This article notes the numbers of students in Australia enrolled in high school and college courses in Serbo-Croatian. Many of these have Serbo-Croatian ethnic or linguistic backgrounds. (CHK)

The shift from regional to social variation in linguistic behavior has necessitated inclusion of larger numbers of informants in studies. This paper examines some sampling techniques and discusses the structuring of a community profile representative of a target population and exhibiting necessary social variation for accurate dialect study. (CHK)

The textbook, entirely in French, is an introduction to functional phonology. The first six chapters present the basics of functional phonology, insisting on the specific aspects of this approach for the description of languages. Principles and procedures of synchronic analysis are outlined and illustrated through many examples. Chapter 7 is…

One concern in current sociolinguistic theories of language variation is to find dynamic models that integrate rules governing the 'lects' of a language into a unified description of that language. The dynamics of language change in the variations inherent to the Fijian dialect chain have profound implications for language literacy and educational…

The issues of language assessment and placement raise several important questions: (1) What are the basic premises upon which current language assessment instruments have been developed? (2) What is the state of the art in language proficiency assessment? (3) What implications do current research findings have for language proficiency assessment?…

Recent sociolinguistic research is used to show that the American Sign Language (ASL)-English contact situation does not result in the emergence of a pidgin as supposed. Variation along the ASL-English continuum can be accounted for by interplay of foreigner talk, judgments of proficiency, and learners' attempts to master the target language.…

Examines the effects of literacy on cultural traditions, linguistic behavior, socioeconomic organization, cognitive processes, and child development. Considers the implications for anthropological, psychological, and linguistic theories from the increased attention given to the study of literacy. Includes suggestions for socially and culturally…

Reports on a study of the relationship of English phonological variation to intelligibility for adult second language learners of English. Indicates that learners tested on their ability to understand working-class (New Yorkese), educated (Standard English), and Foreign-accented speakers of English found the standard more intelligible than the…

Describes the processes by which distinctive varieties of English develop in areas where English functions as a second language. The distinctions between rhetorical and communicative norms for speech events in these varieties are discussed. (Author/AM)

Discusses the significance of communication in the present-day world and the various factors affecting the comprehensibility of spoken English. Warns aqainst stressing fluency at the cost of correct pronunciation and against dogmatic preference for certain varieties of English. (IFS/WGA)

Describes the teaching methods of the Yazigi Institutes of Brazil, which offer Portuguese instruction to foreigners. (JB)

The language which is spoken and abilities in its social use are critical individual attributes in association with access to life chances. Sociolinguistic variables have been neglected by sociologists and language related social problems are neither recognized nor understood. (Author/RLV)

Discusses the problems involved in making room for language variation realities in the teaching of French. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

Describes a teaching method for teaching French which uses samples of recorded oral discourse to familiarize students with French as it is actually used. (Text is in French.) (CLK)

This article discusses how and when children acquire and master various speech styles, and specifically deals with the development of sex-specific speech as influenced by role expectations. (CLK)