| Hasan (2009a,2009b,2009c) puts forward a system of semantic network for the analysis of questioning in English. Based on this system and the characteristics of Chinese, the present study proposes a modified system of semantic network for questioning in Chinese and applies it to the analysis of questioning strategies in TV interviews. The data to be examined are collected from30episodes of Yang Lan One-on-One, with a total duration of10hours. Firstly, the thesis defines "question" as a message demanding information, which falls into six types:(1) interrogatives seeking information;(2) declaratives with a final rising tone;(3) declaratives as B-event statements free from a rising tone;(4) imperatives as directives for information;(5) minor clauses expressing doubt with a final rising tone as a single turn or in the turn-initial position; and (6) self-referencing statements demanding information. Then, in accordance with the above six types,1122questions are identified in the data, which will be analyzed and annotated in terms of the26semantic features derived from the modified system of semantic network. Given the fact that the data of the occurrences of some semantic features are not normally distributed, the statistics are analyzed through boxplots, five-number summaries, and non-parametric techniques that are distribution-free. Finally, through the discussion of the statistical results, it is concluded that there are six questioning strategies applied by Yang Lan in TV interviews:(1) granting freedom;(2) seeking confirmation;(3) ensuring continuity;(4) optimizing information;(5) avoiding ambiguity; and (6) avoiding gender discrimination. |
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