A model of language vitality is proposed that is a function of preferences for language choice, percentage of language-minority speakers, and the expectations-based adjustment to the observed change in language vitality. It shows that long-term survival with low demolinguistic figures is possible and suggests policy guidelines for reversing…

In an investigation into communicative behavior, Filipino-American students were studied during two student organization meetings and through subsequent surveys of their backgrounds and sense of ethnicity. Focus is on the communicative norms, notably the constant simultaneous talk. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/LB)

Investigates the double compound that is a feature of the regional French of the langue d'oc and franco-provencal areas. Analysis suggests that, in addition to the temporal and aspectual properties traditionally attributed to this form, the expressive properties of the surcompose regional are central to any description of its function in…

Examines the relationship of instructional designers and content experts and suggests methods to make these relationships more successful, including simplifying language to eliminate jargon; emphasizing the benefits of instructional design involvement; and focusing on interpersonal communication skills. Four sample scripts for instructional…

This study examined the presuppositional skills of 5 verbal autistic children (ages 7-12). Results revealed that subjects demonstrated some social-cognitive knowledge of others as reflected in quantitative and qualitative modifications in language relative to naive and knowledgeable listener contexts. (Author/JDD)

This paper reports the language use of some 400 mothers in North Wales. Factors associated with language use are examined, including cross-language partnerships, past educational medium, and situation. (25 references) (JL)

Describes a poetry writing project that uses the "strangeness" of German to beginning students as an impetus for creativity, demonstrating students' unexpected linguistic resourcefulness and the use of the poems as inspiration for more innovative teaching and learning within a task-oriented and communicative curriculum. (Author/CB)

Examines forms and functions of English in Indonesia. Although English is not a dominant code of discourse, it influences Indonesian language use, particularly through lexico-semantic and pragmatic contributions to Bahasa Indonesia, the widely spoken national language. It is concluded that English should be classified as an additional rather than…

The discourse of Singaporean "English-knowing bilinguals" is examined using a new model, "expanding triangles," which involves an increasing English-speaking base population and two distinctive English speech clines. It is suggested that the expanding triangles concept allows better comprehension of the otherwise haphazard and infinite array of…

Investigates those words which cause students the most difficulty in usage by collecting data to determine the extent of their misuse. Lists the 75 most frequently misused words, and suggests that teachers focus on these in their classes. (PRA)

In a comparison of men's and women's use of directives at a dance group meeting, little difference was found in the frequency with which they direct others, the targets of their directives, or the types of directives used. Directive usage cannot be adequately understood without considering the specific contexts in which the directives occur. (48…

The development of an English for Academic Purposes placement test is described that aims to reflect an integrated approach to language use. It approximates natural language behavior by providing a series of tasks that each contribute to the overall context of language use. (42 references) (Author/LB)

Aspects of phenomenological psychology that contribute to a new concept of cultural studies are discussed. Separation of person, body, language, and culture is shown to be artificial. This concept of culture implies a new concept of language, which can be integrated into a program for teaching language awareness. (33 references) (Author/LB)

Discusses a yearlong study of a classroom's experience with Readers Theatre. Analyzes the "remedial" children's interpretive behaviors--language uses, body movements, comparative approaches, and affective interpretations--as they enacted literary texts in the theater of their own creation. Suggests that one solution to the problems of labeled…

Discusses research on ethics and technical communication and examines specific methods that writers may use to manipulate language and to present information unethically. Suggests questions designed to teach students how to analyze situations that may involve such manipulation and misrepresentation. Concludes with two case studies illustrating…