A collection of reports on literacy and literacy issues includes a variety of perspectives and descriptions of diverse programs and is divided into three sections. The first examines broad questions of literacy: "On the Study of Literacy" (David Bendor-Samuel); "Linguistics and Literacy" (Gloria Kindell); and "Literacy in Monolingual Societies" (Tej K. Bhatia). The second part provides some studies of literacy development in particular areas: "Language and Literacy in West Africa" (Eyamba G. Bokamba); "Literacy in the Southern Sudan: A Case Study of Variables Affecting Literacy Programs" (J Ronayne Cowan); "Literacy in South Asia" (R. N. Srivastava); "Reading: United States" (Rose-Marie Weber); "Literacy in Indonesia" (Peter H. Lowenberg); and "Literacy in Thailand" (J. D. Palmer). The third part looks at some applied linguistics issues: "Assessment" (Wiliam C. Hall); and "Adult Literacy" (JoAnn Crandall). Author and subject indexes are provided. (MSE)