The syntax-phonology mapping of intonational phrases in complex sentences: a flexible approach

In this paper, we extend to complex sentences the proposal that the notion of clause in Align/Match constraints related to the syntax-prosody mapping of the intonational phrase should be determined in each language (and each construction) by making reference to the highest syntactic phrase whose head is overtly filled by the verb (or verbal material) (Hamlaoui & Szendrői 2015). We propose that while root-clauses have a privileged status from the syntax-toprosody mapping perspective, all clauses are equal in the prosody-to-syntax mapping. In the spirit of the Minimalist Program (Chomsky 2005), we bring in extragrammatical motivation for the proposed mapping principles from parsing and learnability. This allows us to account for the fact that, whereas in many languages like Bàsàá (Bantu) and Hungarian (Finno-Ugric), only root clauses normally map onto intonational phrases, additional intonational phrase edges can be found under the pressure of high-ranked prosodic, processing or information-structural requirements. This is the case with Hungarian embedded foci and Bàsàá embedded topics where, we argue, embedded ι edges are meant to satisfy StressFocus and AlignTopic, respectively. In languages where embedded clauses seem to map onto their own intonational phrases more generally, such as Japanese or Luganda, further independent constraints should be evoked

Are focus and givenness prosodically marked in Kinyarwanda and Rwandan English?

In this paper, we are interested in whether systematic variations in pitch, intensity and duration can be observed as a function of the focused or discourse-given status of a constituent in Kinyarwanda (Bantu JD61), and a relatively recent variety of “New English” in contact with this Bantu language. Kinyarwanda is a tone language, in which the information-structural notion of focus has been reported to be expressed through changes in word order, with focus appearing clause-finally (Kimyeni 1988, Ndayiragije 1999, Ngoboka 2016). In contrast, Standard English is well-known for the prosodic boost associated with narrowly focused words and the prosodic reduction of post-focal items. Cross-linguistically, the prosodic expression of focus and givenness is progressively becoming considered a marked feature. Zerbian (2015) predicts that it should not be found in a second language (L2), or a contact variety, if it is not already present in the first language of a speaker or a group of speakers. Our study finds no evidence that information focus, exhaustive focus or givenness systematically affect the prosody of Kinyarwanda. We also find no systematic effect of information structure in the variety of English spoken by our Rwandan participants, confirming that this is probably an area of English that is difficult to acquire

Are focus and givenness prosodically marked in Kinyarwanda and Rwandan English?

This paper concentrates on whether systematic variations in pitch, intensity, and duration can be observed as a function of the focused or discourse-given status of a constituent in Kinyarwanda (Guthrie code JD.61), and a relatively recent variety of “New English” in contact with this Bantu language. Kinyarwanda is a tone language, in which the information-structural notion of focus has been reported to be expressed through changes in word order, with focus appearing clause-finally (Kimenyi 1988, Ndayiragije 1999, Ngoboka 2016). In contrast, Standard English is well-known for the prosodic boost associated with narrowly focused words and the prosodic reduction of post-focal items. Crosslinguistically, the prosodic expression of focus and givenness is progressively being considered a marked feature. Zerbian (2015a) predicts that it should not be found in a second language or a contact variety if it is not already present in the first language of a speaker or a group of speakers. Our study finds no evidence that information focus, exhaustive focus, or givenness systematically affect the prosody of Kinyarwanda. We also find no systematic effect of information structure in the variety of English spoken by our Rwandan participants, confirming that this is probably an area of English that is difficult to acquire

Effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel by cerium nitrate in chloride solution

International audienceIn this study, cerium was investigated as an inhibitor to improve the corrosion resistance of ASTM A915 mild steel in 0.1M NaCl solution. Increasing the Ce 3+ concentration up to an optimum level of 600 mg.L-1 (or 1.4 10-3 M) sharply decreased the corrosion rate (Icorr). However, the beneficial effect of cerium was lost after short immersion times at room temperature. In contrast, the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the cerium nitrate containing NaCl solutions enhanced protection through the formation of stable corrosion products and the decrease of cracks in the film formed on the surface of mild steel

A flexible approach to the syntax-phonology mapping of intonational phrases

This paper addresses ‘a central question for [...] any theory of the syntactic- prosodic constituency relation’ (Selkirk, 2011, 17): how to best characterize the notion of ‘clause’ in ALIGN/MATCH constraints related to the syntax-prosody mapping of the intona- tional phrase. We propose that the notion of ‘clause’ should be determined in each construc- tion by making reference to the highest projection in the root clause (see Downing, 1970), to which the verbal material (i.e. the verb itself, the inflection, an auxiliary, a question particle) is overtly moved or inserted, together with the material in its specifier. In other words, we argue that no particular functional head plays a role in the theory of intonational phrasing. In support of this flexibility in syntax-prosody mapping, we discuss data from the Bantu language, Bàsàá, and the Finno-Ugric language, Hungarian. We show that a left-peripheral constituent may be prosodically outside the core intonational phrase even though its syn- tactic position is relatively low, so long as the verb is even lower, and that conversely, a constituent may be phrased inside the core intonational phrase even if it is in a syntactically high position, so long as the verb also moves high

On the Corrosion Resistance of Porous Electroplated Zinc Coatings in Different Corrosive Media

The corrosion resistance of an electroplated (EP) Zn coating whose surface was chemically etched to produce surface defects (pores) is investigated in this work. Impedance and DC polarisation measururements were employed to study the behaviour of such coating in various corrosive media (NaCl, NaOH and rain water). Four different faradaic relaxation processes were clearly revealed in different NaCl concentrations (from 0.1M to 1M). In the most concentrated solutions at least three relaxation processes at low frequencies (LF) appeared and were related to zinc deposition and dissolution. At lower concentrations and depending on the pH, only one process was observed. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) and the corrosion current (Icorr) were practically stable in the pH range 5 to 10. In deaerated NaCl 0.1M, the EIS diagrams showed two time-constants at very close frequencies. From the EIS diagrams the porous nature of the coating was highlighted and showed that the dissolution mechanisms occurred at the base of the pores

Electrochemical Boron-Doped Diamond Film Microcells Micromachined with Femtosecond Laser: Application to the Determination of Water Framework Directive Metals

Planar electrochemical microcells were micromachined in a microcrystalline boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin layer using a femtosecond laser (Photo 1). The electrochemical performances of the new laser-machined BDD microcell were assessed by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) determinations, at nM level, of the four heavy metal ions of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD): Cd(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Hg(II). The results are compared with those of previously published BDD electrodes [1]. The calculated detection limits are 0.4 nM, 6.8 nM and 5.5 nm 2.3 nM, and the linearities go up to 35nM, 97nM, 48nM and 5nM for respectively Cd(II), Ni(II) Pb(II) and Hg(II). The detection limits meet with the environmental quality standard of the WFD for three of the four metals. It was shown that the four heavy metals could be detected simultaneously, in the concentration ratio usually measured in sewage or runoff waters

INVESTIGATION OF InGaN/Si DOUBLE JUNCTION TANDEM SOLAR CELLS

In this work, the solar power conversion efficiency of InGaN/Si double junction tandem solar cells was investigated under 1-sun AM1.5 illumination, using realistic material parameters. With this intention, the current-voltage curves are calculated for different front recombination velocities and the influence of the bottom cell thickness on efficiency has been studied. The results show that a front recombination velocity value of 1e3cm/s is most advantageous and the use of relatively thick bottom cell is necessary to obtain conversion efficiency greater than 27%, at 300°k cell temperature. This efficiency will decrease as the operating temperature increase