The 1980 and 1990 volumes of "The State of the Language," edited by Michaels and Ricks, are reviewed, including the selection of topics and contributors. (two references) (LB)

The focus of this paper is the acquisition of the verb "eat." The transcripts of 40 children who were audiotaped monthly from 1;0 to 3;0, showed that "eat" was the first member of this verb class to be acquired. (16 references) (JL)

Analyzed conversational narratives spontaneously produced by preschool children. Results indicated that children use three forms of narrative, usually mark new topics with an introductory phrase, and prefer to talk about themselves as engaged in positive events. Notes that children are most likely to address their narratives to adults. (HTH)

Examines Edward Miner Gallaudet's speech, "Remarks on the Combined System," to illustrate the power of the rhetorical knowledge thesis to account for paradoxes in Gallaudet's discourse on educating the deaf student. Contends that Gallaudet offered his remarks to preserve his ideas for a later age when they might receive sympathetic…

Argues that on-line linguistic choices are made in a matrix of continuous discourse connection. Investigates hypotheses concerning communicative dynamism. Identifies gestures as reflective of the status of utterances. Interprets correlations of gestures and linguistic material as reflective of an underlying unity. (HB)

Investigates and demonstrates the strong effects of the role of global discourse organization on the comprehension of temporal order in narrative texts. Proposes three principles of discourse organization. Tests the comprehension of underlying event order of five passages by subjects. (HB)

Responses of 125 older adults to a life-history interview were rated for frequency and extent of off-target verbosity. Talkativeness was rated by participants, 125 peers, and 10 professionals. Talkativeness did not appear to be age linked, suggesting that irrelevance in discourse may instead reflect longstanding personality traits. (SK)

A social science approach to language planning is contrasted with a language management approach to language planning. It is suggested that students of language planning need to go beyond discourse management and the social sciences if the task is to explain that language is the fundamental institution of society because to plan language is to…

Asserts that behind the issues of reliability and validity and ethnographic storytelling lurk the definitions of ethnography. Discusses ethnography's position in writing research and the author's problems with reconciling ethnographic research with positivistic methods. (PRA)

Reports on an analysis of the forms, strategies, and functions of complimenting in one genre of written discourse. It is argued that writers use complimenting discourse strategies to establish and maintain rapport and to mitigate both global and genre-specific face-threatening acts and that these social purposes help account for both their…

Uses the methodology of conversational analysis to examine a case of "troubles talk" between a group of female survivors of rape. The conversational process of "affiliation" between interactants as it occurs within the structure of the conversation is examined as are the successfully utilized linguistic and paralinguistic…

Replicates and examines the methodology of Pamela Fisherman's study of Brazilian Portuguese speakers, "Interactions: The Work Women Do." The present study further develops the treatment of question forms and finds that not all have a function in developing and maintaining discourse. Few similarities were found in the results of the two…

Uses the 1986 Supreme Court decision "Bowers v. Hardwick" to examine the uses of "conceptual segregation" in legal discourse. Identifies the exclusionary rhetoric in the majority opinion, and evaluates the persuasive force of the dissenting opinion. Concludes that opposing conceptual segregation requires that arguments be…

Analyzes 12 Utah Supreme Court cases. Finds that syllogistic objectivity was prevalent but that dialectical objectivity could be facilitated by legal requirements or judicial involvement. Finds that judicial involvement could be facilitated by publicity, the importance of the legal issue, and/or an appointment system of judge selection. (SR)

Investigates the use of "bridging devices" in Lucretia Coffin Mott's "Discourse on Woman" (1849). Shows how Mott uses the Quaker concept of the "inner light" to balance the tension between her conservative cultural milieu and her radical goals. Argues that Mott's rhetoric is instructive for modern feminists who try to…