Appraisal and evaluation in Zimbabwean parliamentary discourse and its representation in newspaper articles

Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University,“Unofananidza Jesu naKombayi here? (Lit. Are you comparing Jesus with Kombayi?) (Condolences on the death of Senator Patrick Kombayi, 28th July 2009, Appendix B4, line 350). This Shona interjection during the debate on the motion on condolences on the death of Senator Patrick Kombayi (MDC- T) in the Zimbabwean parliament presents the speaker stance taking, appraising and strategically manoeuvering advancing certain argumentative positions. Considering the impact of the outcome of these debates on governance, discourse-analytic researches have to be carried out in order to explore the sorts of appraisaln and argumentation principles that are realised. This study makes a multifaceted theoretical approach to a comprehensive exploration of debates and speeches in the Zimbabwean parliament and their representation in newspaper articles. The appraisal theory, the extended pragma- dialectic theory of argumentation and controversy analysis have been integrated to uncover important linguistic insights on parliamentary discourse and news reporting. The analysis is based on a corpus of debates and speeches in the Zimbabwean parliament within the period 2009 and 2010. Another corpus consists of newspaper reports on these debates and speeches in this period. A thematic approach informed by theoretical principles is utilised in the selection of reports, debates and speeches. Firstly, I examined parliamentary discourse. Focus have been on the critical discussion model, argumentative strategies- forms of strategic manoeuvering, how the dialectic- rhetoric relation can be understood, how appraisal resources are realised in the argumentation process and on examining how appraisal resources employed reflect the type of a debate or speech. Secondly, I explored newspaper articles from four Zimbabwean newspapers reporting on the same themes on debates and speeches. Focus has been to make comparative analysis of news reporting examining how appraisal resources are utilised in the representation of parliamentary discourse in different newspapers (independent versus government or state owned newspapers and English versus Shona newspapers) and to examine the nature of argumentation and strategic manoeuvering principles that are utilised in news reporting and how controversial (divergent) debates or issues are represented. This multifaceted analysis offered varied dimensions in the exploration of parliamentary discourse and news reporting and expansions of the appraisal and argumentation theories

Complement- adjunct distinction in Shona: paper was presented at the 15th University of Zimbabwe Linguistic Society Postgraduate Conference.

(accepted for publication), Zambezia: Journal of the University of Zimbabwe, Volume 32, Number 2,The researcher looks at complement- adjunct distinction in Shona, a language spoken in Zimbabwe. The researcher sheds light on the thin dividing line between the two. Complement- adjunct distinction is problematic (Radford, 1988). As an L I speaker of the language, the researcher makes use of intuition to gather data as well as to make judgements on the sentences' grammaticality and acceptability. Five parameters/ properties have been utilised. The research shows that instead of a clear cut dissertation, there is a complementarity continuum. All the range of phrases and clauses serve to complete the sense of the head, though there are varying degrees of cohesion. Thus the researcher notes that phrases and clauses can be placed on a complementarity scale with the NP complement high on the scale and the AdvP complement low on that scale

Nasal assimilation in Shangwe nasal-obstruent clusters: an optimality theoretic approach

The article investigates nasal-obstruent assimilation in Shangwe (a sub-dialect of the Korekore dialect cluster of the Shona language). Studies on the phonology of the Shona dialect (c.f. Fortune, 1972, 1980; Guthrie, 1948) cluster have tended to treat the behaviour of the nasal in sequences manifesting the pattern /NuOb/ as the same across the cluster. This article demonstrates that after Nasal-vowel deletion in Shangwe the nasal homorganically assimilates to the remaining obstruent that it precedes. Studies on the outstanding characteristics of the Shona dialect cluster have shown that the Shona dialect cluster has many idiosyncrasies. However no systematic and holistic study has been carried out on Shangwe. The research engages Optimality Theory (OT) to explore the nature of nasal- obstruent assimilation in Shangwe. Optimality Theory is used to account for the fact that differences in the ranking of universal constraints results in grammatical differences. The research is based on tape recorded interviews of Shangwe informants from Chief Nemangwe’s area in Gokwe. The data was then transcribed and analysed

`Subjectivity' in newspaper reports on 'controversial' and `emotional' debates: an appraisal and controversy analysis

The notion of 'subjectivity' in news reports has been widely researched especially from the media perspective. However, 'subjectivity' is realized in various forms and the varied contexts and theoretical approaches offer new understanding of the notion. This article departs from such media theoretic perspectives to a discourse- linguistic approach and makes an analysis of 'controversial' and 'emotional' reports of debates informed by the Appraisal Theory (Martin and White 2005) and Controversy analysis (van Eemeren and Garssen 2008). The research's focus is on how the Zimbabwean newspapers represent 'controversial' and `emotional' debates balancing factuality, impartiality and objectivity. Stories from both independent and state owned newspapers have been selected on the basis of their `controversiality' and 'emotionality'. The study concludes that news reporting is directed at aligning and disaligning readers with certain interpersonal meanings. Headlines of newspapers have been argued to be attitudinal or 'emotionally charged'. It also concludes that different language and cultural patterns have an impact on appraisal and argumentation in news reporting

