Tagmemic theory, with its insistence on the necessity of three perspectives--particle, wave, and field--can be used to provide a more accurate statement of a contrastive analysis of phonemes in two languages. Examples illustrate how teachers can use these three perspectives in their work. (CB)

Efficacy of individualized training using a distinctive feature model of therapy was evaluated with 75 hearing-impaired postsecondary students. Significant improvements in vowel, word and sentence production, and word and sentence perception were observed. (Author/DB)

Describes single finger sign contact in data from ten different sign languages. The relative frequencies of signs using each of the four possible fingers are examined. Proposes distinctive features to explain the differences in frequency and use of these handshapes in sign languages in general. (Author/LMO)

Discusses the possibility that early linguistic experience affects infant speech perception and that this effect may be of practical consequence in later language learning. (EKN)

Discusses the use of Jiejing, a computer program that offers the learner several features that enhance both recognition and production skills in the learning of Chinese and Japanese in Australia. Students learn to produce common expressions and to discriminate the distinctive features of the new sound systems. (GLR)

Examined the relationship between phonological awareness and reading skills in eight-year olds from Britain, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Found that performance of Chinese children on phonological tests was not significantly related to their reading ability, in contrast to performance of English children, whose results continued to show a significant…

Argues that a special approach is needed to teach Standard American English to West Indians and that they not be placed in classes with native or limited-English speakers. Identifies the linguistic features of West Indian Creole. Reviews research conducted in Great Britain on West Indian immigrants' special problems and needs. (PAA)

The failure of inhibition hypothesis posits a theoretical distinction between implicit and explicit access in deep dyslexia. Specifically, the effects of failure of inhibition are assumed only in conditions that have an explicit selection requirement in the context of production (i.e., aloud reading). In contrast, the failure of inhibition…

The language of information technology is discussed, with a focus on accessibility in the information society. The metaphors of information technology as an "information superhighway" or "infobahn" are analyzed; limitations of the "road system" and developments of Internet systems are considered. The concept of…

A phonemic analysis of the Meitei language of Manipur, India, is presented. The vowel and consonant system is analyzed by the classical phonemic method, but with morpheme structure rules formulated according to the principles of generative phonology in order to generalize the pattern of various sounds and specify the allophonic distribution of…

Using the counting features in previous mean length of utterance (MLU) studies, a study of the active vocabularies of adolescents looked at seven concrete features of the words 104 seventh grade and 100 eleventh grade subjects gave in response to 10 pictures. Each subject wrote five words for each of the pictures, which were analyzed for number of…

A total of 158 children from seven kindergarten classes participated in a study that compared the effectiveness of a context emphasis approach for teaching sight words with an approach that emphasized the distinctive features of the words presented alone. Within classes, the students were assigned in equal numbers to the treatment conditions:…

FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS, GIVEN "CVC" SINGULAR NONSENSE WORDS (E.G., NAR) ORALLY AND ASKED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO PLURALS (NARF-NARK), PREFERRED FINAL SOUNDS SHARING WITH /Z/ (THE MOST COMMON SHAPE OF THE PLURAL MORPHEME IN ENGLISH) THE STRIDENCY OR CONTINUANCE FEATURES. THIS SUGGESTS THAT THEIR PLURALIZATION RULES ARE FORMULATED IN TERMS OF…