Research suggests that Aymara, an ancient language still spoken in parts of South America, may be well suited for use as a "bridge" language in translation because of its extremely regular and coherent grammar. A machine translation program using the language has already been developed. (MSE)

Identifies issues specific to syntactic parsing for intelligent computer-assisted language instruction (ICALI), including applications, types of input errors, characteristics of natural language, and output. Presents a general overview and assessment of grammar formalisms and parsing strategies in relation to ICALI. (Author/LS)

Researches the extent to which attrition is the reverse of the language acquisition process by studying the German case system. The Linguistic Hypothesis (based on the notion of regression) and the Cognitive Hypothesis (based on the assumption that there is a tendency to establish one-to-one correspondence between function and morphological case…

This paper suggests group role-play as an oral exam alternative, describes how such an exam can be set up, and provides examples. The examples discussed draw on vocabulary, grammar structures, and topics presented in most textbooks and can be designed for use in the first two years of language learning. (JL)

Describes a computer-based intelligent tutoring system for French as a Second Language, called FrenchWriter, which is built on an object-orientated, unification-based natural language processor. Examples are provided of how this hypertext software interacts with students and of what sort of grammatical phenomena it is capable of handling.…

This study investigated four- and six-year-olds' support pursuing the role of positive evidence in the acquisition of the knowledge of lexical features such as the control status of individual verbs. Findings seem to be compatible with a claim that grammatical knowledge is instantaneous. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/LB)

Discusses benefits and drawbacks to advising a student newspaper, for instance, the difficult balance that must be negotiated between intervening too much or too little, as the case may be, in matters such as usage and spelling. Examines the means an advisor has or does not have to encourage or insist on responsible, ethical standards and…

Presents 2 articles concentrating on middle-school teaching: 1 that describes how a teacher, using 12 zip-lock sandwich bags and 300 small ceramic tiles, may create "grammar tiles," a method for teaching the parts of speech; and another that describes several innovative ways in which students have learned to work with language while manipulating…

Kindergartners and second graders listened to stories about problem solving that had similar or dissimilar protagonists, themes, and goal objects to those in target problems they were asked to solve. Kindergartners, but not second graders, were likely to transfer a solution associated with the same goal object from the story problem to the target…

The nature of grammar instruction is examined, and traditional instruction as explanation plus "output" practice is questioned. It is suggested that an input-oriented approach would be more effective. A type of input-based instruction called "processing instruction" is outlined. (Contains 30 references.) (Author/LB)

Patterns of use of the French particles "bon, (eh) ben, and enfin" were analyzed in a corpus of spontaneous multispeaker conversation. Results show that each particle marks a particular type of discontinuity in the discourse. Turn-initial and turn-medial patterns are described for each. (17 references) (Author/MSE)

Examines the development of nominative and oblique subject pronouns in preschool speakers of English, finding that oblique subject forms occur in the earliest language of the children and reappear in connection with wh-questions and related constructions. (57 references) (MDM)

Argues that root infinitives produced by Italian toddlers learning a second language are truncated structures, arising from the option of "stripping off" external clausal layers. The basic properties of the construction are shown to be amenable to the Truncation Hypothesis, in that root infinitives are incompatible with /wh/ elements,…

Using data from American and Quebec Sign Languages, this article argues against linguistic theories that postulate either that a language has a basic order determined by universal principles or that there is a single universal order for all languages. Maintains that there are other means a language can use to indicate what elements combine…

Examined the development of control over anaphoric reference and relativization by 23 elementary school students learning English as a Second Language (ESL) in a pull-out classroom employing little overt grammar instruction. Results found that second language exposure and proficiency level, rather that age or first language background, had more…