A Contrastive Study on French and Urhobo Phonological Systems A Case Study of Articles and Demonstrative Structures

It is a general knowledge that French as a language is widely spoken internationally whereas Urhobo is mainly spoken in the geographical location where it belongs. It is also spoken, and this, sparingly so, by Urhobo persons in the Diaspora. Presently, Urhobo has become a language of study at the Delta State University, Abraka. It has also been included in the educational curriculum for study at the lower cadre of secondary school education in the Delta State. This situation has triggered the author＇s interest in doing a contrastive phonological study. The significance of this study is that it will highlight the salient differences in some of the grammatical aspects in the languages under consideration and also identify the difficulties that learners experience as a result of these difficulties. The author will also, as much as it is possible, proffer solutions to these learning difficulties.

Interlanguage Phonological System of L1 Cantonese Learners of English

This paper aims to study the unique interlanguage phonological system of the L1 Cantonese learners of English in GuangdongProvince, including the roles of the differences between native language and target language, language transfer and other constraints dur-ing the interlanguage formation process. An experiment has been designed to test the pronunciation of targeted consonants of the voca-tional college students, who are English majors with Cantonese as native language but are also exposed to Mandarin for a long time. Re-sults show that the sounds that do not exist in native language are easily pronounced incorrectly. The phonological system the subjectsdevelop to substitute the targeted consonants is quite different from that of the L1 Cantonese learners from Hong Kong and is also variedfrom that of the L1 Mandarin learners from other province of China's Mainland. It confirms that the L1 Cantonese learners of English inGuangdong Province do have a unique phonological system in their interlanguage and that special attention should be paid by teachersduring the teaching of English pronunciation.

The Inner Split in Genetics of Wu Colloquial Expression“[hÃɲ^(33) paʔ^(3) lÃɲ^(33) tÃɲ^(31)]”

“[ã^(44) kã^(44) paʔ^(5) lã44 tã^(53)]”(Chinese characters transcription“昂更八冷打”)is an colloquial expression in Tongxiang dialect of Suzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Sub-branch,Taihu Branch,Wu.It describes an awkward state with unfinished tasks.Its similar expressions can be found in other regions of Taihu Branch,including Yixing,Changzhou,Shaoxing and Ningbo,usually serving as“all”,while the expression“[hÃɲ^(33) paʔ^(3) lÃɲ^(33) tÃɲ^(31)]”(“亨八冷打”)in Shanghai Sub-branch indicates“the remaining parts”when used alone.“[hÃɲ^(33) paʔ^(3) lÃɲ^(33) tÃɲ^(31)]”stands for“all”only when followed by a word with meaning of“adding together”.In this paper,it is concluded and deduced from other similar morphemes that the contradictory connotations are related to an“inner split”process of an original word.Considering similar morphemes in other Chinese dialects(including Cantonese,Hakka,Jianghuai and Min),the following analysis proposes three possible original expressions and correlating trajectories of this inner phonetic-semantic split process,and selects a most credible way based on the rhyming dictionary and previous reconstructive models of ancient Chinese phonology.This presumptive analysis indicates that a broader“split and derivate”process generating new morphemes exists widely in Sinitic dialects as a natural company of phonetic features in Chinese language flow.

On Aesthetic Representation at Phonological Level in English Versions of Zhu Ziqing's Lyric Prose Transient Days

The paper analyses aesthetic message at phonological level of Zhu Ziqing's lyric prose Transient Days and explores how such message is represented in English versions respectively translated by Zhang Peiji and Zhu Chunshen.

Neural basis of Chinese phonological processing under picture stimulus A functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Studies concerning phonological processing mainly use written stimuli. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate the brain regions related to the phonological processing under the picture stimulus in the rhyme task of Chinese language. Results of the test in 13 healthy college students whose native language is Chinese showed the extensive activation in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe and the occipitotemporal cortex, including the inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus and medial occipitotemporal gyrus under the picture stimuli. Moreover, phonological processing induced activation in the superior temporal gyrus （BA 22） under the picture stimuli, but activation was not found in the middle temporal gyrus.

The Theory of Internal Compensation in Language Systems

This essay elaborates as thoroughly as possible the theory of internal compensation of the natural language system, and proves that the general distinctive function, which vanishes because of the loss or decrease of one or more sub-systems or units with their distinctive function, will be compensated with the increase of others or something new to guarantee the general balance of the whole system and fulfill the need of communication. By just discussing some phenomena of internal compensation at the phonological level here, this essay reveals some interesting rules and gives new explanations to some phenomena that have not been explained or not explained properly, then prove the theory’s function of explanation.

