A communicativity index (Index I) is described that measures the potential communication function performed by a given language in a designated communication situation. Significant sociolinguistic contrasts between the language situations of West Malaysia and Singapore are revealed by applying this index. (PMJ)

Lakota Indians use five speaking styles--formal and informal Lakota and three types of nonstandard English. Choice of style is determined by the social context and the individuals. Since the styles are used to meet specific linguistic and social needs, they are likely to be maintained simultaneously. (PMJ)

Describes the work of the Speech Communication Association Task Force on Minimal Speaking and Listening Competencies for High School Graduates and provides recommended minimal speaking and listening competencies and implications for further curriculum development and research. (JMF)

Recommendations for the alleviation of problems of the stutterer in foreign language learning include: involvement of the stutterer in the lesson; openness about the problem; good listening habits on the part of the teacher and the other students; and the use of techniques like choral speaking, dramatization, and singing. (SW)

Argues that the increasing number of non-specialist students of French in British universities requires an investigation of the adequacy of "general purpose" syllabi, grammars, and methodologies. Suggests that the effective design of syllabi and methodologies for specific purposes students is enhanced through detailed analysis of a…

Examines the question of language revitalization against the background of the use of Hebrew as the language of public life in Israel and of Irish as an official language of Ireland. Notes that the organizing principles of nationalism are complex and disputed. The different linguistic outcomes in these two countries point up the complexity and…

Focuses on teachers' group identity, seen as a process of co-construction of their group voices within the context of large-group dialogs. Findings identified three types of dialogs: conversation; discussion after a presentation; and interactional dynamics. Findings also indicated four types of teachers' voices: pragmatic; multiculturalist;…

Examined whether the quality and content of everyday parent-child conversations about negative emotions differed from everyday talk about positive emotions. Found that children and parents talked about past emotions, causes of emotions, and connections between emotions and other mental states at higher rates during conversations about negative…

Reviews recent research on the different ways in which male and female students communicate with women and men faculty. Concludes with recommendations women faculty may implement to reduce behaviors that create and sustain a "chilly" classroom climate. (KEH)

This sequential analysis tested the relative extent to which several adult utterance types elicited conversational replies from eight developmentally delayed children (mean age 53 months). Among findings were that child replies of any length were elicited by adult topic continuations more than by any other adult utterance type. (Author/DB)

Investigates influence strategies reported by men and women at two levels of the organizational hierarchy--lower-level and higher-level managers. Finds that gender seems to make a marginal overall difference in influence choices made in an obligatory situation; this difference is most noticeable between lower-level female and male managers. (MG)

The project developed a computer-based auditory training program for adult hearing-aid users and cochlear implant recipients, to evaluate three types of training stimuli: syllables with a reduced number of features, syllables with amplified features, and natural speech. Described are the training stimuli, training station, and training activities.…

Thirty-five students (age 5-21) with mental retardation completed a 10-lesson curriculum on verbal and signed vocabulary acquisition. Therapist only and therapist plus video methods resulted in higher spoken and manual sign production of targeted items compared to the video only method. Receptive vocabulary was not improved. (Author/JDD)

Replicated and extended previous research on the relationship between oral and written communication by administering referential and explanatory communication tasks in both speech and writing to elementary school children. An independent measure of social cognitive ability was administered. (47 references) (Author/OD)

Examines a traditional group discussion course redesigned to operate via computer-mediated communication. Finds more frequent student contact with instructors, high level of course approval by students, and group output that equaled or excelled that of traditionally taught courses. (MS)