Theoretical framework for SFL Appraisal Theory

 

### Theoretical Framework

#### Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)

Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), developed by M.A.K. Halliday, views language as a social semiotic system. It emphasizes the functions of language in social contexts and focuses on how language is used to construct meaning.

#### Appraisal Theory

Appraisal theory, a part of SFL, examines how language expresses attitudes, emotions, and judgments. It consists of three main subsystems:

- **Attitude**: Refers to the expression of feelings, including affect (emotions), judgment (evaluations of behavior), and appreciation (evaluations of things).

- **Engagement**: Concerns the ways speakers position themselves in relation to the propositions and proposals they put forward.

- **Graduation**: Involves the grading of phenomena by intensity or quantity.

#### Register

Register theory in SFL involves analyzing language variation according to context, focusing on three variables:

- **Field**: What is happening, the nature of the social action.

- **Tenor**: The participants involved and their relationships.

- **Mode**: The role language plays in the situation, including the communication channel (spoken/written).

#### Hidden Ideology

Hidden ideology refers to the implicit beliefs and values conveyed through language, often revealed through the choices in vocabulary, grammar, and text structure. SFL helps uncover these ideologies by analyzing the text's linguistic features.

### Real Example and Analysis

#### Example: Online News Reportage on Climate Change

**News Headline**: "Climate Change Threatens Global Food Security"

**Excerpt**:

"Recent studies indicate that rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns severely impact crop yields worldwide. Experts warn that if immediate action is not taken, millions could face food shortages. Governments and organizations are urged to implement sustainable practices to mitigate these effects."

#### Analysis

##### Appraisal

- **Attitude**:

  - **Affect**: "severely impacting" conveys a strong negative emotion about the situation.

  - **Judgment**: "Experts warn" implies a negative evaluation of current actions or lack thereof.

  - **Appreciation**: "Sustainable practices" are positively evaluated, suggesting a preferred solution.

  - **Engagement**:

  - "Recent studies indicate" uses an authoritative source to strengthen the argument.

  - "Experts warn" adds credibility and urgency.

  - "Governments and organizations are urged" involves an external voice to persuade the audience.

- **Graduation**:

  - "Severely impacting" intensifies the effect of climate change.

  - "Millions could face food shortages" amplifies the potential consequences.

##### Register

- **Field**: The topic is climate change's impact on food security, focusing on scientific findings and expert warnings.

- **Tenor**: The relationship between the writer and the audience is one of informing and warning, with an authoritative tone. The experts and studies mentioned add credibility.

- **Mode**: The mode is written with the aim of broad public dissemination through an online platform. The language is formal and informative.

##### Hidden Ideology

- The choice of words like "threatens," "severely impacting," and "urgent" reflects an underlying ideology that views climate change as a critical and immediate issue.

- By emphasizing the need for "sustainable practices," the text promotes an ideology favouring environmental conservation and proactive measures.

- The reliance on expert opinion and scientific studies indicates a belief in the authority of scientific knowledge and a call for evidence-based actions.

### Conclusion

Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) provides a comprehensive framework to analyze how language in online news reportage constructs meaning, expresses attitudes and reveals hidden ideologies. Through appraisal theory, register analysis, and uncovering hidden ideologies, we can understand the nuanced ways in which language shapes public perception and conveys implicit beliefs.