Pragmatics
Mohammadreza Pahlavannezhad
Volume 16, Issue 1 , August 2024, , Pages 55-73
Abstract
The present study reviewed Herman Cappelen and Ernest Lepore’s theory of Semantic Minimalism. This theory was proposed as a universal semantic theory in linguistics in 2005. In this article, the Semantic Minimalism theory was examined in Persian language and on the data of this language. By examining ...
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The present study reviewed Herman Cappelen and Ernest Lepore’s theory of Semantic Minimalism. This theory was proposed as a universal semantic theory in linguistics in 2005. In this article, the Semantic Minimalism theory was examined in Persian language and on the data of this language. By examining the criticisms raised by some experts, it can be seen that considering the nature of the theory that follows logical and mathematical languages, it is inefficient and unacceptable in the analysis of meaning in languages that are natural. In this article, the opinions of different experts regarding the Semantic Minimalism theory of Cappelen and Lepore were reviewed. Moreover, this study evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the viewpoints of experts in this field of study. There are important objections to this theory. Some of the objections context displacement, incompleteness, and unchangeability of truth conditions.
Linguistics
Mohammad Reza Pahlavannezhad; Rayhaneh Ahmadi; Sajjad Bagheri
Volume 15, Issue 2 , September 2023, , Pages 1-28
Abstract
This paper employs Halliday Functional Grammar and Simpson's framework to conduct a stylistic analysis of Simin Daneshvar's "Souvashoon". The analysis utilizes Systemic Functional Grammar to examine the novel's ideational and experiential meta function, verbal processes, and Mood. Additionally, Simpson's ...
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This paper employs Halliday Functional Grammar and Simpson's framework to conduct a stylistic analysis of Simin Daneshvar's "Souvashoon". The analysis utilizes Systemic Functional Grammar to examine the novel's ideational and experiential meta function, verbal processes, and Mood. Additionally, Simpson's narrative stylistics is employed to analyze the characters, sociolinguistic codes, textual structure, and intertextuality. Data for this research is collected using library methods. The results indicate a significant correlation between word choice, verbal processes, Mood, and the representation of characters in "Souvashoon". Based on these findings and evaluations, it is evident that the representation of characters can be discerned through an investigation of sociolinguistic codes, textual structures, and intertextuality.
Critical Discourse Analysis
Mohammad Reza Pahlavannezhad
Volume 14, Issue 3 , December 2022, , Pages 193-215
Abstract
Critical analysis as one of the discourse analysis approaches that tries to demystify power relationships and hidden ideologies in it by text denaturalization and review of structures and discourse-oriented components of texts. In the present research, dominant discourse analysis approaches and text ...
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Critical analysis as one of the discourse analysis approaches that tries to demystify power relationships and hidden ideologies in it by text denaturalization and review of structures and discourse-oriented components of texts. In the present research, dominant discourse analysis approaches and text analysis tools are briefly introduced based on Van Leeuwen pattern (1996); then, analysis of the movie “Souteh-delan”, written and directed by the late Ali Hatami is done with the help of these tools and in theoretical discourse framework of Laclau and Mouffe; religious discourses formation, sex, rationalism and emotionalism are also considered in detail. The present study objectively shows how ideologies and power relations can affect people attitudes and insights and manifest in their relations and social interactions. Other results of this study show that according to the traditional attitude, man believes in right of dominance to the woman by highlighting concepts like overtopping and executor of power.
Mozhgan Habibi; Mahmoud Elyasi; Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Nezhad
Volume 11, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 39-59
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
As a remarkable topic in sociolinguistics, code-switching is a natural phenomenon among many bilingual communities throughout the world. Van Dulm (2007) describes this phenomenon as the use of two or more languages while making an utterance or a sentence. Azeri Turkish-Persian ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
As a remarkable topic in sociolinguistics, code-switching is a natural phenomenon among many bilingual communities throughout the world. Van Dulm (2007) describes this phenomenon as the use of two or more languages while making an utterance or a sentence. Azeri Turkish-Persian speaking bilinguals are one of these big communities which code-switching is a very common practice among them. The present study investigates code-switching and the goals of its occurrence among some of Azeri Turkish-Persian-speaking bilingual teachers in Urmia city. The study takes into consideration such social variables affecting code-switching as age, gender, education level, teaching experience, topic, and setting.
Review of Literature
One of the first studies in the United States of America in this regard is Barker (1947) that examined code-switching process among the Mexico-Americans in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to the analysis of the economic relations, social and geographical networks of the citizens of Tucson, the author saught an answer to the question that why bilingual people use different languages in different places or situations.
One of the most important investigations on code-switching from social perspective was carried out by Bloom and Gumperz (1972). They believed that social events introduced under the title of participants, setting and topic would limit linguistic variables choice. They added in any given social situation, some forms of language are more appropriate than others.
