Compares the use of terms from natural and social science titles and abstracts from the perspective of sublanguages and their specialized dictionaries. Different notions of sublanguage distinctiveness are explained, and objective methods for separating hard and soft sciences are suggested based on measures of sublanguage use, dictionary…

A study investigated gender-related patterns of student talk in teacher-directed and student-directed peer response groups in college writing classrooms. Females in both groups asked more questions, made more suggestions, and more often used gender-typical language. Although females and males in teacher-directed groups responded equally, females…

Social implications of phonological and morphological variation in Classical Latin is examined. Arguments for the social factor are instances of hypercorrection, private and domestic instances of certain datives and Augustus' use of rural "domos" for "domus." It is understood in terms of the model of urbanization. (35…

Two types of main hall discussions at an ecology conference were studied: plenary lecture discussion as an accepted, established spoken research process genre with its own conventions; and poster session discussion as a fragile, embryonic research process genre struggling for definition. (14 references) (Author/LB)

Reporting verbs used in reporting statements, or citation, in medical journal articles are described, and their role in the discourse is examined. Choice among Discourse Verbs, Real-Word Verbs, and Cognition Verbs correlates with the rhetorical function of the report; e.g, Cognition Verbs correlate with reports of consensus views of the scientific…

Ways that teacher-conducted classroom research can interrogate ideological tensions in the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom are discussed. Using a poststructuralist perspective on language, the paper interprets verbal and visual signs in the American textbook and the graffiti scribbled by students in the margins. Much deals with ethnic…

This study investigated complimenting behavior in three language varieties, British English, Finnish, and the interlanguage of Finish Learners of English. It found that compliments in Finnish tended to be longer and more syntactic than in English and that Finnish learners of English demonstrated appropriate complimenting behavior in English,…

This article examines recent research in the areas of contrastive analysis (CA) and error analysis (EA) as they apply to second-language learning, focusing on redefinitions and modifications of the concepts of language "transfer,""error," and "native speaker." It argues that both CA and EA remain vital components of applied linguistics and…

This article discusses Moroccan attitudes toward English language instruction and usage, focusing on such issues as "cultural imperialism," the deculturalization of English, and implications for teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Morocco. It is argued that a culturally sensitive approach to EFL instruction should focus more…

An approach to writing instruction in a second language begins with a look at the different functions of oral and written language and proceeds to an analysis of stylistic differences. A number of examples are offered from French textbooks, letters, and excerpts from speech used on television. (MSE)

Examines language development in preschool children, focusing on teacher-child interactions that can help facilitate language development. Suggests that teachers, parents, and other adults need to respond to children's conversation, elaborate on children's language, and ask children questions. Argues that the best way to facilitate language…

Discusses and illustrates children's writing efforts and their understanding of written language. (BB)

Examines the revision process, begun in 1973, that created the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, published in 1990. Stresses the importance of accurate reflection of ancient texts in contemporary yet enduring language. Notes the ecumenical nature of the committee responsible for this revision. Provides an annotated list of Bible…

Analyzes the oral language patterns of students from working class backgrounds, revealing a preference for practical efficiency of communication over grammatical correctness or precision. By school standards, their spoken narrations are confused, incoherent, and incorrect, leading to cultural misunderstandings, mutual incomprehension, and…

A study of business letters indicates striking differences in the politeness strategies used by native and nonnative English speakers. Nonnative speakers' language tended to be less formal, more direct, and showed an avoidance of certain politeness strategies. The findings suggest that even grammatically flawless business writing may be perceived…