Chapter 8 deals with language information structure, what is called “pragmatics.” While syntax and semantics are sentence base, information structure needs to take discourse context into account. In the textbook, Finegan lists six categories of information structure and gives a little explanation for each category. These categories are given information and new information, topics, contrast, definite expressions, referential expressions, and generic and specific expressions. In addition, Finegan refers seven strategies as well as giving examples of how these strategies are used differently in languages. These strategies are new-information stress, grammatical morphemes, fronting, left-dislocation, clefting transformations, passives, and word order.
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Brief but comprehensive summary. Thanks Lilian
ReplyDeleteHm... I must admit I'm running out of comments related to pragmatics. :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, even though I appreciate having fewer chapters to read, I kind of miss reading Freeman and Freeman, do you? I just find Finegan to be a little dry even though it's good information, while Freeman and Freeman provide a nice perspective from a teaching viewpoint that is easier to read and relate to.