Notes on the role of metapragmatic awareness in language use

Against the background of a general theory of pragmatics, reflections are formulated on the central role of metapragmatic awareness as a specific manifestation of salience, the status of processes of meaning generation in language use in relation to the cognitive apparatus. First the notions of metalanguage and metapragmatics, as used in linguistics, are discussed. Then metalinguistic and metapragmatic phenomena are presented as reflections of metapragmatic awareness. Two ways in which indicators of metapragmatic awareness function in language use are distinguished: Their functioning as anchoring devices locating linguistic form in relation to context, and their functioning as signals of the language users’ reflexive interpretations of the activities they are engaged in. Finally, some social implications of metapragmatic functioning are discussed, in particular in relation to language ideologies and identity construction.

The epistemological role of language use in learning: A phenomenographic intentional-expressive approach

It is my aim in this paper to survey the published information available to me on language use in relation to the growth of towns in West Africa. The average annual increase of population in Africa is about 2.5% but the increase of population in towns has been far more rapid especially since World War II. The relative rate of increase in towns being far higher than that due to natural increase caused by the birth-rate urban immigration is seen to be an important factor. Basic information in relation to this as to most other aspects of development in Africa is hard to come by being not only scarce but spread out over a great number of publications. (excerpt)

Personality and language use in self-narratives

Abstract “Ways of taking” from books are a part of culture and as such are more varied than current dichotomies between oral and literate traditions and relational and analytic cognitive styles would suggest. Patterns of language use related to books are studied in three literate communities in the Southeastern United States, focusing on such “literacy events” as bedtime story reading. One community, Maintown, represents mainstream, middle-class school-oriented culture; Roadville is a white mill community of Appalachian origin; the third, Trackton, is a black mill community of recent rural origin. The three communities differ strikingly in their patterns of language use and in the paths of language socialization of their children. Trackton and Roadville are as different from each other as either is from Maintown, and the differences in preschoolers' language use are reflected in three different patterns of adjustment to school. This comparative study shows the inadequacy of the prevalent dichotomy between oral and literate traditions, and points also to the inadequacy of unilinear models of child language development and dichotomies between types of cognitive styles. Study of the development of language use in relation to written materials in home and community requires a broad framework of sociocultural analysis. (Crosscultural analysis, ethnography of communication, language development, literacy, narratives.)

Ways of taking from books are a part of culture and as such are more varied than current dichotomies between oral and literate traditions and relational and analytic cognitive styles would suggest. Patterns of language use related to books are studied in three literate communities in the Southeastern United States, focusing on such literacy events as bedtime story reading. One community, Maintown, represents mainstream, middle-class school-oriented culture; Roadville is a white mill community of Appalachian origin; the third, Trackton, is a black mill community of recent rural origin. The three communities differ strikingly in their patterns of language use and in the paths of language socialization of their children. Trackton and Roadville are as different from each other as either is from Maintown, and the differences in preschoolers' language use are reflected in three different patterns of adjustment to school. This comparative study shows the inadequacy of the prevalent dichotomy between oral and literate traditions, and points also to the inadequacy of unilinear models of child language development and dichotomies between types of cognitive styles. Study of the development of language use in relation to written materials in home and community requires a broad framework of sociocultural analysis. (Crosscultural analysis, ethnography of communication, language development, literacy, narratives.)

This research on a pragmatic analysis of the song This is Nigeria by Falz aims at investigating the relationship between the language used in the song, speaker, context and the influence of the language used. Several research works had been carried out on the pragmatics analysis of different songs. However, this research aims at how situational language use point out the state of the government and the governed examine the intention of Falz behind This is Nigeria and determine the impact of the pattern of language use in relation to Nigerians situation. The data include videos of the songs from downnloaded from the youtube search engine, the lyrics of the song were reduced into writing, capturing the words and action where possible. The data were subjected to descriptive analysis employing Beaugrande (1981) parameters of discourse analysis which are cohesion, coherence, situationality, informative and acceptability. The data were further described using the tripartite approaches of speech act theory, ethnography of communication model and constantive and performative approaches. The implication of the style of the author was discussed based on humour and accommodation theory. The findings of the research shows that Falz is able to achieve the target of his intent for producing the song This is Nigeria, reaching to both the literate and illiterate, young and adult, male and Female, laymen and clergy, the rulers and the ruled, the most intelligent mind and the least intelligent mind through his content, choice of style and linguistic code.

This article explores language ideologies, heritage language (HL) use, and identity construction among 1.5-generation Korean immigrants in New Zealand. Drawing on interview data, the study shows how language ideologies and identities influence these immigrants’ language use and investment. All participants reported speaking Korean with their parents and adult members of their ethnic community, considering the use of English with these interlocutors to be inappropriate. The participants associated Korean language with their ethnocultural identities and viewed proficiency in their HL as essential in claiming Koreanness. The majority also reported ‘mixing’ Korean and English with siblings and friends, a practice they perceived as part of a shared ‘Kowi’ (Korean-Kiwi) identity. The participants’ investment in HL use and maintenance was strongly tied to gaining cultural capital as Koreans in New Zealand; at the same time, they showed a lack of investment in further HL development. Constructing their identities as diasporic subjects, they did not regard native-like Korean fluency or advanced literacy skills as necessary or contributing to their socioeconomic capital. Based on the findings, this study offers implications for school administrators and policy makers in terms of how to support immigrants’ HL development for the benefit of individuals, families, communities, and the nation.

