It is argued that dictionary definitions of objects are enhanced by addition of usage information, sometimes idiomatic and sometimes indicating specific functions of the object. This lexical semantic approach is illustrated primarily with the example of the French word "boite." (MSE)

Explores whether adult language learners have access to the principles of universal grammar in constructing the grammar of a foreign or second language (L2) by examining the interpretation of English and Japanese reflexive pronouns. The data suggest that L2 learners observe constraints defined by universal grammar that could not be derived from…

Argues for underlying tones as opposed to accentual diacritics or metrical representations in Standard Lithuanian nominals. Support for tonal representations come from analyses of (1) the general status of diacritic accents, (2) tonal stability under segment-deletion and demorification in Lithuanian, and (3) data from a Zhemayt dialect. (Contains…

Presents the irregular distribution of stative co-occurrence with "zhe," and shows that the meaning of "zhe" is best elucidated under the framework of the Two-Component Theory. Properties that separate stage statives from others are examined, as is the interaction between the imperfective "zhe" and the stative…

Discussed the relationship between definiteness and word order (WO) from three aspects: the position of the unquantified noun phrases as related to their definiteness; effects of quantifiers on WO; and relative order of different noun phrases in the same clause. Data verify that the correlation between definiteness and WO is valid for larger…

Uses the methodology of conversational analysis to examine a case of "troubles talk" between a group of female survivors of rape. The conversational process of "affiliation" between interactants as it occurs within the structure of the conversation is examined as are the successfully utilized linguistic and paralinguistic…

Replicates and examines the methodology of Pamela Fisherman's study of Brazilian Portuguese speakers, "Interactions: The Work Women Do." The present study further develops the treatment of question forms and finds that not all have a function in developing and maintaining discourse. Few similarities were found in the results of the two…

Examines the different meanings of the term discourse, comparing the common use of discourse analysis in applied linguistics with its use both in critical discourse analysis and in a Foucauldian use of the term. An attempt is made to show how these different approaches imply profoundly different understandings of the relationship between language,…

Responds to Deborah Wells Rowe's critique of Sarah J. McCarthey's article in the same issue. (HB)

The contributions of the originator of the Natural Approach to second-language learning are described. (Author/LB)

Reviews research that points toward the theoretical consideration of conventionalized written language, proposing that written discourse conventions can usefully be studied from a multifunctional perspective considering the interacting social, cognitive, and textual functions of language. A large unannotated bibliography is included. (CB)

Documents 20 years of second-language acquisition research, highlighting two subthemes involving the alternate broadening and narrowing of research perspectives and predicting that the next phase of research will unite the historically distinct research foci on learning and the learner. (209 references) (CB)

Students representing 3 age groups (11, 14, and 17 years) evaluated speeches containing masculine, feminine, or gender-inclusive forms of person reference. At age 11, both sexes upgraded the masculine over the feminine form, but older females upgraded feminine forms relative to masculine ones. Gender-inclusive forms were equally or more positively…

Analyzes skills involved in children's (twins and singletons) performance on communicative referential tasks and developmental changes in type and quality of messages. Finds no differences in number and type of information elements, but different interactive styles and strategies between twins and singletons, with twins showing a partner-dependent…

Variationist linguistics, also called sociolinguistics, has been misunderstood and misrepresented in second-language acquisition (SLA) research. Four impediments to the development of a profitable interaction between sociolinguists and the SLA community are discussed. (36 references) (Author/LB)