Modalization and Modulation in commencement addresses by English speakers A Systemic Functional Analysis

Modalization and Modulation in commencement addresses by English speakers: A Systemic Functional Analysis Trương Thị Ánh Trường Đại học Ngoại ngữ Luận văn ThS. Chuyên ngành: English Linguistics; Mã số: 60 22 15 Người hướng dẫn: Prof. Dr. Hoang Van Van Năm bảo vệ: 2013 Abstract: This study investigates the realization of modalization and modulation in commencement addresses made by well-known English speakers. The analytical framework of the study is based on M. A. K. Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar theory of modality. The data of the research is taken from the analysis of five commencement addresses of Steve Jobs (2005), Bill Gates (2007), Barbara Kingsolver (2008), J. K. Rowling (2008), and Barack Obama (2009). The results show that modalization and modulation are realized in a variety of forms and expressions which can be modal operators, modal adjuncts, passive verb predicators, and adjective predicators. Modalization overtakes modulation in terms of frequency. Each group of modal operators and modal adjuncts when being used to realize modalization and modulation has its own effectiveness and specialties. Keywords: Tiếng Anh; Ngữ pháp chức năng; Tình thái; Biến thái hóa; Bài phát biểu Content PART A: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale Over the years, many grammatical models have been developed, for example phrase structural grammar, structural grammar, transformation grammar, etc. These models mainly focus on the structural characteristics of languages, ignoring the possible functions of language. In 1920s, functional approach was first introduced by an influential group of literary critics and linguists in Prague. Since then funtionalism has been developed by many functional grammarians like Halliday (1985, 1994), Bloor (1995), Eggins (1994), Thompson (1996), Martin (1997), and many others. Functionalism can be understood as any approach to the description of language structure which attaches importance to the purposes or functions to which language is put. When systemic functional grammar (SFG) was introduced by Halliday in the UK (1985) and later in Australia (1994), functional approach to grammar theory may be understood as the study of language as a network of systems, or interrelated sets of options for making meaning. The term function refers to Halliday’s view that language serves metafunctions as: ideational metafunctions, texture metafunctions, and interpersonal metafunctions. Among these metafunctions, the interpersonal ones which refer to the grammatical choices that enable speakers to enact their complex and diverse interpersonal relations may be the most unintelligible perspective. The speaker’s grammatical choices can vary but one of the effective tools may be the use of modality in general or modalization and modulation in particular. From this point of view, the researcher has made an effort to investigate and prove the effectiveness of those elements in the thesis. The second thing that should be clarified is the researcher’s choices of genres and the collection of texts that were used in the thesis. This study focuses on the commencement addresses made by famous English speakers. One thing that can be definitely true is that no one is randomly chosen to give a speech in a university graduation ceremony. Those who were given the honor to make speeches at many big universities are prestigious and well-known. They all tactfully used their wordy power to persuade their audiences. Commencement addresses, therefore, always play an important role in orienting, inspiring, and encouraging students who are going to be graduates. Moreover, the success of a commencement address is obvious the interpersonal relation between the speaker and the listeners. To achieve this red string – the linkage, modality used in those speeches must be very flexible and intelligent in order to show the speaker’s ego as well as create the connection between the particular ego and the majority. All of the above mentioned reasons motivated the researcher to investigate the realization of modalization and modulation in several selected speeches made by English speakers. 2. The significance of the study The significance of the study can be seen the most clearly in its contribution to investigate the use of modality in texts. Geoff Thompson (1996) says modality is an extremely complicated area of English grammar. Although a number of linguists have been working on this field, the results achieved do not satisfy the researcher’s inquisitiveness. Many linguists have pointed out the definition, classification, and degree of modality but everything just stops at the theory and a limited number of typical examples. In other words, the exemplification is not attached to any specific original texts. Writers of some PhD theses have been applying SFG framework or modality to analyze real texts but none of them have taken commencement speeches as sources of data. This thesis, which aims to investigate the realization of modalization and modulation in some authentic commencement addresses, thus fills the blanks of studying how modality is realized in commencement speeches. An additional point motivating the researcher to carry out this study is derived from the realistic demand. In textbooks currently used in Vietnamese schools, the realization of modality in texts are mostly introduced and analyzed in terms of only modal verbs. Other means to realize modality are not fully presented and exploited, which in some way limit students’ understanding and ability to flexibly use modality in creating their own texts. This thesis is hoped to give clear clarification of all means to realize modality in English and how the good exploitation of these means can, to some extent, support developments of students’ language skills. 