Second Language Development in an English-speaking Country

This study aims to report a learner＇s language exposure and language use, early experience in mainstream classroom, difficulties at different stages of learning, and attitudes towards bilingualism in an English speaking country. It is concluded that when a student studies a second language, he/she should develop both interpersonal communicative skills and cognitive/academic language proficiency.

Effect of foot reflexology on an infant with sensorineural hearing loss:A case report

BACKGROUND Our study contributes to the further understanding of the mechanism of foot reflexology.Foot reflexology has been reported to affect hearing recovery,but no physiological evidence has been provided.This lack of evidence hampers the acceptance of the technique in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY A girl was taken to North Sichuan Medical University Affiliated Hospital for a hearing screen by her parents.Her parents reported that her hearing level was the same as when she was born.The girl was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)by a doctor in the otolaryngology department.After we introduced the foot reflexology project,the parents agreed to participate in the experiment.After 6 months of foot reflexology treatment,the hearing threshold of the girl recovered to a normal level,below 30 dB.CONCLUSION Foot reflexology should be encouraged in clinical practice and for families of infants with SNHL.

Brain networks in newborns and infants with and without sensorineural hearing loss:A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

BACKGROUND Understanding the impact of early sensory deficits on brain development is essential for understanding developmental processes and developing potential interventions.While previous studies have looked into the impact of prenatal experiences on language development,there is a lack of research on how these experiences affect early language and brain function development in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL).AIM To investigate SNHL effects on early brain development and connectivity in 4-month-olds vs healthy newborns and controls.METHODS The research involved analyzing the functional brain networks of 65 infants,categorized into three groups:28 healthy newborns,224-month-old participants with SNHL,and 15 age-matched healthy participants.The resting-state functional connectivity was measured and compared between the groups using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and graph theory to assess the brain network properties.RESULTS Significant differences were found in resting-state functional connectivity between participants with SNHL and age-matched controls,indicating a developmental lag in brain connectivity for those with SNHL.Surprisingly,SNHL participants showed better connectivity development compared to healthy newborns,with connectivity strengths of 0.13±0.04 for SNHL,0.16±0.08 for controls,and 0.098±0.04 for newborns.Graph theory analysis revealed enhanced global brain network properties for the SNHL group,suggesting higher communication efficiency at 4 months.No significant differences were noted in network properties between 4-month-old SNHL participants and neonates.A unique pattern of central hubs was observed in the SNHL group,with 2 hubs in the left hemisphere compared to 6 in controls.CONCLUSION 4-month-old infants with SNHL have a distinct brain network pattern with efficient long-distance information transmission but less effective local communication compared to age-matched controls.

On the clash between the traditional culture and the ＂fast food＂ culture from a perspective of internet language

With the development of the Internet, the Internet language-a new social variant of language comes into being. Owing to its distinctive features, the Internet language draws extensive attention and evokes dispute. Should we make laws to restrict its development or be magnanimous and tolerant？ The present authors think that the dispute reflects the clash between the traditional culture and the ＂fast food＂ culture. The two cultures would co-exist harmoniously and co-develop healthily only if we cherish the law in the development of language and grasp the indirect correlation between them.

New language outcome measures for Mandarin speaking children with hearing loss

Objective:The paper discusses recent evidence on the assessment of language outcomes in children with hearing loss acquiring oral language. Methods: Research emphasizes that language tests must be specific enough to capture subtle deficits in vocabulary and grammar learning at different developmental ages. The Diagnostic Receptive and Expressive Assessment of Mandarin (DREAM) was carefully designed to be a comprehensive standardized Mandarin assessment normed in China's Mainland. Results:This paper summarizes the evidence-based item design process and validity and reliability results of DREAM. A pilot study reported here shows that DREAM provided detailed information about hearing impaired children's language abilities and can be used to aid intervention planning to maximize progress. Conclusion: DREAM represents an example of translational science, transferring methods from empirical studies of language acquisition in research environments into applied domains such as assessment and intervention. Research on outcomes in China will advance significantly with the availability of evidence-based comprehensive language tests that measure a sufficient age range of skills, are normed on Mandarin speaking children in China's Mainland, and are designed to capture features central to Mandarin language acquisition.

