Abstract:

The theory of Systemic Functional Grammar represents a functional perspective of analyzing and describing language. In the Hallidayan tradition, it is believed that language forms are shaped by interactants' functional uses of these forms. However, it seems that this kind of grammar is not handled by Western scholars only. Eastern scholars, represented by Arabs, here, have also had their attempts to deal with it and form their theoretic version. This study sets itself the task of finding out how close or different the two views are. This involves investigating the emergence and development of this theory in both contexts. Accordingly, the roots of the two theories are traced and their characteristics are pointed out. Moreover, in relation to the functional views in question, the functional nature of the systems of the two languages is investigated. Then, a cross-theoretic contrast is conducted to find out the similarities and differences between the two theories and the two...