Articles tagged with Linguistics
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers found that 75% of medicinal plant services are linguistically-unique and known to one language, highlighting the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving medicinal knowledge. The study suggests that language loss will be even more critical to medicinal knowledge extinction than biodiversity loss.
Researchers found that Indigenous languages overlap with 8,200 species ranges in African UNESCO sites, suggesting a strong connection between cultural and biodiversity preservation. The study suggests engaging Indigenous people in governance to redesign management strategies and conserve localities.
A study by Toyohashi University of Technology found that Japanese speakers often confuse the pronunciations of /hi/ and /si/ due to palatalized tongue articulation. Real-time MRI and supercomputer simulations revealed that acoustic contrast between the sounds can be produced by differences in tongue shape in the transverse direction.
A study by Jon Zabala found that Basque individuals with strong identity and collective empowerment display high levels of personal and social wellbeing, as well as community participation. The researcher suggests that feeling identified with Basques balances negative aspects of being a linguistic minority.
A recent study published in the Journal of Marketing found that linguistically feminine brand names are perceived as warmer and more likable, leading to increased purchase intentions. Researchers discovered that brands with feminine names are more likely to be well-ranked on Interbrand's Global Top Brands list.
A team of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that people are more successful at identifying language associated with Republican speech than Democratic speech patterns. The study used machine learning to scan the Congressional Record and presidential debate corpora to isolate linguistic variation between the two parties.
Researchers investigated how well speech is understood from those speaking while wearing a cloth mask. They found that masked speech was not more difficult to understand and, in some cases, understanding was improved when speakers were instructed to speak clearly. The study highlights the adaptive nature of human speech.
A University of Miami study found that a soft food diet can reshape language by changing how people speak and pronounce sounds. The research analyzed thousands of languages and the speech patterns of 10 celebrities, including Freddie Mercury and Michael Phelps.
Researchers found a correlation between extraverts and the use of positive emotion words and social process words. The study aims to improve machine learning approaches for consumer marketing using well-founded linguistic predictors.
Researchers found that listeners in Gainesville perceived increased accentedness with a South Asian face, whereas Montreal listeners did not exhibit the same effect. Exposure to linguistic diversity may impact accentedness judgments.
A RUDN University linguist found a potential correlation between the number of COVID-19 cases in a country and the presence of aspirated consonants in its main language. The study, published in Medical Hypotheses journal, suggests that languages like English with more aspirated consonants may lead to faster spread of the virus.
A new study by Katie Welch and Marco Shappeck investigates the prevalence of 'LOL' in students' text messages, highlighting its potential applications in classroom learning. The research demonstrates how linguistic concepts can be effectively incorporated into courses that satisfy basic educational requirements.
A Flinders University academic challenges traditional arguments that Chinese written characters hinder its global adoption. Dr Jeffrey Gil presents four arguments supporting the possibility of Chinese becoming a global language, citing technological advancements and historical precedents.
Researchers have identified two scenarios in which minority languages can survive: linguistic diversity and mixed speaker populations. By applying mathematical modeling, the authors propose a new framework for understanding language coexistence, shedding light on the complexities of minority language preservation.
A study by Oregon State University found that culturally tailored diabetes education programs for Latinos result in significantly higher completion rates compared to non-Latinos. The programs are linguistically and culturally adapted to address specific values and beliefs related to diabetes, leading to improved health outcomes.
A computational analysis of Poe's language has revealed that his death was unlikely to have been a suicide. The study found inconsistent patterns of depression markers, contradicting the long-held theory of Poe's self-inflicted death.
A study of Twitter data from over 128,000 users found that individuals in similar occupations share similar personality traits. This suggests that social media profiles could be used to predict career suitability and recommend suitable occupations.
A researcher analyzed the frequency and acoustics of belching while speaking in 'Rick and Morty' to uncover latent linguistic meaning. The study found that burps tend to rumble at a low 300 hertz, jitter 4% more than normal speech, and shimmer 15% more.
A study by Lobachevsky University researchers found that Russian-speaking students took longer to read sentences with fewer fixations and shorter gaze duration compared to English-speaking students. The results suggest that eye movements are influenced by language-specific features beyond just information density.
A new study predicts that 80-83% of New Guinea's language areas will experience decreased plant species diversity by 2070 under a 2°Celsius warming scenario. The Science Advances Special Collection proposes climate-smart expansion of protected areas to account for biodiversity and cultural traditions.
