Devising A System 'From Below' Instead Of 'From Above'

Martin (2013: 41, 42):

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To be clear, this misrepresents SFL methodology. Here Martin constructs a system on the basis of how it is realised structurally. This is giving priority to the view 'from below'. In SFL Theory, priority is given to the view 'from above', which, in the case of the MOOD system, is the interpersonal meanings being realised: the clause as exchange. The meanings realised by the grammatical system of MOOD are those of the semantic system of SPEECH FUNCTION: giving vs demanding information vs goods–&–services.

It is from this mistaken inversion of SFL methodology that the misunderstanding of "axial relations" in this monograph derives.