design, and present some additional issues and reflections for consideration, such as how to use the database as one component of an affirming, anti-racist, and gender-equitable linguistics pedagogy. We aim to generate meta-level discussions about disciplinary conventions and canons, and to challenge the idea that underlying linguistic structures are, or should be, the only things of relevance when constructing example sentences. How we teach linguistics is part of how we practise it, and how we do both matters to the composition and direction of the field.

Las primeras ejemplificaciones en ELE

The Anonymous Leuven grammars were two of the first grammars for teaching/learning Spanish as a foreign language (ELE) in history. The have been compared because of their contextual similarities. The aim of this paper is to compare both grammars, paying attention to an object of study wich is receibing increasing attention in linguistic historiography and which is fundamental in the teaching of ELE: the grammar exemplification. The main objective is to better understand the two grammars through the study of exemplification, and the influence of linguistic and extralinguistic factors on it. The analisis has been carried out based on the exemplification’s theory developed in previous works (e. g. Escudero Paniagua, 2022, 2023a, 2023b). Specifically, we have analysed: i) the quantity of exemplification in each grammar; ii) the exemplification mechanisms used; iii) the thypological variety of language’s (anti)fragments used in exemplification; iv) the languages in which the exemples are written; and v) the sources of exemples. The results show substantial differences in almost all aspects, althought both exemplificaions are simple, aimed at illustration rather than inciting linguistic reflection. Only the 1559 grammar provides a more complex exemplification of the pronunciation and writing of Castilian, especially by comparing exemples in different languages.

A Sociopragmatic Study of Saudi Arabic Address Terms: Implications for Cross-Cultural Communication

Many studies have investigated terms of address, primarily focusing on Western languages. However, few studies have explored this topic in varieties of the Arabic language. This study examines the use of terms of address in Saudi Arabic, investigating the terms used by Saudi men and women, the effect of the addressees’ age and gender on the selection of address terms, and the linguistic patterns employed by Saudis when addressing each other. Twelve participants from two large cities in Saudi Arabia took part in the study. A semi-structured interview featuring 12 different social situations was conducted to answer the research questions. The interviews were conducted in the Saudi Arabic dialect to elicit authentic and realistic responses. The data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and trends in the use of address terms. Seven categories of address terms were identified. Furthermore, the age and gender of the addressees were found to influence the choice of terms. Moreover, five linguistic patterns were used by the participants to address each other. These findings provide important insights into professional settings where understanding suitable address terms can lead to more productive and culturally acceptable communication.

The Turkish Language in the Poetry Collection Compiled by Miho Martelini from Dubrovnik

In the library of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo there is a manuscript poetry collection compiled by Miho Martelini from Dubrovnik. The collection was compiled in Dubrovnik in 1657 and consists of two volumes containing poems composed in Croatian, Turkish, and Italian. All of the poems were written down in Italian Latin script, except for one poem in both Croatian and Turkish, which was written down in Bosnian Cyrillic script. The eighteen Turkish poems in this collection all belong to the genre of Turkish folk poetry. This paper analyses the characteristics of the Turkish language in the poems from Martelini's collection. Since the poems were compiled in Dubrovnik, which had strong and lively ties with the Ottoman Empire, three linguistic layers could be expected in them: (1) the Ottoman language, or the language of the upper, educated classes of society in the Ottoman Empire; (2) West Rumelian Turkish, or the dialect of Turkish that we may expect to have been present on the territory of Dubrovnik; and (3) the so-called Bosnian variety of the Turkish language, which had developed under the strong influence of a South Slavic substratum, and which may also be expected to have been present in Dubrovnik, due to its geographical proximity to Ottoman Bosnia. This linguistic analysis of Turkish poems from Martelini’s collection complements the image we have of the linguistic, cultural, and societal conditions in the city of Dubrovnik, as well as the larger territory of southeastern Europe in the 17th century.

