| Projection,as a language phenomenon,is used to express the words and thoughts of the speaker or others indirectly.The way that a reporter represents the others' words and thoughts plays a vital role in realizing the objectivity,accuracy and authority of news discourse.So far,studies on projection in news discourse have been done on syntactic level and certain aspects of projection.This study aims to explore the modes and functions of projection in news reports about South China Sea in The NavyTimes(named NT)and The China Daily(named CD).This study is based on Halliday's projection theory to analyze 15 English news reports on South China Sea downloaded from NT and 16 English news reports collected from CD during January 2017 to October 2018.Each piece of news includes 450 words at least and they have tight connection with the South China Sea issue.Quantitative and qualitative research methods are adopted with the aid of software SPSS to analyze and process the data.The distributions of the mode of projection(hypotaxis,parataxis,and embedding),process types in projection(verbal process and mental process),the speech function of projection(projection of proposition and projection of proposal)and the Theme(unmarked and marked Themes)are presented and illustrated in this study.The findings are listed as follows: in general,projections appear in high frequency in the news reports in NT and CD,165 projections in NT and 146 projections in CD respectively.There exist similarities and differences.Similarities:(1)As for the projecting mode,there are 88 hypotactic projections,67 paratactic projections and 10 embedded projections in NT.85 hypotactic projections,58 paratactic projections and 3 embedded projections are found in CD.It is clear that hypotactic projections exceed paratactic projections in number and fewer embedded projections occur in NT and CD.Besides,The Chi-Square tests present that there is no significant difference in this respect(P=0.190>0.05)(2)In terms of process types in projection,they are in equal number.162 verbal processes(locutions)and 3 mental processes(ideas)are used in NT,while 142 verbal processes(locutions)and 4 mental processes(ideas)occur in CD.Differences:(1)The number of projection of propositions used in NT is higher than that in CD(128>82).On the contrary,the frequencies of projection of proposals in NT are apparently lower than those in CD(37<64).Significant differences exist in speech function of projection(P=0.000<0.05).(2)Unmarked Themes make up a larger proportion in NT(155>122)and mainly take the form of common or proper nouns functioning as subjects,while fewer marked Themes are used(10<24).It is noticeable that more marked Themes within prepositional phrases functioning as adjuncts are adopted in CD.There exist obvious differences in the use of unmarked Themes and marked Themes in NT and CD(P=0.003<0.05).The research results indicate that:(1)As for South China Sea issue,there is strong subjective intention both in the news reports in NT and CD.(2)Facts are mainly presented through verbal processes by both sides.(3)Due to the different attitudes held by two sides,China adopts the greater use of projection of proposals to influence the readers' attitudes and behaviors on the South China Sea issue.(4)Compared with marked Themes,the unmarked Themes are much favored both in NT and CD.However,the differences are that unmarked Themes within common or proper nouns as subjects are much preferred in NT;China tends to employ much more marked Themes in the form of prepositional phrases as adjuncts,highlighting the environmental elements.This thesis explores the features of projection in news reports under different cultural background,which helps readers gain a better understanding of the viewpoints and attitudes that the news reports tend to convey,emphasizing the role of projection in news texts. |
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