Overview

This book focuses on a particular type of formulaic expressions called Situation-Bound Utterances (SBUs). Since the meaning of these pragmatic units is shaped by the interplay of linguistic and extralinguistic factors they can be best accounted for in a theoretical framework which represents a knowledge-for-use conception. A unique feature of the book is that it examines the development and use of a particular type of formulae from new perspectives. The comparison of a monolingual and multilingual approach, and the application of the graded salience hypothesis to SBUs within a cognitive-pragmatic theoretical framework reveal that issues such as the role of context in shaping situational meaning, and the existence of common or similar cognitive mechanisms and knowledge structures responsible for cognitive functions and speech behavior in different languages need revision. As a consequence, the book seeks answer to two main questions: 1) origin and extent of context-sensitiveness, and 2) the development of the particular situational functions of SBUs. On the basis of recent research it is argued that context affects comprehension only after highly salient information has been accessed. Search for the appropriate meaning stops if the information accessed initially is compatible with the context, and it continues, if it is not. This approach puts the issue of context-sensitiveness of SBUs into an entirely different perspective. It is also discussed that why exactly these utterances started to be used to express those pragmatic functions and not others. SBUs demonstrate better than any other linguistic unit that there is a strong cognitive-linguistic interdependency. The development of certain SBUs can be accounted for through cognitive mechanisms, and vice versa: learning an SBU for a culturally important category can linguistically reinforce the learning of the category itself. The book uses a cross-linguistic perspective and illustrative examples from several languages which makes its arguments and claims convincing.

Full Product Details

Author:   Istvan Kecskes
Publisher:   De Gruyter
Imprint:   De Gruyter Mouton
Edition:   Reprint 2012
Volume:   19
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.70cm , Length: 23.00cm
Weight:   0.468kg
ISBN:  

9783110173581

ISBN 10:   3110173581
Pages:   236
Publication Date:   11 November 2002
Recommended Age:   College Graduate Student
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Formulaic Expressions in Language Production Chapter 2: Literal and Figurative Language Chapter 3: Formulaic and Creative Aspects of Language Use Chapter 4: Distinguishing Features of SBUs Chapter 5: Classification of SBUs Chapter 6: Easy to Learn Hard to Understand Chapter 7: Variables Affecting the Use of SBUs in L2 Chapter 8: Conclusion

Reviews

This book is a must read for whoever is interested in the exploration of fields as varied as theoretical linguistics, cognition, communication studies, pragmatics, second language acquisition, and bilingualism. Francois Cooren in: Pragmatics & Cognition 1/2004

This book is a must read for whoever is interested in the exploration of fields as varied as theoretical linguistics, cognition, communication studies, pragmatics, second language acquisition, and bilingualism. Fran ois Cooren in: Pragmatics & Cognition 1/2004

"""This book is a must read for whoever is interested in the exploration of fields as varied as theoretical linguistics, cognition, communication studies, pragmatics, second language acquisition, and bilingualism.""Francois Cooren in: Pragmatics & Cognition 1/2004"

Author Information

Istvan Kecskes is Professor and Director of the TESOL Graduate Programs at the State University of New York at Albany, USA.

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