Startseite Linguistik & Semiotik An analysis of attitude in chinese courtroom discourse
Artikel
Lizenziert
Nicht lizenziert Erfordert eine Authentifizierung

An analysis of attitude in chinese courtroom discourse

  • Guang Shi EMAIL logo
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 8. März 2018

Abstract

Attitude is an important resource for courtroom discourse to perform interpersonal functions. This paper analyzes the attitude expressions in the audio recording transcripts of eight trials and finds that: judgement is the most important way for courtroom participants to express attitude, followed by appreciation, while affect is the least frequently used. In the four criminal trials, the defendants express attitude most frequently and most negatively; in the four non-criminal trials, the plaintiffs express attitude most frequently and most negatively. In the debate section of criminal trials, judgements of legality and capacity and non-judgement invoking appreciations are employed by the prosecutors and defense attorneys to express attitude and debate each other. Non-judgement invoking appreciations are used not only to evaluate the evidence, but also to introduce substantial statements, serving as an intermediate link between the two.


Guang Shi, Nanjing Normal University, 122 Ninghai Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210097, China

References

Ainsworth, J. 2009. “A lawyer’s perspective: Ethical, technical, and practical considerations in the use of linguistic expert witnesses”. The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law 16(2). 279–291.10.1558/ijsll.v16i2.279Suche in Google Scholar

Aldridge, M. and J. Luchjenbroers. 2007. “Linguistic measures of manipulation in legal discourse: Framing questions and ‘smuggling’ information”. The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law 14(1). 83–105.Suche in Google Scholar

Bednarek, M. 2010. “Polyphony in APPRAISAL: typological and topological perspectives”, Linguistics and the Human Sciences 3(2). 107–136.10.1558/lhs.v3i2.107Suche in Google Scholar

Cao, D. 2007. Translating law. Clevedon, England: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781853599552Suche in Google Scholar

Cheng, L. 2010. Discourse and judicial thinking: A corpus-based study of court judgements in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. (PhD dissertation, City University of Hong Kong.)10.1558/ijsll.v17i2.295Suche in Google Scholar

Coffin, C. 2006. Historical discourse: The language of time, cause and evaluation. London: Continuum.Suche in Google Scholar

Conley, J. M. and W.M. O’Barr. 1998. Just words. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Cooper, B. 2007. “Taboo terms in a sexual abuse criminal trial”. The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law 14(1). 27–50.10.1558/ijsll.v14i1.27Suche in Google Scholar

Derewianka, B. 2007. “Using appraisal theory to track interpersonal development in adolescent academic writing”. In: McCabe, A., O’Donnell, M., and R. Whittaker (eds.), Advances in Language and Education. London: Continuum. 142–166.Suche in Google Scholar

Du, J.B. 2008. “A study on judges’ manipulation of information flow in courtroom interaction”. Journal of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (2). 36–40.Suche in Google Scholar

Du, J.B. 2009. “A study of the functions of courtroom questioning and answering and participants’ communicative objective attainment”. Modern Foreign Languages 4. 360–368.Suche in Google Scholar

Du, J.B. 2010. “A study on legal facts constructed via courtroom dialogue”. Journal of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (2). 84–90.Suche in Google Scholar

Du, J.B. 2011. “Information flow of process control in courtroom question and response”. Journal of Foreign Languages (2). 56–63.Suche in Google Scholar

Du, J.B. 2012. “Realization of objectives of participants in courtroom interaction: from the perspective of hierarchical information processing”. Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages (1). 7–12.Suche in Google Scholar

Eades, D. 2008. Courtroom talk and neocolonial control. New York: Mouton de Gruyter.10.1515/9783110208320Suche in Google Scholar

Eades, D. 2010. Sociolinguistics and the legal process. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.10.21832/9781847692559Suche in Google Scholar

Halliday, M.A.K. 1985. An introduction to functional grammar. London: Edward Arnold.Suche in Google Scholar

Halliday, M.A.K. 1994. An introduction to functional grammar (2nd edition). London: Edward Arnold.Suche in Google Scholar

Halliday, M.A.K. and C.M.I.M. Matthiessen. 2004. An introduction to functional grammar (3rd edition). New York: Edward Arnold.Suche in Google Scholar

