Study shows ancient relations between language families

Friday, September 21, 2012

How do language families evolve over many thousands of years? How stable over time are structural features of languages? Researchers Dan Dediu and Stephen Levinson from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen introduced a new method using Bayesian phylogenetic approaches to analyse the evolution of structural features in more than 50 language families. Their paper 'Abstract profiles of structural stability point to universal tendencies, family-specific factors, and ancient connections between languages' was published online on September 20, 2012 in PLoS ONE.

Language is one of the best examples of a cultural evolutionary system. How vocabularies evolve has been extensively studied, but researchers know relatively little about the stability of structural properties of language - pholonoly, morphology and syntax. In their PLoS ONE paper, Dan Dediu (MPI's Language and Genetics Department) and Stephen Levinson (director of MPI's Language and Cognition Department) asked how stable over time the structural features of languages are ? aspects like word order, the inventory of sounds, or plural marking of nouns.

"If at least some of them are relatively stable over long time periods, they promise a way to get at ancient language relationships," the researchers state in their paper. "But opinion has been divided, some researchers holding that universally there is a hierarchy of stability for such features, others claiming that individual language families show their own idiosyncrasies in what features are stable and which not."

Ancient relations between language families

Using a large database and many alternative methods Dediu and Levinson show that both positions are right: there are universal tendencies for some features to be more stable than others, but individual language families have their own distinctive profile. These distinctive profiles can then be used to probe ancient relations between what are today independent language families.

"Using this technique we find for instance probable connections between the languages of the Americas and those of NE Eurasia, presumably dating back to the peopling of the Americas 12,000 years or more ago," Levinson explains. "We also find likely connections between most of the Eurasian language families, presumably pre-dating the split off of Indo-European around 9000 years ago."

Universal tendencies and distinctive profiles

This work thus has implications for our understanding of differential rates of language change, and by identifying distinctive patterns of change it provides a new window into very old historical processes that have shaped the linguistic map of the world. It shows that there is no conflict between the existence of universal tendencies and factors specific to a language family or geographic area. It also makes the strong point that information about deep relationships between languages is contained in abstract, higher-level properties derived from large sets of structural features as opposed to just a few highly stable aspects of language. In addition, this work introduces innovative quantitative techniques for finding and testing the statistical reliability of both universal tendencies and distinctive language-family profiles.

"Our findings strongly support the existence of a universal tendency across language families for some specific structural features to be intrinsically stable across language families and geographic regions," Dediu concludes.

###

Dediu, D., & Levinson, S. C.: Abstract profiles of structural stability point to universal tendencies, family-specific factors, and ancient connections between languages. PLOS ONE http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045198.

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft: http://www.mpg.de

Thanks to Max-Planck-Gesellschaft for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 40 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/123732/Study_shows_ancient_relations_between_language_families

kevin smith carlos mencia packers stock sale packers stock sale jason mayhem miller margarito margarito

James ?JT? Townsend has new eyes for Goshen's image

Photo by Marshal Watson

By Sara Klassen

Contributing Writer

When James Townsend, Goshen College?s new vice president for enrollment and marketing, first arrived at the college in June, his first question was: ?Where?s the admissions office and where do students park??

In response, he said, he received a vague series of gestures and roundabout explanations, to which he said, ?Well, that?s probably something to address. If it?s confusing to us, it?s confusing to them (prospective students).?

That became a guiding phrase for Townsend as he toured the campus with a camera, taking note of anything that might be confusing or disappointing to a prospective student. He said the most significant detractors he saw were the nonfunctioning fountains in Schrock Plaza and by the Music Center.

Glenn Gilbert, the Goshen College utilities manager and sustainability coordinator, said, in reference to Schrock Plaza, ?We looked at that fountain a while ago and decided not to fix it for cost reasons.? But Townsend has the authority to make things happen, Gilbert added.

?A lot of things cost money, but it?s all about the institution?s priorities,? Gilbert said. ?He?s saying ?Let?s get these things done.??

With Townsend?s help, Schrock Plaza now boasts an energetic 14-foot spray.

But what about those confusing directions prospective students receive? Townsend said he hopes that visiting campus will be a more pleasurable and less perplexing experience now than it might have been three months ago.

At his suggestion, the college moved the Welcome Center from the south end of the Union into the northern annex of the same building, where the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning used to be. It?s a central location, with its own freshly paved lot.

