Claims that grammar instruction does not improve written composition have led some teachers to a confident consensus that they do not have to deal with grammar, yet many still firmly believe in teaching it. Grammar instruction (meaning pedagogical or school grammar rather than scientific or linguistic grammar) can be viewed from the metaphorical…

Arguing that rhetorical theorist I. A. Richards has a significant contribution to make to the continuing dialogue regarding communication and values, this paper examines Richards' thinking concerning the communication-values relationship. The paper notes that the neglect of Richards' work by communication theorists is due largely to a…

The Intensify/Downplay schema is a useful pattern for analyzing communication, persuasion, and propaganda. All people intensify and downplay as they communicate in words, gestures, numbers, and so on. But, "professional persuaders" have more training, technology, money, and media access than the average citizen. The three most common…

Reviews the writings of various black authors with respect to their use of language as a vehicle, in both form and substance, of black self assertion and identity formation. (EH)

Article reviewed the general meaning of evangelization, especially the evolution of its significance since Vatican 11 and the rise of new forms of social consciousness as well as a response to questions raised by a Bishops' study document on evangelization. (Author/RK)

Examines the ways in which the meanings of words are changed through usage. (RB)

The language of three year old children is examined to discover whether existing classifications of language functions account for all the ways in which language is used. One mode of classification is used to compare the language used by three year olds from different groups. (Editor)

This research was directed toward uncovering and documenting relationships that exist between language and ideology in multilingual subjects. It is reported as a study complete in itself, though it was originally conceived as the first phase of a research effort whose purpose was to demonstrate that the experimental manipulation of belief systems…

Author evaluated the use of dirty words and the cultural burden they help to relieve that exist between men and women. (RK)

Author stressed the need for the rehumanization of vocabulary as well as conceptual framework with regard to using language when referring to education. (Author/RK)

An essay on the Spanish word "vaina," which originally meant "sheath,""scabbard,""pod" or "husk," but which in several Latin American countries now translates as "nuisance," or "bother." (Text is in Spanish.) (CK)

This listing of unusual Spanish proverbs contains words of wisdom on money, doctors, agriculture, students, procrastination, pessimism, war, good and evil, religion, God, and a host of other topics. The topic of each proverb is given in English. (CHK)