Interpretation of Meaning Across Discourses
Interpretation of Meaning Across Discourses
Contributor(s): Renata Jančaříková (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics, Language studies, Education, Foreign languages learning, Media studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Communication studies, Syntax, Lexis, Semantics, Politics and communication, Higher Education
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: English language; communication; discourses; politics; academic writing; legal discourse; media; education; semantics; linguistics;
Summary/Abstract: This volume presents the results of research into the interpretation of meaning in different types of English discourse, both written and spoken, with focus on the specificities of particular discourses and genres and the influence of these specificities on the communicative intentions of the participants. The studies explore different aspects of the interpretation of meaning in academic, fictional, learner, legal, media, political, and spontaneous and prepared spoken discourse.
- E-ISBN-13: 978-80-210-8947-1
- Page Count: 259
- Publication Year: 2018
- Language: English
CONTRASTIVE AND RESULTIVE CONJUNCTS IN ENGLISH ACADEMIC PROSE
CONTRASTIVE AND RESULTIVE CONJUNCTS IN ENGLISH ACADEMIC PROSE
(CONTRASTIVE AND RESULTIVE CONJUNCTS IN ENGLISH ACADEMIC PROSE)
- Author(s):Vladimíra Ježdíková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Semantics, Higher Education , Stylistics
- Page Range:11-23
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:academic prose; cohesion; cohesive means; conjuncts; contrastive conjuncts; resultive conjuncts;
- Summary/Abstract:The contribution examines the role of certain cohesive devices, namely conjuncts, in academic discourse, comparing their distribution in three text types which are represented by a textbook aimed at university students, research articles from a recognized scientific journal and conference papers. The material under investigation is taken from authentic scientific texts on computer science, all of which are intended for the technically educated reading scientific public, yet are all different in the purpose for which they were written, the presupposed type of readers and the situational framework in which they are presumed to be read. Focusing mainly on the most distinctive semantic categories of resultive and contrastive conjuncts, the paper analyses the frequency and variety of both semantic categories of conjuncts and individual tokens. The paper tests the hypothesis that different academic settings for which scientific texts are designed influence the type of cohesive means used.
THE USE OF NON-FINITE CLAUSES IN WRITTEN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE
THE USE OF NON-FINITE CLAUSES IN WRITTEN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE
(THE USE OF NON-FINITE CLAUSES IN WRITTEN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE)
- Author(s):Zuzana Kozáčiková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Syntax, Semantics, Higher Education , Stylistics
- Page Range:25-32
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:dependent clause; written discourse; academic discourse; research abstracts; non-finite clause; to-infinitive clause;
- Summary/Abstract:This paper investigates the use and syntactic properties of non-finite clauses in different types of written academic discourse. Non-finite clauses are defined narrowly as the forms not inflected by categories that are marked inflectionally in language, as tense, aspect, mood, number, gender and person. Considering their syntactic and semantic distribution, non-finite clauses serve as markers of formal language variety. The present study tries to look at the formal realization and communicative use of non-finite forms in language.
HEDGING DEVICES IN LITERARY CRITICISM RESEARCH ARTICLES
HEDGING DEVICES IN LITERARY CRITICISM RESEARCH ARTICLES
(HEDGING DEVICES IN LITERARY CRITICISM RESEARCH ARTICLES)
- Author(s):Martina Malášková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Studies of Literature
- Page Range:33-45
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:academic discourse; research article; hedges; metadiscourse;
- Summary/Abstract:The research of hedging has received a considerable amount of attention in recent years. This phenomenon has been surveyed from many different points of view and its importance has thus been sufficiently proven. There are, however, still areas that have been neglected so far. One of them is the field of literary criticism. This paper presents the results of a small scale study focusing on the occurrence of hedges in literary criticism research articles (RA). The results of the research show that various types of hedges can be found in the above mentioned type of RAs and indicate that further research of this field may fruitfully contribute to our understanding of the concept of hedging.
