An Academic lecture by Professor Matthiessen from HongKong Polytechnic University

Prof. Christian Matthiessen, the famous Systemic Functional linguist who is also the Chair Professor of English Department and Associate Dean of Humanities, Hong Kong Polytechnic University was invited to school of foreign studies of South China Normal University to make a speech named Models for construing our experience of time in different languages: A systemic functional perspective at 3:00pm-5:30pm, April 9th, 2010.

Some teachers and postgraduates of our department and some scholars from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, South China University of Technology and Jinan University attended the meeting.

Prof. Christian Matthiessen taking systemic functional linguistics as the theoretical framework, made a detailed report on the two building mode of time experience from the languages used all over the world (time-mode, type mode) and the mode in between (time-type mixed mode). These two modes started from the multi-language, the potential meaning of language and vocabulary grammar on the basis of various language facts.

Besides, he also gave a detailed description of the macro and micro and construction of a specific geographical distribution pattern (from the time mode of Western European countries, such as U.K. or transiting from west to East Asia and Southeast Asia type mode, such as China gradually) and so on.

After the lecture, teachers, students and scholars asked questions actively and then exchanged ideas about the related questions with Prof. Christian Matthiessen.

Professor Matthiessen is a world famous linguist on systemic functional linguistics, proficient in abstract thought and the cartography of language system. His book Lexicogrammatical Cartography: English Systems (1995) is so far regarded as the best book to describe system in the world of systemic functional linguistics.

The book Construing Experience Through Meaning:a Language-based Approach to Cognition , written by him and Halliday, has a significant effect on systemic functional linguistics. In view of his great academic contribution, professor Matthiessen is reviewed as the most ideal successor to the founder of systemic functional linguistics, Halliday and the second leading person in the linguistic theory of Halliday .

( referring it in the paper of Huang Guowen, the chairman of China Functional Linguistic Association, The review of the 40 years development of Halliday s systemic functional linguistics on page 20, Vol.1,2000, Foreign Language Teaching and Research.)

Before the report, the president of school of foreign studies Zhou Rong, vice-president Ling Haiheng, Sun bin and other leaders have exchanged ideas with professor Matthiessen on the exchanges and coorperations about the future development of teaching and research between school of foreign studies and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.