Identifying Relational

Process

Aljawharah Alkhamis
Dr. Hesham  Alyousef
 Relational process

Relational process involves establishing a relationship between two terms, where

the relationship is expressed by the verb be or a synonym
 Relational process

Identifying relational Attributive relational

process process
 Identifying relational process
In the ‘identifying’ mode, something has an identity assigned to it. What this means is that one entity
.is being used to identify another

:Characteristics
.Two participants are nominal groups -1
The verb be in the simple present or past -2
The interrogative probe for such clauses is which?, who?, which/who ... as? (or what? if the choice -3
.is open-ended)
.These clauses are reversible. All verbs remain have passive forms -4
.Two participants are nominal groups -1

.A girl is a young person

a young is A girl
person
Nominal verb Nominal
group group

.My grandfather is a happy man

a happy is My
man grandfather
Nominal verb Nominal group
group
 Two participants are

Token Value
 Participants roles in relational identifying
process
value Token
.Value refers to the referent, function or status Token refers to the sign, name, form, holder
.and occupant

Value is the nominal group which gives the The Token is the nominal group which
classification .,’contains the 'name

Value will always be Subject in a passive clause Token will always be Subject in an active
clause
Active form:

Relational identifying
Token/Identified Value/Identifier
process

a young person is A girl

Value relational identifying process Token

Identifier Identified
:The verb be in the simple present or past -2

:Examples

Every fourth African is a Nigerian rather than Every fourth African is being a
.Nigerian

.Alice is the clever one

.Usually means mostly

Mr. Garrick played Hamlet

The interrogative probe for such clauses is which?, who?, which/who.. as? (or what? if -3
.the choice is open-ended)

:Example
?Who is the one in the back row
.Alice is the one in the back row
?What did Mr. Garrick play
.Mr. Garrick played Hamlet
?Which is Alice
.Alice is the clever one
?Which is the clever one
Alice is the clever one
These clauses are reversible. All verbs remain have passive forms-4

Active form

my father is That man

Value Relational identifying Token
process

Passive form

that man is My father

Token Relational identifying Value
process
:Example

Active form

the leader is Sarah

Value Relational identifying Token
process

Passive form

Sarah is The leader

Token Relational identifying Value
process
:The verbs that realize relational identifying processes are among others

Different forms of:

be, equal , make , signify, mean, define, Spell,

Indicate, express, suggest, act as, add up to, play,
represent, stand for, refer to, exemplify
:Examples

.One plus two equals three

.One plus two adds up to three

.Manners make the man

.Her smile expressed pleasure

.’c-a-t spells ‘cat

Identifying Attributive

.The clauses can form passive .The clauses can not made passive
.Active: You are the skinniest one here .Active: You’re skinny
.Passive: The skinniest one here is you .No passive: Skinny is not been by you

Both participants are nominal One of the participants is a

groups nominal group
Identifying Material

.Verb to be is the main verb .Verb to be is the auxiliary verb

.Example: Tuesday was the deadline .Example: She’s walking

.Have/has is the auxiliary verb

.Have/has is the main verb
Example: She has lived in China for five
.Example: She has a mahogany table
.years
 References
.Eggins, S. (2004). Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics (2nd ed.). Continuum
Halliday, M., & Matthiessen, C. (2004). An Introduction to Functional Grammar (Third edition). Hodder
.Arnold