Journal of Beijing International Studies University ›› 2021, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 15-20.DOI: 10.12002/j.bisu.325

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Heteroglossia in Consumer Discourse of Pre-Plan Funeral Arrangements —An Interview Study of Six Senior Contract Signers in Beijing

Gao Yihong1(), Xu Jiju2()   

  1. 1. Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
    2. Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
  • Received:2020-04-15 Online:2021-04-15 Published:2021-04-15

“生前契约”消费之多声对话——北京6位老年签约者访谈分析

高一虹1(), 徐继菊2()   

  1. 1. 北京大学外国语学院 100871
    2. 西南石油大学外国语学院 610500
  • 作者简介:高一虹,北京大学外国语学院教授,博士生导师,100871,研究方向:社会语言学。电子邮箱: gaoyh@pku.edu.cn
    徐继菊,西南石油大学外国语学院,硕士生导师,610500,研究方向:功能语言学、社会语言学。电子邮箱: 674046675@qq.com
  • 基金资助:
    本文为国家社会科学基金重点项目“当代中国‘死亡话语’及发展考察”的阶段性成果项目编号(19AYY001)

Abstract:

In China, the commercial act of the Pre-Plan Funeral Arrangement (PPFA) is a new genre of death discourse that has been promoted in the past five years. This research examines the heteroglossia and positioning of six senior PPFA contract signers in Beijing. A group interview was conducted to identify purchasing decisions, and the data were analyzed based on positioning theory and appraisal theory. Multiple voices were found concerning issues such as the (non-) verbalization of death, the (non-) necessity of pre-planning, interdependence versus independence, and longevity versus life quality. Through the heteroglossic interactions, the signers constructed a major position of autonomous and dignified funeral planners, yet simultaneously implied the feeling of being helplessly constrained. Based on this, a PART model of dialogical positioning is proposed. The idea and form of funeral pre-planning advocates individual rights, and challenges the transmission of family and cultural heritages in China.

Keywords: pre-plan funeral arrangement; death discourse; heteroglossia; positioning; appraisal theory; funeral

摘要:

“生前契约”是关于殡仪服务的商业契约,可供当事人通过购买殡仪服务提前计划身后事,在我国属于死亡话语新语类。本研究考察作为话语实践的“生前契约”消费,揭示签约者访谈中的多声互动和身份定位。我们在北京某养老院访谈了已签约的6位老人,了解其签约考量和过程。语料分析借鉴叙事定位理论和评价理论的介入系统。结果发现,在是否谈论死亡和提前计划丧事、亲情联结与个人独立、生命长度与质量、形式繁简等主题上,有多种声音的张力;在多声互动中,签约者建构了“我的丧事我做主”的独立规划者身份定位,但也有面对现实的无奈。研究尝试概括了身份定位的“PART”模式。生前规划身后事的观念及其商业契约形式在尊重个人权利的同时,也对亲情传递、文化传承提出了新的挑战。

关键词: 生前契约, 死亡话语, 多声, 身份定位, 评价理论, 殡仪

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