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Placed at the intersection of semantics and pragmatics, the concept of semantic prosody has been associated with various notions including evaluative meaning, attitudinal meaning and connotations, and there is no agreement among researchers as to its definition and operationalization. In this critical-reflection theoretical paper, we provide an overview of collocational and discoursal approaches to semantic prosody, which we treat as distinct and, at the same time, complementary. Furthermore, we suggest that the semantic prosody can be conceptualised as an interaction between a source and a target term, where the target term has a descriptive semantic content, and it receives its evaluative meaning from the source term, which can be either only evaluative (thin) or both evaluative and descriptive (thick). Next, we propose that the source of semantic prosody can be accounted for in terms of value judgments. In particular, a value judgment that a speaker ascribes to the factual content of a term is always relative to a certain kind of standard. Thus, our proposal supports the view that the speaker's stance, manifested in value judgments that they ascribe to terms, can be considered as a source of semantic prosody. • We propose a new theoretical reading of semantic prosody grounded in the philosophy of language. • We argue that semantic prosody arises as a result of interaction between thin and thick terms. • We argue that the semantics of expressions that have semantic prosody can be understood in terms of value judgments. • We argue that value judgements ascribed by speakers to expressions are relative to a culturally-marked kind of standard. • Our proposal supports both the collocational and discoursal views of semantic prosody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing interest in incorporating textual glosses into second language (L2) reading in hypermedia and paper media, no agreements have been reached as to whether and what extent a textual gloss facilitates L2 learners' vocabulary acquisition in hypermedia and paper media. The present study meta-analysed the overall effects of textual glosses and different glossing types (i.e. language, location, and mode) on L2 vocabulary acquisition, as well as the moderation effects on the variability of L2 vocabulary acquisition effect sizes. Based on a comprehensive search, 20 studies involving 2,291 participants that have quantitatively documented the changes of L2 vocabulary gains through a pre-and-post textual glosses design were identified and coded in order to retrieve moderator variables. The results show the following: (1) textual glossing has a medium effect on L2 vocabulary acquisition; (2) the effect of textual glosses on L2 vocabulary acquisition persists over time; (3) glossing location and glossing mode significantly impact the effect of textual glosses on L2 vocabulary acquisition but glossing language has no definite effect; and (4) outcome measure is the only moderator variable among the three influencing factors on vocabulary acquisition. These results are further discussed with reference to existing studies and theory of second language acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While philosophy and anthropology have much to say to each other, they do not always mesh in productive ways. Critically reflecting on an edited volume that seeks to bring insights from philosophy to anthropological analysis, I consider how the volume's form, while didactic, may contribute to the reproduction of power dynamics that both anthropologists and philosophers have denounced. More broadly, however, I argue that reading and engaging with philosophy can broaden anthropologists' theoretical imagination and perception in the field, just as having an anthropological sensibility can expand the philosophical imagination and open new avenues of philosophical inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011 the independent government of Timor‐Leste initiated a controversial oil and gas infrastructure project. To persuade Timorese citizens to embrace their vision of the future based on oil and gas, supporters of the project employed narrative strategies conventionally reserved for ritual authorities. Their scaling of ritual speech to the level of the nation hinged on establishing iconic links across different event‐worlds (chronotopes). "Fiat speech" was, like infrastructure, designed to bring named realities into being through anticipation. To analyze this process of prolepsis, the concept of "anticipatory transformation" allows us to understand how oil infrastructure became not just a symbol of modernity and development but an index thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the findings of a multi‐language and multi‐lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones as a function of their native language, age and language experience, as well as of tone properties. Given the high prevalence of lexical tones across human languages, understanding lexical tone acquisition is fundamental for comprehensive theories of language learning. While there are some similarities between the developmental course of lexical tone perception and that of vowels and consonants, findings for lexical tones tend to vary greatly across different laboratories. To reconcile these differences and to assess the developmental trajectory of native and non‐native perception of tone contrasts, this study employed a single experimental paradigm with the same two pairs of Cantonese tone contrasts (perceptually similar vs. distinct) across 13 laboratories in Asia‐Pacific, Europe and North‐America testing 5‐, 10‐ and 17‐month‐old monolingual (tone, pitch‐accent, non‐tone) and bilingual (tone/non‐tone, non‐tone/non‐tone) infants. Across the age range and language backgrounds, infants who were not exposed to Cantonese showed robust discrimination of the two non‐native lexical tone contrasts. Contrary to this overall finding, the statistical model assessing native discrimination by Cantonese‐learning infants failed to yield significant effects. These findings indicate that lexical tone sensitivity is maintained from 5 to 17 months in infants acquiring tone and non‐tone languages, challenging the generalisability of the existing theoretical accounts of perceptual narrowing in the first months of life. Research Highlights: This is a multi‐language and multi‐lab investigation of young infants' ability to discriminate lexical tones.This study included data from 13 laboratories testing 