CONSTRUCTING HISTORY THROUGH PROCESS AND PARTICIPANT TYPES: AN SFL ANALYSIS OF MATRIC-LEVEL PAKISTAN STUDIES TEXTBOOKS

Abstract

This study employs Systematic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to thoroughly examine how Two Nation Theory and the establishment of Pakistan are linguistically constructed. Based on Halliday’s transitivity system the analysis examine the use of Participant types and process to explore how historical narratives are formed to develop the national ideology. According to the findings, Muslim leaders are positioned as "heroes" through the use of relational, material and verbal Processes while the common Muslims are presented as passive receivers of guidance. Relational processes prove the ideological underpinnings of two nation theory by setting a permanent boundary between the Muslims and Hindus. CDA insights show how this linguistic construction normalizes the division of British India and marginalizes different Points of view. By integrating SFL and CDA this study presents in depth understanding of how language in educational discourse serving both pedagogical and ideological roles influencing the student’s understanding of national identity and political authority.