The functional approach, which views language as a potential for meaning in social situations, seems particularly relevant in analyzing the dynamic interaction between text and context. Function determines structure, and the context, which comes to define the function, determines the kinds of text that will be communicative. As the contextual…

Syntactic synonymy enables the speaker to use syntactic devices to say the same thing in a number of different ways. It is based on three criteria: (1) similarity of semantic content, (2) certain syntactic similarity between the components of the synonymous structures, and (3) differences in surface structures. The third criterion separates…

The purpose of this article is to suggest that there are standards of style in Swahili which every writer, whatever his ethnic origin, should be expected to observe. The changing linguistic situation does not give to any writer freedom to write in Swahili without regard to established standards. There is such a thing as style in Swahili. Knowledge…

This Samoan-English/English-Samoan dictionary is prefaced by a short history of this work, an introduction to the phonology, pronunciation, orthography and grammar of Samoan, and a discussion of the scope and format of the volume. Entries are followed by grammatical category, gloss, variations in form, and illustrations of usage. Where relevant,…

Presents several rules for conversational interpretation of indirect responses to questions. (MH)

Discusses the use of the two past tenses in French, specifically in literature and news reporting. (AM)

Suggests that stylistic variation should be used by linguistis in their search for linguistic structure. (AM)

Examines Jimmy Carter's addresses to the American people focusing on the symbolic form of his language, the conceptions of the audience, and the ethical dimensions of his words. (MH)

Describes the function of English modal verbs, arranging them in categories: permitting, asking permission, forbidding, commanding, exhorting, requesting, conjecturing, wishing. Various nuances are illustrated with numerous examples. For the clear, unambiguous functioning of each modal verb, an ample context is a prerequisite. (Text is in German.)…

A discussion of problems encountered in literary translations which are not found in non-literary texts. The following steps are described: identification of the specific features of the work, categories to be applied in the evaluation of the translation, and verification of them against constantly occurring characteristic features of the text.…

Catalogs a variety of common grammatical errors that have entered the English language and become entrenched during this past generation, primarily through the fault of the mass media. (NKA)

Describes the use of a small set of linguistic variables in different types of radio programs from Radio Cymru (the Welsh language radio network), to see whether variation does correlate with style as it does in the community. Results show that broadcasters followed community norms for these variables. (SED)

Presents data that suggest that three factors--social variables, speech register, and linguistic variables--influence the choice of grammatical structure in Brazilian Portuguese where options exist to express the same idea. Examines the range of options used in responses that indicate general patterns of linguistic structures related to particular…

Explores the general features and some unique usages of West African English, Caribbean English, and Indian English. (EL)