An Analysis of Interpersonal Meaning in Obama’s 2016 State of the Union Address from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics_英语论文

摘要

本文旨在分析如何在人际功能理论的指导下准确传达交际意图，最终达到交际目的,同时它也试图检验奥巴马是如何实现有效沟通的人际功能。得出的结论是：(1) 陈述句是最常用的，它用来解释美国目前面临的国内外形势。其次是祈使句，旨在鼓励美国人克服各种困难。(2) 中值情态动词使用频率最高，高值情态动词使用频率最低。这可以避免演讲者站在观众的对立面并且给人压迫感，有助于与观众建立和谐的关系。 (3) 第一人称代词复数的使用要比其他人称高得多，这有利于拉近奥巴马与听众的距离并且得到他们的支持和信任。本文有助于更好地理解实现人际意义的方法和加深读者对政治演讲的理解，也验证了韩礼德系统功能语法理论的实用性。

关键词：系统功能语言学  人际意义  国情咨文

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze how to accurately convey the communicative intention and finally achieve the communicative purpose under the guidance of the Interpersonal Function Theory. The research also attempts to examine the interpersonal function of Obama's effective communication. The conclusion would be reached that: (1) The declarative sentence was the most frequently used as it explains the current domestic and international situation facing by the United States. And imperative sentence takes the second place to encourages the American people to overcome all difficulties. (2) The modal verbs with medium value are the most frequently used, and the modal verbs with high value are the least used. This can avoid making oneself stand in the opposite side of the audiences and give people a sense of oppression, but also build a harmonious relation with the audiences. (3) The use of the plural of the first-person pronoun is much higher than others, which is conducive to closing the distance between Obama and the audiences and gaining their support and trust. The research finds it helpful to understand the means of interpersonal meaning and to deepen the readers' understanding of political speech and also verifies the practicality of Halliday's theory of systemic functional grammar.

Key words: Systemic functional linguistics  Interpersonal meta-function  the State of the Union Address

Contents

Chapter  One  Introduction 1

1.1  Background of the Study 1

1.2  Significance of the Study 3

1.3  Organization of the Thesis 3

Chapter  Two  Literature Review 5

2.1  Studies on Interpersonal Function at Home and Abroad 5

2.2  Applications of Interpersonal Function 6

2.3  Previous Studies on Political Public Speech 7

Chapter  Three  Theoretical Framework. 9

3.1  The Notion of Interpersonal Function 9

3.2  Three Systems of the Interpersonal Function 10

3.2.1 Mood System 10

3.2.2 Modality System 11

3.2.3 Personal System 11

Chapter  Four  An Analysis of Interpersonal Function in Obama's 2016 SUA 13

4.1  An analysis of Mood in Obama's 2016 SUA 13

4.1.1 Interpersonal Functions of Indicative Mood 14

4.1.2 Interpersonal Functions of Imperative Mood 15

4.1.3 Summary 16

4.2  An analysis of Modality System in Obama's 2016 SUA 17

4.2.1 Interpersonal Functions of "Will(not)'' 17

4.2.2 Interpersonal Functions of "Can'' 18

4.2.3 Interpersonal Functions of "Have to'' 19

4.2.4 Summary 20

4.3  An analysis of Personal System in Obama's 2016 SUA 20

4.3.1 Interpersonal Functions of the First Personal Pronoun 21

4.3.2 Interpersonal Functions of the Second Personal Pronoun 22

4.3.3 Interpersonal Functions of the Third Personal Pronoun 23

4.3.4 Summary 24

Chapter  Five  Conclusion 25

5.1  Major Findings 25

5.2  Implications of the Present Study 26

5.3  Limitations of The Study and Suggestions for Future Research 27

Bibliography

Acknowledgments