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Article published In: Functions of Language
Vol. 26:3 (2019) ► pp.343–371

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Language patterns and attitude revisited

Adjective patterns, Attitude and Appraisal

 | Sichuan International Studies University
 | University of Birmingham
Published online: 25 November 2019
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/fol.16030.su
Abstract
This paper investigates the association between language patterns and attitudinal meanings, focusing specifically on adjective complementation patterns and types of attitudes as proposed in the Appraisal framework (Martin, J. R. & Peter White. 2005. The language of evaluation: Appraisal in English. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar). The investigation shows that the tripartite division of Attitude into Affect, Judgement and Appreciation can be supported with pattern differentials. The detailed scrutiny of adjective patterns with respect to the attitude system supports . 2009. Language patterns and ATTITUDE. Functions of Language 16(2). 165–192. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar argument that both aspects of attitudinal lexis (emotion or opinion lexis) and attitudinal target (the entity being evaluated) should be considered in analysing appraisal expressions, which leads to the proposal that Appraisal is in essence instantiated by choices made simultaneously in terms of the attitudinal lexis that is used and the attitudinal target that is involved.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.attitude in the Appraisal model
  • 3.Adjective patterns
  • 4.Analysing adjective patterns in terms of Attitude
  • 5.Adjective patterns and attitude
    • 5.1Form and meaning
    • 5.2Lexis of emotion vs. lexis of opinion
    • 5.3Judgement vs. Appreciation
    • 5.4Patterns that only co-occur with one type of attitudinal lexis
  • 6.Adjective patterns, Attitude and Appraisal
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
References (48)
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