Unpacking logical meaning in disability-themed children’s books: A Systemic functional linguistic analysis

This study investigates the realization of logical meaning in disability-themed children’s books through the lens of systemic functional linguistics (SFL). Employing a qualitative descriptive design, the data consist of clauses extracted from 5 selected children’s books that explicitly address disability themes. The analysis focuses on the types of clause-complex relations, particularly parataxis and hypotaxis, as well as the logico-semantic relations of expansion and projection. The findings reveal that clause-complex constructions are predominantly realized through paratactic relations. Out of 80 identified clause complexes, 72 instances (90%) are parataxis, while only 8 instances (10%) are hypotaxis. This dominance indicates a preference for equal-status clause relationships, reflecting a tendency toward simpler, more linear information organization. Such structuring aligns with the cognitive and linguistic accessibility required for child readers. Furthermore, in terms of logico-semantic relations, expansion types (elaboration, extension, and enhancement) occur in relatively limited proportions compared to projection, which emerges as a more prominent strategy in the texts. These findings suggest that disability-themed children’s literature tends to prioritize clarity, directness, and dialogic representation, potentially to facilitate comprehension and engagement.