International Journal of Language & Linguistics

An Analysis of the Development of ‘Academic Voice’ In the English-Medium Academic Writing Produced By Omani Authors
Jonathan MacDonald

Abstract
Founded largely on the theoretical work of Hyland, (2002), Hyland & Sancho Guinda (2012) and Matsuda and Jeffery (2012), this study constructs a framework of components used in the construction of an author’s voice in academic discourse such as pronouns and grammatical voice constructs as well as interactions with referencing and academic authorities. An Omani-authored corpus containing texts from a number of key developmental stages in academic writing are evaluated and compared to a standardized model of written discourse practice, with publications drawn from authors in established communities of practice writing in the same genre. Rather than focussing on the failings of writers, the project seeks to establish the differences in core academic values and highlight the misconceptions currently taking place within the teaching, writing and expectations of constructing academic discourse and anticipates the realities of the dialectization of academic writing currently taking place in areas such as the Arabian Gulf.

Full Text: PDF