exaggerationabsolutely, doubtless, hardly, incredibly, never, overwhelmingly, unfortunately
Table 4.4 indicates that in conveying conviction the speaker/writer mainly expresses personal beliefs, in relation to confidence, trust, assumption, and estimation.In revealing exaggeration, the speaker/writer generally indicates ecstasy, displeasure, domination, denial, exclusion, and loyalty.It should be noted that conviction is related to faith more than feelings, while exaggeration is just the other way round.Consider the following:
(153）If you have it within your mind that you really want to become a cartoonist, you will become a cartoonist.
(154）Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, and enthusiastically act upon will inevitably come to pass.
In Example (153), the MSA really occurs in the dependent clause; yet, as a word of affect, it functions as “comment” on the proposition or subject of the main clause mediated through the MV will.Really is related to conviction in this example.In Example (154), the MSA inevitably occurs clause-medial, and as a word of affect it functions as ‘quality’ strengthening the attitude or judgment conveyed by the MV will, though inevitably is related to conviction as well.Examples (153）and (154）are taken from JI, where the principles of dialogicality and attitudinal signaling operate in order to reflect the evaluation patterns of world-creating + world-reflecting and assumption + hypothetical + recommendation respectively.In these two examples the underlying mechanisms of perspectivization and intersubjectivity play an equal role.
The MSAs of judgment normally express such categories as probability, usuality, inference, and evidence.Also, it is wise to place them in the domains of resolute and conservative rather than those of positive (admire）and negative (criticize).Table 4.5 is a tentative classification of the MSAs of judgment.
Table 4.5 shows that resolute MSAs are generally inscribed in conveying judgment, since the audience or readers could readily decode the attitudes or judgments involved.For instance, on a de facto basis explicitly conveys the speaker/writer’s judgment In contrast, conservative MSAs may be either inscribed or evoked in most situations in illustrating judgment, for the audience or readers have to judge, depending on the situations, whether they are binding or optional, factual or potential, frequent or infrequent, etc.In other words, the intended judgment of these MSAs could mismatch the literal one.
Table 4.5 Framework for analyzing MSAs of judgment
CategoryResolute (examples)Conservative (examples)
probabilitycertainly, definitely, in any case, in any circumstance, probably, surely, to a large extent (degree), under no circumstancealmost, in some cases, in the normal way, likely, maybe, more or less, perhaps, possibly, supposedly, to a certain extent (degree)
usualityagain, always, as soon as possible, at any time, frequently, no longer, often, usuallyfor the time being, from time to time, rarely, seldom, sometimes, still.
inferenceaccordingly, consequently, easily, henceforth, in particular, largely, necessarily, nevertheless, particularly, really, safely, surely, then, therefore, thereof, thusalso, as well, at (the very）least, even, generally, generally speaking, in general, just, normally, presumably, reasonably, so far, taken together, theoretically speaking, yet
evidencealready, clearly, in detail, in fact, in practice, on a de facto basis, objectively, obviously, undoubtedlyapparently, contextually, fundamentally, in principle, potentially, seemingly, technically.
Consider the following:
(155）Though we disagree with his ideas, only the unknowing would deny him the respect he deserves.
(156）But President Clinton asked me to speak tonight.And you can probably guess the reason why.
Examples (155）and (156）are from the same public speech concerning an election campaign.Example (155）uses a conservative MSA of inference only to show the speaker’s empathy with the audience, while in Example (156）the same speaker uses a resolute MSA probably to demonstrate the open-minded personal view.It is known that the MSA only can limit the importance, attractiveness or difficulty of something, and can be a means of politeness, and the MSA probably indicates the more likely inference of truth-attesting of utterances or writings.Though both only and probably demonstrate judgment, their degrees of certainty are different.In Examples (155）and (156）the principles of dialogicality and attitudinal signaling operate in order to reflect the evaluation pattern of fact/event + interpretation/hypothesis + assessment.In these two examples the underlying mechanisms of perspectivization and intersubjectivity play an equal role.
There are a variety of MSAs of appreciation.The MSAs of appreciation in the four genres, namely, PS, JI, AW and LR, can be listed as in Table 4.6.
Table 4.6 MSAs of appreciation in four genres
CategoryPS (examples)JI (examples)AW (examples)LR (examples)
Reactionhappily, hopefully, ironicallyfortunately, incredibly, willinglyeasily, overwhelmingly, unintentionallyeffectively, exceptionally, irrevocably.
Compositionprecisely, realistically, truthfullylegally, on equal terms, substantiallyrespectively, strategically, truthfullyjointly, systematically, successively.
Valuationfutilely, in the long run, in vain, significantlyeventually, inappropriately, on equal termsaccountably, fruitfully, plausibly, so to speakexclusively, personally, provisionally, unlawfully.
In many cases, appreciation works together with judgment.Consider the following: