The role of language in cross-cultural research is investigated through analysis of: communication of information; conceptual and functional equivalence; measurement of linguistic variables; and social and language changes. Available from: UNESCO, 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris, France. (Author/DB)

Argues that definition of African American vernacular English is essential for linguists and for nonlinguists who define the language based on their personal relationships to the sociocultural matrix in which it is embedded. There is a need to resolve conflicts about the use of black English in the face of the complexity of responses toward it.…

Focuses on the question of how language rights can be subjected to legal provisions. Argues that, because language has social and individual aspects, working out solutions for specific situations is more important than universal principles. Argues against the idea that languages are objects deserving of legal protection. (14 references) (Author/CK)

A historical review of antidemocratic social thinking since 1885 and its educational consequences: compulsory education managed by a central bureaucracy rather than by individuals in local communities, and a gradual "narrowing" of the definition of democracy through state-regulated mind control by schools. (SAS)

Postulates that the construction of women's gendered identity in Western societies has assumed a conscious, systematic, and therefore educational form over the last 500 years. Analyzes historical processes in the development of a "sexual script" and addresses radical feminist positions that seek to rewrite the script. (83 citations) (MAB)

Understanding situated learning requires bridging sociocultural and cognitive theories. The reconciliation of cognitive and sociocultural theories provides a basis for accounting for ways situations influence the coconstruction of knowledge. The proposed framework accounts for the complementarily of the two perspectives and shows how arrangements…

Explored the relationship between familial factors and behavior outcomes in Latino adolescents using a youth development framework. Surveys of 446 youth within an urban community indicated that higher levels of parental monitoring and familial connectedness consistently related to less problem behavior involvement. Sociocultural encouragement…

Describes a million-word corpus for English-Italian translation students. Outlines the design, which makes multiple types of comparisons possible among originals and translations and illustrates how to use the corpus to teach sociocultural insights, discourse-structuring expressions, and lexical patterns. (Author/VWL)

Surveys the linguistic attitudes and cultural identity of Cajun speakers stratified by age and sex from four communities in Louisiana. Findings reveal that Cajun identity rests fundamentally in the linguistic ability of the speakers and that the criteria established has created considerable tension within the cultural Cajun community. (32…

Considers some of the scholarship on gender and mathematics, critically examining the findings that were produced and the influence they had. Proposes a fundamental tension in research on equity between lack of concern on the one hand and essentialism on the other. (Author/MM)

Addresses the need for a more clearly articulated research agenda on equity issues by proposing a working definition of equity and a focal point for research. Suggests that the place that holds the most promise for addressing equity is a research agenda that emphasizes enabling the practice of teachers that draws more heavily on design-based and…

Presents an autobiographical account of the long-term learning experience with English in different linguistic and sociocultural contexts. The account indicates a close relationship between communication needs and learning strategies adopted in different sociocultural contexts. (Author/VWL)

Summarizes key findings from a previous review of reading research in which the author charted a paradigm shift in content area reading research from strategy validation studies in the 1980s to qualitative studies aimed at understanding sociocultural dimensions in teaching and learning. Comments on issues presenting themselves now, at the outset…

Learning in cyberspace requires participation, motivation, and self-direction; it can be a transformative experience. The context of online learning has an interactive dimension (situated cognition, reflective practice) and a structural dimension (the impact of sociocultural factors on learning). (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

Studied operationalization of sociocultural competence for classroom learners and explored the benefit to learners of explicit training in strategies for coping with social and cultural situations. Includes a taxonomy of sociocultural strategies, description of explicit strategy training developed for a Russian English-as-a-Foreign-Language…