Discusses the importance, validity, and implications of the identity thesis that the P600 component of the scalp-recorded event-related potential is identical with the P3b, a domain-general component elicited by improbable task-related events. Explores epistemological complexities of the issue and discusses what the identity thesis does and does…

Reviews recent applied linguistic research on science and language, especially studies conducted during the period between 1990 and 1998. Outlines major changes that have taken place in this area since van Naerssen and Kaplan's 1987 review. (Author/VWL)

Considers issues in interdependence--the micro-macro issue in particular--to be important theoretical matters for future work in language and social interaction. (Author/VWL)

Focuses on the development of conversation analysis (CA) and the recognition it has earned in a number of disciplines, including communication. Suggests that, during the next period of development, CA methods will become more quantitative. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the emergence of language and social interaction as a scholarly field and how the field can improve its impact on members of the general public. Proposed in terms of conversation analysis, suggestions are offered for communicating the benefits to a wider audience. (Author/VWL)

Suggests that research on language and social interaction can best proceed by engaging in the puzzle-solving enterprise that characterizes normal research. Systematic explorations are needed of the language phenomena deemed relevant by the respective paradigms. (Author/VWL)

Raises issues of concern related to the field of language and social interaction (LSI): (1) LSI cannot be properly studied by treating language as a transparent medium; (2) discourse is a multimodal activity system; (3) LSI research has the potential to contribute to a wide range of language research; and (4) technology is deepening the…

Defines the most prominent aspects of critical discourse analysis (CDA) and discusses how such a research program enables individuals to cope with the changes in societies. Also identifies social problems deserving investigation.(Author/VWL)

Explores the claims of the "dynamic" model of variation by testing against data recorded in Avion, Northern France. Parallels are drawn between "langue d'oil" areas of France and decreolization situations in which proponents of the dynamic model have generally worked. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the beginning of the ascendancy of the language sciences in the past 50 years to become the "queen" of social studies. Focuses on contributions by Mikhail Bakhtin, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Noam Chomsky, Erving Goffman, and Michael Halliday. (SC)

Investigates creation and interpretation of nonlexicalized categories within discourse, as indicated by the use of general extenders. Shows that such categories are locally contingent, depend on contextually salient features for identifying similarity among members, can be created through contrast or contiguity, and clearly depend on assumptions…

Describes 11 common dogmas of understanding (convictions that are impervious to evidence) that have led researchers to ignore or dismiss many features of everyday language. Discusses evidence against them, and some of the dangers they pose for the study of understanding. Argues that using language is fundamentally social, and that social features…

The Hallidayan notions of theme and rheme pose an interesting challenge to linguists in their attempts to pin them down more specifically. Argues that, because the thematic structure of the clause organizes itself as a message, a useful starting point in theme/rheme research is an understanding of how clausal messages are typically processed by…

Presents research that shows that the time-enshrined French linguistic prescriptivism and protectionism are now on the decline and are being replaced by a mood of freedom and change. (Author/VWL)

Shows that children (mean age 4 years and 4 months) not only know the meaning and use of complex reciprocal anaphors like "each other," but that they also have knowledge of subtle differences in the possible interpretations of such anaphors depending on the type of predicates involved. (Author/VWL)