In a study in Ardabil province, northwest Iran, Heidari, Samaei, Latifi and Ruhi (2013), examined some primary school English teachers' views on code-switching process and factors which affect this phenomenon. Results showed that nearly all bilingual teachers agree with using code-switching in the classroom and asserted that repetition and translation have been the most effective factors involved in this process (Heidari et al., 2013). Sadat Giyasian and Rezaie (2014) examined different types of code-witching among Persian-Armenian bilinguals in Tehran. Inter-sentential code-switching was looked through Bloom and Gumperz’ (1972) and intra-sentential code-switching was surveyed through Myers-Scotton model (1993 and 2002). The results showed that, in their daily communications, both situational and metaphorical types of code-switching took place and the intra-sentential code-switching was turned to have a very high amount of frequency.
Concerning different types of code-switch, Bloom and Gumperz (1972) believe that in metaphorical switching, speakers use two languages at the same time which occurs through topic switch and the speakers change their codes to achieve specific effects.
And finally, examining different purposes of code-switching, Baker and García (1993) mentioned 13 basic types of purposes in making use of code-switching. Záňová (2011) enumerated some purposes of code-switching, i.e. putting emphasis on a particular point, reinforcement of request, clarification of a point-repetition, social distance-solidarity, quotinɡ, communicatinɡ common identity, excludinɡ people from a conversation, includinɡ people in a conversation, chanɡing attitude, arousinɡ attention, addressinɡ oneself, hedɡinɡ, expressinɡ opposition, topic chanɡe, showinɡ respect, no equivalence, introduction of certain topics, and substitution a word in one language.
The present study is based on Bloom and Gumperz’ (1972), Gumperz’ (1982) and Baker's (2001) theoretical frameworks.
Method
Studies carried out on code-switching have been mostly conducted among the students' communications and interactions at school or university classes but not among the university or high school teachers. On the other hand, most of the classifications are done to clarify inter-sentential or intra-sentential nature of an existing code-switching phenomenon, but this study is to search the case among the teachers and the use of different type of classification.
To carry out the study, relevant data on code-switching, produced by the teachers were collected through direct observation of their linguistic behaviour. The data were recorded and were later transcribed and analysed. To determine the function of social factors on code-switching, a researcher-made questionnaire was completed by 336 male and female Azeri Turkish-Persian-speaking bilingual teachers. Depending on the type of variables, tests as ne sample t-test, Independent t-test, Anova, Kalmogorov –Smiranov, Levene, and Structural equation modelling were used.
Results and Discussion
Descriptive results showed that 15 factors were involved in teachers’ code-switching occurrence and that the participants used situational, metaphorical, conversational, situational - metaphorical, situational - conversational and metaphorical-conver sational code - switching at school offices, teachers’ council meetings, and in service course sessions, while talking about educational and non-educational topics. The results of quantitative research also showed that there was no significant difference among code-switching according to the social factors mentioned above except for the in-service course sessions setting. In addition, the teachers preferred to switch from Persian to Azeri Turkish language in these settings and not vice versa.
Conclusion
Contrary to Bloom and Gumper'z framework, which had a clear boundary between different types of code-switching, the study showed that the difference between metaphorical and situational code-switching is in fact unclear and is not simple. There may also be more than one purpose for code-switching in a single conversation and overlapping among the goals. On the other hand, it seems that there is a direct relationship between code-switching and the goals. Also, in Urmia, the social factors mentioned above do not have a significant difference in the code-switching of teachers. Perhaps the reason for this is that Urmia is a Turkish-speaking city, and the teachers only need to speak Persian just in the classroom in teaching hours. On the other hand, they tend to keep their mother tongue.
The results of this study can be regarded as a guideline for other research projects in bilingual or multilingual regions of the country. The following recommendations can be useful for those interested in conducting research in this field:
Other bilingual and multilingual educational regions should be explored in amount of using their code-switching as well;
Other descriptive features such as culture, identity, language, accent, etc., and their impact on the amount of the occurrence of code-switching should be investigated as well to determine the kinds of relationship with this generally happen phenomenon.
Fahimeh Nasib Zarraby; Mohammadreza Pahlavannezhad; Ali Mashhadi
Volume 7, Issue 12 , July 2015, , Pages 101-120
Abstract
The spreading activation models of mental lexicon's structure have presented the lexicon in multiple layers (semantic- syntactic- phonological). Each layer is a network of nodes which are associated by links. The nature of these links is different from layer to layer. The literature for English speakers ...
