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Austrian versus German German. Simple Language Managenent in Interactions between Austrian and German Native Speakers
Grycová, Petra ; Dovalil, Vít (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
Since at least 1986, from the International German Teachers conference in Bern, the German language has been recognized among linguists as a pluricentric language. Therefore, it is possible to speak about more language centres, and also about national and equal varieties of one language. In connection with the decentralization of power and regionalization in the world, as well as the accession of Austria to the European Union, which brought above all the "Protocol Nr. 10" with 23 specific Austrian words, the nineties experienced a boom in the production of pluricentric oriented literature. Many papers were also being focused on the research of the Austrian German. However, despite the declared equality of national varieties, their speakers are often not sure about the existence of more standard varieties, their characteristics or equality. These views, attitudes and evaluations as well as potential problems associated with the national varieties, will be described and analyzed by using the tools of the Language Management Theory. The starting points are authentic interviews of Austrian and German native speakers. An important focus of the research is also the way in which the pluricentric concept works at the micro level and how and what national varieties the speakers themselves are constructing....
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To the Position and Role of the Normative Authority in the Internet Forums. An Analysis of the Corrections in the Context of the Language Management Theory.
Šimčíková, Lucie ; Dovalil, Vít (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
My thesis deals with the status of German language standard and is based on research in the internet discussion sites (internet forums), that deal with the topic of language. The internet forums that I've chosen offer help in learning a foreign language, in our case German. The help is provided either by proofreading or by answering the specific questions. This thesis is based on Ulrich Ammon's model of four social forces and the theory of language management. Next to the instances, which according to Ammon determine the standard, I included the participants of discussion, who decide what is standard too and thereby affect those for whom isn't German the native language. The analysis will be carried out on the basis of the proofreading of model texts. With the help of the language management theory I will discuss with the proofreader in the comments their selected (or not selected) option. The aim of my work is to observe the behavior of normative authority in relation to the codified norm, whether they know and follow it. Furthermore, I am interested in the social background and language abilities of the participants, which I'll find out by using the questionnaires.
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Language management in the process of reception of literary texts from the perspective of a native and a non-native speaker of the Czech language
Reuter, Magdalena Antonia ; Nekvapil, Jiří (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
This diploma thesis explores the possibility of mapping the reception of a literary text in terms of language management processes and in succession unveils the main differences in the perception of a literary text by a native opposed to a non-native speaker. The first three chapters treat the research methodology, which is based on Language Management Theory, Neustupný's approach to literary criticism through this concrete theory and single elements from formalism and structuralism. The research, which is described in chapters four to seven, focuses on the different moments of noting, evaluation and problem solving strategies realised by two readers of a modern Czech short story (one native and one non-native speaker). These processes are identified and analysed by the means of follow-up interviews. The aim of the thesis is to establish a complex methodology of identifying, describing and interpreting management processes which occur during the reception of a literary text and further to investigate the main characteristics that distinguish this process in the case of a native and a non-native recipient of the text.
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Learning the Czech language in retirement age
Drtinová, Simona ; Sherman, Tamah (advisor) ; Šebesta, Karel (referee)
DRTINOVÁ, Simona. Learning the Czech language in retirement age. Prague, 2013. Dissertation. Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Arts, Institute of Czech Language and Theory of Communication. This thesis deals with foreign language learning in retirement age from interdisciplinary perspective. Its characteristics may be limited economic activity, more free time and the potential occurrence of certain barriers caused by age. The case of foreigners in retirement age living in the Czech Republic and learning Czech will serve as an example of foreign language learning. The theoretical part of the thesis firstly defines old age together with the changes typical for the process of aging and old age: the changes are described on a physical, cognitive and social level. The thesis then goes on to address the process of learning with emphasis on foreign language learning. Selected components are mentioned within the pedagogical- psychological part of the learning process, specifically the motivation to learn, different organizational forms of education and teacher's role during the education. The end of the theoretical part addresses the offer of Czech language courses. All the parts of the thesis first address the topic on a general level and then focus on seniors. The empirical part of this thesis attempts to...
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The football language from the point of view of the non-native speakers
Bartoňová, Jana ; Dovalil, Vít (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
My work is focused on adoption of foreign language and language skills of Czech football players in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The basis of my research is a complex of ten dialogues with contemporary or former football players, who helped to analyse their language skills. Information I gained give us a full survey about German language during their staying - it shows their original knowledge, requirements of their clubs, possibilities of option to learn and their consequences and the reached language level. As well it was shown, that the situations can occur, which can make the adoption of the language easier or harder. Getting of language skills proved to be very individualistic phenomenon. The linguistic education of football players is complicated by the fact, that commonly used German language is different from the language used on the football pitch. Four dialogues in German language allowed me the detailed language analysis.
