Sheila Embleton

Finnish dialect atlas for quantitative studies

Abstract Before we can do quantitative studies of large volumes of dialect material (such as Embleton & Wheeler, 1996, on English), it is necessary to have machine‐readable sources of data. For Finnish dialects, the principal source of data is an out‐of‐print dialect atlas (Kettunen, 1940), which we are now putting into machine‐readable form. To ease the chore of data entry, we have developed custom‐made PC‐based programs. Through a process of redundant data entry, we plan to minimize keying errors, and produce a statistically sound estimate of the number of remaining errors. Other issues we consider include: translation of the elaborate typography, generality of the data formats, intellectual property rights, and availability of original data sources. We hope that this work will provide a base not only for our work but also for other quantitative studies and computer‐based applications of this body of data.

Computerized Dialect Atlas of Finnish: Dealing with Ambiguity

To enable quantitative studies of large volumes of data, it is often appropriate to create machine-readable forms of existing printed works. We have undertaken such a project (Embleton & Wheeler, 1997) for Finnish using an important, but out-of-print, dialect atlas (Kettunen, 1940), and have reached a stage where the primary data entry has been completed. Next, we need to confirm the accuracy of the data entry in a way that is both efficient for us and still convincing to a potential user of the data or other outside party. We describe our testing protocol, testing tools and the practical concerns of selecting appropriate sample sizes for statistically-based tests. A critical issue, however, is the inherent ambiguity in the data itself. Because the original dialect atlas used typographic conventions for marking dialect areas, the delineation of these areas has a different precision than the digital form. For example, Village A may be on the edge of an area marked with X’s, and on the edge of an area marked by O’s, but not definitely inside or outside either or both areas. For the atlas reader, the marginal relationship of the village to each of the two dialect features is obvious. However, in digitizing the map (with the categories we have chosen), it is necessary to assign the village to ‘X’ or ‘not X’, and to ‘O’ or ‘not O’. We outline our approach to resolving these issues for Finnish. However, we note that the problem is much more general, and needs to be considered in the design of any such conversion of data for quantitative study.

Defining dialect regions with interpretations: Advancing the multidimensional scaling approach

Methodologically, we have switched from looking at raw data to examining interpretative maps based on recognized dialect distinctions. Further, we have categorized these interpretations as phonetic (regular and irregular), morphophonemic, morphological, and lexical, examining each category separately. The result is a much clearer set of dialect distinctions, as seen in the MDS pictures. However, the dialect distinctions vary by category, leading us to make suggestions about the role of each category in defining the notion of dialect.

The Complex Web of Policy Choices: Dilemmas Facing Indian Higher Education Reform

This chapter takes the view that while there are common globalization forces, nation-states remain predominant actors in shaping higher education policy, and also that proposed policy changes are rooted nationally and underscore the specific traditions and circumstances of countries. It is with this framework in mind that the chapter examines policy developments in Indian higher education. It uses 2005 as its marker, as that is when the Prime Minister of India established the National Knowledge Commission, a high-level advisory body, to transform India into a knowledge society. The chapter is organized into four sections. The first provides some context to the higher education policy arena in India. The second outlines the key recurring policy issues. The third analyzes the policy processes and policy choices made by the government. The fourth provides a few policy recommendations. In conclusion, the paper offers a few observations on the role of the nation-state in higher education policymaking in the context of globalization.

An Exploration into the Management of High Volumes of Complex Knowledge in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Dialectology provides a good test-bed for dealing with the problems (found widely in the social sciences and humanities) of high volumes of complex data. In the Romanian Online Dialect Atlas project, we undertake to capture an extensive dataset online, present the data in ways that are useful to a wide range of researchers, and apply an innovative technique to the data (using the statistical technique called multidimensional scaling). The Romanian data is important both for Romanian and Romance linguistics, and for what it demonstrates about dialectology in general.

Defining User Access to the Romanian Online Dialect Atlas

Abstract The Romanian Online Dialect Atlas (RODA) provides a digitized version of an extensive hard-copy atlas of the Crişana region of Romania (Stan & Uritescu, Noul Atlas lingvistic român. Crişana Vol. I, 1996, Stan & Uritescu, Noul Atlas lingvistic român. Crişana Vol. II, 2003). The set of tools we are now developing permits us to access data on a range of questions that would have been difficult to answer otherwise, and to visualize the results with dynamically generated maps.

Historical Linguistics: Numerical Methods

Numerical methods in historical linguistics strive to determine how closely two languages are related. Pairwise, this can be used to reconstruct a tree for a language family (lexicostatistics). More ambitious methods assign dates to splits within trees (glottochronology). The methods have been extended to distant relationships, often to try to answer whether the languages involved are related at all. All methods, no matter how sophisticated, rest on the simplest observation: since languages change over time, originally related languages gradually become less similar. This enables inferences about diachrony from synchronic information only, attractive when little is known about history. Methodological difficulties come in quantifying rates of change, measuring difference, and accounting for factors interfering with normal change processes (e.g., mutual influence between languages). The attractions of numerical methods are the same as in any humanities discipline: speed, objectivity, replicability, and ability to handle large volumes of data efficiently.

The Naming of Bermuda

AbstractThere have been many changes to and confusions surrounding the naming of Bermuda and the name Bermuda itself. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, one finds the Isle of Devils and the variants Bermuda Isles and Somers Islands. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, one sees the use of Bermuda Islands and The Bermudas to an equal degree, while recently Bermuda has predominated. Throughout history, there has been confusion over whether Bermuda was one or several islands; in addition, analogy to such names as Barbados, Barbuda, the Bahamas, and even the Virginias has added to the confusion. The name given to Bermuda in other European languages reflects the same confusion as has been present in English. At present, Bermuda is used as the official designation for the country; however, Bermuda Islands can still be found on maps and tourist literature published in Bermuda.