11/18/2017
1
1
Transitivity
construing experience
2
expressed by processes
process = functional label for the word class verb
1
Event
3
who / what
is involved in the event
2
Participant = functional label for the class “nominal group”
participants
4
where, when, how, why etc
the event occurred
3
Circumstance = functional label for the class “adverbial
group/prepositional phrase”
Circum
stances
5
2 kinds of labelling
• Processes (events) verbal groups
• Participants nominal groups
• Circumstances adverbial groups or prepositional phrases
function class
6
Why functional labels?
class
label
Nominal
group
Verbal
group
Nominal
group
Mrs Piggott washed all the dishes
Class labelling ignores the fact that the different
nominal groups each play a different role in the clause
11/18/2017
2
7
Why functional labels?
class Nominal group Verbal group Nominal group
Mrs Piggott washed all the dishes
Do-er Done toProcessfunction
More specific terms depend on the type of Process
8
summary of process types
doing
other
process
Material
Behavioural
Mental (sensing)
Verbal (saying)
relational(relating)
attributive
identifying
existential
9
process
material
non-material
Mrs Piggott washed the dishes
1
Test 1 : What .. do?
process types
Test 2: unmarked present tense form = continuous: V+ing
10
The main participant in material processes isthe do-er of the action: the Actor
They are walking quickly.
Actor Process: Mat. Circumstance
participants in material processes
11
A: They are (walking quickly.)
To identify the Actor, ask yourself:
participants in material processes
Who did the action?, e.g.
Q: Who is walking quickly?
Actor Process: Mat. Circumstance
12
More than one participant may be present in the clause
Mrs Piggott washed all the breakfast things…
e.g.
participants in material processes
If a second participant is affected by the doings of the Actor, that participant is called
the Goal
Actor Goal
11/18/2017
3
13
Active versus passive clauses
• active voice - in a Material process clause, the Actor comes first, e.g.
a lion chased the touristPro: Material GoalActor
• passive voice - in a Material process clause, the Goal comes first, e.g.
the tourist was chased by a lion
Pro: MaterialGoal Actor
14
In a passive clause the Actor may be left out
Pro: MaterialGoal
the tourist was chased
15
it will be expressed by a prepositional phrase
(rather than by a nominal group)
In a passive clause when the Actor is present
the tourist was chased by a lion
Pro: MaterialGoal Actor
Prep. phrase
16
Q: What did the lion do to the tourist?
To test whether a second participant (P2) is
affected by the doings of the Actor, ask
yourself: What did the Actor do to P2?
A: It chased him
participants in material processes
therefore
Goal
17
The boys played tennisRange
The participant that is not affected by the doing is not a Goal. It is called…
i.e. P2 in the example expresses the Range over which the process extends
18
in some material processes, there may be a participant who benefits from the doing.
e.g.
Mrs Piggott cooked meals for the family
Mrs Piggott cooked the family meals
Actor Pro:Mat Goal Beneficiary
Actor Pro:Mat Beneficiary Goal
11/18/2017
4
19
Test question: who (did the Actor do the doing) for?
e.g.
Mrs Piggott cooked meals for the family
Mrs Piggott cooked the family meals
Actor Pro:Mat Goal Beneficiary
Actor Pro:Mat Beneficiary Goal
Beneficiary
who did Mrs Piggot cook meals for?
20
Whether the Beneficiary is a nominal group or a prepositional phrase depends on its position in the clause
Beneficiary
Mrs Piggott cooked meals for the family
Mrs Piggott cooked the family meals
21
potential Participants in material processes
process
material
non-material
22
process
material
relational
2
types of process
23
Participants in Attributiverelational processesThe daisy is a beautiful flower.
Carrier Attribute
The daisy is a beautiful flower
Pro: Attributive
It has no fragrance
Pro: Attributive
Carrier Attribute
Carrier Attribute24
Here are his paw marks
CarrierAttribute: Circumstance Pro: Attributive
A Circumstantial Attribute may come first
On the mantelpiece was an envelope
CarrierAttribute: Circumstance Pro: Attributive
11/18/2017
5
25
a sore head has the bear
CarrierAttribute: possessive Pro: Attributive
Intensive and possessive Attributes generally do not come first
26
Tom is the tallest
Tom is the captain
Identifying a thing in terms of some identifying feature
relational processes 2: identifying things
1
Some verbs identifying form/function: become, equal, add up to;
act as; call; mean; define; represent; spell; express; form; give;
constitute; imply etc
27
Identifying a thing in terms of some circumstance: time, place, manner etc:
2
Today is the 4th
The best way to get there is by train
Some verbs identifying circumstances: takes up; follows; spans;
crosses; accompany; resemble etc
relational processes 2: identifying things
28
Identifying a thing in terms of ownership 3
The book is mine
possessio
npossessor
Some verbs identifying possession: own; include/exclude; involve;
contain; comprise; provide; deserve; owe; lack etc
relational processes 2: identifying things
29
A: Her name is Alison
Participants in Identifying relational processes
IdentifiedIdentifier
2 sets of labels
Q: What is her name?
