Halliday’s

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Function of
Language
MICHAEL
z ALEXANDER KIRKWOOD
HALLIDAY
M. A. K. Halliday; 13 April
1925 – 15 April 2018
- was a British linguist who
developed the internationally
influential
Systemic Functional Linguist
ics
(SFL) model of language.
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Halliday’s Function of Language

 - is a Theory of language developed by
Michael Halliday in the 1970’s.
 - it is a systematic functional linguistics
theory that describes language as a semiotic
system, not in isolation but in relation to the
context in which it is used.
7 Functions
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of Language according to
Halliday’s Theory

 - Instrumental - Heuristic

 - Regulatory - Imaginative
 - Interactional - Informative

 - Personal
Intrumental Function:
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 - Language is used to fulfill a need or to get

something done.
Regulatory Function:
 - Language is used to control the behavior of
others.
Interactional Function:
 - Language is used to establish and maintain
social relationships.
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Personal Function:
 - Language is used to express personal
feelings, opinions, and identity.
Heuristic Function:
 - Language is used to learn and to explore
the environment.
Imaginative Function:
 - Language is used to create and express
imaginative worlds.
Informative Function:
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 - Language is used to covey information.

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