International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature (ijsell) Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2014, pp 116-130

 
The characteristics of structural flow according to Soeparno (2002: 48-51) can be cited as follows:
 
1.
Based on the adherence to Behavioristic 
In line with the understanding of behaviorism, language processes as other behavior, is a 
stimulus-response process. Every human being is basically speaking as the response of a stimulus. 
Stimulus sometimes is in the form of speech, sometimes is in the form of sign with body 
movement (gesture), and sometimes is in the form of situation. 
2.
Language is in the Form of Speech 
This characteristic indicates that only thing in the form of speech can be called language. 
The forms of embodiments in addition to speech cannot be classified in terms of the 
actual language, as well as writing. In language teaching, structural theory spawned direct 
method with the oral approach.
3.
Language is in the form of Sign System ( Signifie and Signifiant) 
Substantially language is a sign system. The marking system is arbitrary and 
conventional. Sign system in language is in the form of two sides, the first side is signifie, 
while the other side is signifiant. Arbitrary is the characteristic of its sign which is 
free/rejoin.
Nevertheless, its freely is limited by a convention or agreement among the users.
4.
Language is Habitual Factor 
Structuralists apply the method in learning language that became known by drill and practice 
methods, that is a form of method that provides continuous trining and repeatedly so finally 
forming a habit. Unfortunately, such a form of exercise is very drab/boring. 

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Structural Linguistics and its Implication to Language Teaching 
 
International Journal on Studies in English Language and Literature (IJSELL) Page | 118
5.
Grammatical Based on Generality 
The form and structure of the language that has been used or that are already commonly used 
alone is considered as a grammatical form. The forms that the rule is actually true but not 
commonly used or has not been forced to be expressed as a general form that is not grammatical.
Thus the standard which is used to establish whether a grammatical level of language is standard 
generality, not standard rules or norms. 
6.
Grammatical Levels are Enforced Neatly 
Grammatical levels are enforced in the range from the lowest level (phoneme) to the highest level 
(sentence). The range of grammatical levels is morphemes, words, phrases, clauses, and 
sentences. Above the level of the sentence has not been reached by this flow. Morpheme and 
word are the coverage of the field of morphology, while the phrases, clauses and sentences are 
syntactically field coverage. Morphology and syntax are two areas that stand alone, although still 
keep in touch with the field of morphosyntax. 
7.
Analysis Pressure is in the Field of Morphology 
Structuralist emphasizes morphological analysis. This does not mean that other areas are ignored. 
This word pattern analysis is then used as a structural analysis model, it is said by Eugine Nida in 
his book Morphology (1982). 
8.
Language is a Row of Syntaxmatic and Paradigmatic 
A.
Syntaxmatic Rows 
This row is a horizontal row of elements. This row is happen in all levels. Segmental phonemes in 
the form of syntaxmatic to form a larger structure such as syllables and morphemes. Such prosede 
is called phonotactic. Morphemes in the form of syntaxmatic form a larger stucture that is called 
word. This kind of prosede is called morphological prosede. The words in the form of 
syntaxmatic form the larger structure which is called phrase. Then phrases become clause. 
Finally, the clauses form sentences. The three prosedes which are mentioned latter are called 
syntactically prosede. 
B.
Rows of Paradigmatic 
What is meant by the paradigmatic row is a row of similar structure vertically. 
For example: Spanish language
English language 
Elgatoestaestaaki
the cat is here 
Ungatoestaaki
there is a cat here 
Elgatoestaenfermo
the cat is ill 
The usefulness of this paradigmatic row is to find or define the elements of language. From the 
paradigmatic row above can be determined that the language element of gato means „cat‟. This 
paradigmatic also applies to any level of element. 
9.
Language Analysis Based on Descriptive 
According to the structural analysis flow, language should be based on original reality. The 
language data that are analyzed is only the data at the time the research is done. Their motto:
describe the facts, all the facts, and nothing but the facts. The historical elements are totally 
ignored. This kind of analysis is started from a synchronic approach. 
10.
Language Structure Analysis Based on Direct Element 
The definition of a direct element is the element that is one step lowerfrom its structure. This 
direct element is usually also referred to as immediate constituents abbreviated by: “IcS” or “the 
nearest lower element”. In structural theory there are several structural analysis model of direct 
element, such as Nida‟s model, Hockett‟s model, Nelson‟s model, and Wells‟ model. 

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