Employing Biber's Lexical Bundles to Explore Discourse in Malala Yousafzai’s Autobiographical Narratives

Abstract

This study employs Biber's lexical bundle framework to investigate the discourse in Malala Yousafzai's autobiography, I Am Malala. Utilizing corpus stylistics, this analysis examines the structural and functional roles of lexical bundles, frequently occurring word clusters, by applying Biber's (1999) structural taxonomy and Biber's (2004) functional classification. The bundles were analyzed using the AntConc software, focusing on their contribution to narrative cohesion and emotional depth. By categorizing lexical bundles into high-, mid-, and low-frequency groups, this study elucidates how they are structurally utilized (e.g., noun phrases, prepositional phrases) and functionally employed (e.g., stance expressions, discourse organizers, and referential expressions). These bundles organize key transitions, emphasize significant comparisons, and convey emotional nuances in Malala's narrative. The findings highlight how Malala's linguistic choices, informed by Biber's framework, enhance her persuasive impact as an advocate of girls' education. Additionally, this study presents opportunities for future research, including comparative studies and cross-cultural analyses using corpus linguistics.