A Comparative Study on Functional Linguistics Theories

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 23 [GÜZ 2025], 612 - 634, 25.10.2025

Hüseyin Çiçek

https://doi.org/10.28981/hikmet.1737729

Öz

This study comparatively analyzes a number of functional linguistic theories in terms of their theoretical principles, their conception of structural representation and their methodological approaches. The main problem of the study is that although functional approaches are based on a common communicative foundation, they show significant differences regarding the levels of analysis in language analysis. In this context, Functional Grammar, Systemic Functional Grammar, Role and Reference Grammar, Lexical Functional Grammar, West Coast Functionalism and the Usage-Based Cognitive-Functional models are taken in a comparative method. This analysis, based on qualitative research methodology, was conducted through content analysis of theoretical texts. In particular, the primary sources of the theorists in question and the secondary literature explaining these theories have been reviewed. These theories were evaluated on the basis of criteria such as basic assumptions, syntax-semantics-pragmatics relations, structural representation, interaction with context, methodological principles and typological adequacy. Thus, the theoretical diversity within functional linguistics and the contributions of this diversity to language analysis are presented. Finally, this study is not limited to the grammar of a specific language, but rather is a comprehensive linguistic study that provides a theoretical framework applicable to the grammar of Turkish, Arabic, English, and many other languages.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Functional Linguistics , Functional Grammar , Systemic Functional Grammar , Role and Reference Grammar , Lexical Functional Grammar , Usage-Based Models

İşlevsel Dilbilim Kuramları Üzerine Karşılaştırmalı Bir İnceleme

Öz

Bu çalışma, birtakım işlevsel dilbilim kuramlarını, kuramsal ilkeleri, yapısal temsil anlayışları ve metodolojik yaklaşımları bakımından karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemektedir. Çalışmanın temel problemi, işlevsel yaklaşımların ortak bir iletişimsel temele dayanmasına rağmen, dil analizindeki çözümleme düzeylerine ilişkin önemli farklılıklar göstermesidir. Bu bağlamda İşlevsel Dilbilgisi, Dizgeci İşlevsel Dilbilgisi, Rol ve Gönderim Dilbilgisi, Sözcüksel İşlevsel Dilbilgisi, Batı Yakası İşlevselciliği ve Kullanıma Dayalı Bilişsel-İşlevsel modeller karşılaştırmalı bir yöntemle ele alınmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemine dayalı olarak yürütülen bu çözümleme, kuramsal metinlerin içerik analizi yoluyla yapılmıştır. Özellikle ilgili kuramcıların birincil kaynakları ile bu kuramları açıklayan ikincil literatür taranmıştır. Söz konusu kuramlar; temel varsayımlar, sözdizim-anlambilim-edimbilim ilişkileri, yapısal temsil anlayışları, bağlamla kurdukları etkileşim, metodolojik ilkeler ve tipolojik yeterlilik gibi ölçütler çerçevesinde değerlendirilmiştir. Böylece işlevsel dilbilim içindeki kuramsal çeşitlilik ve bu çeşitliliğin dil çözümlemelerine sunduğu katkılar ortaya konmuştur. Son olarak bu çalışma, belirli bir dilin dilbilgisine yönelik olmayıp Türkçe, Arapça, İngilizce ve diğer birçok dilin dilbilgisine yönelik kuramsal bir çerçeve sunan kapsamlı bir dilbilim çalışmasıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

İşlevsel Dilbilim , İşlevsel Dilbilgisi , Dizgeci İşlevsel Dilbilgisi , Rol ve Gönderim Dilbilgisi , Sözcüksel İşlevsel Dilbilgisi , Kullanıma Dayalı Modeller

