Abstract

Transformational generative grammar (TGG) and systemic functional grammar (SFG) are two of the most influential theoretical linguistic schools. Previous literature has mostly taken the two approaches as two contrastive perspectives to language. In the present study, the author focused on the non-contradictory side of the two approaches to see how they could be bound together to supplement each other in terms of linguistic competence, syntax and pragmatics, thus forming a more comprehensive picture of language. This paper ends with a discussion on the application of these two grammars in second language acquisition and second language teaching. Findings have shown that instead of being completely contradictory and mutually exclusive, SFG and TGG supplement each other and together present us a more holistic picture of language with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Key words: Transformational generative grammar, systemic functional grammar, second language teaching and acquisition.