Abstract
This paper provides an abstract of Ferguson's article, highlights the most important sentence, summarizes the main arguments and applies it to real life situations. Particularly, the paper focuses on the specificity of function of diglossia as mentioned by Ferguson as the main point of the article, and draws conclusions about other non-diglossic language systems that also hold, to some extent, that specificity of function across languages.

From the Paper
"Charles Ferguson examines the concept of diglossia in four distinct language communities. He explains the concept of diglossia--one in which there are two languages existing side by side, one acquired during childhood, in the traditional manner of language acquisition, and used colloquially and socially, and the other superposed through a process of schooling and grammatical education, as well as (possibly) religious education, and which tends to be the standardized, written variety. He examines the various conditions under which diglossia exists, the circumstances that cause it to persist, the ways in which..."

Tags:anthropology, linguistics, diglossia

Abstract
The paper presents an abstract of the Makihara article and highlights the most important quotation. The writer goes over the main features of Makihara's argument and relates the article to Ferguson's original treatise on diglossia. The writer also draws from this article some questions and thoughts about the definition of language itself.

From the Paper
"Makihara provides an in-depth case study of the way in which diglossia has operated with respect to the Rapa Nui language on Easter Island. In particular, Makihara expands the understanding of diglossia established by Charles Ferguson. The diglossia of Easter Island is not merely one in which two distinct language compete or co-exist, each used in different contexts, or in different types of communication (i.e. written vs. verbal). On the contrary, diglossia on Easter Island exists within one integrated language, which Makihara calls "syncretic" (Makihara, 529) Rapa Nui. This syncretic version of diglossia is one in which grammatical and..."

Tags:anthropology, linguistics, diglossia

From the Paper
" CODE ALTERNATION IN ENGLISH ACROSS CULTURES
As in most new fields of research, labels can be disconcerting and confusing, because they change as new theories see the light, even when such theories are neither new nor bearers of significant modifications. So it is with code alternation, variations of which can be found in code switching, code mixing, code-shifting, code-choice, code-swaying, situational switching, and language switching--all subjects to refinements such as intersentential, intrasentential, diatopic, and diastratal code-switching. "According to estimations, about half of the earth's population speaks at least two languages... The alternating use of more than one language is one of the most striking features of many interactions in bilingual communities" (Auer, 1984:1). Most code-switching research has thus been.."

Abstract
This paper discusses Miki Makihara's in-depth case study of the way in which diglossia has operated with respect to the Rapa Nui language on Easter Island. It discusses the content of the article, "Linguistic Syncretism and Language Ideologies: Transforming Sociolinguistic Hierarchy on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)" and its importance. The paper then compares Makihara's article alongside Charles Ferguson's original article on diglossia, "Sociolinguistic Perspectives: Papers on Language in Society."

From the Paper
"Makihara's article is, of course, very interesting alongside Charles Ferguson's original article on diglossia (Ferguson, 1996). In particular, Makihara's expansion on Ferguson's conceptualization of diglossia is instructive. Ferguson's concept showed how one language can co-exist with another in situations where, typically, one is resigned to being a more casual, personal and devalued one, while another is typically valued as being more beautiful, spiritual, intellectual etc. Although Ferguson showed that this situation does not necessarily result in the prior or devalued language facing extinction, Makihara shows how two languages can be diglossic together in one syncretic language, used across contexts, functions and speakers and can actually, and most importantly, serve to uphold and preserve the original language against the odds."

Tags:diglossia, grammar, audience

Abstract
The following paper examines the theories on language acquisition and looks at the useful distinction between acquisition and learning. The writer also comments on approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages. Lastly the writer comments on interference as a factor in language learning.

Table of Contents
Bilingualism and Multilingualism
Diglossia
First Language Acquisition
Using a text-mapping device to depict the important stages in first-language acquisition
Theories on how language is acquired
Innateness
Cognition
Input
Approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages
Interference as a factor in language learning.

From the Paper
"Diglossia is the coexistence of two forms of the same language in speech community. The one form will often be the literary or prestige dialect, and the other one can be a dialect commonly spoken by most of the population. The term diglossia could also be used to indicate bilingualism, or the speaking of two languages by the people of the same community. An example for the first definition is the use of Dutch in Belgium. Dutch is one of the official languages in Belgium. Dutch-speaking Belgians are called the "Flemish" where the French-speaking Belgians are called "Walloons." Dutch spoken by Belgians is also referred to as "Flemish," which is not a literary form of the language, but a spoken "dialect." They are different varieties of the same language."

Tags:acquisition, audio, bilingualism, cognition, diglossia, direct, first, grammar, imitation, inateness, input, interference, language, lingual, method, multilingualism, translation

Abstract
This paper explains that the Greek language is also known as the Indo-European language of antiquity and belongs to the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. The paper delves into Greek word and root origins, grammatical structure, pronunciation, and usage. The paper concludes by emphasizing the flexibility of the Greek language, its ability to be used in all ancient and modern fields of study, and its effective and enormous lexicon.

From the Paper
"Along with being the first recorded Indo-European language, the Greek alphabet was the first known language to include written vowels instead of just consonants. Also through historical documentation, there is evidence that the writing style of Greek has undergone several changes during its lifetime. The first records were written right-to-left. Then, an interesting thing happened - the language was written both ways, though not interchangeably. The first line was written right>>left, the next left>>right, then right>>left, and continued in this pattern throughout the text. However, Greek lost this practical style for the present day Western style of left>>right.
"To relate the Greek language to our own language, Greek has had an enormous impact on modern English. Though its influence goes beyond what is presented here, the following short list of prefixes and suffixes is an example of some easily recognized:"

Tags:Indo-European, Hellenic, diglossia

Abstract
This paper discusses the pros and cons of bilingualism focusing on the homogenizing of the world's languages and the struggle to keep some languages and cultures alive. It mentions the effects of colonial powers, the necessities of learning other languages for trade purposes and the reluctance of younger members of minority groups to learn their original tongue. Contains information such as the top nine countries language wise contain 3,300 languages. The paper also discusses the gradual process of change in a language.

From the paper:

?Bilingualism is a reality today and it will become a greater reality as time goes. The extent to which it is prevalent is evidenced by the presence of bilinguals in every country today, as well as in every social class and every age group. International travel, communication and the mass media, emigration and planetary economics have created a so-called global village whereby inhabitants speak more than their own native language."

Tags:Fishman, Wurm, diglossia

Abstract
Korea is a country with a long and proud history in which language plays a particularly important and interesting role. This paper discusses language policy in the Republic of Korea through an investigation of Korean history, society, culture and economy; factors which have had a major impact on official policy, as well as societal attitudes towards language.

Outline
An Introduction to Korea
Chinese
Japanese
English
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Culturally Korea is very different from countries in the west. The journalist, author, and long time resident of Korea Michael Breen, in his book "The Koreans," writes, "This is not a culture in which diversity is seen as a value or an ideal. Koreans see virtue in unity: one mind, one people, one system, one race, one path (1998:68)."
Korea is considered to be the nation most influenced by Confucian philosophy, being even more orthodox in its implementation than China, from where Confucius originated. Therefore, elders are held in very high regard, as are people in authority, and of high social standing."

Tags:bilingualism, culture, diglossia, efl, esl, japanese, chinese