Researchers found that linguistic similarity between the learner's first language and Dutch accounted for 50% of explained variance in learners' proficiency. This suggests that language instruction tailored to a learner's first language can be more effective, corroborating an important insight from research on teaching adults
Researchers found that users who tweeted about loneliness were more likely to post about anger, anxiety, and depression, as well as struggles with relationships and substance use. The study aims to develop a 'loneliness prediction system' using social media data to identify individuals at risk of loneliness.
Researchers analyzed Toronto resident Vivian White's diary entries from 1985 to 2016, finding a significant relationship between language changes and cognitive decline. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 84, White included the first-person pronoun 'I' consistently in her writing.
Researchers identified four patterns of stylistic variation in Trump's tweets: conversational, campaigning, engaging, and advisory. The style shifted systematically depending on communication goals, revealing a systematic campaign ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections.
The study analyzed Trump's tweets from 2009 to 2018, identifying four style variations: conversational, campaigning, advisory, and engaged. These stylistic patterns suggest underlying communication strategies used by Trump during the 2016 campaign, including appealing to different audiences, defending criticism, and attacking opponents.
Researchers from the University of Maryland developed a novel approach to generate questions that challenge AI language models. By collaborating with humans and computers, they created a dataset of over 1,200 computer-stumping questions that revealed six different language phenomena consistently stumping computers. This work provides i...
Studies in linguistics and experimental psychology demonstrate that our minds can assign linguistic structure to non-linguistic content on the fly. Gestures and visual animations help researchers understand how inferences are generated, suggesting that all inferential types result from general, productive processes.
A large majority of participants associated 'aa' with more red and 'ee' with lighter color, regardless of synaesthesia. The study suggests that the vowel system of a language plays a crucial role in shaping color associations.
Researchers from Lancaster University found that April Fools hoaxes share similarities with fake news stories, including simpler language, longer sentences, and less formal tone. The study provides new insights into detecting disinformation and may aid in identifying 'fake news' articles.
A study by an international team led by researchers at the University of Zurich found that diet-induced changes in the human bite resulted in new speech sounds, contradicting the theory of a fixed range of human sounds. This shift allowed for the rise of labiodentals, such as the sound 'f', in modern languages.
A new study finds that using 'the' with a plural noun to refer to a group of individuals creates a distancing effect, making the speaker appear less connected. The study analyzes data from U.S. House speeches and pundits on 'The McLaughlin Group', revealing patterns in politicians' use of 'the' based on their political leanings.
Research suggests that linguistic pattern analysis of testimony can lead to more impartial investigations and accurate diagnoses of PTSD in child sexual abuse cases. Children with PTSD are more likely to provide disjointed narrative testimony, but this may be credible.
New research shows that brain synchronization depends on linguistic context, with different areas aligning in native versus foreign languages. This discovery opens up possibilities for quantifying verbal communication through online tools like Skype.
New research confirms that President Trump and leaders like him are part of a long-term trend towards intuitive thinking in politics. The study found that low analytic thinking and high clout are becoming more common globally, particularly in the US and Canada.
University of Surrey academic Dr Mike Franjieh has been recognized for preserving two endangered languages on the South Pacific island of Ambrym in Vanuatu. His research has created usable spelling systems and recorded cultural practices, benefiting community members and future generations.
A University of Michigan-developed algorithm has been shown to accurately detect fake news stories up to 76% of the time, surpassing human performance. The system uses linguistic analysis and can be used to identify fake news articles that are too new to be debunked by cross-referencing their facts with other stories.
A recent study found that Jahai speakers and Dutch individuals have similar emotional responses to odors, indicating universal perception. Despite their distinct vocabularies for smelling, both groups showed the same facial reactions to unpleasant smells, highlighting the universality of olfactory experience.
Researchers have found that demographics and Latino populations shifting in southwest Kansas are leading to linguistic changes in English. Young people, even those who don't speak Spanish, are adopting staccato syllables and vowel pronunciations characteristic of Spanish-speaking communities.
A low-cost music playschool significantly improved the development of children's phoneme processing and vocabulary skills compared to peers attending dance lessons or none. The study suggests regular music playschool lessons can positively impact preschoolers' linguistic abilities.
