The relationship between first language (L1) typology, defined as the classification of languages according to their structural characteristics (e.g. phonological systems and writing systems), and the development of second (L2) and third (L3) language skills and literacy proficiency in multilingual children was investigated in this study. The…

This volume of the Languages of the World Series contains: "(1.5) Unified List of American Indian Languages aboriginal to Latin America" (pages 1-120), and "(1.6) Classification of American Indian languages" (North, Central, and South America, pages 121-50). For each language, language family, or other group, information is…

A three part article 1) considering basic requirements for a language typology theory, including qualitative, comparative and quantitative concept development, 2) analyzing and evaluating several of thee better known language typology systems, and 3) comparing and contrasting those systems. (DH)

In order to correlate the two it is proposed to examine both the kinds of contribution that sociolinguistics might make in the study of comparative education, and the light comparative studies in education might throw on apparent anomalies in sociolinguistics research. (Author)

Addresses some of the problems concerning the hierarchical relationship between language typology and genetic linguistics and between typology and universal grammar. (RM)

IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF THE LANGUAGES IN THE LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSIFIED SUB-SAHARAN AREA OF NORTHERN NIGERIA, THE NORTHERN CAMEROONS, AND THE CHAD REPUBLIC, INCLUDING MANY OF THE LANGUAGES OF THE JOS PLATEAU GROUP, CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A SINGLE LINGUISTIC UNIT--THE CHAD FAMILY. BY USING THE TRADITIONAL…

Author funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Consilium for African Studies of Yale University. Research undertaken with the cooperation of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies of Haile Selassie I University. (VM)

This paper discusses the sense relation of synonymy, taking the view that this phenomenon should be understood as a gradual concept, a cline along which there are different degrees of synonymy. This view is consistent with the widely held opinion among semanticists that strict or absolute synonymy is rare in human language. A further step is taken…

Explores the possible origins of Malacca Creole Portuguese, and compares and contrasts Papia Kristang with other related creoles. (AM)

Attempts to show that the comparison of language structures may be relevant to diachronic linguistics, and in particular to areal linguistics. The article is based on an ongoing comparative study aimed at devising a typology of African languages. (Author/RM)

Summarizes findings of recent studies which suggest that there is no evidence for including Haida in the Na-Dene grouping. (Author/AM)

Examines how the term "Middle Arabic" has been used insufficiently, inappropriately, and in inconsistent manners, and also defines Middle Arabic by historical period and linguistic level. An analysis is made of Middle Arabic's multiglossic complexity and the unique structure of Middle Arabic compared to Old and Modern Arabic. (23 references) (GLR)