Describes three language-related assignments for advanced composition which focus on politics and the English language, symbols and dictionaries, and language as a combination of interpretive and manipulative devices using the techniques of new journalism. (HOD)

Discusses the teaching of Russian aspect in terms of the use of the perfective and the social ramifications and perceptions conveyed by its use. The student must be made aware of the importance of implications of statements in Russian. (CHK)

A discussion of social factors in language usage in the framework of sociolinguistics as defined by Labov. Some topics considered are: language as social practice, elements of a socio-differential phonology of /r/, variation in formal style, and an outline of a sociology of variation. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

The nonuse of slang terms for cash among British bank and building society cashiers is noted and an explanation sought in the field of social control. The possible relevance of the Whorfian hypothesis is explored, and it is suggested that the in-house terms discussed have social, psychological and representational functions. (Author/CB)

An analysis of the institutional context of law suggests that, if legislation is to be both stable and flexible, institutional communicative strategies are required to organize linguistic means to these sociolinguistic ends. The nature of an Act of Parliament is used to illustrate the institutional context of law. (Author/CB)

Implications of the "new grammar" approach to teaching French are examined, including the issues of nomenclature, definition, rules and generalizations, and native language use in the second language class. Grammar itself has not changed, and the principal concern is still good usage. (MSE)

Males and females completed questionnaires on self-esteem and their use of gender-specific nouns. The preferred terms did not vary with self-esteem or with psychiatric vs. nonpsychiatric status. These findings may differ with the use of pronouns. The results are discussed in terms of societal sex roles. (Author/VM)

A discussion of the use of French puns for teaching both language and culture looks at possible class activities and proposes that advertising is a good source of puns. Types of puns are examined. (MSE)

Analyzes data regarding children's early talk about past experiences, resulting from longitudinal home observations of five working-class mothers and their two-year-olds. Results indicate that children talked primarily of negative past events, especially those involving physical harm, and that during this period temporally-ordered sequences…

Examines three main reasons for the lack of passives in intermediate learners' English: the inherent difficulty of the verbal forms involved; the possible lack of a passive formal equivalent in the learners' first language; and the learners' lack of exposure to suitable texts. (CB)

Distinguishes between four types of English grammar (reference, pedagogical, theoretical, and teach-yourself) according to mode of use and shows how four factors enter into a typology of grammars: mode of use, language of the user, level of the user, and aims of use. (Author/CB)

Examines a very successful popular magazine published between 1899 and 1950 that was devoted to "correct" English usage. Argues that its fundamental aim was to help its readers to know how to conduct themselves in proper (i.e., elite) society. Its longtime editor defended her prescriptive view of English usage and offered many…

Discusses how words function with regard to the reality they represent. Claims that, generally, people substitute descriptions of reality for reality. (JD)

Educators are undermining their profession by borrowing metaphors from business, medicine, and the military to define it. The technologically based language of the 1985 "Report of the California Commission on the Teaching Profession" delimits and subverts less product-oriented ways of thinking that might transform our educational system.…

Discusses trends emerging in the standard French language including the incorporation of a wide variety of marginal language. This marginal language derives from metropolitan slang, youth culture, and technical/professional language, the "francization" of largely American terms, and the systemization of morphological derivations. (MSE)