7. Linguistic paradigms. Functional linguistics

Cognitive Linguistics

Problem. Cognitive Linguistics has appeared as an alternative to Generative Linguistics. Generative Linguistics maintains that language exists in its “internalized” form in the mind..

Hypothesis. According to Chomsky, the internalized linguistic mechanism is an autonomous module that regulates the creation of formal linguistic structures. the organization of language is similar (not identical) to the organization of our thought.

Objective. To explain the linguistic structures, one must understand what the structures of thought are like, and reveal the relation between the organization of language and the organization of our general information system.

Data. in the focus of attention are meanings manifested by different linguistic units in a wide range of languages.

Methods. Cognitive Linguistics uses diverse techniques of conceptual analysis.

Result. The cognitive factors allow us to explain why the languages are made the way they are. The conceptual structures exposed in linguistic analysis are beneficial for developing new information technologies, particularly in teaching and computer programming.

Communicative Linguistics

Problem. Communicative Linguistics (emerged in the 70s of the previous century) returned to the analysis of “speech” excluded from linguistics by Ferdinand de Saussure The use of language for human interaction is influenced by a number of factors. For Communicative Linguistics, these factors have become the central issue.

Hypothesis. It was hypothesized that (a) the meaning of a linguistic unit is influenced by the text in which it is used, (b) the text, or message, is influenced by the speaker, his/her communicative intention, his/her age, gender, societal status, educational and cultural background; (c) the communicative intention of the speaker depends on the situation of speech.

Objective. Communicative linguistics aims to provide a comprehensible account of various factors that influence the use of language in communication.

Data. The analyzed data vary with regard to the target objectives. The data may be represented by (a) contextual meanings of various linguistic units, (b) speech acts, (c) texts, (d) discourses, where a text is considered against the background of the situation of speech and the characteristics of the speakers, and (e) texts/discourses employed in mono-cultural and multi-cultural interaction.

Methods. Communicative Linguistics applies the methods of contextual analysis, the methods of text and discourse analysis, speech acts typology, the principles (maxims) of cooperation and politeness, etc

Result. Communicative Linguistics has created a multi-faceted theory of linguistic communication which considers such topics: (i) intention of messages – Theory of Speech acts; (ii) organization of messages – Text Linguistics; (iii) interpretation of messages – Theory of Interpretation; (iv) conveying messages / strategies of speech – General Pragmatics; (v) human factor in communication – Sociopragmatics.