The Negative Transfer of Mother Tongue on English Pronunciation——from the Phonetic and Phonological Perspectives

Language researchers have long been working on the language transfer theory since 1970s with an aim to help second language acquisition. Researches on transfer of pronunciation were explored from many aspects, such as phonetics, age, motivation and culture etc. By illustrating the Chinese learners' improper English pronunciation, it tries to discuss the negative transfer of their mother tongue on the English pronunciation on the theoretical basis of phonetic and phonological differences between the two languages. Based on these studies and analysis, it hopes to arouse the learners' awareness of the different pronunciation between English and Chinese and their interests in acquiring a native-like pronunciation, and hopefully the teachers will also help the learners have a good knowledge of the difference before they're affected by the negative transfer of Chinese.

Interaction between semantic and phonological processes in stuttering Evidence from the dual-task paradigm

Stuttering is a common neurological deficit and its underlying cognitive mechanisms are a matter of debate, with evidence suggesting abnormal modulation between speech encoding and other cognitive components. Previous studies have mainly used single task experiments to investigate the disturbance of language production. It is unclear whether there is abnormal interaction between the three language tasks （orthographic, phonological and semantic judgment） in stuttering patients. This study used dual tasks and manipulated the stimulus onset asynchrony （SOA） between tasks 1 and 2 and the nature of the second task, including orthographic, phonological, and semantic judgments. The results showed that the performance records of orthographic judgment, phonological judgment, and semantic judgment were significantly reduced between the patient and control groups with short SOA （P 〈 0.05）. However, different patterns of interaction between task 2 and SOA were observed across subject groups： subjects with stuttering were more strongly modulated by SOA when the second task was semantic judgment or phonological judgment （P 〈 0.05）, but not in the orthographic judgment experiment （P 〉 0.05）. These results indicated that the interaction mechanism between semantic processing and phonological encoding might be an underlying cause for stuttering.

The Difference of Lemma Activation Between Native Speakers of English and L2 Speakers of English With L1 Chinese:Evidence From the Semantic and Phonological Priming Effects on L2 Speech Planning

This study examined the influence of semantic and phonological priming on L2 speech planning,as well as the difference between native and non-native speakers of English in terms of lemma activation.Two potential explanations for the contrast between the performance of L2 speakers and native controls were considered.The first of which was that L2 speakers’ phonological forms are activated before selection of syntactic frame occurred,whereas the reverse is true for native speakers.The second explanation posits that the organisation of the speech production procedure is fundamentally similar in native and L2 speakers,and the disparity in performance arises from difference in the levels of activation of stored items.The results of the present experiment suggest that lemma selection is indeed what drives syntactic frame selection.However,lemmas in L2 speakers can be primed through a chain of connections demonstrated as:L2 phonological form →L1 phonological form → L1 lemma.

Investigation into Phonological Attrition among Beginner Chinese Mandarin Language Learners

Studying foreign language attrition is important in the context of Chinese language learning because, in light of a growing worldwide interest in learning Chinese languages, language professionals need to understand the complexities of Chinese language acquisition. However, little research exists to date on foreign language attrition among Chinese language learners. In this study, we examined the features of language attrition,especially phonological attrition, among Mandarin learners in a higher educational institution in Brunei Darussalam. Additionally, we sought to test, in a Bruneian context,prominent theories and hypotheses about language attrition, including markedness theory and functional load theory. Our sample consisted of 86 beginner Mandarin students who spoke Malay as their native language and English as the academic language. Participants were 18-20 years old and studied Mandarin formally 4 hours per week for 14 consecutive weeks, during which they were also required to study for 8 hours per week on their own.Subsequently, they took a 3-month break from studying. We tested participants before and after the break and computed descriptive statistics to compare the results of the two tests. Our results showed the greatest attrition rates in tones and special structures of Mandarin, with less attrition in final and initial sounds. We discuss specific phonological findings as they relate to native Malay speakers, and we describe how our findings confirm or contradict,within the Bruneian context, existing theories. We conclude that markedness theory is applicable in our research context, but our findings failed to support functional load theory.

