Doctor of Philosophy / The thesis of this study is that two seemingly disparate research disciplines can be coalesced to develop an effective pedagogical framework for educational design in the context of networked learning. That contention is grounded in, and inspired by, the rapid developments in educational technologies which have greatly changed the landscape in teaching and learning in higher education over the last decade. The study attempts to add to the corpus of contemporary learning theory which sees students not merely as passive recipients of knowledge, but as active participants in the learning process, having much greater control over their selection of technological learning tools, learning resources and learning methodologies. This is very much in line with the shift from the traditional focus on content design and knowledge transmission towards a more student-centred design for knowledge co-construction, a development which demands the type of new thinking about the design of learning tasks and learning resources contained in this study. Also set out are new lines of action for the fashioning of a collaborative learning environment, for community interaction and the sharing of knowledge, and for promoting good teaching and learning practice. The central argument of the study is that such pedagogical goals may be attained by juxtaposing the theories of Systemic Functional Linguistics (hereafter SFL) and pattern languages. These have not, thus far, been used in combination. SFL is a well established theory in the study of language, and is used in this thesis to help analyse and classify discourses produced and shared by teachers and students in networked learning. Pattern languages have their origin in architecture. Design patterns can be used as a means of representing and sharing important and specific empirical research results and design experiences. This new knowledge can be used to support and improve the quality of educational design. The study has two central components. The first uses the SFL theoretical framework to demonstrate how text is used as a key medium in networked learning. In other words, it is argued in this section that the quality of texts has a direct impact on the quality of learning and learning outcomes. The quality of text is assessed by means of a detailed discourse analysis of selected texts. This process involves deconstructing, identifying and capturing the linguistic resources and language strategies used in the texts. The detailed discourse analysis also illustrates and reveals how language is used in the construction of knowledge and the promotion of collaboration in teaching and learning. The second component centres on the argument that SFL provides valuable language knowledge which can be represented by using Alexander’s design patterns. New knowledge encoded in these design patterns can be used by teachers and designers as reusable and shared resources to help them improve their design work. The empirical research was carried out in three phases. The first involved a) the identification of text patterns of discourses used in networked learning based on detailed discourse analysis; b) Interviewing experienced academic staff to identify their perspectives on good online teaching practices and success factors. The second phase involved using the data which emerged from these interviews and discourse analysis to model illustrative patterns. (Here, illustrative means that due to the scope of the study, it is only possible to develop a limited number of patterns to illustrate the methods used for pattern development. It is not the intention to develop a full repository of design patterns in this study). In the third (validation) phase the patterns were reviewed by two groups of academic staff, with the aim of improving these patterns. Improved patterns were then tested on a group of educational design students for their usefulness and application. It is concluded from this research that it is possible to develop design patterns which ensure the best use of linguistic resources in both the teaching and learning process. Finally, it is argued that the combination of SFL and pattern languages provides a promising theoretical framework for the complex and demanding task of educational design. Future research could make use of such a framework to explore a fuller application of the pattern- based approach for the representation of new knowledge for educational design. Suggested additional research directions include finding new ways of capturing a new pedagogical approach to mobile learning and blended learning. Also, a promising direction could be the use of SFL Appraisal theory (Martin, 2000) for the investigation on how students construct interpersonal relationships (appraise peer work) in online joint projects. In the conclusion, it is contended that through its exploration of new ground in the use of SFL and pattern language theory in the construction of education design patterns, the study makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of networked learning.

The aim of this study is to systematize and advance the Systemic-FunctionalLinguistic method of analysing Ergativity such as it has potential to be employedfor linguistically oriented Critical Discourse Analysis. By applying the termMetaphor of Ergativity, and distinguishing and defining a variety of suchMetaphors, different realizations of Ergativity can be identified and categorized.The method is subsequently adopted for an analysis of a newspaper material. Theanalysis reveals that Ergativity is realized differently depending on which Agent isassociated with an Ergative process, and that different Metaphors of Ergativity tendto be used with slightly different functions. Such differences may carry significancefor Critical Discourse Analyses, and the method could therefore be a usefuladdition to future linguistically oriented Critical Discourse Analyses.

