A Functional Approach To Interpersonal Meaning Of Argumentation In College Experiencing English

Interpersonal function, one of the three most important functions of systemicfunctional grammar, enables language to be utilized to exchange information, toestablish and maintain social relations, to influence others’ behaviors and to expresstheir views about the world or even change the world. The study of interpersonalmeaning which has a long history of several decades has been employed to analyzediscourses of literary and non-literary genres and to benefit English as a ForeignLanguage teaching (EFL).In the21stcentury, with the guidance of College English Curriculum Requirements,college English course books which are influenced by multimedia have been widelyutilized. And moreover, the study of college English course books has been deepenedcontinuously. The author selects argumentative texts with different topics from CollegeExperiencing English Course books and analyzes the samples on the basis of Halliday’theory of interpersonal meaning and Martin’s Appraisal theory. The present thesisadopts both qualitative and quantitative methods to study how these linguistic devicesrealize the interpersonal meaning of argumentation in College Experiencing Englishfrom the three aspects of personal system, modality system and attitudinal lexis ofevaluation.By statistical analysis of argumentation in College Experiencing English, theauthor concludes that (1) as for personal system, the first personal pronouns---I, we aremore frequently used to shorten the distance between the writers and the readers so thatthe writers can establish solidarity relations with the readers. The third personalpronouns---it, they are utilized frequently in order to make argumentation moreobjective and more reliable to enhance the writers’ own opinions.(2) In modalitysystem, objective implicit orientation is more frequently utilized to realize interpersonalmeaning with linguistic devices of mood adjuncts. The use of mood adjuncts withmedian and high values indicates that the writers’ attitudes and judgments on the eventsare certain and resolute in order to successfully persuade the readers. Subjectiveimplicit orientation is frequently used to realize interpersonal meaning with finite modal operators. Finite modal operators with low and median values are helpful inbuilding the relationship through which the readers are respected as equals and toestablish comfortable atmosphere of negotiation between the writer and the readers.(3)In appraisal system, the frequent use of positive attitudinal lexis of appreciation,especially positive valuation, is to enhance an event positively, successfully fulfillingthe persuasive and inspiring functions of argumentation.The author hopes that the study will provide referential information andsupplementary explanation for a better understanding of the theory of interpersonalmeaning in discourse analysis. In addition, it is hoped that the findings will provide apedagogical value for EFL teaching, especially in reading.