Discusses the role of language in mathematical understanding, focusing on a classic debate between two leading writers in hermeneutics, Gadamer and Habermas. Suggests that personal learning of mathematics is inseparable from the social practices within which learning occurs. (Author/MKR)

Discusses how the mindless use of language (not being aware of the language choices made when speaking and listening) limits perspective and thus options, resulting in mindless action. Maintains that awareness of how language constructs the worlds allows for alternative and more adaptive constructions. (SR)

Discusses the relationship between planned languages and specialized technical languages, with particular reference to Esperanto, and analyzes its significance for several aspects of Eugen Wuster's (the founder of terminology science) work. (Author/VWL)

States that changes in the United States Senate evolve slowly and idiosyncratically. Discusses Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania's violation of the Senate's style of rhetorical decorum. Concludes that, while clinging to the customs of the past and slowness of pace that distinguish it from the House of Representatives, the Senate has not escaped the…

States that supratextual design encompasses a document's global visual language and operates in three modes: textual, spatial, and graphic. Explains that the rhetoric of supratextual design includes structural functions that provide global organization, and cohesion and stylistic functions that affect credibility, tone, emphasis, interest, and…

States that recently a new operational perspective on language has emerged, and as a result, a specific, analogical solution within such an approach is being developed. Describes that position briefly and sketches how such a perspective can lead to a theoretical justification of selected elements of established technical writing practice. (PA)

Considers that Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22" represents an inventory of the major pathologies of thought and communication. Uses excerpts from the novel to show the various communicational maneuvers (such as denying reality, absolute literalness, and circular reasoning) that characterize schizophrenic transactions. (PA)

States that throughout history, words have been used to signify power, to attribute power, and to disempower. Examines examples of word power in several pieces of children's fiction. Concludes that in the 1980s, children's writers addressed the question of the power of language, and its ability to create worlds within worlds. (PA)

Advances the natural learning environment as a model when thinking about how to promote active literacy in language and mathematics. Cites the following principles: children come to school with knowledge of language and math; cognitive abilities to learn both subjects are developmentally acquired; and language and math are best learned as tools…

Discusses the role of English as an international language for the last 50 years. Suggests if the pattern follows previous language trends, English may not dominate but may supplement or co-exist with other languages in the future by allowing strangers to communicate across linguistic boundaries. It may become one tool that opens windows to the…

Discusses the Asmara Declaration, a declaration about linguistic rights of African languages and their speakers drafted by African scholars and writers at a conference in Asmara, Eritrea. Suggests that there is a problem in the quality of much of the work committed to language rights. (Author/VWL)

Critiques an article about social factors in Piaget's conceptualization of intellectual development, which ignored the integral role that language played in Piaget's writings on intellectual development. Questions the appropriateness of discarding these linguistic elements and notes that the article did not show how Piaget's early ideas on the…

Neil Postman has challenged many educators throughout his career to think critically and broadly about the roles language plays in human behavior and society. His influence on English education has brought a humanistic perspective to the field, which is otherwise dominated by social sciences.

Argues against the widespread assumption that the English language in its role as lingua franca is a serious threat to national languages and to multilingualism. Supports this argument by making a distinction between "languages for communication" and "languages for identification." (Author/VWL)

This paper investigates the Irish-language adscape through an analysis of the profile of two Irish-language newspapers, "Foinse," published in the Republic of Ireland, and "La," published in Northern Ireland. The advertising in both papers is analysed in terms of products and services advertised, advertisers represented and…