Diachronic and/or synchronic variation? The acquisition of sociolinguistic competence in L2 French.

A majority of the early research in Second Language Acquisition focused on diachronic variation in the learners’ interlanguage (IL), that is, differences in the IL linked to a supposed increase in knowledge between two points in time (cf. Tarone 1988). The last decade has seen an increase in studies combining a diachronic perspective with a synchronic one, that is, where variation in production is seen as the consequence of individual differences among learners (gender, extraversion, learning strategies, attitudes, motivation, sociobiographical variables linked to the language learning experience and the use of the target language (TL)). In this perspective, non-native-like patterns are not automatically assumed to be the result of incomplete knowledge, but other possible causes are taken into consideration such as temporary inaccessibility of information in stressful situations or even a conscious decision by the L2 user to deviate from the TL norm

Borromean binding

A review is first presented of the Hall--Post inequalities relating $N$-body to $(N-1)$-body energies of quantum bound states. These inequalities are then applied to delimit, in the space of coupling constants, the domain of Borromean binding where a composite system is bound while smaller subsystems are unbound.Comment: 5 pages, Dedicated to V.B. Belyaev for his 70th birthday, to be included in a jubilee volume, edited by A.K.Motovilov and F.M.Pen'ko

Stability of the Hydrogen and Hydrogen-like Molecules

We present a simple proof of the stability of the hydrogen molecule $(M^+M^+m^-m^-)$. It does not rely on the proton-to-electron mass ratio $M/m$ being very large, and actually holds for arbitrary values of $M/m$. Some asymmetric molecules of the type $(m_1^+m_2^+m_3^-m_4^-)$ are also stable. Possible applications to molecules containing antiparticles and to exotic hadrons in the quark model are briefly outlined. Revtex Version 3.0, 4 Figures available on request by Fax or Mail

Blistering barnacles! What language do multilinguals swear in?!

The present contribution focuses on the effects of language dominance / attrition, context of acquisition, age of onset of learning, frequency of general use of a language and sociodemographic variables on self-reported language choice for swearing. The analysis is based on a database to which 1039 multilinguals contributed through a web based questionnaire. Results suggest that, according to the self-reports, swearing happens most frequently in the multilinguals’ dominant language. Mixed instruction, an early start in the learning process, and frequent use of a language all contribute to the choice of that language for swearing. Sociodemographic variables were not found to have any effect. Frequency of language choice for swearing was found to be positively correlated with perceived emotional force of swearwords in that language. Quantitative results based on answers to close-ended questions corresponded to participants’ responses to open-ended questions

Investigations on electromagnetic noises and interactions in electronic architectures : a tutorial case on a mobile system

Electromagnetic interactions become critic in embedded and smart electronic structures. The increase of electronic performances confined in a finite volume or support for mobile applications defines new electromagnetic environment and compatibility configurations (EMC). With canonical demonstrators developed for tutorials and EMC experiences, this paper present basic principles and experimental techniques to investigate and control these severe interferences. Some issues are reviewed to present actual and future scientific challenges for EMC at electronic circuit level