Engagement Resources In English Linguistic Book Reviews

In recent years, engagement system, a sub-system in Appraisal Theory, has been proved to be an effective tool to probe into engagement resources of various texts such as news reports, research articles and so on. But few studies apply this system to the genre analysis of book reviews. In addition, those studies of book reviews, which mainly view the engagement resources as strategic politeness devices, fail to touch upon the interpersonal functionalities and working mechanisms of these resources. This study, with engagement system as the theoretical framework, aims at analyzing engagement resources in English linguistic book reviews in terms of textual configuration, linguistic realization, and interpersonal function.This study focuses on the following three aspects:(1) characterizations of engagement resources across the generic structure of English linguistic book reviews (2) lexico-grammatical realizations of engagement resources in English linguistic book reviews (3) functions of engagement resources in dealing with the delicate and complex interpersonal relationships in English linguistic book reviews. The corpora of this study are based on fifty book reviews from seven authoritative linguistic journals at abroad, published during the period between2009and2013. With the help of corpus software (Antconc3.2.4), the frequencies and proportions of values belonging to various sub-categories and sub-types of engagement resources in the established corpora are calculated, and the statistics are tentatively interpreted by referring to contextual information and the communicative goal of this genre.The research findings are summarized as follows:First, characterizations of engagement resources in the whole text and across the generic structure conform to the communicative goal of this genre as a whole and of each part respectively. An overview of engagement resources shows that heteroglossic locutions are much more than monoglossic ones, and dialogically expansive resources are more frequently used than dialogically contractive ones. In INTRODUCTION, monogloss is the most frequently used sub-category of engagement resources, and attribution and disclaim are also frequently employed. In DESCRIPTION, attribution is most frequently used, and the vast majority of proclaim is presented as endorsement. In EVALUATION, engagement resources are abundant and diversified. Dialogically contractive resources are more than dialogically expansive ones. Most compliments are framed as proclaim, while criticisms are usually framed as disclaim. In addition, disclaim is always co-deployed with entertain.Second, in terms of the lexico-grammatical realizations, engagement displays certain characteristics. As for disclaim, locutions of deny often operate in combination with counter in such syntactic structures as but…not… or though…not…. As a sub-type of proclaim, pronouncement is mostly realized in objective-implicit mode. Acknowledge is mainly realized through a diverse array of reporting verbs. Most locutions of entertain are framed into subjective mode.Third, dialogically contractive resources are intermingled with dialogically expansive ones so as to enhance authority of book review, and at the same time maintain interpersonal harmony. Employing dialogically contractive resources, book reviewers close down dialogic space, and deny rationality of alternative views, thus enhancing authority of book reviews. Employing dialogically expansive resources, book reviewers open up dialogic space, and make allowances for other value positions, thus maintaining interpersonal harmony with professional peers.The present study is significant in both theory and practice. Theoretically speaking, an in-depth analysis of engagement resources based on a corpus of English linguistic book reviews supports the applicability and interpretive power of the engagement system. Practically speaking, the current study provides some guidance for readers and writers of book reviews, and reminds them of taking account of the interpersonal values of engagement resources while reading or writing.