The origin of contrastive rhetoric revisited

Abstract

claims that the origin of early contrastive rhetoric lies in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis of linguistic relativity. This article argues that her claim does not appear tenable. The Sapir-Whorf view of language as a causal determination is not compatible with Kaplan's (1966) position that rhetoric is evolved out of a culture. Furthermore, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is actually rooted in German ideas which also conflict with Kaplan's view. On the other hand, Hymetr' ethnography of communication approach can be seen as an important historical antecedent for contrastive rhetoric. Kaplan's view appears to reinforce Hymes' position that it is culture rather than the linguistic form which is the frame of reference for the use of language.Since Kaplan (1966) published his seminal article on "Cultural thought patterns in inter-cultural education", contrastive rhetoric has seen significant growth in second language writing research. Recent publications on contrastive rhetoric include books (e.g. . Although a great deal of attention has been paid to the rhetorical patterns in cross-cultural settings in contrastive rhetoric research (see Connor 19% €or a review), the issue of the origin of contrastive rhetoric has not attracted much attention until recently.In her recent article, Connor (1997: 199) claims that the basis for the principles of early contrastive rhetoric lies in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis of linguistic relativity. In her book on contrastive rhetoric, Connor (1996: 10) expresses the same view: "The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis of linguistic relativity is basic to contrastive rhetoric because it suggests that different languages affect perception and thought in different ways". Connor's claim has not gone unnoticed. Leki (1997: 235) pointed out that interaction. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter. tual analysis of a Chinese Hui narrative. Semwtica 115: 345-60. Ying, H. (1997) The equilibrium of yin and yang and dialogics of silence: a tex-[

On the origins of contrastive rhetoric: a reply to Matsuda

“…The incompatibility of the two claims is obvious when Kaplan's view is compared with Whorf's linguistic determinism (see Ying 2000 for discussion of linguistic determinism). Although Matsuda said that I did not appear to explain how the two positions were diametrically opposed to one another, I believe I did.…”

Applied Linguistics and Its Implications for Foreign Language Teaching

“…In addition, in order to improve the spoken language skills of university students, teachers should focus on exercising students' language output skills in their teaching. Teachers can first let students read on their own and talk about the content of the text with the teacher or other students after they have finished reading [12]. By giving students more opportunities to express themselves in foreign language teaching, students will be able to exercise their foreign language output skills, and will be able to speak foreign languages boldly and fluently in their future studies and work.…”

A Brief Overview of Key Issues in Second Language Writing Teaching and Research

“…Although, according to Scollon (1997), contrastive rhetoric has originated from earlier studies on error analysis and on the weak version of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis which postulates a close interrelationship between language and culture, Ying (2000, as cited in Btoosh & Taweel, 2011 argued that Hymes' (1962, p. 964) ethnography of communication approach is regarded an influential chronological predecessor for contrastive rhetoric. Hymes (1966, as cited in Scollon, 1997 suggested that the Whorfian hypothesis ought to be tested again, and claimed that before being able to make any statement about the interrelationship between culture and language, we should have examined the function of culture and language in the person's life.…”