5‐, 10‐, and 17‐month‐old monolingual (tone, pitch‐accent, non‐tone) and bilingual (tone/non‐tone, non‐tone/non‐tone) infants.Overall, infants discriminated a perceptually similar and a distinct non‐native tone contrast, although there was no evidence of a native tone‐language advantage in discrimination.These results demonstrate maintenance of tone discrimination throughout development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysemy has recently emerged as a popular topic in philosophy of language. While much existing research focuses on the relatedness among senses, this article introduces a novel perspective that emphasizes the continuity of sense individuation, sense regularity, and sense productivity. This new perspective has only recently gained traction, largely due to advancements in computational linguistics. It also poses a serious challenge to semantic minimalism, so I present three arguments against minimalism from the continuous perspective that touch on the minimal concept, the distinction from homonymy, and the quasi‐rule‐like nature of polysemy. Last, I provide an account of polysemy that incorporates this continuous perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on Hector‐Neri Castañeda's significant contributions to metaphilosophy. In his 1980 work, On Philosophical Method, Castañeda articulates a unique perspective, characterizing philosophy as fundamentally a dia‐philosophical activity. By asserting the supremacy of synthesis over analysis within the metaphilosophical hierarchy, his account provides a purely theoretical defense of philosophical pluralism devoid of any relativistic inclinations. Despite Castañeda's enduring influence and profound impact on ongoing discussions in ontology, logic, and the philosophy of language, his metaphilosophical insights have largely been neglected. In the context of today's increasingly diverse philosophical landscape, this paper posits that Castañeda's pluralist metaphilosophy retains substantial theoretical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The act of believing implies an inner assent, but it is neither limited to a blind acceptance of certain arguments nor to an empty repetition, without practical consequences, of a set of concepts that one claims to defend. This article, allied with the philosophy of language (Austin) and the philosophy of science (Lakatos) will aim, on the one hand, to present a philosophical–theological reading of believing and, on the other hand, an understanding of the implications of the assent of faith regarding the Nicean Creed for Christian identity. The research briefly presented here will refer to the firm core of Christianity, as well as the arguments that aid its defence and understanding vis-à-vis believers and non-believers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Gertrude Buck and collaborators developed a sociologically and pragmatist‐informed approach to language that has been neglected in later scholarship. Buck approached the study of language from the standpoint of pragmatist functional psychology, which is indebted to John Dewey's pragmatism at the University of Michigan, and which views language as a normal, dynamic action of human organisms engaged in necessary cooperative relations with one another. Her approach overcomes the small‐minded pragmatism that would criticize figurative or poetic language as impractical, and instead shows how figuration is essential to the particular ways in which language is action that conveys meaning to others and serves broader social functions. Buck's forgotten work helps overcome criticisms of the application of pragmatic action theory to language and literature, sketching how language structure may be explained on the basis of language as a natural social‐communicative act, how figurative language is inherent in the normal act of communicating situated bodily experiences to others, and how rhetorical speech and writing contributes to participation in democratic social processes. This paper also indicates how Buck's work has been partially rediscovered in Composition Studies, as well as prefigures later reader‐response esthetics and feminist analyses of language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Typological Diversity of Morphomes: A Cross-Linguistic Study of Unnatural Morphology" by Borja Herce is a significant study that addresses the controversial issues surrounding the existence and identification of morphomes. Herce adopts a positive definition of morphomes and establishes a cross-linguistic morphome database based on three main concepts: syncretism, systematicity, and (un)naturalness. The book explores the emergence, change, and disappearance of morphomes in diachrony, as well as their characteristics in synchrony. The study challenges the view that morphomes are independent from morphosyntactic features and values, and provides evidence that both forms and meanings play important roles in morphology. Overall, this book offers valuable insights into the typological diversity of morphomes and provides guidelines for linguistic typologists conducting quantitative analysis in typological studies. [Extracted from the article]

This article extends the remit of Saussurean semiotics from design criticism to design theory. It does this by invoking concepts from the work of psychoanalytic theorist Jacques Lacan. It begins by exploring the role of the signifier in Lacan's theory of language and connects it to concepts of subjectivity, desire, and surplus-enjoyment. This leads to the hypothesis that the essence of design is the production of surplus-enjoyment—a hypothesis at odds with the notion that design exists to meet human needs. The article concludes by showing how semiotic theory by way of Lacan can be used to explore the cultural, subjective, and social dimensions of the design artifact in new and productive ways. The work is intended to be accessible even to readers who are unfamiliar with Lacan's work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst Thomas Carlyle's Sartor Resartus has sparked a variety of critical interpretations since its publication, it has never been read as a pseudotranslation. Building upon recent research in this field, this article proposes that through its pseudotranslational imitation of late‐Romantic periodical translations, Sartor critiques the highly self‐aware performativity on which this writing is founded. Through media‐theoretical analysis, this article argues that translation as it appeared within late‐Romantic periodicals constructs