Abstract

This study explores the discourse reconstruction of an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) professor's identity based on the APPRAISAL system offered by Systemic Functional Linguistics. Identity is understood both as an individual and social phenomenon. Therefore, the aim of this study is to track the development of an EFL learner from being a non-native speaker to a professor who becomes part of a community of practice. A questionnaire was applied to elicit her professional history, which was examined through an APPRAISAL analytical matrix. Thus, +APPRECIATION and +AFFECT linguistic resources (positive reactions) towards EFL and pedagogy and -JUDGEMENT (negative reactions) towards her community of practice were identified. It is concluded that the construction of the identity of an EFL professor is a dynamic process closely related to the object of study more than to the belonging to a group. This highlights the need to review the behaviors of the EFL community to admit new members.