Norwegian Language Conversation
Heberto Calderon
AbstractIt is well known that signers and speakers routinely produce finger points during interaction. While thereferential functions of such finger points have received great attention from researchers, they are also used to manageinteractions between interlocutors. These functions are less understood and have received less research focus. The current studyhelps to redress this gap in the literature by investigating how finger pointing is used to index and coordinate turn-beginningsin a corpus of 11 semi-naturalistic (Norwegian) signed language conversations, involving between two to five signers (3.4 hours ofsigning). The data was initially annotated in ELAN and then further qualitative analysis was conducted. This investigationrevealed that finger pointing effectively indexes previous and upcoming discourse, thereby binding sequences of conversationalmoves and guiding their trajectory, helping signers to coordinate turn transitions and interaction as it unfolds.
The site is secure.
The ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.
Establishing and maintaining mutual understanding in everyday conversations is crucial. To do so, people employ a variety of conversational devices, such as backchannels, repair, and linguistic entrainment. Here, we explore whether the use of conversational devices might be influenced by cross-linguistic differences in the speakers' native language, comparing two matched languages-Danish and Norwegian-differing primarily in their sound structure, with Danish being more opaque, that is, less acoustically distinguished. Across systematically manipulated conversational contexts, we find that processes supporting mutual understanding in conversations vary with external constraints: across different contexts and, crucially, across languages. In accord with our predictions, linguistic entrainment was overall higher in Danish than in Norwegian, while backchannels and repairs presented a more nuanced pattern. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that native speakers of Danish may compensate for its opaque sound structure by adopting a top-down strategy of building more conversational redundancy through entrainment, which also might reduce the need for repairs. These results suggest that linguistic differences might be met by systematic changes in language processing and use. This paves the way for further cross-linguistic investigations and critical assessment of the interplay between cultural and linguistic factors on the one hand and conversational dynamics on the other.
LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.
Norway is one of the countries in the world with the highest level of English language proficiency in the world (among countries where English is not a native language). This can be very helpful and practical for foreigners who speak English when either visiting, or in the initial stages after moving here. But, this also has a flipside. In order to work in Norway, you in general need to master the Norwegian language. The only way to master a foreign language is to practice it, but foreigners often find that this is not as easy as they thought it would be, exactly because of the English skills of the locals. I often hear foreign friends complain that Norwegians will talk to them in Norwegian for a short while, but then inevitably switch to English at the slightest slowdown of the conversation, In fact, foreigners who arrive here with a low level of English (or none) actually have an advantage in this situation, since their level of Norwegian will quickly surpass that of their English. Norwegian will then see Norwegian as the most natural language to talk to them in, and they will get a lot more practice opportunites than their immigrant colleagues who speak English fluently.
So, what can we do about this? "We" here being both foreigners and locals. How can we make it easier for English-speaking foreigners to get the practice they need to master Norwegian? As someone who myself speak several languages and having learned a foreign language (Russian) to a high level of compentcy as an adult, and also having a lot of foreign friends, this is something that greatly interest me. To provide some answers, we will introduce the concept of "Relationship Language". This concept is something that comes from research in applied psychology on "inter-lingual" couples, i.e. couples who do not share a native language. What research has found, is that even though these couples may have several fluent or high-level languages in common, or that one of the members of the couple might later learn the native language of the other, couples will stick to using the language they used between themselves when they first met. This is because language is highly linked to both culture and personality. It's not just simply a tool for communication. One you get to a certain level in a language, you switch from translating your thoughts from your native language to actually thinking in the foreign language. And you thus develop a slightly seperate "personality" for that language that is both based on the culture of the language and your experiences while using it. If you ask someone in an inter-lingual couple how it would be to speak to their partner in a different language (that they actually both know well, or are even fluent in), you usually get the answer that it would feel "weird". Again, because language is so linked to culture and personality, this weirdness usually stems from that neither you nor your partner are exactly "the same people" when using a different language. Even though you would technically still be able to convey the same "objective information content" in it, it still would FEEL differently.
So, what practical implications does this have for language learning in general? Even though this research is originally from romantic relationships, it carries an important lesson for those who want to speak with locals in the local language: you can generally NOT expect friends whom you have gotten to know while speaking English to switch totally to speaking Norwegian with you, for the same reasons as mentioned. This is something that is very much overlooked in my opinion. Given that premise, here are my "pro tips" for both foreigners and locals to help foreigners practice Norwegian more effectively:
This conversation course uses texts and situations that are representative of Norwegian culture and daily life. The teachers will review and explain vocabulary and provide linguistic tips for different situations. Topics vary on each course, so you can sign up based on the level you have completed and start at any time.
Dive deeper into the Norwegian language with our enhanced Conversation Course, blending levels A2 and B1 for a comprehensive learning experience. This course is designed to refine your conversational skills through engaging discussions on a wide range of topics pertinent to life in Norway. From day-to-day tasks such as family life, shopping, and making appointments, to more complex themes that require a nuanced understanding of the language, our sessions cover it all.
By the end of this course, you will notice significant improvements in your conversational abilities and overall confidence in speaking Norwegian. This course is particularly beneficial for those looking to overcome challenges in spoken Norwegian and aims to equip you with the skills to use language more appropriately and effectively in everyday situations.
Alfaskolen is an officially recognized provider of tuition base on the current curriculum for Norwegian language training for adult immigrants. Hours undertaken in our Norwegian courses are approved by UDI in applications for a permanent residence permit.
The course is suitable for those who already speak Norwegian relatively well but wish to further develop their conversational skills. This course is designed for those who are at Intermediate Level B1 according to the CEFR.
The course is suitable for those who already speak Norwegian relatively well, but wish to further develop their conversational skills. You should have a Norwegian proficiency equivalent to High Intermediate level (B2) on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale.
Norway is a land of stunning natural beauty, innovative design, and a thriving economy. Learning Norwegian not only allows you to fully immerse yourself in this dynamic country but also offers several practical benefits. For example, being proficient in Norwegian can open up new job opportunities, expand your social circle, and enable you to appreciate Norwegian literature, music, and art in their original language. Moreover, since Norwegian is a Germanic language, it shares similarities with English, making it relatively easy for English speakers to learn.
Talkpal AI employs a conversational method for language learning, enabling learners to practice their Norwegian with native speakers and AI-powered chatbots. The app offers a multitude of features, including:
Learning a new language is a rewarding endeavor, but it requires dedication, effort, and time. Norwegian, like any language, poses its unique challenges and learning curve. The duration it takes to become proficient in Norwegian varies depending on several factors, including your prior language experience, the amount of time you dedicate to learning, and your language goals. In this guide, we will explore the journey to fluency in Norwegian, referencing recognized language difficulty levels and providing insights into the timeline of language acquisition.
The The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Language Classifications of the U.S. Department of State categorizes languages into different difficulty levels for English speakers. Norwegian is classified as a Category I language, indicating that it is among the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. This classification is based on linguistic similarities between Norwegian and English, particularly in vocabulary and grammar.
c80f0f1006