Function Grammar Tutorial

Author: Li Meixia
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This textbook was developed by the author while teaching Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar to master's students in English Language and Literature, tailored to the characteristics of Chinese learners. The book is divided into eleven chapters, where Chapter 1 provides background information, primarily discussing grammar, grammatical research, the history of grammatical research, the differences between functional grammar and formal grammar, the tradition of functional linguistics, the definition of Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), and its applications. Chapter 2 elaborates on the features and basic concepts of SFG. Chapter 3 offers an overview of the functional grammar system, including context, semantic systems, lexical-grammar systems, the relationship between context and semantics as well as lexical-grammar, and the relationship between register and genre. Chapter 4 discusses the realization of experiential meaning, including transitivity, ergative analysis, and voice. Chapter 5 addresses the realization of interpersonal meaning, covering mood, modality, modality, and evaluation. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 primarily explore the realization of textual meaning, including thematic structure, information structure, and cohesion. Chapter 9 examines issues related to phrases, such as experiential structure and logical structure. Chapter 10 explains the realization of logical meaning (or logical metafunction). Chapter 11 investigates metaphorical expression, including conceptual metaphor and interpersonal metaphor. The entire book is written in English and employs a "practice-theory-practice" approach to present theoretical knowledge, making dry grammatical theories clear, understandable, and engaging. This book can serve as a textbook or supplementary material for functional grammar courses for master's students in English Language and Literature at universities, as well as a reference for English teachers and advanced English learners. This textbook was developed by the author while teaching Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar to master's students in English Language and Literature, tailored to the characteristics of Chinese learners. It is a sub-project of the Beijing Key Discipline Construction Program. The book has the following features: · Written entirely in English; · Employs a "practice-theory-practice" approach to present theoretical knowledge, making dry grammatical theories clear, understandable, and engaging; · Most examples are selected from classic literature, humorous collections, and other sources; · Each chapter includes exercises, and an English-Chinese glossary of terms and names is provided at the end; · Some chapters not only focus on Halliday's theories but also incorporate perspectives from other researchers and authors on certain issues. This book can serve as a textbook or supplementary material for functional grammar courses for master's students in English Language and Literature at universities, as well as a reference for English teachers and advanced English learners.