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Transitivity Processes in Thunberg’s Viral Speech: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Study

ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities · Vol. 3 No. 4 (2021) · pp. 607–614

DOI
10.34050/elsjish.v3i4.10696
ISSN
2621-0835, 2621-0843
Published
2021-07-08
Publisher
Hasanuddin University
Language
en
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between clause structures and social construction of the meaning found in verbal speeches. Drawing on Halliday's transitivity system particularly the processes element rooted in Systemic Functional Linguistics, the present study attempts to investigate the distribution of transitivity processes found in viral speech of Greta Thunberg at 2019 United Nation Climate Summit held in New York City. Moreover, through descriptive qualitative analysis, the study aims to reveal the function expressed by the processes found in the speech. To this end, it is found that only five out of six process types namely material, mental, relational, verbal, and behavioral processes found in the speech. Moreover, Thunberg used relational processes, mental processes, and material processes more than verbal processes and behavioral processes. The five processes further serve different functions in the speech. Yet, all of the processes occurred in the speech are generally used to deliver Thunberg’s critics over the world leader’s slow response in handling the climate issue. Besides, the processes also used to convince the audience and people in general to start doing something for the climate. The implication of this research is expected to give the information on how language structure is used by the environmental activist in her agenda to persuade people.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

5 authors · 6 co-authorship links

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  • Universitas Halu Oleo
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Sarini YusufUniversitas Halu Oleo1
Nurdiana A.Affiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/oai, first harvested 3 Nov 2026, last seen 3 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Transitivity Processes in Thunberg’s Viral Speech: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Study</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Rahardi, Hesti Raisa</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Sujatna, Eva Tuckyta Sari</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Heriyanto</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Transitivity system</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Processes types</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Thunberg’s viral speech</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Systemic Functional Linguistics</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study analyses the relationship between clause structures and social construction of the meaning found in verbal speeches. Drawing on Halliday's transitivity system particularly the processes element rooted in Systemic Functional Linguistics, the present study attempts to investigate the distribution of transitivity processes found in viral speech of Greta Thunberg at 2019 United Nation Climate Summit held in New York City. Moreover, through descriptive qualitative analysis, the study aims to reveal the function expressed by the processes found in the speech. To this end, it is found that only five out of six process types namely material, mental, relational, verbal, and behavioral processes found in the speech. Moreover, Thunberg used relational processes, mental processes, and material processes more than verbal processes and behavioral processes. The five processes further serve different functions in the speech. Yet, all of the processes occurred in the speech are generally used to deliver Thunberg’s critics over the world leader’s slow response in handling the climate issue. Besides, the processes also used to convince the audience and people in general to start doing something for the climate. The implication of this research is expected to give the information on how language structure is used by the environmental activist in her agenda to persuade people.  </dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2021-07-08</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
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	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/10696</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.34050/elsjish.v3i4.10696</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities; Vol. 3 No. 4 (2020): DECEMBER; 607-614</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0835</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0843</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.34050/elsjish.v3i4</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/10696/6994</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2020 ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0</dc:rights>
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