Contributions of common genetic variants to specific languages and to when a language is learned

Research over the past two decades has identified a group of common genetic variants explaining a portion of variance in native language ability. The present study investigates whether the same group of genetic variants are associated with different languages and languages learned at different times in life. We recruited 940 young adults who spoke from childhood Chinese and English as their first (native) (L1) and second (L2) language, respectively, who were learners of a new, third (L3) language. For the variants examined, we found a general decrease of contribution of genes to language functions from native to foreign (L2 and L3) languages, with variance in foreign languages explained largely by non-genetic factors such as musical training and motivation. Furthermore, genetic variants that were found to contribute to traits specific to Chinese and English respectively exerted the strongest effects on L1 and L2. These results seem to speak against the hypothesis of a language- and time-universal genetic core of linguistic functions. Instead, they provide preliminary evidence that genetic contribution to language may depend at least partly on the intricate language-specific features. Future research including a larger sample size, more languages and more genetic variants is required to further explore these hypotheses.

The default network is causally linked to creative thinking

Creative thinking represents a major evolutionary mechanism that greatly contributed to the rapid advancement of the human species. The ability to produce novel and useful ideas, or original thinking, is thought to correlate well with unexpected, synchronous activation of several large-scale, dispersed cortical networks, such as the default network (DN). Despite a vast amount of correlative evidence, a causal link between default network and creativity has yet to be demonstrated. Surgeries for resection of brain tumors that lie in proximity to speech related areas are performed while the patient is awake to map the exposed cortical surface for language functions. Such operations provide a unique opportunity to explore human behavior while disrupting a focal cortical area via focal electrical stimulation. We used a novel paradigm of individualized direct cortical stimulation to examine the association between creative thinking and the DN. Preoperative resting-state fMRI was used to map the DN in individual patients. A cortical area identified as a DN node (study) or outside the DN (controls) was stimulated while the participants performed an alternate-uses-task (AUT). This task measures divergent thinking through the number and originality of different uses provided for an everyday object. Baseline AUT performance in the operating room was positively correlated with DN integrity. Direct cortical stimulation at the DN node resulted in decreased ability to produce alternate uses, but not in the originality of uses produced. Stimulation in areas that when used as network seed regions produced a network similar to the canonical DN was associated with reduction of creative fluency. Stimulation of areas that did not produce a default-like network (controls) did not alter creative thinking. This is the first study to causally link the DN and creative thinking.

VARIASI DAN FUNGSI RAGAM BAHASA IKLAN LAYANAN MASYARAKAT DI MEDIA SOSIAL PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 SUATU TINJAUAN SOSIOLINGUISTIK

ABSTRACTThis research is motivated by the problems contained in public service advertisements on social media during the covid-19 pandemic. The objectives of the research are (1) to describe the form of language variations of public service advertisements on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. (2) To describe the function of the various languages of public service advertisements on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. The method used is descriptive qualitative by explaining objects based on facts contained in public service advertisements on social media during the covid-19 pandemic. The data source of this research is public service advertisements on social media. Data collection techniques used were recording techniques and data transcripts in the form of words, phrases, and sentences in public service advertisements. The data analysis techniques used in this study include data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results of this study indicate that there are as many as 3 types of language variations in terms of speakers, usage and formality. There are 5 types of language functions, namely emotive, referential, directive, poetic, and fatigued

Conclusion

This chapter summarizes the contents of the previous chapters and discusses what might be considered particularly Epicurean about Philodemus’ theories. In short, Philodemus’ views on poetry can be traced in part to Epicurean commitments regarding (i) the irrationality of the senses, (ii) how language functions, (iii) their empiricism, and (iv) education, including ethics and theology. In addition, Philodemus’ views on poetry reflects the Epicurean view that philosophy is the only truly worthwhile activity. There is no unified Epicurean theory of fine arts, and poetry does not have any particular or special role to play in human life.

Lesion Distribution and Early Changes of Right Hemisphere in Chinese Patients With Post-stroke Aphasia

The role of the right hemisphere (RH) in post-stroke aphasia (PSA) has not been completely understood. In general, the language alterations in PSA are normally evaluated from the perspective of the language processing models developed from Western languages such as English. However, the successful application of the models for assessing Chinese-language functions in patients with PSA has not been reported. In this study, the features of specific language-related lesion distribution and early variations of structure in RH in Chinese patients with PSA were investigated. Forty-two aphasic patients (female: 13, male: 29, mean age: 58 ± 12 years) with left hemisphere (LH) injury between 1 and 6 months after stroke were included. The morphological characteristics, both at the levels of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM), were quantified by 3T multiparametric brain MRI. The Fridriksson et al.’s dual-stream model was used to compare language-related lesion regions. Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis has been performed. Our results showed that lesions in the precentral, superior frontal, middle frontal, and postcentral gyri were responsible for both the production and comprehension dysfunction of Chinese patients with PSA and were quite different from the lesions described by using the dual-stream model of Fridriksson et al. Furthermore, gray matter volume (GMV) was found significantly decreased in RH, and WM integrity was disturbed in RH after LH injury in Chinese patients with PSA. The different lesion patterns between Chinese patients with PSA and English-speaking patients with PSA may indicate that the dual-stream model of Fridriksson et al. is not suitable for the assessment of Chinese-language functions in Chinese patients with PSA in subacute phase of recovery. Moreover, decreased structural integrity in RH was found in Chinese patients with PSA.

