An Analysis of the Lines in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri from the Perspective of Interpersonal Function_英语论文

摘要

系统功能语法为语篇分析提供了理论框架，但是运用该理论来分析电影台词的研究还不多见。为了填补这个空缺，本论文旨在运用韩礼德所提出的三大元功能之一的人际功能来分析电影《三块广告牌》的台词。根据人际功能理论，本研究从语气系统和情态系统两个方面分析电影《三块广告牌》中的四个人物对话，以揭示电影人物的心理状态，性格以及人物之间的关系。本研究发现语气种类的选择和话语数量能够表现人物的性格与人物之间的关系。同时，选择不同值的情态词能显示人物的心理状态。通过对电影中人物对话的分析，本研究能帮助我们更好地理解电影人物的心理状态，性格和人物之间的关系。

关键词：人际功能  语气系统  情态系统  《三块广告牌》

Abstract

Systemic Functional Linguistics provides a theoretical framework for discourse analysis, but there are few studies on the film lines conducted based on this theory. To fill the gap, this thesis aims to analyze the lines in the film Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri from the perspective of one of the three metafunctions put forward by Halliday, namely, interpersonal function. Based on the theory of interpersonal function, this study analyzes four selected conversations in the film Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri from two aspects of mood system and modality system to reveal the mental states, personalities and relationships of the characters in the film. The study finds that the choice of mood types and the number of clauses the characters utter can show their personalities and relationships. Meanwhile, the choice of modals with different value indicates the characters’ mental states. Through the analysis of the conversations in the film, the study can help us better understand the mental states, characteristics and relationships of the protagonists. 

Key words: interpersonal function  mood system  modality system  Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri 

Contents

Chapter One  Introduction 1

1.1  Research Background 1

1.2  Purpose and Significance of the Research 2

1.3  Data and Methodology 3

1.4  Structure of the Thesis 3

Chapter Two  Literature Review 5

2.1  Previous Studies on Interpersonal Function 5

2.1.1 Studies Abroad 5

2.1.2 Studies at Home 6

2.2  Previous Studies on Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri 7

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework 9

3.1  Mood System 9

3.1.1 Speech Roles 9

3.1.2 Mood Structure 10

3.1.3 Metaphors of Mood 11

3.2  Modality System 12

3.2.1 Types of Modality 12

3.2.2 Values of Modality 12

3.2.3 Orientation of Modality 13

Chapter Four  Case Analysis of Interpersonal Function 14

4.1  Analysis of Interpersonal Function Realized by Mood System 14

4.1.1 Analysis of Interpersonal Function in Conversation A 15

4.1.2 Analysis of Interpersonal Function in Conversation B 19

4.2  Analysis of Interpersonal Function Realized by Modality System 24

4.2.1 Analysis of Interpersonal Function in Conversation C 24

4.2.2 Analysis of Interpersonal Function in Conversation D 28

Chapter Five  Conclusion 31

5.1  Major Findings of the Study 31

5.2  Limitations of the Study 32

Bibliography

Acknowledgements