CC BY
6T.M. Rogozhnikova
INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING THE SUGGESTIVE POTENTIAL OF VERBAL INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Keywords: verbal model, suggestive resources, suggestive potential, inner form, text impact, associative coloring, rhythm, computer program.
Abstract: The paper deals with the psycholinguistic instruments for measuring the suggestive potential of the verbal models (the word/text "power") through studying associative processes. It analyses the most prospective development lines within which the decoding process of the language system suggestive potential is possible. The computer programs specially created for automated processing of verbal information in the Russian, English, Bashkir, and Tatar languages are described.
Ключевые слова: вербальная модель, суггестивные ресурсы, суггестивный потенциал, внутренняя форма, воздействие текста, ассоцитативная цветность, ритм, компьютерная программа.
Аннотация: В статье рассматриваются психолингвистические инструменты для измерения суггестивного потенциала вербальных моделей («сила» слова/текста) через обращение к ассоциативным процессам. Анализируются наиболее перспективные направления, в рамках которых возможно декодирование суггестивного потенциала языковой системы. Описываются компьютерные программы, специально созданные для автоматизированной обработки вербальной информации на русском, английском, башкирском и татарском языках.
Linguists are often reproached by engineering experts for the absence of the objective methods of data analysis. Those reproaches are just in many ways if we speak about the traditional linguistic approach to the language phenomena analysis which is oriented towards the descriptive model of a language as a stable "solid" product based on the linguistic world-image which is derived from language units by way of logical-rational analysis of vocabulary units and texts. Such reproaches lose their power as soon as we approach a human's speech organization as a self-organized system, as a dynamic functioning system, which state is characterized by constant interaction between the process of speech event analysis and its product. Viewing language as the property of an individual who makes use of it, this approach to the language phenomena analysis allows us to develop algorithms for the analysis of words and texts functioning in human mind, to put forward new teaching techniques, new experimental methods of verbal model analysis in order to overcome communicative challenges, control methods revealing the formation of communicative competence, the procedures of compiling new type associative dictionaries which are based on the "living knowledge".
In our effort to measure the suggestive potential of the verbal models (the word/text "power") through studying associative processes we tried to single out the analysis units for the levels which make it possible to take measurements and to specify the most advanced trends which help us to create instruments for measuring the word or text impact in the Russian, English, German, Bashkir, and Tatar languages.
Let us clear up some notions used in the article. The notion verbal model means a model of any complexity (a sound-letter, a word, a text) that carries an inner form which manifests itself in the outer environment thus realizing the latent information capacity and the affecting potential of a particular model. We define the suggestive potential as "verbal model force" which can be decoded and measured. In this context we suppose that the suggestive potential corresponds to the inner form of a verbal model. The supposition can be justified by the requirements to the contents of the notion "the inner form of the language", which conforms to the idea of "the suggestive power" of a word or a text. The requirements to the inner form of the language were way back determined by W. Humboldt though according to some scholars no exact definition has beet yet provided. For the purpose of the arranged research these requirements can be determined as follows. Firstly, we suppose that the power of a verbal model (as well as the content of the inner form) cannot be analyzed with the help of traditional linguistic tools - not only another set of techniques but other analysis units are required. Secondly, the suggestive potential or "the power" of a verbal model is not deprived of a substance form. Moreover, it does not only specify the substance it also influence the arrangement of the outer form. Thirdly, this "power" represents the
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inner form of the language and is connected with the rules of word impact. We also conceived another (fourth) requirement to these two virtual substances that unites them. The inner form and the suggestive potential are associative in their nature. The suggestive potential expressed in speech through acoustic vibrations forms a mind-image which becomes the affecting factor. As for the suggestive potential degree the acoustic vibrations of various models are different, but they all have an impact on a person's psychomotor system. The neurophysiological nature of association mechanism due to which we memorize the language makes it responsible not only for a human being's speech formation but for many other processes of a person's living including the evolution of the human mind.
