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Taikomoji kalbotyra
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Online) 2029-8935
Published by Vilnius University

[38 journals]

Metafora ir erdvė: 14 pasaulinė metaforų tyrėjų konferencija RaAM14
Vilniaus universitete
- Authors: Inesa Šeškauskienė
  Pages: 1 - 6
  PubDate: 2022-02-28
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
In memoriam Nidai Burneikaitei (1964–2022)
- Authors: Inesa Šeškauskienė
  Pages: 7 - 8
  Abstract:
  PubDate: 2022-02-28
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Lithuanian Sign Language Poetry: Location as Mean of Expression of
Metaphors
- Authors: Anželika Teresė
  Pages: 9 - 37
  Abstract: In order to solve issues in sign language linguistics, address matters pertaining to maintaining high quality of sign language (SL) translation, contribute to dispelling misconceptions about SL and deaf people, and raise awareness and understand of the deaf community heritage, this article, for the first time in a Lithuanian scientific journal, discusses authentic poetry in Lithuanian Sign Language (LSL) and inherent metaphors that are created by using the phonological parameter – location. The study covered in this article is twofold, involving both the micro-level analysis of metaphors in terms of location as a sub-lexical feature and the macro-level analysis of the poetic context. Cognitive theories underlie research of metaphors in sign language poetry in a range of sign languages. The study follows this practice. In view of the abovementioned reasons, this piece of research is new and relevant to Lithuania. The article covers qualitative analysis of 10 pieces of LSL poetry. The analysis employs ELAN software widely used in sign language research. The target is to examine how specific types of location are used for the creation of metaphors in LSL poetry and what metaphors are created. The results of the study show that LSL poetry employs a range of locations resulting in a host of metaphors created by using classifier signs and by modifying the location of the established signs. The study also reveals that LSL poetry mostly tends to create reference metaphors indicating status and power. As the study shows, LSL poets metaphorically encode status by encoding another meaning in the same sign, which results in creating double metaphors. The metaphor of identity has been determined to consist of chest signing. Notably, the poetic context has revealed that the latter metaphor can also be identified as a metaphor of life. The study goes on to note that deaf poets create metaphors related to the importance of various phenomena, significance of the lyrical subject. Notably, the study has allowed detecting locations never mentioned in previous SL research as used for the creation of metaphors. For instance, previous SL research fails to cover temporal metaphors expressed by signing in central and peripheral areas and attitudinal metaphors represented by signing near the eye. The study has also detected a sign that can be identified as a metaphor of death and that is absent in previous SL research.
  PubDate: 2022-03-29
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.1
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Mixed Speech Styles in Two Single-Gendered Occupational Groups: Identities
in Interaction
- Authors: Dalia Pinkevičienė
  Pages: 36 - 61
  Abstract: This paper qualitatively examines mixed speech styles within the context of two single-gendered white-collar Lithuania-based workplaces situated in Vilnius: an IT company and a company producing cosmetics (COSM). In Lithuanian contexts, mixed speech styles could be broadly defined as a flow of speech consisting of linguistic resources from languages other than Lithuanian (mainly English and Russian) incorporated into otherwise Lithuanian talk. The paper focuses on situated usage of mixed speech styles employed in talk at work. It aims to see how the linguistic enactment of mixed speech styles varies according to the working team and how such variation may influence the construction of participants’ complex identities. The research is based on naturally occurring recorded speech, and the method applied could be determined as ethnographically informed Interactional Sociolinguistics. The analysis shows that the two single-gendered communities of practice examined do not draw on the same non-native linguistic resources and that such dissimilar speaker choices and identity work can be predetermined by an intricate interplay of social and situational factors.
  PubDate: 2022-07-21
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.2
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Hybrid verbs of Slavic origin with the suffixes -inti, -yti, -uoti, -ėti,
-auti in Lithuanian slang: derivative and adaptive hybrids
- Authors: Robertas Kudirka
  Pages: 62 - 78
  Abstract: The article analyses 246 hybrid verbs of Slavic origin with the suffixes -inti, -uoti, -yti, -ėti, -auti from the Lithuanian slang and non-standard dictionary. The study reveals that borrowings with affixal adaptation are always adapted to the linguistic system. The most popular suffix is -inti (190 hybrid verbs). There are some (64) derivative hybrids with this suffix, hybrids are formed from the adapted basic words, and therefore, in such cases hybrid verbs are derivations of the suffix -inti. There are twice as many adaptive hybrids (126), which are morphologically adapted by replacing the derivative suffix of the language donor with the suffix of the language recipient. Other suffixes are rare: -uoti (21), -yti (12), -ėti (12), -auti (11), with which derivative hybrids are usually formed from already adapted basic noun in slang.
