Modelling Paralanguage Using Systemic Functional Semiotics: Theory and Application

by Thu Ngo, David Caldwell (Editor), Susan Hood, J. R. Martin (Editor), J. R. Martin

Overview

This book is the first comprehensive account of 'body language' as 'paralanguage' informed by Systemic Functional Semiotics (SFS). It brings together the collaborative work of internationally renowned academics and emerging scholars to offer a fresh linguistic perspective on gesture, body orientation, body movement, facial expression and voice quality resources that support all spoken language.

The authors create a framework for distinguishing non-semiotic behaviour from paralanguage, and provide a comprehensive modelling of paralanguage in each of the three metafunctions of meaning (ideational, interpersonal and textual). Illustrations of the application of this new model for multimodal discourse analysis draw on a range of contexts, from social media vlogs, to animated children's narratives, to face-to-face teaching. Modelling Paralanguage Using Systemic Functional Semiotics offers an innovative way for dealing with culture-specific and context specific paralanguage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350074903
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/02/2021
Series:	Bloomsbury Studies in Systemic Functional Linguistics
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Thu Ngo is Lecturer in Language and Literacy in the School of Education at Australian Catholic University, Australia.

David Caldwell is a Senior Lecturer in English Language at the University of South Australia.

Susan Hood is Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Sydney, Australia.

J. R. Martin is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney, Australia. The Martin Centre for Appliable Linguistics was opened by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2014.

J. R. Martin is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney, Australia. The Martin Centre for Appliable Linguistics was opened by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2014.

John S. Knox is Honorary Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Macquarie University, Australia.

Clare Painter is Honorary Associate in the Department of Linguistics, University of Sydney, Australia.

Bradley A. Smith is Honorary Associate in the Department of Linguistics, University of Sydney, Australia.

Michele Zappavigna is Associate Professor in the
School of the Arts & Media at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Phonological Transcription Conventions
1. Embodied Meaning: A Systemic Functional Perspective on Paralanguage
2. An Ontogenetic Perspective on Paralanguage
3. The Semiotic Voice: Intonation, Rhythm and other Vocal Features
4. Ideational Semovergence: Approaching Paralanguage from the Perspective of Field
5. Interpersonal Paralanguage: Approaching Paralanguage from the Perspective of Social Relations
6. Textual Convergence: Approaching Paralanguage from the Perspective of Information Flow
7. Afterword: Modelling Paralanguage
References
Appendices
Index

Editorial Reviews

This innovative theorizing of meaning-making via the facial expression, gesture, posture, body movement and vocal qualities such as loudness, pitch level and tension, that integrally complement spoken English discourse, provides new analytic frameworks to enhance research in social interaction in multiple disciplinary contexts – an indispensable resource for social semiotic research.” —Len Unsworth, Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University, Australia

“Modelling Paralanguage Using Systemic Functional Semiotics is a highly relevant and necessary book for researchers in the humanities and social sciences interested in expanding Halliday's multifunctional theory to the study of meaning of the semiotic resources embodied in our voices, gestures, facial expressions and postures in order to enact social relations.” —Teresa Oteíza, Associate Professor in Linguistics, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile

“A timely and welcome addition to the field demonstrating robust developments in systemic functional theory and its application. This work draws together some of the leading experts in this domain, offering critical insights and various pathways for further exploration. A must-read for linguists and specialists in non-verbal communication alike.” —Luke A. Rudge, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

From the Publisher