Subjectivity Of Chinese Anti-epidemic Discourse From The Perspective Of Modality

Language subjectivity is seen as an essential property of language,and any language bears more or less the subjective imprint of the speaker,without which it cannot be called language.Modality concerns with the subjective meaning of the speaker’s cognition,opinions and attitudes,and is viewed as one of the most important representations of subjectivity.Chinese anti-epidemic discourse,as one of the discourse systems,carries rich subjectivity.However,there are few studies that focus on the subjectivity of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse from the perspective of modality.Based on linguistic subjectivity and modality theory,this thesis uses case analysis,qualitative research method and inductive method to explore the subjectivity of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse in China Daily from four aspects:modality types,modality orientations,modality values,and modality polarities.The study aims to explore the subjective marks of speakers behind Chinese anti-epidemic discourse from the perspective of modality.The study shows that in terms of modal types of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse,modalization reflects the speaker’s subjective speculations on the situation related to the epidemic;modulation demonstrates the speaker’s tendency to highly affirm the responsibility and obligation of Chinese anti-epidemic work.In terms of modality orientations,the subjective and objective orientations of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse form four combinations with explicit and implicit expressions,respectively.Explicit subjective modal orientation expresses the speaker’s perspective,directly expressing the speaker’s views and cognition about the initiatives related to epidemic prevention and control;Implicit subjective modal orientation conceals the speaker’s perspective,indirectly conveying the speaker’s subjective position and cognition about the situation related to epidemic prevention,with the intention of increasing persuasiveness;In explicit objective modal orientation,the speaker’s perspective is concealed,indirectly expressing the speaker’s subjective speculation about the situation of epidemic prevention and enhancing credibility;Implicit objective modal orientation hides the speaker’s perspective,indirectly highlighting the seriousness and importance of the anti-epidemic situation mentioned and enhancing the impact and appeal.In terms of modal values of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse,high modal values express the speaker’s orders,demands,and suggestions related to the fight against the epidemic;median modal values express the speaker’s good expectations combating the epidemic;low modal values express the speaker’s uncertain subjective speculations about the uncertainty of the epidemic development.In terms of modal polarity,Chinese anti-epidemic discourse expresses the speaker’s subjective attitude of affirming the work of frontline workers or denying inappropriate initiatives and misperceptions during the epidemic.This study has significance in theory and practice.It enriches the theory of modality and linguistic subjectivity.It also provides a reference for understanding the subjective components behind the speaker’s Chinese anti-epidemic discourse and the communicative function of expression and meaning of Chinese anti-epidemic discourse.