Tuesday 26 May 2020

The Second Stage In Text Analysis Using The Cardiff Grammar

Fawcett (2010: 147-8):
Then, at a second stage of analysis, the text is described in terms of its key semantic features, i.e., the most significant of the many features that have been chosen in generating it. An example of this type of analysis is shown in the lower half of Figure 10.
 
This displays the key semantic features, arranged in a number of strands of meaning. But note that there is no expectation that all or even most of a 'strand' will be used. Each feature is placed below the element (or elements) of the clause to whose generation it has contributed. There is no space here, of course, to show the system networks from which these features are derived, nor to comment on each feature. Notice, though, that the Subject contributes to two types of meaning: that of 'information giver' and that of 'subject theme'— as well as being conflated with the Agent. I hope that the labels used for the features are sufficiently transparent to give a flavour of this type of multi-strand analysis, and so of its value in analysing texts. 
Perhaps the most important characteristic of the diagram is that it shows how an analyst can first determine the functional syntax of a one-clause text such as this example, and then go on to derive from it, in a relatively direct and natural manner, the semantic analysis, showing these features in terms of the major strands of meaning.

Blogger Comments:

[1] As previously observed, Figure 10 misrepresents systemic features (paradigmatic axis) as structural elements (syntagmatic axis).

[2] As previously observed, Figure 10 mistakenly assigns features of the clause to individual elements of clause structure.

[3] This is misleading, because it is the opposite of what is true. In a book of 360 pages, there is ample space 'to show the system networks from which these features are derived' and to 'comment on each feature'. Moreover, without the networks, the valeur of each feature — its relation to other features — is not even provided, let alone supported by reasoned argument.

[4] Notice, though, that Fawcett does not specify the valeur of either 'information giver' or 'subject theme', and that the "Agent" is actually the Medium through which the Process unfolds.

[5] To be clear, Figure 10 does not show either how an analyst determines "the functional syntax of a one-clause text" or how to derive a semantic analysis from it, it merely presents each as a fait accompli.

[6] Again, this demonstrates that the Cardiff Grammar's theoretical orientation is the opposite of Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory, since it proceeds from form to meaning, rather than from meaning to form. Halliday (1985, 1994: xiv):

No comments:

Post a Comment