A systemic functional approximation to the use of cleft sentences and reversed pseudo-cleft sentences in English in a narrative sample written by the Sourth African writer Alan Paton

Abstract

Taking into consideration the fundamental principles of Systemic Functional Grammar, we have studied in detail two syntactically-marked structures in English, cleft sentences and reversed pseudo-clefts, in two novels written by the African writer Alan Paton: Cry, The Beloved Country (1958) and Ah, But Your Land Is Beautiful (1983). To study cleft sentences and reversed pseudo-clefts in their context we will try to see the reasons why the author uses these structures to reflect the social situation that surrounds him. The study of the novels allows us to state that language creates and builds a social situation and that is why from one particular text we can predict the social context that surrounds that text.