Appraisal as a weapon of killing: an ecocritical discourse analysis of animal depiction in nature documentary series The Blue Planet

Abstract

Nature documentaries are generally considered as educational. However, through delicate choices of evaluation language, they can be weapons of provoking and legitimating animal killing. Based on appraisal theory (Martin and White, 2005), this paper delves into different appraisal patterns applied in the popular nature documentary series The Blue Planet, and their functions of representing marine species. The research shows that positive attitudinal resources with a high degree of gradability are frequently employed to amuse the audience and instigate the exploitation of marine resources. The article concludes that appraisal patterns in nature documentaries mainly act as a tool for advertising animal hunting and nature resource exploration, which is inappropriate for environmental education. Corresponding suggestions are provided to improve the narration of wildlife movies so that they can better perform the role of educating the public harmonious ways of interacting with nature.