Application of a model of the auditory primal sketch to cross-linguistic differences in speech rhythm: Implications for the acquisition and recognition of speech

2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 2456
Author(s):  
Neil P. M. Todd ◽  
Christopher S. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Speech Rhythm ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Primal Sketch

scholarly journals Capturing Cross-linguistic Differences in Macro-rhythm: The Case of Italian and English

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-263
Author(s):  
Leona Polyanskaya ◽  
Maria Grazia Busà ◽  
Mikhail Ordin
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Speech Processing ◽  
Speech Rhythm ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Language Difference ◽  
Relative Load ◽  
Higher Regularity ◽  
Cross Language

We tested the hypothesis that languages can be classified by their degree of tonal rhythm (Jun, 2014). The tonal rhythms of English and Italian were quantified using the following parameters: (a) regularity of tonal alternations in time, measured as durational variability in peak-to-peak and valley-to-valley intervals; (b) magnitude of F0 excursions, measured as the range of frequencies covered by the speaker between consecutive F0 maxima and minima; (c) number of tonal target points per intonational unit; and (d) similarity of F0 rising and falling contours within intonational units. The results show that, as predicted by Jun’s prosodic typology (2014), Italian has a stronger tonal rhythm than English, expressed by higher regularity in the distribution of F0 minima turning points, larger F0 excursions, and more frequent tonal targets, indicating alternating phonological H and L tones. This cross-language difference can be explained by the relative load of F0 and durational ratios on the perception and production of speech rhythm and prominence. We suggest that research on the role of speech rhythm in speech processing and language acquisition should not be restricted to syllabic rhythm, but should also examine the role of cross-language differences in tonal rhythm.

Solving the Problem of Babel

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Schotter
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
James Joyce ◽  
Illuminated Manuscripts ◽  
Finnegans Wake ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Universal Language ◽  
Basic English

By situating James Joyce within a larger discourse about the problem of Babel, this chapter show how hieroglyphs were used to make arguments for the origin of linguistic differences. The journal transition—in which Joyce’s work was serialized—served as a clearinghouse for ideas about how a new linguistic unity might be forged: either through Joyce’s Wake-ese or through the philosopher C. K. Ogden’s universal language of Basic English. Fascinated by these theories of universal language and drawn to the anti-imperialist politics underlying them, Joyce in Ulysses andFinnegans Wake turns to visual and gestural languages—film, hieroglyphs, advertisements, and illuminated manuscripts—in an effort to subvert theories of ‘Aryan’ language and imagine a more inclusive origin for the world’s cultures. The commonality of writing and new media become in Joyce a political gesture: a way of insisting on the unity of all races and languages in a mythic past against Nazi claims for racial purity.

Of Nils and Nation: Selma Lagerlöf'sThe Wonderful Adventures of Nils

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJÖRN SUNDMARK
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
School System ◽  
The State ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
State School ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Vested Interests ◽  
National Ideology ◽  
Selma Lagerlof

Recently past its centenary, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (1906–7), by Selma Lagerlöf, has remained an international children's classic, famous for its charm and magical elements. This article returns to read the book in its original contexts, and sets out to demonstrate that it was also published as a work of instruction, a work of geography, calculated to build character and nation. Arguing that it represents the vested interests of the state school system, and the national ideology of modern Sweden, the article analyses Nils's journey as the production of a Swedish ‘space’. With a focus on representations of power and nationhood in the text, it points to the way Lagerlöf takes stock of the nation's natural resources, characterises its inhabitants, draws upon legends and history, and ultimately constructs a ‘folkhem’, where social classes, ethnic groups and linguistic differences are all made to contribute to a sense of Swedish belonging and destiny.

EVALD – a Pioneer Application for Automated Essay Scoring in Czech

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-30
Author(s):  
Kateřina Rysová ◽  
Magdaléna Rysová ◽  
Michal Novák ◽  
Jiří Mírovský ◽  
Eva Hajičová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Automated Essay Scoring ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Linguistic Differences ◽  
Supervised Training ◽  
Language Data ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Essay Scoring

Abstract In the paper, we present EVALD applications (Evaluator of Discourse) for automated essay scoring. EVALD is the first tool of this type for Czech. It evaluates texts written by both native and non-native speakers of Czech. We describe first the history and the present in the automatic essay scoring, which is illustrated by examples of systems for other languages, mainly for English. Then we focus on the methodology of creating the EVALD applications and describe datasets used for testing as well as supervised training that EVALD builds on. Furthermore, we analyze in detail a sample of newly acquired language data – texts written by non-native speakers reaching the threshold level of the Czech language acquisition required e.g. for the permanent residence in the Czech Republic – and we focus on linguistic differences between the available text levels. We present the feature set used by EVALD and – based on the analysis – we extend it with new spelling features. Finally, we evaluate the overall performance of various variants of EVALD and provide the analysis of collected results.

Speech rhythm in multiethnolectal Zurich German

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Anne Morand ◽  
Melissa Bruno ◽  
Nora Julmi ◽  
Sandra Schwab ◽  
Stephan Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Speech Rhythm
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