摘要
The purpose of this study is to examine the use of reporting verbs(RVs)in China-based and Western SSCI indexed English journal articles.Writing samples(N=168)are compared in terms of the frequencies of RVs,selection of high-frequency RVs and the evaluative orientations of RVs.The results suggest that whereas both English academic articles published in China and English academic articles published in English-speaking countries use similar varieties of RVs.Using the resources of appraisal theory,we found that English academic articles published in Chinas use fewer discourse RVs;they tend to use more neutral RVs,providing no overt intersubjective stance on the cited evidence,whereas English academic articles published in English-speaking countries favor more positive RVs to endorse the evidence during the argument.In particular,English academic articles published in China rarely employ negative and critical RVs.Academic writers’preferences of RVs are not only due to their language proficiency,but also due to their discursive tradition and underlying cultural values.They also have to do with the journals’coverage of topics and attitude toward academic debates and original thinking.The comparative findings have implications for English academic articles published in China,especially those based in non-English-speaking countries,when they try to use RVs to develop authorial stance in English:that is,to distinguish the semantic stance of RVs and cultivate cross-language and-culture awareness.
本文采用自建语料库定量研究方法,选取168篇中国和英美国家主编的SSCI索引期刊论文,从转述动词的使用频率和语义类别两个方面,对比了中外SSCI索引期刊论文学者在学术语篇中的转述动词使用方面的差异。结合评价理论,我们发现中国SSCI索引期刊作者使用更少的语篇性和认知性转述动词;并且他们倾向于使用表达中立立场的转述动词,对所转述内容不表达明显的主体间立场,而英美国家索引SSCI期刊论文学者倾向于使用表达积极立场的转述动词来支撑其论证。另外,中国SSCI索引期刊作者很少使用表达批判性立场的转述动词。造成上述差异的主要原因包括:母语与非母语背景差异、期刊方法理念差异和作者文化价值取向差异。该研究结果为中国学者如何更好地利用转述来传达作者立场和推动对外学术传播提供了启示:1)注重转述动词的评价意义;2)培养跨语言和跨文化意识。
