02/06/2017–09/06/2017
Headlines
A new American Sign Language dictionary recognises something that most others don’t: Sign Language isn’t alphabetical! Naomi Caselli, a language and literacy professor at Boston University worked with a team from Tufts University and San Diego University to produce the first dictionary called ASL-LEX that reflected the way deaf people communicate. You can search for signs based on parts of speech, access data on ASL, and find out more about the ASL-LEX project on the web-based portal.
For the second week now, the top song on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the US is not in English. This week, the song is “Despacito”, a Spanish track by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. In a piece for The Washington Post, Philip Bump suggests that this is an indication of the growth of Spanish speakers in the country. “In 1980, 4.9% of the country spoke Spanish. In 2015, 11.5% did — more than 1-in-10”
An upcoming language documentary on written Chinese called Hanzi presents an exciting opportunity to peek into the world of logographs. Made alongside filmmakers from New York, Hong Kong, London and Taipei, Hanzi includes interviews from ShaoLan, founder and creator of Chineasy in London; Akira Kobayashi, a Roman font designer in Japan; Sammy Or, a veteran Chinese font designer based in Hong Kong; also Ri Xing Type Foundry, the last traditional Chinese letterpress type foundry in the world and more, gathering some of the most important figures and insight in the current Chinese education and typography field. The documentary aims to answer critical questions such as: “How does language shape identity? What role does handwriting play in the digital age?” Support the Kickstarter project here!
Commentaries and Features
Against the complex socio-political and linguistic landscape of in Singapore, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has suggested that learning a third language—in addition to English (the lingua franca) and a prescribed ‘mother tongue’ of Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, or Urdu—could teach empathy and encourage social cohesion. The Ministry of Education in Singapore “recognises the benefits of acquiring a third language among our official languages. However, there are few facilities and programmes to support it”, reports Valerie Yeo for IPS Commons.
The Lombard effect refers to the behaviour of humans and animals to raise their voices in a noisy environment. A recent study of this effect in “big brown bats” was conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers. The findings indicate that the total amount of time it takes for the bats to detect background noise that interferes with their hunting and to adjust their “vocalization amplitude to compensate” for this interference is “just 30 milliseconds”. This is “10 times faster” than the time it takes for humans to blink their eyes. The speed with which the Lombard effect occurs in bats suggests that it is fundamentally a temporal reflex. This suggestion has implications for the design of assistive medical devices for patients of Parkinson’s disease for whom the Lombard effect can be rather apparent.
How do education policies, street signs, and language rights inform the linguistic policy for minorities in the Sinosphere? Alexandra Grey ponders her PhD research on China’s minority language policies (here, specifically on the largest minority language group, Zhuang, spoken in the Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region) operate and what socio-political undertones they convey, in Language on the Move.
In a sign of what’s to come in a future of multilinguals, Korean-American Yoojin Grace Wuertz shares her experience as a bilingual mother raising her son with Korean parents and a husband of German, Irish, and Italian descent, for Guernica. “I imagine that behind every bilingual person there is a story of separation. Of homes left behind, families divided, identities remade over and over again. A history of loss in addition to the mixed gains of the American Dream.”
Fancy hearing the languages of Tibet halfway across the world! In New York, there now appears to be close to 20,000 speakers of languages of the Himalayas, such as Mustangi, Sherpa, Kham, Amdo, and Ü-tsang varieties. A new oral history project called “Learn about Voices of the Himalayas: Language, Culture, and Belonging in Immigrant New York“ documents the transient nature of the speakers of these endangered Himalayan languages.
Faced with multi-tiered communicative challenges, Ayah Wehbe, an Australian Lebanese-Muslim woman with a hearing impairment doing her degree in Social Research & Policy at the University of New South Wales is not unfamiliar to minority voices, she write in Language on the Move. To contribute to the body of research on “the silent invisible women”, she wrote her honours thesis on the self-perceived identities and lived experiences of deaf Australian Lebanese-Muslim women, most of whom claimed Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their primary language and identified first and foremost as a deaf person.
49 Responses to “This week in languages: June 9, 2017”
roller baller
In addition to the uneven benefits of the American dream, there is a history of suffering.
