The Lexico-Grammatical Categories of Theme as an Index of Genre in Discourse Analysis

The Lexico-Grammatical Categories of Theme as an Index of Genre in Discourse Analysis
Author: Anwar El-Issa
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Total Pages: 722
Release: 2016-06-24
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1524612227

The book is based on systemic-functional grammar (SFG) and focuses on the concept of Theme (the element which occupies the initial position in the clause in English), which plays a special role in the textual organization of the message contained in the clause. Theme represents one of the ways by which writers construct meaningful communicative language or stretches of discourse. It signals the relationship between the thought in the speakers mind and its expression in the discourse. Therefore, it contributes to the method of development of the texts proper. The reason for choosing Theme as a tool of analysis stems from the fact that it is a fruitful approach to the understanding of texts as is shown by the fact that it has been the concern of a number of major studies. I will adopt both a qualitative and a quantitative analysis. The results of this analysis will be presented and tabulated in such a way as to underline the distinguishing features of the genre. The tools of functional grammar (Theme and Transitivity) will be applied to the data being collected. A significant, positive facet pertinent to this study lies in its pedagogical implications. The study of the structure of Theme has resulted in useful applications, and the findings drawn from the data collected will, it is hoped, have wider application; they are not meant to be merely suggestive. The findings in this book show how Theme-Rheme can have significant pedagogical values and impacts on the native and non-native learners. The learner not only has to construct his/her sentences, choosing appropriate lexis, but he/she has to make those sentences cohere into a text belonging to the genre being tackled. The findings in this book also suggest that control of the Theme-Rheme system is part of what the successful writer (native or non-native) uses to achieve such coherence. In this regard, students can be aware of a variety of linguistics choices to help them write more effectively and coherently.

Theme as an Index of Genre in Discourse Analysis

Theme as an Index of Genre in Discourse Analysis
Author: Anwar El-Issa
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Total Pages: 534
Release: 2016-02-09
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1504977254

The main focus of this book is on Theme-Rheme analysis. In English the Theme is realized as the initial constituent of the clause or sentence. The information that is contained within the themes of the various sentences of a passage correlates with the method of development of the passage. The meaning of Theme and its realization in English explains the general correlation of given information with the initial position in the sentence. The findings and analysis of Theme-Rheme in this book will immensely aid both researchers and students who seek to understand and unfold language structures and analyze written discourse. It also provides teachers with efficient tools to analyze their students academic writing and find ways to leverage it. This book also sheds lights on the semantic and structure of the language based on the four analytical approaches implemented in this study. The findings in this book suggest that control of the Theme-Rheme system is part of what the successful writer (native or non-native) uses to achieve such coherence. In this regard, students can be aware of a variety of linguistics choices to help them write more effectively. This book suggests that control of the Theme-Rheme system in academic writing is part of what the successful writer uses to achieve coherence. This book offers a new perspective on the way written discourse is organized and structured that is of some relevance to language teachers and applied linguists, as well as to theoretical and descriptive linguists. I have tried to offer in this book new insights into analyzing texts and investigating the thematic organization of the grammatical properties of Theme at clause level, and that, I hope, will be found sufficient reason for reading it.

Appliable Linguistics

Appliable Linguistics
Author: Ahmar Mahboob
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2010-06-24
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1441176187

This collection of research offers an initial step in the pursuit of an appliable linguistics. Appliable Linguistics takes everyday real-life language-related problems - both theoretical and practical - in diverse social, professional and academic contexts as its starting point. It then uses and contributes to a theoretical model of language that can respond to and is appliable in the context. The concept of appliable linguistics used in this volume is informed by the work of M.A.K. Halliday, who believes that "the value of a theory lies in the use that can be made of it." The chapters in this volume thus use and contribute to an appliable linguistics that engages with a range of issues including: translation, education, language teaching/learning, multimodality, media, social policy and action, and positive discourse analysis. This collection of research is offered as an initial step in the pursuit of Appliable Linguistics, which we hope will serve as a foundation for future work across the discipline.

