Roma Tre LM1 (Inglese)
Boyd
Handout 2
LINGUISTIC APPROACHES TO LANGAGE AND TEXT ANALYSIS
Different Approaches to Studying (English) Grammar
TRADITIONAL
GRAMMAR
STRUCTURAL
LINGUISTICS
TRANSFORMATIONAL
GENERATIVE GRAMMAR
CORPUS LINGUISTICS
SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL
LANGUAGE (GRAMMAR)
focuses more on single sentences than on sentences combined
into texts; based on classical descriptions of Greek and Latin
describes languages without the preconceived notions of what a
language should contain and how it should operate (prescriptive
vs. descriptive grammar)

greater emphasis on the structural characteristics of
linguistic elements: form (lexical) vs. function
(grammatical) words
an alternative to structural linguistics’ focus on surface forms: it
analyzes the deep structures of language, which underlie all
human languages and are genetically programmed in the human
brain (Chomsky)

grammar is an abstract device used for producing and
understanding sentences in any and all languages
(universal grammar)

sentences are labelled according to hierarchical relations
between component parts but such a tree structure does
not indication the function of a particular constituent
the study of large bodies of language data (corpus) with
electronic software: demonstrates that native speaker intuitions
about general language usage are not necessarily reliable

corpus-based grammars provide information on the
frequency of different types of language use

languages are more patterned that previously thought,
which can be seen in collocations highlighted by
concordances

allows one to compare what occurs in individual texts with
a large number of texts
part of the ‘functional’ turn in linguistics, which considered
language, text and context as being systematically tied together
(through register and context of situation)

SFL descriptions of language focus more on how language
is functioning, what semantic meanings it is making and
the overall communicative effect. Language is considered
as a system of choices from which speakers/writers select
elements (not always consciously)
register: includes three main aspects of social contexts or
situational variables which will influence linguistic choices and
construct social realities

field=the type of social activity taking place

tenor=the social roles and relationships
between the participants
(CRITICAL) DISCOURSE
ANALYSIS
1

mode=aspects of the channel of communication
metafunctions grammar creates meaning through metafunctions
that are related to phenomena outside language1:

The interpersonal metafunction is concerned with the
interaction between speaker and addressee(s), the
grammatical resources for enacting social roles in general,
and speech roles in particular, in dialogic interaction; i.e.
for establishing, changing, and maintaining interpersonal
relations. One of its major grammatical systems is
MOOD;

The ideational metafunction is concerned with the
'ideation’ of grammatical resources for construing our
experience of the world around us and inside us. One of its
major grammatical systems is TRANSITIVITY, the
resource for construing our experience the flux of ‘goingson’, as structural configurations; each consisting of a
process, the participants involved in the process, and
circumstances attendant on it. For example: [Location:] in
the open glade [Actor:] the wild rabbits [Process:] danced
[Accompaniment:] with their shadows.

The textual metafunction is concerned with the creation
of text, with the presentation of ideational and
interpersonal meanings as information that can be shared
by speaker and listener in text unfolding in context. One of
the major textual systems is THEME, the resource for
setting up a local context for a clause by selecting a local
point of departure in the flow of information (or perhaps
rather ‘swell of information’, since it is not a uniform
flow). Thus the spatial Location is given thematic status in
the example analysed for TRANSITIVITY above:
[Theme:] in the open glade [Rheme:] the wild rabbits
danced with their shadows.

“Discourse Analysis focuses on knowledge about language
beyond the word, clause, phrase and sentence that is
needed for successful communication. It looks at patterns
of language across texts (both written and spoken) and
considers the relationship between language and the social
and cultural contexts in which it is used. Discourse
analysis also considers the ways that the use of language
presents different views of the world and different
understandings. It examines how the use of language is
influenced by relationships between participants as well as
the effects the use of language has upon social identities
From
http://minerva.ling.mq.edu.au/resource/VirtuallLibrary/Publications/sfg_firststep/SFG%20intro%20
New.html


