Polarity metaphor in English: Definition, identification, and categorization

Abstract

The original Hallidayan term “polarity metaphor” (PM) originally illustrated a linguistic phenomenon under interpersonal metaphor, but no further studies on PM have been seen in the literature since then. The present study thus aims to define and identify PM so as to add understanding to the theory of grammatical metaphor. Instances from the BNC have been observed and it is found that PM is a category with both ideational and interpersonal meanings. Ideational PM can be categorized into participation, qualification, processation, and circumstantiation, while interpersonal PM can be realized through the tension between mood and speech function, or through the variational expressions of modality. With such observations, a comparatively delicate cline of polarity can be drawn ranging from full positivity to full negativity, PM being in between. Likewise, a cline of PM can be drawn with validity and actualization on one end and arguability and negotiability on the other.