Akiga Sai from the perspective of Dutch Reformed Church missionaries:

Akiga Sai (1898-1959) is heralded as one of the few indigenous African anthropologists and historians of the early twentieth century. His work for the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (DRCSA) as evangelist, teacher, and translator (1915-1945), however, is under-researched. Furthermore, despite the significance of Sai’s life and work, no biography of his life has been published. This article illustrates that it is possible to extract valuable biographical and contextual data regarding Sai from the records of the DRCSA Sudan Mission, demonstrating the collection’s value regarding early documentation of indigenous communities. By compiling a partial biographical profile of the Nigerian Tiv writer, politician, translator, and evangelist Akiga Sai as a case study, this article highlights the importance of the DRCSA’s archival collections, specifically the documentation relating to the Cape Synod’s Sub-Commission for Foreign Missions [Buitelandse Sending Subkommissie]. Part of the DRCSA’s heritage is its archive: the rich and varied sources, available in a wide variety of languages, contains valuable information about aspects of (Southern) African history unavailable elsewhere.

The Algonquian person prefix is an agreement affix, not a pronominal clitic

Halle & Marantz (1993) propose that the person prefix that appears on Independent Order verbs in Potawatomi is a pronominal clitic and not an agreement affix, and this analysis has been followed for a variety of Algonquian languages by a large number of researchers. With data primarily from Passamaquoddy-Maliseet (Eastern Algonquian), I show that the prefix is not a pronominal clitic, it is an agreement affix, according to all diagnostics for distinguishing them. This conclusion is problematic because the prefix can be separated from the verb stem and the rest of the inflection, which is suffixal. I propose an analysis according to which all the inflectional suffixes are heads low in the clause, through which the main verb moves. The prefix, in contrast, is an Agr(eement) head adjoined to a head higher in the clause. This head attracts the highest verbal element, which will be the highest preverb if there is one, or the main verb if not. Preverbs are syntactic heads above the main verb which never form a complex head with it. This is amply justified by their separability, their prosody (they are often separate prosodic words), and coordination facts. Word order facts also indicate that the verb does not move very high in Algonquian languages, contrary to many analyses since Halle & Marantz (1993).

Language awareness survey among university students

In this study we examined the linguistic awareness and dialect attitudes of university students studying at the University of Nyíregyháza. It is particularly important that the future teachers have a positive attitude towards the varieties of the Hungarian language and share their knowledge with their learners in an effective way. However, the results of various research studies show that in many cases, mother tongue education in schools does not build on a multi-standard approach to language varieties, and as a consequence, non-standard varieties are perceived more negatively than standard ones. The aim of this research is to find out what the university students in the research study know about the regional variation of language, conscious language use and how they view dialect speech. The study was conducted through an online questionnaire survey involving 70 respondents. As a starting point for the research, it was assumed that the respondents’ dialect attitudes and language awareness would be determined by their experiences at school, and thus negative attitudes towards dialect speech would be observed in their value judgments. It was also assumed that respondents would be less accepting of the occurrence of dialect phenomena in their own language use and in the speech habits of others in their locality. The results showed that the majority of the students surveyed did not have a negative opinion of dialect phenomena, so the first hypothesis was not confirmed. However, the second hypothesis was partially confirmed, as far fewer respondents acknowledged the occurrence of dialect phenomena in their own language use than in the speech of the people in their locality. Overall, the majority of respondents to the survey have a positive attitude towards linguistic diversity and strive to use the language consciously. It is hoped that the students surveyed here will adopt the right approach to teaching about linguistic diversity in their teaching practice, thus positively influencing learners’ attitudes towards dialects and linguistic diversity.

Why vernacular language planning matters for preserving Acehnese languages?

Language planning policy is essential for language preservation, yet research rarely addresses vernacular or local languages specifically. This study examines how vernacular language planning policies can contribute to the preservation and revitalization of local languages, focusing on the case of Aceh, a province in Indonesia with a rich variety of local languages requiring preservation efforts. The study’s primary goal is to identify an effective framework for vernacular language planning in Aceh that can serve as a practical reference for language policymakers, planners, and researchers in Indonesia and beyond. Utilizing a systematic review method, this research analyzes literature on language vitality, endangerment, revitalization, and planning policy. Key findings reveal a newly developed vernacular language planning framework tailored to the current vitality status of Acehnese languages, offering a suitable model for their preservation and revitalization. This framework has the potential to serve as a foundational tool for efforts to sustain and revive Acehnese and other vernacular languages more broadly.

