Anyone discussing Functional Grammar at this point?
Mondays is Functional Grammar Forum night, we've just begun, so if anyone is interested in joining, let us know!

The Unit 2 of the functional grammar will be discussed on line tonight between 10 and 11 pm over Skype. Recordings will be made available. The readings will be hosted by Anthony (Professor).

The general consensus of the study group is that the module book so far (Units 1 and 2) is a very reader-friendly introduction to systemics, with lots of example texts to illustrate the key concepts being introduced. The main points introduced in this unit were register theory and its components; field, tenor and mode. Though there was no compulsory reading for the unit, we all found that the recommended reading, Chapter 2 of Eggins, S. (1994) An Introduction to SFL, was thoroughly readable and a very useful supplement to the module book.

The concepts that are introduced in this unit, while not entirely new, are ones that I'd never really absorbed previously, but they're slowly becoming clearer. As with most things in the programme, however, it is only when I start applying them that I gain something close to a full understanding. Roll on the assignment...well, in the New Year, anyway.