The Linearity of Thought Patterns: A Misconception

Author: Da-Jian Wang(Applied Foreign Language, Nanya Institute of Technology)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 56, No. 1
Date：March 2011
Pages：115-135
DOI：10.3966/207451922011035601005

Abstract：

Kaplan perceived the English thought patterns as constrained by the Aristotelian syllogism and thus characteristically linear, in contrast to the non-linear foreign patterns constrained by their different logics. Insightful as his perspective is, this conception of linearity contains serious flaws: it is logically absurd, referentially unsubstantiated, and conceptually misleading and confusing. It actually prevents researchers from discerning and delineating the complex and subtle discourse features in EFL composition or any text. It is suggested that the construct of linearity currently invoked in contrastive rhetoric be abandoned, and that more sophisticated theoretical constructs be explored for to replace it in research design.

Keywords：contrastive rhetoric, linearity, logic, semantic structure, thought pattern

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