Discusses the best known modern theory of argumentation, that of Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca, which follows from classical rhetoric and contains a monological view of argumentation, concentrating on effectiveness with a passive audience. Argues that it is at least a partially incorrect interpretation of the classical rhetorical theory of…

Analyzes the major types of metaphors used in the political news reports of the 1985 U.S.-Soviet summit talk in Geneva. Notes that of the three major metaphors--war, business, and sports--war metaphors were used most frequently, reflecting the tensions between the two countries. (MM)

Literacy education concerns itself with assessing student needs and determining the appropriate methods for meeting them, without considering the ethical framework in which those "needs" find meaning. This paper argues that a notion of reflective communication, based on Jurgen Habermas's theory of "Discourse," provides an…

This paper focuses on one of the central concepts of Mikhail Bakhtin's philosophy of language: his theory of the utterance as speech genre. Before exploring speech genres, the paper discusses Bakhtin's ideas concerning language--both language as a general system, and the use of language as particular speech communication. The paper considers…

Offers several reasons for a renewed interest in language instruction in the United States. (RL)

Critical review of Frederick J. Newmeyer's article, "Linguistic Theory, Language Teaching, Sociolinguistics: Can They Be Interrelated?,' in "The Modern Language Journal," v57 n8 p405-10 Dec 1973. (RL)

Argues that English instruction is irrelevant and devoid of content. (RD)

The results of this study show that when no significant differences exist in status attached to the languages of a bilingual, any differences in value systems as expressed in the two languages are slight. (CK)

Provides a brief overview of the main methodological tools used in studies of language attitudes, focusing on the paradigm of speaker evaluation. Discusses the kinds of findings emerging from these studies and speculates on priorities for future language attitude research. (EKN)

Discusses the importance of research on language attitudes, especially in a multilingual situation and gives examples of recent research. (EKN)

Considers language as an art form. Compares language to the visual impact of seeing colors and sights, art, and all that is sensory. (RL)

There is often difficulty in implementing health education curriculums in some school districts because health education includes several taboo subjects and employs many taboo terms. (MM)

Contends that the language used to describe academic work matters a great deal and the language of impact, whether used in a research context or a social arena, foregrounds some things and marginalizes others. Opines this will draws educators further into the mindset and practices of performativity. (BT)

Establishes grounds in classical tradition for the concept of generative rhetoric, an approach to argument that finds the means of social change in the generative capacity of language itself. Examines generative structures in the Greek system of invention. Suggests that capacity for invention is embedded in a process of variations on existing…