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…

Attempts to reconcile the similarities and differences among Philippine Creole Spanish (PCS) dialects by suggesting that Zamboangueno was formed gradually in a downward fashion from received Spanish, aided by two components. The first is pidginization that resulted in the Spanish garrison at Zamboanga, and the second was the arrival of Manila Bay…

Discusses the role of Russian colonization of the Siberian region and the impact of demographic changes on languages in the region. Topics addressed include intercommunication through contact languages based on one-way bilingualism, pidgin and creole languages in the Siberian region, and Eskimo Pidgin. (33 references) (Author/JP)

Small-scale empirical study was conducted of what characterizes morning-magazine radio language and how and why it varies. Results indicated radio language was mixture of spoken and written language, but relationship between amount of discourse planning and type of social interaction was not the same in radio situations as it is in spoken and…

Observer's paradox, the basic problem facing any analyst interested in understanding how people talk to each other within naturally occurring contexts, is discussed. In observer's paradox, by recording or observing everyday interaction, one is contaminating interaction by process of observation. An extension to sociolinguistic method is suggested…

Responds to an article by Strubell, "Language, Democracy, and Devolution in Catalonia," explaining differences between various dialects grouped under the Catalan umbrella and focusing on the context of the new language-policy legislation, the impact of the new legislation, tensions arising from the implementation of the language policy,…

Responds to an article by Strubell, "Language, Democracy, and Devolution in Catalonia," noting the lack of congruence between the Catalan nation defined culturally and linguistically and Catalonia the polity. The paper examines nationalist discourse, identity, and evolution, and discusses the limits of devolution (borders and internal…

A sociolinguistic analysis was conducted of a job-training program for female welfare recipients that simulated construction work sites. The instructor encouraged trainee responsibility for learning. Negotiation and purposeful talk helped develop competence. (SK)

Examines the language of the underworld, a language that includes slang spoken in prisons. This language functions not so much as a secret code whose primary purpose is to deceive but as a means by which members share an identity. Such speech fosters group solidarity, mutual recognition, prestige, and a sense of exclusiveness. (25 references) (CK)

Examines Shirley Brice Heath's letters and other materials at the time she was researching "Ways with Words." Finds that "Ways with Words" can most fruitfully be read as a story of the persistence of prejudice, suggesting the failure of the arguments in favor of desegregation to broker lasting reforms toward equity. (SC)

Suggests that variation in spelling, like other levels of language variety, reflects social practices in speech communities. While the social identities and stances encoded in such variation are not simple to interpret, they offer another mode of investigation of language in social space and practice. (Author/VWL)

Uncovers the neglected roots of codeswitching, researching early studies of codeswitching an the state of the field before 1950. Examines why studies predating the 1960s and 1970s have been ignored by modern codeswitching researchers. (Author/VWL)

Defines "Discourse" as a conglomeration of "ways of behaving, interacting, valuing, thinking, believing, speaking, and often reading and writing" that marks membership in a group. Considers how some students'"Discourse" may conflict more than others comparing their home Discourse with their school Discourse. Presents three recently published books…

Part of a large-scale study on variation in American Sign Language, this article examines variation in the form of the sign DEAF, which can be produced by moving the forefinger from ear to chin, from chin to ear, or by contacting the lower cheek. Multivariate analysis of more than 1600 tokens of DEAF extracted from sociolinguistic interviews shows…

Highlights modes of evidence in large corpus research that may be significant for Sociolinguistics. Suggests that corpus data can help Sociolinguistics engage with issues and variations in usage that are less abstract then phonetics, phonology, and grammar but more proximate to the socially vital issues of the 20th century. (Author/VWL)