The thing about which the question is asked is labelled Identified
1
That which identifies the thing is labelled Identifier
30
A: Her name is Alison
Participants in Identifying relational processes
IdentifiedIdentifier
2 sets of labels
Q: What is her name?
1
A: Alison is her name
Identifier Identified
11/18/2017
6
31
A: Today is the 4th
A: It ‘s mine
Participants in Identifying relational processes
Identified Identifier
Q: What is today’s date?
Q: Whose book is that?
Identified Identifier32
to represent the fact that something exists or happens
There were many children in the street.
e.g.
existential processes are about existence
they usually follow the pattern: There + “be” + Thing
A 3rd use of the verb “to be”
33
existential processes
There are not many flowering trees out there at the moment.
What is the difference (if any) between the following instances of there:
Existential “there”
Circumstantial “there”34
existential there v. circumstantial there
There ’s a spare seat over there
existential there circumstantial there
Process Participant Circumstance
exampleThere is someone at the door. Is anybody there?
phonologically reduced full value
clause positionearly in the clause anywhere in the clause
35
There were many children in the street.
the main participant is the thing that exists
process: existential Existent Circumstance
existential
“there” has no
transitivity
function
it is non-referentialwhy?
existential ‘there’
36
relational processes and participants
process
material
relational
describing
identifying
existential
Attribute & Carrier
Existent
Identifier & Identified
11/18/2017
7
37
These are clauses which take the form “it” + a form of the verb “to be” + a nominal group (often with embedded clauses), e.g.
Theme Predication
It was the dog [[that died]]
Such theme predicated clauses function to set up a contrast, e.g.
not the cat
38
Such clauses are related to a non-predicated experientially equivalent version, e.g.
Theme Predication
It was the dog [[that died]],
Clause initial “it” in Theme Predicated clauses refers to the NG coming after the verb
The dog died
It was the dog [[that died]]
(not the cat)
39
These clauses are simple to analyse, e.g.
Analysing Theme Predicated clauses
It was the dog [[that died]],
Pro: Rel: Id Id’rId’d
It was the dog [[that died]], (not the cat)
40
further process types
• representing our material doings and
• describing, identifying and representing
the existence of things, we also
represent the world of ourinner consciousness
In addition to
41
mental processes
Pro:Men Participant
The baby knows its mother
She loves ice-cream
I hear someone whistling
knower
reacter
hearer
a more appropriate term for the “do-er” in mental processes is the Senser
conscious “do-er”
Senser
42
the second participant (P2) is the thing that
is sensed. This is called the Phenomenon
mental processes
Senser Pro:Men Phenomenon
The baby knows its mother
She loves ice-cream
I hear someone outside
11/18/2017
8
43
Senser and Phenomenon
Lightning frightens me
Senser
The order of Senser and Phenomenon is not always
the same
I fear lightningSense
r
44
Mental process clauses: 2 patterns
1. ‘like’ type=Senser^Phenomenon
2. ‘please’ type= Phen^Senser
I like icecream
Icecream pleases me
I fear lightning
Lightning frightens me
45
There may not be a second participant (Phenomenon)
in a mental process clause because what comes
after the mental process may be a whole clause
Beware
We knew
46
Mental process projecting another clause
We knew // that you were coming//
Senser Pro: Men Actor Pro: Material
1 We knew
Senser Pro: Mental
2 that you were coming
Actor Pro: Material
Clause segmentation:
47
Participants in mental processes
process
material
relational
reaction
perception
cognition
mental
48
Use the tense test to distinguish material & mental processes
Ask yourself:
what is the typical form of the present tense with this process?
Create a scenario where you have to use the present tense of the verb in focus, e.g.
11/18/2017
9
49
Tense test
e.g. The children knew the answer
Scenario: Someone tells you some old information. In response, would you say:
1. I know that.
2. I am knowing that.
50
Beware
some processes of perception are like material processes because they take
the continuous tense
The children are watching a movie.
e.g.
51
These processes that seem to be closely
related in meaning to mental processes
but behave grammatically like a material
process are categorised as Behavioural
processes.
52
The dog is watching the neighbour’s cat
The old lady is listening to the radio
The doctor is feeling the patient’s pulse
Participants in Behavioural processes
conscious P1=Behaver
53
Participants in Behavioural processes
Behaver Behavioural RangeThe children watched a movie
The parents listened to the radio
The doctor felt the patient’s pulse
Usually, the second participant (P2) in Behavioural
processes is a Range, i.e. P2 indicates the range
over which the behaviour extends Did
what?
54
Participants in Behavioural processes
process
material
relational
reaction
perception
cognition
mental
doing
behavioural
11/18/2017
10
55
verbal processes
He says it’s going to rain.
processes of saying
She asked a question
They explained the problem
56
verbal processes
clause 1 clause 2P r o j e c t s
They announced that an inquiry would be held
He stated “My client is innocent
Sayer Pro:Vbl Goal Pro:Mat
Sayer Pro:Vbl Carrier Pro:Rel Attribute
//
//
57
test 2 for identifying mental and verbal processes
Since these process types can project another process, e.g.
