Extract

We have here an exploration and analysis of ready-made phrases (“second-level discourse markers”) such as “it is argued that” and “the same goes for”. The focus is essentially on data from language corpora for English, French and German. In the first part, we have a functional taxonomy of such markers and an analysis of their use in continuous text, while in the second part we have a contrastive interlanguage analysis of the performance of non-native writers and translators. (More information may be obtained from the author's web-site: <www.dirk-siepmann.de/multiwordmarkers>.) There are two parts, with four chapters each, the final chapter outlining avenues for further research; there are Notes (pp. 327–9), a Bibliography (pp. 330–50) and an Index (pp. 351–7). This is an exceptionally well-documented and accessible monograph, with masses of examples and a full integration of the need to bear many “non-linguistic” (e.g cultural) criteria in mind. It is an extremely useful text for anyone with a practical interest in language seeking to produce fine translations.

You do not currently have access to this article.