An introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics

SFL
HALLIDAY

1. Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) PM Dr Hanita Hassan & Dr Wan Farah Wani Wan Fakhruddin Language Academy, UTM. An introduction to SFL moocs.utm.my

2. “ Language to me is a system of meaning potential , and the study of language is the study of people’s ability to mean ” (Michael Halliday 1988: 77)

3. The most sophisticated and elaborated of all our semiotic systems is the system of language. Other semiotic systems can generally be translated into language but not otherwise. Language can be described as a semiotic system because it involves sets of meaningful choices or oppositions. (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 16) Language as a semiotic system

4. Language as a semiotic system If language is a semiotic system, then the process of language use is a process of making meanings by choosing. We relate what people did do or did say on any particular occasion (their actual linguistic choices) to what they could have done or could have said (their potential linguistic choices) (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 22)

5. Systemic linguists are interested in how people use language with each other in accomplishing everyday social life. (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 2)

6. Language use is sensitive to context E.g. If your boss suggests something to you it usually means Do this! It is not a suggestion at all because you cannot refuse it; If a subordinate suggests , it is usually a plea; or If your friend suggests , it may be a real suggestion. You can refuse (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 8)

7. What is Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)? The systemic functional approach to language is to analyse and explain how meanings are made in everyday linguistic interactions The systemic functional approach provides a very useful descriptive and interpretive framework for viewing language as a strategic, meaning-making resource (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 1) Systemic Functional Linguistics moocs.utm.my

8. Points Claims Functional Language use is functional Semantic Its function is to make meanings Contextual Meanings are influence d by the social and cultural context in which they are exchanged Semiotic The process of using language, a process of making meanings by choosing (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 2)

9. General application of SFL (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 1)

10. 21 possible applications of systemic theory (Halliday 1985) Systemic Functional Linguistics moocs.utm.my (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 1)

11. 2 FAQs by systemic linguists (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 2) Systemic Functional Linguistics

12. How do people use language? Real examples of language in use Intuition does not provide sufficiently reliable source of data for doing functional linguistics Systemicists are interested in the authentic speech and writing of people interacting in naturally occurring social contexts. (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 3)

13. People do not “just talk” or “just write” Any use of language is motivated by a purpose (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 4)

14. Focus not only on language but on language use in context What dimensions of context have an impact on language use? Which aspects of language use appear to be affected by particular dimensions of the context? (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 9)

15. What is text? The term text refers to a complete linguistic interaction (spoken or written), preferably from beginning to end. (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 5)

16. Language Versus Text Language A resource for communicating meanings to our fellow human beings sign system ; potential E.g. Text An output of the language system an instance of language in use Sign ; instance I do n’t have pets.

17. How is language structured for use?

18. Meaning as choice: semiotic systems Content (meaning) Expression (realisation) RED AMBER GREEN Encoded in (realised in) Semiotic systems are established by social conventions

19. Content and Expression Traffic Lights Language CONTENT meaning meaning words EXPRESSION lighting sounds Realised by

20. Language as a semiotic system Folk Names Technical Terms CONTENT meanings (discourse-) semantics Wordings (words & structures) Lexico -grammar EXPRESSION Sounds/letters Phonology / graphology Levels or strata of language (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 21) Realised by

21. The function of language as a semiotic system The linguistic systems make meanings by ordering the world for us in two ways: (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 19)

22. Sign systems create meanings by ordering the world in two ways: They order content: of all the possible behaviours that we could enact at intersection, i.e. 3 meanings They order expression: of all the possible coloured lights we could have at intersections Line of arbitrariness (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 15)

23. Lexical choice ( Specifying sex) Son, boy Child, brat, darling (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 17)

24. Lexical choice ( Specifying attitude) child, boy darling brat (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 17)

25. Grammatical systems in language The systems of grammatical choice Subject^Finite verb^Predicte Finite verb^Subject^Predicate no Subject, no Finite (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 20)

26. Grammatical description is essential to text analysis It is sometimes assumed that (discourse analysis, or ‘text linguistics’) can be carried on without grammar – or even that it is somehow an alternative to grammar. But this is an illusion. A discourse analysis that is not based on grammar is not an analysis at all , but simply a running commentary on a text (Halliday 1985:xvii)

27. The concerns of systemic analysis What are the possible choices people can make? This is to describe the linguistic system What is the function of the choice they did make? This is to describe how language is used in different social contexts , to achieve various cultural goals. (Suzanne Eggins 1994: 22)

28. The End