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CLAUSE AS REPRESENTATION

TRANSITIVITY IN VERBS:PROCESS,

PARTICIPANTSandCIRCUMSTANCE

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THE THREE MAJOR ROLES OF LANGUAGEa) how language functions to organise texts ina particular way Textual functionb) how language functions to participate in the

world Interpersonalfunctionc)how language functions to reflect in the

world Ideational/ExperientialorRepresentationalfunction

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REPRESENTING THE WORLD EXPERIENTIAL/IDEATIONAL FUNCTION OF LANGUAGEOur most powerful impression of experience is that itconsists ofgoings-onhappening, doing, sensing,meaning, being and becoming. All these goings-on are sortedout in the grammar of the clause. Thus as well as being amode of action, of giving and demanding goods-&-services

and information, the clause is alsoa mode of reflection, ofimposing order on the endless variation and flow ofevents. This grammatical system by which this is achieved is

TRANSITIVITY.The transitivity system construes theworld of experience into a manageable set of

PROCESS TYPES.(Halliday, 1994 : 106)

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REPRESENTING THE WORLD - EXPERIENTIAL

FUNCTION

We use language to talk about theworld, either

our external world

about things, events, qualities

or

our internal world

about thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and soon.

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Experiential

function

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EXPERIENTIAL/IDEATIONAL FUNCTION OF

LANGUAGE (CLAUSE AS REPRESENTATION)

In simple terms, language reflects our view of the worldas consisting ofgoings-on (mainly reflected in theverbs)and these involve

things/entities(usually realised bynouns)which may have attributes(normally realisedbyadjectives)and thesethingsgo on against background details of place, time,

manner (expressed byadverbials orprepositional phrases).

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OF LANGUAGE

From the point of view of Systemic-

Functional grammar the content ofclauses can be expressed in terms of

Processes (verbs)involvingParticipants (nominal groups)in

certain

Circumstances (adverbials orprepositional phrases).

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OFLANGUAGE

For example :

Harry Potterunlocked the secret chamber.participant process participant

(noun) (verb) (noun)

The experimentwas donein the lab yesterday.

participant process circumstance circumstance

(noun) (verb) (adverbial) (adverb)

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Only ONE participant (entity/thing) involved

TWO participants (entities/things) involved

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OF LANGUAGE

The process is typically expressed / realizedby theverbal group (verbs)in the clauseand is the central component of the message

from the experiential perspective.

Every major clause normally includes at least

oneparticipantwhich is normally realized

by a nominal group(nouns).

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OF

LANGUAGE

e.g. The lonely Shrek died.participant processnoun group verb

The new test was done yesterday.participant process circumstancenoun group verb adverb

Harry Potter unlocked the secret chamber.

participant process participantnoun group verb noun group

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OF

LANGUAGE

In some cases a participantmaynot be explicitly mentioned but is

understood as part of the

experiential meaning, for example,

you is understood as the doer

participant in imperative clauses.

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EXPERIENTIAL FUNCTION OF

LANGUAGE

We can analyse the functional roles of theparticipants in the clause in terms of :

transitivity: this starts from the classification of the

different kinds ofprocesses (verbs)

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TRANSITIVITY : TYPES OF PROCESS (VERBS)

Transitivityis a way of distinguishing

the processes(verbs) according towhether they have an

Object or not.

There are three basic questions that

can be asked about any processand theclause of which it forms the nucleus:

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TRANSITIVITY : TYPES OF PROCESS

a) what kind ofprocessis it?b) how manyparticipantscan/must

be involved in the process ?

c) what rolescan/must thoseparticipants play ?

Thistripartiteinterpretation ofprocessesis what lies behind the

grammatical function of word class.13

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TRANSITIVITY : TYPES OF PROCESS

The different types of processes in

systemic grammar are:

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Major processes Minor processesMaterial

Mental

RelationalVerbal

Behavioural

Existential

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A SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF

PROCESSES IN SYSTEMIC GRAMMAR:

Process SummaryMaterial Process of the external worldMental Process of the inner experience, process of

consciousness

RelationalProcess of identifying, classifying

Verbal Process of saying and meaning, borderlinebetween mental and relationalBehavioural Process of consciousness and

physiological states,that represent outermanifestations of inner workings, borderlinebetween material and mental

Existential Process of existence, borderline betweenrelational and material15

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A) MATERIAL PROCESS

This is one of the most salient types ofprocesses (verbs) which involve

physical actions such as running,throwing, kicking, cooking

, etc. The traditional definition of a verb is

doing word and this describes such

processes reasonably well.

Involves an input of energy

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B) MENTAL PROCESS

These are the processes that go on in theinternal worldof the mind such as thinking,imagining, liking, wanting, seeing, etc.

