Mátyás Bánhegyi: The Effects of Politics and Ideology on the Translation of Argumentative Political Newspaper Articles
›
Chapter 2: Functions of argumentative texts: Hoey’s Problem-Solution Models
›
2.4 Hoey’s (1994) first Problem-Solution Model

2.4 Hoey’s (1994) first Problem-Solution Model

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Hoey’s (2001) Problem-Solution Model is a refined form of an earlier version of the same model, Hoey’s (1994) Problem-Solution Model. Based on the research of Labov (1972), Longacre (1974), Grimes (1975) and van Dijk (1977), Hoey developed his first model of the problem-solution structure in 1979, which was published in 1994. This model is based on the following global assumptions:

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • each sentence of a text has a function in the structure of the whole text in question;
  • such structural functions are definable only in relation to one another and the entire text;
  • the structural functions are textually signalled;
  • the structural functions can be identified by extending the discourse into a question-answer dialogue (projection technique), developed by Winter (1977).
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Hoey (1994) claims that each sentence has one clearly defined function as part of the problem-solution structure in the argumentative text as a whole. In order to reveal this function, Hoey (1994) analyses the sentences of a sample discourse by Winter’s (1977) projection technique, i.e. by developing the sample discourse into a conversation between two imaginary communication partners so that the logical relationship between the individual sentences becomes clear on condition the dialogue makes sense. Hoey’s (1994, p. 28) sample discourse contains the following four sentences (marked here with letters (a) – (d) for the sake of referencing):
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

(1)
Sample Text
(a) I was on sentry duty.
(b) I saw the enemy approaching.
(c) I opened fire.
(d) I beat off the enemy attack.
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

With the help of the projection technique, Hoey (1994, p. 30) obtains the following imaginary conversation (Example 2) between two hypothetical participants (A: and B:) of the projected conversation.
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

(2)
A: What was the situation?
B: I was on sentry duty.
A: What was the problem?
B: I saw the enemy approaching.
A: What was your solution?
B: I opened fire.
A: What was the result?
and
How successful was this?
B: I beat off the enemy attack.
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Using the different functions established by Winter (1977), in the Problem-Solution Model, Hoey (1994) describes the functions of the sentences of the sample text interpreted as a complete piece of discourse. The functions thus established are shown in Table 2.1.
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Table 2.1: The sample text and different functions of the sentences within it in Hoey’s Problem-Solution Model
Function
Sample Sentence
Situation
(a) I was on sentry duty.
Problem
(b) I saw the enemy approaching.
Response
(c) I opened fire.
Evaluation
(d) I beat off the enemy attack.
Note: Adapted from Hoey 1994, p. 28
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Here situation describes the circumstances under which the events recollected in the text have taken place. Problem relates to “an aspect of the situation requiring a response” (Hoey 1994, p. 30), that is a problematic issue that prompts some kind of action pointing towards an envisaged solution of the issue. The action prompted this way is the response, while evaluation is the assessment of the response in light of the situation and the problem described.

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Hoey (1994) adds to the above model another possible function, named result, and claims that sentence (d) in the sample text has in fact two functions: result as a primary function (What was the result?: I beat off the enemy attack and the enemy no longer posed a threat) and evaluation as a secondary function (How successful was it?: I beat off the enemy attack and I was successful). This is apparent from the two questions relating to sentence (d) in the projected dialogue in Example 2 above.

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Hoey (1994) thus concludes that the minimum structure of a Problem-Solution type of text is made up of the following functions:
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Situation

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Aspect of Situation requiring a Response

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Response to Aspect of Situation requiring a Response

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Result of Response to Aspect of Situation requiring a Response

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Evaluation of Result of Response to Aspect of Situation requiring a Response
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Discussing the actual textual realisations of these functions, Hoey (1994, p. 34) claims that “discourses signal their structure” to facilitate their comprehension. Such signalling can be effected through grammatical signals, lexical signals and the position of sentences. In this respect, Hoey’s (1994) Problem-Solution Model is language dependent. To be more precise, it is only the signalling devices that are language-restricted, but not the functional parts of a problem-solution type discourse. This is so as functional parts reflect logical relations, which are independent of the linguistic realisations expressing such logical relations. This is supported by Lucy’s claim, who, with reference to cognition, notes that cognitive procedures “come into play regardless of whether an individual is engaged in verbal behaviour” (Lucy, 1996, p. 48), who thus underlies the previous claim of the language independent nature of logical relations. This fact then validates the application of the model in cross-linguistic research such as investigations in Translation Studies.

