Data from undergraduates' ratings of the frequency and acceptability of selected syntactic constructions are analyzed for linguistically defined sets. Mean ratings of frequency and acceptability as well as the results from a cluster analysis of each set of sentences are given for seven target contrasts: active/passive, may/might, perfect/past,…

The Japanese system of honorification shows respect either to the subject or to the direct or indirect object of the sentence. The selection of the polite or plain styles of speech determines the level of honorifics. The increase in mass communication and public speaking has led to a search for a reasonably polite but not old-fashioned or pompous…

This is a study of tense variation in "si"-clauses in Buenos Aires Spanish which basically consists of the substitution of the conditional for the imperfect subjunctive. The highest frequency of imperfect subjunctive shows up in +Contrary examples, while the conditional substitutes much more often in -Contrary examples. When the…

This paper argues that the writing process consists of perception, recognition of the limits and resources of language, and development of the ability to capitalize on the resources of language to express our perceptions at any given moment. Perception includes two essential aspects of good writing, specific detail and interpretation of the…

The results of a study in which eight black kindergarten children responded to a set of structured tasks designed to elicit linguistic constructions which characterize Black English are presented and discussed in this Southwest Regional Laboratory (SWRL) technical note. Some of the children responded with a high rate of nonstandard realizations;…

This study, based on the "Linguistic Atlas," is concerned with the regional and local vocabulary of the Eastern United States. This geographically restricted vocabulary is in daily use among millions of Americans in all walks of life and characterizes them as New Englanders, Pennsylvanians, West Virginians, Virginians, North Carolinians,…

This four volume study and report was undertaken to aid students of English as a second language by encouraging them to make use of fixed expression (cliche) as a nonliteral filler when speaking. Over 135,000 words of natural language were examined and a range fixed expressions were isolated and placed into the categories of interjection,…

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between maternal input to early language learners and language acquisition and to answer the following questions: (1) Does nursery language used with the child change after he begins to talk? (2) Is there reason to believe that the child's speech is influenced by or influences the mother's…

Foreign language students often find themselves unable to produce appropriate responses in certain social situations. A contributing factor is that until recently, linguists and foreign language educators have concentrated on the student's acquisition of language (phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon), and have not concerned themselves with…

In this discussion of various aspects of sexism in language the following principles or basic ideas are set forth for the reader's consideration: (1) the irrational and undesirable idea that male terms stand for the whole population is harmful and the practice should be eliminated; (2) language which suggests that women are, by virtue of their…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether clozentropy would reveal the amount and rate of language change in a specific social group. Students in four basic interpersonal communication classes at the University of Wyoming were selected at the beginning of the semester to serve as subjects for this study. Two major conclusions were reached…

The American concern for prescriptive correctness in linguistic behavior, which derives from eighteenth centry British notions, met with considerable and significant challenge by the contrary descriptive notion in the first half of the nineteenth century. The energy of this challenge waned by mid-century and the prescriptive drive for linguistic…

The selections included in this bibliography represent the major areas in which the institute has conducted research and include major institute papers plus papers by many individuals who have been affiliated with the institute since its founding in 1947. The citations are listed under the following headings: "Attitude and Behavior Change,…

Working on the premise that the homogeneous grouping of students based on student performance, testing, and recommendations can enable students to develop to their fullest potential, this English curriculum guide for grades seven through twelve is arranged to cover high and/or average achieving students and low achieving students. The guide is…

This 2-week unit uses visuals of a recent space walk as the basis for an introductory study of the nature of language. The aims of the unit are (1) to show pupils how language operates, (2) to stimulate awareness of the importance of basic language skills, (3) to develop an increased desire in using language effectively, and (4) to acquaint…