Reviewed are the relevance and limitations of work in sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and conversational analysis with respect to a central issue in the sociological study of social interaction: the taken-for-granted and inferences made therefrom. The hope is to show the arbitrariness of the line dividing microsociological studies and…

Examines the language and authority of textbooks as they relate to oral discourse, ritualized speech, and literacy as an archival function. Points out that texts serve an important archival function in preserving knowledge from which rules of thought and action may be derived. (JMF)

Discusses controversy between transitional versus maintenance bilingual education programs in Spanish. Claims policy of static maintenance cannot find support in a view of linguistic competence that considers language development to be complete by adolescence and the same among individuals. Suggests developing students' home language or abandoning…

Examines bilingual education policy in the United States claiming that the intertwining of policy positions, personal values, and social science in writings of proponents of bilingual education has not always regarded criticism in the fairest of lights. Suggests greater examination of implementation of cultural pluralism policy and role of…

Examines three broad functions that underlie all use of language--language for learning (language as a representation of the world), language for living, and language for linking (connected discourse in context). Considers teacher knowledge of these language functions essential if the teachers are to guide student language acquisition. (RL)

The use of language in television commercials to promote products and the use of deceptive language in commercials addressing young children are discussed. (JD)

Suggests that "inappropriate" uses of language should be defined as those uses that contribute to misinterpretation, obscurity, and deception. (DD)

Proposes the theory that the "semantic fluidity" of legal terminology, far from being an obstacle to the carrying out of the law, is essential to the functioning of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in a cost-effective manner. (AM)

Gives examples of the interference of legal English on legal French, particularly in translation and business administration. (AM)

Examines the language, structure, and imagery of the World Wide Web. Argues that the Web is not just a rich source of information but offers new ways of seeing and engaging with the world. Considers the nature of electronically mediated texts. Looks at the Web as a kind of metatext itself with mythopoeic resonances. (PA)

Discusses the increasing presence of technology in social life and its effects on the educational processes. Presents research results about cognitive abilities and the "audiovisual language" typical of the younger generations. Discusses how to adapt the practice of education to these new requirements or necessities of the children who…

Justification offered by Steven Pinker for his theory that thought is independent of language, and that thought is couched in some silent medium of the brain ("Mentalese"), is outlined step by step and critiqued. It is argued that the theory ignores deep technical issues and is not explanatory. (MSE)