Heffer, C. 2005. The language of jury trial: A corpus-aided analysis of legal–lay discourse. Houndsmill: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230502888Suche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. 2004a. Appraising research: Taking a stance in academic writing. (PhD dissertation, University of Technology, Sydney.)Suche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. 2004b. “Managing attitude in undergraduate academic writing: a focus on the introductions to research reports”. In: Ravelli, L. and Ellis, R. (eds). Analysing Academic Writing: Contextualised Frameworks. London: Continuum. 24–44.Suche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. 2005. “What is evaluated and how in academic research writing?: the copatterning of attitude and field”. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics Series 19. 23–40.10.1075/aralss.19.03hooSuche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. 2006. “The persuasive power of prosodies: Radiating values in academic writing”. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 37–49.10.1016/j.jeap.2005.11.001Suche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. 2010. Appraising research: Evaluation in academic writing. London: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230274662Suche in Google Scholar

Hood, S. and J. R. Martin. 2006. “Invoking attitude: the play of graduation in appraising discourse”. In: Hasan, R., C.M.I.M. Matthiessen and J. Webster (eds.), Continuing discourse on language. London: Equinox. 739–764.Suche in Google Scholar

Hu, Z.L., Y.S. Zhu, D.L. Zhang and Z.Z. Li. 2005. An introduction to systemic functional linguistics. Beijing: Peking University Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Iedema, R., F. Susan and P.R.R. White. 1994/2008. Media literacy. Sydney: NSW Adult Migrant Education Service.Suche in Google Scholar

Körner, H. 2000. Negotiating authority: The logogenesis of dialogue in common law judgements. (PhD dissertation, University of Sydney.)Suche in Google Scholar

Li, S.F. 2007. Interpersonal meaning in courtroom discourse. (PhD dissertation, Northeast Normal University.)Suche in Google Scholar

Li, Z.Z. 2002. Interpersonal meaning in discourse. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Li, Z.Z. 2004. “Appraisal theory: applications and problems in discourse analysis”. Foreign Languages Research (5). 1–6.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2003. A study on courtroom questions, responses and their interaction: a linguistic perspective. Beijing: Law Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2004a, Trial communication strategies. Beijing: Law Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2004b, “Researches on replies: insights from court replies”. Rhetoric Learning 5. 50–56.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2004c, “The principle of goal and goal analysis and cooperation in courtroom verbal interaction”. Foreign Language Research 5. 44–52.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2006. “A study on ‘formulation’ in Chinese courtroom interaction”. Foreign Languages Research 2. 1–13.Suche in Google Scholar

Liao, M.Z. 2012. “Framework analysis of courtroom discourse”. Contemporary Rhetoric Studies 6. 83–91.10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199572120.013.0029Suche in Google Scholar

Lowndes, S. 2007. “Barristers on trial: Comprehension and misapprehension in courtroom discourse”. The International Journal of Speech Language and the Law 17(1). 305–308.10.1558/ijsll.v14i2.305Suche in Google Scholar

Martin, J.R. 2004. “Mourning – how we get aligned”. Discourse and Society 15(2/3). 321–344.10.1177/0957926504041022Suche in Google Scholar

Martin, J.R. and D. Rose. 2007. Working with discourse: Meaning beyond the clause (2nd edition). London: Continuum.Suche in Google Scholar

Martin, J.R. and P.R.R. White. 2008. The language of evaluation: Appraisal in English. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.Suche in Google Scholar

National People’s Congress. Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China. 2002. Beijing: Legal Press.Suche in Google Scholar

Nicholson, S. N. 2009. “Law on Language in the European Union: Policy Development for Interpreting/Translation Services in Criminal Proceedings”. The International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law 16(1). 59–90.10.1558/ijsll.v16i1.59Suche in Google Scholar

Olsen, F. E., R. A. Lorz. and D. Stein. 2009. Translation Issues in Language and Law. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.10.1057/9780230233744Suche in Google Scholar

Peng, X.W. 2004. “Appraisal systems of modern Chinese vocabulary”. Linguistic Studies (3). 101–109.Suche in Google Scholar

People’s Republic of China Supreme People’s Court. 2012. Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on the Application of the Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China.Suche in Google Scholar

Rosulek, L.F. 2009. “the sociolinguisic creation of opposing representations of defendants and victims”. The International Journal of Speech Language and the Law 16(1). 1–30.10.1558/ijsll.v16i1.1Suche in Google Scholar

