Artificial Language Test
Hey, push this button to turn
the page!
Language BackgroundDirections: Please answer the following questions on your answer sheet.
1. What is your native language?2. In what country do you formally reside?3. How long have you been in the United States?4. If applicable, in what subject did you receive
your Bachelor’s degree? Postbacheloriate?5. What other languages have you studied? *For each language listed, please rate your level of proficiency,
with “5” being highly proficient and “1” being not at all. Example: French--3
New Word Instructions
• I will be introducing you to four new words. Please pay attention to the meaning of each one.
New Word PracticeFour words
New word #1
kernearker
near
New word #2
yiefaryie
far
New word #3
etnearet
near
New word #4
qafarqa
far
kerkerNEAR
NEARNEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEARN E A R
near
near
nearnear
near
near
near
near
yieyieFAR
FARFAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FARF A R
far
far
farfar
far
far
far
far
etetNEAR
NEARNEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEAR
NEARN E A R
near
near
nearnear
near
near
near
near
qaqaFAR
FARFAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FAR
FARF A R
far
far
farfar
far
far
far
far
NEAR FAR
ker yieet qa
Do you know the meaning of the words yet?
Let’s play a game…
Practice
• I will post NEAR of FAR in one of the four colors.
• Try to figure out which one it is.
• To help you remember, say them out loud while you visualize the word.
Let’s do it!
FARqaWhich one is it?
ker yie et qa
25 sec.
NEARet
Which one is it?ker yie et qa
25 sec.
FARyie
Which one is it?ker yie et qa
25 sec.
NEARker
Which one is it?ker yie et qa
25 sec.
Training Task20 items
Training Instructions
• This is an experiment about how people formulate sentences in different languages.
• Different languages have different ways of saying things…
• Which raises the question of whether this forces people to think slightly differently in order to speak and understand different languages.
Training Instructions (cont’d)
• Here I am investigating this issue in a situation where the sentences are almost entirely in English…
• That is, apart from four words that you have just learned.
Training Instructions (cont’d)• In this language, each time an object is mentioned, it
is necessary to specify how far away it is from the subject of the sentence, whether it is “near” or “far.”
• The word that is used to do this also functions like the English word “the.”
The little boy patted ker tiger in the zoo.
• So, saying ker tiger is like saying “the-near tiger.”• In the context of this example, the word expresses the
idea that the boy is near to the tiger (obviously, because he is patting it).
Training Instructions (cont’d)
• Now, you will see a number of sentences.
• Please read each sentence over and on your answer sheet circle “near” or “far” whenever applicable.
Example:
The man grabbed ker wallaby by the
neck and carried him to the cage.
Answer Sheet
near far
Are you readyfor some practice?
Training (1 of 24)
The lady spent many hours sewing et dress.
NEAR or FAR
Training (2 of 24)
The woman ran after yie mouse.
NEAR or FAR
Training (3 of 24)
After my meal I went to the sink to wash et cup.
NEAR or FAR
Training (4 of 24)
At the auction the farmer decided he wanted to buy yie pig.
NEAR or FAR
Training (5 of 24)
I searched everywhere for qa book.
NEAR or FAR
Training (6 of 24)
The vet came to the farm to examine ker cow.
NEAR or FAR
Training (7 of 24)
The tourists struggled to see qa statue on the hill.
NEAR or FAR
Training (8 of 24)
I was scared when I heard the hiss of ker snakes.
NEAR or FAR
Training (9 of 24)
I left milk out for yie cat.
NEAR or FAR
Training (10 of 24)
I packed all of my belongings into et boxes.
NEAR or FAR
Training (11 of 24)
I searched everywhere for qa book.
NEAR or FAR
Training (12 of 24)
The lady spent many hours sewing et dress.
NEAR or FAR
Training (13 of 20)
After my meal I went to the sink to wash et cup.
NEAR or FAR
Training (14 of 24)
The vet came to the farm to examine ker cow.
NEAR or FAR
Training (15 of 24)
At the auction the farmer decided he wanted to buy yie pig.
NEAR or FAR
Training (16 of 24)
The woman ran after yie mouse.
NEAR or FAR
Training (17 of 24)
I packed all of my belongings into et boxes.
NEAR or FAR
Training (18 of 24)
The tourists struggled to see qa statue on the hill.