Complementation In Chakari Nyanja: A Case Study

This study is concerned with complementation in Chakari Nyanja. Complementation is looked at as the addition of a phrase or clause to make the predicate complete. A phrase or clause that serves this function is a complement. The study brings out different types of complements in Chakari Nyanja and how they are subcategorised, selected and distributed. Lexical Functional Grammar (LFG) theory postulated by Bresnan and Kaplan (1982) and its sub theory Lexical Mapping Theory (LMT) have been employed as tools for analysis. LFG is a theory that derives its linguistic explications from the competence module of native speakers and observations made within the performance module. It assigns three levels of linguistic analysis, namely, the constituent structure, functional structure and argument structure. LMT shows the correspondence between thematic structure and syntactic structure. It consists of rules and principles responsible for linking thematic roles with grammatical functions. The study brings out the fact that there are (a) two broad types of complements, verb phrase complements and noun phrase complements. Under these two broad types, five types of complements have been identified. (b) Complementation is a matter of degree. (c) Some complements function as subject and object (d) Complements are hierarchically ordered, though there is free ordering on locative noun phrase complements occurring in the same clause. (e) The head subcategorises and selects its complements

Dialogic voice: a pragma-dialectical approach to R. G. Mugabe's ceremonial speeches

This chapter critically examines Mugabe's two speeches. The one he delivered at the United Nations (UN) climate change summit that was held in Copenhagen in 2009 and the other one he delivered at the 2008 Zimbabwean independence celebrations. The chapter argues that not only conversations with explicit participants can he regarded as argumentative (van Eemeren, 2010). Thus, to achieve the purpose, the pragma-dialectic theory of argumentation is employed. The analysis of the speeches show how Mugabe utilised the podium to dialogically interact with the audience, both outside and inside, persuasively inviting them to align with him (speaker) and disalign with the 'negative' voices. The analysis also confirms that stance taking and value positioning is a factor in argumentative discourse

Complement- adjunct distinction in Shona: paper was presented at the 15th University of Zimbabwe Linguistic Society Postgraduate Conference.

(accepted for publication), Zambezia: Journal of the University of Zimbabwe, Volume 32, Number 2The researcher looks at complement- adjunct distinction in Shona, a language spoken in Zimbabwe. The researcher sheds light on the thin dividing line between the two. Complement- adjunct distinction is problematic (Radford, 1988). As an L I speaker of the language, the researcher makes use of intuition to gather data as well as to make judgements on the sentences' grammaticality and acceptability. Five parameters/ properties have been utilised. The research shows that instead of a clear cut dissertation, there is a complementarity continuum. All the range of phrases and clauses serve to complete the sense of the head, though there are varying degrees of cohesion. Thus the researcher notes that phrases and clauses can be placed on a complementarity scale with the NP complement high on the scale and the AdvP complement low on that scale

Nasal assimilation in Shangwe nasal-obstruent clusters: an optimality theoretic approach

The article investigates nasal-obstruent assimilation in Shangwe (a sub-dialect of the Korekore dialect cluster of the Shona language). Studies on the phonology of the Shona dialect (c.f. Fortune, 1972, 1980; Guthrie, 1948) cluster have tended to treat the behaviour of the nasal in sequences manifesting the pattern /NuOb/ as the same across the cluster. This article demonstrates that after Nasal-vowel deletion in Shangwe the nasal homorganically assimilates to the remaining obstruent that it precedes. Studies on the outstanding characteristics of the Shona dialect cluster have shown that the Shona dialect cluster has many idiosyncrasies. However no systematic and holistic study has been carried out on Shangwe. The research engages Optimality Theory (OT) to explore the nature of nasal- obstruent assimilation in Shangwe. Optimality Theory is used to account for the fact that differences in the ranking of universal constraints results in grammatical differences. The research is based on tape recorded interviews of Shangwe informants from Chief Nemangwe’s area in Gokwe. The data was then transcribed and analysed

Appraisal and evaluation in Zimbabwean parliamentary discourse and its representation in newspaper articles

