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Text comprehension in adults is correlated with a number of other abilities including working memory span, inference making, and reading experience. There are fewer studies reporting correlations between lexical and sublexical skill and comprehension skill in adults. Comprehension skill in adults may constitute (1) a basic comprehension skill, like lexical skill, that drives the ability to construct representations of text and analyze them; (2) a more sensitive measure of lexical skill, for which it is difficult to measure sufficient variability in competent readers; or (3) a learned skill, derived from an individual’s reading experience. Reading a greater quantity and more varied texts increases the size of the knowledge base, the efficiency with which information can be accessed, the likelihood that effective reading strategies will be developed, and with these the enjoyment of reading and the desire to read more. These possibilities are explored in this experiment.We developed sensitive tests of lexical skill and measured comprehension skill and lexical skill using multiple tests in a large number of college students. In order to determine the effect of lexical skill on comprehension skill we divided participants into groups based on both variables in a two by two design. Using an artificial orthography allowed us to control reading experience.Patterns of responses to homophones and nonhomophones and to high and low frequency words indicate that differences in lexical skill affect not only the extent and time course of lexical activation but also the direction of the effect. There is some evidence for an interaction with comprehension ability.Lexical skill affected speed of learning and degree of learning success. Comprehension skill affected the ability to use the artificial orthography in other tasks, including ERP tasks. Effects were not mediated by working memory, inferencing, or lexical skill, suggesting the influence of a basic comprehension skill and an ability to assess the needs of new tasks and adapt their performance appropriately. Both lexical and comprehension skill affected performance on tasks in English, suggesting an influence of reading experience.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

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ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study comprises an investigation into the restandardisation of Afrikaans. Since the 1980s, there have been various calls from the Afrikaans speech community for the democratisation of Afrikaans by making it representative of the whole Afrikaans speech community. Despite these calls for the restandardisation of Afrikaans, a matter which has been brought to the fore in recent years, there are still no real theoretically-based and practical suggestions for such a project. The practical approach to the restandardisation of Afrikaans suggested in this study, with a specific focus on the restandardisation of the orthography of Afrikaans, informs the suggestion of a model by which such a planned restandardisation programme for Afrikaans could be carried out. This is done based on existing theories of standardisation and restandardisation, as well as a thorough investigation into the history of the standardisation of Afrikaans in order to determine the reasons underlying this need for its restandardisation. Firstly, relevant theories of standardisation are considered in order to determine which aspects of language standardisation give rise to restandardisation and play the most important role in it. The history of the standardisation of Afrikaans is also considered, in order to indicate the factors which gave rise to the calls for the restandardisation of Afrikaans. The world-wide phenomenon of destandardisation – an increasing trend by which the validity of standardised languages is called into question – is subsequently considered. Following this, restandardisation is considered in greater detail. Although the term is used widely, there are not yet thorough theoretical descriptions of the nature of the process itself. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical consideration of what restandardisation comprises. An investigation into various examples of attempts at the restandardisation of languages in South Africa, Africa, and the rest of the world serves as a backdrop against which the need for the restandardisation of Afrikaans is discussed. The standardisation of the orthography of Afrikaans, as outlined in the ten issues of the Afrikaanse woordelys en spelreëls (“Afrikaans word list and spelling rules”) which have been published to date, is the next research focus. The purpose of this critical evaluation of the primary source for orthographic standardisation of Afrikaans is to point out the weaknesses in the current standardisation process which necessitate a new approach to the standardisation of Afrikaans (and by extension, its restandardisation). Finally, a model is presented for the restandardisation of the orthography of Afrikaans, but also Afrikaans as a whole, based on various theoretical and practical considerations contained in the study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans onder die loep geneem. Dit word gedoen teen die agtergrond van verskeie oproepe vanuit die Afrikaanse spraakgemeenskap sedert die 1980’s om Standaardafrikaans te demokratiseer deur dit verteenwoordigend te maak van die totale Afrikaanse spraakgemeenskap. Ten spyte van hierdie oproepe om die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans wat in die afgelope aantal jare op die spits gedryf is, ontbreek daar egter nog teoreties gefundeerde, praktiese voorstelle vir hoe so ’n herstandaardiseringsprojek daar sal uitsien. Hierdie studie verteenwoordig ’n praktiese benadering tot die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans, met ’n besondere fokus op die herstandaardisering van die Afrikaanse ortografie, deur ’n model daar te stel waarvolgens so ’n beoogde herstandaardiseringsprogram vir Afrikaans kan geskied. Dit word gedoen aan die hand van bestaande standaardiserings- en