elaborate textual performances of its own mediation, through references to the media ecology within which it operates. The article demonstrates that Sartor mounts two parallel critiques of this mode of translation through its reproduction of its performative strategies: first, through the way in which these performances of mediation are portrayed as impeding mediation; second, through the philosophy of language itself being pseudotranslated. In this way, Carlyle stages a confrontation between two distinct modes of Romantic writing: its symbolic and immanent ideal contrasts with its performative and mediative reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research within the language sciences has informed our understanding of how children build vocabulary knowledge especially during early childhood and the early school years. However, to date, our understanding of word learning in children is based primarily on research in quiet laboratory settings. The everyday environments that children inhabit such as schools, homes, and day cares are typically noisy. To better understand vocabulary development, we need to understand the effects of background noise on word learning. To gain this understanding, a cross-disciplinary approach between researchers in the language and hearing sciences in partnership with parents, educators, and clinicians is ideal. Through this approach we can identify characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction that take into account the background noise present in children's learning environments. Furthermore, we can identify characteristics of children who are likely to struggle with learning words in noisy environments. For example, differences in vocabulary knowledge, verbal working memory abilities, and attention skills will likely influence children's ability to learn words in the presence of background noise. These children require effective interventions to support their vocabulary development which subsequently should support their ability to process and learn language in noisy environments. Overall, this cross-disciplinary approach will inform theories of language development and inform educational and intervention practices designed to support children's vocabulary development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perspectives on the difficult topic of the evolution of language can be differentiated to a large extent based on how much relevant continuity or discontinuity they see between humans and nonhuman animals. In general, biologists and psychologists tend to have a broad definition of "language" that highlights significant continuities, whereas linguists tend to define "language" more narrowly, in accord with their emphasis on the uniqueness of human capacities. This article examines the value of Whitehead's innovative theory of language, which is grounded in his account of the fundamental symbolic element in basic perceptual processes, mainly for understanding the continuities between animal and human perceptual and symbolic activity but also for accommodating the discontinuity, or at least the pivotal difference, evident in the full flowering of human language. It will focus particularly on applying Whitehead's approach to gain a new understanding of the emergence, with the rise of amphibians, of the first vocalization in the history of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on selective attention theory and language expectancy theory, and using a mixed method of text analysis and spatial analysis, this study examined the impacts of listing titles and locations on the financial performance of Airbnb properties. Guests' preferred words and expected informative cues about property, location, and environment in Airbnb titles were first captured by a qualitative study. The results of the second study, which controlled for the spatial dependency based on the Hotspot analysis and geographically weighted regression for4,938 property-level data in Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand, revealed that the linguistic styles and characteristics affecting the properties' financial performance were significantly different between the two cities. For hosts in hot spots, affective and perceptive linguistic styles on the titles are recommended, while function-oriented information and photos should be highlighted for the cold spot areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of probabilities of conditionals is one of the long‐standing puzzles in philosophy of language. We defend and update Adams' solution to the puzzle: the probability of an epistemic conditional is not the probability of a proposition, but a probability under a supposition. Close inspection of how a triviality result unfolds in a concrete scenario does not provide counterexamples to the view that probabilities of conditionals are conditional probabilities: instead, it supports the conclusion that probabilities of conditionals violate standard probability theory. This does not call into question probability theory per se; rather, it calls for a more careful understanding of its role: probability theory is a theory of probabilities of propositions; but as conditionals do not express propositions, their probabilities are not subject to the standard laws. We argue that both conditional probabilities and probabilities of conditionals are best understood in terms of the dynamics of supposing, modeled as a restriction operation on a probability space. This version of the suppositionalist view allows us to connect Adams' Thesis to the widely held restrictor view of the semantics of conditionals. We address two common objections to Adams' view: that the relevant probabilities are 'probabilities only in name', and that giving up conditional propositions puts us at a disadvantage when it comes to interpreting compounds. Finally, we argue that some putative counterexamples to Adams' Thesis can be diagnosed as fallacies of probabilistic reasoning: they arise from applying to conditionals laws of standard probability theory which are invalid for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that, over an arbitrary field, pointwise finite-dimensional persistence modules indexed by 1 decompose uniquely, up to isomorphism, into the direct sum of a bar code and finitely-many Jordan cells. In the language of representation theory, this is a direct sum of string modules and band modules. Persistence modules indexed on 1 have also been called angle-valued or circular persistence modules. We allow either a cyclic order or partial order on 