Presents and analyzes two experiments designed to explore the role of the syllable in perceptual segmentation of words. Results suggest the subjects' detection response probably precedes lexical access and is based on the prelexical code. (Author/BK)

Briefly outlines progress in neurolinguistics including Broca's aphasia, multilingual aphasiacs, lateralization, and localization as possible explanations for problem of adult foreign language accent. (BK)

Concern with performance assessment in key areas of curriculum in British and Welsh schools has prompted the development of instruments for measuring Welsh language skills. An account is given of the preparation of tests to assess the language skills of students with Welsh as a first language and as a second language. (PJM)

Summarizes the 16 parameters hypothesized to be necessary and sufficient for linguistic phonetic specifications. Suggests seven parameters affecting tongue shapes, three determining the positions of the lips, one controlling the position of the velum, four varying laryngeal actions, and one controlling respiratory activity. (RL)

Supplements Hans Basboll's state-of-the-art report on generative phonology (EJ 227 659), focusing on "abstract" v "concrete" approaches to surface data. Includes a summary of a discussion on phonology. (RL)

A three-month project in which a blind hearing adult learned manual communication techniques for the deaf is reported. The instructional methods and reactions of teacher and student are presented. Finger spelling proved more useful than American Sign Language for the blind person as it enabled the blind user to follow English syntax. (PMJ)

Discusses the problems in obtaining data for the error analysis of deviant speech. It is suggested that the only way to obtain reliable data is to compare the difference between utterances of handicapped subjects and the analyzer's expectations with the differences of non-handicapped subjects and the analyzer's expectations. (Author/AMH)

Reports on a study seeking to test French adult students' intuitive understanding of nuances in the structure "'etre' plus past participle" in their native language. (AM)

A computer program named TEXT-1 is intended for quantitative content analysis. Any text may be taken as input. The program provides frequencies of words, syllables, or letters in alphabetical order; frequencies of sentences, subordinate clauses, or quotations; and measures used in information theory. (Author/JKS)

The temporal order comprehension of 64 normal elementary students (grades 2, 4, 6, and 8) was measured in center-embedded and right-embedded clause sentences that described a specific order of events through the variation of verb tenses in each clause. (Author/CL)

Explores the hypothesis that the meaning of a word, especially a noun, relates directly to the types of relationships that the speaker has to the various referents that the word lets him construct, and that the referents have with their environment. Polysemic, metonymic, and metaphoric uses then tend to become confused with the actual lexical…

Discusses different kinds of discourse analysis and notes that they vary in their focus, claims, and techniques. Argues that the philosophical foundations of critical discourse analysis are open to serious question and that it relies on a naive sociological model involving an overambition undermining sound research. (72 references) (Author/CK)

The centrality of the notion of social identity to current work on language learning reflects a renewed theoretical and political concern for the social dimension of language learning. Discusses the ways in which current work in this area involves conflicting points of view or misses the opportunity to connect with other relevant work. (JL)

Investigates the comprehension of combined concepts (such as "peeled apple") in discourse through four experiments by having people verify features that were true of the phrase. Discusses experiments and results. Argues against a compositional model of conceptual combination in which both the modifier and head noun are accessed…

Includes a response to an article written previously on what a postmodernist perspective might do for second language acquisition research and a comment by the author of the original article reacting to the response. (Author/VWL)