多模态话语的系统功能符号学分析——以一幅普利策新闻获奖图片为例

A Systemic Semiotic Approach to the Multimodal Discourse of a Pulitzer Photo

随着人们的交流方式逐渐由文字向图像转化,话语分析的研究范围也应随之囊括语言文字之外的图片、影像、动画等社会符号。近年来,系统功能语言学者以韩礼德的系统功能语法为理论基础,以三大纯理功能比照其他符号的功能,建立起多模态语法分析框架,用来解读文字以外的意义表达方式。本文采取了朱永生提出的系统功能符号学的说法,以普利策2007年突发性摄影奖获奖作品为例,从矢量体现的动作过程,空间位置的分布意义,情态和意识形态各方面进行分析,探讨新闻图片的多模态解读对理解新闻事件不可忽视的作用。分析结果印证了利用系统功能语法进行多模态分析的可行性。

As the communication manner gradually transforms from language to images, the scope of discourse analysis is expected to include social semiotics beyond language, such as images, videos and cartoons. In recent years, systemists have built up a multimodal grammar framework based on Halliday＇s systemic functional grammar. Compared with three metafunctions proposed by Halliday, we can try to understand the meanings beyond literal words. This paper adopts what Zhu Yongsheng called ＂ systemic semiotic analysis＂ and takes the 2007 Pulitzer photo as an example. Through analysis from visual narrative processes, space composition, modality and ideology, we are able to see how multimodal discourse contributes to our understanding of the news event. The result well exemplifies the feasibility of systemic functional grammar in analyzing multimodal discourse.