  PubDate: 2022-07-26
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.3
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
An Empirical Study of Near-synonym Choice: A Comparison of Advanced EFL
Learners to L1 English Speakers
- Authors: Alina Yevchuk
  Pages: 79 - 94
  Abstract: Near-synonyms are words which share certain semantic similarities, yet differ in their contextual usage (e.g. acquire vs obtain, evaluate vs judge). The current study compares lexical preferences and rationalizations for choosing near-synonyms of advanced C1 level non-native speakers of English (n = 45) to those given by native speakers of English (n = 58). The data has been collected using a forced-choice questionnaire which also included a justification section meant to explore respondents’ reasoning behind their lexical choices. The findings of the study suggest that EFL students may lack the depth of vocabulary knowledge necessary to choose the most suitable word from a pair of near-synonyms. Insufficient knowledge of target words resulted in EFL learners’ lexical choices and justifications being statistically different from those given by native speakers. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that EFL teachers increase students’ exposure to various contexts as well as focus on vocabulary depth.
  PubDate: 2022-08-31
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.4
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Žurnalo „Taikomoji kalbotyra“ dešimtmetis.
Publikacijų apžvalga
- Authors: Meilutė Ramonienė, Kinga Geben
  Pages: 95 - 99
  Abstract: -
  PubDate: 2022-11-24
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.5
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
The possible influence of socio-cultural and socio-economic parameters on
local languages: the case of Šalčininkai District
- Authors: Agnė Čepaitienė
  Pages: 100 - 118
  Abstract: The aim of the study is to use GIS tools and methods to identify the mobility trends of the members of the local communities of Šalčininkai district and surrounding areas and their impact on the local languages on the basis of socio-economic and socio-cultural parameters. The research material consists of: 1) survey data, on the basis of which the coefficients of the influence of attractions on the language were calculated; 2) statistical socio-economic data for 2020-2021; 3) geo-spatial data of Lithuania; 4) linguistic studies of Šalčininkai district. GIS tools and methods were used to assess the infrastructure of residential areas, a heat map of attractions with the greatest impact on linguistic shift was created based on the results of the survey, and a link network of Atlas of Lithuanian Language (ALL) points and infrastructures was implemented through accessibility analysis. Based on social network theory, the structure of socio-cultural networks and their influence on linguistic shift, as well as the influence of additional socio-economic and socio-cultural factors was assessed. The analysis has highlighted the linguistic, socio-economic and socio-cultural uniqueness of Šalčininkai district. The study area is a zone with a more internal mobility level: there is less migration between areas where different languages (Slavic and Lithuanian) are spoken, and more migration between different dialects (Eastern Aukštaitians of Vilnius and Southern Aukštaitians). However, due to the disappearance of ALL points in almost half of Šalčininkai district, the well-developed infrastructure in the district centre and the abundance of elderly communities in the district, the intensity of mobility is low. Therefore, all the areas surveyed can be considered socio-culturally non-isolated, but linguistically quite isolated. This ensures the survival and dominance of the Slavic language. The centre of the district – Šalčininkai (ALL 666) - is considered to be the most socio-economically and socio-culturally stable in the study area. However, this town attracts residents from socially unstable areas and residents of different dialects. This creates favourable socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions for the Slavic languages (partly also for Lithuanian dialects) to compete, but remain viable. The other ALL points in Šalčininkai district belong to the open zone, where the processes of shift in the characteristics of Slavic languages and/or Lithuanian dialects are taking place.
  PubDate: 2022-12-09
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.6
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Lithuanian copy-editors in the fields of language standardization and
cultural production: negotiating competing notions
- Authors: Eglė Jankauskaitė
  Pages: 119 - 136
  Abstract: Copy-editors are important agents of language standardisation, yet Following Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory, as well as Michel Foucault’s power/knowledge dichotomy, in this article I am analysing data from semi-structured interviews with 21 Lithuanian copy-editors to determine how they negotiate their often-opposing professional notions on editing ethics and practice. The analysis has shown that in terms of ethical notions, copy-editors maintain that editing “too much” is unethical. This is likely based on the rules of the game of the literary field. It has been noticed, that the editors who also have other roles in the literary field, more strongly oppose the practice they called “author production”. Some copy-editors, however, who did not have such high stakes in the literary field, seemed to sometimes take on this work of “too much” editing, but in an interview situation, they claimed that such practice is different from copy-editing.
