Clause complexing in systemic functional lingustics – towards an alternative description

Abstract

This article examines Halliday & Matthiessen's systemic functional description of expanding clause complexing. As a perspective, their description is compared to the Cardiff Grammar's treatment of clause combining. In particular, the article discusses the Hallidayan approach to the subordinate clause in a hypotactic clause complex: functionally speakingand contrary to Halliday and Matthiessen's claimsit is far from convincing that a subordinate clause upholds its functional meanings, i.e. its functions as a 'move' (interpersonal meaning), a 'figure' (experiential meaning) and a 'message' (textual meaning); and systemically speaking, it is problematic to see why all hypotactic clause complexes are agnates with paratactic clause complexes, and why no subordinate clauses in hypotactic clause complexes could be said to be agnate with a prepositional phrase. In the final part of the article, we shall provide principles for a solution to the problematic issues at stake in the Hallidayan approach.

Speech Analysis (Discourse Semantic Analysis Based on Systemic Functional Linguistics Theory)

“…At this point, the nominal groups of the speech texts are simple and indicate the spoken mode. The findings of this present study corroborates the previous study confirming that the linguistics complexity determines the message of particular texts (Andersen, Emilie, & Holsting, 2018;Tolochko & Boomgaarden, 2017). The message in question might be constructed in such a way that it goes along with the mode of the text.…”

Interpersonal Function of Joe Biden’s Victory Speech (Systemic Functional Linguistics View)

“…In terms of interpersonal function, SFL was proven useful perspective to reveal what and how speech text is. This reflects Andersen et al, (2018); Hasan (2014); Lim (2018); Montes et al, (2014); Santosa (2016) studies saying that SFL is and might be of benefit to analyze a text. By employing SFL theory, we can know that a particular text may employ a particular distinctive characteristic interpersonal function by means of context and linguistics source used.…”

“…Unlikely, others purposed topic modeling approach, dichotomous framework and socio-pragmatic methodology to discover thematic information within the text (Ahmed, 2017;Boch, 2020;Brookes & Mcenery, 2019;Fetzer & Bull, 2012;Schumacher, Hansen, Velden, & Kunst, 2019). In this regard, Cartagena and Prego-vázquez (2018) and Afzaal (2020) highlighted the importance of socio-discourse competence for both speaker and listener or for both writer and reader However, regardless of the purposed approach, another theory namely Systemic Functional Linguistics was popularly used by researchers and was beneficial theory to reveal to know what and how the text is (Andersen, Emilie, & Holsting, 2018;Hasan, 2014;Lim, 2018;Montes, Barboza, & Olascoaga, 2014;Santosa, 2016). In the view of SFL, there are three metafunctions of language namely ideational or experiential function which is realized by the field of a text, interpersonal function contributing the social relationships thereby is realized by the tenor and the textual function dealing with the use of language to construct logical and coherent texts and is realized by the register category of mode.…”

Pedagogical Implication of Clause Expansion Mastery through E-Learning Instruction to Improve Academic English Writing Skills

“…The third category of clause complexion [22]is recursion, which is actually an intersection of taxis [23] and logico-semantic relation as a basic set of clause nexuses. Or that a clause may be expanded further and further without limit as far as it is logically constructed.…”

“…In traditional grammar, it is termed as 'compound-complex clause' in which one sentence constitutes taxis and logico-semantic relation [24]. As exemplified in [22], clause expansion consists of elaboration, extension, and enhancement, each of which may be realized in both paratactic and hypotactic constructions. Similarly, clause projection consists of locution and idea which may also be realized in both paratactic and hypotactic constructions.…”