Abstract
This paper shows how cultural misunderstandings are often as a result of incorrect or incomplete translations. The writer explains that people are influenced by the culture in which they live and this helps form their impressions and the ways in which they communicate. Consequently, a metalanguage is required to enable people to discuss a specific language without their culture impacting upon it.

From the Paper
"Cultural differences, which upon careful analysis may not be very great, are often exaggerated by the language barrier thus making it hard to conduct a comprehensive cultural analysis. If a person were to attempt to analyze another culture purely in terms of their own culture, this would clearly lead to misunderstanding and a breakdown in communication. This cultural divide is reinforced by the differing languages spoken in the varying cultures being compared. Whilst in a cultural analysis cultures may not be directly compared, the person conducting the analysis is still influenced by the culture to which they belong. As language forms a part of the activities which people undertake in their cultures, language is obviously going to have a large impact upon the cultural analysis being undertaken. By this, I am referring to the fact that if the person conducting the analysis merely translates lexemes from another language into his/her own language, the analysis will be incorrect as the cultural concepts underpinning the languages will be different. Thus it becomes necessary to be able to give definitions in a consistent fashion which does not rely upon any particular cultural concepts."

Tags:culture, language, linguistics, metalanguage, nsm, semantics

Abstract
A personal opinion paper which addresses the following questions - Does globalization of English form a serious threat? Do languages other than English face a slow death? This essays argues the eminent future of English and mother tongue.

From the Paper
"It appears that English is to become the main language in Europe, and perhaps the world. This topic has been discussed extensively and widely and there has been massive scientific research in recent years. I came upon the article "The Great English Divide" merely by chance, and the discussion caught my particular interest, as I am a Dutch-speaking Belgian, living in multi-lingual South Africa and currently studying towards a degree in English. I surfed the Internet, and found hundreds of articles discussing this same subject. The articles of my choice are only a few examples. Professor David Crystal has nominated a book to the subject "English as a global language" , where he researched these three questions: What makes a world language? Why is English the leading candidate? Will it continue to hold that position? David Crystal has written a number of books on the topic itself. My main interest is how this globalisation of the English Language will influence English as a language. Is the idea of globalisation of English not just a triumphalist notion? Will the increase of the use of English in non-English speaking countries change English vocabulary and grammar? Will the use of 'Fusion English' increase? Paradoxically, could it mean that the population of Europe will become monolingual and could therefore mother languages become extinct?"

Tags:english, globalisation, globilization, language, mother, tongue, linguistics

From the Paper
EBONICS AND LITERACY
"Dialects in the United States are spread throughout the country. Not all members of a group speak the same dialect, and dialects among groups differ. he most controversial dialect in American English is Ebonics. In order to advance socially and economically, individuals must have access to the culture of power, and therefore, dialect use is often discouraged by teachers in favor of Standard English use. But, does sufficient reason exist to discard or devalue vernacular dialects in pursuit of literacy in Standard English?

There is scarcely a country in the world today that could claim to be monolingual in any real sense Furthermore, historical linguistic conflicts reemerge as minorities assert their identity ( Literacy , no date, p. 1). In 1990, over 30% of the public school ..."

Abstract
This paper studies the origins of military jargon and measures the influence of military jargon and slang on the English language. It shows how the conquesting armies of the colonial British government adopted many phrases, words and slang which have made their way into everyday spoken English. It compares how British soldiers and American soldiers, when interacting in the World Wars, transferred military slang between each other.

From the Paper
"The English language has been going through the evolution process for hundreds of years. A number of words that were not recognized a few hundred years back are now commonly used. English has been continuously changing for centuries because of several reasons. Influence of other societies and cultures on English is the primary reason for this continuous change. Moreover, several military adventures conducted by the British Empire, which led to the expansion of the United Kingdom to almost one fourth of the earth's surface, also significantly influenced the English language. During these military operations, several English soldiers were exposed to some new cultures and societies. As a result of the influence from other cultures, they started using jargons and slang in their conversation, which were primarily adopted from several foreign languages. Similarly, American soldiers also adopted some jargons and slang during the Wars fought by American Army. "

Tags:america, british, war, foreign, culture

Abstract
This paper is composed of annotated bibliographies and a literature review of ten different research articles dealing with the acquisition of nonverbal, gestural, or sign languages. It addresses non-verbal language as a first language and a second language, as well as non-verbal language and symbolic communication systems in non-human primates and prehuman ancestors.

From the Paper
"Sharon Begley's main point in this article is that "the human brain is wired for gestural communication" just as it is for spoken language, from a nativist perspective. She draws on examples from apes who have learned signed languages, deaf-mute children who have invented their own languages in the absence of an established sign language, and the fact that blind people gesture at the same rate as sighted people. She cites studies of wild bonobos who use symbolic gesture to communicate with each other, and deaf children who created a signed language with more complex grammatical structures than the spoken language in their environment."

