This article presents a sociolinguistic lexical-grammar representation in the media by means of an analysis of the polemics on the textbook for young and adult education delivered by MEC, in 2011. The analysis was based on a theoretical basis which refutes the idea of a pure and homogeneous language. The theoretical background used in this analysis is based on the Functional-systemic linguistics (HALLIDAY; MATTHIESSEN, 2004), more specifically, on the ideational meta function that is responsible for the expression of the experience of an inunciative interior material world. Results point to a representation founded in the dichotomy between norm and language use and in the canonical conception of science.