scholarly journals Tag Questions in English Spoken Discourse: Corpus-Based Linguistic and Pragmatic Analysis

2022 ◽  
pp. 67-86
Author(s):  
Larisa Kochetova ◽  
Elena Ilyinova ◽  
Tatiana Klepikova
Keyword(s):  
Contemporary Fiction ◽  
Interpersonal Relation ◽  
Modal Verbs ◽  
Spoken Discourse ◽  
Communicative Functions ◽  
Linguistic Research ◽  
Pragmatic Analysis ◽  
Tag Questions ◽  
The One ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Based on an integrative methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative methods of linguistic research, the authors consider grammatical forms, syntactic types and pragmatic functions of the tag question in British spoken discourse. The research material included samples of dialogues with tag questions taken from British contemporary fiction and the Spoken BNC2014. Drawing on the theory of linguistic metarepresentation and using corpus analysis tools the authors presented the model under study in structural-syntactic and functional-pragmatic perspectives and obtained reliable data on discourse realization of tag question models, specified their standard and common usage polarity status, distinguished bi- and monopolarity variations. An analysis of the tag question types that are distinguished as the combinations of the predicative and auxiliary parts shows that the most frequent type of tag question is the one formed with an affirmative predicative part and a negative tag. The corpus-based approach allowed obtaining quantitative data on frequencies of tag questions in British spoken discourse, retrieving the repertoire of tag questions with their grammatical representation. It is shown that in the corpus under study the most frequent form of the tag question is the form isn't it?. The least frequent forms of tag questions are the ones formed with the have verb, as well as the modal verbs will, may, can, which supports the thesis that tag questions are losing ground in British spoken discourse. Discourse-pragmatic analysis of utterance contexts with tag questions highlighted its discourse value in the British tradition of conversation, as they perform the following communicative functions: informational; etiquette; interpersonal-relation-corrective (focus-positive or focus-negative).

Hedging Functions in Malaysian Doctoral Candidature Defense Sessions

SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401989427
Author(s):  
Siti Zaidah Zainuddin ◽  
Alexander Charles Damiano-Nittoli ◽  
Azlin Zaiti Zainal
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Power Distance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Disciplinary Culture ◽  
Specific Nature ◽  
Spoken Discourse ◽  
Educational Culture ◽  
Testing Theory ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

The main aim of the present study is to build knowledge and understanding regarding the linguistic use of hedging by Malaysian speakers of English in academic spoken discourse and, more specifically, doctorate students presenting their thesis in the candidature defense. It looks not only to describe the specific nature of spoken academic hedging in Malaysia but to make inroads into identifying cultural factors that shape the way this hedging takes place. To realize these aims, a corpus-based investigative case study that used both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Transcriptions of candidature defenses and semi-structured interviews regarding the nature of doctoral candidature defense were used to gather the data. The study found that national culture and the dynamic power distance in the educational culture surrounding the defense had an effect on the interpersonal hedging used by Malaysian speakers and the gap in hedging use between panel members and candidates. Disciplinary culture was also observed to influence hedging, specifically in referencing other work and testing theory to build an argument.

Why are there growing divisions between traditional grammars and theoretical and experimental linguistic works (and how can they be overcome)?

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-233
Author(s):  
Volker Struckmeier
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Linguistic Research ◽  
The One ◽  
Possible Cause

Abstract The present article discusses a worrying development, whereby some traditional grammars become less aligned with the findings of linguistics research. The article gives examples of such discrepancies, illustrated here on the basis of the description of German. It also aims to describe a possible cause for this development. On the one hand, it seems that the grammatical descriptions found in school grammars have in some cases ceased to reflect discussions in (and formats of) current theories of grammar. They have also chosen, to a degree, to ignore empirical findings made by linguistic research. However, the article seeks to demonstrate that this may in large part be caused by the nature of the linguistic theories and experimental research approaches themselves, as well as the presentation of these projects in the literature: The granularity of the descriptions (and the objects described) that theoretical and experimental research assess simply does not match the kinds of generalisations that traditional grammars (school grammars, especially) aim for. To illustrate this point, specific issues with linguistic theories, methods and conventions are presented, which may make it difficult for school grammars to react to the results in a principled way.

scholarly journals A total rewards framework for the attraction of Generation Y employees born 1981–2000 in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H.R. Bussin ◽  
Keshia Mohamed-Padayachee ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Generation Y ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
Performance Incentives ◽  
Total Rewards ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The One ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

