Article review

Roderick Gardner, Discourse Analysis: Implications for Language Teaching, with Particular Reference to Casual Conversation, Cambridge Journals

The current paper is aimed at analyzing an article, Discourse Analysis: Implications for Language Teaching, with Particular Reference to Casual Conversation , written by Roderick Gardner. The article focuses mainly on the analysis of conventional discourse, on a summary of the most important findings in what concerns discourse analysis, but it also deals with some language teaching techniques and the way in which discourse should be constructed in this case. Gardners article is significant for the readers, because it offers both the cause and the effect of discourse, the information provided being accessible not only for linguists or literary specialists, but also for simple readers interested in the subject. Taking a look at the structure of the article, one can easily observe that the author managed to arrange the ideas in a proper manner, so that the information would be transmitted correctly. It is simple to notice this rigour in structuring the paper, by simply taking into account the headlines that are aimed to catch the readers attention. The information provided throughout the whole text is abundant, therefore I had to highlight the ideas that I believed to be the most important ones. Gardner began by underlining the aspect of casual conversation. He believes that casual conversation represents the basic form of language use, using informal keys; the topic is not predetermined and the linguistic accuracy in this case is not so necessary. The originality of the information provided by the author is questionable, taking into consideration that most of the characteristics of casual conversation belong to Hymes, but the rigour is a good one. The reference to Hymess work gives in someway more credibility to the ideas presented. Furthermore, the author emphasizes the importance of context, offering definitions and classifying the different types of contexts that appear in the actual discourse. It is also underlined the idea that discourse represents the usage of the language as an achievement for readers, but it is as well reflected the aim of most foreign language. Another aspect brought into light is that of the speech act theory. Gardner shows the impact that the speech acts have on discourse analysis. He based his opinions on several

authors, like : Austin, Searle, Grice and others who wrote some of the most important works on speech act theory. Gardner underlines the idea that we must seek meaning in what people say, giving a short list of four maxims that could help us interpret the non-conventional aspects of what he hear. It is also shown the influence upon language teaching and some possibilities are given for teachers to offers learners the opportunity to interpret utterances in particular contexts. The psychological aspects of discourse are also presented in the article. After a lot of research, scientists have come up with the conclusion that every individual reacts in a certain way when he or she is confronted with different types of discourse. Gardner underlines here the example of traveling by bus, which consists of several elements that make the traveler from that bus to use his or her own knowledge of language procedures. He has also attached a picture, illustrating a knowledge structure used in the processing of discourse. It is also taken into account the exclusive situation of a speaker of a foreign language, that can get some more confidence in himself or herself taking some foreign language classed, that could help them. The article provides important information regarding the topic discussed, the main points being : language can occur in many situations (in texts, in ethnographic contexts etc.); some tactical procedures are to be found or constructed in order to create a proper discourse; as cultures differ one from another, so is the discourse, therefore the teacher should take into account the fact that it might appear communication problems among students; teachers, nowadays, should follow-up modern types of organizing a class, like group work; discourse analysis gives us new insights into language. The author sustains his opinions with ideas belonging to important writers from the linguistic field, therefore the information provided by the article can be considered credible. In my opinion, the whole article is well-structured, it is formal, but accessible for everybody, as I said before. It is more important for teachers, though, or linguists, because it provides well-chosen information on the topic. The ideas presented are sustained with quotations, examples, charts. All in all, I believe that the author managed to create a good and useful article, catching the readers attention with interesting information.

Raluca Batori CDSAM, anul I