A Transitivity Analysis of English Academic Book Blurbs
Journal: Region - Educational Research and Reviews DOI: 10.32629/rerr.v7i6.4188
Abstract
Book blurbs are concise textual representations printed on book covers or jackets, employing succinct yet impactful language to summarize the core themes and distinctive features of books. This study analyzes thirty academic book blurbs in English linguistics through the lens of the transitivity system, revealing the predominant occurrence of material, relational, verbal, and mental process clauses. Among these, material process clauses are the most frequent, followed by relational, verbal, and mental processes respectively, with existential and behavioral process clauses being entirely absent. These process clauses function synergistically to achieve textual effects: material processes demonstrate authorial and textual characteristics, relational processes highlight contextual relationships, and verbal processes describe textual merits, while mental processes address readers' needs and affective responses. This research aims to investigate their distribution patterns, functional roles, and promotional efficacy.
Keywords
transitivity system, English Academic Book Blurbs, ideational function
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[3] Halliday M A K. An Introduction to Functional Grammar [M]. London: Arnold, 2000.
[4] Fowler R. Language in the News: Discourse and Ideology in the Press [M]. London: Routledge, 1991.
[5] Wang Yin. (2010). On Blue and White Porcelain ———A functional study from perspective of transitivity. Journal of Hebei Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) (01), 101-104.
[6] Wu Jiajian, Xiong Jianguo, Guo Lilin, He Jing & Liang Yuqian. (2023). A Diachronic Study of News Discourse Representation on Child Trafficking in China Daily: A Transitivity Analysis Based on Stance Nouns. Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages (04), 77-85.
[7] Yu Hui & Wang Liping. (2020). Exploring an Ecological Transitivity Analytic Model: Illustrated by Educational Discourse. Foreign Languages and Their Teaching (06), 43-54+120+148.
[8] Thompson, G. Introducing Functional Grammar [M].Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.
[9] He Wei & Gao Ran. (2018). Study of the Representation of the “Belt and Road” Initiative in New Zealand’s Media —Taking The New Zealand Herald as an Example. Foreign Languages in China (03), 46-51.
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