1 and do not have additional finiteness requirements on the modules. We also show that a pointwise finite-dimensional 1 persistence module is indecomposable if and only if it is a bar or Jordan cell. Along the way we classify the isomorphism classes of such indecomposable modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a series of articles, Mauricio Suárez defends the neutrality of fictionalism with respect to the scientific realism-anti-realism debate. Suárez understands fictionalism from a strictly methodological point of view, linked to the practice of model building in the context of the philosophy of science. He moves away from the type of fictionalism analysed in other areas of philosophy such as metaphysics, the philosophy of language, aesthetics or the philosophy of mathematics. Following Vaihinger's position, he emphasizes the inferential role of fiction in scientific modelling and argues that scientific fictionalism is not incompatible with scientific realism, as is often believed. We argue against Suárez's position and reject the ubiquitous character assigned to fictions in scientific discourse, as well as the deflationary view of scientific realism defended by Suárez. We conclude that when the semantic, epistemic, and metaphysical aspects at stake in the realism-antirealism debate are taken into account, the alleged compatibility between scientific realism and fictionalism starts to generate some tension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work on the understanding and interpretation of text and its meaning continues to be highly relevant topics in a wide range of disciplines, such as philosophy, literature, linguistics, history and psychology. In the field of philosophy, the text becomes an ideal space for reflection due to its ability to reveal ideas, values and human experiences. Hermeneutics is dedicated to the study of the text as the main object, but its applications extend to other areas such as the philosophy of language, anthropology, ontology, the theory of knowledge and epistemology. This work aims to analyze and compare the approaches of Gadamer and Lotman on the text, in order to establish a hermeneutical dialogue that allows us to better understand their conception on this important topic. The research is approached from a qualitative methodology, using the hermeneutic method. It is concluded that the hermeneutics of the text focuses on the interaction between the text, context and the reader. For Gadamer, this interaction is a dialogue between two world horizons: that of the author and that of the reader. The fusion of horizons allows a deep understanding of the text and its historical context. For his part, Lotman defines the text as a complex system with multiple levels of meaning. This polysemy invites the reader to actively participate in the construction of meaning, contributing their own perspective and experience. In this perspective, a relationship is evident between the concept of textsemiosphere proposed by Lotman and Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. Both areas of study focus on the interpretation of symbols and signs, as well as the creation of meaning through the interaction between the individual and their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We argue in this paper that unveiling of concepts is a viable means of promoting the growth of African languages in contemporary African studies. We show that African languages face serious threat of extinction due to neglect from their users and undue influence of colonial languages. We contend that the ratio of indigenous languages used as official languages compared to colonial languages is poor and despicable. The growth of African languages has been stunted due to the multilingual nature of African continent. It has rendered the languages underdeveloped, thereby limiting their propagation and audience. We demonstrate how conversational thinking aids the growth of African languages and philosophy through conceptual articulation. Conversational thinking whose arumaristic approach aims at creating new thoughts and unveiling new concepts offers African philosophers a robust tool for expanding the vocabularies of African indigenous languages by creating concepts from underexplored African traditional wisdom and clichés. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, "How I Changed Ed Klima's Mind," recounts the author's time studying sign language at UCSD in the 1970s. They were initially interested in child language acquisition and worked with Edward S. Klima as their advisor. The author discusses their experiences learning sign language, attending seminars at the Salk Institute, and working with Bonnie Gough, a deaf signing consultant. They also explore the challenges of studying sign language and the development of ASL as a recognized language. The article delves into various technological advancements and research methods used in the field, such as video equipment, architectural support at the Salk Institute, and the use of strobe light photographs and computer-generated images. The author also emphasizes the significance of Friday lab meetings and the influence of Ursula Bellugi. Overall, the article provides a personal account of the author's academic journey in sign language research. [Extracted from the article]

This research is an initial exploration into the foundational branches of philosophy (axiology, ontology, and epistemology) and their profound implications for the philosophy of language. Investigating the contemporary study of language, the research examines five dissertations to uncover the interplay of these three philosophical domains. The research addresses three key questions: the domains within the philosophy of language covered by the dissertations, the featured interconnection of axiology, ontology, and epistemology in these dissertations, and the development of these domains to bolster arguments. The objectives include discerning how researchers describe these domains in relation to language philosophy, exploring the possibility of discussing a single domain without engaging the others, and fostering an objective discussion of language philosophy within an academic context. The research's significance lies in contributing to a comprehensive understanding of language, its relationship with users and the world, and how the three philosophical domains sustain language existence. It aims to enrich the study of language philosophy for students, particularly those in English Applied Linguistics programs, by emphasizing