NEAR or FAR
Training (19 of 24)
I was scared when I heard the hiss of ker snakes.
NEAR or FAR
Training (20 of 24)
I left milk out for yie cat.
NEAR or FAR
Training (21 of 24)
The woman was stung by ker bees.
NEAR or FAR
Training (22 of 24)
The craftsman repaired et stool.
NEAR or FAR
Training (23 of 24)
The man spent the evening fixing et watch.
NEAR or FAR
Training (24 of 24)
The cat wanted to eat yie bird.
NEAR or FAR
Did you get them all right?
Remember…
NEAR ker or et
FAR yie or qa If you would like more practice, click the orange button below.
If you think you are ready,click the green button below.
Training Plus (1 of 16)
The waitress was told to go clear qa table.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (2 of 16)
The zookeeper struggled to control ker monkey.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (3 of 16)
The thieves searched the whole house for qa diamond.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (4 of 16)
The hunters came to trap yie lion.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (5 of 16)
I heard the sound of ker bee buzzing in my ear.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (6 of 16)
The drunk fell over et chair.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (7 of 16)
The customer pointed to his friends sitting at qa table.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (8 of 16)
At the bottom of the hill they could see qa fountain.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (9 of 16)
The boy went into the forest to feed ker rabbits.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (10 of 16)
We enjoyed observing yie birds perched in the trees above.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (11 of 16)
I had to read the manual to find out how to fix et toy.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (12 of 16)
At the far end of the factory I could see the workers building qa car.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (13 of 16)
She turned on et computer that was on her desk.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (14 of 16)
I couldn’t reach qa alarm clock that was beeping over on the dresser.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (15 of 16)
The girl licked et ice cream cone before it melted.
NEAR or FAR
Training Plus (16 of 16)
We could see yie deer from the front porch of our cabin.
NEAR or FAR
Up for a challenge?
Please say “yes.”
Test Directions
• You will be shown a sentence with a blank where one of the four new words should be.
• You will then be given a choice of two possible answers.
• Please select the answer that seems more familiar, better, or more appropriate.
Good Luck
!
Test #124 questions
Test #1 (1 of 24)
I was terrified when I turned around and saw ____ lion right behind me.
A or B
et lion ker lion
Test #1 (2 of 24)
While I was digging in the garden ____ bird came to eat worms next to me.
A or B
ker bird et bird
Test #1 (3 of 24)
The children threw sticks at ____ monkey in the tree.
A or B
qa monkey yie monkey
Test #1 (4 of 24)
The researchers studied ____ shark from a safe distance.
A or B
qa shark yie shark
Test #1 (5 of 24)
I spent an hour polishing ____ table before the dinner party.
A or B
et table ker table
Test #1 (6 of 24)
The archaeologists worked for months to restore ____ sculpture.
A or B
et sculpture ker sculpture
Test #1 (7 of 24)
In the pub I asked my friend to get ____ stool from the bar.
A or B
qa stool yie stool
Test #1 (8 of 24)
I could not sleep because of the chiming of ____ clock downstairs.
A or B
qa clock yie clock
Test #1 (9 of 24)
When I was out for a walk I patted ____ dog and it bit me.
A or B
ker dog et dog
Test #1 (10 of 24)
The farmer was kicked by ____ cow when he tried to milk it.
A or B
ker cow et cow
Test #1 (11 of 24)
Sitting under the tree I was bothered by ____ fly.
A or B
ker fly et fly
Test #1 (12 of 24)
The circus performer covered herself with ____ snakes.
A or B
et snakes ker snakes
Test #1 (13 of 24)
I covered hear ____ mouse scurrying around in the roof.
A or B
yie mouse qa mouse
Test #1 (14 of 24)
The fire brigade had to rescue ____ cat from the top of the tree.
A or B
qa cat yie cat
Test #1 (15 of 24)
I could hear ____ horse from the other side of the field.
A or B
qa horse yie horse
Test #1 (16 of 24)
I was terrified when I heard ____ bear roaring in the distance.
A or B
yie bear qa bear
Test #1 (17 of 24)
After work I fell asleep on ____ recliner in front the TV.
A or B
et recliner ker recliner
Test #1 (18 of 24)
I spent the night on ____ sofa and let my guests sleep in the beds.