A study by the universities of Zurich and Geneva found significant differences in end-of-life decisions across Switzerland's three linguistic regions. In all regions, deaths were preceded by one or more end-of-life decisions, with a common legislative framework governing life-sustaining treatment and assisted suicide. The involvement o...
Researchers used word embeddings to measure changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes from 1900-2023, correlating with US Census demographic data. The study found quantifiable shifts in biases towards women and Asian Americans, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between humanities and sciences.
Researchers found that adult listeners can learn to recognize previously unfamiliar speakers from seeing only the motion they produce while talking, even with limited exposure. This discovery has important implications for personal and facial recognition technologies.
A new study of Tommo So folk songs reveals that artistic expression often prioritizes harmony over pitch accuracy, despite the potential for confusion. The authors found that melodies in tonal languages like Tommo So tend to avoid direct contradictions between sung and spoken pitches.
Antipodal words, encapsulating opposites, offer sharp communication and irony. They articulate predation, violence, and human excess, briefly opening a semiotic window onto the unspeakable.
A study by Lancaster University researchers suggests that spontaneous humour is used and appreciated by people with cancer as a way to deal with taboo or embarrassing situations. The research found that using humorous metaphors can empower patients by undermining their illness, mocking it, and distancing themselves from it.
A study by BYU linguistics professor Alan Manning and the University of South Alabama's Nicole Amare found that most people value clarity and directness over extended buffers when delivering bad news. Participants ranked directness as a top characteristic they valued most in receiving bad news.
Researchers analyzed color-naming data from 110 languages and found that warm colors like red, yellow, and orange are generally easier to communicate than cool colors like blue and green. The study suggests that differences in color categorization may reflect cultural differences in color usefulness.
Multilingual individuals face challenges when solving arithmetic tasks in a second language, relying on alternative thought processes and brain regions not observed in monolinguals. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed distinct brain activity patterns when using different languages.
A recent study on reality TV contestants found that accents change in a complex manner, with large daily fluctuations but rare longer-term changes. The research suggests that the degree of accent change is influenced by individual differences and sound characteristics, rather than social interactions.
A study found that people from different cultural backgrounds change their language when lying, with Black African and South Asian participants using more first-person pronouns to distance themselves from the lie. The results challenge Western stereotypes on linguistic cues to deception.
A study analyzing police body camera footage found that officers consistently use less respectful language with black community members than with white community members. The racial disparities in language use remained even after controlling for other factors, highlighting the need for solutions to improve police-community relations.
Research at the University of Illinois Chicago found that linguistic styles making campaigns more understandable and relatable to the crowd significantly boosted social campaign success. Short stories with interactive styles are effective for social good campaigns, while commercial campaigns rely more on content.
New University of Michigan research finds people use generic-'you' to make meaning from personal experiences, helping them view events as more distant. The study suggests this ability allows individuals to derive broader meanings from their own experiences.
A study by Katharina Prochazka and Gero Vogl applied a physics-based approach to analyze language movement in Southern Carinthia, Austria. The research found that interaction with other speakers of the same language is the primary driver of language shift, with village-level demographics playing a crucial role.
Researchers found that using honorifics incorrectly, but with a playful tone, can help foreigners connect with locals on a personal level. This approach challenges the idea that speaking correctly is always necessary for fitting in.
A new study by Kristian Berg and Mark Aronoff found that English suffix patterns can categorize words into grammatical categories, such as adjectives. The researchers analyzed a large sample of written English documents over 1,000 years, discovering consistent spellings for common suffixes like -ous and -ic.
Researchers found that booster words like 'undeniable' and positive emotion terms are viewed as highly credible, while hedge words and mocking terms are seen as less credible. The study also showed a correlation between longer message lengths and higher credibility scores.
A new study reveals that dialect unfamiliarity and prejudice against AAVE and other non-standard dialects can lead to mishearing and misjudgment in courtrooms. The authors argue that vernacular varieties should matter more, and linguists can play a bigger role in explaining them.
A study by Canadian researcher Emily Blamire found that female listeners rank male voices as more attractive when the 's' sound is shorter, while male listeners do not. The study suggests that men and women use different criteria when judging vocal attractiveness.
A new study finds that employees who balance cultural fit and network cliqueness are more likely to succeed. The researchers identified four organizational archetypes: doubly embedded actors, disembedded actors, assimilated brokers, and integrated nonconformists.