Discovering Literature

I'm reading McRae's Literature with a small "l". He asserts that referential language communicates on one level. It is static and very basic. Whereas, representational language is very dynamic. It is rich with content and meaning. Very insightful. Very interpretative. It goes beyond basic communication or survival language skill. It relies on connotative features of the language and quite abstract for learners. It doesn't give the speakers framework in talking, but stimulates imagination and incite authentic responses. The result is integrative form of language. "Where referential language informs, representation language involves" - McRae, p.3 Textbook uses referential language - it describes. Literature as reading materials is representational, - it involves the reader. Textbook language is mechanical or technical relying on accuracy of grammatical forms and structures as measures of proficiency or fluency. In contrast, representational materials such as literature, advertisement, songs or cartoons helo students acquire the language. The result is the fifth skill in language learning, that is, thinking in English! the objective of representational language is to make the language automatic, putting content above the mechanics of the language. Using appropriate register and suitable discourse is more primary to basic comprehensible language. In general, representation language gives wider frame of linguistic reference.