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Title Systemic Functional Interpretation of Transitivity Templates in Print Media

Author(s) Ms. Naeem Fatima

Abstract ABSTRACT Thesis Title: Systemic Functional Interpretation of Transitivity Templates in Print Media In Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) transitivity analysis is used as a yardstick to measure lexical differences accurately. While reporting the news in the newspapers, lexical differences, whether generated consciously or unconsciously, create diversified influences on the readers’ minds. The present research is an attempt to bring out these lexical differences (syntagmatic & paradigmatic choices) to figure out the transitivity templates (selection and order of process and participant types) and underscore the manner of engagement maintained by the news reporters/agencies in terms of their neutrality or objectivity. It has been done, additionally, to extend the scope of SFL and Transitivity System Network (TSN). The news reports of suicide attacks that occurred in Pakistan during 2009-2015 have been analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The semantic value of different syntagmatic (relationship between linguistic units along X-axis) and paradigmatic (relationship between linguistic units along Y-axis) choices of Process and Participant Types reveals the unique communicative significance of the reported news stories. The research reveals the dominance of Material Process Types in daily Dawn and the Verbal Process Types in The News International and The New York Times. Examination of Participant Types unveils the dominance of Sayer (Participant Type) in the two Pakistani newspapers. The comparison of animate Participant Types reveals that The New York Times texts comprise the highest number of Sayers. In all the three newspapers, the comparison of the transitivity roles associated with Verbal and Material Processes (say, Sayer, Receiver, Actor, Goal, etc.) barring Verbiage indicates that Goal takes the second-highest position. The comparison of Material related participants (say, Actor, Goal) indicates the predominance of Goal, thus reflecting the predominance of passivity. Analysis of text through Hasan’s Planes of Narration revealed paradoxes of bravery versus cowardice and unison versus disarray. Application of Martin and White’s Appraisal Framework brought in the predominance of the element of Affect encompassing the incidents of deaths, injuries, massive devastation and damage, and causing shock, anxiety and depression to the victims, their relatives and acquaintances for its surprising and unexpected nature.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2021-10-08

Subject English Linguistics

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