CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS (CDA): SYSTEMIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS (SFL)

Abstract

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is a multidisciplinary field where a linguist and a sosiologist work together on a social phenomenon in a social discourse. The complexity in social realities will be realized  in complexed linguistic systems. Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) views language as a verbal social process, where language is treated as social semiotic systems which represent socio-cultural norms and values. The socio-cultural systems will become the meaning resources, whereas language is the meaning maker. Besides, language bears three meta functions, involving ideational, interpersonal, and textual meanings. The systems and functions works simultaneously to unfold the meanings in the hierarchically different systems to reach the ultimate meaning. In this way, SFL provides a way a linguist works as a mixed linguist and sociologist to look at discourse critically. The following example of analysis will apply the principals by providing an analysis of a text that expresses a political dispute on tax amnesty.