The aim of the research reported here was to describe dialect diversity in Appalachia (Monroe and Mercer Counties, West Virginia) and to examine the possible effect of this diversity on education. The present volume contains the first two parts of the report, the third being submitted separately. The first part includes chapters 1-5, the second 6-9. Chapter 1 sets forth the sociocultural setting for the study, while chapter 2 establishes a sociolinguistic framework for viewing the linguistic diversity of the region. Chapters 3 and 4 outline the main features of Appalachian English, focusing on phonological and grammatical levels of language organization. Educational considerations are discussed in chapter 5. Part One is intended primarily as a reference work for educators, particularly reading specialists, language arts specialists and speech pathologists. In Part Two, several select features of Appalachian English are examined in more technical detail; this section is intended primarily for the professional linguist. Chapter 6 deals with "A-prefixing," and chapter 7 with irregular verbs. Chapter 8 discusses the perfective "done," and chapter 9 deals with subject-verb concord. Appendix A provides a sample of two interview questionnaires, one used for adults and one for adolescents. Appendix B consists of a sample informant interview, and Appendix C gives a complete list of the informants who participated in the project, including their age, sex, and occupation. A bibliography concludes the volume. (Author/CLK)