Upon arrival, visitors will find a customized parking spot with their name on it and will be greeted and guided to their next destination on campus, Townsend said.

In addition to the changes in fountains and visitor arrivals, Townsend requested headsets for staff in the admissions office and proposed the new on-hold recording: anyone who calls the college and is put on hold hears a sound bite about life at GC.

Townsend responds to ?JT? on campus because he is one of four president?s council members named James (the others are James E. Brenneman, the president; Jim Caskey, vice president for institutional advancement; and Jim Histand, vice president for finance).

The position Townsend holds is not simply ?vice president of enrollment,? as was the case with his predecessor, ?Lynn Jackson. The college expanded the portfolio; now he is vice president for enrollment and marketing.

Townsend oversees and coordinates work in the offices of admissions, public relations and financial aid.

?This is a big job,? said Jim Caskey, ?who served as chair of the search committee that hired Townsend. ??He (Townsend) is fit for the challenge.?

Townsend brings 25 years of experience with him, having served in a variety of roles in admissions, enrollment and marketing at both Abilene Christian University and LeTourneau University. Townsend has a bachelor?s degree in psychology from Abilene Christian and an M.B.A. in human resources from LeTourneau University. He is expected to receive an Ed.D. in educational leadership in higher education from?Grand Canyon University in 2013.

Caskey said he was impressed by Townsend?s grasp of financial aid, his skill in the use of social media and technology and his playful personality, which makes him enjoyable to work with.

Townsend?s passion for music and ecological sustainability, as well as his focus on conflict management and servant leadership for his doctoral dissertation, align with Goshen?s core values.

He said, ?I felt at home as soon as I got here,? and added that even the colder, rainier weather enticed him to northern Indiana after years in the sweltering 105-degree Texan climate.

Townsend invites students and faculty to add words to the three poster papers on his office wall describing Goshen students. In scrawling marker are descriptions like passionate, caring and open, characteristics that, according to Townsend, describe his personality too.

However, it is Townsend?s outside perspective and fresh eyes that will most benefit the college, said Gilbert. ?We overlook our imperfections because we?re familiar with them? we lose sight of that first (visitor or prospective student) experience,? Gilbert said. ?I think he?s doing us a big service.?

Source: http://record.goshen.edu/2012/09/21692-james-jt-townsend-has-new-eyes-for-goshen%E2%80%99s-image

womens final four josh hutcherson google april fools office space shell houston open mega millions winners anthony davis

WTO cuts outlook for global trade in 2012 and 2013

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ? The World Trade Organization is cutting its estimate for growth in global trade for this year and next.

The WTO lowered the 2012 forecast to 2.5 percent growth from 3.7 percent.

The outlook for 2013 was reduced to 4.5 percent from 5.6 percent.

The reason is a gloomier picture of the world economy. Figures for output and jobs in the U.S., the world's largest economy, have disappointed. Meanwhile economic indicators point to slower growth in the world's largest exporter, China.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy call for a new commitment to revitalizing trade. He said "the last thing the world economy needs right now is the threat of rising protectionism."

Global talks to lower trade barriers, known as the Doha Round, began in 2001 but have not reached agreement.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-09-21-Global%20Trade/id-2de4f7f90dc6423c9f9926c40aea4fba

day light savings time peter paul and mary edgar rice burroughs dallas clark litter marinol flight attendant

Winners of 'So You Think You Can Dance' are ...

By Philiana Ng, The Hollywood Reporter

Adam Rose / FOX

Chechon Wespi-Tschopp and Eliana Girard react to their "So You Think You Can Dance" win on Sept. 18.

The winners of dance competition series "So You Think You Can Dance" have been crowned.

Eliana Girard and Chehon Wespi-Tschopp were named the winners during the two-hour season nine finale on Tuesday after receiving the most number of votes. The 21-year-old Girard and 23-year-old Wespi-Tschopp were each awarded the $125,000 prize and will appear on the cover of?Dance Spirit?magazine.

Photos from THR: Fox's 2012-2013 season

?What I have imagined winning would feel like was like winning the lottery,? said Girard in a statement. ?I hoped for it every single day and when it actually happened I felt like my life was complete. Whatever happens afterwards doesn't matter because all my dreams have come true! And I want to take the time to thank all the fans for their support, because they don't realize how much they helped me get through this! And of course my family too! I love you guys and thank you a bazillion times over!?

