On Chapters 2-5 Of Martin's 'English Text'

Bateman (1998: 2):

The second part, consisting of chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5, forms the main body of the book; each chapter addresses a single area of discourse semantics in depth, setting out both the internal details of that area and their often quite varied lexicogrammatical consequences.

Blogger Comments:

This is misleading because it is untrue.  Martin (1992) does not set out the lexicogrammatical "consequences" of discourse semantic systems.  Martin's concern is the discourse semantic systems themselves, not their lexicogrammatical "consequences".

Bateman's use of "consequences" demonstrates that he does not understand that the principle underlying stratification is a form of intensive identity (symbolic abstraction).  Being intensive, the relation between strata is elaborating, not circumstantial (enhancing: consequence).  In theory, discourse semantic systems have lexicogrammatical realisations, not lexicogrammatical consequences.  Martin (1992) does not provide interstratal realisation statements, in the discourse semantic systems he invented.

See also John Bateman Misunderstanding Stratification And Realisation.

(Martin's theory of discourse semantics has no consequences for the SFL theory of lexicogrammar to the extent that it misunderstands the dimensions and principles of SFL theory.)