Multifunctionality in English: Corpora, Language and Academic Literacy Pedagogy

This edited volume provides detailed analyses of multifunctional forms in English, with hands-on approaches and practical applications to language and literacy educators, applied linguistics and education students. It covers the multifunctionality of utterances, linguistic creativity, pronouns, professional discourse, verbs, discourse markers, and metadiscourse markers in different registers and disciplines. The volume bridges theory and practice, offering a resource for understanding multifunctional forms in English.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited volume presents comprehensive examinations of multifunctional forms in English, offering practical approaches that illustrate their relevant implications and practical applications for language and literacy educators working in TESOL, ESL/EFL/EAL, and research students in applied linguistics and education. The chapters delve into various aspects of multifunctionality, including the multifunctionality of utterances in spoken and multimodal corpora, the multifunctionality of linguistic creativity across different genres, the role of multifunctional pronouns in hard and soft sciences, and professional discourse in university and secondary school contexts. Additionally, the volume explores a comparison of the multifunctionality of verbs across ESL textbooks, native written and spoken English corpora, and between ESL and L1 university students in writing a specific genre. It also examines comparisons of the multifunctionality of discourse markers across different registers and between L1 and L2 English speakers, as well as multifunctional metadiscourse markers in various disciplines and paradigms.

By presenting detailed analysis of authentic corpus data representing diverse varieties of English, specialized usage in various contexts, and practical teaching and learning applications, this volume effectively bridges theory and practice, serving as a valuable resource for students, educators, and researchers seeking to comprehend multifunctional forms in English.

The chapters in this edited volume cover a wide range of topics related to multifunctionality in English. Here's a summary of each chapter:

Chapter 1: The Multifunctionality of Utterances in Spoken and Multimodal Corpora
This chapter explores the multifunctionality of utterances in spoken and multimodal corpora, examining how language users employ multiple functions within a single utterance. It discusses the different types of multifunctionality, such as lexical, grammatical, pragmatic, and discourse functions, and how they interact to create complex meanings. The chapter also highlights the importance of corpus analysis in studying multifunctionality and provides examples of corpus-based research on spoken and multimodal corpora.

Chapter 2: The Multifunctionality of Linguistic Creativity in Different Genres
This chapter examines the multifunctionality of linguistic creativity in different genres, such as fiction, academic writing, and news reporting. It explores how language users employ different linguistic devices, such as metaphor, metonymy, irony, and allusion, to create unique and expressive meanings. The chapter also discusses the role of genre in shaping multifunctionality and provides examples of how different genres employ different linguistic strategies to achieve their goals.

Chapter 3: Multifunctional Pronouns in Hard and Soft Sciences
This chapter focuses on multifunctional pronouns, which are pronouns that can carry multiple meanings or functions within a single utterance. It discusses the different types of multifunctional pronouns, such as reflexive, emphatic, and indefinite pronouns, and how they are used in different scientific disciplines. The chapter also highlights the challenges of using multifunctional pronouns in scientific writing and provides examples of how they can be effectively employed to improve clarity and precision.

Chapter 4: Professional Discourse in the University and Secondary School Contexts
This chapter examines professional discourse in the university and secondary school contexts, exploring how language users communicate in academic and professional settings. It discusses the different types of professional discourse, such as academic writing, technical writing, and professional communication, and how they are shaped by disciplinary norms and conventions. The chapter also highlights the importance of professional discourse in developing critical thinking skills and professional identity.

Chapter 5: A Comparison of the Multifunctionality of Verbs between ESL Textbooks, Native Written and Spoken English Corpora, and between ESL and L1 University Students in Writing a Particular Genre
This chapter compares the multifunctionality of verbs between ESL textbooks, native written and spoken English corpora, and between ESL and L1 university students in writing a specific genre. It examines how verbs are used differently in different contexts and how they contribute to the development of language proficiency. The chapter also discusses the challenges of teaching and learning verbs in different genres and provides examples of effective teaching strategies for promoting verb multifunctionality.

Chapter 6: Comparisons of the Multifunctionality of Discourse Markers between Different Registers and between L1 and L2 English Speakers
This chapter compares the multifunctionality of discourse markers between different registers and between L1 and L2 English speakers. It examines how discourse markers are used to signal different aspects of speech, such as turn-taking, topic shift, and emphasis, and how they vary across different social contexts. The chapter also discusses the challenges of teaching and learning discourse markers in different languages and provides examples of effective teaching strategies for promoting discourse marker multifunctionality.

Chapter 7: Multifunctional Metadiscourse Markers in Different Disciplines and Paradigms
This chapter explores multifunctional metadiscourse markers, which are markers that are used to comment on and regulate the discourse of a text. It discusses the different types of multifunctional metadiscourse markers, such as hedges, boosters, and self-repair strategies, and how they are used in different disciplines, such as science, medicine, and education. The chapter also highlights the challenges of using multifunctional metadiscourse markers in academic writing and provides examples of effective strategies for employing them.

In conclusion, this edited volume provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of multifunctional forms in English, offering valuable insights and applications for language and literacy educators, applied linguistics and education research students, and practitioners in various fields. By presenting detailed analysis of authentic corpus data, specialized use in different contexts, and practical teaching and learning applications, the volume bridges theory and practice, providing a creatively designed resource for understanding multifunctional forms in English.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367725129