Against Conflation: A Three‑post Critique Of Martin’s Theory And Method: Preface

This three-part mini-series examines a recurring method in contemporary reinterpretations of systemic functional linguistics (SFL): the systematic relabelling of pre-existing theoretical categories. Across the series, we trace how misunderstandings of Hallidayan stratification and instantiation have been transformed into apparent innovations, creating new strata and terminology that are widely accepted despite conceptual weaknesses.

The aim is not to single out individual scholars for criticism, but to understand the architecture of theory, the role of method, and the dynamics of scholarly communities in shaping what comes to be seen as legitimate knowledge. By carefully following these threads, readers can gain insight into both the theoretical structure of SFL and the social processes that influence its interpretation and extension.