herstandaardiseringsteorie en ’n grondige ondersoek na die standaardiseringsgeskiedenis van Afrikaans ten einde te bepaal wat aanleiding gegee het tot hierdie herstandaardiseringstrewe in Afrikaans. Eerstens word daar gekyk na relevante standaardiseringsteorieë ten einde die belangrikste aspekte van taalstandaardisering te belig wat ’n rol speel in en aanleiding gee tot herstandaardisering. Die standaardiseringsgeskiedenis van Afrikaans word ook in oënskou geneem om te dui op die aspekte wat aanleiding gegee het tot die oproepe om die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans. Vervolgens word daar na die wêreldwye tendens van destandaardisering gekyk waardeur die geldigheid van standaardtale toenemend bevraagteken word. Hierna word herstandaardisering van nader beskou. Alhoewel die term reeds wyd gebruik word, bestaan daar nog nie diepgaande teoretiese beskrywings oor die aard van hierdie proses nie. Daar word dus vervolgens teoreties besin oor wat herstandaardisering behels. Verskeie voorbeelde van pogings tot die herstandaardisering van tale in Suid-Afrika, Afrika, en die res van die wêreld word ondersoek, waarna die redes vir ’n behoefte aan die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans uiteengesit word. Die standaardisering van die Afrikaanse ortografie, soos uiteengesit in die tien uitgawes van die Afrikaanse woordelys en spelreëls wat tot op hede verskyn het, kom volgende as navorsingsfokus aan bod. Die doel van hierdie kritiese evaluering van die primêre ortografiese standaardiseringsbron van Afrikaans is om te dui op die swakplekke in die huidige standaardiseringsproses wat ’n nuwe benadering tot die standaardisering van Afrikaans (dus die herstandaardisering van Afrikaans) noodsaak. Ten slotte word ’n model vir die herstandaardisering van die Afrikaanse ortografie, maar ook Afrikaans in geheel, voorgestel aan die hand van verskeie teoretiese en praktiese oorwegings soos in die loop van die studie uiteengesit.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of computer assisted instruction on the development of literacy skills. The effect of instructional methodologies designed to stimulate sensory processing (auditory, visual, and somatic sensory) through information processing activities was analyzed. A software program was designed to present instruction to stimulate learning in one sensory modality, visual processing. Also, the effect of delivery mechanisms on the acquisition of literacy skills was investigated. Three treatment groups and a control group were established to analyze differences: cognitive processing methodologies presented via computer technology, conventional methodologies presented via computer technology, cognitive processing methodologies presented through traditional classroom tools, and a control group. A portable keyboard computer with word processing capabilities was selected to deliver technology-enhanced instruction. Results from this study suggest that activities designed to specifically promote processing in one sensory modality, do not promote acquisition of skills in other regions. There was no change in scores when visual methodologies were applied to auditory and somatic sensory cognitive processing goals. When spelling tests that utilized all sensory modalities were analyzed, visual processing instruction had no effect on achievement. This result was duplicated when tests requiring auditory processing skills were examined. However, when visual processing skills were applied to words requiring sight word memorization techniques, the methodologies improved achievement scores. Therefore, it can be concluded that methodologies increase achievement only if activities are designed to stimulate the sensory cognitive modality that the skill requires. Results of analysis concerning the effect of delivery mechanisms on spelling achievement revealed that technology is a useful tool when used to promote information processing related to the learning goal. Visual cognitive processing activities delivered via computer technology were effective only when practice activities matched instructional objectives. When conventional methods of learning spelling skills were presented utilizing technology, student scores did not increase. It can be concluded that spelling achievement can be improved through the introduction of intelligent software applications if the instructional program is designed to stimulate appropriate cognitive processes and to meet targeted learning objectives. A theory for designing instructional software to meet these criteria, The Integrated Processes Method, was presented.

The present study provides a description of the standardization process of Persian orthography since the introduction of the Arabic alphabet, with a focus on this process in modern times (1850-2000). Using theories related to orthography standardization as its background, this work seeks an explanation for the prolonged standardization process of Persian orthography, and presents the frameworks within which this standardization has been carried out. The most recent state of Persian orthography is presented through an investigation of the current attitudes towards the problems of Persian orthography and possible frameworks for a potential reform, as well as through an investigation of the current tendencies in the manner of presenting different orthographic parameters within Persian contemporary texts. How and by whom the orthography of today’s Persian texts is governed is another aspect to be examined here. The most important conclusion to be drawn from the present study is that there is a strong tendency towards approving reform proposals that can be integrated with the present orthography, and maintain the present appearance of Persian orthography as much as possible. One of the main reasons behind this tendency is the concern of an interruption in cultural continuity in the event of an alphabet reform or any other drastic change in the present appearance of the orthography. This concern takes into account the political, social, cultural, structural, and economic conditions in Iran, as well as the complexity of language planning projects.

