Language, Context and Text - Volume 7, Issue 1, 2025

Abstract

This paper critically engages with the treatment of “context” in SFL, particularly the contextual variable of mode, arguing that approaches to date have been hindered by focusing too narrowly on language. Although this might sound reasonable for a linguistic theory, the discussion here will suggest that overlooking the fact that language never occurs in context alone compromises the task of characterising context appropriately. By drawing on the state of the art in more recent multimodality theory, the paper works back to language from a more general semiotic framework in which occurrences of language are no longer central. This creates a broader theoretical “space” for the phenomena at issue that allows a re-positioning of some of the traditional distinctions drawn in discussions of contextual mode, arguably simplifying contextual modelling within a more internally coherent architecture.

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of projection, the grammar of quoting and reporting, in Dagaare (Niger-Congo: Mabia). The study reveals that verbal, mental, and relational processes project other clauses in Dagaare. Projection is encoded by a versatile particle (kɛ́) that serves as: (i) a nexus marker between projecting and projected clauses; (ii) a textual Theme, indexing anaphora and (iii) an interpersonal Theme, indexing evidentiality. Both quotes and reports are paratactically related to the projecting clause. Further, there is no one-to-one correspondence between the paratactic units in reporting and their division into tone groups. Finally, in addition to verbs, nominal predicates can also project reports. The study concludes that beyond its logico-semantics, projection crucially enacts epistemic stance, contributes to discourse organisation, and indicate interactional cues.

Abstract

This study centres around an analysis of appraisal resources in the poem “Three Friends of Mine” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This analysis illustrates appraisal’s capacity to illuminate how individual language choices in the poem constitute a fabric of meaning (Peng 2008) wherein each impacts the other, as in Hood’s (2019) description of prosody; how appraisal focuses readers on the emotions and associations of the poem’s speaker as opposed to their own, which is crucial for successful interpretation; and how appraisal reveals that vibe is impacted not only by the prosody and inscribed meanings, but also by meanings evoked through the discourses that appraisal resources are deployed to embrace or reject. Implications for disciplinary literacy teaching are discussed.

Abstract

From an ecolinguistic approach, this paper applies the framework of lexical ecology to analyse the vitality, evolution, and competition of six Chinese eating verbs—Shí (食), Fàn (饭), Cān (餐), Dàn (啖), Rú (茹), and Chī (吃)—across different historical and linguistic contexts. By integrating the concepts of lexical niche breadth and overlap, the study quantitatively examines how these verbs have survived, evolved and competed from Old Chinese (Stage 1 texts) to Modern Chinese (Stage 4 texts). The results show that Shí and Chī, with wide lexical niches (1.6238 and 1.4560, respectively), exhibit the highest vitality and sustainable trends; Cān and Dàn fall into the medium niche category (1.4434 and 1.3026), displaying moderate vitality and sustainability; in contrast, Rú and Fàn, with narrower niches (1.2765 and 1.2379), demonstrate lower vitality and reduced sustainability. Temporal, spatial and functional niche analysis reveals that the primary competition exists between Shí and Chī, with Shí dominating earlier periods (Stages 1 and 2) and Chī dominating later periods (Stages 3 and 4). The lexical overlap index between these two verbs is notably low (0.0478), indicating minimal synchronic competition in their earlier stages, while Cān and Rú have the highest overlap (0.9821), suggesting both stronger synchronic and diachronic competition. The study highlights the impact of social, historical and regional environments on lexical evolution. By providing a novel framework for measuring the dynamics of lexical evolution, which entails a thorough investigation into how words adapt, compete and survive, this study provides valuable insights into the fields of ecolinguistics and language change.

Abstract

This article provides advice to those looking to convert their PhD thesis in functional linguistics into a monograph. A monograph is a great way to disseminate your research and is a major accomplishment for an early-career researcher. However, even an exceptional PhD will need to be re-worked to be published as a monograph. This article provides general advice for how to prepare your manuscript, as well as detailed advice on revising literature review and methodology sections when moving from a thesis to a monograph. It contains examples throughout, as well as two longer excerpts which highlight in greater detail the changes that should be made in order to appeal to a wider audience, situate your work in its international context and present technical and theoretical concepts in a way that is engaging and understandable for academics in other fields, as well as those in policy and industry.

This article reviews Why humans fight: The social dynamics of close-range violence