Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL): An Introductory Session

HANITA HASSAN, Ph.D

Language Academy

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Johor Bahru, 81310

hanita@utm.my

What is SFL?

• SFL theory focuses on meaning making in context

• Semiotic system – meaning making by means of signs and symbols

Metafunctions

Ideational

Interpersonal

textual

Ideational Metafunction

• Material

• Relational

• Verbal

• Mental

Process

• Actor

• Goal

• Sayer

• Phenomena

Participants

• Adjective phrase

• Adverbial phrase

Circumstantial Elements

Interpersonal

Clause as exchange

Mood

Subject Finite

Residue

Predicator complemet

The mood structure

Textual

• Given

Theme

• New

Rheme

The kinds of meaning in a clause

Did you take her calculator

just now

Ideational / Experiential

Actor Process: material

Goal Circumstance

Interpersonal Finite Subject Predicator Complement adjunct

Mood Residue

Textual Theme Rheme

(Thompson 2014: 38)

Her eyes are brown

Ideational / Experiential

Carrier Process: relational Attribute

Interpersonal Subject Finite complement

Mood Residue

Textual Theme Rheme

(Halliday 1994: 348)

In this job Anne we ‘re working With silver

Ideational / Experiential

Circumstance:Place

Actor Process: material Cir: Manner

Carrier Process: relational Attribute

Interpersonal Adjunct vocative Subject finite predicator Adjunct

Residue Mood Residue

Textual Theme(topical)marked

Rheme

(Halliday 1994: 371)

Dato Seri Najib’s Maiden Speech: One Malaysia: People First. Performance Now

In our national discourse and in pursuing our national agenda

we must never leave anyone behind

Ideational / Experiential

Circumstance:cause

Actor Process: material Goal Cir: place

Interpersonal Adjunct Subject Finite predicator complement

adjunct

Residue Mood Residue

Textual Theme Rheme

It is the mix of ingredients

Ideational / Experiential

Carrier Process: relational

Attribute Circumstance: matter

Interpersonal Subject Finite

Textual Theme Rheme

(the mix of

ingedients) that

makes a good rojak

Ideational / Experiential

Actor Process: materials Goal

Carrier Process: relational Attribute

Interpersonal Mood Finite:Pres

Predicator complement

Textual Theme Rheme

Nominalisations

Grammatical Metaphor

Ideational

Interpersonal(Halliday, 1994)

Nominalisations to instantiate Malaysian cultures

Participant Process Participant Circumstantial element

The diversity of Malaysians

has brought

about an assimilation of cultures

The earliest Chinese immigrants

settled in Kuching

Hindu celebrations include Deepavali, Thaipusam and Ponggal

try your hand at traditional sugar-making, handicraftweaving or even rubber tapping

that include parades, traditional dances and musical performances

Nominalisations to instantiate Malaysian cultures

Participant Process Participant Circumstantial element

Watch captivating activities such as top-spinning,giant kite-flying or woodcarving

this heritage building

served as an administrative centre during the British era

Kangar, the state capital,

has historic buildings such as the Syed AlwiMosque

The museum’s grounds

are life-size replicas of Terengganu’s traditional dwellings

Collaboration

Christian Matthiessen

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

On Projection in other languages

Book Chapters

• Need to be asap using 2014 budget – No more budget for book chapters in 2015

• LCS Book Chapters:

– Prof Madya Dr Noor Zainab – published in 2014

– Dr Mahani and Pn Haliza – Reviewing stage

– Dr Fauziah – Printing stage

– Dr Noor Aireen – call for chapters, submit before 15 April

– Dr Shanti

– Dr Zairus call for chapters

– Pn Rohayah Kahar

Hope to see you

Workshop with Dr Lise Fontaine, Cardiff University

28 April till 3 May, 2015

Language Academy