Critiques the usage of "rurality"--a key term in the field of "rural" studies. Suggests that the multiple meanings of "rurality" demonstrate the rupture of sign and signification discussed in recent debates concerning ideology, hegemony, and poststructuralism. Argues in favor of a productive dialog between Gramscian…

Discusses the use of the verb "said"--the verb of neutrality--and states that it is a good writer's trusted literary companion. Cites various examples of its use in promoting objectivity in stories, and offers advice from grammar writers as to using "said" effectively. (PA)

This study explored the attitudes of young people in Brittany towards Breton and French, including questions of identity and perceptions of the future of the Breton language. Combined several different techniques within the same project to gain different insights into the issues and established techniques for gathering data on language attitudes…

Examines 1990 Census data for a large sample of the Hispanic-origin population in the Southwest, exploring two possible indices of language maintenance--Spanish home language claiming and English proficiency--as these are influenced by nativity, time, and age of immigration, citizenship status of the foreign born, education, and income.…

This study compared three methods for identifying non-mainstream dialect use: listener judgment ratings, type-based counts of non-mainstream pattern use, token- based counts. Correct dialect classifications were made for 88 to 97 percent of participants, although regression algorithms had to be applied to the type- and token-based results. For…

Outlines Willard Van Orman Quine's theory of language in the generation of empirical knowledge, gleaned from two works from his voluminous ouvre. Draws connections between Quine's theory and that of Richard Rorty, the American pragmatist philosopher. Sketches how this theoretical perspective can be applied in the technical communication classroom…

Suggests adolescent second language speakers of English can better understand the second culture as embedded in the language, and feel more comfortable with expressing their sense of self through language, by discussing language and its use in the contexts of literary texts. Examines elements of the interface between language, culture, and…

Discusses a study of selected morphological features of the two surviving manuscripts of Lazamon's "Brut." The text, which is one of the main sources of evidence as far as Early Middle English is concerned, had been the subject of scholarly interest. Compares the strong verb system and personal pronoun usage in the two manuscripts based…

Discusses the advantages of using situation comedies to teach pragmatic language usage in a second or foreign language. Gives advice on how to choose and use sitcoms and provides a sample lesson plan. (Author/VWL)

Among Gaelic-English bilinguals in East Sunderland, Scotland, code choice is made according to interlocutor. When the chosen code is Gaelic, the community norm for rendering direct quotations within a narrative is to produce them in Gaelic, regardless of which language was used originally or whether the quoted person is capable of speaking Gaelic.…

A survey of 368 immigrant Chinese high school students in Toronto found that English language use was positively related to father's education, prior experience in Canada, and cultural and personal reasons for emigration, and negatively related to residence in the downtown Toronto area and age at emigration. (Contains 26 references.) (SV)

Reports on the clarity rating of Chinese, English, and "Chinglish" (Chinese words translated into English) mathematical words. The inherent compound word structure of the Chinese language seems well suited to portray mathematical ideas. Examines the relations among the clarity of Chinese mathematical terms, U.S. urban junior high school students'…

When physical education teachers provide skill cues, they do so with the intention of focusing children's attention on a particular aspect of the motor skill to be performed. Rarely do physical education teachers notice if their cue was provided to the student in figurative or literal language. This article explains the types of figurative…

This article discusses how to work with a child who uses inappropriate language. The words inappropriately used by young children are grouped into five categories: (1) names of body parts considered as private, and their nicknames; (2) bathroom words and body products; (3) religion-related words; (4) sexually charged words overheard when adults…

The rhetorical training of students at East Texas Normal College is examined with reference to the rhetorical practices and educational ideologies of William Mayo, the experiences of his students and the features of his teaching. Examination of the history of schools like East Texas Normal College helps in dealing with concerns regarding…