Project-Based Learning (PjBL) Mini Drama to Enhance Motivation and Japanese Communication Skills of Tourism Students

This study discusses how the project-based learning (PBL) method in the form of mini-drama, can improve oral Japanese communication skills and understanding of Japanese culture in the tourism study program at Garut University. The theme of the mini drama chosen was the differences in the habits of Japanese and Indonesian tourists in the context of hospitality. The mini drama was performed in an annual event organized by the tourism study program. The mini drama is 25 minutes long with three different story segments and conflicts. This study used a qualitative approach to measure the improvement of Japanese speaking ability as well as students' perceptions of the application of learning methods. The results showed that the PBL method applied can improve the Japanese oral communication skills of tourism study program students, especially communication using respectful language varieties (keigo) and formal language varieties (teineigo). Students also gave positive responses to the application of the PBL method because it was considered to increase learning motivation, self-confidence, better understanding of the socio-culture of Japanese society, and the ability to collaborate with students from various levels. This study provides implications for curriculum development and Japanese language learning methods in tourism study programs, as well as contributing to research on the effectiveness of the PBL method in Japanese language learning.

Unraveling the influence of essential climatic factors on the number of tones through an extensive database of languages in China

Abstract Recent research has provided supportive evidence for the role of humidity in the evolution of tones. However, there remain numerous challenges in delving deeper into the intricate relationship between the tone system and climatic factors: precisely tracking and identifying potentially relevant climate factors at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, while effectively controlling the potential interference caused by geographical proximity and language inheritance. Based on a substantial database of 1,525 language varieties in China and 41 years of monthly climate data, this study has delved into the correlation between multiple climate factors and number of tones, examined the mediating role of voice quality in this process, and further analyzed the interrelationship between climate factors and pitch variations. The findings reveal that climate factors influencing voice quality and the number of tones are diverse, with specific humidity, precipitation, and average temperature playing pivotal roles. After controlling the influence of language inheritance and geographical proximity, the chain of climate → voice quality → number of tones remains significant in China. Specifically, people living in a humid and warm environment tend to exhibit better voice quality. Meanwhile, regions with higher specific humidity and precipitation tend to have a richer and more diverse range of tone types. These findings enrich the theoretical framework of the interaction between language and the environment and provide robust empirical support for understanding the natural mechanisms of language evolution.

Bilingual and Binational Identity of Arabic-Speaking Immigrants: Language Contact and Mobility Perspectives

Growing applied linguistics research has discussed the upsurge of the usage of Arabic language among Arabic speakers in the United States (Bale, 2010; Sehlaoui, 2008); language contact and conflict among Arab Americans (AAs; Rouchdy, 2002); and how mobility—both virtual and physical—influences their identities (Duff, 2015). This study researches how AAs define their affiliation to the Arabic language in the United States to understand their attitudes on language variety and ethnic diversity, religion and identity, and stereotypes of Arabs. After analyzing interviews, all three AA participants self-selected their identity based on linguistic and physical contexts. Thus, the findings suggest further research on AAs should consider cyberidentity as a factor for bilingual speakers and compare it with Arabic speakers in their home country.

Analysis of the Use of Various Languages in Msme Digital Marketing on Instagram: Case Study of Pukis Kota Baru

The rapid development of technology requires MSME Entrepreneurs to be more creative and innovative. Instagram is one of the Social Media that is widely used in promoting their products today. Like the @pukiskotabaru account which uses Instagram as a digital marketing tool. The purpose of this study is to determine the type of use of language varieties in video content on the @pukiskotabaru Instagram account and assess the effectiveness of the use of language varieties by the @pukiskotabaru Instagram account in attracting attention and influencing consumers. In this study, researchers used qualitative methods with data collection techniques then used content analysis techniques, where researchers collected several video content to find several interesting posts or videos in the process of digital marketing of their products. The results of this study indicate that the use of language varieties in the video content of the @pukiskotabaru Instagram account consists of spoken language varieties, written language varieties, and nonstandard language varieties, the use of persuasive written language varieties and strong visuals to attract consumer interest and the use of these language varieties has proven to be quite effective in attracting attention and influencing consumers.

