Suggests that the future of social interactionist work may display a great divide between a new sociocognitivist theory linked to sociotechnical engineering, on the one hand, and a sociocultural critical theory of such engineering. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the concept of identity and its relation to language and social interaction. Suggests the need to accept both quantitative and qualitative methods, in which the richness and variability of language in use is emphasized. (Author/VWL)

Calls for increased emphasis on certain lines of research on language and social interaction, basically arguing for greater attention to "horizontal" (cross-cultural, cross-language) and "vertical" (developmental) comparative research. Considers the balance between research on ordinary conversation and talk in institutional settings. (Author/VWL)

The discourses of globalization presents it as an irresistible and irreversible phenomenon. An alternative perspective views it as a set of policies and a conscious act of human agents, providing opportunities to challenge it and work against it. (SK)

Introduces a special issue containing a series of articles on the relation of social interaction and morality. The articles analyze actual instances of moral discourse, elucidating the nature and dynamics of the relationship. This introduction discusses morality, discourse, and social science; proto-mortality as a substructure of discourse;…

Explores issues concerning the accountability of conduct and the moral work that may be managed through accounts of actions, in the context of naturally occurring telephone conversations. Distinguishes between the implicit and explicit moral work of accounts, considering cases in which speakers appear implicitly to be doing defensive moral work in…

Criticizes the use of the term "education for all" that appeared in an article by Lene Buchert in an earlier issue of this journal. This author argues that Buchert's research strategy is flawed, and that Buchert should have established general, organizing principles for the research undertaken. (CAK)

Finds that when paired with older adults simulating dementia, the young adults' instructions were longer, more informative, and more repetitious; however, the young adults did not alter their prosody or grammatical complexity. Suggests that young adults adjust their speech to the perceived communicative needs of older listeners by varying…

Contributes to research on speech acts, power, and the negotiation of shared meanings. Argues that a primary off-record purpose of ostensible lies and of ostensible speech acts in general is to assert or affirm a status or power difference between speaker and addressee. Shows how ostensible lies are speech acts that flout the rules governing the…

Analyzes discussions on curriculum integration in terms of rationales for integration and effects of combining curriculums in middle schools. Finds that curriculum integration describes combining ideas and generating knowledge; considers pro and con opinions. Suggests that discussions represent a struggle for control over what is taught in public…

Adult literacy education can contribute to the political change process in Scotland by shifting from a narrow functional approach to a more critical one. The critical approach recognizes vernacular literacies and focuses on developing competence in diverse literacies and on identifying the contexts in which they should be used. (SK)

Examines and describes the pragmatic uses of the "nuclear winter" metaphor in the original "Science" article and its subsequent use in "Foreign Affairs." Analyzes conditions of the metaphor's birth in the former and its development and use as a conventional metaphor in the latter. Shows that the metaphor became a…

Examines six adolescent girls' talk around a young adult novel ("The Beggar's Ride" by T. Nelson). Reveals unexpected reading purposes: adolescent girls' reading for the combined purposes of agency and desire, exploring the fears and potentialities of being female and of the possibilities of autonomy. (SR)

Takes a critical look at some popular ideas about teaching mathematics that are forcefully promoted worldwide by the reform movement. Presents a theoretical analysis illustrated with empirical examples on the nature and limits of mathematical discourse. Focuses on the question of how far to go in renegotiating and relaxing the rule of mathematical…

In the discourse of learner self-management, learners must take responsibility for learning and are offered the possibility of individual autonomy and control. A critical perspective reveals that environmental constraints inhibit the success of technical-rational self-management techniques. An alternative view is the entrepreneurial self, a…