This book discusses some of the functions, ends, or goals that language serves in religion; the various kinds of linguistic resources that are exploited; and some of the social processes that characterize the use of language. In section one, "Performance," three approaches to the description of verbal behavior are contrasted. This…

This collection of six essays discusses the topics of language diversity, ethnic problems, and a worldwide drive for bilingual education. The main thrust in the essays is toward a global view of these phenomena, particularly bilingual instruction, with special attention given to the American southwest. Both similar and dissimilar patterns emerging…

Linguacentrism, or Language-centeredness in the public schools, works to the disadvantage of all non-standard speakers, but especially Indian children. Compensatory education models direct attention away from the school system itself, and place blame on the assumed "deficits" of the non-standard speaker. An examination of Navajo children's…

The modern view suggests language be approached through speech. It is therefore customary that the first stages of language learning are spent on oral drills in order to make the sound system and the basic structures automatic habits. In countries where classes are big and the time spent on foreign language learning is limited, spending too long a…

This report examines the problems involved in researching institutional and socio-cultural bilingualism and contains suggestions for about 60 projects and related case studies. These projects are presented under the following headings: (1) The Service, Methodological and Geographical Aspects, (2) Inventories, (3) Problems of Conceptualization and…

The mission of this 1973 multilingual multicultural conference was to focus on the student who has a primary language other than English as his language of conceptualization. The conference attempted to illustrate the need for bilingual bicultural education in which a student, using his primary language, gains access to an academic world within…

The city of Montreal provides an example of how residential patterns are related to linguistic background and how linguistic pluralism is maintained under conditions of constant contact and extensive bilingualism. Residential segregation between linguistic and ethnic groups is determined by the index of dissimilarity; this index has been applied…

This paper outlines proposals focusing on what individuals may contribute in an attempt to generate positive action in meeting the special and unique educational needs of children who have limited English-speaking ability and who come from minority or ethnic backgrounds. Problems facing teachers and students from bilingual and bicultural…

The subject of language learning of children in bilingual families is considered in this paper. The author discusses practical problems and provides examples from his own family situation in which his children learned French, English, and German. The possibility of language mixture is discussed and the author presents some tentative conclusions…

Presented in Inuttitut, French, and English, this report summarizes research initiated by the Kativik School Board, which oversees education in Nunavik (northern Quebec). Four studies examined the current status of Inuttitut in Nunavik, the intellectual ability of Inuit students, and the effects of bilingual education on Inuit students'…

This book examines the ways in which people belonging to different language and cultural communities live together in the same political community, and how political and structural tensions arise to divide them along language lines. It analyzes the historical background and recent controversy over language in the United States, then compares the…

This paper presents the idea of multimodal teaching and learning and discusses how this perspective can help better understand the learning of students. The discussion is based on data gathered in a qualitative study of a fifth-grade bilingual classroom where at-risk students were successful in mathematics. We report on one class episode and one…

This introduction to sociolinguistics is presented in four parts. The first part gives an overview of this branch of language study, its scope and principles of inquiry, and its basic and key concepts. This portion is written for individuals with no prior knowledge or expertise in the subject. Topics covered in this section include: the nature of…

This book is designed to help nutrition educators communicate with an increasingly diverse clientele on issues related to food and nutrition, presenting strategies and ideas that can be used with families from various cultural backgrounds. Chapter 1 addresses the changing cultural demographics in the United States and the relationship between…

Examined are the educational problems facing Nigeria, with its ethnic and religious diversity, since the civil war of 1967-70. The most promising project is the Universal Primary Education scheme under which primary education is free of charge and all primary-aged children will be in school by 1981. (KC)