Mapping the Research Landscape of Language Development in Autistic Children: A Preliminary Scientometric Analysis

Children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)often encounter difficulties in language learning and utilization,a concern that has gained significant academic attention,particularly given the widespread occurrence of ASD globally.Previous reviews,however,have relied on empirical observations rather than a more rigorous selection criterion.This preliminary study seeks to systematize the scientific knowledge base regarding language development in autistic children by utilizing the analysis tool Citespace 6.2.R5.We visualized and analyzed research patterns and trends regarding autism by drawing data from the Web of Science.Through document citation and emerging trend analyses,seven key research clusters and their chronological associations are identified,along with research hotspots such as language disorder diagnosis and intervention,social communication,language acquisition,and multilingual and multicultural influences.Research findings show that there exist some issues with the current research,including small sample sizes,the need for further investigation into receptive language development,and a lack of cross-cultural comparative studies.Meanwhile,the scope and depth of interdisciplinary research on language development in autistic children also need to be further enhanced.The research contributes to the extant literature by providing valuable references for autism researchers and practitioners.

The Situation of the Indigenous African Languages as a Challenge for Philosophy

In view of the increasing demands for the rehabilitation and promotion of indigenous African languages,a philosophical answer to the question of what can and should be done to effectively counteract the continuing marginalization of languages is often required.Despite the relatively successful coexistence of African and European languages,which has produced mixed languages,all measures must be taken to ensure that the native languages of Africa are used in the future as a means of expressing Africa’s identities and worldviews.This chapter tries to show how the philosophy of convergence can contribute to overcome the language dilemma in Africa.

Factors influencing parent satisfaction with preventive health services for the early detection of speech and language delay in preschool children

The aim of this study was to identify parent and child characteristics which could influence parent satisfaction with preventive health services designed to detect preschool children with speech and language (SL) delay. This study was conducted on 101 children aged 18 to 36 months who participated in an organized SL delay early detection program. Validated instruments were used to assess children’s and parents’ characteristics. Satisfaction was evaluated using the client satisfaction questionnaire for the three activities of the program: 1) a public information session about SL development, 2) parent training sessions for parents concerned by their child SL development, and 3) a child’s SL assessment. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify all independent factors (p < 0.05) associated with satisfaction and to estimate the odds ratios (OR) for satisfaction. Economically disadvantaged parents were less prone to participate in the first two activities of the early detection program. Older parents were more satisfied with the public information session (OR = 1.33 for 1 year increment;p = 0.001). Distressed parents were less satisfied with both the parent training sessions (OR = 0.28;p = 0.009) and the SL assessment (OR = 0.43;p = 0.046). Parents whose child had health problems at birth were less satisfied with the public information session (OR = 0.14, p = 0.03) and the SL assessment (OR = 0.33, p = 0.036). There is a need to better adapt the delivery of preventive services for the early detection of SL delay, especially for disadvantaged and distressed parents and for those whose child had suffered from health problems at birth.

The Sociology of Language——the Origin of Chinese

Languages come from lives of people and characters are the conventional text symbol system in society.There are thou⁃sands of languages around the world,only less than half of which own the corresponding characters,and Chinese is one of the lan⁃guages that has the corresponding characters.Chinese characters are not only still in use today but also are the oldest and best pre⁃served characters all over the world,which because of the close connection with Han nationality and Han culture.The paper ex⁃plores the origin of Chinese pronunciation,the origin of Chinese writing,the development of Chinese,and the connection between Chinese and Han culture.Also,it is important and significant for people to know how to protect our own languages.

