Research topics - PFE
Prof. Alaoui
Proposed research topics on Pragmatics:
1. The role of pragmatic competence in second language acquisition:
This topic could explore how learners acquire pragmatic competence in a second language, including the
factors that influence this process and the implications for language instruction.
2. The use of pragmatic markers in spoken discourse:
This topic could focus on the use of pragmatic markers (e.g. like, you know, um) in different contexts,
and how they help to convey meaning and manage social relationships in conversation.
3. The impact of cultural differences on pragmatic interpretation:
This topic could investigate how cultural differences in communication norms and values affect how
people interpret pragmatically marked utterances, and how these differences might lead to
misunderstandings or miscommunication.
4. The development of pragmatic abilities in children:
This topic could look at how children acquire pragmatic competence over time, including the role of
socialization, cognitive development, and language input.
5. The role of context in pragmatic interpretation:
This topic could examine how contextual factors (e.g. shared knowledge, physical setting, social
relationships) influence the interpretation of pragmatic meaning, and how speakers and listeners
navigate these factors in communication.
Proposed research topics on Discourse Analysis:
1. Discourse analysis of political discourse:
This topic could explore the language, structure, and strategies used in political discourse to persuade,
influence, and mobilize audiences, and how different groups respond to political messages.
2. Discourse markers and coherence in written and spoken discourse:
This topic could examine how discourse markers (e.g. however, furthermore) contribute to the coherence
and organization of discourse, and how their use differs in written and spoken discourse.
3. Discourse and identity:
This topic could investigate how discourse reflects and shapes social identities, including gender,
ethnicity, and social class, and how individuals use discourse to construct and negotiate their identities.
4. Cross-linguistic discourse analysis:
This topic could compare the features of discourse in different languages and cultures, focusing on how
linguistic and cultural factors influence discourse structure, function, and interpretation.
5. Discourse in educational settings:
This topic could explore how discourse is used to construct knowledge and meaning in educational
contexts, including the ways that teachers and students use language to negotiate authority, build
knowledge, and express identity.
Proposed linguistic topics on Communication
1. How people communicate: When there is no shared language
2. The process of changing everyday language: How society changes words
3. The effectiveness of verbal communication in showing feelings
4. The effectiveness of nonverbal communication in showing emotions
5. The integration of verbal and non-verbal communication
Proposed linguistic topics on Cross-Cultural Communication
1.Cross-cultural communication as a way of achievement of cross- cultural communicative competence
2. Cross-cultural communication and ELT in Morocco
3. Promoting Cross-cultural Education in the EFL Classroom Through ICT-based practices
4. Cross-cultural communication and politeness.
5. Cross-cultural barriers to effective communication
