A discussion of whether there has been any progress in the discipline of historical linguistics focuses on the theories and recent publications of David Lightfoot and Roger Lass. The author's approaches to language change and language study are examined and compared. (MSE)

It is argued that if theoretical goals are formulated to account for language learnability, a different markedness construct than the linguistic and psycholinguistic constructs usually applied is necessary--the projection model. The theoretical considerations for such a model are delineated, and the model is tested. (MSE)

This paper discusses C. Chomsky's 1969 paper on children's syntactic development and the subsequent studies made to test her findings. Later studies indicate that Chomsky's results were not clearly differentiated, and a slight alteration in procedure changes results significantly. (CHK)

Aims to provide an overview of some of the most salient social identity research by discussing various theoretical stances and methodologies and to critique the theories and methodologies employed in social identity research. It is concluded that language and social identity is an important issue, a holistic and dynamic understanding of which will…

Examines the Variable Competence (VC) approach to second language acquisition (SLA) by defining what is meant by VC and looking at the variable rules and how they are acquired. The research implications of VC models are examined, presenting arguments for and against their use in applied linguistic research in language testing and SLA. (32…

In a study of "topic-types" as a common academic text structure for second-language students, 80 texts used in humanities classes (history, geography, economics, business studies) at upper secondary levels were analyzed. Results support the existence of topic-types in the humanities and the use of the framework as a feasible pedagogical tool. (33…

Schachter's "An Error in Error Analysis," is reviewed in light of subsequent research on avoidance. Hypotheses based on her figures suffer from the lack of methodological detail in her original study. To establish whether avoidance is a feasible explanation for learner underproduction, first language form, distribution, and function of…

Responds to Sarah J. McCarthey's article in the same issue. Considers particularly the limitations of McCarthey's research design. (HB)

This response to a work, "Researching Language," from a field linguist working with little-to-unknown indigenous languages suggests that the work is welcome and should prove very useful in articulating the debate over power and method in social science research. (VWL)

A brief overview of the various methodologies used to study second-language acquisition focuses on the particular complexities presented by the interdisciplinary character of the field and its effects on such aspects as theory construction, empirical methodology, epistemological positions, data collection, hypothesis testing, and data…

Examines how the concept of reference, or point of view, operates in the study of aspectual divergence in English and French and to what extent an analysis of this notion can contribute to developing translation strategies. (MSE)

Illustrates the significant contribution journal writing can make to deepening researchers' understanding of all facets of the research processes. Argues that such journals can provide other researchers with illuminating insight into the research process. (Author/VWL)

The author replies to a critique a paper he wrote on defining applied linguistics as a field of inquiry and the extent to which corpus analysis can properly inform its practices. (Author/VWL)

This article begins by arguing for some bridge building in ESOL research between what is often seen as a quantitative/qualitative dichotomy. Instead of taking up a position on one side or the other, the differences are construed as different ways of seeing, depending upon the nature of the research questions asked. As a qualitative researcher by…

Measurement of the mutual intelligibility of dialects of a language is discussed. The focus is on several theoretical constructs in measurement, illustrated with data from an earlier study of the mutual intelligibility of 17 Chinese dialects. Measurement procedures are also explained. It is proposed that mutual intelligibility is based on the…