MODALITY IN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE: MEANING AND USE OF EPISTEMIC VERBS IN RESEARCH ARTICLES
MODALITY IN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE: MEANING AND USE OF EPISTEMIC VERBS IN RESEARCH ARTICLES
(MODALITY IN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE: MEANING AND USE OF EPISTEMIC VERBS IN RESEARCH ARTICLES)
- Author(s):Melanie Marcinkowski
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Theoretical Linguistics, Higher Education , Stylistics
- Page Range:47-59
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:academic writing; natural sciences; specialised and popular discourse; epistemic modality;
- Summary/Abstract:This contribution reports on a study of epistemic verbs in a corpus of scientific research articles from two subdisciplines of the natural sciences (Biosciences and Physics) and their popular adaptations in New Scientist. Epistemic devices express the writer’s commitment to the truth value of a state of affairs. Epistemic verbs can be divided into downtoners, i.e. verbs that indicate writers’ lack of confidence (e.g. indicate, assume) and indicators of certainty that express writers’ conviction of the state of affairs described in the proposition (e.g. show, conclude). Epistemic verbs are thus an important means of communicating knowledge and presenting findings in scientific research articles and their popular versions. This study explores the meaning and use of frequent epistemic verbs in their personal and impersonal uses and aims at contributing to the research on stylistic conventions in scientific and popular academic writing. The analysis shows that there are quantitative as well as qualitative differences in the use of epistemic verbs between the two subdisciplines and their popular versions.
LEXICAL COHESION IN POPULAR VS. THEORETICAL SCIENTIFIC TEXTS
LEXICAL COHESION IN POPULAR VS. THEORETICAL SCIENTIFIC TEXTS
(LEXICAL COHESION IN POPULAR VS. THEORETICAL SCIENTIFIC TEXTS)
- Author(s):Radek Vogel
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Theoretical Linguistics, Lexis, Semantics
- Page Range:61-74
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:antonymy; direct cohesive chains; generalisation; lexical cohesion; popular scientific texts; repetition; specification; superordinates; synonymy; theoretical scientific texts;
- Summary/Abstract:Lexical cohesion, i.e. selection of lexical items which are in some way related to other lexical items in a text, contributes importantly to creating the texture, as defined by Halliday and Hasan (1976), and increases the overall coherence of the text. The article looks into different devices of lexical cohesion employed in scientific texts, namely reiterations (including exact repetitions and synonyms), use of superordinate expressions and general terms, and marginally also collocations. It is built upon an assumption that two basic types of scientific text, popular and theoretical ones, display some differences in the ratios between these lexical cohesive devices as well as in the frequency of their occurrence in each individual type. The analysis has been undertaken on two corpora of texts dealing with various topics in physics, comparing a text which is highly theoretical with one covering the same respective topic, adapted rather for didactic purposes or purposes of popular science. Lexical chains reveal the cohesive links between thematic elements of the texts and highlight the differences between individual texts matched in pairs. Particularly the use of general and superordinate lexemes in contrast to exact repetitions has proved to be the feature distinguishing between the two text varieties.
ON THE TEXTUAL REALIZATION AND INTERPRETATION OF LISTS IN CONTEMPORARY PROSE TEXT: THE CASE OF SIMON MAWER’S THE GLASS ROOM
ON THE TEXTUAL REALIZATION AND INTERPRETATION OF LISTS IN CONTEMPORARY PROSE TEXT: THE CASE OF SIMON MAWER’S THE GLASS ROOM
(ON THE TEXTUAL REALIZATION AND INTERPRETATION OF LISTS IN CONTEMPORARY PROSE TEXT: THE CASE OF SIMON MAWER’S THE GLASS ROOM)
- Author(s):Jolana Kaštovská
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Theoretical Linguistics, Studies of Literature
- Page Range:75-84
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:listing; enumeration; text linguistics; literary prose text; CDA;
- Summary/Abstract:The proposed paper reports on the current use of lists and enumeration in literary fiction. The first part presents authentic samples of lists, focusing on the creative realizations of lists which largely depart from the simple example – men, women and children (after Halliday & Hasan 1976) and on the ‘iconic’ lists of three items (cf. Quirk et al. 1985). The second part introduces semantic interpretations of selected samples of the lists in order to point out the discrepancy between exemplifying and enumerating as defined in Jeffries (2010). Although lists and enumeration may be generally considered rather peripheral cohesive devices in the mainstream texts, particularly literary fiction, they may link larger chunks of text and contribute to the overall organization and structure of text as they do in text colonies (cf. Hoey 1986, 2003 [2001]).
