An Introduction to Functional Grammar [Paperback]

M. A. K. Halliday (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0340574917 | ISBN-13: 978-0340574911 | Edition: 2

This revised edition of the classic treatment of its subject presents an outline of the grammar of modern English in the framework of systemic-functional linguistic theory and serves as an introduction to functional theory in general, which can be used for describing any language in its own terms. The description of English presented here has been widely used in a number of applied linguistics contexts, particularly artificial intelligence and language education, both second language and mother tongue, but also in literary stylistics and other fields requiring a rich interpretation of the text.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This long awaited text is 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

About the Author

Michael Halliday is Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney Christian Matthiessen is Professor of Linguistics at Macquarie University, Australia --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers; 2 edition (July 18, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340574917
• ISBN-13: 978-0340574911
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,389,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grammar that's about Meaning, March 29, 2003

By 

JLL "JLL" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Functional Grammar (Paperback)

Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar, now in its revised and improved Second Edition, is the best book you can read if you want to understand how English grammar is a resource for making meaning. Most formal grammar is just about syntax -- how words get put together grammatically, with no consideration of how people use language to communicate a meaning. This book has been the basis for many of the most successful applications of linguistics to education, language teaching, and studies of culture, communication, mass media, politics, etc. It's a book to read, use, and keep.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't be a stranger, May 23, 2000

By 

"imarij" - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Functional Grammar (Paperback)

It often happens when you read an introduction into a linguistic theory, whichever linguistic theory, that you lose track somewhere halfway page 3 or so. The terminology that gets thrown at you is confusing and before you know it you decide that you are not a welcome visitor in this particular area of linguistics. That is one thing that will not happen to you when reading Halliday's Introduction into Systemtic Functional Grammar. The book is clear, well-written and provides a lot of examples which are analyzed in detail. With regard to the theory that is discussed in the book, one may feel compelled to attack the necessity of some of the concepts that Halliday has thought up; one may want to contest the definition of other concepts (especially the concept of Theme is heatedly debated), or one may want to vehemently disagree with their application (I certainly do at times). But when you are looking for a quick and clear introduction into this theory (for instance, because you would like to join the discussion on Theme), this is the book to get your hands on.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Intro, May 7, 2007

By 

T. Bean "[Paper_Pills]" (WV, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Functional Grammar (Paperback)

An accessible introduction to systemic functional linguistics. My linguistics professor calls this book "the Bible." :)