Studi Sosiolinguistik pada Nadhoman Terjemah Kitab Syu’abul Iman Karya KH. A Wahab Muhsin

Sociolinguistic studies are part of modern linguistic studies which cover all linguistic phenomena and their communities. This study can explain word preferences or language structures that differentiate one literary work from another based on the relationship between individuals, populations, periodization and people's lifestyle patterns. The source of sociolingistics research is all types of communication that use language, both spoken and written in all varieties of languages ​​in the world. This research aims to describe sociolinguistic relationships and traces of their application in Nadhoman's "Translation of Syu'abul Iman". The data used in this research are all aspects of perspective studies which include figurative sentences in the form of symbols, images, figurative language or figures of speech, as well as diction or choice of words as well as expressions in the form of loanwords, theme idioms, diction, language style, imagination and messages that describe the influence sociological and linguistic aspects of the translation of the book Syu'abul Iman by KH.A Wahab Muhsin in the form of a translation of the book Syu'abul Iman which was compiled in 1967. Researchers indicate that there are linguistic values ​​related to the situation and social relations in it. To prove this, the author analyzes it using descriptive qualitative methods. The data collection technique in this research is a reading-note technique. The technique is carried out by reading, taking notes for analysis based on the perspective study. The research results obtained prove that sociolinguistics is very influential on the building blocks of the translation of the book Syu'abul Iman.Keywords: Sociolinguistics, Sundanese Nazhoman, Translation.

How Indonesian Students View Code-Mixing in Daily Conversations

Multilingualism in Indonesia refers to local or regional languages as the first or mother tongue, Bahasa Indonesia as the second or official language, and foreign languages in which English is the most spoken foreign language in Indonesia. Such a condition may bring us to code-mixing. Code-mixing is using more than one language or language variety in conversation. To some linguists, code-mixing is perceived as a negative phenomenon for several reasons, such as reducing the sense of necessity to use the 'original' language of the speakers. However, this view might only be found among the older generation. How about the younger generation's perception of the code-mixing phenomenon? This study explores the students' perception of code-mixing in daily conversations. The study used a questionnaire-based research method and involved 83 respondents from majors such as English education, Islamic broadcasting communication, and management aged 18-23. The results show that 73.5% of the respondents consider code-mixing a normal phenomenon in daily conversations. Furthermore, 51.8% of the respondents perceive code-mixing as usual while engaging in conversation, 41% as a positive phenomenon due to bilingual capacity, and only 7.2% perceive code-mixing as a negative one regarding disrespectful reasons to Bahasa Indonesia.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika: Real Proof Of The Power Of Pancasila

Indonesia is a nation rich in diversity, encompassing a variety of ethnic groups, religions, languages, and cultures. The concept of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—"Unity in Diversity"—reflects this pluralism, advocating for peaceful coexistence despite differences, embodying the essence of Pancasila, the foundational ideology of the country. The national motto, symbolized by the Garuda Pancasila emblem, signifies the unity of the Indonesian people. This study aims to demonstrate that the challenges facing Indonesia's adherence to Pancasila can be addressed through the application of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Using qualitative research methods, particularly library research, data were collected from various sources including books, academic journals, and recent studies. The results emphasize that Bhinneka Tunggal Ika has long been a cornerstone of national unity and a symbol of Indonesia's rich diversity. Implementing Pancasila’s values in alignment with this motto fosters national welfare and underscores the importance of tolerance and interfaith harmony. Additionally, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika plays a vital role in raising awareness of nationalism and reinforcing societal cohesion.