Orientation: The workforce is changing, as employers aim to attract qualified individuals from Generation Y, born 1981–2000, but strategies for attraction require adaption, as the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model no longer works for today’s multigenerational workforce.Research purpose: Determining what changes and priorities organisations need to consider for their total rewards frameworks to attract youth employees.Motivation for the study: Companies offer employees historical benefits that they do not want or value. This is important when one considers the attraction of Generation Y to organisations, as they are increasingly becoming a formidable factor in an organisations’ success and sustainability. The motivation for this study was understanding what rewards are aligned with the aspirations of this skilled generation, to attract them.Research approach/design and method: A sequential mixed-method approach was followed, where data were collected, using quantitative and qualitative methods. A questionnaire was distributed and a response rate of 276 participants from seven of the nine provinces in South Africa achieved. Interviews were conducted where 11 participants validated the quantitative findings.Main findings: Seven reward categories were found to affect Generation Y’s attraction to organisations, (1) leadership and environment (2) benefits (3) performance incentives (4) individual development (5) safe, secure working environment (6) work–life balance and resources and (7) performance recognition.Practical/managerial implications: A different approach is required for the attraction of Generation Y.Contribution/value-add: No empirical study exists that authenticates total rewards models for Generation Y, identifying the most important reward preferences and developing a new, more effective total rewards framework.

Simplification and redistribution

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Trousdale
Keyword(s):  
External Factors ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Modal Verbs ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Modal Verb ◽  
English Usage ◽  
The One ◽  
Newcastle Upon Tyne

This article considers patterns of modal verb usage, based on data collected from twenty informants from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the north-east of England, which show differences from material taken from the Survey of English Usage, used as data in Coates (1983, 1995). The paper therefore attempts to describe and explain differences in the use of the modals between authoritative accounts of Standard English on the one hand and the informal spoken English of a sample of speakers from Tyneside on the other. I argue that the reason for these differences may be in part due to increased markedness (systemic, sociolinguistic and stylistic) of certain forms, which induces simplification (the (re)creation of regularity within the system, through focussing) and redistribution (where modalities previously expressed by certain modal verbs come to be expressed by other modals within the system). Throughout, I try to suggest an approach to variation which considers language-internal and language-external factors.

Frequentie en luie-stoeltaalkunde : Een Friese taalkundige blikt terug op Nederlandse Taalkunde en op zichzelf

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-204
Author(s):  
Eric Hoekstra
Keyword(s):  
Generative Grammar ◽  
The Other ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Linguistic Research ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Look Back ◽  
The One

Abstract Frequency and arm-chair linguistics. A Frisian linguist looks back on Dutch Linguistics and on himselfIn this contribution I focus on a paper written by Maarten Lemmens on progressive constructions, which appeared in Dutch Linguistics (2015). This paper illustrates the usefulness of frequency in linguistic research convincingly. Additionally I discuss the tension within generative grammar between vision on the one hand and a methodologically adequate treatment of data on the other hand. Finally, I look back on my own activities as a linguist, presenting some personal thoughts about the question what the usefulness is of mediocrity.

scholarly journals Translation and the Application of Linguistics

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-386
Author(s):  
Probal Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Literary Studies ◽  
General Level ◽  
Avant Garde ◽  
Linguistic Research ◽  
Theory Of Language ◽  
The One

Abstract This article explores some topics at the boundary between linguistics theory and the applied linguistic foundations of the practice of translation. Section 1, The irrelevance of the avant-garde , considers the relation between such academic adventures as semiotics and poststructuralism on the one hand and the theory of language and the practice of translation on the other, and argues that radical antiscientism does not bear on the foundations of translation. Section 2, The irrelevance of the technical , looks at formal syntax and semantics in relation to the concepts of applied linguistics and shows that careful contemporary linguistics cannot underpin an applied enterprise that includes translation studies. Section 3, The substantive hase of translation , indicates (in some detail for translation and at a general level for other applied linguistic activities) the direction that the contemporary integration of various lines of linguistic research is taking vis-à-vis the needs of such applied enterprises as translation, literary studies, language planning, lexicography, and language teaching. Section 3 invokes a concept of substance as opposed to form and thus sets the scene for the concluding section 4, Pragmatics, applied studies, and scientific progress , which argues that it is necessary to take help from linguistics in order to construct the field of translation studies in such a way that practitioners can truly benefit freely from all relevant branches of knowledge, in view of the fact that chaos is an obstacle to genuine freedom.