The first trend aims at the study of the results of the brain's rhythmic activity which come from reactions to the offered verbal stimuli. The human mind functions within the wide range of the brain's rhythms. Various verbal models (especially the polar ones) are a unique source activating the whole range of man's world perception. The analysis of the brain's rhythmic activity during the perception of different verbal models makes it possible to draw conclusions about their quality and effect. In 2005 an article was published presenting the results obtained by us during the analysis of core units of human mental lexicon through the prism of brain waves emerging during the perception of these units [4]. In recent years a lot of observations and experimental material for consideration have been accrued and are subject to systematization [5]. Brain waves or brain rhythms represent a spontaneous neuron activity which is partially of electric nature. This electric activity can be recorded with the help of electroencephalograph. Electroencephalogram (EEG) helps to evaluate brain waves' patterns while dreaming and wakefulness. The data is obtained by attac hing electrodes to the head skin and intensifying the weak brain waves in different parts of the brain. The intensified impulses are transmitted to the recording stylus which fluctuations are drawn on the paper band moving at a constant speed. P.M. Walles thinks that man's brain waves pattern is a global and quite deep measurement of the brain functioning, however scientists have not stopped attempting - though not in a convincing way sometimes - to connect EEG patterns with different states of mind as well as brain's abnormalities [8: 415].
High frequency beta-activity of the brain which is characteristic of wakening state structures our perception of the object world, forms the world image and that very "state of alert" in which a human being interacts with the world. This kind of rhythmic activity being very strong suppresses other signals that come in form of alpha and delta-rhythms. There are several types of waves. Let us enumerate the main ones in descending order as to the reduction of their intensity:1) beta-waves, which are the fastest, with high amplitude; the wave frequency is in the diapason 15-35 Hz; 2) alpha-waves, the amplitude of which is higher and the frequency is 8-14Hz;3) theta-waves have even greater amplitude with the frequency of 5-8 Hz; 4) delta-waves with the maximum amplitude and minimal frequency (0,5-4 Hz) are typical of deep sleep (the one without any dreams and with the predominant frequency of 2-3Hz).
The frequency and amplitude of waves depend on the synchronic cooperation of neuron cells. The long-wave diapason is possible only with the synchronic work of cells for in this case the brain becomes sensitive to weaker signals too. The most consistent example here is the state of meditation during which the inner monologue ceases. And as physicists would say nonlocal superposition state appears. The same state arrives during deep praying, in this case the electric activity of the brain (low wave delta-rhythms) can serve as an indicator of this state.
Taking into account that the sound-resonant sets of any verbal model create a certain type of vibrations that provoke physiological processes in the body we presupposed that the verbal stimulus can activate a trance state characterized by a definite rhythmic picture. Thus we decided to consider the suggestive potential of different verbal models through the analysis of the brain's rhythmic activity.
The second trend which also seems rather promising is connected with research in the field of associative (psychological) coloring of the sound. It is evident that mathematics calculations
and computer modeling are impossible without determining the exact and finite amount of analysis units. This condition is extended to all language phenomena and the choice of this or that language material does not matter. The problem consists in language space itself: not all levels of the language system make it possible to single out the finite (and not too large) amount of units for the analysis. The material elements of sound-imagery system of a particular language containing semantic and formal aspects offer simultaneously different units. We chose sound-letters them being units of sound-imagery system first of all because of their finite amount, i.e. it is possible to count all the possible combinations and then to model and program the obtained data, to create automated information systems for further research. Another positive aspect is that we can work almost with any language. There is one more supposition in favor of this unit. For a speaking person a sound becomes real only after corresponding it to a letter. That is why an unknown set of sounds perceived audibly and not supported with a visual letter image will not provide us full understanding because of minimal differences in feature shells. The study of the phonosemantic specificity of idiolexicon core units confirms the fact that the phonetic level of the language participates in the formation of associative bonds and realizes them in a particular way. The sound level being formed first in ontogenesis makes it possible to reach this unconscious level that takes part in associative processes. Modern phonosemantics nowadays has psychophysiological basis that is enough to approach the problem of sounding seriously. The phonetic level is the one at which a person experiences the greatest sensory effects. Synesthesia and kinematics being psychophysiological basis of sound-symbolism and referred to as perception phenomena make it possible to decode information through the appearance of supplementary feelings or images typical of another modality (synesthesia) and through accidental muscle contractions which accompany feelings and emotions (kinematics).
