Applicative Universal Grammar (AUG) is a linguistic theory based on combinatorial logic. This paper expands on the notion of "linguistic unit." Linguistic unit, as a notion, is generalized and the linguistic hierarchy supporting all natural languages is shown to be a hierarchy of linguistic units. It is argued that, on the genotype…

The divergence controversy is addressed in this holistic examination of Vernacular Black English (VBE). The debate over VBE stems from Labov's conclusion that the vernaculars of Black and White dialects in the South reveal completely different patterns of development. This study is based on patterns obtained from the writer's earlier research on…

Discusses phonic shifting or sound shifts through an examination of Grimm's Law, or the Germanic Consonant Shift. The discussion includes comments on why the phonic shift developed and its pattern. (10 references) (GLR)

Reviews and comments on the major points made in Albert Gessman's paper, "Grimm's Law: Fact or Myth?" Through the evaluation of the paper's 13 points, several ideas are pointed out that are believed to be crucial to Gessman's arguments. (29 references) (GLR)

Argues that the late acquisition of the third-person singular agreement affix /-s/ in second-language learners of English is the result of a syntactic configuration that makes the ending appear ungrammatical to the learner of English while allowing agreement inflection to appear when the target language has a more robust agreement model, as in the…

It is argued that dictionary definitions of objects are enhanced by addition of usage information, sometimes idiomatic and sometimes indicating specific functions of the object. This lexical semantic approach is illustrated primarily with the example of the French word "boite." (MSE)

The phenomena of overlapping talk is examined. In numerous types of conversational exchanges, people briefly acknowledge the utterance that overlapped their own and then recycle an overlapped utterance and/or introduce a new topic. Three types of objects are illustrated and discussed: an acknowledgment token, an assessment, and a commentary. (four…

Traces the historical development of E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be"). Considers some reasons why E-Prime has been advocated by semanticists. Provides arguments against the use of E-Prime. (HB)

Considers the feasibility and usefulness of E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be"). Presents a modified version of E-Prime that differentiates between various uses of the verb "to be." (HB)

Argues that the implementation of E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be") as a means of eliminating bad language is a simplistic solution to the problem. Provides four reasons why this is the case. (HB)

Provides 10 brief and succinct arguments against the use of E-Prime, a form of English eliminating all forms of the verb, "to be." (HB)

Distinguishes between the letter of the law and its spirit in the use (or misuse) of E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be"). Shows how sentences written in E-Prime can still be fraught with unclear thought. Considers how E-Prime can be abused. (HB)

Discusses the feasibility of the total elimination of conjugated forms of "to be," as advocates of E-Prime suggest. Claims that a total elimination is not acceptable, because certain forms of the verb "to be" are more feasibile and therefore more important than others. (HB)

Questions the usefulness of E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be"), particularly the claim that E-Prime provides a simple discipline by which dishonesty and prejudice can be eliminated from communication. Claims that restructuring verbal communication treats the symptoms of dishonesty without curing the…

Discusses some of the historical background of the movement to do away with the verb "to be" and employ E-Prime (a form of English that eliminates all forms of the verb "to be"). (HB)