Discourse Semantics

doi:10.1017/9781316337936.016

14 - Discourse Semantics

from Part II - Discourse Analysis within SFL

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 May 2019

Edited by

Lise Fontaine and

Geoff Thompson: Affiliation:
University of Liverpool
Wendy L. Bowcher: Affiliation:
Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Lise Fontaine: Affiliation:
Cardiff University
David Schönthal: Affiliation:
Cardiff University

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Summary

This chapter presents an overview of discourse semantic systems (negotiation, appraisal, conjunction, ideation, identification, and periodicity), positioning them within the overall architecture of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) in terms of stratification and metafunction. It discusses their development out of earlier work on cohesion, briefly outlines each system, and discusses the kinds of structure realizing them. Their contribution to meaning beyond the clause is then illustrated through a step-by-step synthesis of a factorial explanation dealing with damage to the archaeological site of Pompeii. The synthesis makes reference to the key register and genre variables construed ideationally, enacted interpersonally, and composed textually by discourse semantic systems and structures. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the nature of discourse semantic structures as relations of indefinite extent that are abduced by readers in the interpretation of texts.

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of Systemic Functional Linguistics , pp. 358 - 381

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316337936.016 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2019

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