Illustrates a three-level analysis of classroom discourse as a means of examining in detail the implications of characterizing language teachers' questions as "display" questions. Attempts to demonstrate that the characterization of teachers' questions as display questions because they are non-referential is only relevant on one level of…

A study examines the way in which one group of discourse connectors, terminators, function in contemporary spoken French. Three types of terminators, elements used at the end of an utterance or section to indicate its completion, are investigated, including utterance terminators, interrogative tags, and terminal tags. (Author/MSE)

Examines transcribed excerpts from a casual discussion according to sentence-level, textual/situational, and cultural structure. A brief comparison is made with a more formal written text to provide an additional background against which to illuminate the casual spoken discourse structure. (20 references)

Proposes that different contexts occur in second-language (L2) classrooms and that repair is organized differently within each context. Suggests that within each context a particular pedagogical focus combines with a particular organization of repair that is appropriate to that focus. The organization of repair within each context is sketched and…

Attempts to measure translation quality raise important questions about the nature of textual transfer, the relationship between source- and target-language texts, and translation functions. Examination of a typical advertising text, translated from English to German, shows the degree of freedom with which texts are manipulated in professional…

Examines through a text analysis of spoken and written discourse the meaning and function of the double genitive (DG) in English in comparison to the inflected preposed genitive. The study shows the DG to possess unique and specific pragmatic functions not adequately described for nonnative students. (22 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses the relationship between communicative function and grammar, and the relationship between initiation and discourse. Using a systemic functional framework, a model is set up with with three planes (semiotic, discourse, and language/paralanguage) and two linguistic levels (grammar and phonology) to demonstrate how situation, communicative…

Examines the nature and structure of idioms and idiomatic language and offers suggestions for teaching them. Topics addressed include the relationship between idioms and erroneous language, idioms' appropriateness in context, proverbs, and metaphors. Some exercises are included. (Author/MSE)

Presents rules for the correct use of the French pronouns "ce" and "il," based on the criterion of discourse coherence and an understanding of the principles underlying the use of demonstrative vs. personal pronouns. (MSE)

After a summary and critique of traditional approaches to politeness that are based on appropriateness, suggestions are made for an approach based on interpersonal supportiveness. The issues in the proposed model pertain to cross-modal ways of expressing emotion, supportive and nonsupportive use combinations, and a redefinition of politeness. (SED)

A framework for analyzing and evaluating classroom interaction is proposed that links the social and psychological purposes underlying the communication with resultant discourse in terms of patterns of interaction. (76 references) (JL)

Combines analyses of communication strategies (CS) to deal with an interactional perspective and a psycholinguistic approach. The article uses this combination to provide a clearer picture of CS in relation to foreign-language discourse and proficiency. (22 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses the concept of politeness in language and its importance and implications in the foreign language classroom, covering interactional rules and competence, politeness as a social-psychological phenomenon, politeness as a learning goal and subject matter, and politeness in discourse. (CB)

Explores the possible applications of text linguistics in the field of translation teaching, focusing on the analysis of discourse texture within Functional Sentence Perspective and Theme-Rheme Theory. It is concluded that texture provides the means for the realization of discourse intentions (context). (OD)

Attempts to identify the linguistic and situational features of officialese, the language register of public administration. Suggests that any situation-type is a complex of five dimensions which collectively define its register: setting, participants, instrumentality, context, and purpose. Reports an analysis of 50 administrative letters in…