Attempts to characterize and classify French verbs that may be called dative according to the complements that characteristically follow them. (AM)

Investigated whether preschool children who evidence a correct understanding of the dimensional adjectives big and little are capable of segmenting a physical continuum into regions described by those adjectives and combinations of adjectives and modifiers. (Author/JMB)

This article explains the difference between Spanish "que" and "de" as translations of "than.""Que" is used in comparisons involving two different entities, while "de" is required when reference is to a single entity. (CHK)

Reports a study which examines children's understanding of the terms "inside" and "around" and the concepts they represent. (JMB)

Studies the modalities "to believe" and "to know" within the framework of pragmatics and establishes a rhetorical hierarchy of speech acts going from "opinion" to "fact" to "necessity." (Text is in French.) (CDSH/AM)

Presents different types and degrees of modalizations which are necessary for the construction of a discourse grammar. (Text is in French.) (CDSH/AM)

Within the context of pragmatics, the isomorphism of the four types of modality are studied: lexical, propositional, illocutionary, and axiological. (Text is in French.) (CDSH/AM)

Presents a syntactic and semantic study of the lexicalization of modalities in French, particularly by the verbs "devoir" ("to have to"), "pouvoir" ("to be able to"), "savoir" ("to know"), and "vouloir" ("to want"). (Text is in French.) (CDSH/AM)

Children in grades 1, 3, and 5 were asked to decide whether selected contradictory sentences were true or false. The age at which children were first able to evaluate the false sentences correctly corresponded to the relative speed with which adults evaluated the sentences in a timed vertification task. (Author/JMB)

Discusses the meanings that may be expressed in Spanish by this verb. (RM)

Suggests that having children learn Latin and Greek elements in words helps them figure out word meanings. (JM)

Discusses the tendency of humans to describe parts and functions of a computer with terminology that refers to human characteristics; for example, parts of the body (electronic brain), intellectual activities (optical memory), and physical activities (command). Computers are also described through metaphors, connotations, allusions, and analogies…

Contends that the inappropriate use of "epistemology" by some family therapists promotes the idea that systemic and psychological modes of explanation are incompatible. Maintains that a kind of cognitive psychology is implicit in what family therapists say about reframing and that family therapists pollute the semantic environment. (Author/KS)

Results of two studies of elementary school and college students indicate that the processes of automaticity and speed in recognizing the meanings of familiar printed words take slightly different developmental courses. However, the most rapid changes in both measures occur prior to second grade. (PCB)

Discusses four types of doublespeak: euphemism, jargon, bureaucratese, and inflated language. Cites examples of the pervasive use of doublespeak in business, politics, and the military. Asserts that to eliminate doublespeak, English teachers should teach respect for language as well as effective use of language. (MM)