Text Linguistics

Teacher(s)

Simon Anne-Catherine;

Language

French

Main themes

Text linguistics analyses the ways in which texts are structured and the interpretative effects produced by the choices made during the writing process. The course covers the fundamental concepts needed to understand how a text functions: models of production and interpretation; cohesion and coherence; chains of reference; connectors and paragraph markers; type, genre and style; and so on. It pays particular attention to the relationship between writing and speaking.   

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Define what a text is and the contribution made by the linguistics of the text to its interpretation;
2	Clarify the distinction between written and spoken language and explain the impact of the method of production on the formal aspects of a text ;
3	Identify within a text the relevant elements for its structure and interpretation;
4	Analyse a short text or an extract by highlighting the cohesion and coherence devices ;
5	Read, understand and compare different academic articles on the same issue (transversal competence).

Content

For any given text, students will be able to analyse it in terms of these various aspects (which are set out as specific learning outcoumes for each chapter; see Moodle):

1. Text: definition and properties (Chapter 1) – What is a text?
2. Text design (Chapter 2) – How does the context of production influence the form of the text?
3. Referential expressions and reference chains (Chapter 3) – Which referents are introduced in the text?
4. Informational structure (of the sentence and the text) (Chapter 4) – How are the referents developed?
5. Discourse markers (Chapter 5) – How is relational coherence marked?
6. The materiality of the text (Chapter 6) – How does the physical layout shape the meaning of the text?
7. Intermediate textual units (Chapter 7) – How is the text structured into clauses and sequences?
8. Text type, genre and register (Chapter 8) – What generic or register-related devices are at work in the text?
9. The textual nature of represented discourse (Chapter 9) – Typology and functions of represented discours 
10. Understanding and producing a text (Chapter 10) – How can we grasp the text as a whole?

Teaching methods

Learning activities include

1. attending lectures;
2. reading scientific articles;
3. completing assignments (preparatory analyses, group work) in preparation for a final project (group work);
4. completing individual Dynamo (Moodle) questionnaires to monitor group dynamics.

Evaluation methods

The final mark is based on three assessment activities.

• 10% continuous assessment
• 40% group presentation (work presented on video)
• 50% individual performance (oral examination)

Integrated mark
The final mark is made up of these three integrated components. Passing all three components is essential to demonstrate the skills and knowledge set out in the learning outcomes for this module. The exam can only be passed if each of the assessment activities is passed. In particular, the oral examination uses questions asked individually about the project and the course to verify that each student has acquired the skills and knowledge targeted by the course. Furthermore, each group member’s contribution to the final project will be described in the Declaration concerning each member’s personal involvement, which must be submitted with the project.
Participation in learning activities is compulsory. The course lecturer may, pursuant to Article 72 of the General Regulations for Studies and Examinations, propose to the examination board that a student be barred from registration if they have not attended at least 80 per cent of the lectures and have not contributed to the group project within their group.
In the August term, the examination is individual and takes place in accordance with arrangements communicated after the January term.
Rules governing the use of generative artificial intelligence tools
In all tasks and activities relating to preparatory analysis and group work, students must comply with the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools set out by the School of Languages and Literature. More specifically, any use of artificial intelligence tools within the context of the course must be limited to the moderate level (level 2) of the Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage Scale, which supplements the guidelines, and must be accompanied by a Declaration in accordance with the template provided therein.
In the event of non-compliance with the relevant rules, the examination board will take the measures set out in section 6 of the Guidelines, in accordance with Article 19 of the Regulations governing dissertations and final-year projects of the Faculty of Philosophy, Arts and Humanities. 

Online resources

Moodle: https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=2273

Bibliography

Niveau C1-C2 en français requis.

Teaching materials

• Voir Moodle

Faculty or entity

> ELAL