A Contrastive Functional Analysis of Reference as a Cohesive Device in the English Language and Ika language

Abstract

Many definitions of language underline the fact that language is mainly a tool for communication. As a tool for communication, a language has a structure which makes it organized and understandable in relaying meanings to the users. One of such patterns of a language is found in the cohesive ties that run through the language linking what is being said to what has been said and what is to be said. This study compares reference a cohesive tie in the English language and the Ika language. The study uses the Lexical and Grammatical cohesion Model proposed by Halliday and Hassan, (1976 and Chesterman's Contrastive Functional Analysis (CFA) (1998) as the theoretical frameworks. The study establishes the similarities and differences in the functions and layout of referencing cohesive elements in the English language and Ika language. The study is done with the aim of promoting the translation of texts to and from both languages and improving the learning of English as a second language. In order to get the right data for the study, we devised the Ika English Cohesive Contrastive Template (IECCT) and applied a random sampling technique. The study presents findings and contributions to knowledge.