4.

Variables in the function of sentence meaning

The function of sentence meaning has four variables: structural meaning, representational meaning,
interpersonal meaning, textual meaning

4.1. Structural meaning

The structural meaning of the sentence is the kind of meaning that results from a particular
arrangement of the parts of the sentence. For example:

The mantte wernnted a yob

Our knowledge of English is sufficient to allow us to understand that this sentence is about something
that did something to something else. We can know all this thanks to our knowledge of the use of the
definite article, indefinite article and the –ed suffix even though we do not know what “mantte” or
“wernnt” or “yob” are.

4.2. Representational meaning: can be defined in term of experiential and logical functions

4.2.1. The experiential function: is to communicate ideas.

It is the main function by which a speaker expresses the content elements of his utterance, by referring
to people, objects, states of affairs, events, qualities, places, actions and circumstances. All there are
parts of the world we live in.

Example: My father gave me some money to buy food yesterday

This example contain: speaker, action (give, buy), past – gave, object – money, actor – My father, time –
yesterday, and recipient - me

4.2.2. The logical function: relates ideas to each other on an equal or subordinate basis. For example:

 The bus was crowded and I had to stand all the way
 We all believe that working hard is the key to success
It is worth noting that the representational meaning in Halliday’s terminology correspond to a
much used but troublesome notion of proposition.

4.3. Interpersonal function

 To establish and maintain social relations. This function can be manifested in various forms
indicating functions such as:
- Good afternoon
- Have a good day
- Thank you so much
- I am sorry
  To influence people’s behaviour and get things done. This function may be called the
instrumental function, that is influencing people’s behaviour and getting things done. There
exists a variety of ways to do all these including requests, enquiries, instructions, prohibitions,
warnings, advice or threats,etc. For example:
- Request: Can you carry the bag for me, please?
- Enquiry: Why was she late?
- Warning: No smoking
- Threat: If you don’t give me money, I will kill you
 To express the speaker’s feelings, attitudes, and opinions towards, or the assessment of the
representational content of the sentence via the use of modal verbs and adverbs. For example:
- What she said may be right
- You must be feeling cold by now
- This is probably right

4.4. Textual function

The textual function or meaning is to create texts. It is this function that helps to give texts coherence
and cohesion. For example:

When Bill Gates was in the sixth grade, his parents decided he needed counselling. He was at war with
his mother, an outgoing woman who harboured the belief that he should do what she told him.

Experiential: Actor- Bill Gates, mother, father

Action – decided, tell, do
State – is at war
Place – sixth grade
Qualities – outgoing
Object – belief, counselling,
Logical: Subordinate – when Bill Gates, his parents
decided. He should do, what she told him
Interpersonal: Should, and factual (expressed by the mood)
Textual: Bill Gates – he, his, parents