Search Results (251)

The Harry Potter fandom community around the world prefers a universe of wizards and witches that includes all people, but also has concerns about the author’s perspective regarding gender identity. This disjunction paralyzes the cultural reader with moral confusion, which is a danger to their emotional investment in the text. Although scholars have analyzed this phenomenon using fragmented prisms, such as social media activism, cognitive engagement, translation, pedagogy, and fan creativity, there is no unifying model that can be used to understand why reading pleasure endures. This article aims to fill this gap by examining these strands of research in a divergent manner, adopting a convergent mixed-methods study approach. Based on neurocognitive (EEG) values, cross-cultural focus groups, social media analysis, and corpus linguistics, we outline the terrain of reader coping mechanisms. We identify separate fan fractions and examine the corresponding practices. The results are summarized by proposing a model called the MDRL (Moral dissonance repair loop) which is a theoretical model that shows how translation smoothing, pedagogical reframing and fan-based re-moralization interact with one another in creating a system that enables the reader to be collectively able to obtain their relations with the text back to a manageable point and continue being engaged. This model makes a theoretical contribution to new areas in the study of fans, moral psychology, and cognitive literature. Full article

In this article, to address the uncertainty of preference information in interrelated conflicts in the real world, a hierarchical conflict modeling and analysis approach based on hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs) is proposed. First, considering the hesitancy and fuzziness of decision makers (DMs) when expressing preferences in hierarchical conflicts, a preference representation approach based on HFLTSs is introduced. Building upon hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference, four distinct types of hesitant fuzzy stability definitions of the two-level hierarchical graph model for conflict resolution (HGMCR) are extended, and a corresponding algorithm is developed to solve the global conflict hesitant fuzzy equilibrium states. Finally, this study is applied to investigate the outbreak and development of a specific international conflict, verifying the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach. The hesitant fuzzy equilibrium states of an international conflict indicate that the attitudes of domestic forces reflect a nation’s performance in the warand that the conflict may endure for an extended duration. The hierarchical conflict modeling and analysis approach based on HFLTSs allows DMs to express the hesitation and fuzziness of preferences under uncertainty, facilitates the comprehension of the intrinsic logic behind interactions among DMs at various levels, and enhances the analysis to achieve more foresighted equilibria. Full article

This article explores Michel Henry’s interpretation of the canonical Gospels in his Christian Trilogy. While Henry’s phenomenology emphasizes the immanent self-manifestation of a truth transcending all linguistic mediations, he recognizes the canonical authority of the Gospels as authentic sources of Christ’s words, granting privileged access to that same truth. His surprising focus on Synoptic Gospels, especially in Words of Christ, contrasts with his usual preference for Johannine and Pauline writings. However, his interpretation of the Synoptics tends to uniformize their literary and theological diversity and ignore the narratives and particularities of each Gospel. We suggest that Henry’s hermeneutics is guided less by an exegetical intention than by the principles of his radical phenomenology of life. In short, the article shows the clear risk of eisegetical projection at the core of Henry’s philosophy of Christianity. Full article

Introduction: Racial and ethnic disparities in end-of-life (EOL) cancer care persist, leading to lower rates of advance care planning (ACP), reduced access to palliative care, and poorer patient outcomes for minority populations. While previous research has documented these inequities, less is known about the specific interventions developed to address them, necessitating a comprehensive review of existing strategies aimed at improving EOL care for racial and ethnic populations. The objective of this scoping review is to examine the extent and characteristics of interventions and their outcomes designed to address racial and ethnic disparities in EOL cancer care in the United States. Methods: A comprehensive search of EOL cancer care interventions for minority populations was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL with Full Text (EBSCOhost), and Scopus (Elsevier) in September 2024. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, with inclusion limited to studies conducted in the US and published in English. Results: Of 3104 screened studies, 10 met the inclusion criteria. Participants enrolled were only from Latino (n = 6 studies) or Black (n = 4 studies) populations. We identified four types of interventions, including communication skills for patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians (n = 2), education programs for patients (n = 1), navigation and support programs for patients and caregivers (n = 3), and training programs for health workers and community leaders (n = 4). The most effective interventions were those that addressed linguistic barriers, integrated cultural values, and involved trusted community figures. Faith-based models were particularly successful among African American patients, while bilingual navigation and family-centered ACP interventions had the greatest impact in Latino populations. Conclusions: This review highlights (1) the importance of culturally tailored interventions for specific minority populations and (2) the limited number of such interventions, which primarily target only the largest minority groups. Full article

