Applications of Systemic Functional Linguistics in the Analysis of Language Disorders

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Atoosa Rostambeik Tafreshi
Assistant Professor, Linguistics Department, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies.
Abstract
Language disorders, particularly aphasia, have traditionally been examined within speech-language pathology through psychological and linguistic approaches that focus on the internal structure of language. Within these frameworks, language is typically conceptualized as a system of syntactic, lexical, and semantic rules represented in the individual's mind, and language impairment is generally defined as a deficit affecting one or more of these components. Despite their descriptive value, these approaches have been criticized for paying insufficient attention to language use in authentic interaction and to the role of social context in meaning-making. By conceptualizing language as a system of meaning-making choices realized in relation to the context of situation, Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) offers a more comprehensive framework for examining the linguistic abilities and limitations of individuals with language disorders. Drawing on theoretical foundations and findings from previous research, this paper explores the contribution of the functional approach to the assessment, analysis, and rehabilitation of language disorders. A review of the literature indicates that discourse analysis informed by SFL can move beyond the mere identification and quantification of linguistic errors to reveal how individuals utilize linguistic resources to construe experience, enact interpersonal relationships, and organize texts. Furthermore, this approach provides a valuable framework for designing therapeutic interventions grounded in individuals’ real-life communicative needs.
Keywords
Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)
language disorder
aphasia
discourse analysis
cohesion
language rehabilitation