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The spreading activation models of mental lexicon's structure have presented the lexicon in multiple layers (semantic- syntactic- phonological). Each layer is a network of nodes which are associated by links. The nature of these links is different from layer to layer. The literature for English speakers has shown that in the phonological layer, phonological forms of words have been linked based on phonological similarities and rhyme. In the present study, we have investigated the nature of the links in phonological layer in the Farsi speakers' mental lexicon based on a phonological priming experiment. 30 participants have taken part in the experiment. The result has shown that the phonological layer in Farsi speakers' mental lexicon is rhyme-oriented and phonological similarities has a less active role in making the links between the phonological forms of words.
Amir Mohammadian; Azam Estaji; Shahla Sharifi; Mohammadreza Pahlevannezhad
Volume 6, Issue 10 , July 2014, , Pages 145-166
Abstract
Pain is a phenomenon experienced more or less by all people during their lives. Since sufferers usually use language as the most important human communication tool to inform others about their pains, sentences describing pain and studying them linguistically may reveal some points. In this paper, after ...
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Pain is a phenomenon experienced more or less by all people during their lives. Since sufferers usually use language as the most important human communication tool to inform others about their pains, sentences describing pain and studying them linguistically may reveal some points. In this paper, after a short introduction to the subject and reviewing the literature, we take one of the systematic methods for analyzing the language of pain presented by M. K. Halliday as the basis of our analysis. In this approach, pain is expressedthrough a process, a noun phrase or an adjective phrase. Then, the data comprised of conversations between a doctor and 80 patients in Mashhad will be analyzed according to Halliday’s method. The analysis shows that some of the introduced processes have not been used by the Persian speaking patients to describe their pains; moreover, an additional form for pain description is observed in the data, namely pain description using an adverb phrase.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavannezhad; Mahnaz Shahroodi
Volume 4, Issue 6 , January 2013
Abstract
The present article describes the common phonological features of linguistic varieties in 20 areas of Sarakhs city. One hundred linguistic forms were gathered through interviews and questionnaires. The subjects were mostly adults, farmers, illiterate people and villagers. The phonological processes observed ...
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The present article describes the common phonological features of linguistic varieties in 20 areas of Sarakhs city. One hundred linguistic forms were gathered through interviews and questionnaires. The subjects were mostly adults, farmers, illiterate people and villagers. The phonological processes observed in these varieties were: 1. assimilation of consonants and vowels ablauting, 2. addition of final vowel, 3. deletion of final consonant 4. alternation of /e/ , /o/,/ i/ to /a/ syllable-initially. Moreover the use of the allophones /q/, /ż / and /s/ in this language variety is observed
Mojtaba Namvar Faragi; Mohammad Reza Pahlavannezhad
Volume 3, Issue 4 , January 2012
Abstract
Causative constructions play an important role in the mental and linguistic system of human beings. The methodology that is used in this paper for studying causative constructions in Persian is the combination of the Morphology-based approach and Song’s model (1996, 2001). Emphasizing the causer NP ...
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Causative constructions play an important role in the mental and linguistic system of human beings. The methodology that is used in this paper for studying causative constructions in Persian is the combination of the Morphology-based approach and Song’s model (1996, 2001). Emphasizing the causer NP and the causee NP, we draw the semantic map of the causer NP (based on the animacy hierarchy). In addition, we studied the position of the causee NP in Case hierarchy. The iconicity of the linguistic distance and conceptual distance between the causer NP and the causee NP were also studied. The results of this study show that the position of the causee NP in Case hierarchy is not always fixed and sometimes it has a flexible position. Also the linguistic distance between the causer NP and the causee NP in lexical causatives usually reveals the conceptual distance between them, so it is iconic. But in syntactic causatives this linguistic distance is not always iconic.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavannezhad; Mehdi Meshkatod Dini; Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Masoum
Volume 2, Issue 2 , October 2010
Abstract
The Minimalist Program is the most recent approach in generative linguistics. The program mainly seeks to analyze the hierarchical structure of the sentences in human languages with regard to the mental linguistic knowledge of the speakers. An interesting aspect of the structural analysis in this approach ...
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The Minimalist Program is the most recent approach in generative linguistics. The program mainly seeks to analyze the hierarchical structure of the sentences in human languages with regard to the mental linguistic knowledge of the speakers. An interesting aspect of the structural analysis in this approach is the introduction of functional categories, which help to define the syntactic relationships between lexical categories. Providing a comprehensive description of functional categories, the present study deals with the one of the functional categories i.e. Tense, in the syntax of Persian sentences. In line with the definitions applied in the Minimalist Program, we study verb inflection through agreement and the checking process of uninterpretable features on T and V nodes. Moreover, with regard to the fact that the feature Infl is a strong feature in Persian, the verb is attracted to the head T and placed in a position outside vP, vP deletion and tag questions support this hypothesis