The present study seeks to ascertain the reliability and validity of modified questionnaire. It i... more The present study seeks to ascertain the reliability and validity of modified questionnaire. It is endeavoring statically the configuration of existing language domains of an endangered minority language, Mankiyali. The process includes translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of questionnaire entitled Domain of Language Use with the sample of Mankiyali speakers. This language is spoken in the north of Pakistan. The age range of the studied sample has been 10 to 80 years. It has been translated and culturally modified following committee translation approach (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996; Guillemin et al., 1993). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was accomplished to investigate covert and novel configuration of this questionnaire. Results revealed that Domain of Language Use consisted of five factors (Dominant Languages Use Patterns Mankiyali in Family, Religious and Neighborhood, Mankiyali in Religious Domain, Hindko and Pashto in Neighborhood and Family Domain, Languages in Friendship Domain). The investigated scale provided assessment for existing domains of a lesser acknowledged language in order to grasp a better assessment and comprehension regarding language vitality of a minority language in multilingual contexts.
Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many ... more Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many studies address gender bias and disparity and strive for striking a balance between the roles of men and women. This paper argues that roles are culturally conditioned and based on cultural relativism, Pakhtun society segregate masculine and feminine domains for peaceful coexistence. Guided by the theoretical perspective of Herbert Mead (1901-1978) division of labor is not always discriminatory or biased and its existence can be justified in particular settings. The findings of the study are based on qualitative linguistic analysis of collated folk tappas (plural of tappa) from archived (and/or) published collections and their authors' interpretations. The study intends to investigate and highlight gender role segregation as projected in the language of tappas with a view to establish their relevance to social order in the long history of Pakhtuns residing on Pak-Afghan border in the northwest frontier province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The findings of the study conclude that gender roles fit into the patriarchal social structure of Pakhtuns and define social roles and responsibilities for peaceful coexistence of the two genders. The argument of the study is based on the anthropological perspective of cultural conditioning which emphasizes the role of culture in shaping attitudes, behaviors, social practices and above all gender roles to maintain division of labor. The crux of the approach is to find out, ascertain and delimit the role of biology or nature in determining role differences. It primarily focuses on exploring cultural aspects of life that shape personality and provide distinct identity to its members through socialization and cultural conditioning over generations. In the context, the findings of the study are based on Margaret Mead's (1930) Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies, which points to cultural conditioning as opposed to biology in defining social roles of male and females. Her study reveals that each of the three societies have their own relative gender roles, which could not work properly in other societies. This idea of cultural relativism is dominant in her work and it is thus a model for the current study. ï€ Anthropologically, every society has its own culture, which according to E.B. Tyler (1871) is the sum total of the knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of a particular society. It evolves into a life style and design that is learnt, shared and transmitted to coming generations. With the passage of time, complexity occurs in social and cultural relations of people that affect the outlook of the culture and also bring changes in human relations and relative gender roles. It is a fact that men and women have interacted for centuries and that can provide material for learning about gender role. However, medium of transformation of these gender roles is culture and thus it creates a unique personality, which is a debate of present discussion.
Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many ... more Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many studies address gender bias and disparity and strive for striking a balance between the roles of men and women. This paper argues that roles are culturally conditioned and based on cultural relativism, Pakhtun society segregate masculine and feminine domains for peaceful co-existence. Guided by the theoretical perspective of Herbert Mead (1901Mead ( -1978 division of labor is not always discriminatory or biased and its existence can be justified in particular settings. The findings of the study are based on qualitative linguistic analysis of collated folk tappas (plural of tappa) from archived (and/or) published collections and their authors' interpretations. The study intends to investigate and highlight gender role segregation as projected in the language of tappas with a view to establish their relevance to social order in the long history of Pakhtuns residing on Pak-Afghan border in the north-west frontier province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The findings of the study conclude that gender roles fit into the patriarchal social structure of Pakhtuns and define social roles and responsibilities for peaceful co-existence of the two genders.
