Shift is a programming language for describing dynamic networks of hybrid automata. Such systems consist of components which can be created, interconnected and destroyed as the system evolves. Components exhibit hybrid behavior, consisting of continuous-time phases separated by discrete-event transitions. Components may evolve independently, or they may interact through their inputs, outputs an...

Since Greenberg the recognition of linguistic universals has been the backbone of language typology. Earlier Garvin had already divided universals into absolute and potential ones, the former uncontested cornerstones of linguistic theory, the latter commonly accepted generalizations among experienced professionals. The 'universals' to be discussed here are of the latter type: tried and tested p...

n their writings, the Second Vatican Council’s bishops demonstrated that the choice of communication style for handing on Catholic teaching is a significant, perhaps pivotal, pastoral decision. The bishops chose a persuasive style of language to shift the priority of their teaching away from that of winning arguments to that of building common ground. As a result, according to the eminent churc...