NASCIMENTO, Maria Valdênia Falcão. Representação social, avaliação e léxico: um olhar sobre o discurso de professores e tutores do Curso de Licenciatura Letras/ Espanhol da Universidade Federal do Ceará. 2012. 229f. Tese (Doutorado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Letras Vernáculas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguística, Fortaleza-CE, 2012. / Submitted by Liliane oliveira (morena.liliane@hotmail.com) on 2012-08-24T14:28:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_DIS_MVFNASCIMENTO.pdf: 1401369 bytes, checksum: a8433e913605616bbceb661282cdbf0b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Josineide Góis(josineide@ufc.br) on 2013-10-10T14:33:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_DIS_MVFNASCIMENTO.pdf: 1401369 bytes, checksum: a8433e913605616bbceb661282cdbf0b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-10T14:33:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_DIS_MVFNASCIMENTO.pdf: 1401369 bytes, checksum: a8433e913605616bbceb661282cdbf0b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / The present work is the result of reflections on the social representation that both Spanish as foreign language pre-service teachers and instructors have about assessment. The main goal consists of investigate how the assessment is an instrument of social representation of multiple dimensions (cognitive, discourse, linguistics, and social). The analysis of the organizational semantics of the lexicon, which is embedded in discourse manifestations, allows for the understanding of assessment as content knowledge. The study addresses the following questions: (1) How do instructors and pre-service teachers view assessment in the pre-service context? (2) Which social representation of assessment emerges in the discourse of instructors and pre-service teachers when asked about assessment? (3) What are the key lexical items of social representation constructed by the participants involved? The analysis is based on the Theory of Social Representation, especially that of Moscovici (1976, 2009) and Jodelet (2001), on the Critical Discourse Studies proposed by Van Dijk (2003, 2008), and on the studies of Coracini (2003), Moita Lopes (2007) and Bordón (2004) in Applied Linguistics. Data were generated by semi-structured interviews and free word association techniques. The methodology employed for data analysis was content analysis, based onBardin’s (2010) propositions. Two teaching environments were considered: face-to-face and distance education. Results indicate that the participants have two perspectives of assessment: (1) as predominantly a verification of learning, based on instruments such as exams, seminars and portfolios; and (2) as a fundamental part of teaching and learning that serves as a “regulator” of the process. However, in the discourse of the participants, the evaluation process is not considered an important mechanism of control and exclusion, which indicates a lack of critical understanding of the sociological and ideological aspects involved in assessment. In broad terms, results indicate that assessment needs to be considered as an important issue in the preparation of pre-service teachers, and new alternatives of assessment should be discussed, studied and implemented. Furthermore, this study contributes to other studies that investigate how language and social representation mutually shape and affect each other. / Este trabalho resultou de nossas indagações a respeito da representação social de professores e tutores sobre a avaliação em um contexto de formação de professores de espanhol como língua estrangeira. O principal objetivo consistiu em investigar como a avaliação constitui-se um objeto de representação social considerando-se suas múltiplas dimensões (cognitiva, discursiva, linguística e social) e como, por meio da análise da organização semântica do léxico, presente nas manifestações discursivas dos sujeitos ao se posicionarem sobre o tema, pode-se mapear o significado construído para a avaliação enquanto objeto de conhecimento. Entre os questionamentos suscitados, visamos responder às seguintes questões: 1. De que forma os professores se posicionam acerca da avaliação num contexto de formação de professores de língua estrangeira? 2. Que representação social sobre a avaliação está presente nas manifestações discursivas dos professores ao se posicionarem sobre o tema? 3. Que itens lexicais, produzidos pelos sujeitos, podem ser tomados como vetores da representação social construída? Para o alcance dos objetivos propostos, baseamo-nos numa articulação entre a Teoria das Representações Sociais, particularmente os postulados de Moscovici (1976, 2009) e Jodelet (2001); os Estudos Críticos do Discurso propostos por van Dijk (2003, 2008), e, ainda, a Linguística Aplicada, com os trabalhos Moita Lopes (2007) e Bordón (2004). Os dados foram gerados por meio da técnica de associação livre de palavras e por entrevistas semiestruturadas. Para a análise dos dados foi empregada a metodologia da análise de conteúdo, de acordo com as proposições de Bardin (2010), considerando-se o exame dos posicionamentos presentes no discurso docente em torno da avaliação, tanto na modalidade presencial quanto na semipresencial de ensino. As análises realizadas evidenciaram que os sujeitos concebem a avaliação em duas direções: 1.como predominantemente circunscrita a uma concepção de avaliação como mera verificação da aprendizagem, centrada na aplicação de instrumentos como provas, seminários e portfólios e 2. como parte fundamental e inerente ao processo de ensino e aprendizagem, cuja função é “regular” esse processo. No entanto, o funcionamento do processo avaliativo como mecanismo de controle e de exclusão não aparece como uma questão importante nos discursos dos sujeitos, ficando ao largo uma compreensão crítica dos fatores ideológicos e sociológicos que perpassam tanto o discurso sobre a avaliação, como as condições em que essa é produzida. Em linhas gerais, o presente estudo oferece relevantes elementos para se pensar alternativas e caminhos para eventuais transformações das práticas de avaliação e sobre sua relevância na formação de futuros professores de línguas, além de fazer avançar a contribuição dos estudos que investigam a relação entre linguagem e representação social, tendo em vista a forma como estas se afetam mutuamente.

