Identifies and critiques a sociolinguistic theory which holds that where inequality of wealth is marked by speech differences, women of the poorer group will be more eager and likely than men to adopt the speech characteristic of the richer group. Found that the theory does not hold with second language learning. (Author/GC)

Examines sex differences in English language acculturation and learning strategies among older Vietnamese refugees using data from a national sample. Finds that females had more language problems than males, and that males were more likely than females to use various learning strategies to improve their language skills. (FMW)