Functions of Language - Volume 1, Issue 2, 1994

It is argued that many of the major notions in 'mainstream' linguistic theory and method over the years have been influenced by a 'classical formalist' ambience that suited conventional ideas about how science ought to proceed but fostered an idealized 'frozen' conception of the language system in isolation from reality and society. Today, the tide is turning toward functionalist accounts of language; but the accompanying shift in our scientific programme calls for careful reflection. Some deep-lying motives for the shift are explored with a view to potential consequences.

Studies of second language acquisition (SLA) are often devoid of sufficient theoretical background. With this contribution we want to demonstrate the suitability of a theoretical functional approach to this area and especially to the analysis of the learner's perspective. The theoretical background is, on the one hand, functional explanation, and on the other, semiotically based "natural linguistics", with an emphasis on phonology and text linguistics. We will differentiate two types of functional explanation, both applicable to SLA (3.2) and deal with several problems of functional analysis which correspond to recurrent problems of SLA analysis (3.3), such as goal conflicts, competition of strategies (multiple strategies), multi-functionality, alternative explanations, and the vexing question as to what extent form follows function. Having established and illustrated (with SLA material) four types of functional deficiencies (3.4), we will deal with the learner's progress from a functional point of view as against the background of selected current views on SLA (4).

This paper examines three ways in which thematic relations are realized in Japanese text. Scholars in the past have focused on limited cases of thematization in Japanese — mostly realized by the thematic particle wa from the given-new information perspective. Following and advancing this tradition, in this paper I analyze three cases of thematic relations; (1) the staging effect realized by thematization and non-thematization in narrative discourse, (2) the expressive effect of the nominal predicate n(o) da which possesses thematic structural properties, and (3) the poetic effect of thematic suspension realized by thematic (interrogative) clauses. I emphasize that thematization is a phenomenon which pervades every aspect of the Japanese language. The three types of thematic relations explored in this study — although constituting only the tip of the iceberg — provide evidence for the claim that the nature of the Japanese language is theme-centered in contrast to the subject-predicate-prominent nature of Indo-European languages.

The paper illustrates how many Finnish writers tend to have difficulties coding references to text participants appropriately in their English texts. When organising their texts thematically, Finnish writers also appear to apply thematic patterns which are not typical of English texts. In addition, Finnish writers do not seem to utilise the possibilities of the interplay between the REFERENCE and THEME systems at their textual optimum. The insights into the textual analysis of FL-scientific writing presented here may prove useful when applied linguists are facing the challenge of designing courses for academic writing in a foreign language, courses which will develop learners' consciousness and linguistic skills in organising information in texts in a way which is referentially and thematically cohesive.