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This study is intended to shed light on similarities and differences in terms of functional structure of the clause when modality is expressed by use of modal operators in Russian and English, in order to arrive at findings which inform, and are applicable to, the process of English language acquisition by the Russian learner. The need for the investigation was prompted by the author’s work experience in the field of English teaching, and the lack of explicit guidance in available textbooks currently used in Russian schools and institutions with regard to the particular issue highlighted. While learning the subject of Systemic Functional Linguistics, I drew parallels between the functional structures in the two languages, the purpose of which is to provide a roadmap which facilitates the learning and teaching of English modality to the Russian learner. The approach of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), focusing on the metafunctions as the correspondence in the sociolinguistic message of the clause, is used as a basis for comparing the functional structures in both languages. The investigation of functional grammar features is carried out in order to spotlight  both the similarities and the differences inherent in expressing a degree of probability of an event or statement indicated, not only by the choice of an appropriate modal verb, but also its placement within the clause. The role of the social context in which the text is set is noted as significant for delivering the precise meaning of the message. Hence, the proposition will be pursued through further investigation in the field of modality, and viewed from perspectives of sociolinguistics.

I denna uppsats undersöker och identifierar jag språkliga strategier i kampanjtexter från Försvarsmakten. Undersökningen syftar till att med hjälp av en sociosemiotisk analys kartlägga de modelläsare som konstrueras i Försvarsmaktens rekryteringskampanjer för grundläggande militär utbildning. Undersökningsmaterialet består av printannonser från tre kampanjer genomförda mellan år 2012 och 2013. Metoden för undersökningen är lånad från Anders Björkvalls avhandling svensk reklam och dess modelläsare och består av en analysmodell baseras på Hallidays systemisk-funktionella grammatik. Modellen tar fasta på textens textuella, ideationella och interpersonella betydelser såväl som textens rekontextualisering. Resultatet från undersökningen visar att de modelläsare som konstrueras i annonserna har en inre önskan om att bidra till en bättre värld genom att hjälpa andra människor, men agerar i nuläget inte alls. Modelläsarna är undvikande inför att höra om katastrofer och konflikter i världen och hittar lätt bortförklaringar till varför de ännu förblir passiva. Glappet mellan den önskade och verkliga identiteten skapar en känsla av otillräcklighet hos modelläsarna. Försvarsmakten presenteras i materialet som handlingskraftiga och pålitliga, ett slags ideal för modelläsaren. / In this study I examine and identify the linguistic strategies used in campaign texts from the Swedish Armed Forces. The purpose of the study is to identify the characteristics of the mod- el readers constructed in recruitment campaigns for basic military training, using a socio- semiotic approach. The research material consists of print ads from three campaigns conduct- ed between 2012 and 2013. The method used in the study is borrowed from Anders Björ- kvall’s dissertation Model readers in Swedish advertising and consists of an analytical model based on Halliday’s systemic functional linguistics. The model takes into account the textual, ideational and interpersonal meanings of the text, as well as its recontextualisation. The re- sults of the study show that the model readers constructed in the ads have an inner desire to contribute to a better world by helping other people, but are currently not doing this. The model readers avoid hearing about disasters and conflicts in the world and will easily find excuses for why they still remain passive. The gap between the desired and actual identity creates within the model readers a sense of insufficiency. The Swedish Armed Forces, on the other hand, are presented as energetic and dependable, an ideal for the model reader.