评价系统下概念隐喻的人际功能研究 ——以奥巴马2008年总统竞选演说词为例

论文摘要

近年来随着认知语言学的发展,Lakoff和Johnson(1980)等提出隐喻不仅普遍存在我们语言中,而且存在于我们赖以生存的思维和行为中。美国历届总统演讲大量使用概念隐喻,因为它作为认知手段能够有效地传递演讲者的思想和观点。概念隐喻在政治演讲中的主要人际功能是将抽象的情感和态度具体化,说服受众接受其观点,从而产生“共振效应”。马丁等(2008)评价系统理论(Appraisal System Theory)是人际意义的重要分析途径,主要研究说话者与听话者之间的关系、人际意义的传递以及说话者对听话者的影响程度。目前对概念隐喻的人际功能的研究主要集中在系统功能语法上,而运用评价系统视角对概念隐喻的人际功能的研究相对较少。本论文运用评价系统理论研究奥巴马2008年总统竞选演说中概念隐喻所体现的人际功能。本研究首先从20篇演说中抽取隐喻表达871条,再分类归纳出10类主要概念隐喻,然后将马丁等(2008)于20世纪90年代提出的评价系统作为理论支撑,分别从该理论的核心部分态度资源(Attitude Resource)和级差(Graduation Resource)资源两方面来分析概念隐喻所体现的人际功能,借以剖析奥巴马如何采用概念隐喻传达自己的政治态度、如何与受众互动,从而赢得他们的支持。本研究结论如下：1)概念隐喻在奥巴马和受众人际互动中的确发挥着引导、影响受众观点的作用,这主要在于隐喻能让人类把对源域的经验和观点转移到目标域上使演讲者的态度具体化;另外隐喻的偏向性有助于突出重点,与受众达成共识；2)奥巴马使用三个正面的态度资源宣传自己政治观点,说服和鼓动受众,增强演讲者与受众的互动,其中情感资源使表达具体、形象,便于理解、促进与受众的交流；评价资源使表达委婉、间接,赢得受众的认可,激起回应,从而得到更多的拥护；鉴赏资源强调共有的价值观,过滤掉负面影响；3)奥巴马运用正面级差资源增强自己积极态度的力度,负面的资源贬低竞争者的能力,进一步巩固了与受众的共识。本研究运用评价系统理论分析概念隐喻的人际功能,一方面拓展了该理论体系的应用范围,另一方面为探索概念隐喻的深层内涵拓宽了研究视角。再者,本研究有助于了解奥巴马的政治态度观点和公众演讲技巧,同时也为将来美国文化和英语教学提供了参考资料。

论文目录

• 摘要
• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 1.1 Previous studies on conceptual metaphors （CMs） home and abroad
• 1.2 Purpose and significance of the research
• 1.3 Methodology and data collected in Obama's speeches
• 1.4 Layout of the thesis
• 2 Theoretical Framework of the Research
• 2.1 Lakovian conceptual metaphor theory:Mapping between attitude and objects
• 2.2 Interpersonal function of CMs
• 2.3 The appraisal system theory
• 2.3.1 Evaluation of addresser's attitude
• 2.3.2 Gradability of attitudinal meaning
• 2.4 Interpersonal function of CMs as attitude evaluation and graduation resources
• 3 CMs in Obama's Speeches as Attitude Resources to Facilitate Addresser-audiences Interaction
• 3.1 CMs as affect resources:concreting abstract emotions
• 3.1.1 Family metaphors materializing American relations as family affection
• 3.1.2 Journey metaphors embodying American development as a journey
• 3.1.3 War metaphors specifying feelings towards threats as to a war
• 3.2 CMs as judgment resources:making behavior assessments preferable
• 3.2.1 Human metaphors judging the impropriety of the present government
• 3.2.2 Family metaphors lighting the hope for the new government
• 3.3 CMs as appreciation resources:highlighting desired characteristics and values
• 3.3.1 Building metaphors emphasizing the building achievement
• 3.3.2 Journey metaphors stressing reaching the predetermined aim
• 3.3.3 Environment metaphors underlining the final bright future
• 3.4 Summary
• 4 CMs in Obama's Speeches as Graduation Resources to Strengthen Alignment with Audiences
• 4.1 CMs as force resources:enhancing the strength of shared attitude
• 4.1.1 CMs assessing the intensification
• 4.1.2 CMs evaluating the quantifications
• 4.2 CMs as focus resources:reinforcing the specification of inscribed attitude
• 4.2.1 CMs sharpening the authorial voice
• 4.2.2 CMs softening the opposed view
• 4.3 Summary
• 5 Conclusion
• 5.1 Major findings and implications
• 5.2 Limitations and suggestions for future studies
• Acknowledgements
• Bibliography
• Appendix 1
• Appendix 2
• Publications While Registered with the MA. Program