Critical Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Studies and Beyond

Critical Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Studies and Beyond
Author: Theresa Catalano
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 427
Release: 2020-09-28
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 3030493792

This book explores the problem-oriented interdisciplinary research movement comprised of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) for scholars, teachers, and students from many backgrounds. Beginning with a Preface by renowned CDA/CDS scholar Ruth Wodak, it introduces CDA/CDS through examples of what its research looks like, delineates various precursors to CDA/CDS and important foundational concepts and theories, and traces its development from its early years until it became established. After the relationship between CDA and CDS is discussed, seven commonly cited approaches to CDA/CDS are outlined, including their connections and differences, their origins and development, major and associated scholars, research focus(es), and central concepts and distinguishing features. After a summary of critiques of CDA/CDS and responses by CDA/CDS scholars, the book provides an overview of its salient connections to other interdisciplinary areas of scholarship such as critical applied linguistics, education, anthropology/ ethnography, sociolinguistics, gender studies, queer linguistics, pragmatics and ecolinguistics. The final chapter describes how scholars use their knowledge of CDA/CDS to make a difference in the world.

A Discourse Analysis of Galatians and the New Perspective on Paul

A Discourse Analysis of Galatians and the New Perspective on Paul
Author: David I. Yoon
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2019-04-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9004397582

In A Discourse Analysis of Galatians and the New Perspective on Paul, David I. Yoon outlines discourse analysis from the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics for analyzing Paul’s letter to the Galatians. From this analysis, he determines whether the context of situation better reflects the New Perspective on Paul, covenantal nomism, or a more traditional perspective, legalism. The first half of the book introduces the New Perspective on Paul and discourse analysis, followed by a detailed model of SFL discourse analysis with respect to register and context of situation. The second half is a discourse analysis of Galatians. This is the first monograph-length study to address the New Perspective on Paul from a linguistic approach, and will as such be of great interest to scholars of Pauline Studies, linguistics, and theology.

Working with Functional Grammar

Working with Functional Grammar
Author: J. R. Martin
Publisher: Hodder Arnold
Total Pages: 306
Release: 1997
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9780340652503

Working with Functional Grammar is a workbook designed to teach and practice a wide range of grammatical analyses provided by Halliday in his Introduction to Functional Grammar. A special feature is a troubleshooting section in each chapter.

Genre in a Changing World

Genre in a Changing World
Author: Charles Bazerman
Publisher: Parlor Press LLC
Total Pages: 486
Release: 2009-09-16
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1643170015

Genre studies and genre approaches to literacy instruction continue to develop in many regions and from a widening variety of approaches. Genre has provided a key to understanding the varying literacy cultures of regions, disciplines, professions, and educational settings. GENRE IN A CHANGING WORLD provides a wide-ranging sampler of the remarkable variety of current work. The twenty-four chapters in this volume, reflecting the work of scholars in Europe, Australasia, and North and South America, were selected from the over 400 presentations at SIGET IV (the Fourth International Symposium on Genre Studies) held on the campus of UNISUL in Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil in August 2007—the largest gathering on genre to that date. The chapters also represent a wide variety of approaches, including rhetoric, Systemic Functional Linguistics, media and critical cultural studies, sociology, phenomenology, enunciation theory, the Geneva school of educational sequences, cognitive psychology, relevance theory, sociocultural psychology, activity theory, Gestalt psychology, and schema theory. Sections are devoted to theoretical issues, studies of genres in the professions, studies of genre and media, teaching and learning genre, and writing across the curriculum. The broad selection of material in this volume displays the full range of contemporary genre studies and sets the ground for a next generation of work.

Introducing Functional Grammar

Introducing Functional Grammar
Author: Geoff Thompson
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 353
Release: 2013-07-18
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1135983208

Introducing Functional Grammar, third edition, provides a user-friendly overview of the theoretical and practical aspects of the systemic functional grammar (SFG) model. No prior knowledge of formal linguistics is required as the book provides: An opening chapter on the purpose of linguistic analysis, which outlines the differences between the two major approaches to grammar - functional and formal. An overview of the SFG model - what it is and how it works. Advice and practice on identifying elements of language structure such as clauses and clause constituents. Numerous examples of text analysis using the categories introduced, and discussion about what the analysis shows. Exercises to test comprehension, along with answers for guidance. The third edition is updated throughout, and is based closely on the fourth edition of Halliday and Matthiessen's Introduction to Functional Grammar. A glossary of terms, more exercises and an additional chapter are available on the product page at: https://www.routledge.com/9781444152678. Introducing Functional Grammar remains the essential entry guide to Hallidayan functional grammar, for undergraduate and postgraduate students of language and linguistics.