Congenital muscular dystrophy caused by beta1,3-Nacetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 gene mutation:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Mutations in the beta1,3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2(B3GALNT2)gene can lead to impaired glycosylation ofα-dystroglycan,which,in turn,causes congenital muscular dystrophy(CMD).The clinical phenotypes of CMD are broad,and there are only a few reports of CMD worldwide.CASE SUMMARY This report describes the cases of two children with CMD caused by B3GALNT2 gene mutation.The main manifestations of the two cases were abnormal walking posture,language development delay,and abnormal development of the white matter.Case 2 also had unreported symptoms of meningocele and giant arachnoid cyst.Both cases had compound heterozygous mutations of the B3GALNT2 gene,each containing a truncated mutation and a missense mutation,and three of the four loci had not been reported.Nineteen patients with CMD caused by B3GALNT2 gene mutation were found in the literature.Summary and analysis of the characteristics of CMD caused by B3GALNT2 gene mutation showed that 100%of the cases had nervous system involvement.Head magnetic resonance imaging often showed abnormal manifestations,and more than half of the children had eye and muscle involvement;some of the gene-related symptoms were self-healing.CONCLUSION B3GALNT2 gene can be used as one of the candidate genes for screening CMD,cognitive development retardation,epilepsy,and multiple brain developmental malformations in infants.

SATB2-associated syndrome caused by a novel SATB2 mutation in a Chinese boy:A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 2(SATB2)-associated syndrome(SAS;OMIM 612313)is an autosomal dominant disorder.Alterations in the SATB2 gene have been identified as causative.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 13-year-old Chinese boy with lifelong global developmental delay,speech and language delay,and intellectual disabilities.He had short stature and irregular dentition,but no other abnormal clinical findings.A de novo heterozygous nonsense point mutation was detected by genetic analysis in exon 6 of SATB2,c.687C>A(p.Y229X)(NCBI reference sequence:NM_001172509.2),and neither of his parents had the mutation.This mutation is the first reported and was evaluated as pathogenic according to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.SAS was diagnosed,and special education performed.Our report of a SAS case in China caused by a SATB2 mutation expanded the genotype options for the disease.The heterogeneous manifestations can be induced by complicated pathogenic involvements and functions of SATB2 from reviewed literatures:(1)SATB2 haploinsufficiency;(2)the interference of truncated SATB2 protein to wild-type SATB2;and(3)different numerous genes regulated by SATB2 in brain and skeletal development in different developmental stages.CONCLUSION Global developmental delays are usually the initial presentations,and the diagnosis was challenging before other presentations occurred.Regular follow-up and genetic analysis can help to diagnose SAS early.Verification for genes affected by SATB2 mutations for heterogeneous manifestations may help to clarify the possible pathogenesis of SAS in the future.

Study on Chinese“Internet New Idioms”

With the development of internet and the increase of internet users,internet language develops rapidly.Many new words,new idioms and new constructions are derived from the internet,which enriches the expressional function of language and meanwhile brings difficulties to language standardization.The paper takes internet new idioms as examples to discuss the development and standardization of internet language.

A SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE ON SECOND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND INSTRUCTION

Currently research on developing socio-cultural and linguistic competence simultaneously in the language classroom is gaining increasing attention from EFL practitioners and curriculum designers. This paper contends that albeit second language learning is a complex phenomenon with different variables concerning the psychological factors of the learners and the socio-cultural elements of the contexts, an interactional approach to second language learning can ensure that a social perspective of second language development and instruction contributes to having a positive effect on the nature and quality of language learning, which activates the autonomous learning motivation and creates diversity in the learning atmosphere.

Innovation and development of foreign language teaching in China

Foreign language teaching has been playing a dominant role in China’s curriculum reform,especially in the present globalization of Chinese society and economy.However,the insufficient research into foreign language teaching and blindly adopting western theory demand China learn from its own experience and also develop western foreign language teaching theories that innovate and promote its education system and research.

