29.1633, All: Michael Halliday

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-29-1633. Mon Apr 16 2018. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 29.1633, All: Michael Halliday

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Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:43:04
From: Monika Bednarek [Monika.Bednarek at sydney.edu.au]
Subject: Michael Halliday

 
Michael Halliday, who founded the Department of Linguistics at the University
of Sydney in 1976, has passed away at Uniting Wesley Heights Nursing Home in
Manly – aged 93. While Professor of Linguistics at Sydney, Michael built up
the Department, developing an undergraduate pass and honours program and the
first Master of Applied Linguistics program in the Southern Hemisphere; and he
played a key role in attracting an energetic cohort of PhD students. He
retired in 1987, becoming Emeritus Professor of the University of Sydney. He
had previously held chairs at the University of London, the University of
Illinois at Chicago Circle, and the University of Essex. 

Born in Yorkshire in 1925, Michael's undergraduate and postgraduate studies,
which he pursued in Beijing, Guangzhou, Cambridge and London, focused on
Chinese. He later concentrated on English (cohesion, lexicogrammar and
prosodic phonology in particular), and is internationally acclaimed as the
founder of the theory of language known as Systemic Functional Linguistics
(SFL). The fourth edition of his most cited publication, An Introduction to
Functional Grammar (first published in 1985) was published in 2014. Unlike
many of his peers he conceived of linguistics as an ideologically committed
form of social action, and devoted his career to the development of an
appliable linguistics that could be used to productively address secular
concerns; his interest in education and the critical role played by language
in teaching and learning is well-known. As Ron Carter comments on the
collection of interviews with Halliday edited by J.R. Martin (Bloomsbury
2013):

 “The phrases “major figure”, “significance” and “international influence” are
commonly overblown in the contemporary academic world; but these interviews
with Michael Halliday require no exaggeration. They represent the richest of
testimonies to his centrality, significance, impact and enduring influence as
a linguist.”

Those who had the good fortune to know Michael as a teacher, mentor,
colleague, comrade and/or friend will remember him as a warm and humble yet
inspirational figure who made time for those around him, regardless of their
status. He suffered terribly from the loss of his beloved wife, colleague and
companion Ruqaiya Hasan in 2015, but was comforted in his final years by
frequent visits from family and colleagues from around the globe, and the
loving care of his son Neil and his partner Shaye.

The Department honoured Michael with the founding of the Halliday Medal upon
his retirement, awarded annually to the leading students in its applied
linguistics program. As recently as 2014, Halliday presented the award
personally at the School of Literature, Art and Media’s prize-giving ceremony.
His work continues to influence teaching and research in the Department and
around the world – an enduring touchstone for everyone interested in language
and the ways in which people make meaning to live.

The Department extends it sympathy to Michael's surviving family. His life has
passed but the amazing treasure of his intellect will thrive in all those
touched by his work for generations to come.
 


Linguistic Field(s): Not Applicable



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