MODAL EXPRESSIONS OF NECESSITY AND THEIR NON-EXPLICIT COUNTERPARTS
MODAL EXPRESSIONS OF NECESSITY AND THEIR NON-EXPLICIT COUNTERPARTS
(MODAL EXPRESSIONS OF NECESSITY AND THEIR NON-EXPLICIT COUNTERPARTS)
- Author(s):Renata Šimůnková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Studies of Literature, Comparative Linguistics, Translation Studies
- Page Range:85-95
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:modality; necessity; deontic; epistemic; translation; contrastive study;
- Summary/Abstract:The paper presents a study based on excerpts from eight works of contemporary fiction which focuses on the cases in which corresponding to an explicit modal expression in the original text no explicit modal expression is used in the translation. In other words, it deals with necessity explicitly expressed at the lexical level in one language corresponding to the absence of such an expression in the other language, modal verbs being considered lexical means of modality. The study attempts to classify such cases and to explain the reasons behind the choice of the particular translations, for example, lexicalization, pragmatic factors, the translation copying the original does not sound natural, etc. Root and epistemic modality are dealt with separately, but at the end of the paper the individual findings are summarized to provide a complex picture.
EFFECT OF BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON AUDITORY COMPREHENSION IN INTERPRETING COURSES
EFFECT OF BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON AUDITORY COMPREHENSION IN INTERPRETING COURSES
(EFFECT OF BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON AUDITORY COMPREHENSION IN INTERPRETING COURSES)
- Author(s):Reima Al-Jarf
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Theoretical Linguistics, Semantics, Higher Education , Translation Studies
- Page Range:97-108
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:interpreting skills; foreign proper nouns auditory discrimination; meaning transfer; background knowledge;
- Summary/Abstract:Saudi college students majoring in translation take six interpreting courses. In those courses, they practise listening to and interpreting authentic lectures in a variety of subject areas. Results of an interpreting pre-test showed that college students majoring in an interpreting course have problems with media reports. They have difficulty discriminating phonemes and comprehending the meaning of unfamiliar foreign proper nouns such as place name, names of politicians, organizations, chemicals or diseases that they encounter in oral media reports. Results of questionnaire-interviews with students showed that the source of difficulty was lack of prior knowledge and unfamiliarity with foreign proper names.
ESP STUDENTS AND THE MYSTERIES OF ENGLISH WORD ORDER
ESP STUDENTS AND THE MYSTERIES OF ENGLISH WORD ORDER
(ESP STUDENTS AND THE MYSTERIES OF ENGLISH WORD ORDER)
- Author(s):Lenka Slunečková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Syntax, Lexis
- Page Range:109-120
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:Czech; English; word order; translation; ESP;
- Summary/Abstract:The paper is based on a research project carried out at the University of Economics, Prague, which attempts to show the problems students face when producing and interpreting English texts which are connected with the different functions of word order in English and in Czech. In both English and Czech, some issues were found which may lead not only to difficulties in understanding the text but to more or less significant changes in meaning. The students’ awareness of these issues appears to be very low. As academic and technical texts require a high level of precision, we believe it should be paid more attention in ESP teaching at university level.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN READING, WRITING, LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF THE STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY IN GREECE
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN READING, WRITING, LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF THE STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY IN GREECE
(BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN READING, WRITING, LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF THE STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY IN GREECE)
- Author(s):Makrina Zafiri
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Foreign languages learning, Architecture, Higher Education
- Page Range:121-131
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:ESP/EAP language teaching; reading; writing; listening and speaking teaching material;
- Summary/Abstract:This paper probes into the second language learning needs of first and second year university students who are studying architecture at the University of Thessaly, Greece. More specifically it examines the texts which have been chosen and appropriately prepared for the specific purpose of teaching English for Academic Purposes. It also examines the teaching of writing skills to the aforementioned students, with an emphasis on coherence, development, appropriate use of the terminology learnt and readability. Oral language practice, especially the oral use of the terminology and language which has been taught and learnt during the course of the lesson will also be looked into. The article also reports upon the creation of a genuine need for tertiary education students to communicate in English using the terminology and language learnt. This paper rounds off with the presentation and use of authentic videos, listening exercises and written material which the presenter of the paper (and teacher of ESP/EAP) has produced and used.