These processes tend to be realized throughverbs like think, smell, want, repel, fear, feel, see,

hate, admire, etc.

References to the senses, feelings,desires, inner thoughts, imaginings

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B) SUB-CATEGORIES OF MENTAL PROCESSMental process can be sub-categorised into three:

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a) affection orreactionprocesses of

horrifying,

worrying, etc.

b) cognitionprocesses of

deciding,

knowing,

understanding,

etc.

c)perceptionprocesses of

seeing,

hearing, etc.

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C) RELATIONAL PROCESS These are processes that show the

relationship between conceptsandthe function of the predicator is to signal the

existence of the relationshipthe relationship

ofbeingand having The verb itself is emptyit is not providing

information

It is about what things are,what they are like and

what they possess.19

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C) SUB-CATEGORIES OF RELATIONAL PROCESS

The process is typically realized by the verb beor some verbs of the same class (copular verbs)e.g.seem, become, have, own, possess.

Relational process can be divided into:attributiverelational process

ascribes an attribute (description,quality) to some entity

identifyingrelational process identifies an entity.

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C) EXAMPLES OF RELATIONAL PROCESSIntensive relational processshows

relationship set up between two things which

are equivalent:

A mule

is a mule.Clause is Reversible

is a hybrid produced by mating a maledonkey and a female horse.

A hybrid produced by mating a male

donkey and a female horse

We use this resource to definethings

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C) EXAMPLES OF RELATIONAL PROCESSIntensive relational process - relationshipset up between two things which are not

exact equivalent:

A mule is a hybrid .A hybrid isa mule.

Clause is NOTReversible

We use this resource to classifythings

X

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C) EXAMPLES OF RELATIONAL PROCESSIntensive relational process - relationshipset up between a thing and a quality:

A mule is sterile.Sterile is a mule.

Clause isNOTReversible

We use this resource to describethings

X

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OTHER TYPES OF PROCESSESVerbal process: process of saying and are expressed by verbs like say,

talk, ask, suggest

Generally refer to someone saying something, may be

a direct quote orindirect report of what is said

Behavioural process : process relating to humanphysiologicalprocesses, e.g.

laugh

Existential process : process ofexistence,verbs which express the existence

of an entity

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MAJOR AND MINOR PROCESSESMajor processes :

Material : e.g. destroy, murder, etc.Mental : e.g. horrify, puzzle, imagine, etc.Relational : e.g.felt, is, used to be, etc.

Minor processes:Verbal : e.g. say, repeat, criticise, etc.Behavourial : e.g. laugh, stare, etc.Existential : e.g. were, is, etc.

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PARTICIPANTS OF PROCESSES

The different processes generally

involve different types of

participants:(things or entities involved in the

different process types).

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A) PARTICIPANTSIN MATERIAL PROCESSActor: the doer of this type of processGoal: a second participant being done

to by actor

Beneficiary and Recipient: otherparticipants for ditransitive clause

Range: specifies the scope of happening- provides information about the

extent, range or scope of an action

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B) PARTICIPANTSIN MENTAL PROCESSSenser: the Subject which experiencesthe process :Phenomenon:That which is experienced The condition for the participants for this

process is that

Sensermust behuman or animatewhilePhenomenon can be either animateor inanimate.

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C) PARTICIPANTSIN RELATIONAL PROCESSForAttributiveRelational process:Carrier(participant with the attribute)Attribute(quality, classification,

description) clause is non-reversibleFor IdentifyingRelational process:Identified(holder of the defining

quality)Identifier(the defining quality) clauseis reversible (can be passivised)

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D) PARTICIPANTSIN VERBAL PROCESS Sayer: the participant that is responsible

for the verbal process

Quoted(direct speech): The proposition orproposal in the verbal process

Reported(indirect speech). Receiver: the person to whom the

verbalization is addressed.

Target: the person or thing targeted by theprocess.

Verbiage: what is said by classifying it interms of its character as an

expression.30

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E) PARTICIPANT IN BEHAVIOURAL PROCESS This process is a grey area between

Materialand Mental processes.

The process relates to specifically human

physiological processes :e.g. hear = mental processvs.

listen = behavioural process

the only participant in this process isBehaver(human participant).31

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F) PARTICIPANTIN EXISTENTIAL PROCESSThis process has only one participant :Existent.The main forms of realization are :

with a copular beand an empty there,and

with a copular verb, the existent as Subjectand usually a Circumstantial Adjunct.

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EXAMPLE OF THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES

Alicegavesome blood. (material)Alicethoughtshe should give blood. (mental)Aliceisa blood donor. (relational)Alicesaidthat giving blood is easy. (verbal)Alicedreamtof giving blood. (behavioural)Thereisa reward for giving blood. (existential)

(from Eggins, 1994)

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Examples highlight the choices we have in talkingabout something/representing the reality/goings-on

Majorproces

ses

Min

orprocesses

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CIRCUMSTANCE

This is the element that carries a semanticload but is neitherProcessnorParticipant.

