Abstract

Since the 20th century, the escalating global ecological crisis has prompted eco-linguistics to provide theoretical perspectives for interpreting ecological discourses, yet limited research has integrated Eco-Critical Discourse Analysis with the transitivity system to reveal their underlying ecological values. This study adopted explanatory sequential design combining quantitative and qualitative analysis. Using Universal Architecture for Multimodal (UAM) Corpus Tool, it statistically examines the distribution of transitivity processes in the white paper, Marine Ecological Environment Protection in China, released by the State Council Information Office in July 2024, followed by a qualitative interpretation of ecological values embedded in the transitivity system under Fairclough’s three-dimensional model. The study focuses on three core issues: (1) the distribution characteristics of the transitivity system in the description stage; (2) the interaction relationship between the transitivity system and the ecological environment; (3) the non-ecological characteristics and ecological values reflected by the transitivity system. Theoretically, this study extends Fairclough’s three-dimensional model and the transitivity system to marine ecological discourse, enriching research perspectives. Practically, it reveals ecological values in marine discourse, raises environmental awareness, and offers linguistic guidance for environmental communication.

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