This paper discusses the nature of the relationship between grammar and pragmatics--specifically, between the rules of a language and the principles for using language. It argues that knowledge of language itself plays a small, primarily enabling part in people's ability to communicate effectively and that a large share of communicative competence…

A general semantics perspective of science fiction writer A. E. van Vogt is presented in this paper. The first major section of the paper contains a biographical sketch of van Vogt and traces the influence of A. Korzybski's work on general semantics, "Science and Sanity," on his writing, while the second major section provides an…

By giving assignments to children in a field that inquires into the nature of language use, teachers can help enhance their total language development and sensitivity to language. To be most effective, such projects should involve children working interactively in groups; should require considerable time to complete and involve the solving of…

Data from referential communication studies with children four, five, and seven years old were examined with respect to metaphorical productions. Speakers in the task were 24 "primed" four-year-old children and 72 "nonprimed" four-, five-, and seven-year-old children equally divided by age. Priming consisted of asking questions that would elicit…

The principal claim of this paper is that the Japanese passive consists of two different constructions, each derived from a distinct deep structure and each having associated with it a distinct set of syntactic and semantic properties. One of these constructions, the "adversative passive," implies that the grammatical subject of the…

A "good" book may be defined as a book that is rich and dense in texture and that draws on many authorial resources. This paper demonstrates the way in which richness in word usage contributes to making books good. It discusses the way in which words are emotionally charged and then analyzes the use of individual words in a brief portion…

This paper provides a brief but broad review of studies in semantics. Particular attention is given to I.A. Richards' analyses of utterances, to value statements which express moral or ethical judgments, and to recent efforts to formulate a logic of contextual implication. J.L. Austin's analysis of performative, or illocutionary, utterances and…

As a means of revitalizing the drill (still the most convenient technique of practicing skills in such subjects as grammar and punctuation), the content of exercises should be reworked to (1) motivate the student to complete the drill carefully through stressing reasons for correct English usage, (2) facilitate proper mental attitudes by making…

The teaching of English in the United Kingdom has undergone change during the last decade and is presently in a state of flux. Current language concerns, mainly involving students 11-18 years old, may be viewed in three ways. Students' use of language should be encouraged in the classroom through expressive talk but with teacher guidance and…

The ability of nursery school children to associate pairs of toys was assessed under four experimental conditions: (1) control, (2) subjects manipulating the toys, (3) subjects generating a sentence, and (4) subjects generating a sentence while manipulating the toys. All three subject-involvement conditions produced significantly better…

The language attitudes of a brand new English teacher are narrated, and the responsibility of a college English department in preparing teachers is discussed. Attitudes toward language and language teaching are shaped through information, personal experience, observations, formal and informal comments by those who have prestige to the reader or…

Creative writing is considered as a form of creative expression in which the child expresses his ideas, feelings, or reactions. This expression is original and spontaneous, and allows the child to organize his experiences so that they assume a personal meaning. With this experience, the child, through the process of symbolization, adds to his…

Teaching of English is involved in the transmission of culture in two ways: (1) it is part of the complex process through which culture is transmitted; and (2) it can be a vehicle for the transmission of culture. The English teacher is faced with a combination of the two tasks of enculturation and acculturation. The effective teacher must clearly…

This vocabulary enrichment book presents over 100 word roots of the English language. Each root is defined and its origin discussed. Words which derive from the roots are also defined and used in sentences which illustrate their meaning and usage. Over a thousand words are included in all, deriving from such roots as: allos, alter, ambul, arch,…

This article proposes a new analysis of illocutionary force, in terms of discourse practices, and specifically analyzes the act of reproaching. (Text is in French.) (CLK)