An Analysis of Business Letters of Apology Based on Appraisal Theory_英语论文

摘要

评价理论是马丁和罗斯以韩礼德人际功能理论为基础新发展的对语篇进行分析的理论，已被广泛应用于各种语篇的分析研究，现已取得较大进展。本研究以评价理论为理论框架，以30篇企业英语道歉信函为研究对象，找出其中各种评价资源的分布特征及实现手段，然后运用定性分析方法去分析不同的评价资源的运用是如何帮助企业达成道歉目的，以及探究语篇中的人际功能。研究结果显示企业英语类道歉信函运用态度资源最多，级差资源次之，介入资源最少，三种评价资源均使道歉信函达到表达歉意、挽回信任、修复企业形象和减少损失的效果。本研究对企业商务道歉信函的写作具有参考价值。

关键词： 系统功能语言学  评价理论  商务道歉信

Abstract

The appraisal theory is a new theory for discourse analysis developed by Martin & Rose based on Halliday’s interpersonal metafunction theory, which has been widely applied in various discourses and has made great progress. This study bases on the appraisal theory to analyze 30 English business apology letters and the distribution features and approaches of different evaluation resources, and then makes a qualitative analysis to discuss how different evaluation resources help companies achieve the purpose of apology as well as to explore the interpersonal metafunction in discourse. The results show that attitudinal resources are applied the most frequently, and the graduation resources secondly and engagement resources are the least in business apology letters. The three types of appraisal resources can reduce losses, restore trust and repair the image of the enterprise. The study can provide some insights for the composing of English business apology letters.

Key words: Systemic Functional Linguistics  Appraisal Theory  business apology letters

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction1

1.1  A Brief Introduction to Business Letters of Apology and Appraisal

Theory.1

1.2  Purpose and Significance of the Thesis.1

1.3  Structure of the Thesis.2

Chapter Two  Literature Review3

2.1  Introduction.3

2.2  Previous Studies on Letters of Apology3

2.3  Previous Studies on the Application of Appraisal Theory5

2.4  Comment.7

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework8

3.1  Introduction.8

3.2  Systemic Functional Linguistics.8

3.3  Appraisal Theory.9

3.4  Three Sub-systems of Appraisal Theory.10

3.4.1 Attitude10

3.4.2 Engagement.11

3.4.3 Graduation.11

Chapter Four  Analysis of Business Letters of Apology Based on Appraisal Theory.13

4.1  Corpus.13

4.2  Procedures.13

4.3  Data Collection and Analysis13

4.3.1 Attitude Resources in Business Letters of Apology15

4.3.2 Engagement Resources in Business Letters of Apology.18

4.3.3 Graduation Resources in Business Letters of Apology.19

4.4  Discussion.20

Chapter Five  Conclusion22

5.1  Major Findings22

5.2  Limitations and Suggestions for Further Studies23 

Bibliography

Appendix

Acknowledgements