textual linguistics What is a text and The extraordinary journey of a text.pdf
- 2. outline • What is a text? • The extraordinary journey of a text • Examine/analyze a text • Questions textual linguistics seeks to answer • Textual linguistics defined • Features • Discourse analysis: a brief account • Textual linguistics in use • Potential confusion • Quizzes
- 3. Food for thought: • "Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." - Rita Mae Brown • "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." - Ludwig Wittgenstein
- 4. Digital-Screens-Emotions-Ideas-Images- Words-Books-Emails-Printed-written • A text is a piece of …….. or …….. communication that conveys meaning. • It can take various forms, including …….., articles, …….., messages, poetry, and more. • Texts can be composed of…….., symbols, or …….., and they serve to communicate ………, stories, information, or ………. • In the …….age, texts can also refer to electronic messages, documents, or content displayed on ……….
- 5. What is a text? • A text is a piece of written or printed communication that conveys meaning. • It can take various forms, including books, articles, emails, messages, poetry, and more. • Texts can be composed of words, symbols, or images, and they serve to communicate ideas, stories, information, or emotions. • In the digital age, texts can also refer to electronic messages, documents, or content displayed on screens.
- 6. T.E.X.T. stands for….. •T ……… •E ………. •X ……… •T …….
- 7. • T - Transmission: Texts are a means of transmitting information, ideas, or messages from one person to another. • E - Expression: Texts allow individuals to express themselves through written or visual communication. • X - eXchange: Texts often involve an exchange of ideas, opinions, or experiences between individuals or groups. • T - Typography: Texts are typically composed of written or printed characters arranged in a specific order.
- 8. The extraordinary journey of a text: THE LASCAUX CAVE PAINTINGS
- 9. The extraordinary journey of a text:
- 15. The extraordinary journey of a text: The extraordinary journey of a text from cave paintings to an erudite text of a scholar highlights the dynamic and multifaceted nature of language and communication. The journey reflects the innate human drive to connect, communicate, and create meaning through language.
- 16. Examine/analyze a text? • Analyzing or examining a text involves several steps to gain a deeper understanding of its content, structure, and context. • To uncover its underlying structure, meaning, and functions of a text we call upon a relevant field of expertise; namely textual linguistics.
- 17. Textual linguistics seeks to answer questions such as: How do individual sentences combine to form coherent and cohesive texts? What linguistic features contribute to the organization and structure of different types of texts? How do writers or speakers use language to achieve specific communicative goals within a given context or genre? What role do cultural, social, and contextual factors play in shaping textual meaning and interpretation?
- 18. TEXTUAL LINGUISTICS? Textual linguistics examines how language functions within texts, including the structure, coherence, cohesion, and communicative purposes of texts across different genres and contexts. It involves studying features such as syntax, semantics, discourse markers, and rhetorical devices to understand how meaning is created and conveyed within written or spoken texts.
- 19. Features? • STRUCTURE • COHERENCE • COHESION • COMMUNICATIVE PURPOSES • SYNTAX • SEMANTICS • DISCOURSE MARKERS • RHETORICAL DEVICES
- 20. structure It refers to the organization of linguistic elements within a text. It encompasses both the macro-level structure, which deals with the overall organization of the text.. and the micro-level structure, which involves the arrangement of individual linguistic elements such as words, phrases, and clause
- 21. STRUCTURE Macro-level Micro-level Narrative Argumentative Sentence Paragraph
- 22. Coherence The quality of a text being logically and smoothly organized, where its parts are connected in a clear and meaningful way. Coherent texts are easy to follow and understand because they maintain a sense of unity and relevance throughout.
- 23. Logical Progression of Ideas Use of Transitional Devices Principle of Relevance Consistent Topic Focus coherence
- 24. Cohesion Cohesion in textual linguistics refers to the grammatical and lexical relationships that hold a text together, creating a sense of unity and connectedness among its parts. Cohesive devices are used to link various elements within a text.
