The article reviews the linguistic situation in Taiwan, discussing the use of Mandarin Chinese as a means to improve interethnic relations between the various populations inhabiting the island. The situation is looked at from a sociolinguistic point of view and the historical background is reviewed. Available from Humanities Press, Inc., Atlantic…

The article investigates the concept of language as an instrument of power, discussing the power relationships that are mirrored in language situations. Examples of language use in colonial situations are handled in particular, the attitudes of speakers involved being outlined. Other phenomena concerning language and power, such as "naming," are…

This article examines the formulation and implementation of language policy and the relationship between language rights and nationality rights in Yugoslavia. The distinction between formulation and implementation is affected by the hierarchical and decentralized politico-administrative system. Policy formulated in its most general form at the…

The papers included in this volume discuss the relationship of sociolinguistics to social interaction, sociolinguistic surveys, the intersection of sociolinguistics with education, and the influence of linguistics and sociology on sociolinguistics. The papers include: "Optional Rules in Grammar" (Fraser); "The Structure of Polylectal Grammars"…

An examination of seminal studies in sociolinguistics and bilingualism serves as a basis for setting the parameters for the language planning response to the Lau decision. The studies discussed are primarily those of W. E. Lambert and the Unesco report, "The Use of Vernacular Languages in Education..." (MS)

In Taiwanese, approximately 5 percent of the morphemes--many of them high-frequency function words--have no appropriate, established Chinese characters to represent them. This article concerns the way in which new characters are invented or existing characters are adopted to represent Taiwanese morphemes. (Author/KM)

A discussion of the havoc which may be wrought in the French language by systematic application of the 1975 "Loi Bas-Laurent," determining cases where use of French is obligatory and prohibiting the use of hundreds of foreign expressions. A projected scientific study is described. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

The Survey of Language Use and Language Teaching in Eastern Africa, founded in 1967 with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Zambia. This article reports on the Survey's organization, methods, participants, achievements and goals. (FWB)

Discusses various sociological issues of bilingual education, including language and ethnicity, language planning, nonstandard versus standard, and language maintenance. Types of bilingual education are described. (EKN)

Despite official moves to reduce the importance of English in India, it remains the pre-eminent language in government, education, publishing, and journalism. The article suggests a two-tier policy of co-existence between English and regional languages, since each is used for different purposes. (CHK)

It is argued that African countries need both local and foreign languages and that the roles of these languages are complementary. An African language can become official and national, and a medium of instruction; the choice is determined by political and socioeconomic factors. (21 references) (Author/LB)

Provides an overview of language planning and the sociolinguistic environment in East Timor. Suggests that those with responsibility for planning show no interest in any holistic or global approach that might take into account all the indigenous languages of the region. (Author/VWL)

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)

Sociolinguistic patterns of India are discussed. (LG)

The effects of differing and often opposing language policies on the sociolinguistic position of the Alsatian language are discussed. An attempt is made to show how the function and scope of Alsatian have been reduced, and how borrowings from French have created a dialect with unique characteristics. It has survived despite its lack of official…