This paper investigates the acceptability of focused Objects with [+corrective, +exhaustive] features in Italian and French, considering the role of syntactic rigidity, Exhaustivity Markers (EMs), and argument structure. We conducted two parallel acceptability judgment experiments (one per language), testing focused Objects in three positions: (i) in situ, (ii) fronted (FF), and (iii) clefted (CC). Each sentence was also presented with and without an explicit EM, and the verb type was controlled across three categories: transitive, unergative, and unaccusative verbs. Results reveal key cross-linguistic differences: (i) FF is the least acceptable strategy in both languages, contradicting the assumption that Italian tolerates FF more than French; (ii) Italian speakers prefer in situ Focus with an explicit EM, whereas French speakers rate in situ and CC Focus equally acceptable, favoring implicit exhaustivity; (iii) verb type does not significantly impact Focus acceptability, except in French, where intervention effects may reduce FF acceptability in transitive/unergative contexts; (iv) CC remains a viable alternative to in situ Focus in French, possibly acting as a repair strategy. These findings suggest that, as far as [+corrective, +exhaustive] Focus is concerned, Italian does not appear to be less syntactically rigid than French. Full article

Acquiring prosodic focus marking in a second language (L2) is difficult for learners whose native language utilizes strategies that differ from those of the target language. German typically uses pitch accents (L+H*/H*) to mark focus, while (Modern Standard) Arabic preferably employs a syntactic strategy (word order) or lexical means. In Syrian Arabic, a variety which is predominantly oral, pitch accents are used to mark focus, but the distribution and types are different from German. The present study investigates how Syrian Arabic learners of German prosodically mark focus in L2 German. A question–answer paradigm was used to elicit German subject-verb-object (SVO)-sentences with broad, narrow, or contrastive focus. Productions of advanced (C1, N = 17) and intermediate (B1/B2, N = 8) Syrian Arabic learners were compared to those of German controls (N = 12). Like the controls, both learner groups successfully placed pitch accents on focused constituents. However, learners, especially those with lower proficiency, used more pitch accents in non-focal regions than the controls, revealing challenges in de-accentuation. These may result from the larger number of phrase boundaries in learners’ productions, which in turn might be explained by transfer from the L1 or aspects of general fluency. Learners also differed from the controls with respect to accent type. They predominantly used H* for narrow or contrastive focus (instead of L+H*); proficiency effects played only a minor role here. Our study hence reveals an intricate interplay between cross-linguistic influence and proficiency in the L2 acquisition of prosodic focus marking, targeting a language pair so far underrepresented in the literature (German vs. Syrian Arabic). Full article

This paper investigates transgenerational change in the use of formal address forms among Polish heritage speakers in Germany by analyzing their language attitudes and usage preferences. The survey-based study involved 100 bilingual Polish speakers with a migration background, including both late and early immigrants vs. representatives of the first and second generations, respectively. The survey included two parts: (1) a questionnaire assessing language attitudes toward formal address systems in Polish and German, respectively, and (2) an Acceptability Judgment Task evaluating respondents’ preferences for different address variants, including contact-induced hybrid forms, in simulated communicative situations. By comparing language attitudes and usage preferences among heritage speakers, the study seeks to identify mechanisms of transgenerational change in pragmatics of their heritage language. The findings reveal a discrepancy between language attitudes and actual language use by heritage speakers. While respondents recognize asymmetries between Polish and German formal address systems, their usage preferences align predominantly with the Polish monolingual norm, particularly in perceptually oriented tasks. However, the emergence of hybrid forms of formal address suggests a gradual shift toward increased tolerance and acceptance of contact-induced variations. This finding supports the hypothesis that pragmatics, like other linguistic levels, undergoes a transgenerational shift in migration settings, with language attitudes serving as earlier indicators of change. Full article

Large-language-model (LLM) APIs demonstrate impressive reasoning capabilities, but their size, cost, and closed weights limit the deployment of knowledge-aware AI within biomedical research groups. At the other extreme, standard attention-based neural language models (SANLMs)—including encoder–decoder architectures such as Transformers, Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks—are computationally inexpensive. However, their capacity for semantic reasoning in noisy, open-vocabulary knowledge bases (KBs) remains unquantified. Therefore, we investigate whether compact SANLMs can (i) reason over hybrid OpenIE-derived KBs that integrate commonsense, general-purpose, and non-communicable-disease (NCD) literature; (ii) operate effectively on commodity GPUs; and (iii) exhibit semantic coherence as assessed through manual linguistic inspection. To this end, we constructed four training KBs by integrating ConceptNet (600k triples), a 39k-triple general-purpose OpenIE set, and an 18.6k-triple OpenNCDKB extracted from 1200 PubMed abstracts. Encoder–decoder GRU, LSTM, and Transformer models (1–2 blocks) were trained to predict the object phrase given the subject + predicate. Beyond token-level cross-entropy, we introduced the Meaning-based Selectional-Preference Test (MSPT): for each withheld triple, we masked the object, generated a candidate, and measured its surplus cosine similarity over a random baseline using word embeddings, with significance assessed via a one-sided t-test. Hyperparameter sensitivity (311 GRU/168 LSTM runs) was analyzed, and qualitative frame–role diagnostics completed the evaluation. Our results showed that all SANLMs learned effectively from the point of view of the cross entropy loss. In addition, our MSPT provided meaningful semantic insights: for the GRUs (256-dim, 2048-unit, 1-layer): mean similarity $\left({\mu }_{sts}\right)$ of 0.641 to the ground truth vs. 0.542 to the random baseline (gap 12.1%; $p<{10}^{-180}$). For the 1-block Transformer: ${\mu }_{sts}=0.551$ vs. $0.511$ (gap 4%; $p<{10}^{-25}$). While Transformers minimized loss and accuracy variance, GRUs captured finer selectional preferences. Both architectures trained within <24 GB GPU VRAM and produced linguistically acceptable, albeit over-generalized, biomedical assertions. Due to their observed performance, LSTM results were designated as baseline models for comparison. Therefore, properly tuned SANLMs can achieve statistically robust semantic reasoning over noisy, domain-specific KBs without reliance on massive LLMs. Their interpretability, minimal hardware footprint, and open weights promote equitable AI research, opening new avenues for automated NCD knowledge synthesis, surveillance, and decision support. Full article

