CONSTRUING EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE TACTIC AND LOGICO-SEMANTIC SYSTEMS

Abstract

This article aims at exploring the lexico-grammatical systems that account for the relations between clauses forming clause complexes. Earlier theories of grammar such as traditional grammar had little to offer in terms of these relations. Their explanation does not provide a sufficient information about the functions of clauses in naturally occurring text. A simplified analysis provided by earlier grammars could be sufficient only in the analysis of sentences taken out of their contexts; however, such an analysis could not account adequately for larger stretches of texts where clause combinations are “more syntactically complex and less semantically explicit.” Halliday has taken a different approach to the study of clause combining within the SFL tradition. He proposes two intersecting dimensions for making clause complex combinations, i.e. the tactic and the logico-semantic systems. These systems will be looked at in more detail. This is followed by a summary of complementary perspectives to the clause complex proposed within the SFL circles.