Academic Language Functions In Arabic Research Articles

Norhayuza Mohamad, Mohamad Nor Amin Samsun Baharun, Mohd Akashah Mohamad Yusof

Abstract


A language is a communication tool that has many functions. In academic writing, language performs certain functions, such as providing information, analyzing, comparing, and categorizing. Quality academic writing should show proper educational function through accurate and appropriate language. This study investigated academic language functions in Arabic language research articles. This study is based on several issues, such as the weaknesses of students and researchers in producing quality research reports, the need to understand the diversity of the academic language function in Arabic, as well as the lack of studies in the literary language based on the function of the academic language in Arabic. This study uses the descriptive qualitative approach and content analysis method. The analyzed content was sentenced that contained academic language functions. Sentences containing academic language functions were taken from 30 research articles in the field of Arabic written by native Arabic speakers. The analysis of language functions in the study was done using 12 academic language functions by Chamot and O'Malley (1994) and Dutro and Muran (2003). The study results found that writers use various academic functions to achieve the desired purpose. Various language registers are used for the function to be presented. Similarly, the use of language functions was also influenced by multiple aspects such as the research components (problem statement, objectives, etc), factors of the type of study (quantitative and qualitative), and others. For example, predicting and hypothesizing functions and problem-solving functions are more likely to be used in quantitative studies. This differs from qualitative studies that use other functions, such as informing and summarizing. In conclusion, the writers were seen to be successful in conveying the function of academic language in their writing by using appropriate vocabulary and sentences according to the function they wanted to share.


Keywords


Keywords: academic language function, language register, Arabic language, article, research

Full Text:

PDF

References


Al-Murashi, W., A. (2016). An Introduction to Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics. Journal for the Study of English Linguistics (4)1, 70-80, http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jsel.v4i1.9423.

Bavali, M., & Sadighi, F. (2008). Chomsky’s universal grammar and Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics: an appraisal and a compromise. Journal of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics, 12(1), 11-28.

Chamot, A., U., & O'Malley, J., M. (1994). The CALLA handbook implements the cognitive academic language learning approach. US: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

Dewi, K., Y., Artini, L., P., Wahyuni, L., G., E. (2022). Language function and choice in classroom language used by EFL teacher in SMP Negeri 2 Gianyar. https://doi.org/10.23887/ika.v20i1.43437.

Dutro, S., & Moran, C. (2003). Rethinking English language instruction: An architectural approach. In G. Garcia (Ed.), English learners: Reaching the highest level of English literacy. Newark. 227–258.

Eaton, S., E. (2012). Language register and why it matters (or: why you can’t write an academic paper in Gangsta slang). Learning and Teaching and Leadership. https://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/language-register-and-why-it-matters-or-why-you-cant-write-an-academic-paper-in-gangsta-slang/

Fang, Z., & Park, J., (2019). Adolescents’ use of academic language in informational writing. Reading and Writing (33), 97–119. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11145-019-09937-8.

Fang, Z., Cao, P. & Murray, N. (2020). Language and meaning-making: Register choices in seventh- and ninth-grade students’ factual writing. Linguistics and Education (56). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2020.100798.

Fatoni, A. (2019). Arabic Learning for Academic Purposes. Izdihar: Journal of Arabic Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature (2)2, 149-164. doi: https://doi.org/10.22219/jiz.v2i2.10096

Fawzi, H., & al-Hattami, A. (2017). Faculty Production of Research Papers: Challenges and Recommendations. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (7)2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdulghani-Al-Hattami/publication/315743605_Faculty_Production_of_Research_Papers_Challenges_and_Recommendations/links/58e142f7a6fdcc41bf944c5b/Faculty-Production-of-Research-Papers-Challenges-and-Recommendations.pdf.

Freeman, Y., S., & Freeman, D., E., (2009). Academic language for English language learners and struggling readers: How to help students succeed across content areas. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Halliday, M.A.K & Hasan, R. (1985). Language, context and text: a social semiotic

perspective. Geelong, Vic.: Deakin University Press.

Halliday, M.A.K. (1985a). Spoken and written language. Geelong, Vic.: Deakin University Press

Halliday, M.A.K., & Martin J.R. (1993). Writing Science; Literacy and Discursive Power. London: The Falmer Press.

Halliday, M., A., K., & Martin, J., R., (1993). Writing science; literacy and discursive power. London: The Falmer Press.

Halliday, M.A.K. (1994). Language and the theory of codes. In: Sadovnik, A. (ed.)

Knowledge and pedagogy: the sociology of Basil Bernstein. Norwood, NJ: Ablex. 124–142.

Haag, N., Heppt., B., Stanat., P., Kuhl., P., Pant., H., A. (2013). Second language learners’ performance in mathematics: Disentangling the effects of academic language features. Learning and Instruction, (28), 24-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2013.04.001.

Hengki, Jabu, B., Salija, K. (2017). The effectiveness of cooperative learning strategy through english village for teaching speaking skill. Journal of Language Teaching and Research (8). 306-312. http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0802.12.

Hengki (2021). English camp strategies in teaching oral skill. Islamic University of Kalimantan Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari Banjarmasin. http://eprints.uniska-bjm.ac.id/6281/1/BUKU%20CETAK%20PAK%20HENGKI.pdf.

Jung, K., G., & Brown, J., C., (2016). Examining the effectiveness of an academic language planning organizer as a tool for planning science academic language instruction and supports. Journal of Science Teacher Education, (27)8. 847-872.

Kidd, R., & Marquardson, B. (1994). Secondary sourcebook for integrating ESL and content instruction using the foresee approach. Manitoba: Manitoba Education and Training.

Lechner, L. (2016). Cognitive discourse functions in Austrian upper secondary EFL classes. Unpublished diploma thesis. Universitat Wien.

Lucero, A. (2012). Demands and opportunities: Analyzing academic language in a first-grade dual language program. Linguistics and Education (23), 277– 288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2012.05.004.

Martin, J., R. (1992). .English Text: System and Structure. Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Matthiessen, C., M., I., M., & Halliday, M. (1997). Systemic functional grammar: Current approaches to syntax. Amsterdam and London: Benjamins & Whurr.

Mohamad, N., Baharun, M. N. A. S., Ramli, Z. M., Rahman, A. W. A., & Zaman, A., B., S. (2022). The use of academic language functions in Arabic articles of “Al-Majallah Al-Urduniyyah Fi Al-Ulum Al-Tarbawiyyah” journal: A register analysis. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 12(5), 1482-1503. DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i5/13255.

Mrnotarides (2015). Justifying and Persuading. Retrieved from https://academiclanguagefunctionjunction.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/justifying-and-persuading/

Mufidah, S., Rukmini, D., & Faridi, A. (2012). Academic language functions in teaching content subjects. Language Circle Journal of Language and Literature (7)1. https://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/LC/article/view/2434.

Ranney, S. (2012). Defining and Teaching Academic Language: Developments in K-12 ESL. Language and Linguistics Compass 6(9), 560–574. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264341662.

Townsend, D., & Collins, P. (2009). Academic vocabulary and middle school English learners: an intervention study. Reading and Writing (22). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11145-008-9141-y.

Young, K., A. (2017). Using a functional language approach to modify guided reading for English language learners. School of Education Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4325. https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/4325.

Fang, Z., & Park., J. (2020). Adolescents’ use of academic language in informational writing. Reading and Writing (33), 97-119. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330717694_Adolescents'_use_of_academic_language_in_informational_writing




DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ijazarabi.v5i3.17518

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.