Shi, G. 2012. “An analysis of modality in Chinese courtroom discourse”. Journal of Multicultural Discourses 7(2). 161–178.10.1080/17447143.2011.581285Suche in Google Scholar

Shi, G. 2014. “Intertextuality in Chinese courtroom discourse: A critical perspective”. Chinese Semiotic Studies 10(3). 427–450.10.1515/css-2014-0035Suche in Google Scholar

Solan, L.M. 1993. The language of judges. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.10.7208/chicago/9780226767895.001.0001Suche in Google Scholar

Solan, L.M. 1998. “Linguistic experts as semantic tour guides”. Forensic Linguistics 5(2). 87–106.10.1558/sll.1998.5.2.87Suche in Google Scholar

Swain, E. 2007. Constructing an effective ‘voice’ in academic discussion writing: an appraisal theory perspective”. In: McCabe, A., M. O’Donnell and R. Whittaker (eds.), Advances in Language and Education. London: Continuum. 166–184.Suche in Google Scholar

Thompson, J.K. 2002. “Powerful/powerless language in court: A critical reevaluation of the Duke Language and Law Programme”. Forensic Linguistics 9(2). 153–167.10.1558/sll.2002.9.2.153Suche in Google Scholar

Titus, J.J. 2010. “Ascribing monstrosity: Judicial categorization of a juvenile sex offender”. The International Journal of Speech Language and the Law 17(1). 1–23.10.1558/ijsll.v17i1.1Suche in Google Scholar

Wang, Z.H. 2001. “APPRAISAL systems and their Operation: a new development in the systemic functional linguistics”. Journal of Foreign Languages 6. 13–20.Suche in Google Scholar

Wang, Z.H. 2004. “An appraisal approach to hard news in both English and Chinese–appraisal systems inquiry (II)”. Foreign Language Education 5. 31–36.Suche in Google Scholar

Wang, Z.H. 2006. “An SFL perspective on legal discourse: A case study”. Modern Foreign Languages 1. 1–9.Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 1998. Telling media tales. (PhD Dissertation, University of Sydney.)Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2000. “Media objectivity and the rhetoric of news story structure”. In: Ventola, E. (ed.), Discourse and community-doing functional linguistics. Language in Performance. Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag. 379–397.Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2003a. “News as history – Your daily gossip”. In: Martin, J.R. and R. Wodak (eds), Re-reading the past: Critical and functional perspectives on time and value. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. 61–89.10.1075/dapsac.8.05whiSuche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2003b. “Beyond modality and hedging: A dialogic view of the language of intersubjective stance”. Text 23(2). 259–284.10.1515/text.2003.011Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2005. “Subjectivity, evaluation and point of view in media discourse”. In: Coffin, C. and K. O’Halloran (eds), Grammar, text and context: A reader. London and New York: Arnold. 229–257.Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2006. “Evaluative semantics and ideological positioning in journalistic discourse”. In: Lassen, I. (ed.), Image and ideology in the mass media. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. 45–73.Suche in Google Scholar

White, P.R.R. 2008. “Praising and blaming, applauding and disparaging – solidarity, audience positioning, and the linguistics of evaluative disposition”. In: Antos, G. and E. Ventola (eds), Handbook of interpersonal communication. Berlin and New York: Mouton de Gruyter. 542–567.10.1515/9783110211399.4.567Suche in Google Scholar

Yuan, C.Y. 2007. Avoiding revictimization: shifting from police interrogations to police interviewing in China. (PhD dissertation, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.)10.1558/ijsll.v16i2.293Suche in Google Scholar

Yuan, C.Y. 2008. “Interpersonal meanings in police interrogations: an appraisalengagement perspective”. Modern Foreign Languages 2. 141–149.Suche in Google Scholar

Zhang. L.P. 2006. Lawyer evaluation in the Chinese courtroom: a social-semiotic perspective. (PhD dissertation, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.)Suche in Google Scholar

Zhang, W.P. 2004. “On the authority of the people’ s court in civil action”. Legal Forum 5. 11–20.Suche in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2018-03-08
Published in Print: 2018-03-26

© 2018 Faculty of English, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland

Heruntergeladen am 13.12.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/psicl-2018-0005/pdf
Button zum nach oben scrollen