This introduction to sociolinguistics is presented in four parts. The first part gives an overview of this branch of language study, its scope and principles of inquiry, and its basic and key concepts. This portion is written for individuals with no prior knowledge or expertise in the subject. Topics covered in this section include: the nature of…

The information in this guide should help speech and language pathologists and others who are responsible for the assessment of students from the target populations, African Americans and Hmong students in Wisconsin. The guide provides information pertaining to cultural factors influencing learning and language and recommended procedures for…

This issue contains the following articles: "Was Mir Wisse: A Review of the Literature on the Languages of the Pennsylvania Germans" (David Bowie); "Tigrinya Root Consonants and the OCP" (Eugene Buckley); "Duration of Onset Consonants in Gay Male Stereotyped Speech" (Sean Crist); "PRO, the EPP and Nominative…

Although the Ann Arbor decision was based on a very narrow issue, the evidence used by the court in arriving at the decision is significant as a basis for future court actions in other circumstances. (HOD)

Defines and illustrates language techniques used by Black authors writing to and for Blacks in the 1960s and 1970s. Suggests how language and theme barriers of such literature might be overcome in a contemporary integrated oral interpretation classroom. (PD)

Lists and annotates research studies in six major categories: bilingualism and bidialectalism; language and verbal learning; literature, humanities, and media; teacher education; testing and evaluation; and written and oral communication. Category subdivisions are: preschool and elementary, secondary, college and adult, status surveys, and reviews…

Reports on research concerning the impact of pupils' speech styles on teacher attitudes. Focuses on Australian research and the classroom implications for Australian teachers and students. (RL)

Outlines a study project that attempted to combine an inquiry into the language and cultural background of Texas German-Americans. Interviews and project reports were prepared by college students on the premise that they could benefit from the contrasts observed between the standard language of the classroom and the local nonstandard variants.…

Explores the difficulties of teaching students who speak diverse English dialects. Identifies the importance of Standard American English in college and the workplace. Notes that, as dialects reflect people's cultures, teachers and the community must respect the value of diverse dialects. Provides teaching strategies, classroom activities, and…

Discusses the birthday notices that appear in the advertising section of the Papua New Guinea "Post Courier." The texts of these notices are analyzed from a sociolinguistic perspective, and their context is considered as a register of the variety of English that has become known as Papua New Guinea English. (Author/OD)

Compares Subjective Vitality Questionnaire (SVQ) results of standard Italian and standard Greek in Australia to determine if the substantial difference in vitality between the languages is reflected in perceived vitality as measured by the SVQ. Results show that the perceived differences of Greek and Italian vitality are less than the real…

Argues that native English speakers who work in the Third World as academic or technical experts often face conflicts with locals because of communications difficulties arising out of differing understandings of linguistic code. It is suggested that native English speakers should undergo training in interethnic and intercultural communications…

Reviews improvements to the Dictionary on Computer (DOC) research system redesigned by the University of California Berkeley Project on Linguistic Analysis. Emphasizes the redesigned program's greater accessibility since its introduction into a microcomputer environment. Underscores DOC's research value for studying the history of Chinese…

The macro-dimension of code switching is examined as observed in a sociolect of Swahili used by academic staff from the University of Dar es Salaam. It is argued that the specific sociohistoric background of Tanzanian society accounts for the social valency of Campus Kiswahili. (Author/LB)

Word lists spoken in Castillian, Caribbean, and Mexican dialects were compared to identify speech reception thresholds in 12 Spanish-speaking, Puerto Rican children (ages 6-7). No statistically significant differences were found among the dialects. (Author/DB)