Kaynakça

• Allan, Keith. The Western Classical Tradition in Linguistics. London: Equinox Publishing, 2. Basım, 2009.
• Anstey, Matthew P. “Functional Grammar from its inception”. A New Architecture for Functional Grammar. ed. J. Lachlan Mackenzie - María de los Ángeles Gómez-González. 24/23-71. Berlin-New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 2004.
• Asudeh, Ash - Toivonen, Ida. “Lexical-Functional Grammar”. The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis. ed. Bernd Heine - Heiko Narrog. 373-406. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2. Basım, 2015.
• Bawarshi, Anis S. - Reif, Mary Jo. Genre: An Introduction to History, Theory, Research, and Pedagogy. Indiana: Parlor Press-The WAC Clearinghouse, 2010.
• Börjars, Kersti. “Lexical-Functional Grammar: An Overview”. Annual Review of Linguistics 6/1 (2020), 155-172. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-linguistics-062419-125014
• Butler, Christopher S. “Criteria of adequacy in functional linguistics”. Folia Linguistica 43/1 (2009), 1-66.
• Butler, Christopher S. “Functionalist Theories of Language”. Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics. ed. Keith Brown. 4/696-704. Oxford: Elsevier, 2006.
• Butler, Christopher S. Structure and Function: A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories: Part 1: Approaches to the simplex clause. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2003a.
• Butler, Christopher S. Structure and Function: A Guide to Three Major Structural-Functional Theories: Part 2: From clause to discourse and beyond. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2003b.
• Butler, Christopher S. - Gonzálvez-García, Francisco. Exploring Functional-Cognitive Space. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2014.
• Bybee, Joan L. “Usage-based Phonology”. Functionalism and Formalism in Linguistics: Volume I: General Papers. ed. Michael Darnell vd. 41/211-242. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1999.
• Bybee, Joan L. - Beckner, Clay. “Usage-Based Theory”. The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis. ed. Bernd Heine - Heiko Narrog. 953-979. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2. Basım, 2015.
• Caffarel-Cayron, Alice. “Systemic Functional Grammar and the Study of Meaning”. The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis. ed. Bernd Heine - Heiko Narrog. 345-372. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2. Basım, 2015.
• Croft, William. “Autonomy and Functionalist Linguistics”. Language 71/3 (1995), 490-532. https://doi.org/10.2307/416218
• Dalrymple, Mary vd. (ed.). Formal Issues in Lexical-Functional Grammar. Stanford-California: CSLI Publications, 1995.
• Dalrymple, Mary. Lexical Functional Grammar. Bingley: Emerald, 2001.
• Dalrymple, Mary. “Lexical Functional Grammar”. Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics. ed. Keith Brown. 7/82-94. Oxford: Elsevier, 2006.
• Dalrymple, Mary vd. “Modeling Syntactic Constraints on Anaphoric Binding”. Formal Issues in Lexical-Functional Grammar. ed. Mary Dalrymple vd. 47/167-175. Stanford-California: CSLI Publications, 1995.
• Dalrymple, Mary - Findlay, Jamie Y. “Lexical Functional Grammar”. Current Approaches to Syntax: A Comparative Handbook. ed. András Kertész vd. 3/123-154. Berlin-Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2019.
• Dik, Simon C. “Basic principles of functional grammar”. Advances in Functional Grammar. ed. Simon C. Dik. 3-28. Dordrecht: Foris Publications, 1983.
• Dik, Simon C. Functional Grammar. ed. Ger J. de Haan - Wim Zonneveld. Dordrecht: Foris Publications, 3. Basım, 1981.
• Dik, Simon C. “On the Notion ‘Functional Explanation’”. Belgian Journal of Linguistics 1 (1986), 11-52.
• Dik, Simon C. “Some Principles of Functional Grammar”. Functionalism in Linguistics. ed. René Dirven - Vilém Fried. 20/81-100. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1987.
• Dik, Simon C. The Theory of Functional Grammar: Part 1: The Structure of the Clause. ed. Kees Hengeveld. Berlin-New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 2. Basım, 1997.
• Ercan, G. Songül. “Dizgeci İşlevsel Dilbilgisi”. Dilbilim Kuramları -İki Düzlem Beş Kuram-. ed. Özge Can. 154-212. İstanbul: İthaki, 2. Basım, 2021.
• Falk, Yehuda N. Lexical-Functional Grammar: An Introduction to Parallel Constraint-Based Syntax. Stanford: CSLI Publications, 2001.
• Firth, J.R. “The technique of semantics”. Transactions of the Philological Society 34 (1935), 36-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-968X.1935.tb01254.x
• Foley, William A. - Van Valin Jr., Robert D. Functional Syntax and Universal Grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984.
• Fries, Peter H. “Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Close Relative of French Functional Linguistics?” La Linguistique 37/2 (2001), 89-100.
• Galfân, Mustafa. el-Lisâniyyâtü’l-bünyeviyye: Menheciyyât ve’t-ticâhât. Beyrut: Dârü’l-Kitâbi’l-Cedîd el-Müttahide, 2013.
