A incorreção política do policiamento da metalinguagem: a propósito do cultivo irracional do politicamente correto em linguagem

O artigo avalia o descompasso entre a liberdade de expressão, que no Brasil é garantida por lei, e ações culturalmente orientadas de patrulhamento do uso linguístico, que proíbem referências a características ou comportamentos de determinados grupos sociais, especialmente minorias. O descompasso se transforma em equívoco grave quando tal policiamento se estende às atividades de natureza metalinguística, que, baseadas na reflexão sobre os usos existentes, equacionam os significados das entidades do léxico ativado. O estudo examina especificamente a tarefa lexicográfica e avalia sua natureza e seu papel, dentro do universo de construção do saber sobre a língua.

Canto e fala: o espetáculo do poder da linguagem na tragédia grega

No presente estudo, destacamos como a estrutura da poesia trágica em partes cantadas e dialogadas resulta num grande espetáculo dominado pela palavra. Nos cantos corais e nos cantos de ator, os estados emocionais são marcados pelo viés da tradição do dialeto dórico. Nos diálogos, o ritmo próximo da fala quotidiana, em dialeto ático, acelera os acontecimentos em cena, põe em ação e movimenta o que Aristóteles depois vai chamar de “ação”. O resultado da mescla de tradição e novidade, de canto e fala, de dança e gestos, é um espetáculo contendo mito e “realidade”, poesia e retórica, entre outras dicotomias, em que o poder da linguagem é colocado em cena. Na tragédia, então, a palavra em todos os seus modos de expressão é o espetáculo a ser visto e ouvido. Assim, a tragédia grega insere-se numa longa tradição iniciada pela poesia oral homérica e anuncia o estabelecimento da filosofia.

Como o ensino vê a variação?

Thinking about the correlations between linguistic variation and education is both necessary and urgent if we wish to make language teaching more appropriate, fairer and more meaningful. I take, on one hand, already well-established concepts derived from research on language: the variable nature of language (in space, time, situations) and the intrinsic relationship between this variation and social structure, the communicative needs of speakers, the needs and desires that speakers have to build their social identity. On the other hand, we found out that the teaching of Portuguese language has usually been based on a vision that assumes the language as a static reality. I propose to contrast the two components of this issue, to reveal where, and if, any relationship has been established, and where it is to be built. In the first instance, I seek to evaluate the bond – how one speaks about change when this issue comes to be focused; in the second, I seek the reasons for absence - ignorance or indifference?

Por uma teoria da expectativa

The aim of this paper is to show a cognitive semantic investigation on the idea of expectation, defined as a mental construct which organizes the thinking and works as specific motivation in the process of communication. Expectation is an idea that may be created in the speaker's or in the listener's mind. It may be verbalized or not. Its semantic information may not be realized in real life, bringing frustration to communication. This study of expectation suggested that it is useful to have a theory to explain what other approaches left over. The working methodology focused in the gathering of data related to the phenomenon and the procedures to explain them inside a cognitive approach. The utterances are directly dependent of how the mind words. Therefore, studying speech we can have an access to people's mind. The idea of expectation may be interpreted under different traditional semantic labels. However, there are some peculiarities that can be explained only by a cognitive approach to language. We find words and phrases in the languages which reveal the presence of an expectation, such as "I think that...", "there has been an expectation about..." All answers are expected to fulfill an expectation. This investigation brought evidence that the mental expectation is essential to the act of communication. Therefore, the study of expectation in languages and in people's mind is important for the researches on cognitive semantics.

Uma visão da gramática na vivência da linguagem

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

As estratégias discursivas e suas implicações na relação entre oralidade e escrita? um estudo do parêntese na crônica

Based on functional theory, the text discusses the relations between spoken language and written language, defending not only the existence of a sole grammatical system for both, but also the relevance of studies contemplating specificities of use, some of these being more directed toward interaction, and others being more directed toward system. The investigation that aims to prove these premises used the chronicle as examination material, due to its linguistic colloquialism in general and due to the chronicler’s personal engagement, which involve linguistic strategies available for the expression of information and for the reader’s understanding. The investigation was concentrated on the discourse parenthesis, especially on its connection with the degree of language planning and with the creation of view plans and the establishment of emphasis. It was concluded that the resource of parenthesis both represents linguistic informality (which is more directed toward speaking) and shows the care with preparation and marking of style (which is more directed toward writing), illustrating specificities.

Existem línguas de ritmo silábico?

The language typology of speech rhythm has been investigated by many researchers in different languages. However, they have not reached a unanimous conclusion. Part of the misunderstanding is due to the methodology they used. In addition, there is some theoretical confusion on the definition of a syllable timed language. This paper refers to the last question, but without discussing others people works and theories. Instead, it points out some essential questions that have not been taken into consideration in the discussion.

Ensino/aprendizagem de línguas em teletandem: espaços para autonomia e reflexão

This paper focuses on teletandem telecollaborative practice aiming at maximizing the teaching and learning foreign languages and investigating the spaces created for autonomy and reflection. Teletandem is a new context for learning languages in which students are paired up and help each other to learn the language. A qualitative ethnographic study was conducted from partnerships of Brazilian and American students. Based on e-mails, informal conversations, written reports and field notes taken at the Teletandem Laboratory, the results have shown that autonomy is gradually experienced by the partners as they take responsibility for their learning. Teletandem has also proved to be a context which fosters reflective actions.