An Insight into Discourse Tact and Acts: An Analysis of a Case Study of a Spontaneous Argumentative Conversation

This case study investigated the discourse features and acts used in an argumentative conversation. The study employed purposive sampling method to gather data, and drew on a cell phone audio-recording of a series of authentic conversation. The data were analyzed through interpretive analysis technique. The results of the analysis reveal an authentic argumentative conversation appears more of interactional rather than transactional. The finding indicates how discourse articulates the ethical, ideological and family or social ties. It mirrors how the different linguistic features and speech acts performed influence the nature of a conversation and how the participants engaged in the conversation tried to respect maxims of politeness, relations, manners, quality and quantity to have safe and sound interaction. This implies discourse is not only constructed using different linguistic features and speech acts, but also it echoes the beliefs, feelings, cultural perspectives, social norms and relations of participants using different language functions.

ESP: A NEEDS ANALYSIS OF MARITIME ENGLISH AT POLIMARIN

As an archipelagic country, Indonesia has long been known for its marine potential. This potential comes with new challenges, one of them being language problem. In this regard, English shows its prominent role as the international language to bridge communications. This research provided a needs analysis to identify the “necessities”, “lacks”, and “wants” in relation with English usage in maritime sector, specifically for those conducting internship at international ships. A qualitative approach and a descriptive design were applied in this research. The respondents consisted of 19 students of Polimarin who had completed internship at international ships, selected through total sampling technique. Their responses were collected by a questionnaire, complemented by interview. The collected data were then processed through a model consisting of four stages; data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The “necessities” analysis revealed speaking and vocabulary as the most needed language skill and component. The “lacks” analysis showed that the syllabus used pays attention to English language skills and components evenly and that some respondents were underprepared before doing internship. The “wants” analysis came up with the simple present tense and the simple past tense as the most wanted tenses to master, pronouns as the most wanted grammatical feature and passive voice as the least wanted, all language functions evenly wanted, and group discussion as the most preferred learning activity. In conclusion, syllabus revision is due to improve the quality of English learning by accommodating the students’ “necessities”, “lacks”, and “wants”. Key words:ESP, Maritime English, Needs Analysis

Some Important Secrets of Language Development

Language is a jewel in the human body. If it is not available, no phenomenon can compensate for its absence. Every human with a language is known as a skillful person. If language is downfallen, almost all human beings’ relations are damaged. Language, like all other phenomena of human culture, is closely linked to a human community, an event that occurs in a community, taking its own steps towards perfection in that community. Language is the only source of communication among the people. In fact, it is a source of reflection of the aspirations and desires of the people and a great tool for finding ways to meet their needs. In the process of research, I have clarified what language means, what it is called. As a result of the research, it has also become clear what is its value in social life, what is its importance. Language functions were also highlighted during the research. Some important factors and characteristics that lead to the development of a language are highlighted in details. If the speakers of any language take advantage of the mentioned ways to develop their language, to contrive for it to conclude all the mentioned possibilities and factors in their language, I am sure that their language will be taken place among the advanced languages.

Impairment and Plasticity of Language-Related White Matter in Patients With Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

Background and Purpose: Language dysfunction is rarely seen in patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) albeit the AVM nidus involving language areas, which provides a unique disease model to study language reorganization. The objective of this study was to investigate the impairment and reorganization patterns and characteristics of language-related white matter in AVMs located at different brain areas. Methods: Thirty-three patients with AVMs involving language areas were prospectively enrolled. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the lesion locations: the frontal (14 patients), temporal (15 patients), and parietal groups (4 patients). Thirty age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled as comparison. All participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging scans, and automated fiber quantification method was applied to quantitatively study the difference of segmented language-related white matter connectivity between 3 AVM groups and control group. Results: Language functions were normal in all subjects according to Western Aphasia Battery test. In the frontal group, fractional anisotropy (FA) value decreased in the left arcuate fascicle and increased in left superior longitudinal fasciculus and uncinate fascicle; in the temporal group, FA values decreased in left inferior fronto-occipital fascicle and inferior longitudinal fascicle and increased in right anterior thalamic radiation and uncinate fascicle; in the parietal group, FA values decreased in left arcuate fascicle and inferior longitudinal fascicle and increased in bilateral anterior thalamic radiations and uncinate fascicles and right inferior fronto-occipital fascicle. In fascicles with decreased FA values, the increase of radial diffusivity was common, and fascicles with increased FA values usually presented along with increased axial diffusivity values. Conclusions: Remodeling of language-related white matter occurs when traditional language areas are involved by AVM nidus, and its reorganization patterns vary with locations of AVM nidus. Fascicle impairment is mainly caused by the myelin deficits, and its plasticity may be dominated by the axon remodeling procedure.

Use of Short Stories in Language Learning

This study is an attempt to explore understanding of English teachers on the use of traditional short stories in language learning and find out the impacts of extensive reading of culturally embedded short stories in consolidating students' language learning. Phenomenological research design was adopted to carry out this study in which 8 English teachers represented 4 from public and 4 from institutional secondary schools were selected from Kirtipur Muncipality of Kathmandu district through purposive non-random sampling procedure. In-depth-interview and classroom observation were used as tools to collect data to address the objectives of this study. The findings of this study show that the language functions and vocabulary could be improved through short stories; language skills could be cultivated with the help of reading short stories; their higher order thinking skills are developed reading short stories; and they get entertainment, motivation and refreshment.