“A Systemic Functional Analysis on the Lyrical Texts of Intimate Relationship ”

Abstract

This thesis analyses three lyrical texts of intimate relationship: Cry Me A River and My Love by Justin Timberlake and Bitch by Meredith Brooks. The theory of the thesis is Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics. This thesis is intended to know how lexicogrammatical patterns (Transitivity, Mood and Theme) realize semantic components (Experiential, Interpersonal and Textual Meanings) and cohesive chains realize cohesive devices (Lexical Cohesion and Personal Reference). Then, both semantic components and cohesive devices realize situational dimensions (Field, Tenor and Mode). This thesis uses library research to find out the concepts relevant to the theoretical framework of the research. Qualitative data are used to obtain the verbal descriptions, namely three lyrical texts. The descriptive method is used to describe lexicogrammatical patterns, semantic components, cohesive devices and situational dimensions. The result of this thesis indicates that the three lyrical texts share the same Tenor: the interaction of two lovers. However, they differ in many ways. The Field of first lyrical text is the cry of a girl toward her ex-boyfriend; whereas the Mode is a comparative text. The Field of second lyrical text is the persuasion of a boy toward a girl; meanwhile the Mode is a persuasive text. The Field of third lyrical text is the description of a woman, and the Mode is a descriptive text. In conclusion, Systemic Functional Linguistics is used to analyze three lyrical texts in order to know how the texts are closely related in terms of the intimate relationship.