and relations. It also considers how views of the world,
and identities, are constructed through the use of
discourse” [Paltridge, Brian (2006) Discourse Analysis.
Continuum]
Critical Discourse Analysis draws upon a wide range of
approaches: linguistics (specifically SFL & Critical
Linguistics), social theory, sociology, ethnography,
psychology, history, etc.
It aims to analyse texts and it sees discourse as not only a
product of society, but also as an important force in
(re)shaping social practices, both positively and
negatively. In CDA, since language (text) is seen as a site
of struggle, one of its goals is to bring about change in the
social structure itself (see, especially, Fairclough). This is
different from previous approaches [e.g. SFL], which uses
discourse analysis as a means for certain groups to gain
access to texts or genres. While discourse is determined by
social conditions, it also reproduces and perpetuates those
conditions. CDA stresses the need for a close linguistic
analysis of discourse-as-text in order to develop in detail
the way that discourse can contribute to exploitation and
marginalisation of certain groups, or discourse as
discursive and social practice (ingroups vs. outgroups).
Example Discussion Text 12
There are four things a young child ought to learn about fishing his first time
out. First, hooks are sharp. Demonstrate this by lightly pressing the point
against the fleshy part of his thumb. Second, a pole is held in a certain way
(usually at the end in two hands, one above the other). Third, noise frightens
the fish away. Fourth, the fisherman must be patient. Perhaps the best way to
teach patience is to be patient yourself, since his attitude will depend to a
considerable extent on how you behave.
Example Discussion Text 2: Focus on the sentences and phrases
that reveal the attitude of the writer to the places described
Welcome to Singapore, a city of many colours and contrasts, cultures and


Both Corpus Linguistics and SFL assume that there is a very close relationship between
the lexis and grammar (unlike traditional approaches to grammar). Thus, while TGG is
concerned with what speakers can say, CL and SFL are also concerned with what speakers
do say.
In SFL context of situation relates to language use and choice, while in pragmatics the
notion of context is widened to include those aspects of a situation, including language use,
which are considered to be important by participants for communication.
Examples of metafunctions in SFL (from Downing & Locke)
cuisines …
Even if your visit is a short stopover between flights, it is possible to take in
some of Singapore’s sights before departure. An evening out with a tour
group can lead to all sorts of fun and adventure. One tour unveils the cultural
diversity of Singapore and features Indian, Chinese and Peranakan heritages.
It takes in Little India and samples local food, including the flaky, pancake
style bread, roti prata. Next stop is the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See
Temple, Singapore’s largest Buddhist temple, with its magnificent statues,
including one carved from a 10-ton block of marble. The tour then continues
to the Straits National Gallery where you can discover the unique
Chinese/Malay Peranakan culture. The final stop is Arab Street to explore the
vibrant Malay culture and the old charm the area has retained.
2
Examples from Bloor & Bloor (2004) The Functional Analysis of
English, Hodder Education
Roma Tre
Lingua inglese-specialistica I anno
M. Boyd
HANDOUT2b
Text Analysis
In SMALL GROUPS look at the excerpts taken from the Internet, which have the phrase
“into the house” in common. Together determine what kind of ‘text’ it is and where it
comes from.
Consider





