Product Description

This third edition of An Introduction to Functional Grammar has been extensively revised. While retaining the organization and coverage of the earlier editions, it incorporates a considerable amount of new material. This includes strengthening the grammar through the use of data from a large-scale corpus, upgrading the description throughout, and giving greater emphasis to the systemic perspective, in which grammaticalization is understood in the context of an overall model of language.



The approach taken in the book overcomes the distinction between theoretical and applied linguistics. The description of grammar is grounded in a comprehensive theory, but it is a theory which evolves in the process of being applied. (20041217)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26743 in Books
• Published on: 2004-06-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 700 pages

Studies in Second Language Acquisition
Anyone who claims any interest in practical grammar and its relationship to theoretical grammar should certainly familiarise themselves with it.

Review
...an invaluable presentation of, and rationale for, the central descriptive apparatus of Halliday's systemic-functional grammar of English...essential reading for all students of English textual structure, teeming with insights. (Michael Toolan, University of Birmingham, UK )

Anyone who claims any interest in practical grammar and its relationship to theoretical grammar should certainly familiarise themselves with it. (Studies in Second Language Acquisition )

This is a must if one is to study functional linguistics. (Dr E Ventola, University of Salzburg )

'Very complete - best textbook for functional grammar.' (Prof C Sionis, La Rochell University )

This book does what it sets out to do - it presents a (very detailed) introduction to (systemic) functional grammar ... The book is well signposted, with clear chapter headings and section subheadings. There is also extensive cross-referencing between sections throughout ... I recommend this book to readers who want to understand what systemic-functional grammar offers to text analysis.

About the Author
Michael Halliday is Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney
Christian Matthiessen is Professor of Linguistics at Macquarie University, Australia

Customer Reviews

Language Beyond the Clause
The third edition of "An Introduction to Functional Grammar" presents an updated and accurate account of Systemic Linguistics and its applications to Language Studies. Far from being a complex book, this grammar introduces the reader to a wide range of key aspects of english and its open-ended linguistic questions about clause structure, meaning, and use. So rather than being complex, it is complete. In a threefold perspective, this book depicts language as the realization of a system of linguistic choices as writers or speakers interact with people (interpersonal function) and represent their social and cultural experiences (ideational function) through texts (textual function). What is more, Halliday's and Matthiessen's grammar also presents a fully comprehensive account of clause complexes (noun groups, verbal groups, and coordination and subordination), cohesion (the linkage between lexis, clauses, texts and discourse) and metaphorical modes of expression (language used in its normal structure or metaphorically). It is undoubtedly a very useful resource for Critical Discourse Analysts, Language Teachers, Translators, Corpus Linguists and several qualified professionals who study language and/or live by it.