This course offers a translation study oriented examination of the use of language by English and Chinese communities. It takes the discourse approach to the study based on different theoretical perspectives: the social theory of language, known as systemic functional linguistics, speech act theory, pragmatic theory and the relevance theory. With both spoken interaction and written texts as objects of analysis, this course involves the study of both language form and function. It identifies linguistics features that characterize different genres as well as social and cultural factors that aid in the understanding and interpretation of different texts.

CILO-1: Demonstrate knowledge of how meanings can be expressed and conveyed through language use in context. CILO-2: Explore the ways in which linguistic choices tend to be made in relation to social practices and cultural norms concerned. CILO-3: Appreciate salient features of various genres, text types and discourse types and relate this understanding to translation problems.