This qualitative study, framed by a language socialisation perspective, explores parental language attitudes of families living in Paraguay, where Spanish and the indigenous language of Guarani coexist in what many sociolinguistics have labelled a diglossic society. During home visits, 27 parents or primary caregivers participated in individual…

Romania is a country with a good number of linguistic minorities. Descriptive linguistic data include the number and kinds of languages spoken in what areas and by how many people and their attitudes toward the languages. Models and typologies of language planning are presented to discern their appropriateness. (SCC)

The problem of investigating linguistic attitudes in urban speech communities is considered in connection with three studies, in New York, Quebec, and Glasgow. Methodological problems raise questions regarding the reliability of the conclusions, suggesting that a more systematic approach to the study of linguistic attitudes is needed. (Author/AM)

The relationships between language groups in labor unions in Canada and Belgium are examined. Details of the labor movement in the two countries and characteristics of specific unions are discussed. It is concluded that, while the situation between French and Dutch speakers in Belgian unions appears stable, linguistic relations between French and…

A brief report of some preliminary findings obtained from a sociolinguistics census of Chicano college students attending a university in Southwest Texas is presented. Findings reported deal with: (1) general patterns of language usage as reported by students, and (2) the students' evaluative responses to code-switching phrases controlled for…

A number of studies are reviewed for the purpose of identifying the ways in which non-content aspects of speech elicit personality impressions. (RM)

Proponents of the language difference theory established sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic criticisms of the language deficit position. These criticisms are reviewed and an additional psycholinguistic criticism is advanced. (AM)

Discusses three dominant ways in which language is understood within English studies: structuralism, dialogic discourse, and journals. Shows how each approach produces a different awareness of student texts. Demonstrates how different language theories entail unique interpretive strategies that either promote or disable particular understandings…

Discusses the history of the decline of the use of Irish in Ireland since the 12th century and how present government policies and citizen attitudes have affected this decline. Government actions include establishing a Gaelic Board, setting nominal Irish qualifications for civil servants, and teaching Irish in the primary schools. (SED)

Reports data on the validity of a Canadian version of Labov's "index of linguistic insecurity." Scores on the two tests were highly correlated, indicating high criterion validity of the Canadian test. Also, social class and gender differences followed the same pattern as Labov's study, with the lower middle class and females showing…

Examines sociolinguistic pressures now exerted on Gullah-speaking communities, which are similar to the general conditions described for postcreole speech communities or communities in which the traditional language variety is decreolizing or dying. There is sufficient break-down in the formerly rigid social stratification to motivate large…

This experiment using the matched-guise technique in a natural setting shows that listeners' cooperative behavior can be influenced by a speaker's style of speech not only in a face-to-face situation, but also on the basis of voice cues alone. Broadness of pronunciation also influences reactions. (POP)

This paper presents certain innovations in the "matched-guise" technique of dialect study, which is used to determine people's immediate evaluative responses to tape-recorded speakers of various accents, dialects and languages. (CHK)

Discusses replacing foreign language study for students who are not highly motivated second language learners with a linguistics-based course on language awareness. Gives ideas for exercises on language and dialect differences and suggests that the course would also be a good accompaniment for more advanced foreign language classes. (EKN)

Describes the alternating and mixed use of Swedish and Finnish in a company in the bilingual city of Vasa, Finland. Tradition, language knowledge of the employees, and occasional factors determine use in internal routines. Use is largely free from conflict, given that most employees know the other national language. (Author/PJM)