Circumstanceis concerned withmatters such assetting, temporal,physicalthemannerin which the

process is implemented, the people or

other entities accompanying the

process rather than directly engaged in

it.34

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EXAMPLES OF MATERIAL PROCESS, PARTICIPANTS& CIRCUMSTANCEThe tsunami had destroyed all the villages.Actor process GoalCoarse grass was growing everywhere.

Actor process CircumstanceTheywill find some chairs for the guests.Actor process Goal Beneficiary

The boy scouts reachedthe top of the hill.Actor process Range

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EXAMPLES OF MENTAL PROCESS, PARTICIPANTS &CIRCUMSTANCE

The tiger did not see me.Senser Process Phenomenon

I was not seen by the tiger.Phenomenon Process Senser

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Note: SENSER must be human/animate

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EXAMPLES OF RELATIONAL PROCESS,PARTICIPANTS & CIRCUMSTANCE

The baby was hungry.Carrier Process Attribute

Maria is her name.Identifier Process Identified

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Copular

verb be

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EXAMPLES OF VERBAL PROCESS,PARTICIPANTS & CIRCUMSTANCEThe girl said Here they come!

Sayer Process QuotedAllen said he wanted a new toy car.

Sayer Process ReportedThe police questioned the suspect.

Sayer Process ReceiverThe boy told a lie.

Sayer Process VerbiageThe memberscriticized the new chairman.

Sayer Process Target38

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EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOURAL PROCESS,PARTICIPANTS & CIRCUMSTANCE

The tractor slid away.Behaver Process CircumstanceThe audience laughed.

Behaver Process

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EXAMPLES OF EXISTENTIAL PROCESS,PARTICIPANTS & CIRCUMSTANCEThere were ninety of them.(Place holder) Process Existent

Ninety of them were in the banquet hall.Existent Process Circumstance

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COMPARISON BETWEEN EXISTENTIAL

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COMPARISON BETWEEN EXISTENTIAL

ANDMATERIALPROCESS CLAUSES:

There issome other pattern. (existential)

existent

Some other patternexists. (material)

actor

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OVERVIEW OF PROCESS TYPES AND PARTICIPANTS

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Process type Core meaning ParticipantsMaterial doing,

happening

Actor, Goal, Beneficiary,Recipient, Range

Mental:

Perception,

Cognition,

Affection

sensing,

perceiving,

thinking,

feeling

Senser, Phenomenon

Relational:

Attributive

identifying

being,

attributing,

identifying

Carrier, Attribute

Identified, Identifier

Verbal saying Sayer, Quoted, Reporter,Receiver, Verbiage, Target

Exitential existing ExistentBehavioural behaving Behaver

Majorprocesses

M

inorprocess

es

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THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES IN THE SENTENCES

BELOW:

a. Timothy was sawing wood.b. The oil is added drop by drop.c. This bread is stale.d. Did you notice the key?e. Jim explained to her what it meant.f. He stared in amazement.g. There were two wonderful Swiss men.h. She answeredthe question.i. The weather has turned quite nasty.j. This used to be our dining room.

materialmaterialrelational

mentalverbal

behaviouralexistential

verbalrelational

relational

THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES & PARTICIPANTS IN

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THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES & PARTICIPANTS IN

THE SENTENCES:

a. Tom was chopping wood outside.(material)actor goal circumstance

b.The liquid is added drop by drop. (material)goal circumstance

c. This bread is stale.(relational)carrier attribute

d. Did you notice the difference? (mental)senser phenomenon

e.Jim explained to her what the report meant. (verbal)sayer receiver verbiage

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THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES & PARTICIPANTS IN THE

SENTENCES:

f. He stared in astonishment. (behavioural)behaver circumstance

g. There were two wonderful Italian men. (existential)existent

h. She answered the questionquickly.(verbal)sayer verbiage circumstancei. The weather has turned quite nasty. (relational)

carrier attributej. This used to be our living room. (relational)

identified identifier45

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CAN YOU STATE THE DIFFERENT PROCESSES IN THE SENTENCESBELOW?:

1. The students repeated the answer.2. She gathered honey from the flowers for her food, anddrank the dew every morning from the leaves.

3. Biggles crouched a little lower.4. Mr. Jonson stated yesterday that he had some difficulty inpresenting his case.5. Her eyes were as blue as the deepest sea.6. One evening the sun went down gloriously.7. The duckling had never imagined anything so beautiful.8. He whispered a prayer that he might join them.9. There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.10.Phoebe recited the poem.