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

Below, for illustration and clarification, a brief summary of actual signalling devices is provided in an English language text. In Example 3 below, Hoey (1994) establishes the different functions of the individual sentences in a connected discourse. The text Hoey (1994, p. 36) uses for illustration is as follows (numbers and letters are included in the text to enable the identification of sentences and clauses in the subsequent discussion):
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

(3)
Balloons and Air Cushion the Fall
(1)(a) Helicopters are very convenient for dropping freight by parachute (b) but this system has its problems. (2) Somehow the landing impact has to be cushioned to give a soft landing. (3) The movement to be absorbed depends on the weight and the speed at which the charge falls. (4) Unfortunately most normal spring systems bounce the load as it lands, sometimes turning it over.
(5)(a) To avoid this, Bertin, developer of the aerotrain, has come up with an air-cushion system (b) which assures a safe and soft landing. (6) It comprises a platform on which the freight is loaded with, underneath, a series of ‘balloons’ supported by air cushions. (7) These are fed from compressed air cylinders equipped with an altimeter valve which opens when the load is just over six feet from the ground. (8) The platform then becomes a hovercraft, with the balloons reducing the deceleration as it touches down.
(9) Trials have been carried out with freight-dropping at rates of from 19 feet to 42 feet per second in winds of 49 feet per second. (10) The charge weighed about one and a half tons, but the system can handle up to eight tons. (11) At low altitudes freight can be dropped without a parachute.
(from Technology Review, New Scientist, 1970)
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

The signalling devices of each functional element identified by Hoey (1994) are given below with the number of the sentence the given signalling device appears in in the connected discourse in Example 3. The signalling of situation can be effected by:

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • verb tenses, which signal periods of time rather than points of time, unless the situation is elaborated on in the form of a narrative. An example of this is found in (1)(a), where the present simple are signals a period of time rather than a point of time;
  • lexical signalling using (anaphoric or cataphoric) references: this system in sentence (1)(b) refers to freight dropping in (1)(a);
  • the position of the sentence in the text: situation, as a rule, is given in the first clause of the text, in Example 3 in (1)(a).

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

The signalling of problem can be effected by:

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • lexical signalling using the word problem or its synonyms. In the sample text problem is used in (1)(b);
  • lexical items expressing obligation or need, e.g. has to in (2);
  • lexical items expressing unfulfilled Instrument-Purpose relationship, e.g. somehow in (2);
  • lexical items expressing negative evaluation, e.g. unfortunately in (4);
  • the lexical item avoid or its synonyms, which are a common indication of a problem presented in a text. In (5), the verb avoid is featured.

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

The signalling of solution can be effected by:

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • lexical signalling using the phrase to avoid this, as in (5a), or its synonyms, e.g. the phrasal verb come up with, etc.;
  • change in tense, e.g. present perfect after the present simple tense, as in (5).

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

The signalling of evaluation can be effected by:

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

  • lexical items including assures, as in (5), or its synonyms;
  • lexical items expressing evaluative comments such as ingenious, etc.
 

Jegyzet elhelyezéséhez, kérjük, lépj be.!

To further refine the model, Hoey has construed a newer version of his first Problem-Solution Model of 1994, which was published in 2001. The design of the second model was necessitated by the observations that some problem-solution type texts exhibit a recurrent pattern of solution and evaluation. If the evaluation of the proposed solution is negative, a next solution is offered and evaluated. This recurrent pattern could not be described with the help of Hoey’s first Model but can be accounted for by the second Problem-Solution Model (Hoey 2001).
 
chevron_left
chevron_right
Tartalomjegyzék navigate_next
Keresés a kiadványban navigate_next
A kereséshez, kérjük, lépj be!
Könyvjelzőim navigate_next
A könyvjelzők használatához
be kell jelentkezned.
Jegyzeteim navigate_next
Jegyzetek létrehozásához
be kell jelentkezned.
    Kiemeléseim navigate_next
    Mutasd a szövegben:
    Szűrés:
    Kiemelések létrehozásához
    MeRSZ+ előfizetés szükséges.
      Útmutató elindítása
      delete
      Kivonat
      fullscreenclose
      printsave