?Winning 'So You Think You Can Dance'?gives me the most unbelievable and rewarding feeling,? said Wespi-Tschopp in a statement. ?It is a truly special ending to my journey, far beyond anything that I thought possible. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment that all the hard work that I've put in since starting ballet at 13 was completely worth it. I?d like to thank this show for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, and to all my supporters who have made me believe in my talents, and most importantly, my parents, who have always been there for me and sacrificed so much for me to pursue my dream!?

Photos from THR: Broadcast TV's returning shows for the 2012-2013 season

Tiffany Maher?and?Cyrus Spencer?were the runner-ups.

The finale included performances by the show's top 20 dancers, the judges' favorite routines and?Carly Rae Jepsen?singing new single "This Kiss."

The top 10?"So You Think You Can Dance"?finalists will embark on a 30-city tour across the U.S., which kicks off Oct. 23 in San Diego.

Watch Jepsen's performance below:

What did you think of the results? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

More in The Clicker:

Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2012/09/19/13966443-the-winners-of-so-you-think-you-can-dance-are?lite

ricky gervais napoleon dynamite michelle williams the descendants the descendants homeland homeland

SAS to hold Credit Risk Management course as part of ongoing ...

Posted by admin in Technology News | 0 comments

SAS?, the leading provider of business analytics software and services, will be holding a Credit Risk Management course from September 30, 2012 to October 1, 2012 at the SAS Offices in Arenco Tower (Office 708, Level 107), Dubai Internet City. The event is part of the ongoing ?SAS Business Knowledge Series,? which seeks to promote real world solutions for today?s professionals. The special course will be facilitated by Naeem Siddiqi , Global Product Manager-Banking Analytics Solutions, SAS and the author of Credit Risk Scorecards. Participants for this business focused course will gain key knowledge on how to plan, develop, implement and maintain in-house risk scorecards.

?

The specialized training session provides a high-level introduction to credit risk management and also teaches participants on how to run scorecard implementation strategies. In addition, the Credit Risk Management course will compose of discussions on how to create business and project plans for scorecard development; develop and validate intelligent credit risk scorecards and how to generate scorecard and portfolio performance reports. Credit risk management guru Siddiqi has over 15 years of experience in his field and has served as consultant and risk manager for leading financial institutions.

?

?We are very proud to offer this special Credit Risk Management course, which is part of our continuing Business Knowledge series. This seminar is being held to reach out to the region?s credit risk and scoring managers, data miners and professionals involved in model vetting/validation, auditing, risk strategy developers and credit risk executives. Our aim is to give these participants a better understanding of the importance of credit risk and its components like management, scorecards while at the same time learning how to identify the different types of risks. Naeem Siddiqi, who is credited for authoring the use of Credit Risk scorecards, will not only help participants learn more about this timely topic but will also impart the significant benefits to be gained from utilizing the diverse portfolio of SAS Solutions,? concluded Shukri Dabaghi, General Manager, SAS Middle East.

?

Interested participants can register online at www.sas.com/apps/wtraining2/wtraincheck.jsp. The registration fee for the two-day event is USD 1,500.00.

Source: http://web-release.info/2012/09/20/sas-to-hold-credit-risk-management-course-as-part-of-ongoing-business-knowledge-series/

kobe bryant wife bonjovi dead sam shepard sam shepard johnny knox johnny knox bonjovi

AMR expects about 4,400 job cuts, warns 11,000

DALLAS (AP) ? American Airlines is sending layoff warning notices to more than 11,000 employees although a spokesman says the company expects job losses to be closer to 4,400.

The notices went out to mechanics and ground workers whose jobs will be affected as American goes through a bankruptcy restructuring.

American Airlines spokesman Bruce Hicks said Tuesday that fewer than 40 percent of those getting notices will lose their jobs. Hicks said federal law requires the company to notify anyone whose position could change including those who could get "bumped" by more-senior employees whose jobs are eliminated or outsourced.

American said in February that it planned to cut 14,000 jobs, including 13,000 held by union workers. But the number was reduced as American negotiated new labor contracts and gave bonuses to flight attendants and ground workers who quit.

