Abstract
In this paper we explore the relationship between the language of evaluation and the use of paralinguistic features in reading aloud, relating Eggins & Slade's (1997) categories of appraisal with Brown's (1990) taxonomy of paralinguistic features. We mainly concentrate on two categories of appraisal: (1) affect, that is the expression of emotional states, and (2) amplification, that is the reader's aloud grading of attitudes and emotions. We present an analysis of part of The Story of Tilly, a story for children beautifully read aloud by Jackie Torrence. It seems to us that this association between paralinguistic features and appraisal may constitute a phonological domain for the description of the language of evaluation beyond the lexico-grammatical level.
Highlights
Within Systemic-Functional Linguistics, Appraisal Theory contributes to interpersonal meaning by presenting a framework of ways in which writers or speakers construct texts and adopt stances towards what they say and towards those to whom they say it
On the basis of the above simple taxonomy of paralinguistic features, together with the categories of appraisal presented in Figure 1, we analyse and describe, from a phonological perspective, how evaluation may be seen to operate in spoken discourse and, in reading aloud
The stance taken by the reader is to anticipate that something mysterious is coming up or about to happen. These abnormal pauses cooccur with other paralinguistic features, such as precise articulation and a soft voice, which help magnify the feeling of suspense, insecurity and uneasiness when the little girl at last goes to bed and climbs the “eight - - - dark - - - stairs” (see Table 2, Example (9))
Summary
Within Systemic-Functional Linguistics, Appraisal Theory contributes to interpersonal meaning by presenting a framework of ways in which writers or speakers construct texts and adopt stances towards what they say and towards those to whom they say it. While subjectivity refers to “self-expression in the use of language” (Lyons 1994, in Englebretson 2007:15), the interactional nature of stance is manifested in the relations that writers establish with readers - or speakers with hearers - and readers establish with texts. As to evaluation, it has to do with the expression of “the speakers attitude towards, viewpoint on, or feelings about the entities or propositions that he or she is talking about” (Thompson & Hunston 2000, in Englebretson 2007:16). On the basis of these categories, we present an analysis of selected parts of a story for children, The Story of Tilly, as told by Jackie Torrence
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