A study investigated whether, when second language learners engage in second-language interaction, opportunities to comprehend and produce the second language are conditioned by their gender and/or the correspondence between their gender and that of the interlocutor. The interactions of a native speaker (NS) and a non-native speaker (NNS) in same- and cross-gender dyads were analyzed in four information exchange tasks. Subjects were 12 male and 20 female native speakers of American English and 17 male and 15 female native speakers of Japanese learning English as a Second Language, all at the low-intermediate level. Results did not show a clear-cut role for NNS gender as a discriminating factor in frequency of negotiated interaction and its associated opportunities for comprehension of input, feedback on production, and modification of output. What emerged from testing of hypotheses was a complex interaction of both gender and task type in providing and inhibiting these opportunities. The framework for coding data on negotiated interactions and a diagram of one of the tasks are appended, and a 52-item bibliography is included. (MSE) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *****************************t*****************************************

Sociolinguistic research suggests that women are more likely than men to use politeness strategies in their speech. Researchers have reported that women pay more compliments than men, that women in talk with same-sex peers use a large number of positive-politeness stra-tegies while men in analogous situations do not, and that women are more likely to apologize, soften criticism or express thanks than men. However, most studies of gender variations in politeness have not examined the relationship between situation and language use. In this data drawn from voice mail messages in a legal setting, male speakers ’ use of politeness markers was roughly equal to that of women’s. Moreover, positive politeness strategies were used almost exclusively by male speakers, and only by attorneys, and the two speakers who used the greatest number of politeness markers in individual messages were both men. Factors which may play a role in explaining these findings include the one-sided nature of voice mail communications and the fact that the data were generated in a legal setting and that seven of the eleven speakers were attorneys.

I hereby declare that this dissertation is my own work. This dissertation has not been submitted before for any degree or any examination in any other university. Where use has been made of the results of other authors, they have been duly acknowledged.-TfMtk

Copyright by

Abstract not found

suprasegmental signaling of attitude

Accessible online at:

This qualitative study explored the overall impact of training HVAC technicians using the SightPros‐VirTechs system for remote,  wireless,  internet video assistance at a small HVAC company,  Metro Environmental. John Thomason,  the president/co‐owner developed a website and a new SightPros communication tool that allows wireless,  one‐ on‐one,  just‐in‐time,  high‐quality,  video‐monitored instructions between an expert at one site and a technician at another site. Metro Environmental successfully used the SightPros‐VirTechs system to train a new apprentice remotely. The apprentice and expert changed their normal and routine physical activities because the expert worked remotely and the apprentice worked on‐ site. Within just a few months,  the apprentice proved competent enough to go to customer accounts without more experienced technicians nearby. The technicians express excitement about the SightPros communication tool as a way to contact remote experts whenever needed. The customer and business contacts also give good reviews and suggest other benefits. The expert permanently captures the communications so the company can use the saved video for many applications,  especially training. The dissertation provides a list of recommendations to trainers/educators for similar applications. ii