Examines the creative manipulation of certain narrative devices in modern Greek and in Tosk Albanian to show (1) how narrative performances become ways of relating historical events and past experiences in present-day life; and (2) that studies of language death should more intensely use ethnography of the speaking paradigm to detect sensitive…

Explores the status of the Zamboangueno dialect, discusses the various stages of decreolization in the direction of Spanish, and suggests possible avenues for the continued introduction of elements from an acrolect which, for all intents and purposes, is no longer generally available to residents of Zamboanga, Philippines. (Author/CB)

Analysis of phonological data from two Athapaskan languages demonstrated that underlying the apparent degeneration of their phonological systems was an orderly progression which could be viewed as a retarded process of language acquisition, indicating that dying languages mirror the successive stages of ontogenesis. (35 references) (Author/CB)

Examines the impact of the Sekani (British Columbia, Canada) homeland's village, economic, and political reorganization on cultural and language maintenance, focusing on why the Sekani speak English when there is little direct contact with Euro-Canadians and no particular advantages. (Author/CB)

Compares the use and maintenance of the Quechua language in a bilingual and nonbilingual education school and community. Findings indicate a significant change in teacher-pupil language use, an improvement in pupil participation in the bilingual school, and an improved attitude among the community members regarding the value of their language.…

Discusses cases of indigenous/immigrant languages that are in danger of disappearing because they are not being transmitted to the next generation, including languages of South America, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Wales, New Zealand, Turkey, and native languages of California. Such cases provide evidence that language policy and education serve…