FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (An Introduction to Metafunctional Components of Language) Oleh: Christina I.T. Panggabean (Dosen Bhs. Inggris Universitas Ronggolawe Tuban) Abstract: Functional Grammar describes grammar in functional terms in which a language is interpreted as a system of meanings. The language system consists of three macro-functions known as meta-functional components: the interpersonal function, the ideational function, and the textual function, all of which make a contribution to the structure of a text. The concepts discussed in Functional Grammar aims at giving contribution to the understanding of a text and evaluation of a text, which can be applied for text analysis. Using the concepts in Functional Grammar, English teachers may help the students learn how various grammatical features and grammatical systems are used in written texts so that they can read and write better. Key Words: Functional Grammar, meta-functional components INTRODUCTION from which regular relationships may be The linguistic theories maybe established. They tend to take grammar divided into two broad schools of thought as the foundation of language. The latter known as formal versus functional see language as a network of relations, orientations. As it is said by Halliday1 using structures as the realization of that the fundamental opposition in these relationships. They emphasize grammars of the second half of the variables among different languages, to twentieth century is between those that take semantic as the foundation, and so are primarily syntagmatic in orientation, to be organized around the text, or the formal grammars, rooted in logic and discourse. philosophy and those that are primarily Within each orientation there are a paradigmatic, the functional ones rooted number of competing theories. One of in rhetoric and ethnography. The former the famous structuralists was Ferdinand sees a language as a list of structures, de Saussure. One of the most interest is his distinction between langue and 1Halliday, M.A.K. 1994. An Introduction to parole. Langue is the system of Functional Grammar. New York: Oxford language in social context in which University Press FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (AN INTRODUCTION TO METAFUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF LANGUAGE) Christina I.T. Panggabean language is sign which is arbitrary. And language and not with the deeper parole or speech is the individual functional levels of meaning constructed manifestation, a part of social system. from social interaction. In functional But he was not prepared to take context orientation, functions are essentially the of language use into account in the purposes that we accomplish with elaboration of his theory.2 The other language, e.g., stating, requesting, dominant formal theory is responding, greeting, parting, etc. transformational generative grammar However, forms of language are needed proposed by Chomsky. His main to accomplish functions. Forms are the concern is a speaker’s knowledge of outward manifestation of language and grammar (linguistic competence), that functions are the realization of those the abstract outlines of the rules systems forms.4 The theme unifying the functional are part of a human being’s genetic approach is the belief that language endowment.3 For Chomsky, human must be studied in relation to its role in beings have the ability to produce and human communication. understand an infinite number of The British linguist, J.B. Firth,5 sentences, none of which had ever been opening the door for the study of uttered before. language function, suggested that Ferdinand de Saussure’s linguistic linguistics at all levels of analysis be theory and Chomsky’s are considered to concerned with meaningful human have influenced a lot in the theory of behavior in society. He derived his language teaching and learning, e.g. in theory of ‘context of situation’ from the grammar-translation method and Malinowski, who believes that meaning also audio-lingual method, producing a comes not from a passive contemplation structural syllabus, giving top priority to of the word, but from an analysis of its the teaching of grammar or structure of functions, with reference to the given the language. culture. Malinowski and Firth represent a The formal orientation seems to view of language as context-dependent neglect the context in which language is and sociological in orientation, as used. The rules proposed by the opposed to a more internal view in which structuralists were considered abstract, language is a self-contained system. As formal, explicit, and quite logical, but we know human beings do not they concerned with the forms of communicate with each other in a vacuum, but rather in a socio-culturally defined activities and situation in which 2Yalden, Janice. 1987. The Communicative Syllabus: Evolution, Design, and Implementation. New Jersey: Prentice Hall International. 4Brown, H. Douglas. 2000. Principles of 3Foley, William A. & van Valin, Roberrt D. Language Learning and Teaching. New York: 1984. Functional Syntax and Universal Grammar. Addison Wesley Longman Inc. Cambridge University Press. 5Ibid 46 OKARA, Vol. I, Tahun 6, Mei 2011 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (AN INTRODUCTION TO METAFUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF LANGUAGE) Christina I.T. Panggabean the participants take on socially defined important contribution to the roles and statuses. development of a detailed functional Malinowski and Firth had a strong grammar of modern English and has influence on the work of Michael inspired work on a wide range of Halliday, who in turn has had a great languages. impact on applied linguistics. According to Halliday6 functional theory is FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR concerned with language as a form of Functional grammar is a way of interaction, and also with the context in looking at grammar in terms of how which such interaction takes place. A grammar is used. It is used for single sentence or conversation might describing languages in functional terms. incorporate many different functions It focuses on the development of simultaneously. On the other hand, one grammatical systems as a means for function of language can be expressed people to interact with each other. using different forms. The idea of According to Halliday8 it is called functional theory has been adopted into functional grammar because the the theory of language teaching and conceptual framework on which it is learning which are functional and based is a functional one rather than a communicative, from which the notional formal one. In a functional grammar, a syllabus, the functional-syllabus, or the language is interpreted as a system of notional-functional syllabus are meanings, accompanied by forms produced. through which the meaning can be With regard to grammar, Halliday realized. The theory underlying divides the language system into three functional grammar is systemic theory, macro-functions the interpersonal which is a theory of meaning as choice. function, the ideational function, and the It is functional in three different but textual function. Each of these closely related senses: in its components makes a contribution to the interpretation (1) of texts, (2) of the structure, so that a grammatical system, and (3) of the elements of structure is a composite, as it were a linguistics structures. polyphonic pattern in which one melodic According to Halliday, every text – line derives from each function (Kress in that is, everything that is said or written – Yalden).7 unfolds in some context of use. As it is In this paper I will discuss stated by Eggins9 in contemporary life, functional grammar, more specifically, we are constantly required to react to the three functions of language, developed by Michael Halliday, who has 8Ibid 9Eggin, Suzzana. 2004. An Introduction to 6Ibid Systemic Functional Grammar. London: 7Ibid Continuum International Publishing Group. OKARA, Vol. I, Tahun 6, Mei 2011 47 FUNCTIONAL GRAMMAR (AN INTRODUCTION TO METAFUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF LANGUAGE) Christina I.T. Panggabean and produce bits of language that make sets of semantic choice. (1) Theme sense. So a functional grammar is structures express the organization of essentially a ‘natural’ grammar, in the the message: how the clauses relates to sense that everything in it can be the surrounding discourse, and to the explained by reference to how language context of situation in which it is being is used. The relationship between the produced; (2) Mood structures express meaning and the wording (grammar) is interactional meaning: what the clause is not, however, an arbitrary one: the form doing, as a verbal exchange between of the grammar relates naturally to the speaker-writer and audience; (3) meanings that are being encoded. Transitivity structures express Furthermore, the fundamental representational meaning: what the components of meaning in language are clause is about, which is typically some functional components, called process, with associated participants metafunctional components consisting of and circumstances. These three sets of ideational or reflective, interpersonal or options together determine the structural active, and textual. The first two underlie shape of the clause. all uses of language: (1) to understand the environment (ideational), and (2) to THEME: CLAUSE AS MESSAGE act on the others in it (interpersonal), The system of Theme belongs to and the textual breathes relevance into the textual metafunction of the language. the other two. In the third sense, each The Theme functions in the structure of element in a language is explained