Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Purpose and Scope

1.3 Data and Methodology

1.4 Organization of the Book

Chapter 2 Metaphor in Halliday's Systemic-functional Grammar

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Halliday's Definition of Metaphor

2.3 Types of Metaphor

2.4 Analyses of Metaphor

2.5 Contributions and Challenges

2.6 Summary

Chapter 3 Thematic Equatives in Halliday's Systemic-functional Grammar

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Halliday's Definition of Thematic Equatives

3.3 Types of Thematic Equatives

3.4 Analyses of Thematic Equatives

3.5 Contributions and Problems

3.6 Summary

Chapter 4 Metaphorical-congruent Analysis

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Aspects and Criteria of'Metaphorical'and'Congruent'

4.3 MC Analysis：Model,Principles and Procedures

4.4 Advantages of MC Analysis

4.5 The Working Model of MC Analysis of Thematic Equatives

4.6 Summary

Chapter 5 Grammatical MC Analysis of Thematic Equatives in English

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Ideational MC Analysis

5.3 Interpersonal MC Analysis

5.4 Textual MC Analysis

5.5 An Integrated Grammatical MC Analysis

5.6 Contributions and Problems

5.7 Summary

Chapter 6 Lexical MC Analysis of Thematic Equatives in English

6.1 Introduction

6.2 General Guidelines of Lexical MC Analysis

6.3 Lexical MC Analysis of'x'

6.4 Lexical MC Analysis of'be'

6.5 Lexical MC Analysis of'a'

6.6 An Integrated Lexical MC Analysis

6.7 General Discussions

6.8 Summary

Chapter 7 Phonological MC Analysis of Thematic Equatives in English

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Tone Units,Tonicity,and Functions of Intonation

7.3 The MC Analysis of Tone Unit and Information Structure of Thematic Equatives in English

7.4 Evidence from a Small Survey

7.5 Summary

Chapter 8 Peripheral Features of Thematic Equatives in English：An MC Analysis Perspective

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Peripheral Logical Features

8.3 Peripheral Experiential Features

8.4 Peripheral Interpersonal Features

8.5 Peripheral Textual Features

8.6 Peripheral Lexical Features

8.7 Peripheral Phonological Features

8.8 Summary

Chapter 9 Conclusion

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Summary of the Main Points

9.3 Implications

9.4 Remaining Problems for Further Research

9.5 Concluding Remarks

References