The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the P... more The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the Pothwari speakers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Studies shows that intergenerational transmission is extremely vital to the language growth and language loss (Brenzinger, et al, 2003, Fishman, 1991). Using the UNESCO framework, the present study investigates the multilingual context of the capital city of Pakistan. Tool of this study is a four point likert scale. The sample (participants) of the study was the three generations of Pothwari speakers (N= 297). Locale of the study was Islamabad and Rawalpindi where majority of population speaks this language. Sampling technique exploited in this study is purposive. The results of this study show a decline in the use of Pothwari in the family domain. As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
Nelofar Kiran Rauf1, Anis-ul-Haq1, Naeem Aslam1 and Uzma Anjum2
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine ... more Nelofar Kiran Rauf1, Anis-ul-Haq1, Naeem Aslam1 and Uzma Anjum2 ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism, as well as the distribution of autism severity groups across gender. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Special Education Schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from September 2011 to January 2012. Methodology: Thirty nine children of either gender, aged 3 - 16 years and enrolled in special education schools, fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of autism. Among those, were identified as meeting the criteria of autism. The childhood autism rating scale-2 (CARS-2) was used to study the characteristics and severity of symptoms of autism. Later, adaptive behavior scale (school edition: 2) ABS-S: 2, was administered on children (n=21) to formulate the level of adaptive functioning. Results: There were 15 boys and 8 girls with mean age of 10.6 ± 2.97 years. They showed marked impairment in verbal communication (mean=3.17 ± 0.90) followed by relating to people (mean=2.75 ± 0.83) and general impression (mean=2.73 ± 0.7). Most of the children showed average to below average adaptive behaviors on number and time (n=19, 90.5%), independent functioning (n=17, 81.0%), self direction (n=17, 81.0%), physical development (n=13, 61.9%), responsibility (n=12, 57.1%) and socialization (n=13, 61.9%) as well as poor to very poor adaptive behaviors on prevocational skill (n=15, 71.4%), language development (n=13, 61.9%) and economic development (n=13, 61.9%). The frequency of boys with autism was more towards moderate to severely impaired spectrum, without gender differences in any symptom associated with autism. Conclusion: Comprehension of the presentation of characteristic symptoms of children with autism will be helpful in devising the indigenous intervention plans that are congruent with the level of adaptive functioning. Key Words: Autism. Adaptive behaviors. Characteristic symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder. Special education.
Published in Kashmir journal of Language Research. Vol. 17. No 1 (2014)
Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqee... more Published in Kashmir journal of Language Research. Vol. 17. No 1 (2014) Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqeel, Fasih Ahmad Zaineb Hassan& Ayesha Sohail
Attitudes are crucial to language loss and vitality (Baker, 1988). Positive and negative language attitudes reflect role and status of a language (Tsunoda 2006, p. 59). There has not been any valid and reliable scale to study language attitudes in the perspective of Pothowari language. This study aims to establish the reliability and validity of an expended attitude toward language with translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of the Language Attitude Scale (Hohenthal, 2003) with a sample of 294 Pothwari speakers. Ages ranged from 13 to 95. First subscale with 11 items of scale is measuring positive language attitudes. The other subscale defines negative language attitudes. Response item rating are made 4 point Likert-type scales ranging from the 1(never) to 4 (always). The Committee Translation approach (MCT) (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996 ; Guillemin et al., 1993) was used for translation adaption purpose. The overall scale possesses good internal consistency reliability. Similarly, its first subscale on positive language attitude also established good internal consistency reliability but the second subscale negative language attitudes, has low reliability score because of having less number of items (only three). Furthermore, EFA factor analysis was carried out to explore the covert structure of attitude of language. EFA result revealed those models were exploring the new structure of attitude toward language. According to EFA results, item 2, 3, 9, 10 and 18 were removed from this scale. The scale indicates two-factor suggestion. This is the first standardized scale on this research area in the Pakistani cultural context on regional languages. It reveals two important directions towards negative and positive attitudes. This scale will help analyzing attitudes for indigenous and majority languages. It will be helpful to comprehend the problems of attitudinal variations across various languages. It has educational and cultural implications. Key words: Language Attitude Scale, Positive language attitudes, negative attitudes
Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For lan... more Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For language spoken by minorities, this shift in attitude plays a critical role in their co- existence with languages spoken by majorities. The current paper focuses on Pothwari, a minority language in Pakistan, whose sustena nce is thr ea tened. It is hypothesized tha t the vita lity, existence and sustenance of the Pothwari language is a function of attitudinal shift among generations. The results are based upon an empirical investigation where the samples were collected across three generations of Pothwari speaking people. It is revealed that there was a significant shift in the attitudes of these three samples. Pothwari is spoken in some areas of Kashmir, Murree, Jehlum, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi and areas around the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. Research was carried out in three phases. In phase I translation and modification of questionnaire was completed. In phase II pilot study and pre-testing of the scales was done to see its appropriateness to the suggested research propose. In phase III main study was performed. The purposive sampling was used in this study. The study had three samples, which were the three generation of Pothwari speakers residing in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The first sample (the first generation) was determined as the males and females from 60 years and above, the second sample (the second generation) included males and females from 20 to 59 years and the third sample (the third generation) consisted of males and females between 13 and 19 years.
Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For lan... more Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For language spoken by minorities, this shift in attitude plays a critical role in their coexistence with languages spoken by majorities. The current paper focuses on Pothwari, a minority language in Pakistan, whose sustenance is threatened. It is hypothesized that the vitality, existence and sustenance of the Pothwari language is a function of attitudinal shift among generations. The results are based upon an empirical investigation where the samples were collected across three generations of Pothwari speaking people. It is revealed that there was a significant shift in the attitudes of these three samples.
The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the P... more The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the Pothwari speakers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Studies shows that intergenerational transmission is extremely vital to the language growth and language loss . Using the UNESCO framework, the present study investigates the multilingual context of the capital city of Pakistan. Tool of this study is a four point likert scale. The sample (participants) of the study was the three generations of Pothwari speakers (N= 297). Locale of the study was Islamabad and Rawalpindi where majority of population speaks this language. Sampling technique exploited in this study is purposive. The results of this study show a decline in the use of Pothwari in the family domain. As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
The present study seeks to ascertain the reliability and validity of modified questionnaire. It i... more The present study seeks to ascertain the reliability and validity of modified questionnaire. It is endeavoring statically the configuration of existing language domains of an endangered minority language, Mankiyali. The process includes translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of questionnaire entitled Domain of Language Use with the sample of Mankiyali speakers. This language is spoken in the north of Pakistan. The age range of the studied sample has been 10 to 80 years. It has been translated and culturally modified following committee translation approach (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996; Guillemin et al., 1993). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was accomplished to investigate covert and novel configuration of this questionnaire. Results revealed that Domain of Language Use consisted of five factors (Dominant Languages Use Patterns Mankiyali in Family, Religious and Neighborhood, Mankiyali in Religious Domain, Hindko and Pashto in Neighborhood and Family Domain, Languages in Friendship Domain). The investigated scale provided assessment for existing domains of a lesser acknowledged language in order to grasp a better assessment and comprehension regarding language vitality of a minority language in multilingual contexts.
Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many ... more Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many studies address gender bias and disparity and strive for striking a balance between the roles of men and women. This paper argues that roles are culturally conditioned and based on cultural relativism, Pakhtun society segregate masculine and feminine domains for peaceful coexistence. Guided by the theoretical perspective of Herbert Mead (1901-1978) division of labor is not always discriminatory or biased and its existence can be justified in particular settings. The findings of the study are based on qualitative linguistic analysis of collated folk tappas (plural of tappa) from archived (and/or) published collections and their authors' interpretations. The study intends to investigate and highlight gender role segregation as projected in the language of tappas with a view to establish their relevance to social order in the long history of Pakhtuns residing on Pak-Afghan border in the northwest frontier province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The findings of the study conclude that gender roles fit into the patriarchal social structure of Pakhtuns and define social roles and responsibilities for peaceful coexistence of the two genders. The argument of the study is based on the anthropological perspective of cultural conditioning which emphasizes the role of culture in shaping attitudes, behaviors, social practices and above all gender roles to maintain division of labor. The crux of the approach is to find out, ascertain and delimit the role of biology or nature in determining role differences. It primarily focuses on exploring cultural aspects of life that shape personality and provide distinct identity to its members through socialization and cultural conditioning over generations. In the context, the findings of the study are based on Margaret Mead's (1930) Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies, which points to cultural conditioning as opposed to biology in defining social roles of male and females. Her study reveals that each of the three societies have their own relative gender roles, which could not work properly in other societies. This idea of cultural relativism is dominant in her work and it is thus a model for the current study. ï€ Anthropologically, every society has its own culture, which according to E.B. Tyler (1871) is the sum total of the knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of a particular society. It evolves into a life style and design that is learnt, shared and transmitted to coming generations. With the passage of time, complexity occurs in social and cultural relations of people that affect the outlook of the culture and also bring changes in human relations and relative gender roles. It is a fact that men and women have interacted for centuries and that can provide material for learning about gender role. However, medium of transformation of these gender roles is culture and thus it creates a unique personality, which is a debate of present discussion.
Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many ... more Gender roles and division of labor have been exhaustively researched in the recent decades. Many studies address gender bias and disparity and strive for striking a balance between the roles of men and women. This paper argues that roles are culturally conditioned and based on cultural relativism, Pakhtun society segregate masculine and feminine domains for peaceful co-existence. Guided by the theoretical perspective of Herbert Mead (1901Mead ( -1978 division of labor is not always discriminatory or biased and its existence can be justified in particular settings. The findings of the study are based on qualitative linguistic analysis of collated folk tappas (plural of tappa) from archived (and/or) published collections and their authors' interpretations. The study intends to investigate and highlight gender role segregation as projected in the language of tappas with a view to establish their relevance to social order in the long history of Pakhtuns residing on Pak-Afghan border in the north-west frontier province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The findings of the study conclude that gender roles fit into the patriarchal social structure of Pakhtuns and define social roles and responsibilities for peaceful co-existence of the two genders.
The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the P... more The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the Pothwari speakers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Studies shows that intergenerational transmission is extremely vital to the language growth and language loss (Brenzinger, et al, 2003, Fishman, 1991). Using the UNESCO framework, the present study investigates the multilingual context of the capital city of Pakistan. Tool of this study is a four point likert scale. The sample (participants) of the study was the three generations of Pothwari speakers (N= 297). Locale of the study was Islamabad and Rawalpindi where majority of population speaks this language. Sampling technique exploited in this study is purposive. The results of this study show a decline in the use of Pothwari in the family domain. As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
Nelofar Kiran Rauf1, Anis-ul-Haq1, Naeem Aslam1 and Uzma Anjum2
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine ... more Nelofar Kiran Rauf1, Anis-ul-Haq1, Naeem Aslam1 and Uzma Anjum2 ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism, as well as the distribution of autism severity groups across gender. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Special Education Schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from September 2011 to January 2012. Methodology: Thirty nine children of either gender, aged 3 - 16 years and enrolled in special education schools, fulfilled the DSM-IV-TR criteria of autism. Among those, were identified as meeting the criteria of autism. The childhood autism rating scale-2 (CARS-2) was used to study the characteristics and severity of symptoms of autism. Later, adaptive behavior scale (school edition: 2) ABS-S: 2, was administered on children (n=21) to formulate the level of adaptive functioning. Results: There were 15 boys and 8 girls with mean age of 10.6 ± 2.97 years. They showed marked impairment in verbal communication (mean=3.17 ± 0.90) followed by relating to people (mean=2.75 ± 0.83) and general impression (mean=2.73 ± 0.7). Most of the children showed average to below average adaptive behaviors on number and time (n=19, 90.5%), independent functioning (n=17, 81.0%), self direction (n=17, 81.0%), physical development (n=13, 61.9%), responsibility (n=12, 57.1%) and socialization (n=13, 61.9%) as well as poor to very poor adaptive behaviors on prevocational skill (n=15, 71.4%), language development (n=13, 61.9%) and economic development (n=13, 61.9%). The frequency of boys with autism was more towards moderate to severely impaired spectrum, without gender differences in any symptom associated with autism. Conclusion: Comprehension of the presentation of characteristic symptoms of children with autism will be helpful in devising the indigenous intervention plans that are congruent with the level of adaptive functioning. Key Words: Autism. Adaptive behaviors. Characteristic symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder. Special education.
