This article suggests using the power of language--both spoken and written--to help release stress, deal with trauma, or build stronger relationships. (GCP)

The conception of language as an abstract form, e.g., as an algebraic equation that can be described without reference to listeners or speakers, results in practical inconsistencies. A naturalistic appraisal suggests the need to go beyond form and appeal directly to the circumstances under which verbal activity occurs. (DJD)

Argues that diminishing the distinctions between oral and written text-making will harm students trying to transform oral to written text. Applies dialogic theory to the science essay, a genre that is a staple in cross-curricular writing courses. Presents five basic teaching strategies that balance oral and written conventions. (RS)

Examines the connection between empirical studies of interaction involving second-language learners and the specific claims of Krashen's Input Hypothesis, as modified by Chaudron, White, and Swain. (36 references) (GLR)

It is proposed that for deduction tasks for which the necessary information is provided verbally, the heart of deduction for untrained participants involves repeatedly reencoding the problem, a behavior referred to as verbal reasoning. Model theory accounts of deduction behavior are consistent with verbal reasoning. (SLD)

Presents an analysis of 907 slips from 32 children, ages 1;4-6;0, collected in naturalistic settings. The children's data are compared to that of adults, each other, and where appropriate, analyzed in terms of developments through the age range. It is found that children make most of the same type and proportions of slips as adults. (26…

Examines the influence of verbal descriptions on impression judgments formed through communicative interactions among college students. Finds that only positive descriptions influenced judgments of negative persons and that order of presentation was not significant. Suggests that interactive judgment processes may differ significantly from…

Presents strategies to turn one-sided conversations into meaningful dialogs. Suggests, if a conversation partner is not allowing equal time, trying the following techniques: repeat statement; keep going; match other person's voice; use rejoinder; ask harsh question; simulate anger; alter body position; wag finger; raise eyebrows; take notes; ask…

Investigates how Mandarin speakers negotiate their participatory roles in multiparty conversation by using linguistic and nonlinguistic resources, highlighting two sequential contexts. Examination of recorded conversation reveals that one recurrent linguistic resource in both contexts is a turn-initial discourse-particle plus an additional turn…

Examines children's ability to use their knowledge to guide their behavior in a dimensional change, color-shaped card sort. Subjects were asked to sort cards according to different guidelines. Four experiments were carried out which show a disassociation between knowledge and its use. Findings indicate that knowing rules is sometimes insufficient…

When pronouns are deployed conventionally, the act of reference is normally successful, the referent being clear and unambiguous. This is rarely the case in teacher/pupil talk about mathematics when the referents of some personal pronouns may be intangible groups of entities. Provides examples of uses of "we" and "you" in the classroom. Contains…

Two generalizations of the Rasch model are compared: the between-item multidimensional model (Adams, Wilson, and Wang, 1997), and the mixture Rasch model (Mislevy & Verhelst, 1990; Rost, 1990). It is shown that the between-item multidimensional model is formally equivalent with a continuous mixture of Rasch models for which, within each class…

Language relating to any concept will tend, over time, to acquire some of the concept?s emotional impact. Thus, words that were, at one stage, neutral become laden with meaning. This document discusses the importance of being aware of the effects that language usage has on communication. It is important to ensure that written and verbal…

Despite a widespread acknowledgement of the relationship between account offerings and facework, little research has provided evidence showing that different types of accounting moves actually foster diverse assessments of attentiveness to face. Following Goffman (1955, 1967), we coded the primary types of challenges, offerings, and evaluations…

In the fall of 2003, the authors corresponded on the topic of private events on the listserv of the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group. Extracts from that correspondence raised questions about the role of response amplitude in determining units of analysis, whether private events can be investigated directly, and whether covert behavior…