LOGICAL MEANINGS IN ITERNET HELP MENU TEXTS.
ABSTRACT
YOLFERI. Logical Meanings in Internet Help Menu Texts, Medan; English Applied
Linguistics, Graduate Program, UNIMED 2006
This study deals with logical meanings in Internet help menu texts. Three problems are
addressed in this study, namely the inquiry on types of logical meanings internet help
menu texts, investigation on dominant types of logical meanings, and explanatio_n on the
occurrences of type. The data were obtained from ten parts of instructions in help menu
in internet explorer, namely The Web Pages You Want, Browsing the Web You Want,
Printing and Saving Information, Sending the Information over the Internet,
Understanding Security and the Privacy on the Internet, Internet's Explorer Information
Bar, Managing Web Browser Add's on, Controlling Access to Inappropriate Internet
Content, Customizing Your Web Browser. The texts were analyzed by applying Systemic
Functional Linguistics theory. The occurrences of logical meanings were qualitatively
analyzed by converting them into percentage to determine proportions namely (1)
Paratactic elaboration, (2), Paratactic Enhancement, (3) Paratactic Extension , (4)
Paratactic Locution, (5) Paratactic Idea, (6) Hypotactic Elaboration, (7) Hypotactic
Extension (8) Hypotactic Enhancement, (9) Hypotactic Locution. (I 0) Hypotactic Idea.
Of ten categories of logical meanings, hypotactic elaboration dominantly occurs in
internet help menu texts with the proportion of more than one third (38.04%) of the total
occurring of logical meanings. The reason for the dominant occurrence of hypotactic
elaboration is the writer or the Microsoft company functions to elaborate or to give detail
information to the readers. This is required the social context of Internet Help Menu Text,
particularly in the situation where the company firstly represents reality in linguistics
experience, which is elaborate in another linguistic representation.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background oftbe Study
Language arises in the life of the individuals through an outgoing exchange of
meaning with significant others. Language is the product of e social process. Language
comes to life only when functioning in some environment. We do not experience
language in isolation if we did we would not recognize it as language but always in
relation to a scenario, some background of persons and actions and events from which the
things which are said derived their meanings. This is referred to as the 'situation', so
language is said to function in the contexts of situation.
Language usage is not merely an effect or reflex of social organization and
process; it is a part of social process. It constitutes social meanings and t us social
practices. Necessarily, we speak, write listen and speak within actual social and
interpersonal contexts of situation.
In understanding a text, the function of language will help readers
the text even though they have read it several times. They do not know how to get
information from the text easily. There are some factors that influence he readers'
co petence in understanding the text; they have limited ability to comprehend the text.
Consequently, tHey. become slow down and fm
easy as some people think. Most people read without giving much thought on how they
do it since they assume reading is not very important.
Logical meaning refers to one which exists or forms in the relationship of one
clause to another ( Halliday 1994: 179). It is asserted by Hurley (1991: 1) that logic
inherently includes relations between or among clauses. This study is concerned with
meaning which relates clauses in internet help menu texts.
The Internet has revolutionized the computer and communications world like
nothing before. The invention of the telegraph, telephone, radio, and computer set the
stage for this unprecedented integration of capabilities. The Internet is at once a worldwide broadcasting capability, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium
for collaboration and interaction between individuals and their computers wi out regard
for geographic location. The internet is not a colossal creation, but rather a disparate set of
communications methods that includes e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging (IM), web
logs, mailing lists, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and Usenet newsgroup, world wide pages
and virtual worlds.
Computer is the media to operate the internet. It is a machine designed to
electronically prepared pieces of information which are termed data. A computer
parts which enable users to operate it, they are hardware and software.
equipments formed computers, such as the monitor, PC, Keyboard, etc; white software is
program applications containing many applications, such as Microsoft word, ¥icrosoft
excel i ternet explar.er, modZilla jirefox, etc. Each applications has help menu which
2
Internet allows millions of people to contact each other across continents to play
online games, or to share pictures. Share ideas, share common interest. email addresses.
