Conflict Discourse Analysis Under The Perspective Of Interpersonal Meaning Theory

This thesis mainly addresses the theoretic application of Interpersonal Meaning to analysisthe conflict discourse in two English movies. Li Zhanzi proposes a revised structure of definingand studying Interpersonal Meaning. In her model, she believes that Interpersonal Meaning canbe studied form two levels: micro-society and macro-society. The first one concentrates on theinteractive discourse with writer and reader involved in realization; the second one is aconversation between the writer and various social entities that we readers can’t reach inInterpersonal Meaning study.This thesis is made up of five chapters in total.The first chapter gives a general introduction to this thesis from its background, rationale,research questions as well as the organization.The second chapter basically reviews the previous study relating to what we are doing inthis thesis. This is a discourse analysis under the Interpersonal Meaning, and the linguistic datacome from conflict episodes in English movies. Three key words--discourse analysis,Interpersonal Meaning and conflict discourse, will be elaborated in this part.The third chapter is the theoretical framework of this thesis. Beginning with theintroduction of Interpersonal Meaning, we discuss three main ways of realization: Mood,Modality and Appraisal System. Mood System is the main source in realizing the interactiveaspect of Interpersonal Meaning by a grammatical category of verbs, while the Modality theattitude. The Appraisal System is about the linguistic resources of particular intersubjectiverelationship and ideology expressed or negotiated.Chapter Four is the main part of analysis.In Speech Role Analysis, we compare successful communication with conflict discourse tofind that conflict discourse features differently from the successful one: gap of quantity betweengiving and demanding roles; the one exerts more influence on the other; calls functioning as aninvitation to join in communication can also reflect the close relationship or not of the involvers. Mood–Residue Analysis is the main method we use to analyze conflict discourse inrealizing Interpersonal Meaning. In mood system, the change of Subject is a change of theme;leaping of subjects or changing subjects reveals how much the participants commit to thecommunication. Finite is a key factor in realizing Interpersonal Meaning by repeating oramending itself to go on the conversation; the usage of Finite matters if the discourse is open tonegotiation; tense rooting in the Finite also tells us how the involvers perceive the subject. Thephenomenon of repetition indicates the mood of the speaker, like surprise and dissatisfaction.Modal Adjunct expresses relevant meaning of polarity, mood, and modality.In polarity and modality analysis, we find that modality accompanies the whole process ofconflict discourse. Modality reveals the degree and scale that the involver would like to beinvolved; different choice of modality verbs shows if the speaker plays a constructive role oractive role in solving the problem and in improving the relationship; modulation, expressingInterpersonal Meaning through modal commitment and modal responsibility, which shows howwillingly the speakers would like to join the theme.Appraisal System probes into Interpersonal Meaning from lexically presented Affection,Judgment and Appreciation in aspect of Attitude. Adjective, adverb, verb and its phrase, smallclause contribute to realizing Interpersonal Meaning; more negative effect characterizes theconflict discourse.The last part is a summary of findings of this thesis. Problems of this thesis that we can’tavoid and ignore are raised for further study.