“Proximization” as a Positive Discourse Strategy:A Case Study of Zhu Ziqing’s Essay “Spring”

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8921.2023.03.012

Abstract

Abstract:

“Proximization”, as a new perspective of discourse analysis, is widely used in Critical Discourse Analysis. Its assumption is that discourse producer usually depicts the Outside Deictic Center (ODC) as a dangerous entity gradually moving closer to the Inside Deictic Center (IDC), and persuades IDC to take actions against impending ODC to legalize their illegal actions. Thus, proximization is assigned a negative coloring. However, in this research it is found that “proximization” can be used as a positive discourse strategy for Positive Discourse Analysis. ODC is not always negative or dangerous,but sometimes it is friendly and beneficial to IDC. This research takes the prose “Spring” (by Zhu Ziqing) as an example, from the perspective of spatial proximization, temporal proximization and axiological proximization, to have made positive discourse analysis of the prose “Spring”. It has been found that the relationship between ODC and IDC in the prose “Spring” is not hostile but harmonious. ODC transfers positive power to IDC, IDC warmly embracing ODC. It is evident that proximization in the prose “Spring” is a positive discourse strategy.

Key words: proximization, Positive Discourse Strategy, Inside Deictic Center (IDC), Outside Deictic Center (ODC), harmonious coexistence

CLC Number:

H059

LUO Xuanmin, CAO Yunzhi. “Proximization” as a Positive Discourse Strategy:A Case Study of Zhu Ziqing’s Essay “Spring”[J]. Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies, 2023, 23(3): 103-113.

Figures/Tables 5

References 32

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范畴	具体表征	趋近效果
动态“V +着”	“像母亲的手抚摸着你。” “雨……像牛毛,像花针,像细丝,密密地斜织着。” “春天像刚落地的娃娃,……他生长着。” “春天像小姑娘,花枝招展的,笑着,走着。” “春天像健壮的青年,……领着我们上前去。”	“V +着”突出动态之义,ODC的行为动作在进行中,持续地影响着IDC。
静态“V +着”	“他们的草屋,……在雨里静默着。还有地里工作的农夫,披着簔,戴着笠。人家屋顶上全笼着一层薄烟。”	“V +着”突出静态之义,受ODC的影响,IDC的行为动作具有静态持续的特征。
听觉“V +着”	“花下成千成百的蜜蜂嗡嗡地闹着。牛背上牧童的短笛,……嘹亮地响着。鸟儿……唱出宛转的曲子,与轻风流水应和着。”	“V +着”突出听觉感知,表明IDC持续的行为反应。

范畴	具体表征	趋近效果
春之美丽	“小草偷偷地从土里钻出来,嫩嫩的,绿绿的。” “桃树、杏树、梨树都开满了花赶趟儿。红的像火,粉的像霞,白的像雪。” “花下成千成百的蜜蜂嗡嗡地闹着,大小的蝴蝶飞来飞去。”	ODC(春天)的到来使IDC(人与动植物,此处主要是动植物)尽显美丽,魅力无限。
春之快乐	“打两个滚,踢几脚球,赛几趟跑,捉几回迷藏。” “鸟儿将窠巢安在繁花嫩叶当中,高兴起来了,呼朋引伴地卖弄清脆的喉咙,唱出宛转的曲子,与轻风流水应和着。” “牛背上牧童的短笛,这时候也成天在嘹亮地响。”	ODC(春天)给IDC(人与动植物)带来快乐。在美好春天里,万物生机勃勃,怡然自得,快乐无限。
春之希望	“一年之计在于春。” “刚起头儿,有的是工夫,有的是希望。”	在IDC看来,ODC(春天)充满希望,是十分宝贵的,理应珍惜,认真筹划。
春之价值	“春天像刚落地的娃娃,从头到脚都是新的,他生长着。” “春天像小姑娘,花枝招展的,笑着,走着。” “春天像健壮的青年,有铁一般的胳膊和腰脚,他领着我们上前去。”	通过生动形象的比喻,使ODC获得不同的价值实现(新鲜、美丽、健壮),以满足IDC价值需求。
春之行动	“还有地里工作的农夫,披着蓑,戴着笠的。” “舒活舒活筋骨,抖擞抖擞精神,各做各的一份事去。”	充分体现了IDC对ODC的价值认可,IDC抓紧时间勤奋劳作,以期丰收的回报。