• Givón, T. Functionalism and Grammar. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1995.
• Halliday, M.A.K. Halliday in the 21st Century. ed. Jonathan J. Webster. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013a.
• Halliday, M.A.K. “Meaning as choice”. Systemic Functional Linguistics: Exploring Choice. ed. Lise Fontaine vd. 15-36. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2013b.
• Halliday, M.A.K. “Systemic Theory”. Concise History of the Language Sciences: From the Sumerians to the Cognitivists. ed. E.F.K. Koerner - R.E. Asher. 272-276. Cambridge: Pergamon, 1995.
• Halliday, M.A.K. - Matthiessen, M.I.M. Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar. London: Routledge, 4. Basım, 2014.
• Hamza, İbrâhîm Abdüttevvâb. el-Lisâniyyatü’l-vazifiyyeti’n-nizâmiyye: el-Vâfidü’l-ʿarabî ve’n-nahvü’l-ʿarabî. Kahire: Müessesetü ‘Ulûmi’l-Ümme li’l-İstismârâti’s-Sakâfiyye, 2020.
• Hopper, Paul J. “Emergent Grammar”. The Routledge Handbook of Discourse Analysis. ed. Michael Handford - James Paul Gee. 411-423. London-New York: Routledge, 2. Basım, 2023.
• Kaplan, Ronald M. “The Formal Architecture of Lexical-Functional Grammar”. Formal Issues in Lexical-Functional Grammar. ed. Mary Dalrymple vd. 47/7-27. Stanford-California: CSLI Publications, 1995.
• Koşaner, Özgün. “İşlevsel Dilbilgisi ve İşlevsel Söylem Dilbilgisi”. Dilbilim Kuramları -İki Düzlem Beş Kuram-. ed. Özge Can. 84-153. İstanbul: İthaki, 2. Basım, 2021.
• Langacker, Ronald W. “Cognitive Grammar”. Concise History of the Language Sciences: From the Sumerians to the Cognitivists. ed. E.F.K. Koerner - R.E. Asher. 364-368. Cambridge: Pergamon, 1995.
• Langacker, Ronald W. Foundations of Cognitive Grammar: Theoretical Prerequisites. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1987.
• Mackenzie, J. Lachlan. “A first history of Functional Grammar”. History of Linguistics 2014: Selected papers from the 13th International Conference on the History of the Language Sciences (ICHoLS XIII),. ed. Carlos Assunção vd. 233-245. Vila Real: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2014.
• Mackenzie, J. Lachlan. “Functional linguistics”. The Routledge Handbook of Linguistics. ed. Keith Allan. 470-484. London-New York: Routledge, 2016.
• Mackenzie, J. Lachlan. “What is Functional Grammar?” Actes du XV. Congrès international des linguistes. ed. André Crochetière vd. 1/95-106. Québec: Les Presses de L’Université Laval, 1993.
• Mairal Usón, Ricardo - Van Valin Jr., Robert D. “What Role and Reference Grammar Can Do for Functional Grammar”. Revista Canaria de Estudios Ingleses 42 (2001), 137-166.
• Mann, William C., Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen. “Functions of language in two frameworks”. Word 42/3 (1991), 231-249.
• Martinet, André. İşlevsel Genel Dilbilim. çev. Berke Vardar. İstanbul: Multilingual, 1998.
• Nichols, Johanna. “Functional Theories of Grammar”. Annual Review of Anthropology 13 (1984), 97-117.
• Noonan, Michael. “Non-structuralist Syntax”. Functionalism and Formalism in Linguistics: Volume I: General Papers. ed. Michael Darnell vd. 41/11-31. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1999.
• Özgen, Murat. “Rol ve Gönderim Dilbilgisi”. Formalist Dilbilgisi Kuramları. 185-212. Ankara: Pegem Akademi, 3. Basım, 2021.
• Özyıldırım, Işıl. “Tür Çözümlemesi: Yönelimler, Yöntem ve Sınırlamalar”. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi 18/2 (2001), 67-78.
• Rifat, Mehmet. Dilbilim ve Göstergebilimin Çağdaş Kuramları. İstanbul: Düzlem Yayınları, 1990.
• Thomas, Margaret. Formalism and Functionalism in Linguistics: The Engineer and the Collector. New York-London: Routledge, 2020.
• Tomasello, Michael. Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition. Cambridge-London: Harvard University Press, 2005.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. “A Synopsis of Role and Reference Grammar”. Advances in Role and Reference Grammar. ed. Robert D. Van Valin Jr. 82/1-164. Amsterdam-Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1993.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. “Functionalist linguistic theory and language acquisition”. First Language 11 (1991), 7-40.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. “Role and Reference Grammar”. Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics. ed. Keith Brown. 10/641-650. Oxford: Elsevier, 2006.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. “Role and Reference Grammar as a Framework for Linguistic Analysis”. The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Analysis. ed. Bernd Heine - Heiko Narrog. 707-741. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2. Basım, 2015.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. - Foley, William A. “Role and Reference Grammar”. Syntax and Semantics. ed. Edith A. Moravcsik - Jessica R. Wirth. 13/329-352. Bingley: Emerald, 1980.
• Van Valin Jr., Robert D. - LaPolla, Randy J. Syntax: Structure, meaning and function. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.