Published in Kashmir journal of Language Research. Vol. 17. No 1 (2014)
Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqee... more Published in Kashmir journal of Language Research. Vol. 17. No 1 (2014) Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqeel, Fasih Ahmad Zaineb Hassan& Ayesha Sohail
Attitudes are crucial to language loss and vitality (Baker, 1988). Positive and negative language attitudes reflect role and status of a language (Tsunoda 2006, p. 59). There has not been any valid and reliable scale to study language attitudes in the perspective of Pothowari language. This study aims to establish the reliability and validity of an expended attitude toward language with translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of the Language Attitude Scale (Hohenthal, 2003) with a sample of 294 Pothwari speakers. Ages ranged from 13 to 95. First subscale with 11 items of scale is measuring positive language attitudes. The other subscale defines negative language attitudes. Response item rating are made 4 point Likert-type scales ranging from the 1(never) to 4 (always). The Committee Translation approach (MCT) (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996 ; Guillemin et al., 1993) was used for translation adaption purpose. The overall scale possesses good internal consistency reliability. Similarly, its first subscale on positive language attitude also established good internal consistency reliability but the second subscale negative language attitudes, has low reliability score because of having less number of items (only three). Furthermore, EFA factor analysis was carried out to explore the covert structure of attitude of language. EFA result revealed those models were exploring the new structure of attitude toward language. According to EFA results, item 2, 3, 9, 10 and 18 were removed from this scale. The scale indicates two-factor suggestion. This is the first standardized scale on this research area in the Pakistani cultural context on regional languages. It reveals two important directions towards negative and positive attitudes. This scale will help analyzing attitudes for indigenous and majority languages. It will be helpful to comprehend the problems of attitudinal variations across various languages. It has educational and cultural implications. Key words: Language Attitude Scale, Positive language attitudes, negative attitudes
Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For lan... more Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For language spoken by minorities, this shift in attitude plays a critical role in their co- existence with languages spoken by majorities. The current paper focuses on Pothwari, a minority language in Pakistan, whose sustena nce is thr ea tened. It is hypothesized tha t the vita lity, existence and sustenance of the Pothwari language is a function of attitudinal shift among generations. The results are based upon an empirical investigation where the samples were collected across three generations of Pothwari speaking people. It is revealed that there was a significant shift in the attitudes of these three samples. Pothwari is spoken in some areas of Kashmir, Murree, Jehlum, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi and areas around the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. Research was carried out in three phases. In phase I translation and modification of questionnaire was completed. In phase II pilot study and pre-testing of the scales was done to see its appropriateness to the suggested research propose. In phase III main study was performed. The purposive sampling was used in this study. The study had three samples, which were the three generation of Pothwari speakers residing in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The first sample (the first generation) was determined as the males and females from 60 years and above, the second sample (the second generation) included males and females from 20 to 59 years and the third sample (the third generation) consisted of males and females between 13 and 19 years.
Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For lan... more Language sustenance and vitality depends largely upon shift in attitude towards language. For language spoken by minorities, this shift in attitude plays a critical role in their coexistence with languages spoken by majorities. The current paper focuses on Pothwari, a minority language in Pakistan, whose sustenance is threatened. It is hypothesized that the vitality, existence and sustenance of the Pothwari language is a function of attitudinal shift among generations. The results are based upon an empirical investigation where the samples were collected across three generations of Pothwari speaking people. It is revealed that there was a significant shift in the attitudes of these three samples.
The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the P... more The aim of this study is to precisely determine the prevailing trends in language use among the Pothwari speakers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Studies shows that intergenerational transmission is extremely vital to the language growth and language loss . Using the UNESCO framework, the present study investigates the multilingual context of the capital city of Pakistan. Tool of this study is a four point likert scale. The sample (participants) of the study was the three generations of Pothwari speakers (N= 297). Locale of the study was Islamabad and Rawalpindi where majority of population speaks this language. Sampling technique exploited in this study is purposive. The results of this study show a decline in the use of Pothwari in the family domain. As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
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Papers by uzma anjum
As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism, as well as the
distribution of autism severity groups across gender.
Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Special Education Schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from September 2011 to
January 2012.
Methodology: Thirty nine children of either gender, aged 3 - 16 years and enrolled in special education schools, fulfilled
the DSM-IV-TR criteria of autism. Among those, were identified as meeting the criteria of autism. The childhood autism
rating scale-2 (CARS-2) was used to study the characteristics and severity of symptoms of autism. Later, adaptive
behavior scale (school edition: 2) ABS-S: 2, was administered on children (n=21) to formulate the level of adaptive
functioning.
Results: There were 15 boys and 8 girls with mean age of 10.6 ± 2.97 years. They showed marked impairment in verbal
communication (mean=3.17 ± 0.90) followed by relating to people (mean=2.75 ± 0.83) and general impression
(mean=2.73 ± 0.7). Most of the children showed average to below average adaptive behaviors on number and time (n=19,
90.5%), independent functioning (n=17, 81.0%), self direction (n=17, 81.0%), physical development (n=13, 61.9%),
responsibility (n=12, 57.1%) and socialization (n=13, 61.9%) as well as poor to very poor adaptive behaviors on prevocational
skill (n=15, 71.4%), language development (n=13, 61.9%) and economic development (n=13, 61.9%). The
frequency of boys with autism was more towards moderate to severely impaired spectrum, without gender differences in
any symptom associated with autism.
Conclusion: Comprehension of the presentation of characteristic symptoms of children with autism will be helpful in devising the indigenous intervention plans that are congruent with the level of adaptive functioning.
Key Words: Autism. Adaptive behaviors. Characteristic symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder. Special education.
Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqeel, Fasih Ahmad Zaineb Hassan& Ayesha Sohail
Attitudes are crucial to language loss and vitality (Baker, 1988). Positive and negative language attitudes reflect role and status of a language (Tsunoda 2006, p. 59). There has not been any valid and reliable scale to study language attitudes in the perspective of Pothowari language. This study aims to establish the reliability and validity of an expended attitude toward language with translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of the Language Attitude Scale (Hohenthal, 2003) with a sample of 294 Pothwari speakers. Ages ranged from 13 to 95. First subscale with 11 items of scale is measuring positive language attitudes. The other subscale defines negative language attitudes. Response item rating are made 4 point Likert-type scales ranging from the 1(never) to 4 (always). The Committee Translation approach (MCT) (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996 ; Guillemin et al., 1993) was used for translation adaption purpose. The overall scale possesses good internal consistency reliability. Similarly, its first subscale on positive language attitude also established good internal consistency reliability but the second subscale negative language attitudes, has low reliability score because of having less number of items (only three). Furthermore, EFA factor analysis was carried out to explore the covert structure of attitude of language. EFA result revealed those models were exploring the new structure of attitude toward language. According to EFA results, item 2, 3, 9, 10 and 18 were removed from this scale.
The scale indicates two-factor suggestion. This is the first standardized scale on this research area in the Pakistani cultural context on regional languages. It reveals two important directions towards negative and positive attitudes. This scale will help analyzing attitudes for indigenous and majority languages. It will be helpful to comprehend the problems of attitudinal variations across various languages. It has educational and cultural implications.