Our research work is based on the different languages (Russian, English, German, Bashkir, Tatar [1; 6-7; 10]). Analyzing the associative (psychological) coloring of the sound we rest upon the sound-letter meaning a polymodal entity perceived by way of several sensory channels (at least audial and visual). Our perception is polymodal. Intermodal interactions result from the united nature of the surrounding world which underlies the deep bonds between different perceptive systems. An audial presentation can cause unconscious appearance of visual images or verbal associations for it already contains the generalized image resulting from the operation of cognitive mechanism of emotional-evaluative generalization and differentiation. It is also certain that we deal with an associative metaphoric parallel between the sound and the meaning which is based on emotional-semantic evaluation of the sound that allows us to realize the intermodal traverse "sound-emotion-feature". When we make use of one of the most favored in psycholinguistics metaphors "living knowledge" we consider associations as the product of functioning of an individual's activated systems which present a peculiar characteristic of a person as a living system determining the quantity and quality of his interaction with other systems.
The acoustic aspect of speech, acoustic changes are not located in "the highlighted part of the mind" of a language speaker. In order to understand them and for the purposes of comparative studies on the basis of different languages it is necessary to bring them out to the conscious level. We tried to materialize and present in the form of color matrixes one of the components of the suggestive nature of sound-letters, i.e. their associative coloring. For the purpose of the research psycholinguistic experiments on the basis of different languages were conducted with native speakers and computer programs were created in order to analyze verbal information and to simulate the associative background of the language.
In 2011 a group of authors (the head of the project T.M. Rogozhnikova, the programmer S.A. Voronkov, N.V. Efimenko, R.V. Yakovleva) has developed a computer program for the automated analysis of the word and text in Russian and English (State Registration Certificate for computer programs No. 2011618299 BARIN). The main component of the program includes the color matrixes of the English and Russian language sound-letters. The program BARIN is written
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in C# language integrated into MicrosoftVisualStudio 2008 processing system. The program code is divided into several modules: the interface module, the general text analysis module aimed at processing any written English or Russian text, the module for determination of the color contents dynamics, the module responsible for the formation of a spiral model of the color image of a text, the module for the computer image interpretation of sound-color correlations in a text, the statistics module. With the help of this program it is possible to calculate the sound-letter frequency in English and Russian texts, to present results in a tabulated form, to determine the coloring of a text on the basis of the sound-letter frequency, to present results in graphs and diagrams, to save the necessary file, to implement imagery interpretation of the sound-color correlations in a text with further filing. All in all the program implements 9 functions.
In 2013 T.M. Rogozhnikova, D.D. Kudashov, G.R. Kochetova, and N.V. Efimenko developed a computer program (BATYR) the main component of which includes the color matrixes of the Tatar and Bashkir language sound-letters. (State Registration Certificate for computer programs No. 2014613238 BATYR). The program is written in Delphi language integrated into CodeGearRADStudio 2009 processing system. The program code is divided into several modules: the interface module, the general text analysis module aimed at processing any written Tatar or Bashkir texts, the module for determination of the color contents dynamics, the process imagery-computer interpretation (dynamic image), the module for the determination of sound-color correlations in a text, the stating the main colors and the presentation of correlations in the form of a color spiral, and the statistics module. With the help of this program it is possible to calculate the sound-letter frequency in the analyzed Tatar and Bashkir texts, to present results in a text field, to determine the coloring of a text on the basis of the sound-letter frequency, to present results in graphs and diagrams, to save graphs, diagrams and interpretations in a file, to implement imagery interpretation of the sound-color correlations in a text. All in all the program implements 12 functions.
