A Study on Metafunctions of Halliday

The theory of metafunctions plays a very important role in Hallidayan systemic functional linguistics.It includes three kinds of meanings: ideational,interpersonal,and textural.According to Halliday,all the specific functions can be assigned to one or other of the three functions,hence these broad functions are referred as metafunctions.There are different kinds of classifications of language functions.Still we think that the three metafunctions of Halliday are the most influential.Then what are the differences between Halliday and other scholars on the study of language functions? Why does Halliday study language functions from these three points of view? What are the theoretical bases for these? This article will explore these questions.The theory of metafunctions is closed related with the other key concepts in systemic functional linguistics,such as the theory of system,the theory of register and context,the theory of stratum.And it is in compliance with his opinion of language,that is,language as social semiotic.From the analysis of the above questions,we draw the following conclusions: The three aspects of metafunctions are the abstract generalizations of language functions and this classification constitutes the framework of systemic functional linguistics.If we break this classification,we will break the whole picture of systemic functional grammar and the whole theory of systemic functional linguistics will not be as intact as it is now.