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French and English passives in the construction of text

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2008

Marie-Paule Péry-Woodley
Marie-Paule Péry-Woodley
Affiliation:
Department of Language and Linguistics, UMIST, P.O. Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD
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Abstaract

The aim of the article is to explore a small corner of the interface between micro-characteristics of texts – such as sentence syntax – and the macroproperty of textual coherence, in the context of second-language academic writing. French and English passives are analysed in terms of their information-packaging role in essays in English LI, and French LI and L2. The analysis provides insights into the role of passives in academic writing in both languages and into some specific problems for English-speaking learners of French: in particular it throws some light on the excessive – and often erroneous – use of on, regarded as a substitute for the English passive.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of French Language Studies , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 55 - 70
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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References

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