Integrating systemic functional and cognitive approaches to multimodal discourse analysis

Authors

  • Dezheng Feng The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Elaine Espindola The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8026.2013n64p85

Abstract

 

This study explores the complementarities between systemic functional and cognitive metaphorical approaches to multimodal discourse analysis. Their common concern with the construal of human experience and their shared theoretical foundation of viewing language and other semiotic systems as meaning-making resource make it possible to integrate them in analyzing linguistic and multimodal data. Meanwhile, as far as multimodal discourse analysis is concerned, the theoretical strengths of systemic functional visual grammar and multimodal metaphor theory are able to bridge existing gaps. on the one hand, the systemic functional framework provides a comprehensive modeling of the visual realization of metaphor; on the other hand, conceptual metaphor theory provides an epistemological status to the semiotic description of visual images. Therefore, from the results here obtained, it is possible to conclude that the integration of these two major theoretical approaches is significant to furthering our understanding of multimodal discourse.

Author Biographies

Dezheng Feng, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Dezheng Feng, Phd, is research assistant Professor at department of English, The  hong Kong Polytechnic University.  his research interests include the critical analysis of multimodal discourse, social semiotic theory, and media and communication studies. his recent publications include “representing Emotion in  visual images: a Social Semiotic approach” in  Journal of Pragmatics and “intertextual  voices and Engagement in  tv  advertisements” in Visual Communication Journal.

Elaine Espindola, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Elaine Espindola, Phd, Postdoctoral Fellow at the department ofEnglish, The hong Kong Polytechnic University. her research interestsinclude text analysis, Systemic Functional translation Studies, anddiscourse analysis in the Workplace. her recent publications include“Systemic Functional  linguistics and  audiovisual  translationStudies: a Suggestive Theoretical basis for the Study of the languageof Subtitles” in dElta and “The enactment of modality in regulatorytexts: a comparative study of tenancy agreements” in The asian ESPJournal.

Published

2013-07-25