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: “Unofananidza Jesu naKombayi here? (Lit. Are you comparing Jesus with Kombayi?) (Condolences on the death of Senator Patrick Kombayi, 28th July 2009, Appendix B4, line 350) This Shona interjection during the debate on the motion on condolences on the death of Senator Patrick Kombayi (MDC- T) in the Zimbabwean parliament presents the speaker stance taking, appraising and strategically manoeuvering advancing certain argumentative positions. Considering the impact of the outcome of these debates on governance, discourse- analytic researches have to be carried out in order to explore the sorts of appraisal and argumentation principles that are realised. This study makes a multifaceted theoretical approach to a comprehensive exploration of debates and speeches in the Zimbabwean parliament and their representation in newspaper articles. The appraisal theory, the extended pragma- dialectic theory of argumentation and controversy analysis have been integrated to uncover important linguistic insights on parliamentary discourse and news reporting. The analysis is based on a corpus of debates and speeches in the Zimbabwean parliament within the period 2009 and 2010. Another corpus consists of newspaper reports on these debates and speeches in this period. A thematic approach informed by theoretical principles is utilised in the selection of reports, debates and speeches. Firstly, I examined parliamentary discourse. Focus have been on the critical discussion model, argumentative strategies- forms of strategic manoeuvering, how the dialectic- rhetoric relation can be understood, how appraisal resources are realised in the argumentation process and on examining how appraisal resources employed reflect the type of a debate or speech. Secondly, I explored newspaper articles from four Zimbabwean newspapers reporting on the same themes on debates and speeches. Focus has been to make comparative analysis of news reporting examining how appraisal resources are utilised in the representation of parliamentary discourse in different newspapers (independent versus government or state owned newspapers and English versus Shona newspapers) and to examine the nature of argumentation and strategic manoeuvering principles that are utilised in news reporting and how controversial (divergent) debates or issues are represented. This multifaceted analysis offered varied dimensions in the exploration of parliamentary discourse and news reporting and expansions of the appraisal and argumentation theories.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: “Unofananidza Jesu naKombayi here? (Letterlik: Vergelyk jy Jesus met Kombayi?) (Medelye ten tye van die dood van senator Patrick Kombayi, 28 Julie 2009, Bylaag B4, reël 350) Hierdie Shona-uitroep gedurende die debat oor die mosie van medelye ten tye van die dood van senator Patrick Kombayi (MDC-T) in die Zimbabwiese parlement wys hoe die spreker standpunt inneem, en sekere beredenerende posisies opper, beoordeel en op strategiese wyse manipuleer. Met die uitkomste van hierdie debatte oor bestuur in gedagte, moes diskoers-analitiese navorsing gedoen word om die soorte waardebepalende en beredenerende beginsels wat gerealiseer is, te verken. Hierdie studie het ʼn veelvlakkige teoretiese benadering tot ʼn omvattende verkenning van debatte en toesprake in die Zimbabwiese parlement en hulle uitbeelding in koerantartikels ingeneem. Die teorie van waardebepaling, die uitgebreide pragma-dialektiese teorie van beredenering- en geskilsanalise is geïntegreer om belangrike linguistiese insigte oor parlementêre diskoers en nuusrapportering bloot te lê. Die analise is gebaseer op ʼn korpus debatte en toesprake in die Zimbabwiese parlement uit die tydperk 2009 tot 2010. ʼn Verdere korpus bestaan uit koerantberigte oor hierdie debatte en toesprake uit hierdie tydperk. ʼn Tematiese benadering wat deur teoretiese beginsels geïnspireer is, is gebruik by die keuse van berigte, debatte en toesprake. Eerstens het ek parlementêre diskoers nagegaan. Die fokus was op die kritiese besprekingsmodel, beredenerende strategieë, vorme van strategiese manipulering, die wyse waarop die dialekties-retoriese verhouding verstaan kan word, die wyse waarop hulpbronne vir waardebepaling tydens die beredeneringsproses verwesenlik word en op ʼn ondersoek na hoe hulpbronne wat vir waardebepaling gebruik word, die soort debat of toespraak uitbeeld. Tweedens het ek koerantartikels uit vier Zimbabwiese koerante verken wat oor dieselfde temas oor debatte en toesprake verslag gedoen het. Die fokus was op die maak van ʼn vergelykende analise van beriggewing om na te gaan hoe hulpbronne vir waardebepaling gebruik word by die uitbeelding van parlementêre diskoers in verskillende koerante (onafhanklik teenoor koerante in besit van die regering of die staat en koerante in Engels teenoor ander in Shona) en om die aard van beredenering en strategiese manipulerings-beginsels wat by beriggewing gebruik word en die wyse waarop kontroversiële (uiteenlopende) debatte of kwessies uitgebeeld word, te ondersoek. Hierdie veelvlakkige analise het wisselende dimensies by die verkenning van parlementêre diskoers en beriggewing en uitbreidings van die waardebepaling- en beredeneringsteorieë gebied.This project is a reality because of the generous scholarship I received from the African Doctoral Academ

`Subjectivity' in newspaper reports on 'controversial' and `emotional' debates: an appraisal and controversy analysis

The notion of 'subjectivity' in news reports has been widely researched especially from the media perspective. However, 'subjectivity' is realized in various forms and the varied contexts and theoretical approaches offer new understanding of the notion. This article departs from such media theoretic perspectives to a discourse- linguistic approach and makes an analysis of 'controversial' and 'emotional' reports of debates informed by the Appraisal Theory (Martin and White 2005) and Controversy analysis (van Eemeren and Garssen 2008). The research's focus is on how the Zimbabwean newspapers represent 'controversial' and `emotional' debates balancing factuality, impartiality and objectivity. Stories from both independent and state owned newspapers have been selected on the basis of their `controversiality' and 'emotionality'. The study concludes that news reporting is directed at aligning and disaligning readers with certain interpersonal meanings. Headlines of newspapers have been argued to be attitudinal or 'emotionally charged'. It also concludes that different language and cultural patterns have an impact on appraisal and argumentation in news reporting