Vol. 7 No. 2 (9) (2011)

The article studies the role of the background knowledge and particularly that of emotional memory on speech interpretation and formation. The examination of the factual material is carried out through the cognitive and pragmatic concept. Emotions expressed in speech and having a significant impact on the interpersonal relations of the interlocuters are viewed not only as sensory factors, but also as elements belonging to the cognitive sphere of speech.

The present article considers such text categories as integrity and coherence. The latter is expressed by two different terms in English – cohesion and coherence. There are different approaches towards these two terms, which, however, lead to nearly the same conclusion. The former (integrity) is a means of combining intertextual units while the latter (coherence) is the category ensuring the unity of the text and establishing a link between both intertextual and extra-textual situations and environments. Integrity in its turn, is viewed as a means of integrating text elements into a whole and helping to create an intertextual and extratextual context that is closely related to the category of coherence.

Active Communication between countries contributes to solving diverse problems in the spheres of politics, economy, science, culture and others. Evidently, knowing English or rather scientific English under such circumstances becomes an imperative. The present article attempts to specify the linguistic and stylistic means the knowledge of which can make it possible for scholars of various nationalities to take part in international scientific communication.

The article investigates the linguistic expressions of sex as a decisive social factor. An attempt is made to question the topicality of some of the characteristics of female speech elaborated by R. Lakoff which later turned into generally accepted beliefs.

The article attempts to carry out a comparative analysis of politeness strategies in English and Armenian based on the factor of directness and indirectness. The connection between indirect expression and politeness have been widely discussed among linguists and pragmatists (see Brown and Levinson 1987; Lakoff 1973; Leech 1983; Searle 1976). Many of the scholars having underlined the close connection between the concepts mentioned, note that a higher degree of indirectness presupposes more politeness. Speech act of request has been chosen as the material of the research. The investigation has revealed a number of similarities and differences in the application of politeness strategies of expressing request in both languages. In particular, the two languages use the same three basic strategies of request – direct, conventional and indirect and unconventional indirect. Conventional Indirect strategy especially in patterns made up with interrogative sentences prevail both in Armenian and in English. However, along with the similarities in the strategies of the two languages, many differences have been observed in their forms of expression – in the structures and patterns.

US medical leaflets are made in accordance with the US legislation. They differ from those of Armenian and European leaflets on their use since they contain information about the patent of the given medicine, individual cases of its use. Besides, they provide answers to possible questions that might arise during its use. Being formal by nature, these leaflets, however, do not use a vocabulary characteristic of official documents. The document is recognized due to specific cognitive structures and medical terms. The Armenian version of the text, as such, acts as a new text which is compiled in accordance with the corresponding Armenian legislation.

Language, i.e. the human ability to communicate, reflects and enhances our view of the world and as a structural element largely contributes to the development of culture. Linguistically the phenomenon is defined as linguistic determinism and relativity. Language is not only a means to transfer ideas and concepts but it also creates and reflects them. It can give birth to phenomena that do not exist as such. Being a means of inter-cultural communication, language is also the bearer of a national make-up with its light or serious pronouncement, solemnity or dramatism. Despite the linguo-cultural diversity of the world, there are some universalities that have turned into a subject of serious linguistic investigation.

Slang is a general language phenomenon. All layers of the society use slang units characteristic of the very layer they belong to. Medical field proves no exception in this regard. Medical slang is used by medical workers and is recognized and understood only by that very community. Since the relationship between a doctor and a patient is based on trust, slang acts as a secret and coded language for cases when the discussion of a certain case is not to be directly understood by the patient himself.

The present article specifies the place of the proverbs with “smile” among set phrases based on their structural integrity, unity of sense and the syntactic role they play in a sentence. The analysis also provides their classification according to their meaning, type of the sentence and stylistic value.

The article analyses the role of the metonymic simile in newspaper film reviews. To make the speech more impressive reviewers turn to the use of similes. The type of simile prevailing in film reviews is metonymic simile which is based on associations, usually limited to the combination of physical and some other features (size, form, scale, color). Any simile in a film review carries out the functions of impact, cognition, persuasion and propaganda.

Throughout the recent three decades no major changes have been observed in the Iranian educational curricula and textbooks of foreign language teaching. Nor has there been any significant change in the teaching methods while numerous reforms can be traced in the field of foreign language teaching in the world. The current research attempts to study various aspects of language competence of several graduates of secondary schools who have not taken language courses in private institutions. The research aims to find out the capacity of the academic educational system of Iran to teach students English appropriately.

The article studies the theoretical bases, origin and key development trends of EAP/ESP as a separate discipline. The research includes numerous and various modern approaches. Albeit there is disagreement and discrepancy among scholars, the definitions put forward in their theories show the way ESP/EAP have developed since they were first spoken of at the initial stage of their formation. The research shows that to equip learners with appropriate knowledge to be able to perform effectively in the target community it is always important to employ the content-relevant approach and take the target situation into consideration.

