Choice in Language - Applications in Text Analysis - Gerard O'Grady
9 Contentful and contentlight subject themes in informal spoken English and formal written English
Choice in Language - Applications in Text Analysis - Gerard O'Grady
Margaret Berry [+]
University of Nottingham (retired)
Margaret Berry, now retired, was Reader in English Language at the University of Nottingham, UK. She has published introductory books on systemic linguistics: An Introduction to Systemic Linguistics (Vol. 1): Structures and Systems (1975) Batsford and An Introduction to Systemic Linguistics (Vol. 2): Levels and Links (1977) Batsford. She has also published articles on a wide number of aspects of SFL, including context of situation, exchange structure, theme and rheme, given and new, register variation, and the application of SFL to the teaching of English. Her current research interests are in context of situation, exchange structure, theme and rheme and the written language of school children. She has lectured in China, Australia and Canada, as well as in Europe. She was instrumental in the organisation of a series of SFL workshops in Nottingham (1989-1992) which led to the formation of the European branch of the Systemic Functional Linguistics Association.
Description
This chapter reports on part of a long term study which provides helpful information to teachers of English. The general purpose of the chapter is to offer an understanding of the differences between the informal spoken English that children grow up with and the formal English they will need to learn to write if they are to succeed in various careers.