University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Portuguese

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Portuguese

Languages that borrow Arabic words often incorporate redundant, non-lexical material (Myers Scotton 2002, Rouchdy 2002). Examples can be drawn from words of Arabic origin in the Portuguese language (Kaye 2004, Corriente 1992). The aim of this study is to explore different aspects language variation due to language contact and transfer. This study takes into consideration loanword adaptations and examines three generations of Lebanese-Brazilians living and São Paulo. While many factors account for phonological variation in the production of Brazilian Portuguese, one of the goals of this study is to show how prior language experiences can influence variation in the perception and production of another. In exploring three generations in the Lebanese-Brazilian community of São Paulo, Brazil, first-generation immigrants are believed to have more variability in their spoken Portuguese, with this variability extending to loanwords of Arabic origin. Subsequent generations are believed have less access to the Arabic language, and have less variability in their spoken Portuguese, however are expected to experience some influence of Arabic when perceiving and producing words of Arabic origin. / text

This thesis examines the problem of low educational attainment rates of Portuguese- Canadian students in the areas of “Little Portugal” and West Toronto. Interviews were conducted with former students, teachers, administrators, and community leaders who have all experienced or are linked to the public education system in those areas of Toronto. The question, “why has there been a low educational attainment rate among Portuguese-Canadian students in Toronto?” was asked of the interviewees. The first three chapters provide background information regarding the struggles of the Portuguese in their homeland as well as Portuguese immigrants in Toronto in order to contextualize the information garnered through the interviews. The final two chapters present the thoughts of the interviewees, regarding the subject matter, which were collected during the study.

This thesis examines the problem of low educational attainment rates of Portuguese- Canadian students in the areas of “Little Portugal” and West Toronto. Interviews were conducted with former students, teachers, administrators, and community leaders who have all experienced or are linked to the public education system in those areas of Toronto. The question, “why has there been a low educational attainment rate among Portuguese-Canadian students in Toronto?” was asked of the interviewees. The first three chapters provide background information regarding the struggles of the Portuguese in their homeland as well as Portuguese immigrants in Toronto in order to contextualize the information garnered through the interviews. The final two chapters present the thoughts of the interviewees, regarding the subject matter, which were collected during the study.

This thesis seeks to explore how key decision-makers within the Portuguese civil service formulate decisions regarding policies orientated at children with disabilities. It breaks the issue down by focusing on three main perspectives - the decisionmaker, the policy framework and children with disabilities. The decision-maker was analysed in the context her/his professional identity. By combining social identity theory (self-categorisation) and identity theory (role-identification) and interview data, this thesis found that the basis for decision-making was the way in which the term "children with disabilities" was identified and conceptualised by the decisionmaker, as well as the associated approaches, rules and guidelines at both the national and international level. It found a variable balance of influences between the concepts of parenting and families, the norms of the Portuguese welfare system and the emergent international thinking regarding children with disabilities. Through the use of a multi-method approach which incorporated interviews, vignettes and documentary analysis this thesis captured the approaches of each decision-maker. This thesis found that children with disabilities were predominantly viewed as dependants. The familialist structure of the Portuguese welfare state introduces the notion of a "disabled family", whereby the family carries the responsibility of addressing the challenges associated with children's disability and state support is directed at the family. In addition, this thesis found that "normalisation" was the predominant approach to disability, regardless of intended approach of each decision-maker. This study concluded that a combination of rehabilitative and integrative policy impulses in a context of limited and incomplete information and guidelines from international organisations have influenced this approach.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Spanish)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2009. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Based on the author's Thesis (doctoral)--Université Michel de Montaigne, Bordeaux, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 453-475) and indexes.

Based on the author's Thesis (doctoral)--Université Michel de Montaigne, Bordeaux, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 453-475) and indexes.