Summer school in Systemic Functional Linguistics, Cardiff University, 16-19/10/10

[Madeleine L.]

We are pleased to announce the 1st LinC summer school in Systemic
Functional Linguistics to be held
at Cardiff University from September 14-16 inclusive, 2010, with
welcome and registration taking
place on September 13th.

Course Team
Cardiff University Lecturers:
Dr Lise Fontaine, Dr Tom Bartlett, and Dr Gerard O'GRADY

and special guest lecturers:
Professor Michael Halliday, University of Sydney and Macquarie University
Professor Ruqaiya Hasan, Macquarie University
Dr Geoff Thompson, University of Liverpool
Dr Mick O'DONNELL, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

About the summer school
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) is an increasingly popular
framework for understanding and
analysing language in use. At the very foundation of SFL is the view
of language as a social
function. As Halliday states, the internal organization of language is
not arbitrary but embodies a
positive reflection of the functions that language has evolved to
serve in the life of social man
(1970:26). The functions of language include both the functions that
language serves (i.e. how
people use language) and linguistic functions (i.e. the grammatical
and semantic roles assigned to
parts of language). It is this focus on the functions of language that
has lead to the successful
application of SFL in areas such as language teaching, literacy,
computational approaches to
language, counselling, research in language and communication and many
more. The goal of the summer
school is to offer research training in both understanding the SFL
theory of language and applying
it to real-world challenges.

The summer school will run two parallel courses; one at an
introductory level and one at an
advanced level. Participants should apply to one or the other
depending on their previous
experience. Both courses are suitable for professionals and students
who have an interest in
learning more about Systemic Functional Linguistics and its applications.

The introductory level will cover a basic introduction to Systemic
Functional Linguistics,
including coverage of the main or core concepts, and it will teach
participants how to analyse
language using the framework. The focus will be equally spread between
lectures and hands-on
practical analysis. No prior experience is needed for this program.
This course will be appropriate
for both professionals who feel an understanding of SFL and/or
language description would be an
asset in their work and students who are considering study or research
using the Systemic Functional
Linguistics.

The advanced level is intended for those who already have some
experience with Systemic Functional
Linguistics and who want to further their knowledge and experience.
The main goal of the course in
this level is to consider more challenging areas of language
description and use with a focus on
real-world applications (e.g. language teaching, education, literacy).
This course would be
appropriate for those with some experience in Systemic Functional
Linguistics such as professionals
(e.g. language teachers, educators, computational linguists,
psychologists) and PhD students. The
advanced course will offer researchers training in a range of
analytical methods and tools to
enhance qualitative research in areas related to language and communication.

Outline of the Programme
Special lectures by Professor Michael Halliday and Professor Ruqaiya
Hasan will be open to all
participants.

Introductory Course
-The functions of language: linguistic representations of personal
experience (experiential
functions); interaction through language (interpersonal functions);
language as text (textual
functions)
-How to analyse the clause in a multi-functional framework
-Spoken language: introducing to phonology and intonation
-Introduction to relevant software for analysing language (e.g. UAM
CorpusTool, PRAAT)

Advanced Course
-Corpus Linguistics within Systemic Functional Linguistics
-Advanced applications using the UAM CorpusTool
-Advanced top
ics in the sounds of language
-Advanced topics in the multi-functional analysis of the clause
-Advanced workshops in analysing discourse
-Workshops with hands-on experience in specific applications of SFL

Application for participation: Please register your interest in the
program as soon as possible to
help us with the organisation of the summer school.
There are a limited number of places available so please book early.
The summer school will only run if the minimum number of places are filled.

Course fee
The registration fee for the full three days of the summer school will
be announced soon. We are
committed to keeping the fee as low as possible so that it is
accessible to all who want to attend.
The fee will include course materials, bibliography, and Certificate
of Attendance.

University accommodation will be available to participants and there
are also many other options
including bread and breakfast guest houses and hotels.
Meals and refreshments will not be included in the registration fee.
There is a cafeteria in the
building and there are many local shops, pubs and cafes in the
immediate area for those who want to
purchase their own food and refreshments rather than bring their own.

For further information, please contact:
Lise Fontaine, Tom Bartlett or Gerard O'Grady

Email: linc2010@cardiff.ac.uk
website: http://www.cf.ac.uk/encap/linc [coming soon]