Dynamic and interactive uses of personal pronouns are usually not as neat as traditional grammar describes in that the first and second person pronoun index speakers and addressees in a speech event. Devoted to a prevalent feature of Mandarin Chinese conversation--the switch of the first person singular pronoun "wo", "I", and the second person…

A list enumerating the basic rules for the use of the subjunctive in Spanish is provided. (Text is in Spanish.) (DS)

Points out to the anachronistic usage of certain pronouns in Spanish, particularly that of "usted-es" and "vosotros." (Text is in Spanish.) (DS)

Critically comments on the renovations made by the Royal Spanish Academy in their newest outline of Spanish grammar (Esbozo de una nueva Gramatica de la lengua espanola). (Text is in Spanish.) (DS)

Claims that grammar instruction does not improve written composition have led some teachers to a confident consensus that they do not have to deal with grammar, yet many still firmly believe in teaching it. Grammar instruction (meaning pedagogical or school grammar rather than scientific or linguistic grammar) can be viewed from the metaphorical…

Text reordering, text rewording, text recording, and text researching offer students who must use prescriptive grammar books the opportunity to observe, analyze, manipulate, and enjoy language. (Author/RL)

Criticizes the teaching of formal, abstract grammar prior to sixth grade, citing its ineffectiveness in improving composition skills. Proposes the elimination of traditional grammar from the early curriculum, retention of instruction in language usage and spelling and emphasis on student practice in writing. (BF)

Examines a very successful popular magazine published between 1899 and 1950 that was devoted to "correct" English usage. Argues that its fundamental aim was to help its readers to know how to conduct themselves in proper (i.e., elite) society. Its longtime editor defended her prescriptive view of English usage and offered many…

Written for the educated reader cognizant of ordinary grammatical terminology or able to look it up in a dictionary, this booklet discusses why grammar seems so intractable. The booklet begins by offering two reasons why more diligent instruction in English grammar will not improve students' knowledge: (1) what is presented as English grammar…

Demonstrates that prior to the beginning of the prescriptive grammar movement in English, singular "they" was accepted. By analogy with socially motivated changes in second person pronouns in various European languages, it is suggested that third person pronoun usage will be affected by current feminist opposition to sex-indefinite "he."…

Describes calls to a grammar hot line about usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Concludes that many people besides educators and professional writers care about exact and accurate language usage. (EL)

Calls for a functional, semantically-based grammar for teachers, but not for pupils, to replace the traditional formal grammar they currently rely on. (JL)

This article examines the definitions "syntagmeme" and "syntheme" and the criteria which distinguish one from the other. (Text is in French.) (AM)

As an emotional topic, concern with acceptable usage of language has never been far from the public consciousness, but the public's willingness to abide by educators' views on the necessity of teaching usage rules has varied over the years. The situation we face is not a new one--the eighteenth century saw the initial widespread concern with…