Attitudes to LX speech : performance and status evaluations in group work

Against a backdrop of increasing internationalisation in higher education, this study employed a matched guise technique to investigate L1 speakers’ evaluations of an LX speaker*. Seventy five UK students were asked to rate an idea put forward by an L1 speaker and predict the status this individual would enjoy in future group work in terms of receiving opportunities to contribute, receiving positive evaluations, and exerting influence. A separate group of 150 UK students heard the identical idea delivered by a LX speaker, rated at a level of language proficiency of approximately IELTS 6.5, and made the same evaluations. Results indicated that the majority of students in the second group reported some comprehension difficulties and rated the LX user as being less than able to meet the linguistic demands of group work in university. For these L1 raters, the LX speaker was expected to suffer a significant status loss compared to the equivalent L1 speaker. In terms of L1 rater differences, findings also revealed that students with high levels of on intercultural competence, specifically high motivational cultural intelligence (MCQ), were better able to process LX speech compared to those with low MCQ, with an effect size of R=.42. High MCQ was also linked to more positive evaluations of the LX speaker’s ideas, intellectual and academic ability, and language proficiency. Results suggest the extent to which some LX speakers may suffer an expectations ‘disadvantage’ in group work relative to L1 speakers, and the role that MCQ plays in the processing and evaluation of LX speech. * This dissertation will adapt an ‘L1’ versus ‘LX’ dichotomy to avoid the strong monolingual bias associated with traditional ‘native speaker’ versus ‘non-native speaker’ or ‘L1 speaker’ versus ‘L2 speaker’ alternatives. Dewaele defines LX as any foreign language acquired after the age at which the first language(s) were acquired, or approximately the age of 3 (Dewaele, no date:1). The label ‘LX’ is not, therefore, indicative of a particular level of language proficienc

The Small Subunit rRNA Modification Database

The Small Subunit rRNA Modification Database provides a listing of reported post-transcriptionally modified nucleosides and sequence sites in small subunit rRNAs from bacteria, archaea and eukarya. Data are compiled from reports of full or partial rRNA sequences, including RNase T1 oligonucleotide catalogs reported in earlier literature in studies of phylogenetic relatedness. Options for data presentation include full sequence maps, some of which have been assembled by database curators with the aid of contemporary gene sequence data, and tabular forms organized by source organism or chemical identity of the modification. A total of 32 rRNA sequence alignments are provided, annotated with sites of modification and chemical identities of modifications if known, with provision for scrolling full sequences or user-dictated subsequences for comparative viewing for organisms of interest. The database can be accessed through the World Wide Web at http://medlib.med.utah.edu/SSUmods

Attitudes towards foreign accents among adult multilingual language users

The present study investigates inter-individual variation (linked to personality traits, multilingualism and sociobiographical variables) in the attitudes that 2035 multilinguals have of their own and others’ Foreign Accent (FA). Data were collected through an on-line questionnaire. We found that extraverted multilinguals, who were emotionally stable and tolerant of ambiguity were significantly less bothered by the FA of others. Only more neurotic multilinguals were bothered by their own FA. Unexpectedly, participants who knew more languages to a higher level were more negative about the FA of others and their own. However, participants who grew up in an ethnically diverse environment, who had lived abroad and who were working in an ethically diverse environment were significantly more positive about FA. While sex had no effect on the attitudes towards the FA of others, women had a more negative attitude towards their own FA. Education level and age were also linked to attitudes towards FA. The findings thus show that how much multilinguals are bothered by FA falls partly outside their conscious control as it depends on their personality, their language learning history, their current linguistic practices and their sociobiographical background

Development of a Procedural Analysis for Quantifying Safety Hazards Encountered in Non-Repetitive, Extended Time Work Cycles

Engineerin