the correlations between philosophy and language characteristics, acquisition, planning, and translation. The research employs a qualitative approach, analyzing dissertations from a philosophical perspective. Findings reveal that the interconnection of axiology, ontology, and epistemology is intricate, challenging the initial assumption of discussing them separately. Notably, the dissertations exhibit varied emphasis on the three domains. The study concludes with valuable insights into the philosophy of language, highlighting the pivotal role of language in shaping reality, conveying experiences, and expressing cultural influences. The dynamic nature of language and the reciprocal relationship between language and philosophy underscore the need for an open-minded approach and continual engagement in discussions surrounding language philosophy. The research recommends incorporating philosophy as a mandatory course in university curricula to nurture a holistic understanding of language and its philosophical underpinnings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ramírez Voss, Jesús. The Syntactic Figure of the Real. In this article I analyze the original style that Xavier Zubiri used to express the necessary priority that reality, impressively grasped, takes in philosophical language. In this way, I contrast two different models for analyzing consciousness: the traditional phenomenological model and the noological model of the Zubirian system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to explore the relationship between the Basque informal form of address hika and gender. Hika consists of a complex system that is in decline among Basque speakers and is currently employed mostly by men. Focus group discussions and dyadic interviews were used to elicit data from 38 participants from different generations (in the age range 14–74) and profiles. In line with previous studies, our findings confirm the relationship between hika and masculinity, which is manifested in various expressions. This association has been enforced significantly in one or two generations, and the use of the informal address form has become marginal among the youngest female participants. While the meaning of the use of hika among men is usually clear, female forms are considered more uncertain or ambiguous by participants. • Basque formal address forms (zuka) have prevailed over informal address forms (hika). • When using hika , the addressee's gender is encoded in the verb, but female forms are becoming rare. • A gendered pattern: hika has become a matter for men of younger generations. • The connotations of hika in general and female noka in particular have undergone an evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of interactional particles have shown that a particle's social meaning may be contextually contingent and a momentary instantiation of the form's core meaning. This paper shows how analysing particles using Blommaert and De Fina's (2017) chronotopic frame approach provides greater insight into the dialectic relationship between forms' meanings that are relatively transitory or perduring. This paper illustrates the contributions of chronotopic frame approaches by using this framework to analyse how three distinct interactionally emergent social meanings of the Pontianak Malay particle bah are connected to the particle's core meaning of 'shared knowledge'. • Examines how Pontianak Malay particle bah conveys contextually sensitive social meanings in interaction. • Explores dialectic relationship between interactionally emergent and more perduring core meanings of particles. • Illustrates benefits of chronotopic frame approaches to study of interactional particles' meaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common belief that semantic properties supervene on non-semantic properties: no two possible worlds can be non-semantic duplicates and fail to be semantic duplicates. The view enjoys somewhat of an orthodoxy status in contemporary philosophy of language and metaphysics, and is often assumed without argument. Yet, work by Stephen Kearns and Ofra Magidor has claimed that it is vulnerable to a variant of the classical arguments against the supervenience of the phenomenal on the physical. This paper does three things: it clarifies what semantic supervenience is about, it responds to the objections that have been leveled against it, and provides a new battery of arguments in its favor. I argue that the thesis of semantic supervenience is safe from classical anti-supervenience arguments, and show that its rejection generates unwelcome consequences. I conclude that there are substantial reasons to embrace the received wisdom: semantic properties supervene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion of acquaintance is one of the pillars of Russell's philosophy and it remains at the center of work in the philosophy of mind and language. Russell's development of his theory of acquaintance was influenced by Brentano and Meinong. In this paper I will trace this Austrian Influence on the development of Russell's theory of acquaintance through two phases; one before and one after Russell introduced the multiple relation theory of judgement in 1907. I will use Brentano's view of the distinction between judgement and presentation to highlight problems with Russell's theories of acquaintance in both phases. In doing so I will give special attention to Russell's notion of experiencing together that plays a foundational role in the second phase. The paper concludes by recommending to Russell that he returns to Brentano's original ideas about judgement and presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

