Explores the nature of code switching by comparing and contrasting learners' code-switching behavior with that of speakers in a bilingual speech community, hypothesizing that the more students succeed in overcoming the psychological dichotomy between themselves as learners and individuals, the less they will resort to code switching as a mode of…

Observes the impact of gender and status on the communication of 26 same-sex and 13 mixed-sex dyads of college students. Suggests that differences in the use of certain linguistic features may be more a result of a power differential than of gender. Other characteristics of the speaker, however, must also be considered. (CJS)

Examination of two native American Sign Language signers' use of negative headshakes found that negative headshakes (1) were used syntactically to indicate negation; (2) could be accompanied by other nonmanual behaviors; (3) could accompany a negative lexical item; and (4) were synchronized generally with syntactic constituents. (Author/CB)

The quantitative methodology of GOLDVARB is used to examine the variable distribution of lexical noun phrases representing core arguments of the verb in a corpus of spoken French and Spanish. The distribution is shown to conform to a grammatically and pragmatically motivated pattern known as Preferred Argument Structure. (Contains 26 references.)…

The relationship between U.S. national policies on literacy, available literacy programs, and individual lives is examined. A discussion of the pressures to become literate in English is followed by an analysis of language use in immigrant families and the effect of native language loss. Recommendations regarding the plurality of literacies are…

Argues that metaphorical language and metaphorical thought pervade the sciences and science writing. Asserts a useful bond between technical writing and poetry. Provides numerous poems uniting scientific themes with metaphorical language. (HB)

Poetry to be used with primary school children should be selected by the same criteria as other literature, so it neither promotes bias nor omits reference to diversity. Poems should be selected for their intrinsic quality and their potential as a resource in the curriculum for equality. (Author/SK)

Argues that in Europe over several centuries, the relationship between democracy and language policy in multilingual countries has been complex, noting that Catalan has thrived in democratic periods where devolution has advanced, and the causes of most problems facing Catalan are nonlinguistic. The paper examines language and democracy, language…

Focuses on the acceptance of lexical items, the spelling and treatment of such items in text, particularly the italicization of those words and phrases considered to be doubtful in legitimacy, and on information gained in a survey of participants at conferences in Manila and Bangkok on the theme of "English is an Asian Language."…

Analyzes parents' use of indirect requests and other types of figurative language (metaphor and idiom) addressed to their children. Finds that indirect requests occurred most frequently but that parents also used other nonliteral forms as well. Shows that parents were using the range of nonliteral forms primarily to achieve the single goal of…

A trainer in personal development gives advice, in the form of reflective questions, to group facilitators on appropriate language use, interpreting nonverbal communications (body language), and the appropriate use of nonverbal communications. (TD)

Several problematic issues in second-language teaching and testing are discussed, including artificial distinctions made between the four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and appropriate usage in each, the relationship of language skills and language ability, and the distinction between language usage and language use. (MSE)

Builds on arguments in risk communication that the predominant linear risk-communication models are problematic for their failure to consider audience and additional contextual issues. Argues that "risk" is socially constructed. Argues for an approach that involves the public in fundamental ways at the earliest stages of the…

Presents a talk addressing "language issues"--issues of student writers who are not native speakers of English, who are struggling with standard English usage, and/or who are unfamiliar with the conventions of academic discourse. Offers an explanation of what writing-to-learn pedagogy should be and do. (SG)

Investigates French and German undergraduate engineering and computer science students' comprehension of phrasal verbs. Concludes that phrasal verbs may make texts less accessible to non-native speakers of English. Indicates there are features of Plain English that are less applicable when the intended audience consists of non-native speakers of…