Key words: Language Attitude Scale, Positive language attitudes, negative attitudes
As the maintenance and future viability of this indigenous and local language in this scenario is at risk, the underlying insight of the present study is to show the possibility for the protection of lesser acknowledged cultures and indigenous languages.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the characteristic symptoms and adaptive behaviors of children with autism, as well as the
distribution of autism severity groups across gender.
Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Special Education Schools of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, from September 2011 to
January 2012.
Methodology: Thirty nine children of either gender, aged 3 - 16 years and enrolled in special education schools, fulfilled
the DSM-IV-TR criteria of autism. Among those, were identified as meeting the criteria of autism. The childhood autism
rating scale-2 (CARS-2) was used to study the characteristics and severity of symptoms of autism. Later, adaptive
behavior scale (school edition: 2) ABS-S: 2, was administered on children (n=21) to formulate the level of adaptive
functioning.
Results: There were 15 boys and 8 girls with mean age of 10.6 ± 2.97 years. They showed marked impairment in verbal
communication (mean=3.17 ± 0.90) followed by relating to people (mean=2.75 ± 0.83) and general impression
(mean=2.73 ± 0.7). Most of the children showed average to below average adaptive behaviors on number and time (n=19,
90.5%), independent functioning (n=17, 81.0%), self direction (n=17, 81.0%), physical development (n=13, 61.9%),
responsibility (n=12, 57.1%) and socialization (n=13, 61.9%) as well as poor to very poor adaptive behaviors on prevocational
skill (n=15, 71.4%), language development (n=13, 61.9%) and economic development (n=13, 61.9%). The
frequency of boys with autism was more towards moderate to severely impaired spectrum, without gender differences in
any symptom associated with autism.
Conclusion: Comprehension of the presentation of characteristic symptoms of children with autism will be helpful in devising the indigenous intervention plans that are congruent with the level of adaptive functioning.
Key Words: Autism. Adaptive behaviors. Characteristic symptoms. Autism spectrum disorder. Special education.
Uzma Anjum, Muhammad Aqeel, Fasih Ahmad Zaineb Hassan& Ayesha Sohail
Attitudes are crucial to language loss and vitality (Baker, 1988). Positive and negative language attitudes reflect role and status of a language (Tsunoda 2006, p. 59). There has not been any valid and reliable scale to study language attitudes in the perspective of Pothowari language. This study aims to establish the reliability and validity of an expended attitude toward language with translation, cultural adaptation and cross language and cultural validation of the Language Attitude Scale (Hohenthal, 2003) with a sample of 294 Pothwari speakers. Ages ranged from 13 to 95. First subscale with 11 items of scale is measuring positive language attitudes. The other subscale defines negative language attitudes. Response item rating are made 4 point Likert-type scales ranging from the 1(never) to 4 (always). The Committee Translation approach (MCT) (Brislin, 1980; Schoua-Glusberg, 1992; Acquadro et al., 1996 ; Guillemin et al., 1993) was used for translation adaption purpose. The overall scale possesses good internal consistency reliability. Similarly, its first subscale on positive language attitude also established good internal consistency reliability but the second subscale negative language attitudes, has low reliability score because of having less number of items (only three). Furthermore, EFA factor analysis was carried out to explore the covert structure of attitude of language. EFA result revealed those models were exploring the new structure of attitude toward language. According to EFA results, item 2, 3, 9, 10 and 18 were removed from this scale.
The scale indicates two-factor suggestion. This is the first standardized scale on this research area in the Pakistani cultural context on regional languages. It reveals two important directions towards negative and positive attitudes. This scale will help analyzing attitudes for indigenous and majority languages. It will be helpful to comprehend the problems of attitudinal variations across various languages. It has educational and cultural implications.
Key words: Language Attitude Scale, Positive language attitudes, negative attitudes