This study examines the acquisition of target-like patterns of variation by 22 American learners of French during study abroad (SA) in France and correlates such acquisition with the creation of dense, multiplex, exchange-based social networks (Milroy 1980) with native speakers (NSs) during the SA period. In this longitudinal study, naturalistic…

Analysis of a sociolinguistic interview reveals repeated presentation of ideas, words, expressions, and structures. These recurrent devices and patterns increase the effect of arguments. The immediate purpose is the listener's acceptance of the speaker's views. There is also a concern to gain recognition of the speaker's opinion of self and his…

Analysis of interviews with children ages 10-12, focused on prediction and generalization, reveals a category of words associated with uncertainty. These hedges--about, around, maybe, think--are used as shields against accusation of error. Linguistic frameworks are used to categorize different types of hedges. (Author/MKR)

Patterns in the speech behavior of women were examined in a number of mixed-sex and single-sex television interviews and discussions, focusing on response to male dominance. Common properties of women's speech style are attributed to their need to respond to the requirements of conversation with men and ensure conversational survival, and are seen…

Part of the Grade Teacher Special report, "Linguistics and the Language Arts.

A study examined interactional patterns in interviews that characterize elicitation of one text type, description, including type/mixture of questions asked by the fieldworker and the speaker's response. Subjects (n=137) were of three ethnic groups and three socioeconomic levels. Results suggest questioning strategy can have strong, predictable…

A study looked at the patterns of clarification questions and responses occurring in academic advisement interviews between graduate students (26 non-native English-speaking (NNS) and 7 native English-speaking (NS)) and native-speaker advisors. Tape-recorded interviews between students and a male graduate studies director, generally concerning…

Comparative statistical data are presented on speech dynamic (as contrasted with lexical and rhetorical) aspects of major speech styles. Representative samples of story retelling, lectures, speeches, sermons, interviews, and panel discussions serve to determine posited differences between casual and careful speech. Data are drawn from 15,393…

A china factory in Pennsylvania was the setting for a study of the characteristics of the factory, its workers, and the community. Specifically, the speech of 151 informants, representing 12 1/2% of the plant population, was analyzed for both careful and casual speech, in order to focus on lexical and grammatical forms which reflect regional and…

This study investigated: (1) whether there is a gender effect in the speech of Japanese learners of English as a Second Language; (2) whether the effect is positive if the interlocutor is female; (3) whether there are associations of gender effect with specific features of speech; and (4) in which linguistic features of learner speech the gender…

Compares conversational styles of intermediate and advanced learners of English as a Second Language in language proficiency interviews. The article describes differences in amount of talk and rate of speaking, extent of context dependence and ability to construct and sustain narratives, but not in frequency of initiation of new topics nor…