A Discourse Analysis Of The Structure Of Asian Business English

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the discourse structure and organization of Asian business English. It attempts to give an examination of the different exchange patterns which can be observed in this business language. This study has paid special attention to structural organization of this business language especially turn taking, opening sequences, pre-opening sequences, closing sequences, adjacency pairs and how these effect language use in communication. Features of cohesion and coherence are also given a focus to see how they join the different structures in the text to form one whole unit of discourse. This study reveals that business language is strategic. There are prevailing strategy patterns adopted in this form of language use by both the seller and buyer. These include name callings discount offers, polite language, jokes and laughter. Code switching and code mixing are also considered as part of the tact involved. The different levels at which code switching and code mixing occur are also dealt with - whether sentential, phrasal or word level