A Positive Discourse Analysis Based on the Attitude System in Appraisal Theory — Taking Chang'an as an Example

Authors

  • Genlian Liu School of Foreign Languages, Nanning Normal University, Nanning, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/LLCS.9037

Keywords:

Attitude System, Chang An, Positive Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the positive discourse in the film "The Long March of the Tang Dynasty" based on the "Attitude System" within Appraisal Theory. The research reveals that the film successfully constructs a positive discourse attitude through carefully selected linguistic resources. Among them, emotional resources occupy a dominant position in the film, effectively portraying character images and conveying the film's core values through the con-trast between positive and negative emotions. Although judgment resources and appreciation resources are relatively scarce in quantity, they still play an indis-pensable role in the film, contributing to the overall positive effect of the film's discourse. This study not only helps us gain a deeper understanding of the appli-cation of Appraisal Theory in discourse analysis, but also provides new perspec-tives and insights for the positive construction of film discourse.

References

[1] Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. 1994. On reporting: The representation of speech in factual and fic-tional narratives. In M. Coulthard (Ed.), Advances in Written Text Analysis. [M]. London New York: Routledge.

[2] Fowler, R., Hodge, B., & Kress, G. 1979. Language and Control [J]. Social Forces, 64(3), 23- 29.

[3] Harris, Z. S. 1952. Discourse analysis [J]. Language, 1-30.

[4] Kress, G. 2000. Design and transformation: new theories of meaning [A]. In W. Cope,&M. Kalantzi (Eds.), Multiliteracies:Literacy Learning and the Design of Social Features (pp. 153-161).London: Routledge.

[5] Luke, A. (2002). Beyond science and ideology critique: Developments in critical discourse analysis [J]. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 1(22), 96-112

[6] Martin, J. R. 1999. Positive discourse analysis: Solidarity and change [J]. Revista Canaria de Estudios Ingleses, 49,179-200

[7] Macgilchrist, F. 2007. Positive discourse analysis: contesting dominant discourses byreframing issues [J]. Critical Approaches to Discourse Analysis, 5(1),74-94.

[8] Martin, J. R., & White, P. R. R. 2008. The Language of Evaluation: Appraisal in English [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press

[9] Martin, J. R., & White, P. R. R. 2005. The Language of Evaluation: Appraisal in English [M]. N.Y: Palgrave

[10] Martin, J. R., & David, R. 2003. Working with Discourse: Meaning Beyond the Clause [M]. London & New York: Continuum

[11] Martin, J. R. 1992. English Text: System and Structure[M]. Amsterdam: Benjamins

[12] Van Dijk, T. A. 1997. What is political discourse analysis? In J. Blommaert, & C. Bulcean (Eds.). Political Linguistics. [M]. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 11-52.

[13] Gao, Y. B., & Liu, S. B. (2022). The disciplinary power in "Buy it!": A case study based on discourse analysis of online live streaming rooms. Journal of Central University of Finance & Economics, (12), 134-147.

[14] Guan, Y. L., Mo, Y. Y., Jiang, N. Y., et al. (2023). Exploring the connotation and operational mechanism of Martin's Appraisal Theory based on China Daily corpus. Overseas English, (19), 71-75.

[15] Hu, D. P., & Yi, L. B. (2009). Discourse analysis: Reflection and construction. Foreign Lan-guage Research, (1), 95-97.

[16] Hu, Z. L. (2012). The complementarity between positive discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis. Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies, (7), 3-8+76.

[17] Huang, H. J., Leng, Z. Y., & Gu, Y. Q. (2007). The constructive turn in discourse analysis: From critical discourse analysis to positive discourse analysis. Journal of Zhejiang Univer-sity of Technology (Social Sciences), (1), 1-6.

[18] Jia, H. N. (2024). Linguistic characteristics and connotations of oral communication in film dialogues. Home Theater Technology, (02), 71-74.

[19] Qian, J. W., & Law, R. (2016). Positive discourse analysis based on the engagement system of Appraisal Theory: A case study of critical news reports about Chinese tourists. Guangxi Social Sciences, (6), 167.

[20] Ren, H., & Lu, G. S. (2022). The "discourse offensive" of U.S. policy toward China in the Me-kong region: A perspective of critical discourse analysis. Southeast Asian Studies, (01), 86-108+154-155.

[21] Rong, Z. H., & Wang, S. H. (2024). The evolutionary patterns and research trends in cogni-tive linguistics. Foreign Languages Research, 41(02), 22-30+112.

[22] Wu, N., & Liu, J. H. (2022). Positive discourse analysis from the perspective of Appraisal Theory: A case study of the film Chinese Doctors. Taste·Classics, (22), 45-47.

[23] Wu, Q. H., & Qi, Y. L. (2013). Multimodal positive discourse analysis of female images in The Joy Luck Club. Movie Literature, (14), 69-70.

[24] Wu, Y. Z., & Feng, D. Z. (2022). Attitudinal meaning and value construction in multimodal ecological discourse: A case study of environmental public service advertisements. Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing, 38(06), 677-684.

[25] Yang, H. X. (2021). Positive discourse analysis from the perspective of Appraisal Theory: A case study of the film Leap. Taste·Classics, (08), 77-80.

[26] Yang, P. (2020). The influence of the film Dying to Survive on contemporary youth values: A critical realism perspective. Journal of Guangxi Youth Leaders College, 30(02), 13-15.

[27] Yang, Y., & Jin, L. P. (2023). Inquiry and appeal: A discourse analysis of "marriage phobia" emotions online. Contemporary Youth Research, (04), 65-77.

[28] Yu, Y. (2023). Ecological civilization in Weibo discourse: A perspective of positive dis-course analysis. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 45(03), 45-60+102.

[29] Zhang, H., & Yang, L. R. (2022). An ecological discourse analysis of attitude resources in Chinese and U.S. climate change news discourses. Journal of Foreign Languages, (5), 43-52.

[30] Zhou, Y. (2022). Positive discourse analysis based on the "attitude system" of Appraisal Theory: A case study of the film Cliff Walkers. Taste·Classics, (24), 51-53.

[31] Zhu, Y. S. (2006). Positive discourse analysis: A supplement to critical discourse analy-sis. English Studies, 4(04), 36-42.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-18

How to Cite

A Positive Discourse Analysis Based on the Attitude System in Appraisal Theory — Taking Chang’an as an Example. (2025). Literature, Language and Cultural Studies, 1(3), 44–57. https://doi.org/10.63313/LLCS.9037