English, linguistics, functional grammar, corpus linguistics

This master’s level course gives students insight into the aims of systemic functional grammar, with a special focus on its application to texts.

Introduction to systemic functional grammar (SFG); theory, description and application. The model adopted is the Cardiff (Systemic Functional) Grammar, one of the varieties of SFG that falls within the general framework of the Hallidayan school of linguistics. The course will cover a full description of the clause, presenting the functional structure that is required to reflect the various strands of meaning that are realised at clause level (e.g. the experiential, interpersonal and textual strands of meaning). Description and analysis will focus initially on the clause and then extend to full texts, with an exploration of how choices in the clauses within a text contribute to its overall meaning. Attention will also be given to the organisation of lexis within a model of Systemic Functional Grammar. The lexicogrammatical descriptions that are proposed will also be explored through reference to large on-line electronic corpora, using corpus linguistic methodology.

To have successfully completed at least two English linguistics courses from Ba1 and Ba2 (excluding English Proficiency I and II).

At the end of the course, students will have
• A knowledge of the principles and methodology of functional grammar.
• Competence in analysing the functional structure of clauses and sentences.
• Competence in applying clause analysis, and the choices made by speakers/writers, to the wider analysis of a range of texts.
• The ability to relate the choices made at clause level to different text-types, genres and registers.
• The ability to apply basic corpus-linguistic methodology using large electronic corpora, as a heuristic tool in discovering grammatical behaviour and developing grammatical description.

Cost: 20.0 EUR
• Handouts and texts
• On-line resources of all materials used, including Powerpoint slides, handouts, texts, analysis exercises etc.
• Book: Fawcett, R.P. (2008). Invitation to Systemic Functional Linguistics through the Cardiff Grammar: An extension and simplification of Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar (Third Edition). London: Equinox.

To be provided in class and made available on-line.

In group.

• Delivery of content through lectures, using Powerpoint
• Clause and text analysis sessions in group with feedback from students
• Hands-on corpus-linguistic exploration, with guidance from the lecturer

Periodical (100%)

Written examination. The questions will concern the general principles and descriptive framework of SFG and analysis of clauses and short texts.