M.A.K. Halliday (1925-2018) was the founder of Systemic Functional
Linguistics (SFL) and, undoubtedly, one of the most influential
linguists of his time, credited with changing the way that language and
linguistics have been taught. SFL, as an appliable theory that
approaches language as social semiotic, is the study of the relationship
between language and its functions in social settings. Moreover, SFL
conceives of language as a resource for making meaning and organizes
language systemically as a huge network of interrelated choices of
meaning.
This book is an introduction to the life and seminal works of Halliday.
Targeting both SFL and non-SFL scholars, this book introduces Halliday's
life and work in simple terms, expounds his theoretical conceptions,
illustrates how his theories have been applied to various areas of
linguistics and offers additional readings for researchers who want to
explore this area further.
Divided into six sections covering Hallidayan connections, theory and
architecture of language, Hallidayan conceptions of language, systems
and the modes of meaning, and applications of SFL, this accessible
introduction is a key resource for researchers and students within the
fields of linguistics and applied linguistics.