Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 9. Number 1. March 2018                                           Pp. 294-306
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no1.21

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Types of Inferences in Discourse

Elena V. Suvorova
Foreign Languages for Engineering Chair, Institute of Humanities
Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University
Magnitogorsk, Russia

Liliya S. Polyakova
Foreign Languages for Engineering Chair, Institute of Humanities
Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University
Magnitogorsk, Russia

 

Abstract:
In all the diversity and manifold researches of inference its nature remains unrevealed, as there is a lack of the uniform basis of the inference occurrences. It is mainly connected with the non-homogeneity of the inference action and a huge spectrum of its occurrence in language and speech. The study focuses on the search for the universal and relative to the nature of inference criteria of the classification of inferences in language and speech to penetrate deep into the essence of the discussed phenomenon. In this regard, the paper presents an analysis and discussion of the existing inference classifications on the basis of such criteria as functionality, a vector of action, a level of cognitive procession, inferential relations, etc. The aim of the analysis is to compare the current classifications of inferences, to make a conclusion about possible vectors of the inference actions in language and speech and to find out the universal, cognitive foundation underlying inference occurrences. Taking into account the nature of inference as a way of human thinking, the types of inferences are identified according to such mental operations as comparison, filling in (framing), integration, elimination, deduction, induction on the material of various linguistic resources (texts, utterances, dialogues). The proposed classification requires further consideration on the basis of a broader linguistic material (various types of discourse, utterances involving polysemantic words or phraseological units; the study of nomination processes of complex linguistic units like idioms, derived verbs, compound nouns) and can be modified and complemented.
Keywords: classification of inferences, cognitive operations, discourse, situational context 

Cite as:  Suvorova, E.V., & Polyakova, L. S. (2018). Types of Inferences in Discourse. Arab World English Journal, 9 (1).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no1.21

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https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no1.21

Elena V. Suvorova, PhD (Philology), Assoc. Prof. of Foreign Languages for Engineering,
Institute of Humanities, Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia.
About 20-year experience in teaching foreign languages and allied subjects, active partaker of
international scientific conferences and symposia. Research interests include the English language,
cognitive linguistics, semantics, discourse, etc. Author of about 50 publications, including 3
monographs, textbooks.