3. Aims of the study The research aims at studying and finding out the use of modalization and modulation in some English commencement addresses. Moreover, the researcher also has her ambition to see how effective the modality is. In short, the study aims to find the answers to the question: How are modalization and modulation realized in the commencement addresses? 4. Scope of the study This minor M.A. thesis first focuses on the theory of modality in the light of systemic functional grammar, and then it shows the realization of modalization and modulation – two categories of modality in five commencement addresses made by Steve Jobs (2005), Bill Gates (2007), Barbara Kingsolver (2008), Joanne "Jo" Rowling (J. K. Rowling, 2008), and Barack Obama (2009). 5. Methods of the study This study is carried out with the combination of both descriptive and explanatory methods. In detail, the research is conducted according to several steps below: Firstly, data about theories of modality and the commencement addresses was collected from different books, articles, and other researches in libraries or on the internet. Secondly, the collected information was synthesized and categorized to withdraw the basic knowledge about modality in many perspectives, especially Halliday’s framework about modality. Moreover, the collected commencement addresses were read and chosen carefully based on several criteria set in advance by the researcher. Finally, the commencement addresses were analyzed in order to discover the realization of modalization and modulation in each one by using Halliday’s view about modality as the theoretical framework. Each type of modalization and modulation is distinguished from the other by a set of symbols so that the researcher could easily control and bring out the exact figures for the study. 6. Design of the study The structure of the study is based on the basic design of a scientific research which includes three main parts. Part A – INTRODUCTION presents the rationale, significance, aims, scope, and design of the study. Part B – DEVELOPMENT comprises two chapters. Chapter 1 presents the theoretical background of the study. Chapter 2 shows the findings of the study in terms of the realization of modalization and modulation in all four speeches with some possible explanations about the types of modality used and the discussion about the effect of modalization and modulation in those commencement addresses. Part C –CONCLUSION summarizes the findings and points out the implications of the study. Some suggestions for further studies are also included in the last part. REFERENCES Bloor, R., & M. Bloor. (1995). A Functional Analysis of English. London: Arnold. Boyde, J. and J. P. Thorne (1969). The Semantics of Modal Verbs. Journal of Linguistics, 5, pp: 57-74. Coates, J. (1983). The Semantics of Modal Auxiliaries. London and Canberra: Croom Helm. Eggins, S. (1994). An Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Pinter Publishers. Halliday, M. A. K. (1985). An Introduction to Functional Grammar. London: Arnold. Halliday, M. A. K. (1994). An Introduction to Functional Grammar. London: Arnold. Halliday, M. A. K. (2012). Dẫn luận Ngữ pháp Chức năng. Hoàng Văn Vân dịch. Hà Nội: NXB ĐHQG. Hermeren, L. (1978). On Modality in English, Lund: Cwk Gleerup. Joos, M. (1964). The English Verb: Forms and Meanings. Madison and Milwaukee: The University of Wisconsin Press. Khalid, P. Z. M (2013). A linguistic analysis of three genres associated with the ship RMS Queen Elizabeth. Unpublished PhD thesis. University of Glasgow. Marino, M. (1973). A feature Analysis of the Modal System of English. Lingua, 32, pp: 309-323. Martin, J. K. and R. Veel (eds). (1998). Reading science: Critical and Functional Respectives on discourse of Science, London: Routledge. Martin J. R. (1997). Working with Functional Grammar. London: Arnold. Palmer, F. R. (1986). Mood and Modality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Palmer, F. L (1990). Modality and the English Modals. London and New York: Longman. Perkins, M. R. (1983). Modal Expressions in English. London: Frances Pinter Publishers. Recski, L. J. (2006). Investigating the use of modality in academic spoken discourse: A functional account of U. S. Dissertation Defenses. Unpublished PhD thesis. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Searle, J. (1983). Intentionality. Cambridge: Cambridge Univerisity Press. Takahashi, H. (2009). Modality in L2 Legal Writing: A Functional Analysis. Language Research Bulletin, 24, pp: 56-71. Thompson, G. (1996). Introducing Functional Grammar. London: Arnold. . that modalization and modulation are realized in a variety of forms and expressions which can be modal operators, modal adjuncts, passive verb predicators, and adjective predicators. Modalization. commencement addresses were analyzed in order to discover the realization of modalization and modulation in each one by using Halliday’s view about modality as the theoretical framework. Each. 1920s, functional approach was first introduced by an influential group of literary critics and linguists in Prague. Since then funtionalism has been developed by many functional grammarians like