Speakers
Affilliation
Sussex
Abstract
Appraisal Theory is an extension of M.A.K. Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) framework. The theory has emerged over a period of almost fifteen years as a result of work conducted by a body of researchers led by Professor James Martin of the Linguistics Department of the University of Sydney.
Appraisal Theory analyses the language of evaluation. Its aim is to classify the linguistic resources -- as applied by interlocutors dialogically -- which are used to express, negotiate, or naturalise particular `positions'. Appraisal Theory thus centres on language that emits an evaluation, attitude, or emotion. It seeks to explain how such language implies a level of engagement that an interlocutor holds with respect to the propositions expounded within internal and/or external dialogues. By varying the particular lexis used, an interlocutor may construe gradable levels of engagement with any particular proposition (`stance') put forth in a text (including their own). This allows an interlocutor to adopt particular value positions; positions which enable them to `negotiate' with actual or potential respondents of the dialogue.
Appraisal Theory delineates, and so subcategorises, three particular types of evaluation: `Affect' is centred on the `emotive'; `Judgement' upon the `moral', with `Appreciation' concerning `aesthetics': effectively, one has an `Ontology of Evaluation' (of sorts). By capturing -- computationally -- the lexicogrammar used for each particular type of appraisal, one may be able to classify stretches of language as of being of one of these particular types. Thus, one may begin to ask questions of the events / objects apparent in texts from different perspectives e.g. how objects / events affect interlocutors; the morals / ethics of the participants involved in the dialogue, and the aesthetical value of entities as portrayed in texts, viz. to know the value of an object without recourse to the implications of its 'ethical price'.