A First Exploration of Manifest Function of English Connectives

Transcription

1 FOREIGN LANGUAGE RESEARCH 2010 No. 4 Serial No H0-06 A A First Exploration of Manifest Function of English Connectives Wang Yong-dong Hunan Normal University Changsha China There have not been many studies on English connectives in the field of linguistics. This paper aims at studying the manifest function of English connectives based on Merton s social function theory. As far as discursive construction function is concerned the functions of English connectives are reflected at three levels namely phrase sentence and discourse. Regarding semantic function of English connectives they can be studied from regular exclamatory and rhetoric aspects. The latter two establish irregular semantic functions of English connectives. The studies demonstrate that English connectives serve not only as a significant source of discursive construction but also as an important means of achieving speaker s communication purpose. Key words English connectives manifest function discursive construction function semantic function Quirk 1972 connectives fuctions Halliday 1994 Robert K. Merton 1 52

2 have breakfast come in be good at wait for at first a little later on you and me war and peace warmer and warmer safe and sound time and tide you and me 1 She is fond of keeping pets. The food was delicious but he had no appetite. The performance had begun when we got to the theater. 1 track and field both quickly and properly Mr. A Mr. B as well as Mr. C not only in America but also in the world 2 talked and talked on and on warmer and warmer 3 pear or apple by bus or by bike fine or rainy either my answer or yours whether right or wrong 4 poor but honest slowly but steadily. sense group + + and but yet for so while whereas or as well as rather than text 4 come and sit down not only 2 Make up your mind and you ll get the in the evening but also on Sundays in the office or chance. somewhere the place I must work hard or I ll fail in the exam. where I was born the fact that he won the game simple sentences sompound sentences complex sentences = > 2 Some people love cats while others hate them. He is absent today for he is ill. 53

3 linear It was ten years since we had been here. since Whether I take a rest doesn t matter. whether I wonder if it is the right answer. if This is because the earth is travelling because round the sun. that 1. 3 The slogan is well known that all men are born equal. Whoever comes will be welcome. whoever I wonder who will play in the football whom match. what That was what happened that night. who Every one is considering the problem who will win. how How this was made remains a secret. Cohesion in when She did not tell me when the train left. English why This is why I hate the place. Halliday & Hasan 1976 whose where I live in a room whose window faces the sun. Is that the factory where you worked last week 3 I wish like to make more friends and learn how to get along with all kinds of people. In addition I hope I can learn how to use every minute in I don t think my school days... that many people will come to the party that Moreover I would learn from professors and teachers. They are all good models. I would also where can we get the money is just our problem Bei- learn from people who come from other places. jing is the place where I was born where and also furthermore in addition besides incidentally 2

4 yet though only however nevertheless on the other hand 4 After the written examination the interview and the physical examination he finally got the job. He thought he could take a breath and enjoy his new lifestyle. But things were not as easy as what he expected there are still a lot of things to get familiar with. 3 so then hence therefore for because consequently as a result Since there were so many things to learn I made up my mind secretly to get familiar with my working environment as soon as possible. I must learn it with all my strength. Therefore I spend half an hour to read the material about the company ask my colleagues for advices practice the software again and again. 1 She is already in her 30 s but she looks very young. John didn t attend the meeting because he 4 was ill. then next soon meanwhile first previously but finally at last She is already in her 30 s. She looks very young. because 6 Alice began by taking the little golden key and unlocking the door that led into the garden. Then she set to work nibbling at the mushroom... till she was about a foot high then she walked down the little passage and then she found herself at last in the beautiful garden. 6 first second last but not least therefore and because John didn t attend the meeting. He was ill

5 When I think how people lived 1000 years ago 2 Well if I haven t left my umbrella in the train 8 A teacher and so ignorant A big bank and has no money Marry you a girl and so careless and if when and if If I were young now If it would stop raining 2 4 If I knew the information then. J. If I had gone by taxi M J M. 5 If that s not the best idea I ve heard in a long time. J. Well if I haven t left my umbrella in the train if as just but only ever. M. 6 If only I worked harder at that time If ever I knew what happened Halliday M. A. K. & Hasan R. Cohesion in English M. when when London Longman think when think Halliday M. A. K. An Introduction to Functional Grammar M. Lodon Edward Amold Quirk R. Greenbaum S. Leech G. and J. Startvik. A 7 When I think how he could sink to such depths and. J. grammar of Contemporary English M. London Longman