A Practical Guide to System Networks
Modelling Paradigmatic Relations for Language Description in Systemic Functional Linguistics
Will be published approx. on 5. March 2026
Book
Hardback
216 pages
978-1-350-52358-6 (ISBN)
Description
In Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), paradigmatic relations are formalised in system networks. This book provides a practical, step-by-step guide to designing system networks for language description, one of the key aspects of SFL theory and analysis.
Including examples from English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish, and exercises with answer keys for each of the main chapters, this book offers a broad coverage and guides learners through the process of designing system networks for the purpose of grammatical description in an accessible way.
Beginning with simple systems, the authors show how grammars involve a complex of relations, with some systems dependent on others and some working in parallel with simultaneous options. They introduce the reasoning involved in designing system networks, explaining how choices in grammatical systems are motivated in terms of their realisation in structure and how this relationship between the paradigmatic axis and the syntagmatic axis is formalised in SFL descriptions. In addition, the book helps readers to understand the theoretical architecture of SFL - including the dimensions of rank, metafunction and stratification.
With an introduction by Michael Alexander Kirkwood (M. A. K.) Halliday, who reviews the history of the development of his approach to system and structure and the use of system networks to formalise paradigmatic relations, this book is essential reading for all scholars of functional grammar and SFL. It will also appeal to researchers interested in theoretical linguistics from the perspective of the history of linguistics and different schools of linguistics.
Including examples from English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish, and exercises with answer keys for each of the main chapters, this book offers a broad coverage and guides learners through the process of designing system networks for the purpose of grammatical description in an accessible way.
Beginning with simple systems, the authors show how grammars involve a complex of relations, with some systems dependent on others and some working in parallel with simultaneous options. They introduce the reasoning involved in designing system networks, explaining how choices in grammatical systems are motivated in terms of their realisation in structure and how this relationship between the paradigmatic axis and the syntagmatic axis is formalised in SFL descriptions. In addition, the book helps readers to understand the theoretical architecture of SFL - including the dimensions of rank, metafunction and stratification.
With an introduction by Michael Alexander Kirkwood (M. A. K.) Halliday, who reviews the history of the development of his approach to system and structure and the use of system networks to formalise paradigmatic relations, this book is essential reading for all scholars of functional grammar and SFL. It will also appeal to researchers interested in theoretical linguistics from the perspective of the history of linguistics and different schools of linguistics.
Reviews / Votes
This is a really tremendous and necessary book that serves as an introduction to the core concepts of SFL theory through the mechanisms of drawing systems networks. Through a very well organised and crafted trajectory the book is able to introduce difficult theoretical concepts in a way that should make them easy to grasp. The book will also be a highly useful resource for more seasoned practitioners in the field to refresh their memories and to get help with producing diagrams from time to time. The use of examples from English and other langauges is a useful way of introducing concepts through familiarity and then demonstrating how different languages work on similar principles to produce very different results. * Tom Bartlett, Professor of Functional and Applied Linguistics, University of Glasgow * This book is an invaluable guide for anyone exploring Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). With clear, step-by-step instructions and multilingual examples, it offers clear guidance on designing system networks for language description. Practical exercises and detailed answer keys in each of the main chapters help learners apply ideas effectively, making it ideal for both students and researchers looking to master SFL-based grammatical analysis. * Chang Chenguang, Professor of Linguistics, Sun Yat-sen University * I have long relied on the previous edition of this invaluable book in the postgraduate Systemic Functional Grammar course I teach to linguists-in-training. This new edition, opening Chinese paradigmatic relationships to English readers, is a most welcome addition. We urgently need SFL resources that foreground paradigmatic reasoning! * Dr. Beatriz Quiroz, Associate Professor in Language Sciences Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile * A Practical Guide to Systems Networks lives up to its title. Its clear, step-by-step style scaffolds beginners in SFL. This expanded edition connects classic theories with fresh insights. Including languages beyond English and rich illustrations, it empowers readers to confidently interpret and construct system networks across diverse linguistic contexts. * Isaac N. Mwinlaaru, PhD; Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Coast *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 158 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
363 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-52358-6 (9781350523586)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
J. R. Martin is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Pin Wang is Associate Professor at the Martin Centre for Appliable Linguistics of the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Pin Wang is Associate Professor at the Martin Centre for Appliable Linguistics of the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Content
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Foreword
1. Axis
2. Basic Systems (for words)
3. More Systems (for structures)
4. System Networks: Metafunction and Rank
5. System Networks: Stratification
6. Beyond Grammar: Axial Perspectives
Glossary
Appendices
References
Index
List of Tables
Preface
Foreword
1. Axis
2. Basic Systems (for words)
3. More Systems (for structures)
4. System Networks: Metafunction and Rank
5. System Networks: Stratification
6. Beyond Grammar: Axial Perspectives
Glossary
Appendices
References
Index