Learning Literacy Difficulties

Recently,there has been a growing concern about low literacy performance levels among children and adolescents(Deshler&Hock,2007).According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress(NAEP)data released in 2007,34%of fourth-graders are classified as reading below baseline(Lee,Grigg,&Donahue,2007).The rate is even worse for children with learning disabilities(MD).Thus,improving literacy performance for these children was a primary concern for both teachers and researchers.Much of the current research focuses on the role of phonological instruction in improving literacy performance,however this present study explores a different choice.Since researchers have found data on children with dyslexia using morphology as a compensatory strategy in reading(Casalis,Colé,&Sopo,2004),it is important to investigate morphological interventions as a means of improving literacy performance in children with learning/reading difficulties,troubled readers and poor spelling.Although morphological awareness is more related to phonology or syntax than spelling and reading(Siegel,2008),it has received less attention from researchers and educators(Nunes,Bryant,Hurry,&Pretzlik,2006).For example,morphological instruction was not considered in the comprehensive review of the National Reading Panel published in 2000(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,2000).With increased interest in morphological teaching,two compositions examining morphological teaching have been published in the last two years.However,they summarized the findings of the study more in a narrative rather than a statistical way.A recent synthesis by Reed(2008)examined seven published studies on morphological instruction and examined the effect of morphological instruction on three reading outcomes,including word recognition,spelling,and vocabulary development.

Impacts of Chinese Translators’Risk Management Ability on Translation Project Outcomes:A Study Based on Structural Equation Model

Translation project outcomes are affected by many factors.Hence,this study explored the impact of risk management ability of translators on translation project outcomes in China.In the study,we took risk management ability of translators in translation projects as the research objective and collected research data through an online questionnaire to establish a structural equation model.Based on these data in the model,we analyzed impacts of translators’risk management ability on translation project outcomes.Evidently,risks in project planning during translation as well as proofreading and typesetting after translation affect the delivery and remuneration of translation.The study can help translators correctly recognize and manage the risks in translation practices,increase the success rate of translation projects and further promote the sound development of language services.

Aberrant auditory system and its developmental implications for autism

Most infants who are later diagnosed with autism show delayed speech and language and/or atypical language profile.There is a large body of research on abnormal speech and language in children with autism.However,auditory development has been relatively under-investigated in autism research,despite its inextricable relationship with language development and despite researchers'ability to detect abnormalities in brain development and behavior in early infancy.In this review,we synthesize research on auditory processing in the prenatal period through infancy and childhood in typically developing children,children at high risk for autism,and children diagnosed with autism.We conclude that there are clear neurobiological and behavioral links between abnormal auditory development and the deficits in social communication seen in autism.We then offer perspectives on the need for a systematic characterization of early auditory development in autism,and identified questions to be addressed in future research on the development of autism.

Screening For Language Disorders in Primary Care Settings

The acquisition of language ability is one of the most important milestones in early child development.The ability to communicate with others extends beyond the use of spoken words and includes tone of voice,facial expression,

Unified Platform-Based Ethnic Languages Document Recognition System Developed Successfully by Tsinghua

The scientific achievements appraising conference of multi-font printed Mongolian （mixed with Chinese and English） document recognition system and unified platform-based ethnic languages document recognition system organized by the Ministry of Education was held on January 29, 2007 at Tsinghua University.

A Lecture Delivered at Beijing Foreign Studies University, May 12, 2019

This article traces the evolution of the field of second language acquisition/development(SLA/SLD). It chronicles the evolution in terms of different disciplines and theories that have been influential, beginning with the origin of SLA/SLD in linguistic thinking and expanding its scope of inquiry to psycholinguistics. It has developed further with the disciplines of anthropology and sociology holding sway. More recently, newer cognitive theories have been influential. The article discusses the recent call for a transdisciplinary approach. More specifically, the author promotes the adoption of complex dynamic systems theory, in keeping with non-reductionist systems thinking. Not only is this sociocognitive theory an interdisciplinary theory, but it also highlights the dynamic, variable, nonlinear nature of second language development. This it does within an ecological conception of development, which insists on the relevance of context. It also maintains that SLA/SLD is not a matter of input becoming output, but rather that language patterns emerge from the interaction of its users, given the affordances that they perceive. The article concludes with a discussion of several instructional issues.