Systemic functional linguistics

Systemic functional linguistics (SFL) is an approach to linguistics that considers language as a social semiotic system. This means that language is not just a collection of words and rules, but a social and cultural phenomenon that reflects the context and the social environment in which it is used. The approach is based on the work of Michael Halliday, who developed the theory in the 1950s.

SFL emphasizes the functional aspects of language, which means that it focuses on how language is used to achieve certain purposes in different contexts. The approach divides language use into three main components: field, tenor, and mode:

• The "field" refers to the subject matter of communication and the context in which it occurs. It encompasses the speaker’s purpose, the situation, and the topic of discussion. This includes the vocabulary, grammar, and discourse structure that are appropriate to a particular subject matter or context.
• The "tenor" refers to the social relationships between the speakers and the roles they play in the communication event. This includes the social status, power dynamics, and interpersonal relationships between the participants in the communication event.
• Finally, the "mode" refers to the channel or medium through which communication takes place. This includes spoken and written language, as well as other modes such as gesture, visual images, and sound.

SFL has been used for analysis of a wide range of linguistic phenomena, from discourse and grammar to multimodal communication and language acquisition. It has also been applied to various fields, including education, psychology, and computer science.

Further reading

For further reading see:

• Suzanne Eggins (2nd edn, 2004) Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics ISBN 9780826457875