Language Features in the Headlines of British and American Newspapers 英语毕业论文.doc

language features in the headlines of british and american newspapersoutlinel introduction21.1 research background1.2 requirement of new headlines1.3 definition of new headlines1.4 the function of news headlinesl 2. language features in the headlines32.1.english morphology in news headline2.1.1.abbreviations2.1.2.lipped words2.1.3midget words2.2.punctuationl 3. conclusion7l 4. references81. introduction1.1. research backgroundnow in the information of age,media are playing a important role in peoples daily life all over the world. with dramatic development in scientific tecnologies,media have developed into many defferent various form as printing media(such as news,magazines),and electronic media(such as internet). the headline is an important part of english news publications, indicating what is going to be mainly discussed in the stories. knowing the common features of the news headlines helps improve the students ability to read english newspapers and periodicals. english newspapers and magazines also called english news. in addition to its general features, but also has its own features. if you want to read british and american newspaper, you will read the title first. english news headline, which is called the eye of english news, to show the subject of the article or to point out the most valuable content. this thesis will approach the language features in headlines of british and american newspapers and magazines.1.2. definition of new headlinesin the realm of mass media,there has been no consensus on the definition of news yet,but people commonly regard news as recent evevts or happenings.a piece of news is usually composed of a headlilne,a lead and a body. a news headline, according to wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, is the text at the top of a newspaper article, indicating the nature of the article below it.this definition discloses that news headlines do stay at a prominent position in news for their irreplaceable functions. eg:1) news is a fresh report of events,facts,or opinions that people did not know before they read your story.2) news is anything timely that inerests a number of persons, and the best news is that which has the greatest interest of the greatest number.3) news is any event,idea or opinion that is timely,that interest or affects a large number of people in a community and that is capable of being understood by men.4) if a dog bites a man,it is not a news;if a man bites a dog,it is big news.1.3. requirement of new headlines many readers keeps attention on daily happening almost by the headlines,the editor must incorporate as much as possible in the headline,so that they can emphasize the point of the news.headline are accurate seeking to let the reader follow what basic requirement in the news.the headline should be accurate,no subjectivity,getting the news in the head,attracting attention,dressing up the page.1.4. the function of news headlinesthe function of newspaper headlines include what, who, where, when and how of the event. the function to the readers understanding of the news, memory, and plays an important role in reproductio.meanwhile, the news discourse is not only goods, but also works of art, has a unique aesthetic characteristics.the function is the most concise, most powerful, best reflected. readers interested in the work of the press, largely attracted by headlines. shows a good news, there must be a good title. let the reader grasp the title, it is necessary to refine the language of the central idea for news content and distinctive condensed, summarized, so that. part of the news, the news of the continuation and completion.for short,function is important part in the news.2. language features in the headlineslanguage features has its own characteristics. its main features are simple words, grammar unique, abundant rhetoric and skillfully use of punctuation. these characteristics to non-english speaking countries, people learning english reading english newspapers and photos into some difficulties. title spelling simple words, but looks half-comprehended. even in the dictionary to find the meaning of these words or can not fully grasp the meaning of the title. ap wright, senior correspondent of the white hader said that simplicity isnt simple.2.1. english morphology in news headline2.1.1. abbreviationsabbreviations are very rarely used in formal writing,but headlines.acronym refers to the old words cut into words. newspapers and news you can use this time saving layout.eg:nasa= national aeronautics and space administrationwho= world health organizationwto= world trade organizationimf=inernetional monetary fundufo=unidentifled flying objectpc=pesonal computerpr=public relationspm=prime minsterisdn(integrated services digtial network)2.1.2. lipped wordsnews headlines in addition to using the acronym often used outside lipped words. number of words in order to save the title, head and tail through interception of some commonly used methods nouns, adjectives shortened.eg：1) eec warns nuke arns spresd(nuke=nuclear) 2) american govt will close tv station(govt=government)3) overseaa co-ops to get boost (co-ops=cooperations)2.1.3 midget wordsnews always use a limited number of words in order to express the news content.the choice of words on the brief and clear as possible, preference to use dapper, at least the verb words. such as: means destructionor damage ,the title generally do not use damage, but use some simple words,like: hit, harm, hurt, wreek and so on. in short, the english news will select the word which is have a short syllable or meaningful.eg:1) grain sale expected to fall at euromart (euromart =european market)2) temps catch on in japan (temps =temporary staff)2.2. punctuationenglish newspapers published in the limited space, requiring the title refined, so the use of punctuation marks to promote the formation of three characteristics: as little as possible, a short generation of long, the symbol instead of words. common punctuation marks comma, semicolon, question mark, exclamation mark, quotation marks and colons.1) commaeither a comma separated components of the sentence, also used instead of and.eg:boy,9,hit in petrol bomb attackguangzhou fair closes,trade booms(=the guangzhou fair closes and te trade booms)2) semicolonsemicolon can be divided into two to represent the title of two elements.eg:chechnya heats up;senior russians slain3) question markused to attract the readers attention or that the author can not make an affirmative answer. question mark in the title of the more commonly used.eg:free trade?yes indeed,but in the end self-interest still rules4) excalmatory markexclamation point for sensational headlines.eg:fireballs!twisters!upside-down f-18s!5) colons.in addition to the colon instead of say, but also used instead of be.eg:owen :watch me get bettershanghai:resplendent pearl of new china2.3. rhetorical devices in news headlinegood title not only to the language simple and refined, but also to stimulate the readers interest, headline writing rhetorical devices often used to enhance the concise nature of language, image and fun.1) slangeg:he is the pain on neck2) idiom and allusioneg:liberty mother of invention3) rhymeeg:protestants protest4) metaphoreg: liu xiang：dark horse in the athens olympics3. conclusionslanguage features of newspapers,which is effected by the position in the artical and the role