A or B
et sofa ker sofa
Test #1 (19 of 24)
I knocked over ____ cup and the coffee spilled on my book.
A or B
et cup ker cup
Test #1 (20 of 24)
I can’t move in my office because ____ floor is covered in boxes.
A or B
ker floor et floor
Test #1 (21 of 24)
I couldn’t read the title of ____ book that was on the top shelf.
A or B
yie book qa book
Test #1 (22 of 24)
I had difficulty watching ____ television when it was on the other side of the room.
A or B
qa television yie television
Test #1 (23 of 24)
In the gallery we all admired ____ picture from the other side of the room.
A or B
yie picture qa picture
Test #1 (24 of 24)
At the fair they threw balls at ____ target to win a prize.
A or B
qa target yie target
Posttest #1 Survey
1. What criteria did you use to make your choices?
3. Other than near or far, could you identify another rule?
5. If yes, could you describe it if possible?
Test #224 questions
Test #2 (1 of 24)
In the Safari park the children were excited when ____ lion came up to the car.
A or B
ker lion et lion
Test #2 (2 of 24)
I was amazed when ____ bird ate from my hand.
A or B
et bird ker bird
Test #2 (3 of 24)
The sound of ____ monkeys in the rainforest was deafening.
A or B
qa monkeys yie monkeys
Test #2 (4 of 24)
The child screamed even though ____ bee was on the other side of the nursery.
A or B
qa bee yie bee
Test #2 (5 of 24)
The children all sat down at ____ table to play board games.
A or B
ker table et table
Test #2 (6 of 24)
As I was passing I knocked over ____ vase.
A or B
et vase ker vase
Test #2 (7 of 24)
We hoped that ____ stereo would be delivered in time for the party.
A or B
yie stereo qa stereo
Test #2 (8 of 24)
I looked up at ____ clock on the church and realized that I was late.
A or B
qa clock yie clock
Test #2 (9 of 24)
At bedtime I called to ____ dog but he would not come.
A or B
yie dog qa dog
Test #2 (10 of 24)
The walkers could see that ____ cow in the next field was in distress.
A or B
qa cow yie cow
Test #2 (11 of 24)
We heard the sound of ____ flies swarming around the dead animal.
A or B
yie flies qa flies
Test #2 (12 of 24)
I was alarmed to see ____ snakes approaching us very rapidly.
A or B
yie snakes qa snakes
Test #2 (13 of 24)
While I was sitting in the kitchen ____ mouse ran between my feet.
A or B
et mouse ker mouse
Test #2 (14 of 24)
The old woman liked to sit for hours with ____ cat on her lap.
A or B
et cat ker cat
Test #2 (15 of 24)
The farmer could not stand the smell of ____ pig when he cleared out its pen.
A or B
ker pig et pig
Test #2 (16 of 24)
The park warden reassured us that ____ bear was tame enough to stroke.
A or B
ker bear et bear
Test #2 (17 of 24)
When I had a backache I asked my wife to get ____ pillow from the bedroom.
A or B
qa pillow yie pillow
Test #2 (18 of 24)
While I was out for a walk I longed to sit on ____ sofa in my living room.
A or B
yie sofa qa sofa
Test #2 (19 of 24)
I had to stretch to reach ____ cup on the top shelf.
A or B
yie cup qa cup
Test #2 (20 of 24)
I asked the workers to carry ____ television from the van.
A or B
ker television et television
Test #2 (21 of 24)
In the library I laid my head on ____ book and went to sleep.
A or B
ker book et book
Test #2 (22 of 24)
The girl stayed up late watching ____ movie on the TV by her bed.
A or B
et movie ker movie
Test #2 (23 of 24)
The art critics examined ____ painting for hours.
A or B
et painting ker painting
Test #2 (24 of 24)
The baby broke ____ plate while eating breakfast.
A or B
ker plate et plate
Posttest #2 Survey
1. Did you figure out the rule?
3. If yes, could you describe it?
Posttest #2 Survey (cont’d)
• The rule was animacy.
• Ker and yie were used for living, animate things such as monkeys, cows, birds, etc.
• Et and qa were used for inanimate things such as clocks, statues, televisions, etc.
3. Did you consider this rule or were you using another criteria? If so, could you explain?
Thank you so much for
taking part in my study.
I greatly appreciate it.