从奥巴马胜选感言看语言人际功能实现11-16.docVIP

Chapter Three THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK This chapter sets out to provide a full account of the theoretical framework for the present study. First of all, the basic assumptions within systemic functional linguistics are introduced as the theoretical background. Secondly, the elaborated framework of Appraisal theory is illustrated as the other major theoretical framework at the operational level. 3.1 Basic assumptions of system functional linguistics According to SFL, language is viewed as a social behavior and a mode of action to perform functions intended by the speaker, whats more, language is regarded as a system of meaning potential from which language users make choices to express meanings. The meaning can generally be divided into three domains: experiential meaning, interpersonal meaning and textual meaning. Actually, the understanding of choice here is twofold: on the one hand, it refers to the choice of meaning as the speaker intends to communicate; on the other hand, it refers to the choice of wordings the speaker uses to express his or her intention ( Thompson, 2000:8). In functional view, language and context are interdependent (Thompson, 2000:9). Broadly speaking, the material world influences what we talk about and how we talk about it. Conversely what and how we talk about the world influence our view on the material world. In this sense, language use is a process of making choices amongst relevant options in context (Thompson, 2000:9). 3.2 Interpersonal function in systematic functional linguistics Firstly, the author focuses on the theory of interpersonal function in SFL and studies how Interpersonal meaning is realized on the clause level. According to Halliday, the interpersonal function consists of mood and modality. 3． 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 I We You One You It She He They→ Figure3.1 :( Indefinite) Distancing from self In many languages, the choice of personal pronouns is influenced and limited by communicators social status and dis