One of the important results of the implemented work is the construction of models presented in a form of pictures displaying associative coloring where we coded in equal proportion all the sound-letters of the Russian, English, Tatar and Bashkir languages. These pictures can be taken as a language color background which has absorbed the national-cultural specificity. The idea to create such models was offered by T.M Rogozhnikova and the technical part was carried out by D.D. Kudashov. We tried to find a material analogue or the outer form of the material realization of the virtual inner form that is described as associative coloring of linguistic units which "build" the language itself. The associative coloring of the Russian sound-letters is rich in the blue color and its tints. The associative color scale of the English language has orange and yellow coloring providing a bright sunny background. The psychological coloring of the Bashkir language is close to pistachio green, while the Tatar language sound coloring is emerald green.
In order to recheck the "accuracy" of the created models it was necessary to find another way of determination of the associative background of language. Thus the method of sound-letter frequency determination was chosen: it was carried out through the analysis of a great amount of texts of various genres and the comparison of texts belonging to some particular genre with the already obtained "exemplary" (average) indicators. Gradually we collected a database which i n-cluded different discourse types; we also formed an "exemplary" model based on the sound-letter frequency indicator. It was essential to adhere to our aim that is to create a dynamic verbal modal that could be adjusted if necessary for language is living knowledge developing constantly.
The computer program SCHETOVOD ("accountant") was written for this purpose (T.M. Rogozhnikova, D.D. Kudashov). The program is written in the Delphi language integrated into CodeGear RAD Studio 2009 processing program. The code of the program is divided into several modules: the text recalculation module, the recording and reading module for the adjacent database, the database interpretation module. By means of this software product it is possible to calculate the quantity of sound-letters of the analyzed Russian text, to determine the frequency of
sound-letters of the analyzed text, and also to compare the obtained results with the average model indicators, to work out the average model of the Russian language basing on the analyzed texts, to compare the frequency of sound-letters contained in different topic texts with the average model, to provide information in the form of schedules, charts and texts. The program is intended for universal use. The automated sound-letter analysis in the word or in the text is possible for any types of Russian texts. The program realizes 9 functions.
The first variant of the "exemplary" model was constructed on the basis that includes nearly six million processed sound-letters (fiction texts, scientific, journalistic, advertising, suggestive (prayer) texts, as well as political discourse). Statistics are available for all text types indicating the quantity and frequency of emergence of sound-letters in all texts and the quantity of the processed sound-letters of each genre.
As a result it was possible to compare the "exemplary" model obtained on the basis of frequency with the model created on the principle of equal "color" share of each language sound without the support on the frequency indicator. The models are almost identical so it is possible to say that these obtained results can be considered as reliable ones. At present the associative color background of other studied languages is being rechecked. We also continue our work on the creation of computer programs similar to SCHETOVOD, but they are meant for the English, German, Tatar and Bashkir languages.
The third trend. If (according to quantum mechanics) full description of any phenomena is based on "the state vector" that represents a total of mutually exclusive states then it is possible to choose a particular state vector as a superposition of two mutually exclusive states. We considered the superposition of two exclusive states - bad / good. The most entangled state in this case is the state "neither good nor bad" - a kind of neutral zone. We can consider the whole range of states within this basis depending on the amplitude indices of the superposition. (We should remind that the principle of states superposition is described as follows: if a system can reside in different states it can reside in two (or more) states simultaneously; the quantum superposition is a superposition of alternative (mutually exclusive) states). In this case the description of the psychological structure of word semantics can be carried out within the borders of the finite space of states with particular dimensions. Thus the core units of man's mental lexicon were analyzed. Individual and collective associative fields were studied. Individual semantics is limited by the number of possible states at that the development of the semantics becomes real due to the potential that makes it possible to enlarge the space of states. The polarization of world aspects is objective while the unification of one polarity with another one results from man's subjective perception. Our everyday thinking is characterized by an amazing "cognitive miserliness", our mind does not burden itself with informative categories but it is more likely to make use of emotional-evaluative categories. In the process of interaction with the material world (in our case it is the interaction with a verbal stimulus) that triggers decoherence process destroying the superposition state bad / good we can detect the manifestation of the material object (in this case it is a verbal association) that was potential previously and the vector of state becomes either "good" or "bad". The state vector or to be exact the deviation of the vector towards one of the options (good / bad) can change. These changes can be registered during the analysis of "the state" of an individual associative field fragment as a product (or a result) of such measurements. The measurement of the state makes it "manifest itself" and singles it out as a separate independent object of reality which is further registered as a basic form, "good" or "bad".
