The Bilingual's Orthodoxy in Professional Genres

Abstract

English texts are examined from a variety of nativized professional contexts to identify some predominant linguistic characteristics of the bilingual's linguistic repertoire. The nativized genres, in general, display a strange complex of linguistic & discoursal resources resulting from a range of reactions & influences. Literary genres exhibit a highly nativized & creative use of lexico-grammatical & discoursal resources resulting from variations in sociocultural norms. Professional genres, however, show somewhat extreme fascination for orthodoxy in linguistic behavior, which can be seen as the influence of some kind of standardized or even outdated use of the native linguistic conventions. The tendency in professional genres, therefore, seems to be toward conformity, whereas in literary genres it is definitely toward creativity. AA.