- 26. Communicative Purposes Communicative purposes refer to the intentions or goals behind using language to communicate. These purposes can vary widely depending on the context, audience, and the speaker's or writer's objectives
- 27. purpose Example Informative A news article reporting on recent developments in the economy aims to inform readers about important events, facts, or updates.. Persuasive A political speech advocating for a particular policy change aims to persuade the audience to support the speaker's viewpoint by presenting arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals. Entertainment A stand-up comedian's performance aims to entertain the audience by telling jokes, sharing humorous anecdotes.. Instructive Instructions for assembling a piece of furniture aims to provide step-by-step guidance to users on how to complete the task effectively. Transactional An email requesting information about a product or service aims to initiate a transactional exchange by seeking specific details or responses from the recipient. Regulatory Traffic signs and warning labels on products aim to regulate behavior and ensure safety by providing clear instructions, warnings, or guidelines.
- 28. Syntax It refers to the rules and principles governing the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language. It deals with the structure, order, and relationship of elements within sentences.
- 29. Element Illustration Word Order The cat chased the mouse Subject-Verb Agreement She plays soccer Modifiers The big, brown dog barked loudly Phrase Structure The girl with the red hat is my friend Clauses I will go to the store if it stops raining Sentence Types • Declarative sentence: "She is reading a book." • Interrogative sentence: "Is she reading a book?" • Imperative sentence: "Please pass the salt." • Exclamatory sentence: "What a beautiful day it is!" Complex Sentences Although she was tired, she continued working
- 30. Semantics Semantics is the branch of linguistics concerned with the study of meaning in language. It explores how words, phrases, sentences, and larger units of discourse convey meaning, both in isolation and in context.
- 31. Element Example Word Meaning "Cat" refers to a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. Word Relations Synonyms are words with similar meanings, such as "happy" and "joyful." Antonyms are words with opposite meanings, such as "hot" and "cold." Hyponyms are words that represent a subclass of a broader category, such as "rose" being a hyponym of "flower." Sentence Meaning The cat chased the mouse. Ambiguity Flying planes can be dangerous. Pragmatics Could you pass the salt? Metaphor Time is a thief. Idioms It's raining cats and dogs.
- 32. Discourse Markers Discourse markers are words or phrases that help organize and structure discourse, signaling relationships between different parts of a conversation, text, or speech. They can indicate transitions, emphasize important points, show agreement or disagreement, or manage turn-taking in conversations.
- 33. • Transition Markers • Additive Markers • Contrastive Markers • Resultative Markers: • Causal Markers • Sequential Markers • Agreement Markers • Disagreement Markers • Turn-Taking Markers
- 34. Rhetorical Devices Rhetorical devices are techniques used by speakers or writers to persuade, evoke emotion, or create impact in communication. They involve the deliberate use of language to achieve specific effects on the audience.
- 35. 1. Alliteration 2. Metaphor 3. Simile 4. Hyperbole 5. Personification 6. Parallelism 7. Anaphora 8. Antithesis 9. Rhetorical Question 10. Irony 11. Repetition
- 36. Textual linguistics in use: Textual linguistics can be implemented in English Language Teaching (ELT) classes to enhance students' understanding of how language functions in written texts and to develop their proficiency in reading, writing, and textual analysis.
- 37. Text Analysis Activities Engage students in analyzing authentic texts such as articles, short stories, or advertisements to identify linguistic features like cohesion, coherence, discourse markers, and rhetorical devices..
- 38. Genre-Based Writing Tasks Introduce students to different genres of writing, such as narratives, reports, or opinion pieces, and teach them the specific linguistic features and organizational structures associated with each genre. Have students practice writing texts in various genres, applying their understanding of textual linguistics principles.
- 39. Critical Reading Skills Teach students how to critically evaluate texts by examining language use, argumentation, and representation of information. Encourage students to identify biases, assumptions, and persuasive techniques employed in written texts, and to consider the social and cultural contexts in which texts are produced and consumed.
- 40. Text Reconstruction Activities Provide students with fragmented texts or texts with missing information and ask them to reconstruct the original text based on their understanding of textual cohesion and coherence.
