The study investigates the interface between the variables - language attitude and language use in a development context, and attempts to determine the contribution of language to Rwanda's post-conflict development, reconstruction and reconciliation. It examines the language attitudes and language use patterns of 53 students from Rwanda's public universities focusing on how students, who are all Rwandan citizens, view the role of Kinyarwanda, French, English and Kiswahili languages in twelve core areas of post-conflict development. Although post-conflict development is socio-economic, previous historical and political factors affecting Rwanda's violent past play a role as new forms of linguistic categorization - Anglophone and Francophone - emerge which may be used to camouflage previous ethnic categorizations that have had disastrous effects in Rwanda. Further, social categorizations laden with salient features of linguistic identity may influence the implementation of the post-conflict development programmes, and also affect the pace and pattern of reconciliation in Rwanda. Conclusions are based on eclectic sources: quantitative, qualitative, historical and participatory, with patterns of analysis established from secondary and historical data. The study is also grounded in the Communication Accommodation Theory that rests on issues of divergence and convergence during interaction where emerging language identities dovetail with language attitudes and language use, resulting in an interface that influences the implementation of Rwanda's post-conflict development programmes. Additionally, it is argued that the African languages such as Kinyarwanda and Kiswahili, should be considered as vehicles for Rwanda's post-conflict development, although Kinyarwanda, the home language, has in the past really not served an intranational unifying function. On the other hand, Kiswahili, unlike Kinyarwanda, has no divisive myths and identities that would inhibit post-conflict development; it is an important language in the East and Central African region where post-conflict Rwanda will play a positive and active role, and would be a language to be positively developed. / African Languages / D.Litt et Phil. (African Languages)

The aim of this study is to use a verbal guise test to investigate Swedish upper secondary school students’ language attitudes toward GA and RP. While research has been conducted on this topic before, few studies have incorporated all three cognitive, affective and conative components of the mentalist approach to language attitude, and even fewer with younger student participants, which are two components the present study included. The findings of the present study indicate differences in evaluation of the RP and GA speakers. The investigated L2 speakers of English, the 17-19 year old participants, favoured the RP speaker in terms of the cognitive categories serious, intelligent and responsible, while the GA speaker was evaluated more favorably for the categories not arrogant, kind, calm and gentle. The participants also felt more trust while listening to the RP speaker, while other affective categories did not generate considerable differences in evaluation of the speakers. Lastly, in the conative component, the students self-reported using and aiming for similar pronunciation to GA rather than RP. Several of these results are supported by previous research, but contrasting findings occur as well.

La présente étude porte sur l’utilisation des différentes langues et les attitudes linguistiques des Chinois résidant au Canada. Les travaux antérieurs suggèrent que le choix de langue est déterminé par le contexte linguistique et que l’utilisation des différentes langues influence la formation de l’identité ethnique. Nous avons recruté des Chinois qui habitent au Canada et leur avons demandé de remplir un questionnaire, certains ont participé aux entrevues individuelles par Zoom avec la chercheuse. La présente étude révèle que l’usage langagier est lié non seulement à des facteurs objectifs (l’occupation, la durée de résidence au Canada, le lieu d’habitation au Canada, la période d’utilisation d’une langue), mais aussi à des facteurs subjectifs (l’importance de la langue dans la vie, l’auto-évaluation du niveau linguistique). Nous avons également constaté que si une langue est exigée par le domaine de travail ou le programme d’études, alors elle sera utilisée plus fréquemment que les autres au quotidien. De plus, nos participants démontrent manifestement une identité chinoise et une attitude positive envers leur(s) langue(s) d’origine. Nous estimons que le contact avec la langue d’origine influence la formation de l’identité ethnique. / The current study focuses on the language usage and attitude of Chinese who lives in Canada. Previous studies suggest that language choice is determined by linguistic context and language usage influences the formation of ethnic identity. We recruited Chinese people living in Canada and asked them to complete a questionnaire, some of them have participated in the one-to-one interview with the researcher. The current study finds that language usage is linked not only to objective factors (occupation, length of residence in Canada, place of residence in Canada, length of time to speak the language) but also to subjective factors (importance of language in daily life, self-assessment of language level). We have also found that if a language is required by the field of work or major of study, then that language will be used more frequently than others daily. In addition, our participants clearly demonstrate Chinese identity and positive attitude towards their heritage language(s). We believe that contact with the heritage language influences the formation of ethnic identity.

