Comprehension of metaphor in preschoolers was studied through an elicited repetition task. It was shown that the metaphors were not semantically anomolous to the children and that they were processed on a par with literal language. (Author/CB)

Addresses one aspect of English usage by Yoruba speakers of English as a Second Language in Nigeria, and analyzes the meanings of English kinship terms as used by educated Yoruba speakers in relation to specific sociocultural contexts of the Yoruba environment. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the need for a rich semantics for the user interface in interactive image retrieval and presents two methods for building such interfaces: possibility theory applied to fuzzy data retrieval, and a machine learning technique applied to learning the user's deep need. Prototypes developed using videodisks and knowledge-based software are…

Determines the concurrent and predictive validity of a cloze-based scoring procedure which is sensitive to semantic and syntactic language performance, as well as to the traditional responses to deletion. Finds the scoring procedure possesses acceptable concurrent and predictive validity for a variety of passages and grade levels. (RS)

Examines the usefulness of the Salience Imbalance Theory of metaphor processing to aid in understanding how children comprehend metaphors in written text. Supports the prediction that the measure of salience of features is affected by the topic order and vehicle (asymmetry), but also reports children's responses not explained by the theory. (KEH)

A theoretical framework is presented for understanding difficulties in foreign language learning, based upon a linguistic coding model that hypothesizes deficits in phonological, syntactic, and semantic information processing. Incidence of linguistic coding problems in 22 college-enrolled or college-bound students who petitioned to have the…

Describes a teaching strategy--word sorting--that helps students to develop more accurate and automatized word recognition and spelling ability. Describes a series of word categorization activities in which students compare and contrast various word features or properties. (MG)

Describes an undergraduate course at the Open University in Great Britain that teaches software engineering. Highlights include the use of formal methods to interpret the programing language's syntax and semantics; the role of course software; home use of microcomputers for the course; and supporting course materials. (LRW)

Conducted national survey of administrators, graduate faculty members, and graduate students (total N=320) to examine names used to describe field: student personnel, student affairs, student services, and student development. Results revealed significant and differential preferences: student development was term preferred overall, with student…

Demonstrates the relevance of second language teaching by discussing the English progressive aspect. Suggestions are made for how the teaching of the progressive to beginners of English could be improved. (Author/VWL)

Describes how students can use the computer to study and create clone poems (altering original Spanish-language poems by substituting words and expressions), and how students can gain a deeper appreciation of the original poem's poetic structure and semantics. (CB)

Discusses a study of the expressive qualities of oral language. Results suggest that there is a natural rather than an arbitrary relationship between words and their meanings. Practical applications of this theory of phonetic symbolism in the area of commercial advertising are presented. (CFM)

Describes an approach to genre analysis that aims to complement existing descriptions of genres by focusing on semantic relationships between structural elements in texts. The article presents the theoretical background to the approach and then describes an example of its application within the context of the language-learning classroom. (45…

Describes a list of attributes of instructional materials based on a review of instructional design literature that was validated and found reliable through a series of studies. Four categories of attributes are presented: (1) instructional design; (2) language, including semantic and syntactic structures; (3) presentation, including layout; and…

Eleven young children with borderline to moderate levels of mental retardation (mean initial age 47.7 months) received 3 to 4 sessions weekly of milieu language training in a small group play situation. Milieu teaching was associated with enhanced generativity and use of semantic relationships. (Author/DB)