An Introduction to Functional Grammar

By Christian M.I.M. Matthiessen and M.A.K. Halliday

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0340574917
• ISBN13: 9780340574911
• Release Date: July 1994
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers
• Length: 472 Pages
• Weight: 1.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.6" x 1.0" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Good Intro

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

A grammar that's about Meaning

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.