An Analysis of English Middle Constructions in Research Articles from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics
DING Yuezhe1and ZHANG Yi2
1,2School of Foreign Studies, Northwestern Polytechnical University, City : Xi’an, Shaaxi Province, China, Postal code : 710129
ABSTRACT
This study took 30 Research Articles (RAs) from The Modern Language Journal as research subjects. Based on Halliday’s definition of middle voice, this study firstly investigated the distributive features of Middle Constructions (MCs) in IMRD structure, and then analyzed the reasons that caused such features. Functions of MCs in RAs were also summarized in this study. Results showed that the frequency of MCs in Introduction section was the highest, followed by Discussion and Results section, while Methods section contained the least MCs. On the basis of goals of four sections in IMRD structure, this study found that the functions of four sections influenced the distribution of MCs in RAs. It is expected that the current study can help authors of RAs realize the functions of MCs in building a discourse and provide some advice on the teaching of academic writing.
Keywords: Middle Construction, IMRD structure, middle voice
Cite this article:
Yuezhe, D. & Yi, Z. (2019). An Analysis of English Middle Constructions in Research Articles from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 8(9), 32-44.