COHERENCE IN COURT ARGUMENTS
COHERENCE IN COURT ARGUMENTS
(COHERENCE IN COURT ARGUMENTS)
- Author(s):Monika Gyuró
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Communication studies, Semantics, Court case
- Page Range:133-145
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:argumentation; global coherence; local coherence; legal discourse; argumentative schemata;
- Summary/Abstract:Coherent communication seems to be a necessary and sufficient condition in any institutional talk including forensic discourse in court of justice. Argumentation forms an important part of legal discourse when people intend to attain comprehensibility and consistency in their communication in support of their case trying to win their suits. The paper seeks to explore both global coherence manifested in the argumentation stages of the discourse analysed and local coherence. Local coherence can be detected not only by the size of the discourse units, but also by the relations that exist among them. From the traditions of argumentation theory the argumentation stages proposed by van Eemeren, the concept on argumentative schemata by Perelman and the dialectical analysis based on speech acts by Walton prove to be fruitful to our investigation, thus providing an overall picture of the phenomenon in question.
CONCESSIVE SCHEMATA IN JUDICIAL ARGUMENTATION: A DIALOGUE IN A MONOLOGUE?
CONCESSIVE SCHEMATA IN JUDICIAL ARGUMENTATION: A DIALOGUE IN A MONOLOGUE?
(CONCESSIVE SCHEMATA IN JUDICIAL ARGUMENTATION: A DIALOGUE IN A MONOLOGUE?)
- Author(s):Magdalena Szczyrbak
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Semantics, Stylistics, Court case
- Page Range:147-159
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:concession; legal discourse; judicial argumentation; EU discourse;
- Summary/Abstract:While concessivity has been approached from various perspectives, the semantic-syntactic model being the most frequent one, the situational context of this linguistic phenomenon seems to have received little attention. Drawing on the interactional tripartite concept of Concession, the author contributes a genre-based analysis of this discourse-pragmatic relation in the context of dialogicality of legal decision-making. The study focuses on monologic Concessive schemata found in judicial argumentation as well as the interactional functions of two Concessive moves: acknowledgments and counterclaims. As expected, the findings suggest that judges, like speakers, are aware of and follow the dialogic pattern of Concession found in spoken language.
PALPATED, PHONENDOSCOPED, X-RAYED AND TOMOGRAPHED: THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENCE NEWS IN GOOD SHAPE
PALPATED, PHONENDOSCOPED, X-RAYED AND TOMOGRAPHED: THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENCE NEWS IN GOOD SHAPE
(PALPATED, PHONENDOSCOPED, X-RAYED AND TOMOGRAPHED: THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENCE NEWS IN GOOD SHAPE)
- Author(s):Jaromír Haupt
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Media studies, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies
- Page Range:161-173
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:coherence; genre; news structure; popular science;
- Summary/Abstract:Given the growing importance of science popularization, the genre of science news has received relatively little attention so far. The present study attempts to help to fill the gap by investigating the generic structure of science news. To obtain a more comprehensive picture, the structure is examined from three different points of view, using move analysis, van Dijk’s description of news structure and the study of coherence structure focusing on contrastive relations. The results of the three approaches are confronted and integrated. The analysis shows various correlations which are accounted for with reference to the purpose of the genre.
WORD-ORDER AS A MEANS OF RESOLVING AMBIGUITY
WORD-ORDER AS A MEANS OF RESOLVING AMBIGUITY
(WORD-ORDER AS A MEANS OF RESOLVING AMBIGUITY)
- Author(s):Vladislav Smolka
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Foreign languages learning, Media studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Syntax, Lexis, Semantics
- Page Range:175-184
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:word-order; ambiguity; scope; FSP; newspaper discourse;
- Summary/Abstract:English word-order performs a variety of functions: some of these have received considerable attention while others have remained relatively underexplored. The dominant function of word-order in English is to signal the syntactic function of an element through its position in the sentence. Consequently, the linear arrangement of clause constituents is much less variable than in Czech, for example, where the signalling role is performed by inflections. Nevertheless, even the English word-order is not absolutely rigid. Deviations from the canonical word-order may be motivated by factors such as the functional sentence perspective, the relative length and structural complexity of the respective clause constituent, as well as by the need to achieve cohesion of the text. This paper looks at deviations from the grammatical word-order which might be motivated by the need to avoid potential ambiguity, i.e. at cases where a more usual ordering of clause constituents is open to more than one interpretation. Most attention is given to potential ambiguities of scope occurring in newspaper discourse.
