A COMPARATIVE DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF PASHTO AND ENGLISH TEXTS: A SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study is made up by a qualitative comparative discourse analysis in Pashto and English using the Systemic Functional Linguistics to investigate the difference between structure of discourse and role of linguistic and cultural factors to form discourse functions. Based on original texts, which are not translated, this non-translation-oriented analysis uses the Halliday's metafunctional text as the framework to examine the ideational, interpersonal and textual meanings of texts across languages. The results show very clear and consistent cross-linguistic differences in discourse patterns. Pashto texts, especially editorials, are inclined towards emphasizes collective responsibility, moral responsibility and explicit logical order, while the English discourse has a higher concentration on individual agency, rational argumentation and built themed progression. These contrasts have been exhibited in contrast patterns of transitivity, modality, cohesion, information organization, and that discourse construction is culturally and linguistically embedded. By conducting the comparative analysis of language with Systemic Functional Linguistics, the present research is feasibly contributed the discourse research and gives an insight for language education and cross-cultural communication.