本論文探討的主題有四：（一）陳述中文文法手語與台灣自然手語各語言層級結構的異同，並探查兩套手語系統結構差異部分的語言溝通效率與語意清晰度；（二）瞭解受試者兩套手語系統的語言能力及其語言使用情形；（三）調取受試者對兩套手語系統的語言刻板印象與手語政策態度；（四）探討現階段手語政策的實施。 本論文包含量化與質化的研究方法，研究對象為年滿十八歲、居住在大台北地區、且以手語為主要使用語言之聽覺障礙者。量化研究包含手語結構評估問卷及手語使用情形與語言態度問卷。受試者須先完成結構評估測驗，才進行手語使用情形與語言態度問卷之填答。手語結構評估問卷針對兩套手語系統之迅速程度、模糊程度、與歧異程度加以測試。語言結構評估項目共有基本詞彙、詞組、時貌、副詞、簡單句型、複句句型、與篇章等七大類共一百九十四項，以影片方式呈現。受試者每觀看完一項評估項目，即立刻根據影片內容回答問卷上之題目。語言使用情形與語言態度問卷則探查受試者手語能力、手語使用、及語言態度。本論文以非機率抽樣的滾雪球抽樣方式進行量化問卷的發放，共回收75份有效樣本，進行無母數統計分析。質化研究以深入訪談方式進行，以立意抽樣方式共訪問六名受訪者，重點在探查量化問卷所發現的結果之原因。 研究結果顯示，在結構評估測驗中，除了詞組與簡單句型之遞繫句之外，自然手語的溝通效率與語意清晰度皆高於文法手語。受試者的兩套手語系統能力均等，且兩套手語使用頻率主要決定於談話對象的語言使用。語言刻板印象與手語政策態度的調查結果顯示，受試者對自然手語有較高的評價。 依據研究結果，本論文建議現階段手語政策應調整其語言規劃方針，將自然手語納入啟聰學校正式教學語言。對未來手語政策規劃之建議為：研訂相關法令、設立專職機構、擴充手語詞彙並編撰手語字典、明訂啟聰學校教師教學溝通政策與鑑定教師手語能力、培育專業手語翻譯人才、設置手語相關節目並提供無溝通障礙環境、獎勵手語研究與推廣工作、增設相關系所。 關鍵字：台灣自然手語、中文文法手語、語言態度、語言政策 / This thesis aims to (1) compares the language structure of Chinese Signed Language (CSL) with Taiwan Sign Language (TSL), and investigates the efficiency, vagueness, and ambiguity of these two language systems; (2) to provide a preliminary evaluation of the implementation of Sign Language Policy in Taiwan through an investigation of the deaf’s proficiency in CSL and TSL, their use of them, and their attitudes toward both these two linguistic systems and the related policy. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are adopted. Quantitative analysis includes two tests. On “structure evaluation test,” the efficiency, vagueness, and ambiguity of CSL and TSL are investigated. Evaluated items are taped into 194 segments of films, distributed on 7 linguistic levels, including lexical items, phrases, tense, adverbs, simple sentences, complex sentences, and discourse. Subjects are required to answer the questionnaire immediately after each test item is shown. “Sign language use and attitude questionnaire” is to elicit the deaf’s language proficiency, language use, and language attitudes. 75 questionnaires are collected through nonprobability sampling and nonparamentric statistical test with all the subjects being deaf adults who live in Taipei area and use sign language for communication. For qualitative analysis, 6 informants were interviewed through judgemental samplings to interpret the results of the questionnaires. The results of statistic tests indicate that TSL is more efficient, less vague and less ambiguous than CSL. Moreover, the subjects’ proficiency in the two sign language systems are equally good and their frequency of language use are decided by their interlocutors. As to their attitudes toward the two sign languages and the related language policy, all the subjects show support to TSL. Based on the findings from the quantitative and qualitative analysis, suggestions are given as follows. Legislate the law. Establish a government institution, institute lexicology, set the instructional language of the deaf school and evaluate the proficiency of deaf school teachers. Train the interpreters and provide communication unimpediment environment. Investigate sign language research, and plant institution. Key words: Taiwan Sign Language, Chinese Signed Language, language attitude, language policy

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This study investigates language varieties, non-verbal behaviour and language attitudes as cultural barriers which inhibit successful communication between Blacks and Indians at Durban Institute of Technology. The investigation reveals that Indians and Blacks often misunderstand each other. Sometimes these groups feel misunderstood because they use different varieties of English. To compensate for these differences, participants use non-verbal strategies. However, non-verbal behaviour is culturally determined and people tend to transfer it to intercultural situations. One finds that this transfer leads to miscommunication and negative stereotypes. Furthermore, non verbal behaviour which does not meet the politeness criteria leads to negative attitudes and strained relations amongst peers and supervisors. The study suggests these solutions: the introduction of intercultural awareness campaigns for all employees and Zulu conversational skills for all Indians. For the whole South African community, the spirit of ubuntu should be cultivated between all racial groups to foster mutual respect. / Sociolinguistics / M.A.

This study investigates language varieties, non-verbal behaviour and language attitudes as cultural barriers which inhibit successful communication between Blacks and Indians at Durban Institute of Technology. The investigation reveals that Indians and Blacks often misunderstand each other. Sometimes these groups feel misunderstood because they use different varieties of English. To compensate for these differences, participants use non-verbal strategies. However, non-verbal behaviour is culturally determined and people tend to transfer it to intercultural situations. One finds that this transfer leads to miscommunication and negative stereotypes. Furthermore, non verbal behaviour which does not meet the politeness criteria leads to negative attitudes and strained relations amongst peers and supervisors. The study suggests these solutions: the introduction of intercultural awareness campaigns for all employees and Zulu conversational skills for all Indians. For the whole South African community, the spirit of ubuntu should be cultivated between all racial groups to foster mutual respect. / Sociolinguistics / M.A.

This diploma thesis deals with teachers´ and pupils´ attitudes in teaching English at elementary school. At first, the theoretical part focuses on explanations of main notions related with this theme, on attitudes forming between pupils and teachers in school background and on factors influencing their common interaction. Next, it devotes to the status of English as a foreign language not only in worldwide basis but also within school curriculum at elementary schools. The practical part tries to find out what language attitudes of the chosen pupils there are in teaching English. Principally, it focuses on the attitude towards English as a foreign language, the English lesson, particular activities in English lessons, towards the teacher and it also finds out the pupils´ reasons for learning English.