Table 2.1 Characteristic Features of Spoken and Written Language
Spoken Language Written Language
Turn taking organization Monologic organization
Context dependent Context independent
Dynamic structure Interactive staging
Open-ended Synoptic structure
- Rhetorical staging - Closed, finite
Spontaneous phenomena false start, hesitations, interruptions, overlap,
incomplete clauses “final draft” polished
indication of earlier drafts removed
Everyday lexis “Prestige” lexis
Non-standard grammar Standard grammar
Grammatical complexity Grammatical simplicity
Lexically sparse Lexically device
Source : Eggins, 1994: 57
2.3. Systemic Functional Grammar
It is part of a broad social semiotic approach to language called systemic linguistics. The term systemic refers to the view of language as
a network of systems, or interrelated sets of options for making meaning; The term functional indicates that the approach is concerned
with meaning, as opposed to formal grammar, which focuses on word classes such as nouns and verbs, typically without reference beyond the
individual clause. Systemic Functional Grammar means that it is based on meaning.
It tries to view a language as a system for making: a semantic system, with other system for encoding the meaning it produces.
Systemic Functional Grammar is the study of linguistic forms in relation to the meaning that they express. It described as a functional-
semantic approach to languagewhich explores both how people use language in different context, and how language is structured for use as a
semiotic system.
2.4. Meaning
Meaning is essentially equated with function, and that describing language from this prespective appears at first sight to be a much less
manageable task than describing the structures. According to Halliday1985:xiii the fundamental components of
meaning in language are functional components. All languages are organized around three kinds of meaning: interpersonal meaning,
experiential meaning, and textual meaning. They can be explained as follows:
1. Experiential meanings or ideational meanings are meanings about
phenomena or about thing living and non living, abstract and concrete, about goings on what the doings. These meanings are
realized in wordings through participants, processes, and circumstances. Meanings of this kind are most centrally influenced
by the field of discourse. 2.
Interpersonal meanings are meanings which express a speaker’s attitudes and judgments. These are meanings for acting upon and
with others. Meanings are realized in wordings through what is
called mood and modality. Meanings of this kind are most centrally influenced by the tenor of discourse.
3. Textual meanings express the relation of language to its
environment, including both the verbal environment, what has been said or written before context and the non verbal, situational
environment context. These meanings are realized through patterns of theme and cohesion. Textual meanings are most
centrally influenced by mode of discourse. Three types of meaning are expressed through language because
these are strands of meaning we need to make in order to make sense of each other and the world.
2.5. Interpersonal Meaning
