A discussion of American Sign Language looks at its history in the context of deaf education and its increasing acceptance as a complete natural language both among linguists and in the college curriculum. (MSE)

A second language instruction technique involves having the class take apart and reconstitute a brief French poem in order to examine the constraints of versified poetry, enhancing its interpretation and appreciation. (MSE)

Discusses the sources of information in oral language. Uses converging evidence from prosody, pausing, structural and semantic parallelism, and stylistic analysis to argue for a series of hypotheses about the units that organize the construction of narrative discourse. Provides examples and appendixes. (JD)

Verbal analogical reasoning tasks are described as potentially valuable in the assessment and management of subtle linguistic defects less easily detected by standardized language tests. Semantic and structural factors that should be considered in the development of verbal analogies as test items are cited, as well as adaptations for nonreaders.…

Argues that language learning may be fostered by research into certain types of learner errors. Outlines related styles of analysis in applied linguistics and examines semantic errors made by Arabic speakers studying English. Shows how the practice of transferring meanings from one language to another can be made a more useful strategy. (KH)

Results of synthesis of 1007 studies on the nature of learning disabilities using indicators in the linguistic, achievement, neuropsychological, and social-behavioral domains, indicated that 75% of learning disabled Ss could be differentiated from normal Ss but only 40% of the variance could be explained. Findings suggest the need for a…

Describes several experiments which examined the basic claims of metrical phonology. The first two experiments examined the possible influences of stress clash in speech timing. The third and fourth experiments tested Hayes's (1984) analysis rule of quadrisyllabic meter; the fifth experiment included a basic test of the stress clash notion. (SED)

Theoretical assumptions and consequences of the Markedness Differential Hypothesis (MDH) are compared with the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis, and empirical evidence favoring the former is reviewed. Pedagogical implications of the MDH, a strategy for interlanguage-intervention, and several problems revealed in the literature are discussed. (MSE)

Analyzes 10 theoretical approaches to Black language studies. Divides these into two categories: those that deny the existence of a separate Black language and those that recognize a distinct form of communication. Examines the relationship between language and politics and Black scholars' self-determination as cultural factors influencing…

Explores the surface structure observed in Japanese and English spontaneous oral narratives from the perspective of subject and theme. Although both the Japanese and the English narratives employ participant identification as a major cohesive ingredient, how referring forms are used and how they contribute to discourse organization differ. (SED)

Explores various ways that linguistics may be of value to the writing instructor. Focuses on the basic distinction between descriptive and prescriptive approaches to language and between competence and performance to show how sensitivity to students' natural communicative skills and to the variation between them can increase the instructor's…

Discusses the differences between the English native and nonnative speaker's creation and use of nominal compounds. A comparison between English speakers and Japanese native speakers indicates that not only must nonnative speakers acquire rules in order to effectively compound words in English, but that rules must indeed exist, indicating that…

Teacher training for French instructors is criticized as incomplete, consisting only of some formulas for immediate classroom application. A plan for a more comprehensive curriculum consisting of theoretical and practical components in the areas of language, culture, learning, communication, and instruction is proposed. (MSE)

Explores the development of language teaching in light of Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolution and briefly defines the positivist tradition in language teaching. Argues that the current emphasis on communication does not mark the emergence of a new paradigm, as it still operates in the positivist tradition, but rather a paradigm shift.…

Seeks justification in the theories of Schumann, Brown, and Krashen for TESL Canada's recommendation for early access to English language training for immigrants. These theories may lend support to the existence of a critical period wherein adult immigrants are most likely to make significant progress in the study of English. (SED)