Discusses Benjamin Lee Whorf's belief that each man's language shpes his thoughts and experiences. (SW)

An exploration of the relevance of the English teacher's traditional role, in reaction to the accusation: If you tell your students what to think, you're copping out" (Author/RD)

A report from the Educational Resources Information Center at the National Council of Teachers of English; includes ERIC abstracts of documents pertinent to this topic. (RD)

Examines the language switching event as a revelation of the language attitudes of the communicators. Findings show that language choice decisions are often highly emotional, and attitudes toward language switching seem to cluster around national and linguistic stereotypes. (EKN)

Describes a study using matched-guise technique designed to (1) determine how West Welsh preadolescents would react to Welsh speakers reading a passage of prose in one of three language varieties (Received Pronunciation English, Welsh-Accented English, Welsh) and (2) to examine what effect language of testing might have on children's social…

Discusses ethnic speech styles in New Zealand, the extent to which they can be detected, and how they and English received pronunciation are evaluated by listeners. (EKN)

The relationship between linguistic processes, cognitive activities, and social structures is explored by examining the decision-making of committees of educators deciding whether or not to place students in special education programs. Differential treatment of committee members is explained by the authority their reports gain by their language…

Many negative assumptions about Blacks are reflected in current language and the language in literary works, dictionaries, the media, textbooks, and tests. Teachers must try to eliminate racist language and behavior by discouraging the use of negative language and by helping students to appreciate language flexibility and cultural diversity.…

In order to illustrate the impact that language has on individuals' sense of themselves and of others, reviews research on speech patterns, literacy, and ethnic group relations. Urges the development of a rational language policy to deal with immigrants and refugees in the U.S. (Author/GC)

Investigates the role of pupil language in classroom learning through an ethnographic study of one "good" teacher and her class, particularly three average and above-average pupils. (HOD)

Patterns of social interaction between ethnic groups form the basis of this study which deals with language usage in the multilingual, multi-ethnic community of Corozal District, Belize. Findings show that language is regarded as the principal mark of ethnic identity for this group. (Author/JLF)

Discusses basic language functions emphasizing the importance of spoken language and decrying the fact that linguistics, on the conceptual level, is still chiefly concerned with written language. Stresses the complexity of language and the importance of the situational context, particularly with regard to the semiotics of the media. (MES)

Since current compensatory bilingual instruction is reproductive and assimilative in character, it is too limited for facilitating the advancement of linguistic and cultural minorities. Without a well organized community movement toward social change, the system will continue to maintain current social inequalities. (Author/GC)

Examines structuralist, phenomenological, and constructivist views of discourse and applies them to rhetorical criticism. Structuralist criticism analyzes elements of the text and their interrelationships; phenomenological criticism stresses the influence of the situation on discourse; and constructivist criticism incorporates both methods,…