Herb, may I refer to your messages in the paper I'm writing? The ones in the thread on functional grammar are of particular interest to me. Judy -----Original Message----- From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Herb Stahlke Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 3:46 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: fUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR A minor point, but while we do need the language of wider communication and we must, as we all agree, prepare our students to compete, what makes the language of wider communication what it is is not that it "can communicate thoroughly and precisely the meanings we need to communicate across geographical, cultural, and ethnic boundaries" but, simply and tautologically, that it is the language of wider communication. It is its status as the prestige dialect that makes it acceptable across various boundaries, not its linguistic properties. Herbert F. W. Stahlke, Ph.D. Professor of English Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306 [log in to unmask] >>> [log in to unmask] 11/08/01 09:56AM >>> But we need a language in the English-speaking world that can communicate thoroughly and precisely the meanings we need to communicate across geographical, cultural, and ethnic boundaries. We, as teachers, scholars, writers, editors, etc., have a responsibility to ensure the availability of that language to all persons who need to communicate across those boundaries. To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/