Two Decades’ Development of Systemic Functional Linguistics Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

This comprehensive bibliometric analysis spans two decades, utilizing Web of Science data, systematically traces the evolution of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). By meticulously examining a robust dataset comprising 1,685 articles published from 2003 to 2023, our study reveals a sustained and globally distributed interest in SFL, with significant contributions originating from the USA, China, Australia, the UK, Spain, and Canada. The findings highlight a consistent and substantial upward trajectory in SFL research output over the 20 years. Additionally, our investigation delves into annual global scientific trends within SFL, exposing a clear and growing emphasis on main areas such as corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, multimodality, computational linguistics, and education. As the findings underscore the interdisciplinary nature of these emerging trends, the study proposes a collaborative approach to enhance the growth and impact of Systemic Functional Linguistics. By promoting partnerships across disciplines, the research community can better harness collective expertise and insights, fostering a more dynamic and impact future for SFL.