A presentation of an experiment testing the claim that on-line syntactic processing is autonomous and not affected by semantic content. Results suggested that before the clause boundary is reached, syntactic decisions can be influenced by prior semantic context. An appendix containing numerous examples of clauses and probe words is included. (AMH)

A synthesis of a research project treating the relationship between the comprehension of English words, the ability to use them and their actual usage by members of various social groups in Paris. Topics covered are: methodology, classification of words, reactions of informants and interpretation of data. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Although the linguistic properties of sign languages, and of American Sign Language (ASL) in particular, are beginning to be studied, little work has been done on the functional properties of sign. Four experiments are reported in which signed messages were subjected to varying amounts of disruption using repetitive temporal interruption. Results…

To show the correlation between sociocultural factors and linguistic performance, a qualitative classification of the head of noun clauses as used by elementary level children is attempted. (Text is in French.) (CDSH/CLK)

Experiment I studied type of processing (semantic or nonsemantic) and dimension of rating (pleasantness or frequency of occurrence). Recall was higher under semantic conditions and after ratings of pleasantness. Experiment 2 showed that the difference between incidental and intentional learners increases as more stress is placed on the learning…

The selective tuning of feature detectors sensitive to the acoustic information relevant to the assignment of distinctive phonetic feature values was investigated with a contingent adaptation paradigm. (Author/RM)

This study demonstrates that a property of verbs, implicit causality, is important in determining coreference of potentially ambiguous anaphoric pronouns in a timed comprehension task. Verbs were classified according to bias toward a noun phrase; pairs of sentences were constructed for each. Response time was faster for congruent sentences. (CHK)

Recognition memory for statements made during a luncheon discussion group was tested in an incidental learning paradigm after thirty hours. Statements high in interactional content yielded excellent memory for surface form and meaning; statements low in interactional content showed no memory for surface form and less memory for content. (CHK)

Levels of processing were manipulated as a function of acquisition task and type of recognition test in three experiments. Experiment I showed semantic acquisition to be superior to rhyme acquisition given a standard recognition test, whereas rhyme acquisition was superior given a rhyming recognition test. Results are interpreted and discussed.…

A description of an electromyographic investigation carried out on the speech of deaf speakers. The research attempted to answer questions concerning articulation and phonetic patterns in the speech of deaf adults. Results indicated that the deaf speakers extended the duration of speech segments and exhibited difficulty coordinating articulation…

This paper represents a partial condensation of the results of a study covering 14 months in a Russian-speaking child's phonological development. Evidence supports a theory of phonological acquisition formulated by Olmsted (1971), and offers detailed information on the child's acquisition of specific phones. (CHK)

A study of graphic disorders observed afflicted with cortical lesions. The topics discussed are: elements of graphic activity, linguistic theories on the relationship between written and spoken language and the principal theses of aphasiologists on disorders in written language. A bibliography is attached. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

An introduction to this issue of "Langue Francaise," on the relationship between linguistics, sociolinguistics and sociology. An overview is presented of the research methodology of each of these sciences, the contributions of generative grammar, and the point of view of the linguist, sociolinguist and grammarian. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

Proposes that communicative language teaching must be evaluated in light of second language acquisition theory and research. Argues that without this critical perspective, communicative language teaching runs the risk of being no better than the traditional methods it was intended to replace. (SR)