Focuses on theories concerning the origin of language. The article indicates that the language-origins theories most favored in contemporary science all have their roots in the intellectual preoccupations of the early scientists and philosophers of the European Enlightenment. The article concludes that the origin of language myth reveals itself as…

Understanding the interrelationships that exist between a writer or speaker, audience, and subject is essential to growth in discourse and writing. Because students in K-12 classrooms respond primarily to teacher questions, they get little practice in assessing audience. Computers and particularly "cybercafe" e-mail can facilitate…

Examines trends in second language (L2) communication strategy (CS) research. A comprehensive review is included of the relevant literature from the last two decades, with particular reference to the different ways in which CSs have been defined and to the corresponding influences on the organization of strategy taxonomies. (92 references)…

Compared the verbal responses of school counselors conducting initial counseling and consultation sessions. Information-providing, paraphrase, closed question, and open question were the most common responses in both areas. Some differences in the frequency of responses used in counseling and consultation were evident. Training implications of…

Significant, real-life instances of cross-cultural miscommunication or conflict are presented and categorized into verbal and non-verbal parts. each case is discussed and analyzed for the possible causes and feasible solutions. (Author/VWL)

This article presents both the factors involved in successful speech input use and the potential barriers that may suggest that other access technologies could be more appropriate for a given individual. Speech input options that are available are reviewed and strategies for optimizing use of speech recognition technology are discussed. (Contains…

This paper deals with environmental education aspects of national parks in terms of the World Conservation Strategy, values, and naturalist interpretive activities. Definitions of terms and details of interpretive activities and national park values are provided. (CW)

Uses William B. Stiles' discourse analysis system to determine whether there are general differences in the way individuals varying in construct system development use their utterances to establish understanding with each other. Finds that construct system development was positively correlated with edification and question response mode use, and…

Twenty-two hyperactive children were more spontaneously talkative than controls during transitions and nonverbal tasks (nonelicited conditions), but less talkative when asked to tell stories (elicited conditions). Findings suggest that minimal stimulus input precipitate excessive verbal activity from hyperactive children, while stories requiring…

Teaches researchers how to improve the quality of both the content and the delivery of research paper presentations. Covers the following topics: (1) understanding the medium; (2) using visual aids; (3) presentation design; (4) delivery; and (5) managing question-and-answer time. (FMW)

Delineates the differences between prose fiction and media drama. Outlines what is gained and what is lost in translating prose fiction to the radio. The constraints include program formats and the resulting lack of character development. The gains include liveliness and immediacy. Discusses use of flashback and narration. (KO)

Addresses the problem of sexist language use in outdoor education. Suggests the use of gender-free language, including using appropriate pronouns, avoiding irrelevant modifiers, abstaining from referring to women in terms of appearance or marital status; avoiding the use of patronizing terms; and increasing the number of examples showing women in…

After noting the characteristics of good thinking, uses case studies to explain the development of thinking from infants to adults. Outlines strategies that do and do not work in developing children's cognitive abilities. Recommends several children's books that foster the development of thinking skills. (BC)

Presents examples of instructional episodes showing changing patterns of communication between teacher and students. Gives action research ideas designed to help teachers listen to children describe how they think. (MKR)

Sixty-one adolescents with learning disabilities received clear or unclear instructions from an adult before completing the Rorschach Arrangement Task and a test of abstract thinking. Adolescents receiving clear communication performed significantly better and used more efficient cognitive strategies than did adolescents in the unclear…