The latest (July, 1976) edition of the "Concise Oxford Dictionary" is seen as "prescriptive," and of limited use to foreigners, since it lacks an international phonetic transcription. It is questioned whether sufficient treatment is given to new words, scientific words, non-British English, obscene language, change of meaning, and obsolescence.…

Presents some examples of differences of meaning, as well as "secondary effects," in noun phrases using or omitting the articles, definite and indefinite, in German, e.g.: "Die Kinder machen Krach,""Die Kinder machen den Krach," and "Die Kinder machen einen Krach!" The question is seen as needing much more research. (WGA)

This article outlines the history of the debate concerning usage of the terms "castellano" and "espanol" referring to the Spanish language. Development of the language and the question of standardization are touched on. (Text is in Spanish.) (CHK)

The word "verteufeln" is now in common use in German television broadcasts. Its popularity in current colloquial German is seen as due to the fact that it combines picturesqueness and vagueness. It is used, for example, in lieu of words for "condemn,""scold," and "disparage." (Text is in German.) (WGA)

Assessment of spontaneous language samples for word-finding characteristics of language-disordered (N=28) and non-disordered (N=28) 7- to 12-year-olds indicated that non-disordered subjects produced significantly more total verbalizations and a greater modified mean length of utterance score than the subjects with word-finding problems. (CB)

Introduces a new method for studying influence of media on language. Compares radio call-in conversations and normal telephone conversations, where differences might be seen as aspects of the interaction between media and language use. (JK)

Critically examines contemporary interactional studies of the cultural specificity of human language. The study is a cross-cultural analysis of misconstrued communications in human interaction, ascertaining whether these interactions are crucially dependent on nonlinguistic variables. (CB)

Provides examples of doublespeak which show that its use has increased since the Committee on Public Doublespeak was established 14 years ago. Points out that English teachers must teach respect for and love of language to instill in students a sense of outrage when they encounter doublespeak. (ARH)

The development and present status of "Chicano Calo," a mixture of Spanish and English spoken in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, is surveyed. Originally a Romany (Gypsy) language, it is preeminently oral and has become fashionable in most sociocultural strata, but particularly among younger males to reflect mild rebellion.…

Analyzes the press coverage of the Finkbine abortion case in 1962. Concludes that it brought about a marked changed in the way the press reported and the public viewed abortion. (FL)

Compares the terminology used in three different computerized search services--CIJE, LLBA/Online, and PsycINFO--and shows how the choice of terminology used by them impedes retrieval. Suggests compensatory measures. (FL)

Notes that Richards still offers the best overall theoretical reserve available to teacher of language because he deals primarily with language as it is actually used. Elaborates on two of Richards' insights likely to be of greatest overall and long-range value to both writers and writing instructors. (HTH)

Reviews the variety of language styles with which the translator deals and discusses the esthetic and practical advantages of adapting the language of a text to the sociocultural and communicative habits of a specific linguistic group. (MSE)

Using as a framework the theory of the ecology of language formulated by Einar Haugen, compares two Finnish minorities in Sweden, one which ceased to exist in the middle of this century and one, the Tornedal Finnish minority, which still exists. Discusses circumstances favorable to the preservation of Finnish in the Tornedal. (SED)

Includes nine responses from college faculty to Daniel's article (EJ 285 194) on business communication. (PD)