She said
58
Look for another verb after the mental or verbal process
They heard that it had finished
She said they were coming
They listened that it had finished
She spoke they were coming
59
i They are walking quickly.
ii They are watching a movie.
iii She loves icecream.
iv He says it’s going to rain.
v The orchid is a beautiful flower.
summary of tense & process types
material
mental
verbal
relational
behavioural
continuoustense
simpletense
60
summary of participant roles
process type
material
behavioural
mental
verbal
relational - attributive
relational - identifying
relational - existential
Actor – Goal – Range - Beneficiary
Behaver - Range
Senser - Phenomenon
Sayer–Receiver–Verbiage-Target
Carrier - Attribute
Identified - Identifier
Existent
11/18/2017
11
61
Characteristics of main participants
participant characteristic
Actor unrestricted
Behaver living
Senser conscious
Sayer signaller
Carrier unrestricted
Id’d / Id/r unrestricted
Existent unrestricted
62
Processes & participant functions
The books cost me $20
Carrier Pro: rel: circ Attribute
Beneficiary may occur with relational processes, e.g.
The books were $20
Carrier Pro: rel:intens Attribute
Beneficiary
63
Further participants in material process clauses
They painted the room yellow
P1 P3 P3
What is going on here?
As a result of painting, the room was yellow
So….64
Further participants in material process clauses
They painted the room yellow
Pro: MatActor Goal Attribute (result)
Attribute is the result of the painting
65
Further participants in material process clauses
The travellers returned home broke
P1 P2
In what state/condition did the travellers return home?
So….
66
The travellers returned home broke
Pro: MatActor Circ Attribute (depictive)
Attribute depicts the state of the travellers
Further participants in material process clauses
11/18/2017
12
67
Circumstance specifies certain information about the process
manner how (the process is done)
extent in space or time How far or how long / often..
location in space or time Where or when..
cause Why? How? What / who for…
contingency under what conditions…
Conceding what….
accompaniment And who / what else…
role what as…
angle according to who…
matter what about…. 68
task
• Analyse Transitivity, Mood and Theme in the telephone text clauses
69
1 This telephone has two AA-size batteries
trans
Mood
Theme
2 When they are installed,
trans
Mood
Mood Residue
Theme
Pro: RelCarrier Attribute
Topical
Pro: MaterialGoal
TopicalTextual
passive clause
Rheme
Rheme
Subject F P Complement
Mood Residue
Mood Residue
Subject F Pred
70
3 these provideback-up for the clock display and the
telephone numbers in the memory.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: RelCarrier Attribute
synonym of “be”
4Such battery
back-up is not necessary for normal operation;
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: RelCarrier Attribute Circ: purpose
Topical Rheme
Subject F P Complement
Mood Residue
Subject F P Complement Adj circ
Mood Residue
Topical Rheme
5 however the batteries should be installed
Trans
Mood
Theme
6 in case the telephone is disconnected from the phone line.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: MaterialGoal
TopicalTextual
passive clauses
Pro: MaterialGoal Circ: loc: sp
Subject F1 PredicatorF2
Mood Residue
Rheme
Subject F Predicator
Mood Residue
Adj circ
TopicalTextual Rheme
7 To install the batteries:
Trans
Mood
Theme
8 Loosen the screw on the battery compartment cover.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: Material Goal
Rheme
non-finite dependent
clause
Pro: Material Goal Circ: loc: sp
Topical
Predicator Complement
Residue
Predicator Compl
Residue
Adj circ
Rheme
11/18/2017
13
73
9 Open the battery compartment cover.
Trans
Mood
Theme
10 and insert two 1.5v AA batteries.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: Material Goal
Topical Theme
Pro: Material Goal
TopicalText
Rheme
Predicator Complement
Residue
Rheme
Predicator Complement
Residue
74
11 Close the compartment cover
Trans
Mood
Theme
12 and carefully secure the screw.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: Material Goal
Topical
Pro: Material Goal
Topical: mkdText
Circ: manner
Rheme
Predicator Complement
Residue
Predicator Complement
Residue
Rheme
Adj circ
75
13 The life of the batteries is about 24 months.
Trans
Mood
Theme
14 To replace used batteries,
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: RelCarrier Attribute
Topical
Pro: Material Goal
non-finite clause
Rheme
Subject F P Complement
Mood Residue
Rheme
Predicator Complement
Residue
76
15 simply remove them
Trans
Mood
Theme
16 and insert new ones.
Trans
Mood
Theme
Pro: Material Goal
TopicalInterpersonl
Pro: Material Goal
TopicalText
Predicator ComplementAdjmood
Mood Residue
Rheme
Predicator Complement
Residue
Rheme
According to the transitive interpretation of experience
in two participant (effective) processes, Participant 1 “does” something to Participant 2
transitive interpretation
The children kicked a ball around the yard
P1 P2
According to the transitive interpretation of experience
captures whether or not a process extends to second participant which it affects
The ball soared through the air
transitive interpretation
P1 P2
The children kicked a ball around the yard