Reformulation and Tourism Discourse. Linguistic analysis of online travel narratives
Intareeya LEEKANCHA
Contact : intareeya@hotmail.com Date and place of defense: January 29, 2021, University Rennes 2 Director: Élisabeth Richard (University Professor, Rennes 2 University) President of the jury: Jean-François Bourdet (University Professor, Le Mans University) Members of the jury:- Claire Martinot (University Professor, Sorbonne University)
- Pierre Larrivée (University Professor, University of Caen Normandy)
- Sirima Purinthrapibal (Associate Professor, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand)
- Marie-Claude Le Bot (University Professor, Rennes 2 University)
Abstract
This thesis applies the analytical framework of the situational discourse. A corpus of 157 travel narratives about Thailand in an online discussion forum is analyzed. The travel experiences are shared by 119 non-professional speakers who will be considered here as “amateur writers”. The linguistic analysis of this study focuses on the reformulation processes that allow speakers to (better) share their travel experience with members of the discussion community. The analysis is grouped under three scenarios. 1) Explanatory reformulation employs four linguistic processes: definition, comparison, translation, and listing. It allows to describe the unique discovery of the country. 2) Corrective reformulation addresses a progressive (“ou plutôt”) or substitutive (“X, non Y”) movement, the use of the connectors “en fait” and “enfin”, and the identical repetition. These methods help to correct the first formulation by giving a more adequate one considered to be part of the practical information for the interlocutors. 3) Concluding reformulation explores the uses of the “bref” and “finalement” connectors. Under the conclusive value of these connectors, the speakers can reinterpret the preceding elements by giving a summary or a synthesis which can help the interlocutors to prepare their own journey. Finally, the thesis also demonstrates how “amateur writers” regularly assume the role of experts/professionals in order to legitimize their narrative through these reformulation processes.
Keywords: reformulation, tourism discourse, travelogue, discourse analysis
http://theses.fr/2021REN20011