An Analysis Of Grammatical Metaphor In Opinion Columns In American Newspapers

This thesis is an analysis of grammatical metaphor in opinion columns in American newspapers.Traditional theory regards metaphor as the variation on the lexical level. Halliday argues that there is another kind of metaphor existing on the lexicogrammatical level and terms it "grammatical metaphor". He regards grammatical metaphor as the variation of the expression, involving the transference from one grammatical domain to another. Halliday identifies two types of grammatical metaphor: ideational grammatical metaphor and interpersonal grammatical metaphor. Interpersonal grammatical metaphor is further divided into metaphors of mood and metaphors of modality.Grammatical metaphor is not only of theoretical significance but also applicable in the unpacking of a variety of discourses. The present study aims at opinion columns in American newspapers. It tries to find out major realizations of grammatical metaphor in opinion columns and attempts to summarize functions of grammatical metaphor in realizing the purposes of the discourse of opinion columns.Through the analysis the author has the following findings: 1) Both the ideational grammatical metaphor and the interpersonal grammatical metaphor are common in opinion columns. 2) Nominalization is the major realization of the ideational grammatical metaphor in opinion columns. It performs discursive function, ideological function and objective function. These functions help columnists to realize the purpose of reconstruing news events in opinion columns. 3) As for theinterpersonal grammatical metaphor, the statement realized by the interrogative mood is the major realization of mood metaphors. The employment of this kind of mood metaphors helps columnists to better interact and negotiate with readers. Metaphors of modality are also adopted by columnists to reveal their subjective or objective orientations towards the issues under discussion. Interpersonal grammatical metaphor helps columnists to realize the persuasive purpose of opinion columns.The present study is just a tentative analysis of grammatical metaphor in opinion columns. The author hopes it will help readers to "decode" grammatical metaphors in opinion columns in American newspapers and increase readers' awareness in employing the device of grammatical metaphor to improve their, writing skills.