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Native-speaker status and other qualifications in the translation services market: Marketing and price-setting strategies of translation agencies
Šebesta, Daniel ; Dovalil, Vít (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
This study combines linguistic and economic points of view to deliver insights into two national translation services markets. Translation services form a relatively large market and provide quite a high number of jobs globally. In this industry, which is largely unregulated by government bodies, translation agencies have the potential to act as quality warrantors by applying elaborate quality-assurance procedures and requiring their freelance translators to possess certain qualifications. A controversial yet widely mentioned qualification is being a native speaker of a specific language. Drawing on a critique of the conventional "native speaker" concept and on insights from economics, Language Management Theory, and critical discourse analysis, this study investigates how the native-speaker status, along with other translator qualifications, is used as an argument for higher quality and a higher price in marketing and price-setting strategies of translation agencies in the Czech Republic and Germany when it comes to a technical translation into a non-local language. The research makes use of the market-research technique called "mystery shopping" and is designed as a combination of experimental and observational qualitative research methods. The four distinct stages, which correspond with...
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World Englishes and English as a Lingua Franca: a reflection of global paradigmatic changes in the Czech Republic.
Quinn Novotná, Veronika ; Mothejzíková, Jarmila (advisor) ; Píšová, Michaela (referee) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
Introduction: Presently, there are more people who speak English as a second and foreign language than there are native speakers. This situation results, among others, in the fall of the native speaker model and subsequently in gradually changing attitudes to standard(s) and to language and teaching authorities in general. Present thesis reflects these current developments, which are sometimes referred to as 'a paradigmatic shift'. Objectives: The first goal of the thesis was to decipher the terminological pluralism pertinent to the domain. Next, this research set out to investigate, how familiar the phenomenon of English as a lingua franca (ELF) is in the Czech Republic, and consequently to raise awareness about it. Finally, it was our goal to conduct vast research exploring if and how the questions of language ideology are reflected in the teaching practice and in teacher training. Methodology: Both quantitative and qualitative research methods have been applied throughout the research process. The quantitative research included nine originally devised questionnaires. Qualitative data were obtained via conducting semi-structured interviews. Altogether, data were collected from 595 respondents (298 teachers, 285 students and 12 scientists). Results: First, the research results revealed the...
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German native speakers in the Czech Republic. Internet forums and observations as a source of discourse on intercultural and language contact
Grabowski, Pavla ; Dovalil, Vít (advisor) ; Sherman, Tamah (referee)
In this thesis the discourse on intercultural and language contact of German native speakers in the Czech Republic (so called "expatriates") is analysed in accordance with the Language Management Theory. Individual interactions on the discourse-based (micro) level are the source of data for the analysis of linguistic, communicative and socio-cultural language problems. Language problem is understood as a noted and negatively evaluated deviation from the expectation of the expatriates. Which language problems have been recognized by the German native speakers and which strategies to solve them have been chosen is examined in three domains "work domain", "leisure domain" and "daily life domain". The Czech language competence is the most mentioned language problem in the discourse. As a result of the discourse analysis it has been found out that Language Management cannot be seen as an objective process of solving language problems, as the expatriates possess diverse expectations according to their individual interests and further aspects (situation conditions or the issue of social power). Therefore it is not possible to give a general recommendation of how to solve the language problems. Key words: Expatriates, Discourse, Language Problem, Language Management, Language Management Theory, Adjustment...
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Proselyting in first-contact situations
Sherman, Tamah ; Nekvapil, Jiří (advisor) ; Ferenčík, Milan (referee) ; Čmejrková, Světla (referee)
This study explores the process of proselyting as methodically accomplished, learned, continually developed in particular situations, and reflected by American Mormon missionaries in the Czech Republic. The analysis is guided by four research questions: 1) How do missionaries "do" proselyting such that it is recognizable to them for what it is? 2) What interactional work constitutes this process, and how is this work done through the interplay of the organization of sequence, preference, topic and category? 3) How do the participants in these proselyting situations make relevant the given setting, in this case characterized by the contact between Czech (local) and American (foreign) languages and cultures? 4) How do the individual missionaries and their church "behave toward language", i.e. how do they manage language and cultural competence and their manifestations through and for the purpose of engaging in proselyting interactions? Recorded and transcribed first-contact public proselyting situations are used as the primary data in this study, supported to a lesser degree by participant observation, field notes, so-called interaction and follow-up interviews, and document analysis. Ethnomethodology, or the study of members' methods for producing and recognizing features of talk, activities, or settings, is...
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