For example:functional-systemic linguisticsOften this term is used to refer to a certain type of notional syllabus.
see also communicative approachfunctional-systemic linguistics n
another term for systemic-functional linguistics
functions of language n
also language functions
although most linguists focus primarily on the formal characteristics of
language, there is also a long tradition originally deriving from work in
anthropology which is equally concerned with the functions of language.
Language is often described as having the following major functions:
a descriptive function(or ideational function, in Halliday’s framework),
organizing a speaker’s or writer’s experience of the world and conveying
information which can be stated or denied and in some cases tested.
a social function(interpersonal functionin Halliday’s terms), used to establish,
maintain and signal relationships between people.
an expressive function, through which speakers signal information about
their opinions, prejudices, past experiences, and so forth; and
a textual function, creating written and spoken texts.
These functions frequently overlap, and most utterances accomplish more
than one function at the same time. For example, an utterance such as I’m
not inviting the Sandersons again, with appropriate intonation, signals an
intended future action (ideational or descriptive function), may show that the
speaker does not like the Sandersons (expressive function), and is presumably
part of a conversation (textual function) in which the interlocutors share a
relationship that permits such expressions of dislike (social function).
function word n
see content word
functor n
see content word