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa / English proficiency is regarded important for economic empowerment in South Africa, since English is the official business language of the country. South Africa is, however, a multilingual country, with 11 official languages. The majority of South African learners do not speak English as first language, but study English as an additional language in school. This leads to English Second Language (ESL) classroom complexities such as multilingualism, negative attitudes to ESL, and various levels of linguistic proficiency, which affect the teaching of the prescribed curriculum. Many learners arrive in secondary school (Grade 8) with underdeveloped English proficiency, which means that a lot of time in ESL classrooms is spent on re-teaching English language concepts, especially grammar concepts. This causes stress for both ESL teachers and learners. This study tested the effectiveness of a self-help ESL grammar intervention programme in order to establish whether existing gaps in grammar knowledge could be closed via self-study outside of the classroom. More specifically, the study asked the question whether learners’ knowledge of Parts of Speech could be enhanced via a self-help intervention programme, which was based on the principles of Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG). SFG is not traditionally used as an instructional framework in ESL classrooms in the South African context. The rationale for assessing the efficiency of an SFG self-help intervention programme was that there is currently a dire need for alternative approaches to teaching ESL grammar, which would assist struggling learners to raise their proficiency levels quickly, and which would allow teachers to continue with the prescribed curriculum. The intervention programme was tested in a controlled quasi-experimental study, which included an experimental group and a control group, and which compared performance in the mid-year examination and year-end examination to performance in a baseline assessment. The results of the study showed that the self-intervention programme was effective in enhancing ESL learners’ knowledge of Parts of Speech, and also had a positive effect on other aspects of grammar knowledge and on writing. Based on these findings, it is recommended that self-regulation and self-instruction be considered for inclusion in ESL syllabi in the South African context, as it can play a positive role in enhancing ESL learners’ linguistic proficiency. / Engelse taalvaardigheid word as belangrik beskou vir ekonomiese bemagtiging in Suid–Afrika, aangesien Engels die offisiële besigheidstaal van die land is. Suid-Afrika het egter elf erkende offisiële landstale en is dus ‘n meertalige land. Die oorgrote meerderheid Suid-Afrikaanse leerders se eerste taal is nie Engels nie, en hierdie leerders neem Engels as tweede taal (ook genoem eerste addisionnele taal) in ‘n formele omgewing op skool. Dit veroorsaak verskeie uitdagings in Engelse tweedetaalklasse, onder andere meertalige leerders, ‘n negatiewe houding teenoor Engels, en oneweredige ontwikkelingsvlakke in Engels. ‘n Groot aantal leerders begin hul sekondêre skoolloopbaan met onderontwikkelde vaardighede in Engels, met name in grammatika. Dit beïnvloed die onderrig van die voorgeskrewe Engelse tweedetaal kurrikulum, veral in Graad 8. Onderwysers is dikwels genoodsaak om baie tyd aan die heronderrig van grammatikale konsepte te spandeer, alvorens die voorgeskrewe Graad 8 kurrikulum hervat kan word. Dit plaas spanning op sowel onderwysers as leerders. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die effektiwiteit van ‘n self-onderrig intervensieprogram te toets – meer spesifiek om te toets of kennisgapings in “Parts of Speech (POS)” oorbrug kan word met ‘n self-onderrig program wat gebaseer is op Sistemiese Funksionele Linguistiek (SFL). SFL word nie tradisioneel in die Suid-Afrikaanse leerprogram gebruik nie, en die rasionaal vir die toetsing van ‘n SFL program was dat daar tans ‘n geweldige vraag is na alternatiewe benaderings tot die onderrig van Engels, wat leerders sal ondersteun om hulle vaardigheidsvlakke snel te verbeter, sodat onderwysers kan voorgaan met die voorgeskrewe kurrikulum. Die SFL intervensieprogram in hierdie studie is deur middel van ‘n gekontroleerde kwasi-eksperimentele metode getoets, wat ‘n eksperimentele groep en ‘n kontrolegroep ingesluit het. Die twee groepe se kennis van woordsoorte is in die middeljaar, asook die eindjaareksamen gemeet, en vergelyk met die resultate van ‘n basislyntoets wat aan die begin van die jaar afgeneem is. Die resultate het bevestig dat die SFL intervensieprogram ‘n positiewe effek gehad het op kennis van woordsoorte. Verdere positiewe effekte was merkbaar in ander aspekte van Engelse grammatika en in skryfvaardigheid. Na aanleiding