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Mahendran Maniam

Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Author-ID : 2469767

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Library & Information Science Social Sciences Other

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Inversion and word order in English: A functional perspective Aladdin Assaiqeli; Mahendran Maniam; Mohammed Farrah
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 8, No 2 (2021)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

English is an SVO (Subject, Verb, Object) word order language. This canonical SVO pattern is the default unmarked word-order configuration typical of English, which makes this language to be classified under the typology of SVO languages. However, driven by the major purpose of language as an instrument of human communication and social interaction, and as a semantic system for making meanings, addressors sometimes depart in their discourse from this basic canonical order of constituents where a grammaticalized system like inversion takes place, resulting in inverted constructions. Through testing and developing the Degree of Focus Hypothesis, proposed by Huffman (1993), this study, which employed a mixed methods research design, sought to explore the communicative and semantic values of inversion; and the pragmalinguistc functions of preposing, i.e., clause-initial adjuncts, to the pragmatic process of communication. The study confirmed the Degree of Focus Hypothesis where the hypothesized notion of concentration of attention stemming from inversion was found to be applicable. The paper stressed that what triggers inversion or non-inversion is a certain communicative effect such as focus rather than a relation of formal determination where one element determines mechanically the form or appearance of another. A contribution to linguistic and educational research, the paper, therefore, highlighted the importance of a human factor in the functioning of language and emphasized the need to break away from grammar-based teaching (traditional grammar) to discourse-based language teaching (communicative grammar) where languaging rather than language should be the focus of language teaching and learning.

Measuring Malaysian lower secondary learners' reading ability on a CEFR-aligned text Revathi Gopal; Mahendran Maniam; Kesavan Nallaluthan
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 10, No 2 (2023)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v10i2.28013

To capture learners’ interest in reading and help them understand the content of their reading, it is important to write at a level that aligns with their reading abilities. This will motivate learners to read and comprehend the material. A CEFR-aligned textbook is a valuable tool for improving the English language skills of lower secondary learners in English Language classrooms. Therefore, it is significant to assess learners’ reading competence in text comprehension using a reading text from a CEFR-aligned textbook. These assessments were conducted based on a narrative text from the CEFR-aligned textbook using two different techniques: miscue analysis and retelling. The sample comprised 20 ‘C’ grade learners randomly selected from Malaysian lower secondary schools. The data on miscues were analysed quantitatively, following Goodman, Watson, and Burke’s In-Depth Procedure (2005). The quality of retelling was evaluated based on the criteria set by Irwin and Mitchell’s (1983) 5-point scoring method. The findings revealed that all 20 learners achieved the target descriptor scale B1, indicating that they can read simple texts on topics relevant to their field and interests with sufficient comprehension. This study implies that CEFR-aligned reading texts are appropriate for lower secondary learners to read and understand. Furthermore, miscue analysis and retelling can effectively monitor learners’ reading comprehension levels and help enhance reading skills among low intermediate-level learners. Based on learners’ reading habits that require assistance, teachers can plan upcoming reading lessons.

Inversion and word order in English: A functional perspective Aladdin Assaiqeli; Mahendran Maniam; Mohammed Farrah
Studies in English Language and Education Vol 8, No 2 (2021)
Publisher : Universitas Syiah Kuala

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24815/siele.v8i2.20217

English is an SVO (Subject, Verb, Object) word order language. This canonical SVO pattern is the default unmarked word-order configuration typical of English, which makes this language to be classified under the typology of SVO languages. However, driven by the major purpose of language as an instrument of human communication and social interaction, and as a semantic system for making meanings, addressors sometimes depart in their discourse from this basic canonical order of constituents where a grammaticalized system like inversion takes place, resulting in inverted constructions. Through testing and developing the Degree of Focus Hypothesis, proposed by Huffman (1993), this study, which employed a mixed methods research design, sought to explore the communicative and semantic values of inversion; and the pragmalinguistc functions of preposing, i.e., clause-initial adjuncts, to the pragmatic process of communication. The study confirmed the Degree of Focus Hypothesis where the hypothesized notion of concentration of attention stemming from inversion was found to be applicable. The paper stressed that what triggers inversion or non-inversion is a certain communicative effect such as focus rather than a relation of formal determination where one element determines mechanically the form or appearance of another. A contribution to linguistic and educational research, the paper, therefore, highlighted the importance of a human factor in the functioning of language and emphasized the need to break away from grammar-based teaching (traditional grammar) to discourse-based language teaching (communicative grammar) where languaging rather than language should be the focus of language teaching and learning.

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