Generalized estimator of population mean by using conventional and non-conventional measures in the presence of measurement errors

In survey research, it is assumed that reported response by the individual is correct. However, given the issues of prestige bias, self-respect, respondent's reported data often produces estimated values which are highly deviated from the true values. This causes measurement error (ME) to be present in the sample estimates. In this article, the estimation of population mean in the presence of measurement error using information on a single auxiliary variable is studied. A generalized estimator of population mean is proposed. The class of estimators is obtained by using some conventional and non-conventional measures. Simulation and numerical study is also conducted to assess the performance of estimators in the presence and absence of measurement error.     

Multimodal representational gestures in the transition to multi-word productions

The aim of this study was to analyze the use of representational gestures from a multimodal point of view in the transition from one-word to multi-word constructions. Twenty-one Spanish-speaking children were observed longitudinally at 18, 21, 24, and 30 months of age. We analyzed the production of deictic, symbolic, and conventional gestures and their coordination with different verbal elements. Moreover, we explored the relationship between gestural multimodal and unimodal productions and independent measures of language development. Results showed that gesture production remains stable in the period studied. Whereas deictic gestures are frequent and mostly multimodal from the beginning, conventional gestures are rare and mainly unimodal. Symbolic gestures are initially unimodal, but between 24 and 30 months of age, this pattern reverses, with more multimodal symbolic gestures than unimodal. In addition, the frequency of multimodal representational gestures at specific ages seems to be positively related to independent measures of vocabulary and morphosyntax development. By contrast, the production of unimodal representational gestures appears negatively related to these measures. Our results suggest that multimodal representational gestures could have a facilitating role in the process of learning to combine meanings for communicative goals.     

Age group differences in political activism in Malaysia

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of studies on age-related patterns of political activism in Malaysia, specifically on young people’s patterns of political participation relative to their elders, and in relation to the rich literature that has developed in Western democracies. By analysing survey data from Wave 6 (2010–2014) of the World Values Surveys (WVS), this study aims to investigate the differences in political engagement between younger and older people in Malaysia, including new repertoires outside the mainstream politics, by addressing the question of whether young Malaysians are more active in political activities compared to older groups. The findings conform to the expected patterns in the literature that young people are less likely to participate in conventional political activities than their respective elders. However, we find no significant differences for unconventional political participation. The study further shows that demographic indicators such as the levels of education, gender and ethnic group belonging do not appear to be linked to the age gap between youth and their elders in political activism. As such, the study provides evidence that young people in Malaysia are less likely to be politically active than their elders and that this is not clearly attributable to the socio-demographic factors analysed.     

‘America’ in Indian Advertising: Change and Impact

The aims of this article are threefold: One, to focus on the advertising and marketing communications situating the presence of the USA in India. Two, to address three issues concerning the where, how, and impact dimensions of marking the US presence in Indian advertising. In that process an attempt will be made to integrate three aspects of advertising, namely: marketing, media, and linguistics. Three, to account for US corporate culture as it manifests itself in advertising. Central to our discussion are two product types: consumer products (e.g. Coke, Pepsi, Kellogg’s cereals, or Cadbury’s chocolates) and socially-sensitive, or ‘taboo’, products (e.g. condoms, alcohol, and breath fresheners).     

亚里士多德语言学的认识论分析

亚里士多德曾经指出：“口语是内心经验的符号,文字是口语的符号。”这是一个对后世语言学影响深远的见解。它不仅为“语义大三角”理论奠定了基石,而且为语言能指、所指关系理论提供了思想原型。而贯彻于其中并使该理论得以构建起来的,是其认识论的思想。对亚氏语言学给予认识论分析,有助于我们了解现代语言哲学的渊源和理据。     

规约含义与会话含义的哲学渊源与差异性研究

语言哲学研究的核心内容是意义理论。根据语境与语言形式,话语含义可分为规约含义与会话含义。规约含义的哲学溯源可追随到一百多年前,弗雷格将规约含义贴上了"含义的色彩"的标签。格莱斯认为,规约含义与会话含义都在语言使用过程中包含了说话人取向性,在动态中再现说话人意图或认识。探讨规约含义与会话含义的哲学渊源、本质特征,并从语言形式依赖程度、语境依赖性、推导性、撤销性、分离性、非真值条件性等因素探究了规约含义与会话含义的差异性。     

基于认知观的英语习语解读

以认知语言学为理论基础,重点探讨了英语习语的语义理据,用三种认知机制即隐喻、转喻和常识分析了它们的语义推导过程,从而进一步证实了英语习语意义的可分解性,以及三种认知机制对于理解习语意义的重要作用。     

工科院校英语专业学生语用推理能力调查

语用推理能力关系到话语理解的正误，是维系会话的关键。对英语专业学生的语用推理能力进行了调查。调查结果反映了外语教学中存在的一些问题，据此提出了一些建议。     

合同法第二百八十六条的权利性质及其适用

合同法第二百八十六条规定的建设工程承包人的优先受偿权，其性质如何，在理论界引起了较大的争论。该文通过对该条文的立法背景和立法过程的考察，论证了该条所规定的权利在性质上属于法定抵押权，并对此项权利的成立条件、效力及其行使方式提出了自己的看法。     

比喻分类管见

本文针对大中学教坛上把比喻分为明喻、暗喻、借喻的“三分说”分类提出不同看法；认为应分为两大类：常式比喻和变式比喻，并着重分析了 常式比喻与变式比喻之间的联系及其“变”的规律