Grammatical Mechanism in Environmental Discourse: An Ecolinguistics Study of Voice, Nominalization and Metaphor

Abstract

Against the backdrop of growing global attention to environmental issues, language, as a key tool for constructing environmental awareness, plays an indispensable role. This study explores the role of three grammatical structures, namely passive voice, active voice, and nominalization, in environmental discourse. Based on foregrounding theory, transitivity analysis, grammatical metaphor, and green grammar, this research conducts a case analysis of environmental discourse about various environmental topics, demonstrating how grammatical structures shape the transmission of information and the cognitive responses of recipients, particularly the articulation and comprehension of environmental topic discourse. The study ultimately aims to reveal how these grammatical structures collectively intensify the sense of urgency and responsibility associated with environmental issues for both sides of writers and readers.