INTRODUCTION A central goal of research on speech perception has been to uncover the auditory dimensions that listeners use to derive linguistically meaningful utterances from the speech signal. In order for listeners to successfully decode an utterance, they must be able to reliably distinguish the speech sounds of a particular language. The speech signal presents listeners with a multitude of...

This study examines the factors that influence Mandarin and Korean speakers’ understanding of English pitch accent placement. The results show that both groups have difficulty determining whether a native English speaker is using the correct prosody for a particular discourse context. Participants’ ability to do this task improved with greater English proficiency, as measured by the Versant Eng...

In this study, the use of speech-like pragmatic markers in Iranian EFL students’ academic writing was investigated. Speech-like pragmatic markers, such as I think, well, I guess, actually, anyway, anyhow, etc. are linguistic components that are more specific to conversation than writing, and writers may wrongly include them in their academic writing. To examine the students’ use of speech-like ...

In this study, the use of speech-like pragmatic markers in Iranian EFL students’ academic writing was investigated. Speech-like pragmatic markers, such as I think, well, I guess, actually, anyway, anyhow, etc. are linguistic components that are more specific to conversation than writing, and writers may wrongly include them in their academic writing. To examine the students’ use of speech-like ...

Hybridization events can generate additional genetic diversity upon which natural selection can act and at times enhance invasiveness of the species. Invasive tree species are a growing ecological concern worldwide, and some of these invasions involve hybridization events pre- or post-introduction. There are 20 hybrid invasive tree taxa in 15 genera (11 plant families) discussed here. When repo...

Gō-type models, which include only native contact interactions in the energy function, are being used increasingly to describe the protein folding reaction. To investigate the validity of such models, we determine the role of native and non-native interactions along folding and unfolding pathways. For this purpose, we use a molecular mechanics energy function with an implicit solvation model (a...

The Internet is primarily an American invention. Therefore, it is natural that Internet Protocols have little or no consideration beyond the English language. Nevertheless, with over 60% of the world population being non-native English-users, it is necessary for the Internet to consider the use of non-English languages in its protocols in order for it to become a truly global network.