Passwords as the internet is also used by millions as gigantic social network that spans all
over the world. (?/wild. Answers.com/Q/How_does_the Internet_benefit_ people)
It is found that many users of internet have problem in using internet explorer,
for example, when they try to fmd their web page they have to ask the expert or read
books relating to the information they need. The information can actually be foWld in
help menu texts. The users sometimes do not know that all information they need about
using internet explore has been served by the internet server company.
i rosoft elp is
a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrat"ons to help
learn to operate Internet Explore. Use the Search feature, Index, or table of contents to
view all Internet Explorer Help resources. In addition to Help resources, the users can
take advantage of various services and perform important support tasks - all from a single
location
The language used in internet help menu texts is unique. Simple and direct
language is used dominantly in the texts due to the aim of the texts to give instruction and
a clear explanation to the users. Language style ranging from technical ana formal to
informal it also uses action words and imperative, active and passive voice. It consists of
instruction of how to operate the internets explore. The text is one way direction spoken
language. It is helpful to give solution of the problem when operating the internet
explorer. The way "t gives instruction is srghtly different from other instructions, such as
3
Logical meanings which concern to the relationship of one clause to another
because of the use of certain conjunctions to relate one clause to another clause(s) is
interested to be analyzed as it will increase the internet users' understanding about the
information they read in help menu. Through understanding of logical meanings they can
grasp the instructions given by the help menu and operate the internet explore easily.
1.2 The problems
Based on the background provided above the problem of the study is
formulated as in the following
(1) What categories oflogical meaning are used in Internet menu
(2) What is the dominant pattern of logical meaning used in internet help menu
text?
(3) Why are the logical function realized the way they are?
.3 Objective of the Study
Concerning to the explanation in the background given above the oojectives
of..the study are:
1 to describe logical meanings used in internet help menu texts
(2) to discover the dominant pattern of the use of logical meanings, ana
(3) to elaborate reasons for the dominant type of logical meanings in internet help
4
1.4 The Scope of the Study
There are some application in operating internet such as Internet Explorer and
Modzilla Firefox. Each application has some menus such as File, Edit, View, Favorite,
Tool and Help. In help menu texts, there-are many texts of computer comments such as
content, Index, Tips of the day, for Netscape Users, Online Support, and Send Feedback.
The writer takes onl
elp menu texts in Internet Explorer as the source of the study as
objects of the study. The field of the study focuses helps menu texts in Internet Helps
menu texts such as finding The Web Pages You Want, Browsing the Web You Want,
Printing and Saving Information, Sending the Information over the Intemet,
Understanding Security and the Privacy on the Internet, Internet's Explorer Information
Bar, Managing Web Browser Add's on, Controlling Access to Inappropdate Internet
Content, Customizing Your Web Browser.
Logical meanings in this study are based on the theory of systemic functional
linguistics ( SFL) as developed by Halliday (1978,1993, 1994, 2001), and other system
cists. This study does not treat formal logic as commonly understood, but rather it is
concerned with the logic of language as developed in SFL. Logical meanings form
between or among clauses. In other words, a logical meaning indicates a clausal
relationship. In English as stated by Halliday (2001) there are ten catego ·es of logichl
meaning,
hich are elaborated in chapter 2.
Since there are so many menus relating to help served by windows pmgrarn, this
study is restricted to investigate the occmrences of logical meanings of c ause complex
SFL theory to the internet elp menu texts, examination of the patterns on the use of
5
CHAPTERV
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTION
The problems are addressed in the study, namely the investigation on types of
enu texts, inquiry on the dominant type of logical
meaning, and explana on on the occurrence of the dominant type. After analyzing the
texts with reference to the SFL theory, conclusions are drawn and in relation to the
findings of this study, suggestions are staged as the following.
5.1 Cone usions
I.
Based on SFL theory, seven types of logical meaning are found in inte et help
menu texts. They are (1) Paratactic Elaboration, (2) Paratactic Enhancement, (3)
Paratactic Extension, (4) Hypotactic Elaboration,(5) Hypotactic Extension, (6)
Hypotactic Enhancement, (7), Hypotactic Locution.
Of the .seven category found in the texts, the logical meaning of
elaboration dominantly occurs in internet help menu texts with the proportion o
more than one third (38.04%) of the total occurrences oflogical meaning.
The dominant occurrence hypotactic elaboration is due to the fact that the
Microsoft Company expands the reality of how to use th internet explorer as one
especially in the situation_ where he writer represent reality (the way to operate
59
internet explorer) in linguistic experience. The second representation results in
help menu texts.
5.2
Suggestions
In relation to the findings of the study, suggestions are staged as follows:
It is suggested that internet help menu writer should apply the findings of the
study proportionally; he/.£he should particularly apply types o logical meanings
in the internet helps menu texts proportionally.
