SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL

LINGUISTICS
(MICHAEL HALLIDAY)
Presented by: Saba Javaid
Class/Semester/Shift:MA 3rd Afternoon
Roll No. 15160
About Halliday
• Michael Halliday (13 April 1925 – 15 April 2018)
• was an English-born linguist.
• He developed the internationally influential systemic
functional linguistic model of language.
• His grammatical works go by the name of systemic
functional grammar (SFG).
• He tried "to look at language from every possible vantage
point“
• Halliday died in Sydney of natural causes on 15 April
2018 at the age of 93.
Halliday’s Theory of SFL/SFG
• Systemic functional linguistics is the study of the
relationship between language and its functions in
social settings.
• Also known as 
• SFL
• systemic functional grammar
• Hallidayan linguistics
• and systemic linguistics.
• Developed in the 1960s
SFL/SFG Definition

“SFL is the study of the relationship between

language and its functions in social settings. SFL
treats grammar as a meaning-making resource
and insists on the interpretation of form and
meaning”
The Key Concepts.
• language use is functional

• its function is to make meanings

• these meanings are influenced by the social and cultural
context in which they are exchanged
• the process of using language is a semiotic process, a
process of making meaning by choosing (choice).
The Key Concepts.

Meaning
Context
Choice
The Key Elements of SFL
• In SFL, a text is analyzed in four ways. They are as
follows: Context, Semantics, Lexico-grammar,
and Phonology
• Context (integral to meaning-making)
• 1- The Context of Culture [genres].
• 2- The Context of Situation [the technical term for
this is Register].
Context
a. Field gives us an indication of the topic or what is being
talked about.

b.Tenor gives us an indication of who is/are involved in

the communication and the relationships between
them.

c.Mode gives us an indication of How the text is constructed

and what form it takes (written or spoken)
Meaning (Meta-functions)
a. Ideational To talk about experience, people and things,
actions and circumstances
(Field)

b. Interpersonal To enact social relationship, negotiate, ask for

things, instruct
(Tenor)

c. Textual Linking complex ideas into cohesive and

coherent waves of information
(Mode)
Choice
• Notion of choice is fundamental

• Halliday often stresses the importance of

the notion of choice:
• “By 'text' . . . we understand a continuous
process of semantic choice. Text is meaning and
meaning is choice”.(Halliday, 1978b:137)."
Conclusion
• SFL was developed by Michael Halliday during the
1960s in the UK and in Australia.
• A chief force although has only a short history.
• Provides an innovative value from functionalism and a
useful tool for those who wish to analyze texts.
• SFL as an applicable theory.