- 41. Text-Based Discussions Facilitate discussions around authentic texts to encourage students to express their opinions, analyze language use, and engage with different perspectives. Use discourse markers and rhetorical devices as discussion prompts to guide students in exploring the structure and meaning of the text.
- 42. Error Analysis Incorporate error analysis activities where students identify and correct language errors in written texts, focusing on issues related to syntax, coherence, cohesion, and genre appropriateness. Encourage students to reflect on the linguistic principles underlying their corrections.
- 43. Project-Based Learning Assign projects that require students to analyze and produce texts for specific purposes and audiences, such as creating marketing materials, writing research reports, or designing multimedia presentations. Emphasize the importance of linguistic choices in achieving communicative goals and engaging target audiences.
- 44. . Textual linguistics Structure Coherence Cohesion Communicative purposes Syntax Semantics Discourse markers Rhetorical devices ………. …………… ………….. ……………….. ……………. ……………… ……………….. ………………..
- 45. TEXTUAL LINGUISTICS Structure Coherence Cohesion Communicative purpose Syntax Semantics Discourse markers Rhetorical devices • Narrative • Argumentative • Descriptive • Sentence • Paragraph • Logical progression of ideas • Use of transition devices • Consistence of topic focus • Principle of relevance • Reference • Substitution • Ellipsis • Connectives • Informative • Persuasive • Entertainment • Instructive • Regulatory • transactional • Word order • Subject-verb agreement • Modifiers • Clause • Sentence type • Word meaning • Word relation • Ambiguity • Idioms • Sentence meaning • Transition • Additive • Contrastive • Causal • Alliteration • Metaphor • Simile • Irony • Anaphora • Antithesis • Hyperbole
- 46. Potential confusion: The boundaries between textual linguistics, discourse analysis, and pragmatics can be somewhat confusing, as these fields often overlap in their study of language use and communication. However, there are some key distinctions that can help clarify their respective focuses.
- 47. Aspect Textual Linguistics Discourse Analysis Pragmatics Focus Analysis of texts as linguistic entities Examination of language in larger units of communication Study of language use in specific contexts Emphases Internal features of texts Dynamic aspects of discourse Pragmatic aspects of language Examples Coherence, cohesion, text organization Turn-taking, topic management, speech acts Implicature, speech acts … Key Questions How is language structured within texts? How does language function in discourse? How do language users navigate meaning in interaction?
- 48. Quiz : Fill in the blank so as to complete the definition of textual linguistics: “Textual linguistics is a ……. of linguistics that focuses on the study of texts as units of …………. It examines how language is organized and used within ………. or ……… texts to convey ………… and achieve ……….. purposes. Textual linguistics helps us understand how linguistic features such as ………, ………, ………., and ………… operate at the level of larger units of discourse, such as paragraphs, conversations, speeches, or………. documents. By analyzing texts through a ………..lens, we gain insights into how meaning is ………, structured, and ……….. in various contexts, enabling us to ………… effectively and comprehend the messages conveyed in ………...”
- 49. Textual linguistics: “Textual linguistics is a branch of linguistics that focuses on the study of texts as units of communication. It examines how language is organized and used within written or spoken texts to convey meaning and achieve communicative purposes. Textual linguistics helps us understand how linguistic features such as syntax, semantics, coherence, and cohesion operate at the level of larger units of discourse, such as paragraphs, conversations, speeches, or written documents. By analyzing texts through a linguistic lens, we gain insights into how meaning is created, structured, and interpreted in various contexts, enabling us to communicate effectively and comprehend the messages conveyed in texts.”
- 50. • Text and Context: Explorations in the Semantics and Pragmatics of Discourse. Teun A. van Dijk • Introduction to Text Linguistics. Robert-Alain de Beaugrande and Wolfgang U. Dressler • Discourse Analysis: An Introduction. Barbara Johnstone • Textual Dynamics of the Professions: Historical and Contemporary Studies of Writing in Professional Communities. Charles Bazerman and James R. Martin,eds.