SFL

Systemic
Functional
Linguistics
Monika Herliana
Annisa Ratna
Ummi Nur Laila S.
Nurrahma Restia
Linda Aprillianti
Khotibatul Ummah
Ade Irma M.
Ayu Fircha I.
Outline
Introduction to SFL
An Introduction to Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics
Systemic Functional Linguistics as a Model for Text Analysis
The Usefulness of Systemic Functional Grammar and Its

Impact on Students’ Communicative Skills In ESL Context
Systemic Functional Linguistics and a Theory of Language in

Education
2
Introduction to SFL
3
Systemic Functional Linguistics
× Can also be called as SFG
× Originated by Halliday in 60s century
× In SFL, language use must be seen as taking place in
social contexts.
× Language is not good or bad, it is appropriate or
inappropriate to the context of use.
4
Terms Related to SFL
• Text
• Context
• Textual
• Register
• Field
• Tenor
• Mode
• Transitivity
• Mood
5
6
7
8
9
An
Introduction
to Halliday’s
Systemic
Functional
Linguistics
10
An Introduction to Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics
- The purpose of this paper is to introduce Halliday’s SFL with

a focus on an overview of SFL as a linguistic tradition largely
developed by Michael Alexander Kirkwood Halliday (often M.
A. K. Hallliday).
- This introduction compares SFL to other linguistic traditions,
such as the transformational generative linguistics
represented by Noam Chomsky and Bloomfield’s structural
tradition.
- This research also explains the key elements of SFL, SFL as an
applicable tradition, examples of the value of appliying SFL in
detail, and finally, presents the benefits associated with
working with SFL as a communicative motivation in learning
a language.
11
Introduction
• In the early 20 century, linguistics has witnessed a

considerable number of theories and each one has
distinct orientation, trends, and subjects of study.
• One of the most subtantial theories is Haliday’s SFL that
has attracted the most attention and has been frequently
employed in the literature on linguistics and applied
linguistics
12
Background to SFL as a Linguistic Tradition
- SFL is an approach to language developed largely by M.A.K.

Halliday and his followers during the 1960s in the UK, and
later in Australia.
- SFL is built on previous works of some influential lingusits
such as Bronislaw Malinowski and J.R. Firth. Bronislaw
Malinowski was a polish anthropologist who did most of his
works based in England.
- The second linguist is J.R. Firth who established linguistics as
a discipline in Britain. He developed Malinowski’s theory
about the centrality of the context of situation and applied it
through his linguistic model. In addition, he developed an
approach to phonology called ‘prosodic phonology’, which
enables phonological features to be shared over successive
phonemes rather than each phoneme having its own unique
features.
13
SFL Compared to other Linguistic Tradition
- SFL has its distinctive respects in comparison with the other

linguistic system. For example, the systemic functional
linguistics featured by Michael Halliday and the transformatinal
generative linguistics represented by Noam Chomsky have been
deemed as two of the most influential and pivotal traditions in
linguistic academic fields. However, both systems are distinct in
many respects, but virtually make the same impacts. Yet there
are a number of differences between these two linguistics
systems.
- The second comparison is between Halliday’s functional
tradition and Bloomfield’s structural tradition. The structural
theory was featured by Leonard Bloomfield.. However, Halliday
insisted that the central concern of linguistics should be the
study of the language through meaning, which was different
from the dominant Blooofield approach in American linguistics.
Bloomfielad rejected the possibility that linguistics analyzes
meaning. 14
The Key Elements of SFL
In SFL text is analyzed in four ways. They are as follows:

context, semantics lexico-grammar, and phonology. To begin with the
context, context is classified as one of the central concerns, because it
is integral to the overall proces of number of context.
1- The context of culture [genres]
2- The context of situation [the technical terms for this is register].
Halliday models the context of situation, where the aspect
of the context relate intimately to the language used to create text, in
terms if three important stands.
a- Field: gives uus an indication of the topic or whhat is being talked
about.
b- Tenor: gives us an indication of who is/are involved in the
communication and the realtionship between them.
c- Mode: gives us an indication of what part the language is playing
in the ineteraction and wht form it takes (written or spoken).
15
These three register variables are used to explain people’s
intuitive understanding that individuals use different
rescourses different konds and different parts from the
system of language.
1- Discourse-semantics has three metafunctions. They are
interpersonal metafunction, ideational metafunctional, dan
textual metafunctional.
2- Lexico-grammar includes both grammar and vocabulary in
one strantum and representents the view of language in both
lexis and grammar.
3- Phonology, orthography (or graphology) which refers to
the sound system, the writing system, and the wording
system.
16
Systemic
Functional
Linguistics as
a Model for
Text Analysis
17
Systemic Functional Linguistics as a Model for Text Analysis
(David Banks, 2002)
× Purpose of the journal : to prove that SFL is useful and
powerful tool to analyze a text
× Comparative study : comparing two abstracts published in

