試析語篇的意向性及其作用(2)
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二、意向性在語篇分析中的作用
由于每一個稱其為語篇的東西,都帶有一定的意向性,那么把握好意向性能為我們更好的分析語篇的意義做出指導。例如:
1、A PrisonerPlansH isEscape Rocky slow ly gotup from the mat,planning hisescape.He hesitated a moment and thought. Things were not going wel1.W hat bothered him mostwasbeing held,especiallysincethechargea—gainsthim hadbeenweak.H econsidered hispres—entsituation.Thelock thatheld him was strong,buthe thoughthe could break it.
2、A W restlerin aTightCorner Rocky slowly gotup from the mat,planninghis escape.H e hesitated a mom entand thought.Things were notgoing wel1.W hat bothered him mostas being held,especially since the chargea—gainsthim had been weak.Heconsideredhispres—entsituation.The lock thatheld him wasstrong,buthethoughthecould break it.
這兩段的內(nèi)容完全相同,但是標題不同。在閱讀文字之前,我們首先看到的是標題先為內(nèi)容界定了一個意圖假設。接下來再讀具體內(nèi)容時,由于對意向性預測的不同,對兩段相同的文字便有了不同的理解。例1中我們會認為Rocky被警察逮捕了,現(xiàn)在他獨自一個人呆在囚室中,但他不愿意呆在里面,謀劃著打開門鎖逃走。而在例2中,我們則認為Rocky不是獨自一人呆在囚室中,與警察毫不相干,他是一個摔跤手,正在比賽,現(xiàn)在他被對方擒住,正在謀劃掙脫出來。
為了實現(xiàn)說話者的意圖,語篇在形式和意義上應該具有一定的連貫性。但是有時看似不很連貫的語篇,由于其意向性的一致性,也可以為我們所接受。例如:”Well,sir,”saidtheconstable,”heS them an wewerein search of,thafstrue;andyet he’snottheman wewereinsearchof.Fortheman we werein search ofwasnotthem an we wanted,sir,ifyou understand my everyday way.”
在這里,該位警長之所以表達出似乎前后矛盾的篇章,主要是表現(xiàn)了他想抓又抓不到,抓抓放放,左右為難的尷尬境地。
語篇中語言的運用是與意向性密切相關的。試比較下面兩個語篇:
1、A tthe edge ofthe ribbed levelof sidings squatted a low cottage.A largebony vine clutchedatthehouse.Round the bricked yard grew a fewwintry prim roses.Beyond,thelong garden slopeddown.Thereweresom etwiggy appletrees.Beside thepath hungdisheveled pink chrysanthemums.A wom an cam eoutofthefowl—house.Sheclosedandpadlocked thedoor.
2、Attheedgeofthe ribbed levelofsidings squatted alow cottage,threestepsdown from the cider track.A large bony vine clutched at the house,asifto claw down thetiledroof.Round the bricked yard grew afew wintry primroses.Beyond the long garden sloped down to a bush-covered brook course.There were some twiggy apple trees,winter—crack trees,and ragged cabbages. Beside the path hung disheveled pink chrysanthe—m um s,like pink clothes hung on bushes.A woman camestooping outofthefelt-covered fowl-house,halfway down thegarden.She closed and padlocked thedoor,then drew herselferect,hav-ing brushed som ebitsfrom herwhiteapron.
第一段是D.H.Lawrence的OdourofChrys-anthemums中的一段描寫,而后一語篇是根據(jù)第一段改寫的。第二段雖然與第一段主要信息是相同的,但是進行了更豐富、細致的描寫,使用了許多的修飾語。這樣的語篇給讀者的印象和效果是不同作者寫作的意圖要通過他獨特的語言表達出如果修改了語言勢必將影響作者寫作意圖的理不利于我們更好地把握文章內(nèi)容。
語篇的意向性不僅體現(xiàn)在書面語中,還體現(xiàn)在日??谡Z中。Austin在How toDoThingswithWords中把交際語言劃分為三種行為,根據(jù)這一理論我們把發(fā)話人意圖分為行事行為意圖和取效行為意圖。在書中Austin給出如下的例子:
(E.1)Act(A)orLocution Hesaid tom e Shoother!meaning by shoot shootand referring by her"to her.
Act(B)orIllocution Heurged(oradvised,ordered,&C.)metoshoother.
Act(c)orPerlocution
Hepersuadedm eto shoother.
(E.2)Act(A)orLocution
He saidto me,You can’tdo that Act(B)orIllocution
Heprotested againstmy doing it
Act(c)orPerlocution
Hepulled m eup,checked m e.
從這兩個例子中我們可以看到同一句話在意向性上也可以分為不同的層次。例1中行事行為意圖是他命令我向她開槍,取效行為意圖是他說服我開槍打她,我做出了這樣的動作。例2中行事行為意圖是他阻止我去做,取效行為意圖是他把我拉開,制止了我去做。
在上下文或語境的幫助下我們可以更好地理解語篇的意向性,例如;
Beatie:YougonnaheyanotherJenny?
Jenny:W ell,course Iam.W hat you on a—bout?ThinkJimmydon’twantnoneofhisown?
Beatie:He’sgoodmanJenny.
Jenny:Yearp.
Beatie:Notmany men would marry you after you had ababy.
Jenny:No.
Beatie:Youhevn’ttoldnoonehevyouJenny?
Jenny:No,thatIhevn’t.
Beatie:W ell,thatS itgal,dontyou tellmethen!
孤立地看,這段話可以表明Jenny為在婚前有一私生子而非常羞愧,但隨著對話的進行,逐漸表明她的反應實際上是諾??巳藢﹄[私的寬容與滿不在乎的態(tài)度。
三、結(jié)束語
意向性作為Beaugrande和Dressler提出的篇章性的七個標準之一,在語篇的解讀和作者意圖的理解上都有著指導性作用。本文只是強調(diào)了意向性在語篇中的體現(xiàn),但是仍會有許多遺漏和不足之處,有待更多的學者補充和完善。