Developmental Dyslexia and Anaphora Resolution in English L1/L2


Book Description

This book presents the results of three experimental studies focusing on the ability of people with dyslexia to resolve ambiguous anaphoric sentences where concrete and abstract referents are present. Each study represents a step in the ongoing investigation of this issue, and stems from questions left unanswered by previous research. This work is primarily inspired by the desire to gain a better understanding of the role of syntactic and lexical knowledge in text comprehension, and, more specifically, of the effects of word concreteness and abstractness in anaphora resolution contexts for readers with dyslexia. The book also investigates the resources necessary to process ambiguous anaphoric sentences. The innovative methodology implemented here comprises both experimental techniques (such as eye-tracking) and the use of questionnaires and standardised tests to answer specific research questions. It also puts forward a hypothesis that explains the different deficits manifesting in people with dyslexia, and suggests that, in reading comprehension tasks, the known impairment in people with dyslexia’s working memory may hinder their ability to efficiently and accurately perform tasks involving procedural memory resources. As a consequence, this impairment would emerge as disruptions of people with dyslexia’s semantic and syntactic competence, as well as their functioning in complex tasks which are particularly demanding in terms of working memory resources.







Syntax Processing


Book Description

This volume deals with research on the processing of a native language, second language learning, bilingualism, typical and impaired syntax processing. The articles presented here cover a number of linguistic phenomena, including passives, temporal concord, object pronouns, reflexives, embedded sentences, relative clauses, wh-movement, and binding theory. They also apply various experimental methods, such as eye tracking, reaction times, event-related potentials, picture selection tasks, sentence elicitation, pupillometry, and picture matching tasks. As such, this book details a number of the most representative methods used in language processing.




Understanding Second Language Acquisition


Book Description

Whether we grow up with one, two, or several languages during our early years of life, many of us will learn a second, foreign, or heritage language in later years. The field of Second language acquisition (SLA, for short) investigates the human capacity to learn additional languages in late childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, after the first language --in the case of monolinguals-- or languages --in the case of bilinguals-- have already been acquired. Understanding Second Language Acquisition offers a wide-encompassing survey of this burgeoning field, its accumulated findings and proposed theories, its developed research paradigms, and its pending questions for the future. The book zooms in and out of universal, individual, and social forces, in each case evaluating the research findings that have been generated across diverse naturalistic and formal contexts for second language acquisition. It assumes no background in SLA and provides helpful chapter-by-chapter summaries and suggestions for further reading. Ideal as a textbook for students of applied linguistics, foreign language education, TESOL, and education, it is also recommended for students of linguistics, developmental psycholinguistics, psychology, and cognitive science. Supporting resources for tutors are available free at www.routledge.com/ortega.




Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics


Book Description

This best-selling dictionary is now in its 4th edition. Specifically written for students of language teaching and applied linguistics, it has become an indispensible resource for those engaged in courses in TEFL, TESOL, applied linguistics and introductory courses in general linguistics. Fully revised, this new edition includes over 350 new entries. Previous definitions have been revised or replaced in order to make this the most up-to-date and comprehensive dictionary available. Providing straightforward and accessible explanations of difficult terms and ideas in applied linguistics, this dictionary offers: Nearly 3000 detailed entries, from subject areas such as teaching methodology, curriculum development, sociolinguistics, syntax and phonetics. Clear and accurate definitions which assume no prior knowledge of the subject matter helpful diagrams and tables cross references throughout, linking related subject areas for ease of reference, and helping to broaden students' knowledge The Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics is the definitive resource for students.




South and Southeast Asian Psycholinguistics


Book Description

This groundbreaking volume explores the languages of South and Southeast Asia, which differ significantly from Indo-European languages in their grammar, lexicon and spoken forms. This book raises new questions in psycholinguistics and enables readers to re-evaluate previous models in light of new research.




Disentangling Dyslexia


Book Description

The aim of this book is to propose an original hypothesis to account for the difficulties associated with dyslexia, suggesting that this disorder is characterized by deficits affecting the subject's phonological and processing abilities. The results of four experimental protocols are discussed, providing further support for this hypothesis.




Psycholinguistics


Book Description

Psycholinguistics is an authoritative, wide-ranging and up-to-date A to Z guide to this important field. Cross-referenced, with suggestions for further reading and a full index, this book is a highly accessible introduction to the main terms and concepts in psycholinguistics. Psycholinguistics offers over 170 entries covering the key areas: psychological processes first language acquisition the nature of language brain and language language disorders. This comprehensive guide is an essential resource for all students of English language, linguistics and psychology.




Intercultural Sensitivity


Book Description

What's new in this 4th edition of Intercultural Sensitivity? The illustrations by Masaaki Oyamada. Culture turns full circle from global citizenship in chapter 1 to global leadership in chapter 8. It explores the TOPOI model, Hoffman's intervention for cultural "noise" in communication; Pinto's F- and C- Cultures; and the GLOBE project by House. Finally, from a management point of view, it presents the ideal conditions for multicultural team excellence. There is also a Dutch edition of this book Interculturele Communicatie (isbn 9789023255536). In a rapidly internationalizing educational environment, students need to develop intercultural sensitivity in order to improve communication with lecturers and students, and to achieve excellence in their future international careers. Through exchange programmes, millions of students spend part of their studies at universities abroad every year. Lecturer mobility programmes are bringing international lecturers straight into local classrooms. With migration, labour mobility and student mobility, classrooms are more culturally diverse than ever before. Research shows that culturally diverse groups are seldom "just average". They either perform very badly or extremely well. Performance is low when cultural differences are ignored or suppressed. Culturally diverse groups excel when differences are recognised and managed as valuable sources of innovation and growth. Intercultural Sensitivity makes university and college students eager to learn about other cultures. It also makes them aware of the uniqueness of their own cultures, which they may take for granted. And it helps students recognize culture as a valuable resource. This book presents the cultural models by Hall, Kluckhohn, Hofstede, Trompenaars and Bennett as competencies. What's new in this 4th edition? The illustrations by Masaaki Oyamada. Culture turns full circle from global citizenship in chapter 1 to global leadership in chapter 8. It explores the TOPOI model, Hoffman's intervention for cultural "noise" in communication; Pinto's F- and C- Cultures; and the GLOBE project by House. Finally, from a management point of view, it presents the ideal conditions for multicultural team excellence. This compact book can easily be studied in a 7- or 8-week term. It is packed with hands-on assignments, cases and role-plays from real life intercultural situations. Cases range from education to health care, marketing and management - any place where students will need to communicate across cultures. In class, on internship, or in the professional field, Intercultural Sensitivity helps students achieve intercultural competence. About the authors From highly diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, the authors are managers, trainers and lecturers at universities and at universities of applied sciences. They also work as independent intercultural trainers, coaches and consultants.




Architectures and Mechanisms for Language Processing


Book Description

The architectures and mechanisms underlying language processing form one important part of the general structure of cognition. This book, written by leading experts in the field, brings together linguistic, psychological, and computational perspectives on some of the fundamental issues. Several general introductory chapters offer overviews on important psycholinguistic research frameworks and highlight both shared assumptions and controversial issues. Subsequent chapters explore syntactic and lexical mechanisms, the interaction of syntax and semantics in language understanding, and the implications for cognitive architecture.