Tags:ape, asl, australopithecine, bonobo, chimpanzee, communication, gestural, sign, symbolic

Abstract
This paper examines the globalization of culture and how the American popular culture shapes it. It investigates how economic dominance, communications technologies, social and political events influence global mass media. The paper also describes the role of the English language in creating a single world culture.

From the Paper
"When we look at the dominant form of culture that characterizes our society today, it is often referred to as "globalization." But to many, this idea of a unified world is characterized by the concept of "Americanization." To a large extent, the shared culture around the world is becoming more and more influenced by American culture. There are many reasons for this, but primarily these are the result of the economic dominance of that nation, the development of global systems of communication, and the spread of English as the new international language. The following paper will address all of these issues in order to fully understand the reasons why the United States has a stranglehold on the global market in mass culture."

Tags:americanization, globalization

Abstract
This paper takes a couple of passages out of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and examines the text. It shows how Hurston creates a voice marked by weaving Black vernacular and standard American English to create a steady, flowing narration. This use of free, indirect discourse is used throughout the narrative.

From the Paper
"The New Historian critical approach to text investigates how power is distributed and draws on the works of American cultural anthropologist, Clifford Geertz. Anthropologists have used the works of Clifford Geertz to - illuminate the integrative significance of cultural symbols with particular communities? ( Lears,1985,p.573) in the belief that certain subordinate groups participate in their own domination through the work of cultural symbolism. Not unlike Geertz, German-American anthropologist, Franz Boas emphasized the importance of environment in the evaluation of individual capabilities. Boas also accentuated the magnitude of linguistic analysis from internal linguistic structure and pointed out that language is a fundamental aspect of culture. (Rassman. 1999,personal communication). Author Zora Neal Hurston studied anthropology with Franz Boas at Barnard College when she was about 35 years old (Gates,1990, p. 212). Boas? influence on the importance of language as cultural collateral is evident in Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God by virtue of her use of free indirect discourse and signifying."

Tags:narration, african, american

Abstract
This research paper begins with an introduction to cooperative learning strategy. The author then chose three articles that show how research over the years examine the way cooperative learning in bilingual classrooms benefits limited English proficient students and what activities teachers can integrate in classrooms in order to meet the needs of diverse language learners. The summary of the articles is followed by a discussion, specific examples of the implications for classroom practice, and ways that one can apply theory to practice.

From the Paper
"It is a challenge today for educators to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Yet, cooperative learning instructional strategy is found to be one of the most effective ways to promote successful academic achievement, language acquisition, and social development for English language learners. When classroom activities are meaningful, interesting, and relevant, learning is occurring at every level. In successfully organized groups, language minority students will gain proficiency in English, and their native language."

Tags:bilingual, cooperative, education, english, groups, language, learners, learning, minority, strategy, students

Abstract
The author of this paper disagrees with opinions that English should not be the official language of the United States. He shows that if English is not the official language, it makes learning it optional and in some cases, for non-English speakers, trivial. The author feels, however, that the United States government should offer federally-funded programs to help immigrants learn English. The paper examines several sources on the subject.

From the Paper
"Overall, I do not feel that any extreme is the right solution to a situation. I feel that in the United States, English is a common bond that allows people of diverse backgrounds to reach common understanding. However, I do not agree with the "English-only" movement. In my opinion, it is the extreme of English becoming the official language of the United States. I believe that anyone that resides in the United States should be able to speak proper English. But, people can still speak whatever language they choose at home and in private life."

Tags:language, english-only, communication, sociolinguist

Abstract
This five page paper critically examines John Steinbeck's short story, 'The Chrysanthemums' in order to extract the symbolism of the tale. It looks at the central characters of Elisa, Henry and the stranger to evict a deeper understanding of both the characters and the elements of the story. The writer demonstrates that through the symbols, Steinbeck expresses the undercurrent of frustration throughout the tale.

From the Paper
"There are many famous short stories, such as Ernest Hemingway's `Hills Like White Elephants" which, although startlingly short, reveal major insights about both the central characters as well as humanity in general. Through heavy yet artful symbolism, an author can make something seemingly confusing or insignificant manifest itself into a hugely relevant detail. John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums" is one of those tales. Utilizing a variety of symbols, such as Elisa's clothing, images of inside versus outside, fights and flowers, carefully placed throughout the short story, Steinbeck highlights the emotional separation of the main couple--Elisa and Henry--until it appears completely devoid of all hope for any recovery."

Tags:steinbeck, chrysanthemums, symbols