Human language is patterned actively.  Within the discipline of linguistics, scholars have until relatively recently concentrated on the patterns occurring at the phonological, morphological and syntactic levels of language.  Attention was focused on the structure of stretches of speech or writing that were one sentence or less in length.  Within the last few years, however, greater interest has been shown in the patterning of larger stretches of language.

Matthew; discourse structure; bible translation; linguistics