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2.2 Systemic Functional Linguistics Theory
The name is actually self-explanatory. Systemic Functional Linguistics SFL is a theory of language which is focused on the notion of how language is used. Every
text – spoken or written – unfolds in some context of use. The use of language then evolves over generations. In other words, the evolution of a language is much
determined by the way it is used to satisfy human needs. SFL starts at social context, and looks at how language both acts upon, and is constrained by, this social context.
The following are the main principles adopted in SFL when analyzing linguistic phenomena:
1. Language is viewed as complete text, not merely a collection of words or
linguistic rules.
2. Linguistic forms are created to deliver meaning.
3. Language is functional. It exists because it is used.
A central notion is stratification, such that language is analyzed in terms of four strata: Context, Semantics, Lexica-Grammar and Phonology-Graphology. Context
concerns the Field what is going on, Tenor the social roles and relationships between the participants, and the Mode aspects of the channel of communication,
e.g., monologicdialogic, spokenwritten, +- visual-contact, etc..
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Systemic semantics includes what is usually called pragmatics. Semantics is divided into three components:
• Ideational Semantics the propositional content;
• Interpersonal Semantics concerned with speech-function, exchange structure,
expression of attitude, etc.; •
Textual Semantics how the text is structured as a message, e.g., theme-structure, givennew, rhetorical structure etc.
The Lexica-Grammar concerns the syntactic organization of words into utterances. Even here, a functional approach is taken, involving analysis of the
utterance in terms of roles such as Actor, AgentMedium, Theme Mood, etc. See Halliday 1994 for full description. Source: http:www.isfla.orgLast Updated on
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 20:59.
SLFT works on language in context are available in a great variety of forms such as books and journals. It is also used to explore different ways of interpreting thing
theoretically such as text, cohesion, coherence, discourse, context, situation, culture and other phenomena. In General Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory GSFLT, the ‘S’ for
‘Systemic’ implies that the theory pays attention to the systemic relations and their probabilities in a system network of relations and choices starting from general to specific
feature which are paradigmatic in nature. It also implies that the systems of meaning that are interrelated to the phenomena under study. The ‘F’ for ‘Functional’ implies that it is
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semiotic functions or meanings that operate in various semiotic levels and dimensions. The ‘L’ for ‘Linguistics’ implies that the theory derives from a discipline called “Linguistics”. It is a
language based on theory which is used to investigate the phenomena of language Sinar 2007: 25.
2.3 Meta functions of Language
Kategori