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys is considered one of the most prolific artists of the 20th century. At the same time, he is also known for his persisting struggles with mental health. Considering that most of his 60+-year career consists of published songs and lyrics, he makes an interesting case study to understand the dynamics of language use in relation to psychological experiences over the course of an individual’s life and career. We identified song lyrics for which he is credited as (co-)writer and analyzed their lyrics ( N = 250) using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program. Considering features previously associated with mental health (I-talk, Emotional Tone, Analytic language and Cognitive Processes words) over time, we found that I-talk and Cognitive Processes showed an initial increase, followed by a plateau (in 1967), while Emotional Tone showed a cubic relationship with time, being sensitive to changes in Brian Wilson’s life. Analytic language was highly variable and did not show any patterns. Our data suggest that even carefully crafted language, such as song lyrics, can carry information about the writer’s mental health and that considering language use over the course of an individual’s lifespan can provide crucial insights into psychological processes.

This article argues that naming linguistic practices “ethnolectal” is a praxis with ideological consequences that sociolinguists fail sufficiently to address. It suggests that a transformation of linguistic differences into ethnolect-codes quickly falls prey to homogenizing groups and their language use, obscures speakers' styling practices as well as the relations between “ethnolect” and standard language speakers. Furthermore, “ethnolect” as an analytical concept buttresses the idea that linguistic practices are caused by ethnicity, when it is more likely to assume language use is shaped by how speakers interpret prevailing representations of ethnicity and style their language use in relation to that. As an alternative, I argue that ethnolects be viewed as representations of particular ways of speaking that do not necessarily correspond to systematic linguistic practices. Sociolinguists therefore need to investigate how local and general perceptions of ways of speaking lead to specific styling practices, and integrate these into their descriptions. In addition, they need to be aware that their own work is social action as well, which requires taking into account the concerns of who gets labeled. This is illustrated with data from a case study showing how Belgian adolescents of Moroccan background resist an ethnolectal categorization of their routine Dutch.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the media on individuals' specific language use in relation to a news story on immigration: the influence of the news frame and group cue. Abstraction, complexity of language use, and negative affective language were evaluated. The 523 participants were randomly distributed to each of the four experimental conditions: news frame (crime versus economic contribution) by group cue (geographical origin of the immigrants involved: Moroccans versus Latin Americans). Through content analysis of the ideas and reflections that arose after the participants read the different news stories, using the Linguistic Category Model (LCM; Semin & Fiedler, 1991) to measure abstract language and the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC; Pennebaker, Booth, & Francis, 2007) to analyze complex language and negative affective language, it emerged that abstract language and negative affective language were more frequent in the participants assigned to the news frame on crime. Complex language was more commonly used when the news frame referred to the economic contribution of immigrants. Regression analyses showed the mediating role of attitude to immigration in the effects of news frame on negative affective language. The bootstrap method was used to assess the magnitude of the indirect effect. A significant mediator effect was also found through structural equation modeling. Analyses of covariance showed one interaction between news frame and group cue: Among those who read the news story in a frame linking immigration to crime and Moroccan origin, abstract language was more characteristic. The results are discussed from the theoretical perspective of framing.

BackgroundThere has been a recent focus on language use in relation to suicide, with concerns raised about the potential to cause distress, perpetuate stigma and discourage help-seeking. While some terms are promoted as more sensitive than others, empirical research exploring the views of people affected by suicide to inform academic and media guidelines is lacking.MethodsAn anonymous, cross-sectional online survey was promoted opportunistically via online channels. Participation was requested from adults affected by suicide. Participants were asked to rate descriptors pertaining to suicidal behaviour according to perceived acceptability. A descriptive analysis of quantitative data was conducted alongside thematic content analysis of free-text data.OutcomesThere were 2,719 responses, of which 1,679 (61·8%) were complete. Of phrases describing non-fatal suicidal behaviour, “attempted suicide” had the highest median acceptability score. Of phrases describing fatal suicidal behaviour, “took their own life” and “died by suicide” had the highest median acceptability scores. The scores for “commit suicide” were most variable and spanned the range of acceptability scores. Free text data illustrated the nuances in decision-making.InterpretationVariation in opinion exists amongst people affected by suicide regarding most phrases, often depending on contextual factors. “Attempted suicide”, “took their own life”, “died by suicide” and “ended their life” were however considered most acceptable. We argue that academic and media guidelines should promote use of these phrases.

