A framework for the analysis of Xhosa texts for teaching reading

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study investigates the reading process as addressed by Davies and Wallace intheir research. The key concept of the models of the reading process as explored byDavies with reference to different researchers are examined. These researchersinclude Gough, whose model of the reading process represents a bottom-up view ofthe reading process, Goodman's model which reflects a top-down view of the readingprocess and Rumelhart's interactive model which is an alternative to bottom-up andtop-down models. Davies advances a schema-theory which is the development ofRumelhart's interactive model. The study also considers the model of Rayner andPollatsek as proposed by Davies, namely, the bottom-up interactive model of thereading process. This model intends to be bottom-up, without excluding theinteractive features. A further model explored by Davies is that of Mathewson,which incorporates affective factors in reading. Hedge, according to Davies,developed the models of reading into a taxonomy of modes, anchors and drivers.Modes represent the reading behaviours, anchors express knowledge sources, anddrivers typify the reading purposes. The study also considers Wallace's approach tothe reading process, which represents reading as a psycholinguistic as well as asociolinguistic process.In addition, this study conducts an investigation of a practical framework fordescribing and analysing texts; ways of describing differences amongst texts asproposed by Wallace and the integration of different descriptions of texts. Levels oftext analysis and the theoretical foundation of the analytic procedure are considered.The last part of this discussion provides some perspectives on reaching reading in theoutcomes-based curriculum for language, literacy and communication (see AppendixB).In the next part of the study an analysis of the Xhosa Bona magazine articles isoffered which commences with the recapitulation of the framework for the analysis oftexts. This framework includes elements such as the discourse type and genre; textual units and their functions; rhetorical functions and rhetorical patterns; textcohesion; text coherence and language choice as a reflection of the writer'scommunicative purpose or goal. Each article is analysed according to the frameworkassumed. The study invokes Davies' analytic framework for the analysis of the Bonamagazine articles. The last part of this research explores the significance betweenDavies' model and the requirements of outcomes-based language teaching.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University