Separately the leader of the pilots' union blasted the company, saying it is "paying lip service" to negotiating a contract while using the bankruptcy process to wring punitive cost-cutting concessions from pilots.

Eight other labor groups approved long-term contracts that will help AMR cut annual labor spending by about $1 billion. Pilots, however, voted overwhelmingly against the company's last contract offer, and a federal bankruptcy judge allowed American to impose new pay and working rules on pilots.

The acting president of the Allied Pilots Association, Keith Wilson, said in a message to members that he would meet this week with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and other top officials in the Obama administration and Congress. The union has asked federal officials to approve steps that could eventually lead to a strike, but that permission hasn't been granted.

Still, pilots are holding a strike-authorization vote. In the meantime, American has seen a spike in flight cancelations partly because pilots are calling in sick more often than usual, Hicks said.

American and parent AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection in November.

___

Follow David Koenig at http://www.twitter.com/airlinewriter

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/amr-expects-4-400-job-cuts-warns-11-203921973--finance.html

sopa pipa wikipedia blackout kyla pratt justified season 3 custer scott walker restaurant week

Identifying Rapid Programs For Aqualane Shores Real Estate | All ...

Posted by Lettie H. House on September 19th, 2012Rating 9.0 ?Outstanding

Condominiums have actually been rising in popularity over the past couple of years and it isn?t surprising why with so many distinct financial positive aspects associated with this kind of genuine estate it appeals to a tremendously wide marketplace. Within this editorial we are going to outline a few of the economic advantages to owning a condo. Hopefully this will supply you with an opportunity to see a different side of genuine estate today and you can begin to learn the way to make genuine estate work for you.

Places like Aventura are generally in the spotlight and will continue to keep captivating shoppers from diverse places inside the country in addition to from overseas. The sale of the condo units is extremely escalating due to the much lower prices that can be identified with those luxury buildings. Now the condo marketplace in Aventura genuine estate is much in demand than those of the single-family home marketplace.

Next, as the owner of a condo you?ve the opportunity to live inside the condo yourself or rent it for a profit while you aren?t there. Whether this condo is a 2nd home to you or purely an investment property you will find it to be quite a effective real estate venture. A large number of men and women select to utilise their condo for 2 to three months out of the year & sublet for the rest of the year making a profit on their purchase. This really is also a outstanding way to construct up equity. By selecting to live within the condo you eliminate supplemental residence payments from a second home and you could live comfortably realizing the cost of your condo is only going to expand over the years.

Most individuals find renting a condo to be far superior to renting an apartment because of all the amenities such as: weight-room, frequent areas, tennis courts, games room, swimming pool & so on. Nearly all individuals could never have all these amenities inside their home nevertheless you get them with a condo purchase! You appreciate all these amenities & only are obliged to pay a nominal maintenance fee each month. This fee incorporates maintenance of these prevalent areas in addition to snow removal, grass cutting, gardening and so on. What this implies for you or your tenant is that you?ve no chores or up-keep to take care of yourself making it a relaxing place to live.

Another superb reason why folks prefer to invest Aventura real estate condo is the convenience and comfort that they can get out of the condo unit. As you live with the condo you do not are compelled to worry about the day-to-day update of the condo. Now there are already staff that are in-charge doing all the jobs that will need to be done. Aside from that there?s 24/seven security that will enable you avoid those unwanted visitors.

People have their own reason why they prefer to live in a condo than those of the traditional single-family home. Here are some of the factors why condos in Aventura genuine estate are much in demand.

The luxurious designs of the condos are also 1 of the factors why there are a lot of people that prefer to invest condo unit. The luxurious ambiance of the condo could be suitable to the luxurious lifestyle that you want to experience.

No matter where you live in the world today you?ll find condominium tasks going up quickly. More and more folks are picking out this less complex way of life versus time-honored residential houses and loving every second of it! Whether you are buying an already built condo or acquiring in at the pre-construction phase you?re going to save a excellent deal owning this condo permitting you to save for a bigger home in the future or essentially save funds for travel and fun!

You could take a look at this website for clear advice? Go To These Guys & Comparing Aqualane Shores Real Estate.

Under Topics: finance, home, investment, Real Estate,

Source: http://www.vvy.in/real-estate/identifying-rapid-programs-for-aqualane-shores-real-estate/36954/

hana taylor momsen xbox live update joan rivers gary carter dies oolong tea survivor one world