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SFL

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8 views2 pages

SFL

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noornaeembse23
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Systemic Functional Linguistics

Systemic functional linguistics (SFL) is an approach to linguistics, among functional linguistics that considers
language as a social semiotic system. Language is used to make sense of the world by making exchange that
need interaction among people in a particular situation and cultural context. The exchange follows instructions
that are analyzed by the metafunctions of language.

SFL

Semiotics Metafunctions

 Language always focuses on text.  Ideational meaning


 Languages is used to express meaning.  Interpersonal meaning
 Language is functional.  Textual meaning

SFL was devised by Michael Halliday, who took the notion of system from J. R. Firth, his teacher (Halliday,
1961). The primary source of SFL was the work of T. R. Firth and his colleagues in London; as well as other
school of thoughts in Europe. It also draws on American anthropological linguistics and on traditional and
modern linguistics as developed in China.
The term ‘Systemic’ is derived from the word ‘system’ in its technical sense as defined by Firth (1957).
‘System’ is the theoretical representation of paradigmatic relations contrasted with structure for syntagmatic
relations. In systematic theory, the system takes priority; the most abstract representation at any level in
paradigmatic terms. Syntagmatic organization is interpreted as realization of paradigmatic relations. Halliday
states that language is the study of how people exchange meanings through the use of language. Systemic
Functional theory views language as a social semiotic a resource of people use to accomplish their purposes by
expressing meanings in context.
SFL is the study of the relationship between language and its function in social setting, so, context is more
focused in SFL. In SFL language is analyzed through the analysis of genre register, text socio-cultural
environment or context and grammar.
1. Genre contemplates the social context and the relationship in which the texts are produced. It defines the
individual characteristics of a text and are determined by its context.
2. Register deals with the language processes we use to construct products.
Register System

Text and Context Register Lexico- grammatical

The field of discourse Field Ideational meaning

The tenor of discourse Tenor Interpersonal meaning

The mode of discourse Mode Textual meaning

3. Text can be any meaning-producing event such as conversation etc. it analyzes the choices and
limitations language uses have when putting words together in texts.
4. Context is the environment of a language event. (text)
5. Grammar examines generic, textual and syntactical perspective to describe how particular texts are put
together.
SFL is functional and semantic rather than formal and syntactic in orientation. It takes the context rather than
structure as its object and defines its scope by reference to usage rather than grammaticality.
Grammar in SFL is discussed by two approaches:
1. Systemic (Language is a part of a system of society. We cannot separate between language and society).
2. Functional (how to use language for metafunction? Meaning of language is the meaning of one thing can
mean everything or nothing.)
SFL considers language to have evolved under pressure of the particular functions that the language system has
to serve. Functions are therefore taken to have left their mark on the structure and organization of language at
all levels which is said to be achieved via metafunctions. The role of a language is to serve certain functions,
called metafunctions, also known as Lexico- grammatical functions. For Halliday, all languages involve these
generalized functions or metafunctions:
Metafunctions

1. Ideational Meaning – 2. Interpersonal Meaning – (enacts 3. Textual Meaning (semiotics) -


(construct experiences) social relationships) formation
It tells us about the experiences and These are the kinds of meaning that are Textual meaning weaves together the two
meaning about the outer and inner related to interpersonal relations. functions to create text. To link ideas in
world. cohesive manners.

Interpersonal

Ideational Textual

As these functions are considered to come into being simultaneously, language must also be able to bring these
meanings together. This is the role of structural organization, be that grammatical, semantic or contextual.
SFL is considered a chief force in world linguistics, although it has only a short history. SFL is also considered
as an influential tradition to linguistic study because it reflects the trend in linguistics development.

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