Presents a narrative account of a dialogue with Thomas A. Sebeok, professor of linguistics and semiotics at Indiana University. Reviews Sebeok's professional background; captures his synthetic ideas; and highlights his views on the relationships between communication and semiotics, language and communication, signs and symbols, theory and method,…

Argues for a contingency view of communication clarity and effectiveness based on the impact that an organization's language customs have on perceived effectiveness. Examines the psychological-social function of organizational language and discusses the role that language has in creating new knowledge in organizations. (KEH)

Recounts the history of interest in developing Esperanto as a lingua franca for international law and diplomacy, beginning with Zamenhof's development of Esperanto and proceeding through the development of a lexicon for the language and through its application to legal issues. Prospects for the future of Esperanto are discussed. (DJD)

It is argued that in the states of Francophone Africa, French is not always the language of the masses and that in light of sociolinguistic data, choice, or actual usage, new language policy accentuating national idioms is more viable than exclusive promotion of French. (38 references) (Author/MSE)

Discusses Braga's contribution to the study of the sociology of language. Braga developed a dynamic interdisciplinary model of verbal communication based on theories of sociology and linguistics and stressed the importance of language in the acculturation of an individual and in the determination of that individual's status in society. (CFM)

Problems arise with theories about experience, because subjectivity cannot be the source of meaning in experience. Proposing that experience is made intelligible through language, the author formulates an alternative theory of adult learning: the individual who learns has a language, a culture, and a history; therefore, the learner is situated in…

Discusses the role of the English language in postcolonial African literature, focusing on the politics of language, "Africanized" English, and the social languages used in Chinua Achebe's novels and concludes that English today is as much an African language as a British or American one. (Contains 37 references.) (MDM)

Examined geometric understanding and misconceptions among a deaf teacher and (n=5) deaf students. Students seemed to treat the sign for triangle as a picture of a triangle and not as a symbol representing the broad class of triangles. (MKR)

In reacting against prescriptivism of language purists, applied linguistics has often advocated a descriptivism that assumes the existence of an unproblematic world that is neatly referenced by words in a language. It is argued that pronouns such as "we,""you," and "they" are in fact very complex and political words,…

Argues against the thesis put forth in Phillipson's "Linguistic Imperialism," that the relationship between core English-speaking countries and periphery-English countries is one of dominant and dominated languages, as it applies to Nigeria. It is maintained that the sociolinguistic and sociocultural realities of the country have not…

Examines two Spanish-language short stories that use language as a codifying system for examining false institutions, antiquated prejudices, and iron-cal hierarchies that have been erected in the name of Mexican culture. (12 references) (GLR)

Describes several successful lessons that provide students with new awareness of the English language. Includes lessons focusing on language change, onomatopoeia, slang, word origin, dialect, and language functions. (MM)

Establishes the concept of a Simplified English, mentions several varieties that have been developed, and then outlines a procedure by which any technical community can develop its own version for its specific "domain of discourse."(PRA)

Examines the role in the English curriculum being given to both written and oral language. Asserts that oral language currently has little or no role in that curriculum. Claims that this misguided situation must change. Suggests ways by which orality can be given its rightful place in the English curriculum. (HB)

Describes the way one teacher utilizes a variety of language games by which the power of language is analyzed and fostered among students of English. Describes methods for engaging students in language games. Argues that games, to be effective, must give students a chance at success. (HB)