Monday 10 November 2014

Metaphenomenon & Types Of Sensing

Halliday & Matthiessen (1999: 140-1):
A process of sensing may range over or be caused by metaphenomenon, i.e. by a pre-projected fact serving as Phenomenon, as in (the fact) that she is late worries me.  The two types of sensing that can involve a Phenomenon of this metaphenomenal type are the ones that cannot project*, namely perception and emotion  That is, while perception and emotion cannot create ideas, they can ‘react to’ facts.  In this respect, they are like certain relational clauses such as (the fact) that she is late is a worry /worrying.

*Blogger Note:

Consider the following desideratively projecting clause with metaphenomenonal Phenomenon as Agent:
The fact [[that he had to diet]] made him wish —> he had bought a secret supply of chocolate.
Consider the following cognitively projecting clause with metaphenomenonal Phenomenon as Agent:
The fact [[that the bailiff was coming on Monday]] made him think —> it might be time to emigrate.