Um olhar bakhtiniano sobre a questão do dialogismo X monologismo: Macabéa e a linguagem no processo de (des)constituição do eu

Bakhtin, during the development of his theories, focused matters concerned to language, also taking account of the vital importance of its role in the formation of men. Thus, he was concerned in treating language not only as a simple mean of communication among people, but also as a social and crucial activity for the development of human beings. According to that and regarding the Bakhtinian concepts of alterity and dialogism in this paper, we intend to verify some aspects related to Macabéa, the protagonist of the novel entitled A Hora da Estrela, by Clarice Lispector, as well as her communication with the outside world, via language, trying to clarify, into that process, elucidative elements which attest her diffi culty in interacting with the world that surrounds her, besides the consequent de(constitution) of her own identity.

Crenças, pressupostos e conhecimentos de professores em serviço sobre língua(gem) em um curso de formação continuada

O cenário atual de globalização e comunicação intercultural traz impacto significativo para a maneira como entendemos a relação entre língua e sociedade. Gera, também, para o ensino de línguas, a necessidade de o professor compreender suas crenças, pressupostos e conhecimentos (WOODS, 1996) em relação à língua que ensina, uma vez que ele é um importante agente na orquestração da interação de várias histórias de vida e horizontes de entendimento por meio de sua prática pedagógica. Neste artigo, apresentamos e discutimos os resultados de duas pesquisas de doutorado (SALOMÃO, 2012; MENEGHINI, 2013), conduzidas em um mesmo contexto de um curso híbrido (presencial/virtual) de formação continuada, em relação às crenças dos professores sobre as variedades geolinguísticas do espanhol. Ponderamos que a questão da escolha por uma variedade está muitas vezes relacionada às concepções estruturais de língua, assim como está imbricada por uma tessitura de fatores que demonstram falta de consciência das vozes das quais os professores se apropriam para justificar suas opções teórico-metodológicas. O desafio que se coloca para a formação de professores, então, nos parece ser o de auxiliá-los no desenvolvimento de consciência crítica, promovida pela reflexão sobre suas crenças sobre língua(gem), a partir de experiências que possam levá-los a (re)conhecer suas escolhas por determinada variedade linguística. Palavras-chave: Crenças de professores de línguas. Variedades linguísticas. Reflexão.

Variação e mudança linguística: panorama e perspectivas da sociolinguística variacionista no Brasil

Since the 1970s many research groups have emerged in Brazil in the area of Sociolinguistics, seeking to investigate language in relation to social factors that distinguish different speech communities to deconstruct the idea of linguistic homogeneity. Many of the works have been based on variationist sociolinguistics (LABOV, 2008 [1972]), for which variation and change are inherent to languages, i.e., heterogeneous structures are part of the speakers’ linguistic competence, as a cultural phenomenon motivated by linguistic and extralinguistic factors. Our aim, in this article, is to address the paths of Sociolinguistics since its beginning as a science, focusing mainly on the variationist strand, by recalling its key-concepts and methodology, and to present an overview of the research works conducted in Brazil in this field nowadays.

A educação de professores de línguas em CALL: histórico e perspectivas

Over the last years, the new technologies have changed the way we relate to information and communicate with other people, which has brought on impact to foreign language teaching and learning, and, consequently, to the area of foreign language teacher education. The abbreviation CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) has been used to designate the processes of language teaching and learning with the use of computers, and language teacher education in CALL to name teacher education for and with the use of new technologies, since a number of authors point to the interdependence of both processes. We intend in this article to present an overview of the literature of the area of language teacher education in CALL nowadays and discuss issues related to the use of new technologies concerning its integration to teacher education and the functional and institutional roles to be taken. We also present two proposals of teacher education with the use of new technologies which are being implemented and at the same time studied in Brazil, which we believe have essential elements for the development of language teachers for and with the use of new technologies currently.

A formação do professor de espanhol no Centro de Línguas da FCL UNESP/Assis: histórias compartilhadas

This paper presents some reflections regarding Spanish/FL teachers professional development process, considering their experiences in the context of the project “Center for Languages and Teachers Development”, UNESP – Assis. The study aimed to develop a space for reflection and to identify the main concerns that the teachers-students have in their initial education trajectory. To do so, we use the qualitative approach principles and the narrative research method.

A perspectiva sociocultural e a formação de professores de línguas

This article aims to trace a historical development of language teacher education in Brazil and abroad, as well as to discuss the tenets of Vygotsky’s sociocultural perspective as a theoretical basis on which teacher development can be anchored in the contemporary world. Since learning to teach is now understood as a complex and long process of development, which results from the participation in social practices and contexts associated with teaching and learning, we intend to discuss how such a theory is in line with an interpretive view of reality and provides elements for the (re)construction and transformation of teaching practices. In this view, knowledge is understood as intimate and dynamically linked to experience, highlighting the role of human agency in our own development.

Considerações sobre sessões de Teletandem como gênero discursivo: breve estudo e exemplificação

The reflex of social and cultural changes in discursive practices can indicate that language has a fundamental role in transforming the society and attempts of defining the directions of changes must include new forms of language practices. One of these forms concerns to computer media in teaching-learning process, showing how technology and culture interact in a significant way to interfere in language uses. In this context, it has been developed in UNESP/Assis linked to the Center for Language and Teacher Development the project Teletandem Brasil: Foreign Languages for All as a new practice of language teachinglearning through technological resources. The present paper aims to present a description of the teletandem sessions as a discursive gender according to the Bakhtin’s gender theory. The data was collected during the second semester of 2010, in sessions of interaction with an American university. The considerations are directed by the following questions: (a) how are the statements of a session discursively organized; (b) what kind of relationship the partners have with their mother language when they teach it as a foreign language, in this context. The analysis allowed us to conclude that: (a) the sessions can characterize a hybrid and secondary gender in this specific area of human activity, even the partners still find difficulties in this gender domain; (b) the teletandem sessions constitute an important instrument for the critical language awareness between the partners.