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Grieving in the digital space: A systemic functional linguistic study of anticipatory grief in hospice narratives
Author(s)
Date Issued
2026
Citation
Wan, Y. N. (14 Jul 2026). Grieving in the digital space: A systemic functional linguistic study of anticipatory grief in hospice narratives. 51st International Systemic Functional Congress (ISFC), Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
This study examines how anticipatory grief is expressed in digital narratives created by terminally ill patients and their carers on hospice websites and online support forums in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Using Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), we analyse how language facilitates emotional expression and interpersonal connection within hospice discourse. We are creating an English corpus comprising approximately 600,000 words drawn from 1,000 narratives sourced from institutional and peer-led platforms. Employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates corpus linguistics tools (e.g. Loglikelihood Ratio and AntConc) with SFL-informed discourse analysis, we explore how register variables (field, tenor, and mode) influence narrative structure and meaning. Our analysis focuses on discourse semantics, particularly the use of conjunctions to achieve coherence, personal pronouns to establish intimacy and process types to express mental states and emotions. Preliminary findings reveal distinct linguistic patterns across platforms and cultures. For instance, hospice websites tend to employ formal, structured language, whereas support forums favour emotive, personalised storytelling. Culturally, narratives from Hong Kong emphasise familial bonds and collective resilience, whereas narratives from the UK often highlight individual agency and introspection. These differences demonstrate the influence of cultural values on the lexical, grammatical, and interpersonal features of grief discourse. This study contributes to the field of health communication by offering insights into the interpersonal metafunction of language in hospice care settings. The study also has practical implications for the development of culturally responsive hospice communication, providing an understanding of how patients and caregivers express and process grief in digital environments.
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