英文商务信函中的情态隐喻及其人际功能分析

Metaphors of Modality and Its Interpersonal Functions in English Business Correspondence

作为系统功能语法中人际功能的重要组成部分之一,情态隐喻在国际商务交际尤其是跨国商务信函中扮演着十分重要的角色。文章从韩礼德的系统功能理论出发,结合收集的27篇英文商务信函语料,探讨了情态隐喻在英文商务信函中的具体运用及其体现的人际功能。通过实例分析发现,表主观性的情态隐喻可实现明确观点、强化责任、委婉礼貌的交际目的;表客观性的情态隐喻则可淡化自身观点,增加话语客观性,维护自身利益。

Metaphors of modality,as an essential part of interpersonal functions of the systemic functional grammar,plays an important role in the international commercial activities,especially in the cross- cultural business correspondence.According to Halliday＇s systematic function theory,this paper has analyzed the specific use and the interpersonal functions of metaphors of modality based on the collected 27 English business correspondence.The analysis indicates the subjective metaphors of modality can help writers clarify viewpoints,strengthen responsibility and show politeness,while the objective metaphors of modality can help writers weaken viewpoints,emphasize objectivity and protect profits.