Functional Grammar Analysis: Three Meta-functions in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

Abstract

To further learn about how important literature in early stages of human life is, an approach towards children’s literature is needed. This study aims to analyze a work of children’s literature with systemic functional linguistics approach. ideational, textual, and interpersonal meanings are analyzed from the short story entitled “Jack and the Beanstalk” accessed from British council for kids. The researchers used descriptive qualitative method. The story was broken down into individual clauses which were then analyzed using SFL in tables. The result showed that the majority of the text used material process and topical unmarked theme, which indicates that the story is simple but concise. The story itself, although simple, because it tells a magical fantasy tale, which stimulates children’s imagination to the fullest.