Exploring Power Relations in Online Urdu Clinical Consultations on YouTube: An SFL Analysis of Mood and Modality

Abstract

This study investigates power relations in Urdu clinical consultations on YouTube through the lens of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), focusing on the interpersonal metafunction—specifically mood and modality. Recognizing the inherently asymmetrical nature of doctor–patient discourse, the research aims to explore how linguistic choices reinforce or negotiate authority in digital medical settings. A qualitative methodology was employed, analyzing a purposively sampled, transcribed YouTube video of an Urdu-speaking doctor's consultation, comprising 7,873 words. The analysis applied Halliday and Matthiessen’s (2004) model to identify mood types (declarative, imperative, interrogative) and modality values (low, medium, and high). The findings revealed clear power asymmetry: doctors predominantly used imperatives and high-modality expressions to issue commands and assert expertise, while patients primarily relied on interrogatives and low-modality expressions, reflecting deference and uncertainty. Declaratives were used as tools by doctors, to share authoritative medical knowledge, and by patients, when reporting symptoms. Doctors wielded even more power in the digital realm, shaping the trajectory of conversations and often leading patients to branded content. These communicative choices illustrate how language hierarchically constructs medical interactions, especially in technologically driven cultural settings. This study contributes to Systemic Functional Linguistics and discourse analysis by focusing on Urdu digital healthcare exchanges. It shows that power and authority are clearly mediated by mood and modality. To further our understanding, future investigations would benefit from larger data samples and cross-linguistic comparisons.