Effects of Different Litchi Rootstocks on Phonological Phase and Fruit Qualities of Grafted Jingganghongnuo

Phonological period and fruit quality of Jingganghongnuo （JGHN） grafted on the rootstocks of Feizixiao （FZX）, Heiye （HY） and Huaizhi （HZ） respectively were recorded and comparatively studied from 2015 to 2017. The results showed that the whitish millets and flowering stage of JGHN grafted on FZX and HY rootstocks were respectively 3-17 days and 1-3 days earlier than those on HZ. While the fruit maturation stage was 5-7 days ahead of in the same comparative situation. Compared to fruits grafted on HZ, mean fruit weight of JGHN grafted on HY and FZX were 38.1% and 35.8% bigger respectively than that on HZ. In addition, more closely heart-shaped and brighter pericarp color of JGHN fruit were observed with rootstock of HZ than that with other two kinds of rootstocks. In terms of aborted-seed rates of JGHN, average value with rootstock FZX was 81.7%, which was 58.0% higher than that with HY, and 2.49 times of those with HZ. Vc content of JGHN grafted on HY and FZX were 30.47 and 25.86 mg/100 g respectively, significantly higher than that grafted on HZ. TSS and TA of JGHN grafted on HZ were 17.8% and 0.14%, both were obviously higher than that grafted on FZX and HY.

The Effects of Phonological Awareness on Vocabulary Memorizing in Primary School

Phonological awareness research started from the 1960s.At present,this ability became a very heated discussed topic not only in the education circles but also the psychological field and other areas.The phonological training is widely used and deeply emphasized in English speaking countries.However,only few is attached to English teaching in China.In order to investigate the effects of phonological awareness to vocabulary teaching,this study selected 60 primary students to investigate.The outcome of the research is very promising.The students'phonological awareness improved dramatically as well as their vocabulary recognition, pronunciation,spelling and memorizing.It implicated that phonological awareness is very necessary in vocabulary teaching.

Special Topics in Linguistics: A Review on Major Treatment Approaches to ChildPhonological Disorder

This review mainly compares the major treatment approaches to child phonological disorder,namely,Core Vocabulary Approach for the treatment of inconsistent phonological disorder,Distinctive Features Approach and ABAB-Withdrawal Approach for the treatment of consistent phonological disorder,and Eclectic Approach for real clinical treatment.Different approaches have different efficacy and the application of a certain treatment approach depends on the various conditions of the subjects.

The Links between Phonological Awareness and Reading Ability

Based on phonological knowledge, this paper analyzes the relation between phonological awareness and English reading ability, and puts forward some methods of strengthening phonological awareness.

Lingua Franca Core: The Challenges of Specifying a Set of Phonological Features for English Learners

Last decade witnesses the rethinking of traditional English teaching models for non-native speakers.The proposed new model—English as Lingua Franca(ELF)sheds light on what the non-native English learners really need to learn in the global setting,instead of constant following of the standard RP/GA norm.Though of much significance among the English users in the Expanding Circle,the new model faces no less challenges,especially in its phonological proposal—LFC.A discussion of these challenges is important to English language educators,for the implementation of ELF model relies on the solution of these potential problems.

Effects of Phonological Awareness Development on Ethnic Group Learners of English as a Third Language

This is study is the research that focuses on one element of metalinguistic awareness,phonological awareness.By exploring bilinguals’phonological awareness development,this paper attempts to find out its effects on minority group learners'English learning.

On the Phonology Characteristics of Leizhou Dialect in Malaysia

Based on first-hand materials obtained from field investigations in Malaysia, the results show that: firstly, there are 17 initials in the Leizhou dialect of Malaysia, including the implosives initial and the [f] initial. The pronunciation of Leizhou dialect in China is already rare, some of which are retained in the Leizhou dialect of Malaysia. Its initial consonant is borrowed from local Hua Yu or other Chinese dialects. Secondly, the Leizhou dialect of Malaysia has 46 finals. The pronunciation and timbre of some of its vowels are similar to the Yue dialect of Malaysia [&#592] main vowel. Thirdly, there are 8 monosyllabic tones in the Leizhou dialect of Malaysia. The pronunciation and tone of some of its characters are similar to the Xia Yin entering tone of Yue dialect of Malaysia.

English Intonation Research and Teaching

Through the discussion and comparative research on theories, types and uses of English intonation, it is found that intonation is an indispensable part of oral communications. Proper use of intonation lies in knowing their functions and in the ability to correctly utter the patterns. Therefore, intonation theoretical knowledge is crucial and helpful to the English phonology teaching; and teachers need to properly incorporate intonation knowledge into teaching practice.

Schematic Analysis of Linguistic Features of Advertisements

Advertising constitutes an indispensable part of modern life, promoting sales and channeling consumption. Furthermore, the daily conversation is also strongly influenced by advertising language. In this research, schema theory is employed to analyze the graphological, phonological, lexical, grammatical and discoursal features of the advertising language and the cognitive change they bring about among the audience, aiming at helping the consumers have a better understanding of advertisements and helping the designers produce better works.