Course detail
Professional Styles in Czech and English
FEKT-HSCAAcad. year: 2017/2018
With the help of particular texts the course demostrates the most important features of academic or professional dicourse from different angles: it points out at the differences between Czech and English linguistics approaches, it strsses the linguistic differences, the differences between professional discourse in natural and human sciences, and between functional and pragmatic point of view.
Language of instruction
Number of ECTS credits
Mode of study
Guarantor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
- to distinguish in English between different linguistic means based on their formality or informality
- to create a linguistically correct text with the help of acquired knowledge of structural, stylistic and other features of diverse genres in professional discourse
- to characterize an unknown text from the point of view of linguistic means used.
- understand even a copmlicated English text, to use secondary sources during writing
- he is able to use sources actively: not only to support his point of view but to discuss different ideas as well
Prerequisites
The secondary school knowledge of English is required
Co-requisites
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
The exam, using an in-class written test, tests the ability of the student to apply the acquired practical stylistic skills. The maximum number of points for the exam is 60.
Course curriculum
The Study of discourse as a linguistic discipline, its methods and methodology.
"Functional discourses", discourse criteria.
Differences between English and Czech written discourse - reasons and consequences.
Differences between the discourses of humanities and natural sciences.
Formal and informal language.
Possible obstacles when dealing with professional discourse, the most frequent mistakes.
The status of English in todays world, anglicisms, transliteration, transcription.
English and Czech word order and their stylistic usage.
Intention and acceptability of a text, the role of the (hypothetic) recepient of the text.
Coherence and cohesion of text and how to acheieve them, cooperative principle.
Genres of professional (academic) discourse in English speaking world and their main features
Work placements
Aims
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
Recommended optional programme components
Prerequisites and corequisites
Basic literature
Krhutová, M.: Parameters of Professional Discourse, English for Electrical Engineering, Tribun EU, 2009
Urbanová, L.: Stylistika anglického jazyka, Barrister and Principal, 2008
Recommended reading
Classification of course in study plans
Type of course unit
Fundamentals seminar
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Segmentation of text - formal and thematic; punctuation; titles; paragraphs.
Methods of reading - basic orientation, scanning, looking for information.
Specifics of written discourse as regards morphology, syntax and lexical means.
The role of the recepient - popular scientific, scientific and practical texts.
Pragmatic dimensions of professional dicourse: correctness, anglicisms, mistakes and how to avoid them.
Quotations: MLA standard, Chicago Manual of Style, proofreading marks in English and in Czech.
Discourse functions 1: description.
Discourse functions 2: comparison.
Discourse functions 3: consequences, generalization.
Discourse functions 4: how and when paraphrase and quote.
Genres 1: abstract, summary, annotation.
Genres 2: essay (in English and Czech usage), review.