FAITHFULNESS/VERBATIM REPRODUCTION IN DIRECT REPORTED FORMS: AN OVERVIEW
FAITHFULNESS/VERBATIM REPRODUCTION IN DIRECT REPORTED FORMS: AN OVERVIEW
(FAITHFULNESS/VERBATIM REPRODUCTION IN DIRECT REPORTED FORMS: AN OVERVIEW)
- Author(s):Zuzana Urbanová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Semantics
- Page Range:185-196
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:direct and indirect reported forms; faithfulness; verbatim reproduction; deictic centre; genre; function;
- Summary/Abstract:The paper is concerned with the concepts of faithfulness and/or verbatim reproduction in relation to various forms of representation, especially direct forms. These concepts have been traditionally applied with the aim to define and differentiate between direct and indirect forms. Furthermore, different approaches seem to employ the two notions to refer to different aspects of the presumed original. Subsequently, a number of opposing views have sprung up, criticising the concepts as untenable for various reasons. The paper tries to at least partially present an overview comparing both views. It will be shown that faithfulness is more a pragmatic and functional concept and cannot be applied indiscriminately to all reporting contexts. As a result, it should not be understood as a distinctive criterion in delimiting various forms of presentation. Instead, formal criteria seem to be a more reliable and applicable option.
CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSONAL ADVERTISEMENTS: WITH REGARD TO APPEARANCE
CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSONAL ADVERTISEMENTS: WITH REGARD TO APPEARANCE
(CHARACTERISTICS IN PERSONAL ADVERTISEMENTS: WITH REGARD TO APPEARANCE)
- Author(s):Věra Zouharová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Applied Linguistics, Marketing / Advertising
- Page Range:197-207
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:personal advertisements; preference; description of appearance; personal characteristics; partner characteristics;
- Summary/Abstract:In the modern world personal advertisements play an important role in finding a potential partner. When compiling an advertisement people want to draw attention to themselves and their personality and they usually put a great emphasis on self-presentation. Nevertheless, they also focus on preferred partner characteristics. Previous studies revealed and confirmed what is generally believed: that men prefer an attractive partner and emphasise this item in their advertisements. Women are probably acquainted with this fact because they do not hesitate to mention their attractiveness. On the other hand, women usually do not put emphasis on partner’s attractiveness, they prefer, for example, success or education. The present paper explores the choice of vocabulary for indicating personal and preferred partner characteristics as far as appearance is concerned; it considers to what extent the age influences the way people present themselves and how they describe their potential partner. The corpus used for this analysis comprises 100 personal advertisements from British newspapers, 50 written by women and 50 by men.
VAGUENESS IN BRITISH POLITICAL INTERVIEWS
VAGUENESS IN BRITISH POLITICAL INTERVIEWS
(VAGUENESS IN BRITISH POLITICAL INTERVIEWS)
- Author(s):Jana Adámková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Communication studies, Semantics, Politics and communication
- Page Range:209-218
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:communication strategies; pragmatics; vague language; political discourse;
- Summary/Abstract:The present paper aims to contribute to the field of communication and pragmatic studies. It attempts to examine and describe the way in which interviewers (IRs) and interviewees (IEs) in British (Br) political interviews (PIs) use vague language (VL). By analysing two interviews, first between Jeremy Paxman (JP) and Michael Howard (MH) and second between JP and Tony Blair (TB) the paper aims to explore what communicative strategies and effects both participating parties (IR and IEs) try to achieve by means of vague reference to numerical quantity and semantically empty nouns and phrases. The present paper is theoretically anchored mainly in Channell’s seminal work called Vague Language (1994).
