情态与介入

Modality and Engagement

在系统功能语法中,作为实现人际功能的主要手段之一,情态有主观和客观、隐性和显性之分,并在肯定和否定两端之间有高中低值之分。与传统的情态分类相比,这种多维描写比较有效地体现情态的多样性和模糊性。评价理论把情态视作重要的介入资源,突现其对话本质,拓展了系统功能语法理论,更全面地表现了情态的复杂内涵和多样功能。本文探讨情态的级差与对话空间的关系。

Systemic functional grammar categorizes modality as one of the interpersonal resources and draws such modal distinctions as subjective vs. objective and implicit vs. explicit. Whatever kind it may be, modality is gradable on a scale between positive and negative poles. Such a multidimensional perspective helps envision a better picture of modality than the traditional views. As a further development of the systemic functional tradition, the appraisal theory regards modality as an engagement resource to open and expand the dialogic space. This article discusses the relationship between modal graduation and dialogic expansion.