the following, providing specific examples from the texts:
What is the subject matter? Where would you find such a text?
How formal/informal is the text?
Is the text from the spoken or written language? How did you decide this?
What kind of lexis is used? Is it specific or general?
What is the writer’s (or speaker’s) intention: to convince, to persuade, to
entertain, to inform, etc.?
 What effect does the text have on you?
 If you had to translate the texts which one(s) would be the most difficult?
Why?
1.
Ydlbert lived half a mile closer to town than I
did, and parted from his family at the rise that
marked off his property from my own; Anya
trudged down3 the gentle slope in the brilliant
sunlight, her noisy children following behind
like a family of rumple-headed ducks. Ydlbert
accompanied us to our farm, and thought, no
doubt, that I had prepared him an elaborate
joke. Adelaïda took Elizaveta into the house,
and as Ydlbert stood with his arms folded
across his chest, I brought my horse, whom I
could hardly grow accustomed to calling by
her God-given name, Hammadi, outside.
2.
The alae (alae is the plural of ala,
the word ala means 'wing') were the
open rooms on each side of the
atrium.
Their
use
is
largely
unknown today. One knows that in
the early Italian houses, which had a
covered atrium, the alae had
windows to allow light to enter the
house.
However,
with
the
introduction of the opening in the
roof above the atrium and the
general abandoning of windows in
the Roman house, the alae became
largely obsolete. It appears more
that they were incorporated into
the
house
in
accordance
to
tradition, rather than for any
specific use.
3.
3
Commons Speaker Michael Martin told
MPs: “Eight protesters were let into the
House of Commons using a forged letter
to walk with slow heavy steps
inviting them to a meeting in the
Committee corridor. Once there, they
were led into the small stairway to the
north end of the corridor – probably by a
passholder who was clearly exceeding
his or her authority.” It was not clear
whether the passholder who apparently
helped the intruders was an MP, a
reporter or an employee of a member, he
said. The intrusion was a “carefully
planned operation” and the police are
investigating, he added.
4.
I think we tried to keep the story
grounded4 as much as possible in sort of
the reality of…erm… a domestic situation,
you know, you have this, the house guest
who won't leave and, you know, of course,
he comes into the house and he's like,
you know, he takes over, he takes over
Craig's character's life,you know, it’s like
suddenly he's with his ex-girlfriend.
5.
When they had heard the king, they departed;
and, lo5, the star, which they saw in the east,
went before them, till it came and stood over
where the young child was. When they saw
the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great
joy. And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped
him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold,
and frankincense and myrrh. And being
warned of God in a dream that they should not
4 based on
5
interj used to draw attention to something
(archaic or literary)
S. Pio V Laurea magistrale
Tipologie testuali inglese
Prof. M. Boyd
AA 2009/10
HANDOUT#1
the two houses of parliament. To
introduce a money bill, or an
amendment to a money bill, into the
House of Lords–to deliberate upon the
bill or amendment in that house—after
agreeing to it there, to submit it to the
deliberation of the House of Commons—
all this would have been perfectly
nugatory8. Let us suppose, that the bill
or amendment had undergone the most
full and careful examination in the
House of Lords, who, acting only for
themselves, could examine it under
every aspect, unfettered9 by exteriour
direction and control: let us suppose it
then transmitted to the house of
commons, for their concurrence: what
could the house of commons do?
return to Herod, they departed into their own
country another way.
6.
First, find the location where external
phone lines come into your house.
Determine which lines are internal and
which lines route back to the phone
company. Disconnect the phone lines
coming into the house from the phone
company because they might cause
noise on the line (or damage the VoIP6
adapter) and they aren't being used
anyway (Word of Caution: Do not
attempt this if you still have an active
line with the phone company, it will
cause your landline service to cease
functioning).
7.
Police are investigating exactly how the
car managed to “take off” from street
level and crash into the house in
Basingstoke, Hants, on Wednesday. The
men's condition is described as serious,
but stable. Police want to speak to a
third man, who was helped from the car
but then left the scene. The occupants
escaped uninjured as they were asleep in
another bedroom. A police spokeswoman
said that one man was found in a
passenger seat and the other man, who
they believe could be the driver, was
found under the front wheels.
8.
9.
6
7
ON the day Lady Diana Spencer married into
the House of Windsor in 1981, her good
fortune appeared to be boundless. Hardly out
of her teens, she decommissioned the world's
foremost bachelor and signed on to produce
the next heir of a monarchy whose wealth is
conservatively estimated at more than $8
billion. Fifteen years later, her divorce nearly
a fait accompli, the Princess of Wales faces a
reversal of fortune. British newspapers report
that Princess Diana is to receive $22.5
million, enough to generate $1 million a year
for life, with annual increases to cover
inflation, plus a castle and staff. While that
sum might be princely for commoners,
compared to the settlements of other people
who married into great wealth and then
divorced, hers averages $1.6 million for each
year of marriage. Her ex-Prince Charming
looks like a piker7.
10. Where any Bill is introduced into the
House
of
Representatives,
the
Attorney-General shall,
(a) In the case of a Government Bill,
on the introduction of that Bill; or
(b) In any other case, as soon as
practicable after the introduction
of the Bill, bring to the attention
of the House of Representatives
any provision in the Bill that
appears to be inconsistent with
any of the rights and freedoms in
this Bill of Rights.
11. In only seven years Subliminal has
developed into a powerhouse. After
ceasing to be distributed by another
company,
Subliminal
instead
became an independent distributor
handling Harry Romero's label,
Bambossa, as well as three other
new imprints: Sondos, which caters
to
a
deeper,
darker
sound,
Subliminal Soul, which offers jazzy,
deep house and SUBUSA, a unique
blend of funky 80's electro house.
Also, this year, Erick Morillo,
Yousef,
Dave
Beer
and
Paul
Woolford have broken into the
house music scene with their new
label,
What
Goes
Around.
According to this mode of proceeding,
the imposition of taxes produced no
interchange of communication between
Voice over Internet Protocol
stingy person
8
9
of no importance; with no legal force
free from
S. Pio V Laurea magistrale
Tipologie testuali inglese
Prof. M. Boyd
AA 2009/10
HANDOUT#1