van hierdie bevindinge is die aanbeveling van hierdie studie dat selfonderrig and self-regulasie oorweeg moet word as belangrike komponente van die Engels tweedetaal sillabus in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, aangesien dit ‘n positiewe rol kan speel in die verbetering van Engels tweedetaal leerders se taalvaardigheid. / Ubugcisa kulwimi lwesiNgesi bubaluleke kakhulu ekuxhobiseni ezoqoqosho eMzantsi Afrika kuba silulwimi lwezoshishino olusemthethweni kweli lizwe. Naxa kunjalo uMzantsi Afrika lilizwe elineelwimi ezininzi, apho ezili-11 zamiliselwa njengeelwimi ezisemthethweni. Uninzi lwabafundi baseMzantsi Afrika alusithethi njengolwimi lokuqala isiNgesi, koko lusifunda njengolwimi olongeziweyo esikolweni. Oku kukhokelela kwiingxaki ezininzi kwiklasi efundisa isiNgesi njengoLwimi lwesiBini, ezifana nokusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezininzi kwakunye namanqanaba awohlukileyo olwazi nobugcisa bokusebenzisa ulwimi, nto ezo zichaphazela ukufundiswa kwekharityhulam esekiweyo. Abafundi abaninzi bafika kwisikolo sasesekondari (iBanga lesi-8) bengenalwazi nabugcisa baneleyo besiNgesi, ngenxa yoko, kwiklasi yesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini kuchithwa ixesha elininzi kuphindaphindwa ukufundiswa kwesigama sesiNgesi, ngakumbi isigama segrama. Esi sifundo sophando siye sahlola ukusebenza kwenkqubo yongenelelo kufundiso lwegrama yesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini apho umfundi azinceda ngokwakhe, ukuze kufunyaniswe ukuba zingavaleka na ezi zikhewu zikhoyo zokuswela ulwazi lwegrama ngokuzifundela ngaphandle kweklasi. Olu phando lujolise ngakumbi kumbuzo wokuba, ingaba ulwazi lwabafundi ngeziGaba zeNtetho lungaphuculwa na ngokusebenzisa le nkqubo yongenelelo yokuzinceda esekelwe kwimithetho-siseko yeSystemic Functional Grammar (iSFG). ISFG ayisetyenziswa ngokwesithethe njengesakhelo sokufundisa kwiklasi yesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini eMzantsi Afrika. Esona sizathu sokuvavanya ukusebenza kwale nkqubo yongenelelo yokuzinceda yeSFG, kukuba kukho intswelo enkulu yeendlela ezizezinye zokufundisa igrama yesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini, nto leyo inokunceda abafundi abatsala nzima baphucule amaqondo abo obugcisa, kananjalo incede ootitshala bakwazi ukuqhubela phambili nekharityhulam emiselweyo. Le nkqubo yongenelelo yavavanywa kuphando oluphantsi kolawulo olwaziwa ngokuba sisifundo sophando olungagqibelelanga (quasi experimental study), olwaquka iqela lolingelo kunye neqela elisetyenziswa njengomgangatho wentelekiso (control group). Olu phando lwathelekisa indlela abaqhuba ngayo abafundi kwiimviwo zombindi wonyaka nezokuphela konyaka, ithelekiswa kunye nenkqubo yabafundi kuvavanyo olusisiseko. Iziphumo zophando zabonisa ukuba inkqubo yongenelelo yokuzinceda ibe nempumelelo ekuphuliseni ulwazi lwabafundi lweziGaba zeNtetho kwaye ibe nefuthe elakhayo nakweminye imiba yolwazi lwegrama nesakhono sokubhala. Ngokwezi ziphumo kucetyiswa ukuba kuqwalaselwe ukuzilawula nokuzifundisa kwabafundi njengenxalenye yesilabhasi yesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini ngokwemeko yaseMzantsi Afrika njengoko oku kuya kuba nefuthe elakhayo ekuphuhliseni ubugcisa babafundi bolwimi lwesiNgesi uLwimi lwesiBini. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)

La crisis sanitaria causada por la pandemia covid-19 en el mundo hizo que muchas escuelas se vieran forzadas a impartir clases virtuales o semipresenciales, muchas sin tener la preparación ni los recursos necesarios para llevar a cabo semejante tarea. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo estudiar las percepciones del alumnado y el profesorado de la asignatura de español como lengua extranjera de una escuela secundaria sueca con respecto a la experiencia de enseñanza virtual de los últimos dos años. El artículo aborda tres problemáticas: la preferencia de modalidad de enseñanza, las ventajas y desventajas de la modalidad virtual, y las tecnologías de la comunicación y la información que se pueden mantener en la enseñanza presencial. La metodología utilizada para recabar información de primera mano son dos encuestas: una con preguntas abiertas para profesores, y otra de preferencia y opinión siguiendo la escala de Likert para el alumnado. A su vez se usará el modelo de Fisher de dos colas para establecer correlaciones estadísticas que puedan probar las hipótesis. El marco teórico del trabajo es la teoría de la conectividad de Siemens y Downes, el concepto de competencia digital y el enfoque de “aula invertida” de