Reviews the existing literature on African American communication and evaluates its productivity at increasing interethnic communication. Discusses several limitations of existing literature as they contribute to the emergence of a "universal iconography" of African American communication. Concludes by presenting challenges for future…

Presents results of a study which observed one social network of Mexican immigrant families during several years. Considers how Spanish and English literacy are used in their lives. States that, although many of these adults have limited literacy skills resulting from lack of formal education, they still manage a variety of literacy practices that…

States that understanding the relationship between culture and language has become a requisite for successful business enterprises in the developing global economy. Explains that differences in conventions can lead to readers' misinterpretation or failure to understand a message. Emphasizes that the present workforce must become sensitized to the…

Finds the commentaries of U.S. critics on the works of Chinua Achebe and other African writers ethnocentric, misinformed, and devoid of cogent analysis. Advocates a microscopic sociocultural contextualization of the works, emphasizing the nuances, history, and specifications of the African milieu. Discusses Achebe's special place in reading lists…

A French version of the Fukuyama Profile completed by Swiss 14 and 15 year olds in 1984 and 1990 was compared to a Japanese sample. Strong similarities on the level of means and patterns of the indices were found, suggesting the usefulness of a program of preparation for occupational choice for this age group. (SK)

Describes how two Peace Corps volunteers used elements of indigenous culture to help village leaders in the Pacific Islands learn about management, planning, and brainstorming. (JOW)

Considers the relevance of translation theory to specific and authentic translation problems. Demonstrates, with passages from an U.S. novel and several translations, that translations can be good in the target language although translators are presented with varied problems of content, allusion, and culture-specific references. Concludes that…

Evidence from foreign-owned companies in Greece suggests that cultural patterns and environmental influences cannot be ignored. However, such companies could influence human resource development in a developing country by following their home policies in training and staffing. (SK)

Demonstrates that in spoken discourse many clauses introduced by "subordinating conjunctions" are actually neither structurally nor informationally subordinate. Suggests that the study of linguistic complexity must include spoken as well as written discourse and take account of cultural and situational language contexts. (SR)

A study investigated interpretations of gestures by three groups of students (n=81 total), some at least second-generation French, some first-generation French-born of Italian parents, and some recent immigrants to France. Unanticipated differences between and within groups were found. Implications are seen for second-language instruction and for…

Examines representations of nature and culture in the consumer magazines "Midwest Living,""Southern Living," and "Sunset." Finds distinct patterns in each that construct the Midwest, South, and West as cultural/geographic texts. Finds that the magazines' emphasis on advertising and tourism both obscures and…

Describes a new exhibit initiative at the American Indian Archeological Institute (Washington, Connecticut), which seeks to relate Algonkian peoples' historical and contemporary art forms to each other and to the ongoing cultural context from which they spring. Describes exhibit sections: land, exchange, clay, living spaces, corn, deer, and…

Asserts that the problem of college instruction is how to put students in touch with a usable cultural past and how to help students attain an active relationship with their cultural present. Discusses the cultural role of canons and the definition of literary study. Explores the topics of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. (PRA)

In response to a commentary on the monograph reported in this issue, explains the reasons for four possible limitations to the research methodology of the study described in the monograph. Discusses possible effects of cultural context on the results of the study, and proposes reasons for the study's findings on sex typing for boys and girls in…

Discusses two English translations of an identical passage from "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. Considers the different approaches manifested by these two translators. Argues that cultural elements exert great influence on the work of translators and that culture must become central to any theory of translation. (HB)