This paper discusses the nature of the relationship between grammar and pragmatics--specifically, between the rules of a language and the principles for using language. It argues that knowledge of language itself plays a small, primarily enabling part in people's ability to communicate effectively and that a large share of communicative competence…

As part of a long range study of language behavior, six teenage mentally retarded males (IQ 37 to 64) were interviewed, and tapes were made to record language samples. Linguistic competence was found to be adequate while language performance was deficient. The sentence repetition test was found to be a useful predictor of problem areas for high…

The purpose of this study was to determine 6-year-old Navajo children's relative proficiency in Navaho and English upon entering school. A first study on this topic was done in 1969. In the present study, data were obtained for 3,653 of the 4,645 children who were 6 years old in 1970. This study used a teacher questionnaire which was checked for…

Discusses different approaches for determining second language proficiency norms to be set by employers for personnel, all involving varying degrees of emphasis on linguistic proficiency on the one hand, and communicative competence on the other. (Text is in French.) (AM)

Compared with 36 children (6 to 8-years-old) were pitch discrimination ability and ability to deal with relational language. (Author/IM)

Discusses the teaching of Russian aspect in terms of the use of the perfective and the social ramifications and perceptions conveyed by its use. The student must be made aware of the importance of implications of statements in Russian. (CHK)

Graham Davies'"Using Computers in Language Learning" is a useful guide to programming languages, authoring systems, exercise formats, etc., for a teacher contemplating the use of computers for language learning. But much of text refers to British sources, and underlying assumption is that computers are best suited for mechanical drill.…

The author uses the variable of English-language proficiency to explain the differences in earnings among foreign-born men based on the 1976 Survey of Income and Education data. English-language proficiency is found to have significant positive influence on earnings for all ethnic groups, but especially for Hispanic and Asian men. (Author/CH)

Describes a study that provides further evidence for differentiating between memory for meaningful and for nonmeaningful material in the context of language proficiency, suggesting that foreign language teachers with a good memory have no guarantee of proficiency in language learning. (CB)

An examination of concerns about and suggestions for revising the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Oral Proficiency Guidelines indicates that confirmatory empirical research and determination of the relative absence or presence of components are needed. (CB)

Describes a study which sought to determine whether memory for input language is affected by proficiency in the nondominant language. The subjects were native Hebrew speakers with varying degrees of proficiency in English. Basic and advanced subjects did not score higher with input in their dominant language. (SED)

Describes a program which combines two years of college German into one and which culminates in five weeks of intensive study in Germany. Discusses the logistics of the program, along with student and faculty response and recommendations. (EKN)

Play patterns of 11 "language slow" preschool children and 11 younger "language competent" children were examined to determine whether age or language use contributed more to mature play. Matched by language level, subjects were drawn from five middle-class preschools and were of middle to upper socioeconomic status. (RH)

Discusses the experience of a committee at the University of Southern California that was formed to implement the university's requirement that foreign languages become a "Skill Level" requirement. This means that the student must meet the requirement by performing at a certain level on a proficiency examination. (SED)