Bergmann y Sams. / The sanitary crisis caused by the worldwide covid-19 pandemic forced many schools to impart blended and online teaching, despite the fact that many lacked the preparation or the necessary resources to carry out this task. This paper aims at studying the perceptions of Spanish as a Foreign Language secondary school students and teachers with respect to the distance education experience of the last two years. The article addresses three issues: the preference for a certain teaching modality, the risks and disadvantages of online teaching, and the digital tools and strategies that can be used in face-to-face teaching. The method used to obtain first-hand information are surveys: the teachers’ survey had open questions, and the students’ survey, Likert’s preference and opinion scales. In addition, Fisher’s exact test will be used to establish if there are statistically significant correlations between variables to prove the study’s hypotheses. The theoretical framework is Siemens’ and Downes’ theory of connectivity, the concept of digital competence and that of “flipped classroom” by Bergmann and Sams.

There are a large number of character speeches in Acts. Scholars have used various means and methods to contribute to a feasible and plausible answer regarding the functions of speeches in Acts. Unfortunately, the studies have often been focused on the authenticity of the speeches: were they Luke's creation or simply his compilation? This dissertation presents another set of tools for scholars to revisit Luke's speeches in Acts in order to add insight into their questions, and also to broaden the realm of this narrow focus. In particular, I will implement and demonstrate how to use modern linguistics, namely discourse analysis based on Halliday's Systemic Functional Linguistics. The present study ventures to apply this linguistic insight by focusing on two speeches in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 2:14-36 and 17:22-31. If scholars wish to study the speeches of Acts further, or any New Testament speeches, hopefully this dissertation will provide a helpful approach to meet their needs. Thus, analyzing and comparing the author's functionally linguistic choices in these two speeches with regards to similarities and differences will describe his specific use of these speeches. The most notable contribution of the dissertation will be found in implementing a new approach to the study of speeches in Acts. I also hope such a due recognition of the language will motivate and inspire further linguistic explorations into various areas, which remain perplexed by other approaches.

The aim is to study how the Police build rela­tions by publishing Facebook posts and how relation building is expressed in the form and content of the texts. More specifi­cally, the study examines the picture that the writing police and the police authorities paint of their activities, and the effect that the posts can be envisaged to have on the receivers.   The material consists of four posts from two police authorities, Växjö/Alvesta and Kalmar. This is ana­ly­sed with a method borrowed from systemic-functional linguistics (SFL) and close reading. The results are then interpreted on the basis of SFL and tradi­tional stylistic theory.   The result shows that the Facebook posts bring both opportunities and risks in building relations. The studied posts consist mostly of declarative sentences, with only a small proportion of exhortations and offers. No questions occur at all. The posts display a large stylistic breadth and varied content from the spheres of police activity, such as combating violence and drunkenness or dealing with missing persons and property.   There seems to be a will among the Police to establish contact with the general public, toning down the image of a strict authority with a monopoly on violence, and the offi­cers working for the authority appear as empathetic human beings. The conclusion is that the communication of the Police with the general public via Facebook is a balan­cing act between, on the one hand, seeming good-humoured and human, and on the other hand the risk of seeming less serious and authoritative. In texts with a serious content presented in a light-hearted form with ironic undertones, the Police risk under­mining their own authority. Despite this, the Facebook posts from the Police can be said to be in line with the catchwords of their activity: engaged, efficient and accessible. The Police also try to adjust the style of the posts to what is generally found on Facebook.