A STUDY OF IDEATIONAL METAFUNCTIONS IN SIGNS IN HOAN KIEM DISTRICT AND HANOI OLD QUARTER

Abstract

This paper presents the concepts of ideational metafunctions in Halliday’s Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) and analyzes how these metafunctions are realized in signs in the Hoan Kiem District and Hanoi Old Quarter. Based on a corpus of more than 1,000 signs, the study focuses on the transivity system with six main types of processes (material, mental, relational, behavioral, verbal, existential).

The results show that the top - down signage group, issued by public authorities, primarily uses material processes, dirrectives, and relational processes to assert state power and preserve heritage identity. In contrast,  the bottom - up signage group, designed by private individuals, prioritizes relational and mental processes to create commercial appeal, express modernity, and showcase cultural fusion. The analysis off ideational metafunctions reveals how language on signage contributes to the creation of socio – cultural meaning. These characteristics reflect linguistic ideologies within the context of urbanization and tourism in Hanoi