  PubDate: 2022-12-12
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.7
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
Benchmarking performances of L2 spoken Lithuanian produced by young
learners
- Authors: Rita Juknevičienė
  Pages: 137 - 165
  Abstract: The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), widely recognized as one of the most important documents in foreign language teaching, defines the levels of communicative language proficiency. The common points of reference are primarily meant to assist foreign language teachers and test developers striving to adhere to a unified understanding of CEFR levels. Yet it is not uncommon among practitioners to claim a particular level of a task, text or sample of learner performance drawing merely on their individual experience and intuition, with only limited knowledge of the original descriptor scales. The main purpose of this paper is to describe general procedures for relating foreign language tests and learner performances to the CEFR as they are prescribed by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE). The five stages of the linking process are familiarisation, specification, standardisation training and benchmarking, standard setting and validation. While the full implementaion of the linking process is a complex undertaking mostly applied in the context of high stakes examinations, certain stages of the linking process could be implemented by individual language schools and programmes. Benchmarking is one of such stages. It involves identification of illustrative learner performances for different proficiency levels. This is a stage which also has its relevance in daily teaching practice and could be easily incorporated in routine assessment procedures thus increasing foreign language teachers' awareness of CEFR levels. Therefore the discussion of the formal linking procedures in this paper is followed by a demonstration of an exercise in benchmarking. It is meant to acquaint the Lithuanian readers with the complexity of the linking process and encourage a more principled approach to level allocations. The exercise in alignment with CEFR level decribed here involves L2 spoken Lithuanian produced by five foreign learners of young age. Sample performances were taken from a corpus of L2 Lithuanian compiled within the XXX project. Since the subjects are children of 11–12 years, another important challenge in the alignment with the CEFR is children's maturity and the necessary adaptation of CEFR descriptors for young learners. Qualitative analysis of five learner samples offers a number of insights into practicalities of linking procedures and discusses ways to ensure reliability and objectivity.
  PubDate: 2022-12-12
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.8
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)
How do TV and radio hosts speak' Vowel tenseness as an index of formal
and serious speaking style
- Authors: Ramune Čičirkaitė
  Pages: 166 - 185
  Abstract: The present paper reports the instrumental analysis of the unstressed variants of /iː/, /uː/, /eː/, /oː/, /æː/ and /ɑː/. The study was carried out by employing the sound analysis software PRAAT, which was used to measure the length and tenseness of the specified variants. 10 residents of Vilnius city and 10 hosts of TV/radio programmes covering serious public topics were selected as the informants of the study. The main aims of this research were as follows: (1) to determine whether vowel length and tenseness differentiate the pronunciation of Vilnius city residents from that of the hosts of TV/radio programmes covering serious public topics, and (2) to reveal whether the hosts of TV/radio programmes use the length or tenseness of the unstressed variants of /iː/, /uː/, /eː/, /oː/, /æː/, /ɑː/ as a resource for creating a formal and serious speaking style. The current study examines, among other things, if the TV/radio hosts pronounce the unstressed variants of /iː/, /uː/, /eː/, /oː/, /æː/, /ɑː/ systematically more tensely, or perhaps on the contrary – they create the impression of a serious style only with isolated sounds of increased tenseness. The analysis has revealed that the hosts of TV/radio programmes covering serious topics pronounce the unstressed variants of /iː/, /uː/, /eː/, /oː/, /æː/ and /ɑː/ in the same length as Vilnius city residents speaking in a semi-formal style. Hence, vowel length in the said programmes is not a significant linguistic resource when creating a serious and formal speaking style and constructing the linguistic identity of a TV/radio host addressing serious public topics. However, TV/radio hosts covering serious public topics pronounce the unstressed variants of /iː/, /uː/, /eː/, /oː/, /æː/ and /ɑː/ with more tenseness than Vilnius city residents, which suggests that the style of the hosts is distinct from the semi-formal speaking style of Vilnius city residents and serves as a well-defined marker of a certain language standard. These findings are in line with some previous studies indicating that vowel tenseness statistically significantly distinguishes programmes covering serious public topics from entertainment-based programmes covering personal topics. Therefore, it can be argued that vowel tenseness differentiates speakers (TV/radio hosts vs. Vilnius city residents), types of programmes (programmes covering serious public topics vs. entertainment-based programmes covering personal topics), styles (formal vs. semi-formal), and language varieties (actual standard language vs. Vilnius speech). Thus, in the speech of hosts of TV/radio programmes covering serious public topics, tenseness acquires the indexical meaning of “I am speaking seriously”. The use of isolated vowels of increased tenseness is thus sufficient to create the impression of a serious speaking style and to form the linguistic identity of a TV/radio host covering serious topics.
  PubDate: 2022-12-30
  DOI: 10.15388/Taikalbot.2022.17.9
  Issue No: Vol. 17 (2022)