| “The Belt and Road” was proposed by Chinese government to promote integrated economic development.In academic circle,discourse analysts have put much emphasis on B&R related news reports.As a branch of Discourse Analysis,Positive Discourse Analysis focuses on the positive factors involved in certain discourse and uses the Appraisal Theory as its analyzing tool.This study conducted a positive discourse study on foreign media reports,aiming to explore the distributive features and functions of appraisal resources,and the reasons lying behind.In this study,quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to analyze fifteen news reports published by western media during the First Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.The main findings of this study are as follows: Attitude resources are used most frequently and are dominated by positive resources.Engagement resources rank the second.Graduation resources are used the least frequently.In terms of their functions,western media use Attitude resources to explore the value and prospect of B&R;use Engagement resources to discuss the rationality and legitimacy of it;and use Graduation resources to intensify their confidence in B&R and to show their willingness to take part in it.The reasons lying behind can be explored from social and cultural perspectives.The current research can provide suggestions for future study.Firstly,an integrated standard for the identification of appraisal resources needs to be built.Secondly,researchers can conduct contrastive studies on discourse meanings of B&R news reports between Chinese and English media reports. |
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