Some reflections on Systemic Functional Grammar: With a focus on Theme

Abstract

This article addresses some theoretical issues and empirical problems which emerge from, and which seem to limit, Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG), in particular the analysis of Theme and other related notions, as presented by M. A. K. Halliday in his 1994 book Introduction to Functional Grammar (IFG). My discussion is developed from a position drawing from the works of both defenders and detractors of the SFG program. The paper includes first a description of the foundations of SFG: secondly, an exposition of some moot points of the model, focusing on its treatment of Theme: and thirdly, a summary of the conclusions reached in this investigation. In the present paper, such claims and programmatic suggestions can at best be hinted at, but it is to be hoped that they will at least point to directions for future research in SFG.¹