Argues that proverbs play an important role in the continuing development and survival of Africans and African descendants throughout the diaspora. Analyzes research of proverb studies conducted in Africa, the Caribbean, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. Provides recommendations for further research. (KH)

Exercises exploiting the proximity of two French registers (vernacular and standard) are proposed as a means of solving interference problems in Acadians learning standard spoken French. (MSE)

Examines the syntactic aspects of code-switching from Egyptian to standard Arabic, as displayed in radio and television interviews and panel discussions. The process does not proceed randomly but is governed by principles dependent on switch position, type of category involved at the switch position, and language variety. (Author/CB)

To create an environment which motivates students to learn the conventions of formal writing, teachers must teach children the place that these conventions have in language and in linguistic history. Principles that give students a broad picture of language are listed. (JL)

This paper presents linguistic evidence for communication problems in everyday classroom interactions where children are dialect speakers. It also examines the problem of coding language functions for use in experiments. (RB)

The article notes the impact upon the language/speech therapy profession of therapist interactions with social dialect speakers. Specifically, the role of the speech-language pathologist as a consultant to the classroom teacher is discussed. Clinician involvement in bidialectal training programs for teachers is recommended. (Author/DB)

A comparative analysis of four studies that emphasized linguistic similarities (rather than differences) between nonstandard speakers and other groups focused on developmental characteristics of the semantic categories encoded by nonstandard speakers compared with other speakers. Implications for language assessment are discussed. (JW)

Dialect differences are a significant factor in learning to read for English-speaking adults. These differences can be used constructively to help students learn about various features of formal and nonformal English. Emphasis should be on helping students use their experiences to make global sense of the passages they read. (Author/CH)

Emphasizes similarities between historical views of literacy and new school writing programs in which literacy: (1) is sociable, (2) has roots in nonstandardized language, and (3) places a premium on performance and publication. Views the current emphasis on writing as paralleling an earlier, popular literacy. (Author/LHW)

In a comparative study of American English speakers and British English speakers, it was examined whether segmental effects can be used in speech production as cues to syntactic structure. American speakers could use the segmental cues in syntax perception, while British speakers could not. Speakers of British English who were long-term residents…

Describes the characteristics and types of the modern German dialect poetry "movement." Suggests that there is a place for modern dialect poetry in all three divisions of the contemporary university-level German curriculum, since it lends itself to discussion from the point of view of language, literature, and culture. (SED)

Begins a discussion of the social mechanisms of linguistic change by describing the distinctions noted by T. Bynon (1977) between two different approaches to the study of linguistic change. Presents a model designed to explain why linguistic change seems commonly to take place in some social conditions but not in others. (SED)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system exploring the effect of teacher attitudes toward student dialects on student language performance. Suggests that teachers recognize the relationship between cultural identity and language use to clear away obstacles to student success. (HTH)

This collection of papers considers processes involved in language change and issues of how they can be modeled and studied. After "Introduction" (Raymond Hickey), there are 15 papers in 6 parts. Part 1, "The Phenomenon of Language Change," includes: (1) "On Change in 'E-language'" (Peter Matthews); and (2)…

The "Ebonics Resolution" was passed by the Oakland, California, school board in 1996. The proposal called for "imparting instruction to African-American students for the combined purposes of maintaining legitimacy and richness of such language...and to facilitate their acquisition and mastery of English language skills." The…