Positive Discourse Analysis of Xi Jinping’s Speech at the National University of Singapore under Appraisal Theory

Abstract

Positive discourse analysis on leaders’ speeches has gained much attention from many scholars at home and abroad. However, the author finds that there is few related research on Chinese leaders’ speech. Therefore, the paper chooses President Xi Jinping’s speech, delivered at the National University of Singapore on November 7th, 2015, as the research subject and conducts the positive discourse analysis from three aspects: attitude system, engagement system and graduation system. After the analysis, the author comes to find that there are more positive resources in Mr. Xi’s speech in order to construct a harmonious relationship with his listeners; Mr. Xi is careful to introduce other voices in terms of the engagement system; he adopts more up-scaling force than the down-scaling force, more sharpened force than softened force in terms of the graduation system. The present paper is significant in applying positive discourse analysis to Chinese leader’s speech, thus expanding its application scope; in enriching the research content of appraisal theory; and in opening up a new angle for future study.