Self-Instruction Materials on Narrative Discourse Analysis

Language does not consist solely of isolated words or sentences. Many sentences are connected together into longer stretches of discourse. Anyone engaging in the study of a language needs to consider the factors involved in associating sentences together so that the result is a coherent whole. Narrative* in particular employs both creative and economic features of the language to maximum effect.

The approach presented in this volume has been used to analyse narratives in more than 500 languages. Topics include

• preparation and charting of texts for analysis
• factors involved in the ordering of constituents within sentences
• backgrounding and highlighting devices
• connectives
• reporting conversation in narrative
• participant reference

This self-instruction course will help those who have completed an initial language learning and analysis phase in a language project, are planning to be involved in a Scripture translation project, or are engaged in the study of a language spoken anywhere in the world.

Recommended prerequisites are the completion of a Language Study Skills track of an assignment-related training course, with associated field experience or its equivalent. Students will need an appropriate selection of narrative texts in the language they are studying.

*Self-Instruction Materials on Narrative Discourse Analysis is a companion volume to Self-Instruction Materials on Non-Narrative Discourse Analysis, published by SIL International(R) 2023.

Stephen H. Levinsohn is a senior linguistics consultant with SIL International. Since 1997 he has run Discourse for Translation workshops in 20 countries for linguist-translators working with over 400 languages, and continues to provide consultant help by email.