International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka (ICLSL)
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Item Brief Study on the Practical Use, Importance and Specific Variations of the Kansai Dialect in Contemporary Japanese Language.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Pallewatta, A.When considering Japanese language as a second language, all textbooks and educational tools generally focus only on the standard Japanese language which is also known as the language spoken in Tokyo. Therefore, non-Japanese people encounter various confusions and difficulties due to the dialectal complications found in the regional varieties when communicating in many cities, towns and villages located farther from Tokyo. Among the major Japanese dialects, Kansai dialect can be considered as one of the most popular dialects widely spoken in the specific Japanese speech communities. Compared to the NHK (Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai) – the only national public broadcasting organization in Japan, where most of the public broadcasters play a major role in preserving the standard Japanese language, many other broadcasting channels boldly use Kansai dialect especially in their talk shows and comedy-based entertainment. Kansai dialect is irreplaceable in some cases due to its unique liveliness and the strong connection to the culture with its typical sense of humour. Therefore, such forms of entertainment also have been nourished by the exclusive qualities of this dialect. Consequently, the unfamiliarity with the Kansai dialect would limit the social cohesion and the forms of entertainment, leaving non-Japanese people helpless in certain situations. In order to understand the Kansai dialect, this study aims to identify the key variations of the typical patterns found in Kansai dialect, by comparing it with the standard Japanese language, while considering its sub-dialects such as Ōsaka dialect, Kyōto dialect, Gifu dialect, etc. Main features and pragmatic patterns of these regional dialects are identified through the differences in conjugations, lexical features, euphonic changes, etc. These usages in Japan have been observed for more than 10 years, while adapting a linguistic anthropological research approach. As an extension of this study, these findings could be practically applied in many relevant prefectures for training programs catering to the need of many who visit Japan for both short and long-terms, in order to make their life in Japan more productive in many aspects.Item The Problems Encountered by English Teachers in Teaching English as a Second Language in Urban School Classrooms in Sri Lanka.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Liyanage, A. K. S. I. K.This research focuses on the difficulties encountered by English teachers in teaching English as a second language in urban school classrooms in Sri Lanka. The eclectic method used in teaching consists of interactive sessions to improve different competencies of language. The Teaching of English is criticized in the present education scenario because the expected communication skills of children are not up to the standard. The objectives of this study are to examine the difficulties encountered by teachers in teaching English in urban school classrooms and the measures that should be taken to overcome the identified problems. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to 30 English teachers followed by semi structured interviews and classroom observations. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings clearly show that the congested classrooms are not suitable because one teacher cannot cater to a large number of students with different competency levels and different socio economic groups. Students neglect speaking and listening skills because they are not tested at examinations. Time allocated for English Period is inadequate for effective interaction in classroom activities and less space for the teacher to use authentic materials because of the long syllabus. It was suggested to divide the class into small manageable, mixed ability groups and assign teaching assistants to enhance child centered interactive learning teaching process. Listening and speaking skills should be tested at examinations and teachers should be given freedom to select materials according to the needs of students in order to improve the effective teaching of English in urban classrooms.Item The Difficulties Faced by Sri Lankan Expats in America due to Dialectical Variety in American English(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Ravindranath, H.Pursuing the study of any language can be a difficult process and can take months or sometimes years to master proficiently. For decades, British English was the globally accepted standard for written documents and verbal communications. However, the rise in American English brought with it new challenges and obstacles and instead of unifying the world through a commonality of language it has in fact created problems that were hitherto unanticipated. Educators did not foresee the difficulties and confusion that would/could arise from what initially seemed minor differences in American English and other dialects. As English, given American English as is, increases its global footprint Sri Lankan students and expats are faced with the conundrum of having to decide which system to adopt. Without clear guidelines, Sri Lankan students and expats are becoming confused and anxious, which can create difficulties for even the most knowledgeable students. This in turn can serve as a deterrent and instead of embracing and mastering the English language can cause these students and expats to shy away from American English or encounter with the chaos and uncertainty in leaning American English. The researchers intend to identify the predominant areas of concern encountered by expats when learning American by examining the differences inherent within American English to develop a strategy to negate and overcome those concerns. By examining current trends and predicting future growth of English and American English, the researchers anticipate they will be able to identify the most relevant form of English for future usage and in doing so can provide educators with invaluable information as to which English should be taught and how a uniformed English language should be taught which will lead to an overall improvement in the learning environment and the ability of the students to master the language.