A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar

Li Jing; Li Fengjie

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar

Li Jing, Li Fengjie

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 7, Issue 4)

Received: 2 April 2019 Accepted: 23 May 2019 Published: 2 July 2019

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Abstract

The systematic functional grammar proposed by Halliday has profound influence on the linguistic theory research in the second half of the 20th century. Halliday believes language has three meta-functions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. The ideational function is to convey new information, to communicate a content that is unknown to the hearer. The ideational function mainly consists of transitivity and voice. Transitivity is simply the grammar of the clause in its ideational aspect. It consists of six different processes: Material process, Behavioral process, Mental process, Verbal process, Relational process and Existential process. Political speech is an important form of public speech and it plays an extremely important role in political life. Based on Halliday’s ideational functional theory, the thesis selects Trump’s winning speech and analyzes it from the perspective of transitivity system. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Trump’s language skills, and at the same time, provide a research idea and method for readers to interpret political speech discourse. This article revolves around the following two questions: 1. How are the six processes distributed in Trump’s winning speech? 2. What are the functions of the six processes in Trump’s speech? Based on these two questions, this paper conducts statistics on speech through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through analysis, the author finds that there are three processes used frequently. They are relational process (35%), material process (30%), mental process (24%) in turn. While the verbal process (8%), the behavioral process (2%), and the existential process (1%) are very low frequency. This is because of Trump’s speech intention. As a new president, he needs to express his own ideas, clarify his position and policies affecting people’s emotions, call for public support, and clarify his vision and plan for the future of the United States.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 7, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
Page(s)	150-157
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ideational Function, Transitivity, Trump’s Winning Speech

References

[1]	Halliday. M. A. K. An introduction to functional Grammar [M]. London: Edward Arnold, 1994.
[2]	Devito, J. A. Elements of Public Speaking [M]. New York: Harper and Row, 1987.
[3]	Diana Carlin. Public Speech [M]. Victoria: Deakin University Press, 1995.
[4]	Halliday. M. A. K. An introduction to functional grammar [M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000.
[5]	Huang Guowen. A review of systemic functional linguistics in China for 20 years [J]. Foreign languages and their teaching , 2000 (5)
[6]	Hu Zhuanglin. Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics [M]. Bei Jing: Peking University Press, 2008.
[7]	Graham Lock. Functional English grammar: An Introduction to the Second Language Teachers [M]. Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong, 2017.
[8]	Thomas Bloor. The Functional Analysis of English: A Hallidayan Approach [M]. London: Edward Arnold, 2013.
[9]	Ma Hui. Stylistic Study of the Speeches of Presidents of the United States and Russia--Taking Obama and Putin's Speech as an Example [D]. Heilongjiang University, 2016.
[10]	Hu Zhuanglin. Linguistics and Chinese Foreign Language Teaching for 40 Years [J]. Foreign language teaching and research, 2018 (11)
[11]	Sun Jihong. Functional grammar: transitivity analysis [J]. Education and Teaching Forum，2018 (48)
[12]	Zhang Yuexian. Using the theory of transitivity to analyze the novel “The Gift of Maggie” [J]. Masterpieces, 2017 (4)
[13]	Zou Xiangxi. Analysis of Chun Wang and its three English translations from the perspective of transitivity [J]. Overseas English，2010 (9)
[14]	Liu Xuewei. Analysis of the Transitivity of Obama's Graduation Ceremony [J]. Journal of Language and Literature Studies (Foreign Language Education and Teaching)，2014 (9)
[15]	Zhang Delu. The development of systemic functional linguistics in China [J]. Foreign Language World, 2006 (2)
[16]	Thompson, G. Introducing Functional Grammar [M]. London: Edward Arnold, 1996.

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APA Style

Li Jing, Li Fengjie. (2019). A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 7(4), 150-157. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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ACS Style

Li Jing; Li Fengjie. A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2019, 7(4), 150-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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AMA Style