Anthems often encode institutional values, hence, useful in constructing identities for such institutions. The university community is one of such organisations that are usually identified by their commonality in goals. One means by which universities showcase what they stand for is through the use of anthems. Several studies have explored the linguistic analysis of national anthems, with little attention paid to the analysis of language used in anthems of universities in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examines the use of language and their meanings in the anthems of selected universities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. This study adopts Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics for its emphasis on language use in relation to context. Anthems of three universities in Ekiti State, namely- Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) were purposively selected representing state, federal and private universities, respectively. The study reveals that rich but simple lexical items help in the basic comprehension and memorization of the lyrics in the anthem. Lexical devices such as repetition, synonymy, tactical deployment of nouns, verbs, adjectives and metaphors also foreground important ideas in the anthems.

Bilinguals make decisions differently across languages likely due to reduced affect in the foreign language, but very little is known about language use in relation to deception. Here, we tested whether late Chinese-English bilinguals prefer to lie in the foreign language when betting against a virtual opponent. In each trial, participants freely announced bets in Chinese or English depending on whether they had drawn a coin or not. Results showed that bilinguals preferred using their native language, Chinese, over their foreign language, English, when being truthful—namely, announcing a coin when they had one. Even though participants did not choose English more to lie than to tell the truth, our results can be interpreted as a tendency to lie more in English when their behavior in the truth condition is considered the baseline. Participants also switched between languages more often after telling the truth than lying, and after telling the truth they switched more to Chinese. These results provide the first empirical evidence for strategic language use in bilinguals.

Abstrak Penelitian ini secara garis besar mengungkap guratan makna religius dalam tradisi Dheke Sa’o pada masyarakat etnik Rongga di Manggarai Timur. dikaji dari perspektif etnolinguistik. Dheke Sa’o (RDS) adalah tradisi ritual dikaitkan dengan keberhasilan membangun rumah baru. Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif dan kualitatif dengan sumber data utama tuturan tradisi ritual Dheke Sa’o yang dipraktikkan oleh etnik Rongga. Metode pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, pencatatan, perekaman, dan studi pustaka. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif pada aspek penggunaan bahasa dalam kaitannya dengan leksikon religius pada tataran tekstual dan kontekstual. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari sudut pandang etnolinguisti, ciri-ciri penggunaan Bahasa dalam RDS menunjukkan ciri-ciri kiasan (gaya bahasa sastra) dengan ciri sosiolinguistik yang menggunakan bahasa Rongga sebagai alat komunikasi dengan campuran beberapa kata-kata arkais sebagai bagian dari manipulasi pengaruh kuat Bahasa ritual sacral magis, sarat makna religius, merupakan aspek makna paling penting. Makna ini berkaitan dengan keyakinan orang Rongga dikaitkan dengan konseptualisasi keberadaan Tuhan, roh nenek moyang, dan roh alam dipahami sebagai kekuatan supranatural yang sangat menentukan kelangsungan hidup mereka di dunia dan di akhirat. Ciri etnolinguistik yang menonjol digunakan menonjol bermoduskan indikatif-imeperatif sebagai latar/alasan untuk harapan/keinginan agar mereka diberkati dalam kehidupan di dunia. Secara kontekstual, RDS pemeliharaan hubungan harmonis dengan kekuatan di luar kemampuan mereke sebagai manusia. Oleh karena itu, RDS harus dilestarikan agar makna religious yang dikandungnya tetap hidup dan berkembang sesuai substansi sebenarnya dalam realitas kehidupan masyarakat etnik Rongga Kata kunci: makna religius, tradisi ritual dheke sa’o, etnik rongga, etnolinguistik STROKES OF RELIGIOUS MEANING IN THE DHEKE SA'O RITUAL TRADITION ETHNIC RONGGA IN EAST MANGGARAI: AN ETHNOLINGUISTIC STUDY Abstract This research largely reveals the strokes of religious meaning in the Dheke Sa'o tradition in the Rongga ethnic community in East Manggarai. studied from an ethnolinguistic perspective. Dheke Sa'o (RDS) is a ritual tradition associated with the success of building a new house. This research is descriptive and qualitative in nature with the main data source being the speech of the Dheke Sa'o ritual tradition practiced by the Rongga ethnic group. The method of data collection is through observation, interview, recording, recording, and literature study. The data were analyzed qualitatively on aspects of language use in relation to religious lexicon at textual and contextual levels. The results show that from an ethnolinguistic point of view, the characteristics of language use in RDS show figurative characteristics (literary language style) with sociolinguistic characteristics that use Rongga language as a means of communication with a mixture of some archaic words as part of manipulating the strong influence of sacred magical ritual language, full of religious meaning, is the most important aspect of meaning. This meaning is related to the beliefs of the Rongga people associated with the conceptualization of the existence of God, spirits of ancestors, and spirits of nature understood as supernatural forces that greatly determine their survival in the world and in the afterlife. A prominent ethnolinguistic feature is used prominently modulated indicative-imperative as a background/reason for hope/desire that they are blessed in life in the world. Contextually, RDS maintains a harmonious relationship with forces beyond their ability as humans. Therefore, RDS must be preserved so that the religious meaning it contains remains alive and develops according to its true substance in the reality of the lives of the Rongga ethnic community. Keywords: religious meaning, dheke sa'o ritual tradition, ethnic cavity, ethnolinguistics