Specialized texts

• How do we identify them?– External parameters (elements of the

communication process)– Internal parameters (formal structure; knowledge

structure; linguistic structure)

External Parameters

• A specialized text must be written by a specialist

• Those who want to translate specialized texts should get familiar with their specialized context, and should know the domain conventions and lexical/structural peculiarities

Internal Parameters• Formal structure• Knowledge structure• Linguistic structure:

• Morphological level• Lexical level• Syntactic level• Textual level

• Specialized texts are precise, more concise, and more systematic.

• Precision is a relevant feature. Only experts can control it.

Procedural texts

• Procedural texts can– explain how something works or how to use

instruction manuals; – instruct how to do a particular activity.

Procedural texts

• Structure: elementary. • Format: according to the type of procedural

text. • Language: focuses on people in general

– Verb tense: present; – use of action verbs; – use of linking words related to time, first, then,

when.

Persuasive (or Hortatory ) texts

• The persuasive text represents the attempt of the writer to have the addressee do something or act in a certain way. It wants to be convincing so that the addressee is made to share the writer’s opinion.

Features of Persuasive Texts• Emotive language – to get a sympathetic reaction.• Imperatives – telling the reader what to do.• Short sentences – dramatic effect.• Logical connectives – e.g. ‘therefore’, ‘because’.• Alliteration• Address reader directly.• Personal and informal tone.• Use of contrasts to emphasize particular points.• Use of facts to shock the reader.

Example• In all the discussion over the removal of lead from

petrol (and the atmosphere) there doesn’t seem to have been any mention of the difference between driving in the city and the country.

• While I realize my leaded petrol car is polluting the air wherever I drive, I feel that when you travel through the country, where you only see another car every five to ten minutes, the problem is not as severe as when traffic is concentrated on city roads.

Example• Those who want to penalize older, leaded petrol

vehicles and their owners don’t seem to appreciate that, in the country, there is no public transport to fall back upon and one’s own vehicle is the only way to get about.

• I feel that the country people, who often have to travel huge distances to the nearest town and who already spend a great deal of money on petrol, should be treated differently to the people who live in the city.

STRUCTURE ANALYSIS• Thesis; paragraph 1• Argument 1; paragraph 2• Argument 2; paragraph 3• Recommendation; paragraph 4

LANGUAGE FEATURES ANALYSIS

• Focusing on the writer: using the first personal pronoun “I”

• Using abstract noun: discussion• Using action verb: treat• Using thinking verb: think, seem• Using passive voice: should be treated differently• Using simple present tense: there doesn’t seem…,

there is no public transport.., etc

Text genre variation• Text genre can be modified: linguistic

changes mirror the communicator’s intentions.

FROM PERSUASIVE TO ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION

1.No sooner had the British occupation

authorities gained control of Iraq than they set out to issue all manner of declarations and orders to secure their domination over the country’s economic resources in an attempt to recoup their losses.

After they had established their position in Iraq, the British occupation authorities set out to issue all kinds of rules and regulations to secure their domination over the country’s economic resources in an attempt to recoup their losses.

2.

• The British occupation sapped the labours of poverty–stricken peasants, who constituted the majority of the working people, and burdened these desperate people with all kinds of taxes.

• The labours of poverty–stricken peasants, who constituted the majority of the working people, were sapped and they were burdened with various types of taxes.

3.

• The British occupying power subsequently seized the country’s agricultural resources and mercilessly plundered these assets to such a great extent that taxes increased to three times the rate in the period prior to the occupation.

• Subsequently, the country’s agricultural resources were seized and mercilessly plundered to such a great extent that taxes increased to three times the rate in the period prior to the occupation.