John Cook Wilson is increasingly recognized as an important predecessor of ordinary language philosophy. He emphasizes the authority of ordinary language in philosophical theorizing. At the same time, however, he circumscribes the limits of that authority and identifies cases in which it threatens to mislead us. My aim is to consider in detail one case where, according to Cook Wilson, ordinary language has mislead philosophical theorizing. Judgement was one of the core notions of the logic, epistemology, and philosophy of mind of Cook Wilson's time. Cook Wilson rejects this notion, in the form developed by his contemporaries, in part because it is based on a problematic analogy between ordinary language and the thoughts expressed in that language. Cook Wilson's discussion of judgement also highlights the extent to which Cook Wilson was critical of, but also responsive to, his contemporaries. In addition, variants of the language-thought analogy Cook Wilson opposes continue to feature in twenty-first century epistemology and philosophy of mind. Cook Wilson's criticism of the analogy thus raises questions about recent work as well as the theories of his contemporaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWe develop the notions of resistance and points of entry in the context of alternative written textual formats used in physics teacher education. Studies point out that textbooks have played an important role in undergraduate physics courses, which can be part of the initial training of physics teachers. On the foundation of theories in the philosophy of science, it is possible to verify that there are philosophical reasons for the privileged use of this textual format in physics undergraduate courses. However, alongside the transformation of the educational field in terms of its theoretical-methodological approaches, there is a growing body of research and educational practices that highlights the importance and possibilities of incorporating others written textual formats in all levels of physics education. The notions of resistance and points of entry can enhance the awareness of these dynamics of physics education. To produce such an understanding, we put the philosophy of science in dialogue with the philosophy of action, which provides an overview of the interactions of life, including physics pedagogy - in which actions promote transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human language is unique in its compositional, open-ended, and sequential form, and its evolution is often solely explained by advantages of communication. However, it has proven challenging to identify an evolutionary trajectory from a world without language to a world with language, especially while at the same time explaining why such an advantageous phenomenon has not evolved in other animals. Decoding sequential information is necessary for language, making domain-general sequence representation a tentative basic requirement for the evolution of language and other uniquely human phenomena. Here, using formal evolutionary analyses of the utility of sequence representation we show that sequence representation is exceedingly costly and that current memory systems found in animals may prevent abilities necessary for language to emerge. For sequence representation to evolve, flexibility allowing for ignoring irrelevant information is necessary. Furthermore, an abundance of useful sequential information and extensive learning opportunities are required, two conditions that were likely fulfilled early in human evolution. Our results provide a novel, logically plausible trajectory for the evolution of uniquely human cognition and language, and support the hypothesis that human culture is rooted in sequential representational and processing abilities. Author summary: Why only humans have complex language is an unsolved question. Theories of language evolution often highlight the advantage of flexible and precise communication. Given these obvious advantages, it is difficult to explain why language has not evolved in other animals. Here we investigate the hypothesis that the human ability to recognize and remember sequences is an important evolutionary step towards human language, and a key trait for the evolution of human culture and thinking. Mathematical analyses show that remembering and learning to respond to temporal sequences of consecutive events takes a lot of time and is exceedingly costly. This suggests that costs associated with taking sequences into account can explain why language has only evolved once. Computer simulations further show that memory systems found in other animals are more beneficial than sequence memory under most circumstances. Sequence memory is only beneficial when the environment contains information in sequential form, and if individuals are allowed unusually long learning times, conditions fulfilled in human prehistory. Our results suggest a trajectory for the evolution of uniquely human cognition and language, and support the hypothesis that human culture is rooted memory for stimulus sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to present a study about the Jewish notion of revelation and the principles of Talmudic commentaries in the theological and philosophical works of Emmanuel Levinas and to examine his quest for the possibility of reconciliation between tradition and human autonomy. Levinas is a philosopher who seeks help from religious tradition, especially the notion of Jewish revelation, for his critique of modern philosophical thought. In Levinas's Talmudic reading of Scripture adherence to revelation does not oppose rationality and freedom expected by the modern age. In this reading, revelation is speaking to God, mainly receiving the ethical order, an order that is not a call for blind adherence. Furthermore, the principles of Talmudic commentaries assure the renewal of its tradition and insist on the role of the commentator as the participant in revelation. Levinas's views on these subjects are intimately bound to his philosophy of language. He attempts to show that the language of revelation cannot be reduced to a mere tool for communicating thoughts and information but also consists of a realm that attests to the prophetic nature of language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the metaliterary statements that pervade the oeuvre of Ennodius of Pavia (a.d. 474–521) in order to reconstruct his underlying conception of language: its nature, power, function, limitations, and dangers. This new perspective provides a more nuanced insight into the paradoxical poetics of the author as well as his final renunciation to literature after his appointment as bishop of Pavia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samir Amin's critiques of both apartheid-era and post-apartheid political economy contributed to his scathing view of the crucial 'semi-peripheral' layer of the world system, a perspective typically ignored in binary formulations of Global North and Global South. Amin's 1977 article 'The future of South Africa' was among his first statements of how, using that era's dependency theory language, 'South African capital requires an outward policy of expansionism, so that ultimately, internal colonialism becomes coterminous with sub-imperialism'. Amin also labeled post-apartheid South Africa sub-imperialist because of the domination of 'monopoly capital' in the extractive-industry