Au cours des premiers siècles de l’Islam, le rôle du manuscrit est essentiel dans la transmission du texte coranique. Cependant, comment utiliser les manuscrits dans une perspective historique, alors qu’ils sont aujourd’hui réduits à l’état de fragments, dispersés dans les collections mondiales ? En soumettant les fragments à une étude pluridisciplinaire unissant l’approche formelle et l’analyse textuelle, nous parvenons à reconstituer les liens entre les manuscrits et à en évaluer la portée historique. Ces liens révèlent qu’au 2e/8e siècle, il existe plusieurs traditions manuscrites en cours de normalisation et de codification. En définitive, l’étude des manuscrits met à jour les détails d’un épisode effacé de l’histoire du Coran : celui de sa standardisation progressive, tant dans sa forme que dans son texte. / During the first centuries of Islam, the Qur’anic manuscript plays an essential role in the textual transmission of the Qur’an. However, how can we use these manuscripts, now preserved as fragments scattered all over the world, in the light of history? Through a multidisciplinary way, combining formal and textual analyses, we are able to reconstruct the links between the manuscripts and to evaluate their historical implication. These links reveal that the 2nd/8th century is a decisive stage for the Qur’anic normalization, where several Qur’anic traditions are concurrent. Thus, the study of the Qur’anic manuscript elucidates some details of a significant moment for the history of the Qur’an: the process of its codification and canonization, in its form and its text.

Data are presented in seven chapters that address the reciprocal relationship between oral vocabulary and reading development. Chapter 2 explores exception word reading in poor comprehenders longitudinally, finding deficits that are pervasive over a period of two years. The results support the hypothesis that weak oral vocabulary skills are causally related to poor exception word reading in this group. In Chapter 3, orthographic and semantic skills in poor comprehenders are investigated in a word learning paradigm. This chapter provides evidence that poor comprehenders have more difficulty learning and retaining semantic information than orthographic information. A similar paradigm is described in Chapter 4 to investigate predictors of orthographic and semantic learning. In a large group of typically developing readers, this demonstrates that decoding is the strongest predictor of orthographic learning while existing oral vocabulary knowledge is the strongest predictor of semantic learning. In Chapters 5 and 6 orthographic and semantic skills in poor comprehenders and children with dyslexia are compared using standard off-line tasks (Chapter 5) and an online word learning experiment (Chapter 6). These chapters indicate similarities as well as differences in the reading and language profiles of these groups. Chapter 7 adopts a different approach by using a word learning study to investigate the benefit of teaching new oral vocabulary in the presence of orthography.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a relação entre conhecimento implícito e explícito em quatro atividades de Língua Portuguesa propostas no material didático do Programa Ler e Escrever. Esse programa orienta práticas de alfabetização em escolas municipais e estaduais do Estado de São Paulo, desde 2007. Buscou-se verificar a presença e o tratamento dado a quatro instâncias linguísticas fonológica, morfológica, sintática e ortográfica nas atividades que compõem a sequência didática Dicionário o pai dos inteligentes, proposta no Caderno Guia de Planejamento e Orientações Didáticas professor 2a série, Volume I. Essa sequência tem como objetivo possibilitar que o aluno aprenda a utilizar dicionários com autonomia, o que implica reconhecer esses livros como representantes de um gênero textual, apropriando-se de suas finalidades e funcionamento. Para a realização da análise foram descritos os objetivos, planejamento e encaminhamento de cada atividade, procurando-se, nesse contexto, identificar os conhecimentos linguísticos presentes em cada etapa, em relação às quatro instâncias mencionadas, tendo-se como foco seus níveis de explicitação. Constatou-se que não há menção explícita às quatro instâncias linguísticas nas orientações e encaminhamentos didáticos quanto às atividades analisadas. A hipótese que justifica a contribuição do presente trabalho é que se professores que orientam e encaminham tais atividades conhecerem tal explicitação eles poderão ter mais intencionalidade e realizar questionamentos que otimizem seu fazer pedagógico. Disso se conclui que, ainda que na etapa da escolarização correspondente ao terceiro ano do Ensino Fundamental os alunos não necessitem da explicitação dos conhecimentos linguísticos relacionados à fonologia, morfologia, ortografia e sintaxe, professores conhecendo esses conteúdos podem promover um ensino da língua com maior nível de intencionalidade e, portanto, qualidade / This paper aims to examine the relation between implicit and explicit knowledge in four Portuguese Language activities proposed in the teaching materials Programa Ler e Escrever (Reading and Writing Program). This program guides literacy practices in state and municipal public schools of São Paulo since 2007. The aim was to verify the presence and treatment of four language instances - phonological, morphological, spelling and syntactic in the activities that make up the instructional sequence Dictionary \"the father of the intelligent ones\" proposed in Caderno Guia de Planejamento e Orientações Didáticas professor 2ª série, Volume I. (Notebook Planning and Teaching Guidelines - teacher - second series, Volume I). This sequence aims to enable the student to learn to use dictionaries with autonomy, which implies recognizing these books as representatives of written text genre, appropriating their purpose and operation. To perform the analysis, objectives were described, as well as the planning and instruction of each activity, looking up, in this context, to identify the language skills present in each step, in relation to the four instances mentioned, having focused their levels of explanation. It was found that there is no clear mention of the four language instances in guidance and educational referrals for the activities analyzed. The hypothesis that justifies the contribution of this study is that if teachers who guide and handle these activities knew such explanations they could have more intentionality and ask questions that would optimize their pedagogical task. It follows that, even that students at the stage of the third grade of elementary school do not require the explicit language skills related to phonology, morphology, syntax and spelling, teachers knowing such content could promote language teaching with higher level of intentionality and therefore quality