An Analysis of the Interpersonal Functions of Self-Projection Based on Systemic Functional Linguistics

Self-projection belongs to the projection system of semantic category. Based on the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics, this paper interprets the interpersonal functions of self-projection. Firstly, it gives an introduction to the types of self-projection from transitive process and ‘the exchanged’, and then discusses the multi-dimensional interpersonal functions of self-projection from Modal and Mood system. This analysis indicates that self-projection in Modal category follows polite principle and represents such interpersonal functions as judgment, evaluation or intersubjectivity in an explicit/implicit way, while self-projection in Mood category follows desirability principle and performs the interpersonal functions including question, command or statement from rank-scale and delicacy scale through declarative mood variants. It is hoped to provide a different perspective and entry point to effectively deconstruct and construct the interpersonal interaction based on the speaker’s point of view.