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'If'-Conditionals in Medical Discourse: From Theory to Disciplinary Practice

Authors :
Carter-Thomas, Shirley
Rowley-Jolivet, Elizabeth
Source :
Journal of English for Academic Purposes. Jul 2008 7(3):191-205.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

"If"-conditionals are a highly valuable resource in academic discourses, whether spoken or written, as they can be used to hypothesize, hedge, manage interaction with the addressee, and promote or on the contrary circumscribe the scope of research claims. This article analyses how "if"-conditionals are brought into play in three genres of medical discourse: research articles, conference presentations, and editorials. These corpus- and genre-based usages are contrasted with what is predicted in the theory on conditionals and in the explanations learners are likely to have met. Our results indicate that "if"-conditionals are used, both formally and functionally speaking, in very specific ways in the highly focussed, purposeful disciplinary genres. Previous exposure to and training in the use of this common syntactic pattern does not always prepare learners for this reality of discourse practice. A more genre-sensitive approach to the teaching of syntax in the EAP classroom is therefore advocated. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1475-1585
Volume :
7
Issue :
3
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Journal of English for Academic Purposes
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ809180
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2008.03.004