从散文“How to Grow Old”看形式与意义的关系

Relationship between Form and Meaning in the Text ’How to Grow Old’

本文研究的目的是语言形式是怎样表达意义的,从而证明两个功能语言学的观点:一是关于语言形式为交际所要表达的意义服务的观点,二是语篇分析可以揭示"为什么交际者会在特定的地方说出特定的话"的原因。本文的分析材料是散文"HowtoGrowOld"的第一个自然段,分析的重点是衔接手段的使用和动词时态的变换与意义的表达。

The aim of this paper is to show how meanings are realized in Bertrand A. W. Russell’s essay "How to Grow Old". The findings of this study will indicate that the way language is organized is functional with respect to human needs in communication and that language users choose appropriate forms to realize intended meanings according to the context of communication. The focus of the present study is on cohesive devices and the choices of verb tenses in the text.