It is suggested that students of(applied) linguistics should be exposed to the wide
range of texts concerning the language used in internet, as there are many aspects
of language used in internet which can be studied. The study is concerned with
printed texts of internet language.
z
~
m
60
REFERENCES
Bloor, T and M. Bloor. 1995. The Functional Analysis ofEnglish. New York:Arnold.
Creswell, John W. 2008. Education Research Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating
Quantitative Research. New Jersey, Ohio:Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall
Downing, K and Locke,J.2002. Text. London: Longman.
Eggins, S. 1994. Ian Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Pinter.
Halliday, M.A.K. 1978. Language as a Social Semiotics. London: Edward Arnold.
Halliday, M.A.K. and R. Hasan 1985. Context and Text: Aspects ofLanguage in Power.
London: Falmer Press.
Halliday, M.A.K. 1994. An introduction to Functional Grammar. Lon(Jon:Edward Arnold
Hasan, R. 1999. Coherence and Cohesive Harmony. New York: International Reading
Association.
Hurley, P.J.l991. Logic. Nelmont: Wardsworth Publishing.
Jones, Hether & R. Mann.2007. Step ahead 2. Singapore: Panpac Education.
Leckie-Tarry, H. 1995. Language and Context: A Functional Longuistic Tfzeory of
Register, London:Pinter
Lock, G.2002, Functional Grammar: An Introduction for Second Language l'eachers.
London: Cambridge University Press.
Martin, :J.R. 1992. English Text: System and Structure. Amsterdam: John enjamins.
Mathiessen, C ·stian. M.I.M. 1995. Lexicogrammatical Cartography: English Systems,
Sydney University.
61
------------2007. Introduction to Systemic Functional Grammar. Medan: Unimed, FBS.
_ _ _ _2007. Fungsi Tekstual Dalam Wacana:Panduan Menu/is Rema Dan Tema
Balai Bahasa Medan.
Sinar, Silvana. T. 2008. Teori & Ana/isis Wacana: Pendekatan Sistemik Fungsional.
http://www. webopedia.com/TERMII/Internet.htm. retrieved 16 April 2009
-z
?
m
62
YOLFERI. Logical Meanings in Internet Help Menu Texts, Medan; English Applied
Linguistics, Graduate Program, UNIMED 2006
This study deals with logical meanings in Internet help menu texts. Three problems are
addressed in this study, namely the inquiry on types of logical meanings internet help
menu texts, investigation on dominant types of logical meanings, and explanatio_n on the
occurrences of type. The data were obtained from ten parts of instructions in help menu
in internet explorer, namely The Web Pages You Want, Browsing the Web You Want,
Printing and Saving Information, Sending the Information over the Internet,
Understanding Security and the Privacy on the Internet, Internet's Explorer Information
Bar, Managing Web Browser Add's on, Controlling Access to Inappropriate Internet
Content, Customizing Your Web Browser. The texts were analyzed by applying Systemic
Functional Linguistics theory. The occurrences of logical meanings were qualitatively
analyzed by converting them into percentage to determine proportions namely (1)
Paratactic elaboration, (2), Paratactic Enhancement, (3) Paratactic Extension , (4)
Paratactic Locution, (5) Paratactic Idea, (6) Hypotactic Elaboration, (7) Hypotactic
Extension (8) Hypotactic Enhancement, (9) Hypotactic Locution. (I 0) Hypotactic Idea.
Of ten categories of logical meanings, hypotactic elaboration dominantly occurs in
internet help menu texts with the proportion of more than one third (38.04%) of the total
occurring of logical meanings. The reason for the dominant occurrence of hypotactic
elaboration is the writer or the Microsoft company functions to elaborate or to give detail
information to the readers. This is required the social context of Internet Help Menu Text,
particularly in the situation where the company firstly represents reality in linguistics
experience, which is elaborate in another linguistic representation.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background oftbe Study
Language arises in the life of the individuals through an outgoing exchange of
meaning with significant others. Language is the product of e social process. Language
comes to life only when functioning in some environment. We do not experience
language in isolation if we did we would not recognize it as language but always in
relation to a scenario, some background of persons and actions and events from which the
things which are said derived their meanings. This is referred to as the 'situation', so
language is said to function in the contexts of situation.
