The vocative use of the Chinese term of address "tongzhi" ("comrade"), is analyzed. It was found that in its unmarked form it is a neutral term, but marked, its use becomes a negotiation to change the social distance between speaker and addressee, possibly explaining how certain such structures evolve and are maintained. (MSE)

Challenges existing assumptions about literacy and literacy learning in an effort to both demonstrate and explore the transactive potentials of theory and methodology in the study of literacy. (HOD)

The use of interpersonal verbal routines such as greetings and thanks is examined as a universal phenomenon of human languages. Examples from Syrian Arabic, American English and other languages are used to show differing patterns of structure and use, susceptible of grammatical and sociolinguistic analysis. (Author/RM)

This article discusses the influence of cultural factors on language, particularly in the area of lexicon, and is intended for students of Spanish as a second language. (Text is in Spanish.) (CLK)

This article describes what is perceived as a gradual relaxation of language usage norms in Spanish, and calls for the creation of a center to help modernize technical Spanish and to minimize the intrusion of English technical vocabulary. (Text is in Spanish.) (CLK)

Filled with examples of French slang and colloquialisms, this article notes the importance of learning such everyday language to speak French correctly. (CHK)

This article notes the numbers of students in Australia enrolled in high school and college courses in Serbo-Croatian. Many of these have Serbo-Croatian ethnic or linguistic backgrounds. (CHK)

The shift from regional to social variation in linguistic behavior has necessitated inclusion of larger numbers of informants in studies. This paper examines some sampling techniques and discusses the structuring of a community profile representative of a target population and exhibiting necessary social variation for accurate dialect study. (CHK)

The textbook, entirely in French, is an introduction to functional phonology. The first six chapters present the basics of functional phonology, insisting on the specific aspects of this approach for the description of languages. Principles and procedures of synchronic analysis are outlined and illustrated through many examples. Chapter 7 is…

One concern in current sociolinguistic theories of language variation is to find dynamic models that integrate rules governing the 'lects' of a language into a unified description of that language. The dynamics of language change in the variations inherent to the Fijian dialect chain have profound implications for language literacy and educational…

The issues of language assessment and placement raise several important questions: (1) What are the basic premises upon which current language assessment instruments have been developed? (2) What is the state of the art in language proficiency assessment? (3) What implications do current research findings have for language proficiency assessment?…

Recent sociolinguistic research is used to show that the American Sign Language (ASL)-English contact situation does not result in the emergence of a pidgin as supposed. Variation along the ASL-English continuum can be accounted for by interplay of foreigner talk, judgments of proficiency, and learners' attempts to master the target language.…

Examines the effects of literacy on cultural traditions, linguistic behavior, socioeconomic organization, cognitive processes, and child development. Considers the implications for anthropological, psychological, and linguistic theories from the increased attention given to the study of literacy. Includes suggestions for socially and culturally…

Reports on a study of the relationship of English phonological variation to intelligibility for adult second language learners of English. Indicates that learners tested on their ability to understand working-class (New Yorkese), educated (Standard English), and Foreign-accented speakers of English found the standard more intelligible than the…

Describes the processes by which distinctive varieties of English develop in areas where English functions as a second language. The distinctions between rhetorical and communicative norms for speech events in these varieties are discussed. (Author/AM)