Cognitive Connotations of Discourse Subjectivity from the Philosophic Perspective

Abstract

Discourse serves as a medium through which speakers (or writers) express their stance, affect and intentions, that is, subjectivity. Subjectivity in discourse is omnipresent, meaning that it manifests whenever discourse is generated. Nevertheless, current research lacks a thorough exploration of discourse subjectivity (DS) and its particular cognitive connotations. A framework for analysing the cognitive connotations of DS from the philosophic perspective was constructed to delve deeper into the cognitive aspects of DS. This approach utilised qualitative research and conceptual analysis methods. Using this framework, the cognitive connotations of DS were meticulously examined from two perspectives: speakers’ self-ascription to objective events and speakers’ concern over the ‘self’ of the hearers (or readers). The findings reveal that: (1) the constructed framework facilitates a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive connotations of DS, uncovering the inherent links among discourse, speakers, hearers, context and subjectivity; (2) speakers’ self-ascription to objective events encompasses their stance, affect and intentions; (3) speakers’ concern over the hearers’ ‘self’ specifically includes the hearers’ self-image, cognitive state and social identity. This study provides a framework and perspective for further research into DS and discourse analysis, offering insights for exploring subjective phenomena in discourse more deeply.