What has been labelled mainstream dialectology has been criticized soundly on theoretical grounds, yet mainstream dialectologists have responded with the assertion that their critics have not been intimately familiar with dialect methodology and are therefore not qualified to criticize. Claiming that while theoretical issues are far from being…

Discourse strategies used by status-unequal interlocutors expressing disagreement are discussed. The paper focuses on the influence of role relationships on semantic formulas. A comparative study of discourse strategies used by native speakers of Turkish and North American English in the same speech event is also reported. Data were gathered from…

A study investigated the effectiveness of full dyadic writing as a technique for teaching writing to students of English as a Second Language (ESL). Subjects were 31 college students of diverse cultural backgrounds enrolled in ESL sections of freshman English. Each chose a partner with a different native language with whom to write two essays, the…

It is proposed that research on neurological organization, cognitive psychology, and artificial intelligence can contribute to understanding the relationship between second language learning processes and academic achievement. Relevant research in these areas and in the field of neurolinguistics is reviewed, with several themes or topics…

To illustrate the theoretical dynamics involved in analysis of the process of "metasensing," this paper investigates the language of 22 elementary school principals and their strategic actions during school improvement programs. The study's grounded theory approach frames the principals'"epistemology of practice"--thereby…

This study reports on an analysis of questions which were used in the pursuit of understanding in three focussed discussions, two by native speakers (NSs) and one by non-native speakers (NNs). Twelve adult subjects, four NNs and eight NSs, were used. In 66 minutes, only 30 questions were used for the purpose of pursuing understanding. These…

The research presented here is a descriptive account, consonant with ethnographic methods, of interactions between and among family members in selected segments of documentary, prime time and soap opera television programming. The analysis of each program format was based on kinship relationships of participants, topics of conversation involving…

Two studies at the Defense Language Institute (California) investigated the contribution of several variables to prediction of post-language-training proficiency: (1) scores on a general vocational aptitude battery and a language aptitude battery, both used to screen potential students; (2) scores on other cognitive measures not used in the…

Presents Catalan as a substantial culture and looks at the present social situation of the Catalan language. Topics addressed include legal provisions; the educational system; the influence of mass media and information technology, including computer technology and applied linguistics; the audiovisual field; second-language learning; and future…

A survey of 368 second language teachers at the elementary school, middle school, high school, and college level in the southwest United States (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas) investigated teachers' priorities for language instruction in the 1990s. Respondents ranked aspects of language instruction in priority order. Results were…

The immediate objective of this course in technical English was to enable French-speaking mechanics and technicians to read the instructions for the installation, operation and upkeep of American-made machinery. Although the learners knew very little English, available British and American technical documents were used because of their…

Evidence shows that there are differences in the ways in which men and women speak. It has also been well documented that females are generally ahead of males in language acquisition and are less often diagnosed as speech pathologic. A review of the research gives some indication of the reasons for the development of sex differences in spoken…

The nine papers presented here treat the implications for language teaching arising from the fundamental notion that personal growth, cultural development and international communication are three interwoven elements of human progress. The papers are organized as follows: (1) an introductory chapter on language learning for cultural development…

This research report reflects the use of precision teaching techniques incorporated into a microcomputerized observational system to assess bilingual instructional practices and student outcomes. Three local educational agencies were monitored to assess the relationship between the demographic background of the student and the interactive profile…

Adult educators, recognizing grade communication problems between members of middle-class society (to which most belong) and individuals from culturally different groups are attending to cross-cultural communication research. Vastly different perceptions of reality, shaped by distinctive value systems and attitudes, underlie the problems.…