circuits (depleting what Marx called 'free gifts of nature') and the below-survival-level wages that have long shaped the economic structure. Two other coterminous factors were Pretoria's imposition of continent-wide neoliberalism through the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa BRICS network – both of which proved incapable of transcending neoliberal economic policies insisted upon by contemporary imperialism. Following the BRICS 2023 Sandton summit's elite failure to advance de-dollarisation or other 'delinking' strategies, Amin would nod, knowingly, when hearing the term 'sub-imperial' to describe the bloc – and look for inspiration instead to successes of grassroots campaigners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes assumptions and manifestations of the normatively adopted rules. The starting point is the presentation of the alternative of normativism vs. descriptivism, as it is understood by some contemporary theories of language, mind and cognition. In the next parts, the paper focuses on deontological aspects of processes of thinking and reasoning. In this context the social and cultural function of norms is stressed. Searle's emphasis on norms as a social 'glue' is linked with theories of the deontic introduction. Special attention is paid to considerations that J. Dolník devoted to the cohesive force of language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accompanying dialogue (realized while the participants are engaged in work activities together) provides very suitable material for the in-depth analysis of interaction and its relational, content, self-presentation and conative aspects, above all in the case of asymmetrical roles (superior – inferior). This contribution uses a video recording and a transcript of two collaborators in a violin workshop and, in addition, a follow-up interview, which forms an interesting complement to the original recording. Here it is possible to trace how, in the interview, the workshop leader tries to balance out the relational, content and conative aspects, weaken the expressions of his own superiority, mitigate the command-like tone of the communication, and to cooperate with his partner as much as possible; however, he himself labels these methods as "manipulation". Methods of interactional linguistics were utilized in the analysis of both interviews. The theoretical framework for the empirical analysis consists of ego-linguistics as conceived by J. Dolník (emphasis on the egocentrism of the participants, their ego-motivation and ego-mobility) and language management theory with a focus on communicative (organized, trans-interactional) management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juraj Dolník belongs to the most notable Slovak linguists, next to Ján Horecký (1920 – 2006) or Jozef Mistrík (1921 – 2000). His research areas comprise mainly general linguistics, Slovak studies and German studies. In the synchronic Slovak studies, he has devoted himself thoroughly to the study of lexicology, as well as to individual aspects of cultural stylistics, sociolinguistics and linguistic pragmatics. His ideas about the linguistic culture have become significant stimuli for the Slovak linguistic and cultural theory and language counseling practice. He has also laid the theoretical foundations for studies of linguistic otherness in the Slovak linguistic environment. As a distinguished professor emeritus, he authored a modern trilogy about language and society (2017 – 2021), thus providing further conspicuous methodological and theoretical inspirations for Slovak linguistics, and, in a wider context, also for Slavic linguistics of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce Vilém Flusser's theoretical trajectory from the philosophy of language and multilingualism to communication and media theory. Our focus lies on his works Kommunikologie [ Communicology ] and Kommunikologie weiter denken [ Thinking Communicology Further ]. Kommunikologie, which was written in Flusser's mid-career in the 1970s, but only published in the 1990s, consists of a set of articles and lectures and offers, among other notions, a great distinction between dialogue and discourse. The article takes this differentiation and explains its advantages and limitations. This leads to the introduction of the concept of algorithmic mediation as a 'communicological' take on current media developments. This also allows us to return to Flusser's question about the disappearing home and the need for windows to the world. We hence offer a combination of different aspects of his work less as a tool for the analysis of current developments than as a call for action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper forms the introductory article to the special issue 'Expressing Evidence'. It lays out the background into the pragmatic and semantic research on evidence in language, and positions the collection of papers within this theoretical landscape. The collection stands out in its focus on conceptual issues involved, including the relation between 'grammatical' evidentiality and other constructions that signal evidence and the consequences of these connections for the semantic and pragmatic theory. The special issue aims to bring the work on evidentiality to the attention of a broad audience, including not only linguists, but also language scientists more generally, as well as philosophers of language and science. • Evidential restrictions come in many forms in the grammar. • Studying the relation between evidentials and other evidence signals raises important questions. • It is important to place evidentiality within pragmatics, philosophy of language and epistemology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbolic representation is a central facet of human development that enables people to depict experiences and communicate meaningful information with others. Participation in social interaction relies on graphical symbols, gestures, and symbolic artifacts to form relationships, acquire language, and represent the world. However, substantial theoretical differences between cognitive and social-constructivist accounts of the development of symbolic representation prevent a unified model from forming. Thus, the task of this work is to introduce a theoretical model for symbolic development in early childhood. Throughout this work, Wittgenstein's picture theory of language is empirically grounded with nascent, cross-cultural research in iconicity and experimental semiotics in order to propose a picture theory