Language contrasts and their effect on memory in the context of witness narratives: A cross-linguistic study of English, German and Czech motion event

本研究的目的是揭示语言对比如何影响证人叙述的信息内容，以及英语、德语和捷克语之间的跨语言差异。重点是运动事件的三个方面-复杂性，位置和意向性。我们想确定说话者习惯性地提供什么信息，以及他们的描述是否会影响他们回忆目击事件的某些方面。在证人的叙述中，关于人和物体的移动、它们的位置以及意图的信息对于确定责任是至关重要的。了解这些以前未探讨过的语言对比，将有助于有效地从证人那里获取信息，并有效地促使提供信息。提高对这些差异及其在法律的背景下的影响的认识，将改善在多数语言体系中讲少数民族语言的人（如在欧盟内讲捷克语的人）诉诸司法的机会。我将对三组50名单语母语者（英语、德语和捷克语）进行三个实验。第一个实验将研究复杂的运动事件的词汇化，第二个实验将集中在词汇化的最终对象的位置（垂直或水平）在放置事件和第三个实验的意向性的表达。所有三个实验还将包括测试参与者在回忆事件相关方面时的记忆力。本研究的刺激物包括复杂运动的短视频和已经获得的事件。将向参与者播放几段短视频，并要求他们提供简短的口头描述。在完成非语言干扰物任务后，他们将被要求通过回答中性问题和勾选陈述（例如，如果物体被放置在垂直或水平位置，或者如果它被意外或故意丢弃）来回忆事件的细节。本研究将转录和分析这些资料，以了解所使用的词汇化模式、三种语言之间的对比以及对记忆的潜在影响。这项研究可能会对警察和法律的口译员的职业实践产生积极的影响。他们对这些差异的了解以及克服这些差异的战略将有助于在警察和法院环境中有效地获取和调解信息。这将确保在单语和多语法律的交流情况下，面谈过程和对待证人和受害者更加公平。

The aim of this research is to uncover how language contrasts affect information content of witness narratives and what the cross-linguistic differences are between English, German and Czech. The focus is on three aspects of motion events - complexity, placement and intentionality. We want to determine what information speakers habitually provide and if their descriptions influence their memory when recalling certain aspects of the witnessed events. In witness narratives, information on movement of people and objects, their position as well as the intention is crucial for assignment of blame. The knowledge of these previously unexplored language contrasts will aid in the efficient elicitation of information from witnesses and allow for effective prompting for information. Raising awareness of these differences and their impact within the legal context will improve access to justice for speakers of minority languages within majority language systems (such as Czech speakers within the EU).The research will follow an attested methodology. I will conduct three experiments with three groups of 50 monolingual native speakers (English, German and Czech). The first experiment will examine the lexicalisation of complex motion events, the second will be focused on the lexicalisation of the final object position (vertical or horizontal) in placement events and the third experiment on the expression of intentionality. All three experiments will also include a test of the participants' memory when recalling the relevant aspects of the events. The stimuli for this research consist of short videos of complex motion and caused events which have already been secured. The participants will be played several short videos and asked to provide a brief verbal description. After a non-linguistic distractor task, they will be asked to recall details of the events by answering neutral questions and ticking statements (for example if an object was placed in a vertical or horizontal position or if it was dropped accidentally or on purpose). This will be transcribed and analysed to gain understanding of the used lexicalisation patterns, the contrast between the three languages as well as the potential effect on memory.This research could potentially lead to positive changes in professional practice of police officers and legal interpreters. Their knowledge of the contrasts and the strategies to overcome them would aid efficient elicitation and mediation of information in police and court settings. It would ensure greater fairness in the interview process and treatment of witnesses and victims in monolingual and multilingual legal communicative situations.