THREAT PERCEPTION IN THE SPEECHES OF GEORGE W. BUSH AND B. OBAMA: A COMPARISON
THREAT PERCEPTION IN THE SPEECHES OF GEORGE W. BUSH AND B. OBAMA: A COMPARISON
(THREAT PERCEPTION IN THE SPEECHES OF GEORGE W. BUSH AND B. OBAMA: A COMPARISON)
- Author(s):Jana Svobodová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Semantics, Security and defense, Politics and communication
- Page Range:219-230
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:U.S. Presidents; threat perception; speeches; threat to the United States;
- Summary/Abstract:Public speeches delivered by the Presidents of the United States show similarities with regard to their length and basic features, such as the opening and closing sentences or references to the U.S. traditions, mission, etc. However, their content is highly dependent on the actual domestic and international situation. Besides the comparison of the quantitative data (the length of the speeches, the number of sentences/paragraphs/words/characters), the main focus of the article is to analyze and compare how threat to the United States is expressed in the speeches of G. W. Bush and B. Obama. The analyzed speeches were chosen according to their type (Inaugural Address, 9/11 Address, UN Address, State of the Union Address) as well as according to their date of delivery in order to show the changes between the speeches of G. W. Bush preceding or following the 9/11 attacks and the speeches delivered several years later by B. Obama. The results show that there are threats to the United States which have not changed over the years; however, both Presidents address the threats rather indirectly, showing the uncertainty the United States has faced since the end of the Cold War.
ON THE STRUCTURE AND USE OF COMPLIMENTS IN PRESENT-DAY ENGLISH
ON THE STRUCTURE AND USE OF COMPLIMENTS IN PRESENT-DAY ENGLISH
(ON THE STRUCTURE AND USE OF COMPLIMENTS IN PRESENT-DAY ENGLISH)
- Author(s):Jana Švárová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Communication studies, Semantics
- Page Range:231-240
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:compliment; compliment responses; subjects of compliments; speech act; positive politeness; spoken interaction; situation comedy;
- Summary/Abstract:The investigation deals with one of the positive politeness devices – compliments. The issue of compliments has been subjected to extensive research (Manes & Wolfson 1981, Holmes 1995, Hatch 1992) considering various aspects of paying and receiving compliments. The paper rather focuses on a relatively unexplored area of spoken language in which compliments frequently occur – the popular genre of sitcom, which is represented in the study by three British and two American sitcoms broadcast after 2000. The detailed analysis of the corpus data (735 compliments) offered a number of surprising conclusions regarding notably the syntactic structure of compliments, various functions that compliments fulfil as well as the ways compliments are exploited in everyday interactions. The validity of the suggested conclusions is limited by the extent of the corpus data and the fact that fictional discourse was used. Nevertheless, the material under investigation reflects the basic features of real spoken communication and hence the conclusions can be considered, at least to a certain extent, relevant to present-day language. The present paper is based on a diploma thesis successfully defended in June 2010 at the Department of the English Language and Literature, Masaryk University, Brno.
NOW AS A DISCOURSE MARKER
NOW AS A DISCOURSE MARKER
(NOW AS A DISCOURSE MARKER)
- Author(s):Petra Zmrzlá
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Semantics
- Page Range:241-252
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:now; discourse marker (DM); adverb; frame; topic opener; shift of topic; focus; delay device; comparison device;
- Summary/Abstract:The present paper concerns the expression now when used as a discourse marker and its occurrence in different contexts. The discourse marker now will be described, classified, and its discourse function contrasted with its adverbial meaning and use. Discourse markers (DMs) are mainly connected with spoken language, but it is possible to find them in written texts as well. Nevertheless, now is one of the discourse markers predominantly used in spoken language. It is usually not considered a typical example of a discourse marker and as such it is sometimes omitted by the authors dealing with discourse markers in general. The analysis in this pilot study is based on six spoken texts taken from the London-Lund Corpus (LLC) – three surreptitious private face-to-face conversations and three non-surreptitious and more formal public radio discussions.
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
(SUMMARY)
- Author(s):Renata Jančaříková
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics, Communication studies, Semantics
- Page Range:253-254
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:summary;
- Summary/Abstract:This volume presents the results of research into the interpretation of meaning in different types of English discourse, both written and spoken, with focus on the specificities of particular discourses and genres and the influence of these specificities on the communicative intentions of the participants. The studies explore different aspects of the interpretation of meaning in academic, fictional, learner, legal, media, political, and spontaneous and prepared spoken discourse.
INDEX
INDEX
(INDEX)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Language studies, Theoretical Linguistics
- Page Range:255-257
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:index;
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
(LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS)
- Author(s):Author Not Specified
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Scientific Life
- Page Range:258-259
- No. of Pages:2
- Keywords:authors list;
