The mood and modality in the Bible: A systemic functional perspective

Abstract

The Bible is an influential classic whose charm is closely related to its language, especially words spoken by the God. With interpersonal function as its theoretical framework, and the whole Bible (King James Version) as its research text, this paper makes a detailed analysis of the interpersonal meaning in the conversations among God, God's chosen people and other people by statistics and illustration, and finds that mood and modality in biblical language has directly or indirectly helped to make closer relationship between God and his people. Mood and modality in the Bible helps construct positive interpersonal relationships, which is one of the essential sources of the Bible's charm and everlasting effect. © 2014 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.