Renewable energy sources (RESs) are increasingly being recognized as sustainable and accessible alternatives for the energy future. However, their intermittent nature poses significant challenges to system reliability and stability, necessitating the integration of energy storage systems (ESSs) to ensure sustainability and dependability. This study examines various ESS alternatives, evaluating their suitability for different applications using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach. The methodology accommodates diverse criteria types, including qualitative and quantitative factors, represented as linguistic terms, interval values, and crisp numerical data. A techno-socio-economic framework for ESS selection is proposed and applied to Jordan’s unique energy landscape. This framework integrates technical performance, economic feasibility, and social considerations to identify suitable ESS solutions aligned with the country’s renewable energy goals. The study ranks twelve energy storage systems (ESSs) based on key performance criteria. Pumped hydro storage (PHS), thermal energy storage (TES), supercapacitors (SCs), and lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion BESS) lead the ranking. These systems showed the best performance in terms of scalability, efficiency, and integration with grid-scale applications in Jordan. Key applications analyzed include renewable energy integration, grid stability, load shifting, peak load regulation, frequency regulation, and seasonal energy storage. Results indicate that Li-ion batteries are most suitable for renewable energy integration, while flywheels excel in grid stability and frequency regulation. PHS was found to be the preferred solution for load shifting, peak load regulation, and seasonal storage, with hydrogen storage emerging as a promising option for long-duration needs. These findings provide critical insights to guide policy and infrastructure planning, offering a robust model for comprehensive ESS assessment in energy transition planning for countries facing similar challenges. Full article

This study examined the pragmatic competence and awareness of L2 learners of English, with a focus on their request strategies in L2 English, levels of (in)directness, request perspective, internal and external modifications, and the impact of tasks. The participants comprised 80 Cypriot Greek (CG) undergraduate students. The pragmatic tests were designed based on Speech Act Theory and included discourse completion tasks (DCTs) and multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs). Additionally, a role-play and an interview task were employed to assess L2 learners’ pragmatic competence in oral discourse. The tasks featured four conditions related to power and social distance: [+social distance, status equals], [−social distance, status equals], [+social distance, hearer dominance], and [−social distance, hearer dominance]. Overall, the results indicated that L2 learners of English tended to prefer conventionally indirect requests, suggesting that L1 linguistic and cultural backgrounds influence expressions of politeness. Face-threatening situations with a high degree of imposition elicited more conventionally indirect requests. Data analysis revealed contextual variation but not a clear task effect. Factors such as social distance, hearer dominance, power, familiarity, and imposition impacted the degree of (in)directness, request perspective, and both internal and external modifications. Full article

This study investigates the complex dynamics of Kazakh–English bilingualism, the influence of technology on language promotion, and regional variations in language attitudes across Kazakhstan. Using a structured online survey, data were collected from 1000 respondents representing all regions of the country, providing insights into language competence, daily communication preferences, attitudes toward bilingualism, and the role of technology in language development. Quantitative analysis, including descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and Chi-square tests, was conducted to identify significant trends and patterns. The findings highlight Kazakhstan’s evolving language environment, where bilingualism and multilingualism thrive alongside initiatives to strengthen Kazakh language use through technological advancements. This study underscores the need for balanced language policies that embrace linguistic diversity while fostering the development of the national language in an increasingly globalized world. Full article

