Frame-based semantic patterns in business discourse: A case study

Semantic analysis is a context-based activity that requires a detailed level of language analysis. This paper focuses on the application of the methodology underlying the FrameNet database in the process of decoding word meanings in business discourse. By focusing on the Management Discussion and Analysis text from the 3M Corporation as a case study, we identified four major semantic dimensions: “Financial Metrics”, “Operation and Business”, “Time and Duration”, and “Legal and Ethical Considerations”. In each of these dimensions, we found dominant semantic patterns closely related to those top frames that highlight essential aspects of corporate communication from financial reports to ethical statements. This article demonstrates how FrameNet can serve as a useful tool to kindle the unexposed linguistic features of business texts and support linguistic analysis of business discourse, which in turn can enhance the teaching of Business English by deepening students’ understanding of complex business vocabulary and context.