A foundational text that explores language as a structured system of choices rather than a fixed set of rules. Drawing from Hallidays systemic-functional linguistics, Berry emphasizes how linguistic elements function within social contexts. The book introduces key concepts like system, structure, rank, class, and function, showing how meanings are shaped by choices at different levels (e.g., clause, group, word). It is particularly useful for understanding how grammar and meaning interact in actual language use, and it provides tools for analyzing texts functionally and contextually.