The article highlights several problems related to computer-aided formative and summative assessments. Formative tests tend to check the knowledge of the learners in order to teach them. Summative tests aim to assess the knowledge acquired. The authors of the article attach importance to the role of the computer-aided testing system that is being developed in the Armenian education system and single out certain factors that could contribute to the process.

The article aims to highlight the role games play in shaping the psychological image of a child and in the process of his/ her realization as a social being. The research has been conducted with special reference to W. Saroyan’s “Papa, You’re Crazy” where the relationship between the father and the son develops through various games. These, in their turn, contribute to the development of the linguistic abilities and life skills of the child. The article shows that the short story may serve as a unique guideline for child upbringing.

These days foreign language course design requirements are diverse depending on the social-political and economic conditions of a given society, existing linguistic and pedagogical theories, opportunities provided by scientific-technical progress and the individual and public personality of the learner. The current article attempts to combine the underlying components, aims and means that make up the given foreign language course emphasizing the role of the textbook as a decisive factor. Special reference is made to the tasks that might contribute to develop student-oriented courses as well as to the working characteristics of the group of authors that is engaged in the development of the course.

The article attaches importance to the establishment and development of critical thinking in educational courses in the current age. It is mentioned that the traditional educational tactics which are based on the passive learner, the theory and the transfer of information, are no longer efficient. It is necessary to develop the critical attitude of the learner towards various issues placing an emphasis on realistic, multi-sided and comprehensive thinking and analysis.

The article highlights the methods that help developing skills to express logical and critical thoughts and to hold attention which are of great importance in exam tests of law school in the USA, Canada, Australia and now in Armenia (LSAT). Solving logic puzzles and games is one of these methods. It gives an opportunity to future lawyers, as well as people with other professions to develop their deductive thinking as well as to improve the necessary skills to categorize, group and match.

The successful realization of speech acts is a challenge which supposes general sociocultural background knowledge about the types of speech acts and strategies that are applicable under certain circumstances and the appropriateness and relevance of the given speech act, etc. However, the necessity of such a comprehensive approach is not always understood and accepted in the process of teaching speech acts. There is a primitive tendency to identify speech acts with certain linguistic patterns. The investigation shows that discourse analysis can provide valuable material for efficient language teaching at different levels and in various spheres in courses of grammar, vocabulary, communication strategies, intercultural communication and socio-linguistics.

Taboos which exist in all languages represent the language layer reflecting the culture of the given society. Currently, the use of taboos is conditioned by the context in which they are used. <br/ >The present article attempts to examine the use of taboos by English and Armenian native speakers. The results of the experiment once again prove the dependence of taboos on the cultural environment the person lives in.
The study of the appearance and disappearance of taboos in various languages can demonstrate the social and cultural developments in the societies where the given language is used.

As is well known, a concept is an integrity of the perception and interpretation of the world. It acts as a condensed system which is expressed through certain language elements. Very often concepts that are used in different linguocultures as equivalent units, coincide only partially in terms of their content. This phenomenon is conditioned by the integrity of cultural-historical and social characteristics which add national and cultural shade to the concept. The “conflict” between concepts in intercultural communication can lead to cultural clashes. Thorough research of linguocultures is needed to avoid such developments.

Literature possesses huge knowledge value and social significance which, however, have not received due attention so far. The reason for such neglect is the fact that literature does not easily and immediately display its complex cognitive wonders. Rather, it is possible to perceive them after a long journey of evaluation and re-evaluation. Literature does not only provide an imaginary aesthetic picture, but also various expressions of consciousness and social identity.

The present article examines the problem of the semantic borders of a piece of literature and attempts to clarify which phenomena are considered marginal, i.e. uperficial for the piece of writing. The article states that marginality refers to virtual images that appear while reading the work, as well as to the printed images which give rise to different metaphorical meanings.

The present article examines the folklore genre of maritime memorates of Irish and Scottish origin. It describes the maritime traditions of Gauls when various supernatural creatures and inanimate objects appeared from the sea, as well as the spells and magic tricks producing winds. The article studies contemporary legends which tell about omens and visions bewitching a storm.

* This contribution is based upon the findings of the research project ‘Stories of the Sea: A Typological Study of Maritime Memorates in Modern Irish and Scottish Gaelic Folklore Traditions’ supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC, UK).

A sociolinguistic analysis has been conducted among Armenians living in the USA and the Republic of Armenia with an aim to find out the attitude of the Armenian-speaking community to the use of English words and expressions in Armenian written and oral speeches. Two methods have been applied – an interview and questionnaires. 320 Armenians living in the USA and 564 Armenian citizens have participated in the experiment. The findings obtained demonstrate the following: Armenians who were born in a foreign country are more inclined to struggle to keep the language unaffected by foreign borrowings than Armenian citizens and the Armenians who have emigrated to the USA. The latter are more concerned about learning English than preserving the Armenian language and culture pure.