Moroccan Law 55.19 aims to streamline administrative procedures, fostering trust between citizens and public administrations. To implement this law effectively and enhance public service quality, it is essential to use the Moroccan dialect to involve a wide range of people by leveraging Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques customized to its specific linguistic characteristics. It is worth noting that the Moroccan dialect presents a unique linguistic landscape, marked by the coexistence of multiple texts. Though it has emerged as the preferred medium of communication on social media, reaching wide audiences, its perceived difficulty of comprehension remains unaddressed. This article introduces a new approach to addressing these challenges. First, we compiled and processed a dataset of Moroccan dialect requests for public administration documents, employing a new augmentation technique to enhance its size and diversity. Second, we conducted text classification experiments using various machine learning algorithms, ranging from traditional methods to advanced large language models (LLMs), to categorize the requests into three classes. The results indicate promising outcomes, with an accuracy of more than 80% for LLMs. Finally, we propose a chatbot system architecture for deploying the most efficient classification algorithm. This solution also contains a voice assistant system that can contribute to the social inclusion of illiterate people. The article concludes by outlining potential avenues for future research. Full article

Intellectual preferences often align with the broader concept of standardization. The centralizing tendency observed in the sciences mirrors the patterns seen in linguistic standardization, such as the establishment of standard dialects in diverse speech communities. In both cases, there is a deliberate disregard for the complexities of the “lower” systems within the hierarchy and an exaggerated belief in the purity of the dominant system. The process of language standardization involves minimizing linguistic variation, often leading to the marginalization of non-standard varieties and reinforcing social hierarchies by privileging certain forms of language, which can restrict access to opportunities and institutional authority. The hierarchical tendencies observed in both scientific disciplines and linguistic standardization reflect a broader intellectual preference for centralized, “pure” systems, often at the expense of diversity and complexity. This paper explores the relationship between linguistic and scientific standardization, highlighting their influence on knowledge, authority, and social structures. Focusing on the global use of Greco-Latin scientific terminology, it examines both the practical advantages and cultural implications of standardized scientific language. While proponents emphasize its unifying role, critics argue it threatens linguistic purity and cultural identity. Through historical and contemporary debates, the paper argues that standardization serves as both a tool for communication and a contested space reflecting ideological tensions about language, culture, and knowledge. Topics include the politics of language standardization, the globalization of scientific vocabulary, debates on the interlingual lexicon, and the conflict between global communication and Arabic language preservation. Full article

Background: Chinese Americans, the largest Asian American subgroup in the U.S., face linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic barriers to dementia prevention. To promote brain health in this population, a culturally tailored community approach is essential. This study evaluates a culturally tailored community brain health education program to enhance brain health knowledge and motivate lifestyle changes to prevent the risk of dementia among Chinese Americans aged 50 or older. Methods: The program was developed and evaluated in four phases. First, we assessed participants’ interests in brain health topics, availability, and preferred delivery modes. Next, experts on the identified topics developed educational content and outcome assessments. The third phase focused on implementing a six-session program covering general knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, diet, sleep, physical exercise, health checks, and mindfulness. Finally, we evaluated the program’s feasibility and effectiveness using pre–post surveys, feedback questionnaires, and focus groups. Results: Seventy-seven participants registered for the program, and sixty-nine (90%) attended at least four sessions. The quantitative results, based on paired t-tests, showed significant increases in brain health knowledge, sleep quality, and behavioral motivation for lifestyle changes, and a decrease in depressive symptoms, with two-tailed p-values lower than 0.05. The qualitative results further revealed promising feasibility and acceptability, as well as the perceived benefits of the program. Conclusions: The findings highlight the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a culturally tailored community education approach for promoting brain health and lifestyle changes. Sustained community outreach and education efforts among Chinese Americans are needed. Full article

This study explores syntactic variation and sociocultural identity in subjectless nonfinite clauses within Philippine English (PhE) and Singaporean English (SgE), focusing on to-infinitive and -ing gerund constructions. Using data from the International Corpus of English for the Philippines (ICE-PHI) and Singapore (ICE-SIN), it examines the distribution of these constructions across spoken and written registers to uncover their sociocultural underpinnings. The findings reveal a shared preference for to-infinitive constructions in both varieties, reflecting their role in expressing intention and purpose. PhE’s adherence to prescriptive norms stems from colonial history and formal education, while SgE’s multilingual and pragmatic linguistic ecology fosters greater syntactic flexibility, exemplified by the innovative want + -ing construction absent in PhE. Although gerunds are less frequent overall, they consistently occur with verbs like enjoy in both varieties, signaling habitual or ongoing actions. Sociolinguistic distinctions also emerge in constructions like [Negator] + try + Nonfinite Clause, where PhE employs elaborative commentary aligned with its expressive narrative tendencies, contrasting with SgE’s concise, context-driven usage. By investigating this underexplored syntactic phenomenon, the study demonstrates how localized Englishes adapt grammatical structures to reflect sociocultural priorities, advancing the understanding of World Englishes and their sociolinguistic diversity. Full article