순천출장샵
Hey, this day is far too much great for me, given that this t순천출장샵ime I am reading by means of this large insightful short posting here at my dwelling. Several many thanks a lot for massive exertion.
20bet
Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.
Qadir Seo
Thanks for the points you have shared here. One more thing I would like to talk about is that personal computer memory demands generally increase along with other improvements in the technological innovation. For instance, when new generations of cpus are made in the market, there is certainly usually an equivalent increase in the dimensions preferences of both the computer memory and also hard drive space. This is because the software program operated simply by these processor chips will inevitably increase in power to take advantage of the new technological innovation. ufabet1688 มือถือ
Qadir Seo
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Fantastic work! ufabet1688 มือถือ
Qadir Seo
Intimately, the post is actually the sweetest on that worthw hile topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and also will certainly eagerly look forward to your incoming updates. Saying thanks will certainly not simply be enough, for the extraordinary clarity in your writing. I can perfect away grab your rss feed to stay informed of any kind of updates. Solid work and also much success in your business dealings! ufa7777
Qadir Seo
This definitely seems to be similar to without doubt amazing. Every one of these minimal things are created by making use of amount of groundwork recognition. I quite like these people noticeably. true to loveมีกี่ตอน
Bhutan Teer Result
We Provide Today Bhutan Teer Result Live, Bhutan Teer Result, All Teer Result, Bhutan Teer Common Number Every Day 100% Working On
bhutan teer result
Qadir Seo
Wow, this is really interesting reading. I am glad I found this and got to read it. Great job on this content. I like it. แต่งตัว y2k ผู้ชาย
Qadir Seo
on your|somebody who actually|the most effective|it is best to|simply would like to|actually answered my problem|There are some interesting bayar77
Qadir Seo
Each time when i evolved into with your web page while using unique focus simply a little little bit submits. Eye-catching technique for years to come, We will be book-marking presently include products obtain arises suitable in place. THC Vapes in Deutschland kaufen
Qadir Seo
Because of this , promotional advertisements email campaigns that allows you to advantageous study sooner than offer. In other words to put in writing more practical space something like this. link tải bongbet
Qadir Seo
I love to most of the information, I must claim when i liked, When i would love additional information related to that, because it’s very good., Appreciate it about unveiling. go88
Qadir Seo
This really is besides a good quality apply for which i literally highly valued grasping. It’s not at all on a daily basis that we all put the opportunity to identify a thing. go88
james
Rapidly your web page will definitely it goes without saying develop into widely known having enable managing some sort of blog site individuals, to its aware content articles or even examine articles or blog posts. Fun88
James Ronald
Thank you so much admin for uploading such amazing content with us your blog is really helpful for me.
long distance moving cost calculator
thanks For sharing this great article.i take advantage of this article to show my undertaking in university.it’s far beneficial For me brilliant work.
victor
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
sight care
Sight Care is a natural supplement designed to improve eyesight and reduce dark blindness. With its potent blend of ingredients. https://sightcarebuynow.us/
Victory Frey
Thanks for such a pleasant post. This post loaded with lots of useful information. Keep it up.
Frank
I really got into this article. I found it to be interesting and loaded with unique points of interest. I like to read material that makes me think. Thank you for writing this great content. jersey yupoo
Ephraim M. Meyers
This blog covers important and relevant topics that many are afraid to address Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless
Isabel D. Wiggins
Keep up the incredible work! I can’t wait to see what you write next.
Dimitri Emilio Jaxen Ferguson
Your writing style is so relatable and authentic It’s a breath of fresh air in a world filled with superficiality and pretense
Arian C. J. Valentine
Your blog has helped me become a better version of myself Your words have inspired me to make positive changes in my life
joint genesis
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
buy metaboflex
As someone who struggles with mental health, I appreciate the support and empathy displayed in your blog It means a lot to know I’m not alone
sumatra slim belly tonic review
Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic is a unique weight loss supplement that sets itself apart from others in the market. Unlike other supplements that rely on caffeine and stimulants to boost energy levels, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic takes a different approach. It utilizes a blend of eight natural ingredients to address the root causes of weight gain. By targeting inflammation and improving sleep quality, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic provides a holistic solution to weight loss. These natural ingredients not only support healthy inflammation but also promote better sleep, which are crucial factors in achieving weight loss goals. By addressing these underlying issues, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic helps individuals achieve sustainable weight loss results.