1996
× Reason : can deal with a whole text rather than some

extracts or selected aspects
× Particle physics vs ESP
× 8 finite clause vs 9 finite clause
× 106 words vs 134 words
× 13.25 words per clause vs 14.89 words per clause

18
Systemic Functional Linguistics as a Model for Text Analysis
(David Banks, 2002)
× SFL deals with register in terms of three variables or

parameters known as semiotic functions; Field, Tenor, Mode.
× Field is the area of external reality with which the text deals.
× Tenor concerns the relationships between those taking part

in the linguistic act.
× Mode is the means through which the communication takes

place.
19
Result
Particle Physics ESP
Field Ions and ions collisions Lexical verbs of

medical texts
Tenor Same
Mode Same
 Domain is academic research, but different discipline
 Editor and referees become the gatekeeper between writer and addressee
 Both abstracts are in form of written and prepared
20
Semantic Metafunctions
• Ideational metafunction is that part of the meaning which

concerns the way external reality is represented in the
text (content of the message)
• Interpersonal metafunction concerns with the Ideational
relationships that exist between the speaker and
addressee(s), and between the speaker and message.
Involves phenomena such as thematic structure, Semantic
component of Interpersonal
information structure, and cohesion. SFL
• Textual metafunction concerns with thematic structure,
information structure, and cohesion, as part of the
meaning potential which makes a text into a text. Textual
• There is close connection between semiotic functions
(field, tenor, mode) and semantic metafunctions
(ideational, interpersonal, textual)
Field → Ideational metafunction
Tenor → Interpersonal metafunction
Mode → Textual metafunction 21
Major Components of Semantic Metafunctions
• Ideational metafunction → transitivity

Concern with the type of process involved in a clause, the
participants implicated in it, and, if there are any, the
attendant circumstances
• Interpersonal metafunction → mood

Concern with the Mood element and the Residue. Mood
element is constituted by the Subject and the Finite
• Textual metafunction → thematic structure

Concern with the terms of Theme, the speaker’s starting
point and Rheme, where the clause goes from there
22
23
24
The Usefulness of
Systemic Functional
Grammar and Its Impact
on Students’
Communicative Skills In
ESL Context
25
The Usefulness of Systemic Functional Grammar and Its Impact
on Students’ Communicative Skills In ESL Context
26
27
28
29
30
31
Systemic
Functional
Linguistics and a
Theory of
Language in
Education
32
Systemic Functional Linguistics and a Theory of Language in Education
33
34
35
36
37
38

SFL

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SFL

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

SFL

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the key elements of SFL according to the text?

What are the key elements of SFL according to the text?

What are the three variables or parameters that SFL uses to deal with register?

What are the three variables or parameters that SFL uses to deal with register?

Systemic

An Introduction to Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics

Systemic Functional Linguistics as a Model for Text Analysis

The Usefulness of Systemic Functional Grammar and Its

Systemic Functional Linguistics and a Theory of Language in

- The purpose of this paper is to introduce Halliday’s SFL with

• In the early 20 century, linguistics has witnessed a

- SFL is an approach to language developed largely by M.A.K.

- SFL has its distinctive respects in comparison with the other

In SFL text is analyzed in four ways. They are as follows:

× Comparative study : comparing two abstracts published in

× Reason : can deal with a whole text rather than some

× Particle physics vs ESP

× 8 finite clause vs 9 finite clause

× 106 words vs 134 words

× 13.25 words per clause vs 14.89 words per clause

× SFL deals with register in terms of three variables or

× Tenor concerns the relationships between those taking part

× Mode is the means through which the communication takes

Particle Physics ESP

Field Ions and ions collisions Lexical verbs of

 Domain is academic research, but different discipline

 Both abstracts are in form of written and prepared

• Ideational metafunction is that part of the meaning which

• Ideational metafunction → transitivity

• Interpersonal metafunction → mood

• Textual metafunction → thematic structure

You might also like