David Morley

University of Strathclyde

Applying functional syntax to reading literacy

At several recent ISF Workshops and Congresses I have outlined aspects of a functional syntactic framework for the analysis of textual structure. This has increasingly sought to reflect the meaning structure of the semantic stratum. The full framework is set out in my next book (in press) Explorations in functional syntax (Equinox, 2004).

Triggered by a UK Research Councils Competition, I have developed a scheme which, with the aid of a system of colour coding, applies this functional syntactic framework to the accelerated development of reading literacy. It will be commercialised for use with different groups of learners, and it will in principle be applicable to any language. A patent application has been filed.

My paper will outline and illustrate the format and operation of the scheme.