Language usage is not merely an effect or reflex of social organization and
process; it is a part of social process. It constitutes social meanings and t us social
practices. Necessarily, we speak, write listen and speak within actual social and
interpersonal contexts of situation.
In understanding a text, the function of language will help readers
the text even though they have read it several times. They do not know how to get
information from the text easily. There are some factors that influence he readers'
co petence in understanding the text; they have limited ability to comprehend the text.
Consequently, tHey. become slow down and fm
easy as some people think. Most people read without giving much thought on how they
do it since they assume reading is not very important.
Logical meaning refers to one which exists or forms in the relationship of one
clause to another ( Halliday 1994: 179). It is asserted by Hurley (1991: 1) that logic
inherently includes relations between or among clauses. This study is concerned with
meaning which relates clauses in internet help menu texts.
The Internet has revolutionized the computer and communications world like
nothing before. The invention of the telegraph, telephone, radio, and computer set the
stage for this unprecedented integration of capabilities. The Internet is at once a worldwide broadcasting capability, a mechanism for information dissemination, and a medium
for collaboration and interaction between individuals and their computers wi out regard
for geographic location. The internet is not a colossal creation, but rather a disparate set of
communications methods that includes e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging (IM), web
logs, mailing lists, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and Usenet newsgroup, world wide pages
and virtual worlds.
Computer is the media to operate the internet. It is a machine designed to
electronically prepared pieces of information which are termed data. A computer
parts which enable users to operate it, they are hardware and software.
equipments formed computers, such as the monitor, PC, Keyboard, etc; white software is
program applications containing many applications, such as Microsoft word, ¥icrosoft
excel i ternet explar.er, modZilla jirefox, etc. Each applications has help menu which
2
Internet allows millions of people to contact each other across continents to play
online games, or to share pictures. Share ideas, share common interest. email addresses.
Passwords as the internet is also used by millions as gigantic social network that spans all
over the world. (?/wild. Answers.com/Q/How_does_the Internet_benefit_ people)
It is found that many users of internet have problem in using internet explorer,
for example, when they try to fmd their web page they have to ask the expert or read
books relating to the information they need. The information can actually be foWld in
help menu texts. The users sometimes do not know that all information they need about
using internet explore has been served by the internet server company.
i rosoft elp is
a comprehensive resource for practical advice, tutorials, and demonstrat"ons to help
learn to operate Internet Explore. Use the Search feature, Index, or table of contents to
view all Internet Explorer Help resources. In addition to Help resources, the users can
take advantage of various services and perform important support tasks - all from a single
location
The language used in internet help menu texts is unique. Simple and direct
language is used dominantly in the texts due to the aim of the texts to give instruction and
a clear explanation to the users. Language style ranging from technical ana formal to
informal it also uses action words and imperative, active and passive voice. It consists of
instruction of how to operate the internets explore. The text is one way direction spoken
language. It is helpful to give solution of the problem when operating the internet
explorer. The way "t gives instruction is srghtly different from other instructions, such as
3
Logical meanings which concern to the relationship of one clause to another
because of the use of certain conjunctions to relate one clause to another clause(s) is
interested to be analyzed as it will increase the internet users' understanding about the
information they read in help menu. Through understanding of logical meanings they can
grasp the instructions given by the help menu and operate the internet explore easily.
1.2 The problems
Based on the background provided above the problem of the study is
formulated as in the following
(1) What categories oflogical meaning are used in Internet menu
(2) What is the dominant pattern of logical meaning used in internet help menu
text?
(3) Why are the logical function realized the way they are?
.3 Objective of the Study
Concerning to the explanation in the background given above the oojectives
of..the study are:
1 to describe logical meanings used in internet help menu texts
(2) to discover the dominant pattern of the use of logical meanings, ana
(3) to elaborate reasons for the dominant type of logical meanings in internet help
4
1.4 The Scope of the Study
There are some application in operating internet such as Internet Explorer and
Modzilla Firefox. Each application has some menus such as File, Edit, View, Favorite,
Tool and Help. In help menu texts, there-are many texts of computer comments such as
content, Index, Tips of the day, for Netscape Users, Online Support, and Send Feedback.
The writer takes onl
elp menu texts in Internet Explorer as the source of the study as
objects of the study. The field of the study focuses helps menu texts in Internet Helps
menu texts such as finding The Web Pages You Want, Browsing the Web You Want,
Printing and Saving Information, Sending the Information over the Intemet,
Understanding Security and the Privacy on the Internet, Internet's Explorer Information
Bar, Managing Web Browser Add's on, Controlling Access to Inappropdate Internet
Content, Customizing Your Web Browser.
