Discursive Construction Of The Multiple Identities Of Michelle Obama Based On Appraisal Theory

Among academic discourse analysis,it is found that identity construction can mainly be analyzed from the perspective of sociology,psychology and linguistics.In linguistics,identity construction is often approached from the point of Critical Discourse Analysis in which the subjectivity can not be avoided and negative effects have been overrated.The Appraisal Theory involves speaker's attitude,the extent of attitude and the source of attitude,among which one identity or more identities can be constructed.Therefore The Appraisal Theory is the basis of identity construction which can provide evidence for further explanation.Many past studies only focus on single fixed identity of one person or specific group.It is clear that everyone will construct different identities according to context of conversation.So the Adaptation Theory in pragmatics gives best support of the multiple identities construction and switch of multiple identities.Speech,as a highly structured language form,is of great value in identity construction.In efforts to achieve their communicative aims,speakers are constructing different identities to cater to the needs of audiences.Michelle Obama,as an inspiring speech maker,gives many touching and moving speeches which win herself universal praise exactly by successful multiple identities construction.As we all know,Michelle Obama is the American First Lady,a capable woman,an inspiring black.So her speeches are naturally valuable for the studies of identity construction.The thesis reveals the rationale,methodology,and selected outcomes on multiple identities construction of Michelle Obama.Based on the Appraisal Theory of Martin and White and the Adaptation Theory of Verschueren,this thesis will analyze multiple identities construction of Michelle Obama through eleven speeches made by her on different occasions.The Appraisal Theory is applied to analyze the speeches resources which can contribute to the further identity construction,and the Adaptation Theory is used to reveal hidden cause of the different multiple identities construction for communicative aims.The result demonstrates that the Attitude System is of the most significance in identity construction which can reveal appraiser's affect,judgment and appreciation.From the marked appraisal resources,it is clear that Michelle Obama has successful constructed six main identities which are applied into different discourses according to the specific context.Michelle Obama shows audience a considerate wife,a worried mother,a filial daughter,an inspiring black,a decent First Lady and a capable woman.Admittedly,Michelle Obama constructs these multiple identities to realize her final communicative aims in differentcontext.In general,the identities discovered in this thesis correspond to the fact Michelle Obama's identities are multiple and flexible in different contexts through the use of appraisal resources,for the consideration of communicative aims.