of symbolic development in early childhood. Last, this work critically reformulates current debates regarding the representational facets of symbolic development and offers novel insights that bridge philosophy of language and cognitive anthropology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Visual Language Research Corpus (VLRC) is a dataset of annotations of 376 stories from comics from the United States, northwestern Europe, and East Asia, along with analysis of the complete 10 year run of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. Comics were annotated using 254 constructs from Visual Language Theory, a framework focusing on the linguistic and cognitive structures involved in visual and multimodal information. These annotations include analysis of panel's attentional framing structure and filmic shot scale, the situational changes across panels, page layouts, multimodality, visual morphology, and path structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frank Ramsey's philosophy of science is considered abstruse due to the incompleteness and difficulty of his paper "Theories". This has not prevented various authors from arguing that Ramsey is committed to meaning holism for scientific theories, and that his philosophy of science is anti-realist but anti-reductionist. However, it is unclear exactly how meaning holism works for Ramsey, and how he can be both anti-realist and anti-reductionist. I argue that clarity can be gained on both issues by examining Ramsey's philosophy of science through a reconstruction of his decision theory compatible with his later philosophical beliefs. I develop an account of how credences can be formed over singular, theoretical propositions despite those propositions being fictions. Credences are ultimately measured by preferences over conditionals whose antecedents are the verification conditions of theoretical propositions and outcomes are elements of a privileged partition on an agent's possibility space induced by the language of the theory. Those verification conditions are the observational elements formed from the unions of this induced partition. Meaning holism is explained as the sensitivity of theoretical propositions to their verification conditions. And anti-realism and anti-reductionism can be maintained due to theoretical propositions forming a finer partition of possibility space than observational propositions, which prevents the former from being truth-functions of the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I explore the interactional phenomenon of evasion by using Edmondson and House's (1981) typology, which divides speech act categories into 'Substantive' and 'Ritual' speech acts. First, I examined which speech acts are used by native Chinese speakers and learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) to realise evasive interactional responses in the Chinese linguaculture. Second, I compared the ways in which native speakers of Chinese and CFL learners realise evasions. Data were collected from 20 CFL learners and 20 native Chinese speakers, who completed a Discourse Completion Test featuring conflict scenarios such as a choice between lying and hurting someone's feelings. The results showed that the most frequented speech in evasive responses are Opine and Tell. Native Chinese speakers tend to use internal modification in the form of downgraders and honorifics, while CFL learners tend to use external mitigators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine how criticising as a disciplinary action is conventionally realised in Chinese classroom contexts. By so doing, we provide a two‐fold contribution to the current special issue dedicated to Willis Edmondson. First, we examine criticising in an innovative way, by going beyond its traditional interpretation as a speech act, that is, we approach it as an interactional phenomenon which is conventionally realised by a cluster of expressions and speech acts. Second, we propose a bipartite approach to examine why and how instances of criticism as a disciplinary action in Chinese may puzzle foreign learners of Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The articles in this special issue contribute to second language (L2) pragmatics by investigating different speech acts and interactions in Chinese as the target language. The studies all examined learners' pragmatic performance in different contexts and compared their performance with that of native Chinese speakers. The findings of the articles showed what the learners could achieve and what they still had problems in. In this commentary, I first analyze and discuss the aspects in these articles that impress me the most, including research design and focus on L2 pragmatics, theoretical contributions, and methodological considerations. Then, I will address some important implications that the articles provide for future research in L2 pragmatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to explore the performance of Sympathize as a speech act by advanced learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL). We collected data from both 16 advanced CFL learners and 16 native speakers of Chinese through a DCT, and we then asked 10 native speakers of Chinese to rate the appropriacy of the DCTs provided by the two groups. The results of our analysis show that the language use of native speakers and advanced learners only differed significantly when they employed three strategies "Minimize the negativity of the events," "Analyze the negative events objectively," and "Look at problems from a positive perspective," while their behavior only marginally differed when it came to the two strategies of "Release the listeners' negative emotions" and "Encourage." However, learners received overall lower scores than native speakers regarding the appropriateness of their sympathizing expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Semilingualism' is one of the most questionable theories produced in the language sciences. Yet, little is known about its origins. We present a critical account of the history of semilingualism, tracing its roots in the work of Nils Erik Hansegård, (1918–2002), inaugural chair of Sámi at Umeå University (1975–1979), who developed a theory of semilingualism (halvspråkighet) in the 1960s. We show how Hansegård theorized semilingualism using ideas from Nazi German linguistics, producing an unforgiving theory of linguistic pathology directed at minoritized bilinguals in Sweden's far north. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]