prostadine
Prostadine is a natural supplement that helps keep the prostate healthy and lowers the chances of it getting bigger. It’s not like medicines with bad effects – it’s made from natural things.
ikaria lean belly juice
Keep up the fantastic work!
henrrysmit726
Thanks for spreading this knowledge to us. I also write some article on that must visit my page The Remote Nest
puravive
Keep up the fantastic work!
buy glucoberry
Glucotrust is a revolutionary nutritional supplement that is designed to support healthy blood sugar levels in the body. It is made from a blend of essential nutrients and powerful antioxidants that work together to promote optimal health and wellness.
sugar defender official website
Sugar Defender introduces a meticulously curated ensemble of eight key ingredients, each strategically selected to champion healthy blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss. These ingredients collaborate to enhance the supplement’s effectiveness through diverse mechanisms, including energy elevation, fat burning, and metabolism stimulation, all while providing direct support for maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Here is an insightful overview of each ingredient along with its purported functionality according to the manufacturer:
alpilean
Your blog always puts a smile on my face and makes me feel better about the world Thank you for being a source of light and positivity
sumatra slim belly tonic
Your posts always provide me with a new perspective and encourage me to look at things differently Thank you for broadening my horizons
alpilean weight loss supplement
Alpilean proudly boasts a chemical-free, stimulant-free, and preservative-free formula, ensuring a secure and natural choice for those seeking weight loss solutions. Its composition makes it a safe and wholesome option for all individuals. Moreover, seamlessly integrating Alpilean into your daily routine is a breeze, requiring just two capsules a day. Since it collaborates harmoniously with your body’s innate processes, rest assured, there’s no need to fret about undesirable side effects or the dreaded cycle of yo-yo dieting.
red boost
Red Boost is a supplement that is meant to improve overall health and well-being, especially in men who may be showing signs of low testosterone. It’s a new product, but it’s already getting a lot of attention because it helps men with common problems that come up as they age.
prtya
Your blog has helped me through some tough times and I am so grateful for your wise words and positive outlook
newsyber new supplements
Your ideas and insights are unique and thought-provoking I appreciate how you challenge your readers to see things from a different perspective
puravive
Your latest blog post was truly inspiring and had some great insights. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store.
sugar defender suplement
Sugar Defender orchestrates a reduction in blood sugar levels through multifaceted pathways. Its initial impact revolves around enhancing insulin sensitivity, optimizing the body’s efficient use of insulin, ultimately leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels. This proactive strategy works to prevent the storage of glucose as fat, mitigating the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
sugar defender suplement
Sugar Defender transcends symptom-focused interventions, delving into the root causes of glucose imbalance. It stands as a dynamic formula that seamlessly aligns with the body’s intrinsic mechanisms, presenting a distinctive and holistic approach to enhancing overall well-being. Beyond a mere supplement, Sugar Defender emerges as a strategic ally in the pursuit of balanced health.
sugar defender
Sugar Defender orchestrates a reduction in blood sugar levels through multifaceted pathways. Its initial impact revolves around enhancing insulin sensitivity, optimizing the body’s efficient use of insulin, ultimately leading to a decrease in blood sugar levels. This proactive strategy works to prevent the storage of glucose as fat, mitigating the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
james haley
Thanks for spreading this knowledge to us. I also write some words about garage room pin up boudoir photography must visit my page.
Metanail Serum Pro reviews
Metanail is an effective solution specifically formulated to combat toenail fungus and brittle nails. Its exceptional effectiveness stems from its ability to target the primary culprit behind toenail fungus, known as T. Rubrum.
prodentim
It’s clear that you truly care about your readers and want to make a positive impact on their lives Thank you for all that you do
puravive reviews
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and stories It takes courage to open up and you do it with such grace and authenticity
Sarim Shaikh
Incredible articles and awesome design. Your blog entry merits the greater part of the positive input it”s been getting. slotsvibes