Abstract:Halliday's theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics is one of the most influential international linguistic theories in the late 20th century. Halliday inherited and developed the founder of London School, Firth’s academic thinking, proposing the concept of systemic functional grammar. Systemic Functional Linguistics includes two parts, including system and function. They are in a stage of constantly changing and developing. Through literature analysis, collecting and collating extensive literature and research related to this issue, this thesis first clarifies the basis of systemic functional linguistics and its historical background, and then introduces the basic theoretical framework of Scale and Category Grammar and Systemic Functional Linguistics as well as the developments of this theory, in order to illustrate how Systemic Functional Linguistics was founded and its theoretical contributions. By focusing on the latest research developments of this theory and benefiting from the latest research results, this thesis also illustrate the strong vitality of the theory of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Systemic Functional Linguistics deepens people's understanding of language and plays a greater role in linguistics research of the new century. But like any kind of theory, Systemic Functional Linguistics has its limitations, and therefore needs to be further addressed.

Keywords: Scale and Category Grammar; Systemic Functional Linguistics; Halliday

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter1 Introduction-1

Chapter2 Scale and Category Grammar-3

2.1 The Basis and Early Theory-3

2.2 The Theoretical Framework-4

CHAPTER3 Systemic Functional Linguistics-5

3.1 The Basic Framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics-5

3.2 The Relationship between System, Function and Context-7

CHAPTER4 The Development of Systemic Functional Linguistics-9

4.1 The Key Members of This School-9

4.2 Martin’s Theory-9

4.3 The vitality and limitations of Systemic Functional Linguistics-11

CHAPTER5 Conclusion and Expectation-13

References-15

Acknowledgments-16