A minor issue?

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulcie M. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Essential Elements ◽  
Written Language ◽  
Sentence Structure ◽  
Written Discourse ◽  
Spoken Discourse ◽  
Communicative Functions ◽  
Subject Noun ◽  
French Grammar ◽  
The Many ◽  
A Minor

‘Minor sentences’ is one of the many terms used in the literature to refer to a phenomenon usually relegated to an obscure paragraph of the grammar book, or treated principally as a spoken discourse feature. These forms are also referred to as sentence fragments, incomplete sentences, verbless sentences, and nominal sentences, to name but a few of the terms found. Despite the marginal status attributed to the forms, more detailed study is warranted. Minor sentences occur frequently in the written language, and perform important communicative functions in a range of contexts. The term is used to refer to apparently complete phrases which do not conform to canonical sentence structure. Typically, they lack a subject noun phrase, or a finite verb, i.e. one of the two ‘essential’ elements of the sentence. In this paper, we begin with an overview of English and French grammar book and discourse analysis approaches. We then discuss previous studies of minor sentence contexts, French recipes and newspaper headlines, before turning to a corpus consisting of public signs and notices, headlines, advertising slogans, and crossword clues, in an effort to determine whether certain minor sentence types can be associated with particular (written) discourse functions.

‘I wouldn’t think you might agree’

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-47
Author(s):  
Marta Degani ◽  
Anna Belladelli
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Modal Verbs ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Communicative Strategies ◽  
Pragmatic Analysis ◽  
Syntactic Pattern ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Modal Verb ◽  
Communicative Context

This study concerns objectivity, subjectivity and intersubjectivity in relation to the English central modal verbs. In order to refine the (inter)subjective status of modals from a synchronic perspective, it focuses on their possible uses within a specific communicative context where the SP/W needs to ‘modulate’ his/her own and/or other people’s point of view. A qualitative and quantitative corpus-based analysis has been carried out on the syntactic pattern Subject + Modal Verb + Mental Verb, to check whether and to what extent (inter)subjectivity occurs in the written medium. By means of a semantic-pragmatic analysis of the central modals within the selected pattern, a wide range of communicative strategies has been observed. Four main aims have been identified that the SP/W may have in mind when choosing to resort to (inter)subjectivity: namely, the expression of the SP/W’s point of view (EPV), the shaping of the AD/R’s line of reasoning (SLR), the imposition of the SP/W’s power on the AD/R (IP), and the communication of information (CI).

scholarly journals Independent Infinitive in Directive Speech Acts for Direct Communication in the Polish Language and Its Equivalents in the French Language

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 77-97
Author(s):  
Joanna Górnikiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Speech Acts ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
French Language ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Pragmatic Analysis ◽  
Polish Language ◽  
Functional Equivalent ◽  
Directive Speech Acts ◽  
The One ◽  
Directive Speech

This article discusses the Polish independent infinitive, which constitutes a predicate in imperative utterances, and its French functional equivalents. The analysis was conducted at two levels. In the first part, the author describes the independent infinitive in the Polish language referring to the Polish formal structural syntax (Saloni, Świdziński 2012). This is to determine which place is occupied by this unit in a sentence, both in relation to other uses of the infinitive and in comparison to other units with the function of a predicate in statements of the same modality. The French structural equivalent has been determined on the basis of the same criterion of syntax dependency. However, even though both languages have corresponding structures, they do not use them in the same way. Only in Polish it is possible to form sentences with infinitive predicates in the spoken language, in face-to-face conversation. What are the factors that favour choosing this form? The author answers this question in her semantic and pragmatic analysis, conducted in the methodological framework of speech act theory (Searle 1979, Vanderveken 1988). She presents imperatives as a class of speech acts, which are extensively developed and specifies those, which can be executed by means of utterances with infinitive predicates. Additionally, factors of social and psychological character have been taken into consideration, as those which favour selecting the discussed form. What structure constitutes its functional equivalent in the French language? An analysis of a body composed of examples originating primarily from dialogues in contemporary literary works and their approved translations has allowed, on the one hand, to confirm the intuitive belief that grammar forms perform this function, in face-to-face oral communication the French language has only the command mode forms (l’impératif in French). On the other hand, we can launch a discussion about possibilities to translate them into a language which does not allow for an analogous use of the available infinitive structure.

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