From Deploying Functional Grammar (Martin et al 2010: 169):
However, there is one type of structure where the two types of structure [logical and experiential] are out of phase with one another … . This happens when the Head is a noun that does not represent a thing in its own right but rather an elaboration or extension of another thing, as in the side of the house, two metres of fabric, another cup of coffee. … we'll suggest an analysis here that treats these structures as having an embedded nominal group with the multivariate function Focus …
two
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metres
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of
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fabric
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multivariate
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Focus
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Thing
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univariate
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β
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Head
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β
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Blogger Comments:
To be clear, this is merely a rebranding of Halliday's 'complex Numerative' (IFG2: 195-6) or 'extended Numerative' (IFG3: 332-5; IFG4: 394-6) as "Focus". The analysis above is merely a rebranding of:
two
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metres
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of
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fabric
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experiential
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extended
Numerative: quantum
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Thing
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||
logical
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Premodifier
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Head
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Postmodifier
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No argument is provided in support of the change of terminology, which fails to acknowledge its Numerative function, and the term itself is textual, not experiential, in orientation, and is already in use in SFL theory for the focus of New information.
For other examples of Martin rebranding other people's ideas, see here.
For other examples of Martin rebranding other people's ideas, see here.
