The longitudinal pilot study described here shows that immigrant children, trained prior to school entry and untrained, have great difficulties in language, though the groups are better able to cope. Results suggest some support for the assumption about the importance of the first language in the acquisition of the second. (Author/HP)

Analyzes of the Australian linguistic scene, from the theoretical viewpoint of humanistic sociology and on the basis of empirical data collected from a number of surveys of ethnic groups. (Author/HP)

Opposite views on "deficit" or "difference" in language use could be reconciled by referring to the lower working class performance as manifesting a relative deficiency in the referential function, attributable to differential learning opportunities. The effect of factors responsible for this is discussed. (Author/RM)