270 Julia Lavid, Jorge Arús and Lara Moratón
However, some genre-specific difference was also observed: in news reports,
Sayer was the preferred choice as Thematic Head in English (25.4%), as illus-
trated in (19). This preference can be explained by the large number of citations
introduced by verbal processes in news reports with the purpose of presenting a
diversity of opinions, voices and perspectives on the event, incident or issue under
discussion. This tendency is lower in Spanish (15.4%) where verbal processes are
often postverbal, as in (20) below (Verbiage and Process functioning as Thematic
Head are in bold), or implicit, as in (21).
(19) Mr Bos said the deal was structured to ensure a state exit as soon as “this
financial hurricane” receded. (Dutch Government to inject €10bn of fresh
capital into ING savings bank. Report 4)
(20) “Estamos preocupados por la reciente excesiva volatilidad en el tipo de
cambio [...] (El G7 reafirma su interés en que el sistema financiero
sea “fuerte y estable”. Report 5)
‘We are concerned about the recent excessive volatility of the exchange rate’
(21) Rajoy ha apuntado a los “Torquemada del siglo XXI” como causantes de los
problemas de Camps con la justicia. (Camps y Torquemada. Comment 8)
‘Rajoy has pointed the “Torquemada’s of the 21st Century” as the causers of
Camps’ problems with Justice.
In commentaries, by contrast, the preferred choice was the Carrier in a relational
process, both in Spanish (22.9%) and in English (35.4%). This can be interpreted
as a textual device used by writers to give their opinion in what seems to be an
objective and impartial way. By using relational structures writers of commentar-
ies become invisible and manage to detach themselves from their opinions. For
example, while a personally visible writer would use phrases like I propose..., the
invisible writer would prefer It is clear that... Examples (22), (23), and (24) below
illustrate this use:
(22) After all, the oppressive nature of the regime in Khartoum is at the root of
the many conflicts that have torn the country apart.
(The Bigger Issue in Sudan. Comment 1)
(23) The main expectations are for a reduction of nuclear armaments.
(The Vanishing Bomb. Comment 2)
(24) La tarea no era sencilla y la visita del líder israelí no ha arrojado avances.
(Proyectos divergentes. Comment 4)
‘It was not an easy task and the Israeli leader’s visit has not rendered any
improvement’