Epistemology and Stance Marking in Academic Discourses and Written Texts (Poster 4)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Nine
  In Poster Session: Learning and Motivation in Social and Cultural Contexts 2

Abstract

Epistemological marking, that comprises evidentials and modality marking, is the focus of the comparative mixed-methods analysis of graduate students’ (86) academic discourses and texts, in the educational psychology disciplinary-context. Cross-corpora analyses revealed, among other findings, that epistemology marking in speaking centered around personal/sensory access to epistemic basis for referential material, while frequent deductive/hypothetical stories might be used in lieu of hearsay-evidentials (written ‘specialty’). Cross-gender comparisons reveal male stronger modality in both speaking and writing, and epistemic marking in the spoken corpus. Cross-ethnic findings unraveled Caucasian and Other-ethnicity evidential uses in writing and Hispanic edge in inferencing-structures. Hispanics and African-American’s spoken discourse was most hedged (face-saving) though. The study calls for educational supports for traditionally minoritized-groups and their epistemological/communicative competences.

Author

• Beata M. Latawiec, Wichita State University
  Presenting Author