Li Jing, Li Fengjie. A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. Int J Lang Linguist. 2019;7(4):150-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12,
  author = {Li Jing and Li Fengjie},
  title = {A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {7},
  number = {4},
  pages = {150-157},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20190704.12},
  abstract = {The systematic functional grammar proposed by Halliday has profound influence on the linguistic theory research in the second half of the 20th century. Halliday believes language has three meta-functions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. The ideational function is to convey new information, to communicate a content that is unknown to the hearer. The ideational function mainly consists of transitivity and voice. Transitivity is simply the grammar of the clause in its ideational aspect. It consists of six different processes: Material process, Behavioral process, Mental process, Verbal process, Relational process and Existential process. Political speech is an important form of public speech and it plays an extremely important role in political life. Based on Halliday’s ideational functional theory, the thesis selects Trump’s winning speech and analyzes it from the perspective of transitivity system. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Trump’s language skills, and at the same time, provide a research idea and method for readers to interpret political speech discourse. This article revolves around the following two questions: 1. How are the six processes distributed in Trump’s winning speech? 2. What are the functions of the six processes in Trump’s speech? Based on these two questions, this paper conducts statistics on speech through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through analysis, the author finds that there are three processes used frequently. They are relational process (35%), material process (30%), mental process (24%) in turn. While the verbal process (8%), the behavioral process (2%), and the existential process (1%) are very low frequency. This is because of Trump’s speech intention. As a new president, he needs to express his own ideas, clarify his position and policies affecting people’s emotions, call for public support, and clarify his vision and plan for the future of the United States.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar
AU  - Li Jing
AU  - Li Fengjie
Y1  - 2019/07/02
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 150
EP  - 157
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
AB  - The systematic functional grammar proposed by Halliday has profound influence on the linguistic theory research in the second half of the 20th century. Halliday believes language has three meta-functions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. The ideational function is to convey new information, to communicate a content that is unknown to the hearer. The ideational function mainly consists of transitivity and voice. Transitivity is simply the grammar of the clause in its ideational aspect. It consists of six different processes: Material process, Behavioral process, Mental process, Verbal process, Relational process and Existential process. Political speech is an important form of public speech and it plays an extremely important role in political life. Based on Halliday’s ideational functional theory, the thesis selects Trump’s winning speech and analyzes it from the perspective of transitivity system. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Trump’s language skills, and at the same time, provide a research idea and method for readers to interpret political speech discourse. This article revolves around the following two questions: 1. How are the six processes distributed in Trump’s winning speech? 2. What are the functions of the six processes in Trump’s speech? Based on these two questions, this paper conducts statistics on speech through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through analysis, the author finds that there are three processes used frequently. They are relational process (35%), material process (30%), mental process (24%) in turn. While the verbal process (8%), the behavioral process (2%), and the existential process (1%) are very low frequency. This is because of Trump’s speech intention. As a new president, he needs to express his own ideas, clarify his position and policies affecting people’s emotions, call for public support, and clarify his vision and plan for the future of the United States.
VL  - 7
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Author Information

Li Jing

Foreign Languages Department, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin, China
Li Fengjie

Foreign Languages Department, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin, China

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APA Style

Li Jing, Li Fengjie. (2019). A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 7(4), 150-157. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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ACS Style

Li Jing; Li Fengjie. A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2019, 7(4), 150-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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AMA Style

Li Jing, Li Fengjie. A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar. Int J Lang Linguist. 2019;7(4):150-157. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12,
  author = {Li Jing and Li Fengjie},
  title = {A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {7},
  number = {4},
  pages = {150-157},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20190704.12},
  abstract = {The systematic functional grammar proposed by Halliday has profound influence on the linguistic theory research in the second half of the 20th century. Halliday believes language has three meta-functions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. The ideational function is to convey new information, to communicate a content that is unknown to the hearer. The ideational function mainly consists of transitivity and voice. Transitivity is simply the grammar of the clause in its ideational aspect. It consists of six different processes: Material process, Behavioral process, Mental process, Verbal process, Relational process and Existential process. Political speech is an important form of public speech and it plays an extremely important role in political life. Based on Halliday’s ideational functional theory, the thesis selects Trump’s winning speech and analyzes it from the perspective of transitivity system. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Trump’s language skills, and at the same time, provide a research idea and method for readers to interpret political speech discourse. This article revolves around the following two questions: 1. How are the six processes distributed in Trump’s winning speech? 2. What are the functions of the six processes in Trump’s speech? Based on these two questions, this paper conducts statistics on speech through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through analysis, the author finds that there are three processes used frequently. They are relational process (35%), material process (30%), mental process (24%) in turn. While the verbal process (8%), the behavioral process (2%), and the existential process (1%) are very low frequency. This is because of Trump’s speech intention. As a new president, he needs to express his own ideas, clarify his position and policies affecting people’s emotions, call for public support, and clarify his vision and plan for the future of the United States.},
 year = {2019}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Case Study of Transitivity Analysis of Trump’s Winning Speech Based on Systematic Functional Grammar
AU  - Li Jing
AU  - Li Fengjie
Y1  - 2019/07/02
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 150
EP  - 157
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20190704.12
AB  - The systematic functional grammar proposed by Halliday has profound influence on the linguistic theory research in the second half of the 20th century. Halliday believes language has three meta-functions: ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. The ideational function is to convey new information, to communicate a content that is unknown to the hearer. The ideational function mainly consists of transitivity and voice. Transitivity is simply the grammar of the clause in its ideational aspect. It consists of six different processes: Material process, Behavioral process, Mental process, Verbal process, Relational process and Existential process. Political speech is an important form of public speech and it plays an extremely important role in political life. Based on Halliday’s ideational functional theory, the thesis selects Trump’s winning speech and analyzes it from the perspective of transitivity system. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Trump’s language skills, and at the same time, provide a research idea and method for readers to interpret political speech discourse. This article revolves around the following two questions: 1. How are the six processes distributed in Trump’s winning speech? 2. What are the functions of the six processes in Trump’s speech? Based on these two questions, this paper conducts statistics on speech through quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through analysis, the author finds that there are three processes used frequently. They are relational process (35%), material process (30%), mental process (24%) in turn. While the verbal process (8%), the behavioral process (2%), and the existential process (1%) are very low frequency. This is because of Trump’s speech intention. As a new president, he needs to express his own ideas, clarify his position and policies affecting people’s emotions, call for public support, and clarify his vision and plan for the future of the United States.
VL  - 7
IS  - 4
ER  -

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