A peculiar "stagnation" of associative reactions that is clearly seen in stereotypical associative clusters which are unlikely to change over a significant period of time can be explained by decoherence process which being a physical process takes place in a human being's mind thus pulling him into narrowed space of perception and bringing these stagnation phenomena in the form of long-lasting associative fixations and associative dependence.
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The forth trend is connected with the study of rhythmic codes of verbal models. We suggested that texts with different rhythmic structures have different suggestive potential. In an arbitrary way text can be divided into high, medium and low rhythmical recurrence texts. This suggestion is based on the specificity of our mind which according to W. Wundt is rhythmic in its nature. This phenomenon is closely connected with our psychological organization. Our mind is rhythmic because on the whole our body is rhythmic [9: 213].
The complexity of rhythm studying is due to its peculiarities for a human being perceives these recurrences of comparable and sensuously feasible units both emotionally and somatically (corporally), but they are scarcely expressed through language phenomena. Researchers are concerned about this specificity while trying to single out minimal rhythmic units of verbal models. Analyzing research papers by national and foreign authors L.V. Kishalova points out that the most common units are syntagms and rhythmic groups. But a number of scholars compile whole hierarchies of rhythmic units taken from prose [3]. So in some research papers a syllable, tact, phonetic sentence, intonation entity are emphasized as rhythmic units. While other papers single out a colon, phrase component, phrase and super phrase construction (paragraph); a phonetic word, syn-tagm and sentence; stressed syllables, syntagms and intonemes and other. G.N. Gumovskaya following A.M. Antipina supposes that the rhythmic structure of prose can be precisely describes through the construction of a tonogram of a prosaic text. Singling out the rhythmic group, syntagm, phrase, super phrase unit as analysis units the author calculated the rhythmic module as a mathematical characteristic of prose rhythm in English texts belonging to different genres. In accordance with the results G.N. Gumovskaya made a conclusion that the most rhythmic texts belong to journalistic genre. For the purpose of our research it is important to mention another peculiar notice proving the existence of an author's rhythmic module (i.e. the rhythmic module of different pieces of work by one and the same author) that is a constant value. This fact makes it possible to identify the author of a certain text [2: 33].
The problem of rhythm analysis units has not been solved yet; this makes it difficult to develop an effective and universal method of the verbal model rhythm determination which would be based on mathematical calculations. T.M. Rogozhnikova, L.V. Kishalova, A.E. Kishalov have started the development of a computer algorithm for the analysis of the text rhythmic recurrence level, for the determination of the rhythm stability periods and its measurement borders. The algorithm is based on the minimal basic units of analysis (a syllable, a rhythmic group, a syntagm). The interchange of rhythmic units create a certain overrhythm and their aggregate make the rhythmic structure of the text.
The given software through the determination of rhythmic coefficients and their ranging in accordance with the obtained results will let us create "standard" rhythms of verbal models, the suggestive potential of which will give us an opportunity to solve various application tasks including the creation of academic and scientific texts that are easier and more convenient to perceive.
Modern linguistics and psycholinguistics in their complexity can easily compete with mathematics and physics. If humanities, which are surviving serious crisis nowadays as being sciences that bring out no profit and consequently poorly financed, are able to catch up with technical and natural sciences, it will be a real breakthrough not only in social demand for research results in different areas, but for the wellbeing of society as a whole.
"Linguistic intervention" as part and parcel of inevitable convergence process of sciences is becoming quite topical nowadays. By way of interpenetration the objects initially of different nature but functioning in similar conditions are getting closer and their proximity can become a component of evolutionary process reflecting the higher levels of integration. The problems of communication ecology and the ecology of relationship cannot be solved without neurosciences (neuropsychology and neurobiology). And it is hard to do without genetics for there are some genetic basics for the language. Without physiology linguistics is unable to solve a whole set of problems. The
heterogeneous technologies integration leads to the appearance of brand new results dramatically changing the world.
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