Once more with feeling

Abstract

If we follow one line of development in systemic functional linguistics (SFL), from Halliday & Hasan (1976) through Martin (1992) to Martin & White (2005), we arrive at a model of discourse semantics with six major systems: ideation and connexion (ideational meaning), identification and periodicity (textual meaning) and negotiation and appraisal (interpersonal meaning). The complementarity of the latter two systems, negotiation and appraisal is the focus on this paper. Work on negotiation was inspired by Berry’s (e.g. 1981a, 1981b) development of Sinclair & Coulthard (1975) analysis of exchange structure. Later work on appraisal was inspired by Plum’s (1988) critique of Labov’s work on narrative (e.g. Labov & Waletzky 1967, Labov 1984). The interaction of the negotiation and appraisal systems is first explored in Martin (2000a) in relation to work on casual conversation by Eggins & Slade (1997). This interaction is further developed here.