LINGUIST List 15.473

Wed Feb 4 2004

Qs: Temporal Expressions; ESL Learners

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Directory

  • Pinar Oezden, Sociocultural Temporal Expressions
  • Fariza Nor, Interlanguage communication strategies & pragmatic

    Message 1: Sociocultural Temporal Expressions

     Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 14:37:51 -0500 (EST)
    From: Pinar Oezden <piniozdenhotmail.com>
    Subject: Sociocultural Temporal Expressions


    At the moment i am working on an ontology of ''sociocultural temporal expressions''. We define sociocultural temporal expressions as ''notions of time (time intervals, time points etc.) depending on some cultural space that is composed of a used calender system, a geographical position and a cultural group.'' For instance Ramadan, Spring Break, Independence Day, 'a fortnight' etc. The point is to classify these expressions in a sensible way. Let's say ''Spring Break is an academic time expression. It is at 'Spring Semester'. Expression is used in USA. Equals to the dates 22-26 March in 2004.'' On the other hand ''UK has an 'Eastern Vacation'. It is at 'Second' Semester. Dates 27th March 2004*-18th April 2004*.'' Additionally 'break' in USA equals to 'vacation' in UK. Another expression is ''a fortnight'' which equals to ''two weeks'' or ''14 days''. Or ''Fasching'' celebration in south of Germany that is called ''Karneval'' in north Germany having same dates: February 19*. In Brazil ''Carnival'' however is on 24th of February* and in Louisiana USA is ''Mardi Gras'' on the 24th of February*.

    The problem is: I don't have a systematic process to collect these expressions and I haven't discovered any specific resources so far. Where can I extract such sociocultural temporal expressions? Basicly, I need interpretations of ''time'', in this way or another, in different cultures of the world. I would very much appreciate if anyone has any hints, suggestions or recommmendations. that would help a lot. thanks

    pinar

    *these dates are valid for 2004 and are subject to change

    Subject-Language: English; Code: ENG

    Message 2: Interlanguage communication strategies & pragmatic

     Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 00:16:01 -0500 (EST)
    From: Fariza Nor <farizamnhotmail.com>
    Subject: Interlanguage communication strategies & pragmatic


    Hello, I'm Fariza Nor,a lecturer at UKM in Malaysia. I'm currently working on my phd., researching into the area of interlanguage communication strategies, as my focus. I hope to also relate the use of communication strategies to pragmatics. I wish to look at group interaction of ESL learners.

    If anyone knows of people working in this area or have come across any articles or information in this area, please let me know. I really appreciate it. I am also happy to have comments or suggestions on this topic.

    Thanks