Journal of Linguistics and Communication Studies

Affixal Processes in Ogba and English Languages

2026-03-13T05:04:26+00:00

This paper contrasted the affixal processes in in O̩gba and English languages. The aim of the study is to identify the areas of similarities and dissimilarities between the affixal processes in both languages. The study adopted the Contrastive Analysis Theory (CA). The data used in this study were elicited through the use of unstructured oral interview of L1 and L2 users of O̩gba and English languages respectively. The data for the study were analyzed through the use of descriptive and contrastive methods of data analysis. The data were presented using the Leipzig glossing pattern. It was observed that prefixes, suffixes and suprafixes exist in both languages. This study also found out that prefixes are segmental phonemes in both languages. However, it was noticed that whereas the prefixes in O̩gba have either V or N (where N represents syllabic nasal) syllabic structure, the prefixes in English language have irregular syllabic structures which include: VC, CV, VCCV, CVCV and CVC. This study further observed that it is only the verb that host prefixes in O̩gba while nouns, adjectives and verb can host the prefixes in English language. Again, it was affirmed that English language has more suffixes than the O̩gba language. Only four suffixes were identified in the O̩gba while the English language has several suffixes. Additionally, whereas suffixation is inflectional in O̩gba, it is both inflectional and derivational in the English language. It was noticed that the suprafixes in O̩gba are tone (variation in the pitch of the voice) and nasalization while the suprafix in the English language is stress. In view of that, this study recommended that English language teachers within O̩gba speech communities should focus on other forms of nominalization and stress in the English language.

The Interactional Function of “Hǎo Lei” in the Sequence Organization of WeChat Interactions

2026-03-13T05:09:38+00:00

As a common conversational practice in Mandarin Chinese, “hǎo lei” is often employed to express the speaker’s acceptance or agreement with its prior turn. Based on data of WeChat interactions and using Conversation Analysis as the research methodology, this study analyzes the sequence organization and interactional function of “hǎo lei” in WeChat interaction. Observation reveals that “hǎo lei” typically occurs in the responding position and the sequence-closing position, which express the speaker’s positive attitude or commitment to the action implemented by the previous turn. “Hǎo lei” performs a range of interactional functions, depending on different sequential situations and contexts, including expressing acceptance, giving receipt tokens, and granting the request.

The Effects of Noise on English Vowel Perception by Chinese EFL Learners of Different Proficiency Levels

2026-04-01T09:10:24+00:00

Daily communication usually occurs in various kinds of noise backgrounds. Noise interferes with the process of recognizing the target sounds, thus affecting the accuracy of speech perception. In the present study, three speech perception environments were set up: quiet, English babble noise and Chinese babble noise. 60 undergraduate English majors were selected as subjects and divided equally into a higher proficiency level group and a lower proficiency level group. By measuring and calculating their correct identification rates of twenty English vowels in three different listening conditions, the study investigated the effects of second language proficiency and noise type on Chinese English learners’ vowel perception. The results showed that learners at the higher level showed a significant advantage over those in the lower level group in identifying English vowels in both quiet and noisy environments, indicating a positive correlation between L2 proficiency and English vowel perception. In contrast, the results of the higher and lower level groups showed different trends in English and Chinese noise. The accuracy of the higher proficiency level group in English babble and Chinese babble are almost the same, while the lower proficiency level group performed significantly better in Chinese babble than in English babble. This suggests that both L2 proficiency and the types of noise have an effect on English vowel perception, and that there is an interactive effect between the two factors.