Logical meanings in this study are based on the theory of systemic functional
linguistics ( SFL) as developed by Halliday (1978,1993, 1994, 2001), and other system
cists. This study does not treat formal logic as commonly understood, but rather it is
concerned with the logic of language as developed in SFL. Logical meanings form
between or among clauses. In other words, a logical meaning indicates a clausal
relationship. In English as stated by Halliday (2001) there are ten catego ·es of logichl
meaning,
hich are elaborated in chapter 2.
Since there are so many menus relating to help served by windows pmgrarn, this
study is restricted to investigate the occmrences of logical meanings of c ause complex
SFL theory to the internet elp menu texts, examination of the patterns on the use of
5
CHAPTERV
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTION
The problems are addressed in the study, namely the investigation on types of
enu texts, inquiry on the dominant type of logical
meaning, and explana on on the occurrence of the dominant type. After analyzing the
texts with reference to the SFL theory, conclusions are drawn and in relation to the
findings of this study, suggestions are staged as the following.
5.1 Cone usions
I.
Based on SFL theory, seven types of logical meaning are found in inte et help
menu texts. They are (1) Paratactic Elaboration, (2) Paratactic Enhancement, (3)
Paratactic Extension, (4) Hypotactic Elaboration,(5) Hypotactic Extension, (6)
Hypotactic Enhancement, (7), Hypotactic Locution.
Of the .seven category found in the texts, the logical meaning of
elaboration dominantly occurs in internet help menu texts with the proportion o
more than one third (38.04%) of the total occurrences oflogical meaning.
The dominant occurrence hypotactic elaboration is due to the fact that the
Microsoft Company expands the reality of how to use th internet explorer as one
especially in the situation_ where he writer represent reality (the way to operate
59
internet explorer) in linguistic experience. The second representation results in
help menu texts.
5.2
Suggestions
In relation to the findings of the study, suggestions are staged as follows:
It is suggested that internet help menu writer should apply the findings of the
study proportionally; he/.£he should particularly apply types o logical meanings
in the internet helps menu texts proportionally.
It is suggested that students of(applied) linguistics should be exposed to the wide
range of texts concerning the language used in internet, as there are many aspects
of language used in internet which can be studied. The study is concerned with
printed texts of internet language.
z
~
m
60
REFERENCES
Bloor, T and M. Bloor. 1995. The Functional Analysis ofEnglish. New York:Arnold.
Creswell, John W. 2008. Education Research Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating
Quantitative Research. New Jersey, Ohio:Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall
Downing, K and Locke,J.2002. Text. London: Longman.
Eggins, S. 1994. Ian Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Pinter.
Halliday, M.A.K. 1978. Language as a Social Semiotics. London: Edward Arnold.
Halliday, M.A.K. and R. Hasan 1985. Context and Text: Aspects ofLanguage in Power.
London: Falmer Press.
Halliday, M.A.K. 1994. An introduction to Functional Grammar. Lon(Jon:Edward Arnold
Hasan, R. 1999. Coherence and Cohesive Harmony. New York: International Reading
Association.
Hurley, P.J.l991. Logic. Nelmont: Wardsworth Publishing.
Jones, Hether & R. Mann.2007. Step ahead 2. Singapore: Panpac Education.
Leckie-Tarry, H. 1995. Language and Context: A Functional Longuistic Tfzeory of
Register, London:Pinter
Lock, G.2002, Functional Grammar: An Introduction for Second Language l'eachers.
London: Cambridge University Press.
Martin, :J.R. 1992. English Text: System and Structure. Amsterdam: John enjamins.
Mathiessen, C ·stian. M.I.M. 1995. Lexicogrammatical Cartography: English Systems,
Sydney University.
61
------------2007. Introduction to Systemic Functional Grammar. Medan: Unimed, FBS.
_ _ _ _2007. Fungsi Tekstual Dalam Wacana:Panduan Menu/is Rema Dan Tema
Balai Bahasa Medan.
Sinar, Silvana. T. 2008. Teori & Ana/isis Wacana: Pendekatan Sistemik Fungsional.
http://www. webopedia.com/TERMII/Internet.htm. retrieved 16 April 2009
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?
m
62