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Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Brief Introduction: Article

This document provides a brief introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). It discusses the origins and key concepts of SFL, including its view of language as a social semiotic system driven by communicative functions rather than just grammatical structures. The document also outlines some of the main components of SFL analysis, such as register, context, metafunctions (ideational, interpersonal, textual), and transitivity. Finally, it notes that SFL provides an insightful framework for critical discourse analysis by investigating the meaningful choices made in a text within its social context.

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89 views4 pages

Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Brief Introduction: Article

This document provides a brief introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). It discusses the origins and key concepts of SFL, including its view of language as a social semiotic system driven by communicative functions rather than just grammatical structures. The document also outlines some of the main components of SFL analysis, such as register, context, metafunctions (ideational, interpersonal, textual), and transitivity. Finally, it notes that SFL provides an insightful framework for critical discourse analysis by investigating the meaningful choices made in a text within its social context.

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Harinder Singh Hundal
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Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Brief Introduction

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Ignatius Tri Endarto


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Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Brief Introduction
Presented at Forum Diskusi Basantara Yogyakarta, on May 24, 2017

Ignatius Tri Endarto


English Education Department, Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana
endarignatius@gmail.com

“when we analyse a text, … we show what meaningful choices have been made, each one
seen in the context of what might have been meant but was not”

(Halliday & Matthiessen)

Genesis

Language is a system so complex that not a single definition can be


comprehensive enough to capture all aspects in it. Questions regarding the nature of
language have been deliberated since the classical period of the ancient era of philosophy.
Therefore, it is unsurprising that early linguistics was considered a part of philosophy and
intellectual history in general (Campbell, 2003).
The trends in linguistics have been changing in the course of time. Several
traditions, such as the Sumerian, Hindu, Greek, Roman, and Arabic grammatical
traditions, arose in ancient linguistics mostly in response to religious concerns which gave
prominence to prescriptive views favoring the preservation of the languages of religious
texts over language change. As linguists and historians voyaged to distant lands and other
parts of the world, they started to realize the similarities among languages and it gave rise
to what is known as comparative-historical linguistics. In the 20th century, the tide of
linguistics was redirected by the work of Ferdinand de Saussure to non-historical
(synchronic) orientation toward the structures and systems of living languages.
Later in 1957, Noam Chomsky shifted the contemporary trend by introducing the
transformational generative grammar which emphasizes the importance of native
speaker’s knowledge (competence) in attempts to establish the so-called universal
grammar. According to Chomsky (1980), language or grammar is an innate system that is
independent of instrumental purpose/function. This view however does not remain
unchallenged. The functionalists, as opposed to Chomsky’s view, highlight the
significance of communicative functions of language under the general term functional
linguistics or systemic functional linguistics.

Why Systemic Functional Linguistics?

If one were to ask why humans have or acquire language, the most typical answer
would likely be “to communicate with it.” In other words, the ultimate goal of a person
acquiring a language is not merely to produce or know the “correct” linguistic
structures/forms, but to get the right meaning across and accomplish certain social
purposes with that language. This kind of view is pretty much aligned with the notion of
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) which was developed by M.A.K. Halliday in
1960s.
In SFL, language is considered primarily functional. The structure or form of
language is important only to serve the function. Without function, structure would be
completely pointless. As Fontaine (2013) puts it, “anyone who has tried to communicate
with someone in an unfamiliar language or with a two–year-old will know that being
grammatically correct is almost irrelevant.” In most cases, function matters more than
structure. However, one needs to understand how language is structured in order to
effectively produce and analyze its function. In this sense, both are like two sides of the
same coin.
Halliday (in Fontaine, 2013) posits that “a theory of linguistics must incorporate
the functions of language in use.” Unlike the traditionalists who tend to see grammar as
an entity separate from meaning and context of use, the systemic functionalists perceive
language as a social semiotic system–that is to say, a system in which its meaning and
form are always driven by its context and speaker’s communicative goals.

Some Key Terms

SFL according to Halliday & Matthiessen (2004) is a broad term which covers
various types of analyses, including the analyses of expression (phonetics and
phonology), the analyses of content (lexicogrammar and semantics) and the analyses of
context. Context is a pivotal concern because it significantly contributes to the process of
meaning making. One does not speak and write in isolated sentences but in meaningful
units called texts which are produced in and influenced by contexts.
In analyzing a text, one should begin with its context and type (register and
genre). These aspects relate closely to three contextual variables, namely: field (the topic
being talked about), tenor (the relationship of participants) and mode (the channel of
communication). These variables help to explain how individual’s use of language is
predominantly dependent upon functions.
Within the language itself, Halliday & Matthiessen (2004) emphasize a
dimension called metafunctions, which consist of ideational, interpersonal, and
textual components. The first refers to language’s ability to construe human
experience into categories (experiential) and further configure them into complex
patterns (logical). This metafunction mostly deals with the use of transitivity,
which includes three main elements: processes, participants and circumstances;
and ideational metaphors. Interpersonal metafunction embodies the ability of
language to negotiate social roles and attitudes. It can be analyzed through the use
of mood, modality, and what is known as speech acts and interpersonal
metaphors. Last but not least, textual function is language’s ability to create
discourse which entails theme and rheme, and the use of cohesive devices at both
lexical and grammatical levels.

Systemic Functional Linguistics for Critical Perspectives

In SFL, the goals of grammatical analysis may vary depending on the objectives
of the investigation. Those conducting research on political commentary, media
texts, etc., might employ SFL to gain critical skills in analyzing the language.
Since its development, SFL has provided an insightful basis for the critical
linguistic analyses such as the so-called Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA).
SFL views language as a system of systems with the meaning potential by
which its users convey meaning through making choices from a range of
alternatives. The notion of choice here is very essential, especially for critical
perspectives. Within this framework, critical discourse analysts could investigate
a text by showing “the functional organization of its structure … and … what
meaningful choices have been made, each one seen in the context of what might
have been meant but was not” (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2004). From this point, they
can further relate these choices with the existing ideology and power exercised within
society in which the text has been (re)produced.

References

Campbell, L. (2003). The history of linguistics. In M. Aronoff and J. Rees-Miller (Eds).


The Handbook of Linguistics. Blackwell Publishing.
Fontaine, L. (2013). Analysing English grammar: A systemic functional introduction.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Halliday, M.A.K. and Matthiessen, C. (2004). An introduction to functional grammar.
New York: Oxford University Press Inc.
Van Valin Jr., R. D. (2003). Functional linguistics. In M. Aronoff and J. Rees-Miller
(Eds). The Handbook of Linguistics. Blackwell Publishing.

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