Language, Knowledge And Pedagogy: Functional Linguistic And Sociological Perspectives

This book explores the nature of knowledge, language and pedagogy from the perspective of two complementary theories: systemic functional linguistics, and Bernstein-inspired sociology. Bernstein’s sociology of knowledge makes a distinction between horizontal and vertical discourses as ways in which knowledge is transmitted in institutional settings, with teachers as agents of symbolic control. Systemic functional linguists have explored educational discourse according to similar hierarchies, and by bringing the two perspectives together this book shows the impact of language on knowledge and pedagogy. The contributors examine the different structures of knowledge and the flow of information within the school context, but also according to language in early childhood, literacy, English, the social sciences, science and mathematics. The result is a progressive and dynamic analysis of knowledge structures at work in educational institutions.

Frances Christie is Emeritus Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Melbourne, Australiaand Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney, Australia. J. R. Martin is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney, Australia.