英汉硬新闻语篇被动句的图形–背景识解差异研究

A Study on the Figure-Ground Construal Differences of Passive Sentences in English and Chinese Hard News Discourses

摘要: 被动句是英汉语言体系的核心差异之一。本研究基于图形–背景理论，采用语料库分析方法，考察英汉硬新闻语篇中被动句的识解差异。研究发现系统性对比特征：英语硬新闻被动结构频率显著更高，典型表现为以受事为图形并隐去施事，从而强化客观性；汉语硬新闻则主要采用主动结构，以施事为图形确保信息明晰。这些差异源于不同的语篇规范、文化认知模式及语言类型特征。本研究为硬新闻翻译策略及二语习得中被动结构的教学实践提供了理论依据。

Abstract: The passive voice constitutes a fundamental distinction between English and Chinese linguistic systems. This study investigates construal differences of passive sentences in hard news discourses through the lens of Figure-Ground Theory, employing corpus-based analysis of comparable English and Chinese news texts. Results demonstrate systematic contrasts: English hard news exhibits significantly higher frequency of passive constructions, characteristically foregrounding Patients as Figures while omitting Agents to enhance objectivity. Conversely, Chinese hard news predominantly employs active constructions with Agent-as-Figure configurations to ensure informational transparency. These divergences are attributed to differential discourse conventions, distinct cognitive patterns between the two cultures, and typological characteristics of each language. The research offers theoretical foundations for developing effective translation strategies and pedagogical approaches in second language acquisition, particularly regarding passive construction mastery in journalistic contexts.