social esteem vs social sanction in SFL-Appraisal

In the SFL appraisal framework, social esteem and social sanction are two dimensions used to analyze the judgments or evaluative language employed in texts.

Social Esteem: Social esteem refers to the evaluation or judgment that reflects positive social values, attitudes, or beliefs. It involves expressing approval, admiration, or praise for someone or something. Social esteem judgments highlight qualities, behaviors, or achievements that are valued or respected within a particular social context. For example, a statement like "The community praised her for her philanthropic efforts" conveys social esteem by acknowledging the positive recognition and admiration received for the individual's charitable actions.

Social Sanction: Social sanction, on the other hand, refers to the evaluation or judgment that reflects negative social values, attitudes, or beliefs. It involves expressing disapproval, criticism, or condemnation for someone or something. Social sanction judgments highlight behaviors, actions, or qualities that are deemed inappropriate, unacceptable, or going against social norms. For instance, a statement like "He faced public backlash for his offensive comments" indicates social sanction by highlighting the negative reaction and criticism faced by the individual due to their offensive remarks.

In summary, social esteem involves positive evaluations that align with valued social beliefs or attitudes, while social sanction involves negative evaluations that reflect disapproval or condemnation based on social norms or values. These dimensions allow for the analysis of the evaluative language in texts, capturing both positive and negative judgments related to social perspectives and values.