theme-vs.-rheme.ppt

Theme and RhemeLi xiukun2021/8/61Tom (Theme) stands on the table (Rheme)On the table, (Theme) Tom stands on(Rheme)What are theme and rheme?How can we define theme and rheme?Is there any differences between theme and rheme?Are there many kinds of theme or rheme? 2021/8/62Definition from Mathesius Mathesius defines Theme under two concepts: one, as "the starting-point of the utterance, that which is known or at least obvious in the given situation, and from which the speaker proceeds", and two, as "foundation of the utterance or something that is being spoken about in sentence." Rheme will be "what the speaker says about, or in regard to the starting point of the utterance" "Theme is something that can be gathered from the previous context, while Rheme expresses something new, something unknown from the previous context" Mathesius, 19422021/8/63Definition from Halliday "The theme is a function in the CLAUSE AS MESSAGE. Theme is what the message is concerned with: the point of departure what the speaker is going to say " and rheme is where the presentation move after the point of departure2021/8/64 Types of Theme (1)simple theme 单项主位multiple theme 复项主位clausal theme 句项主位2021/8/65Simple Theme "The simple Theme of a clause consists of just on structural element, and that element is represented by just one, unit-one nominal group or adverbial group or prepositional phrase " （Tompson. 2000） The Simple Theme of a clause consists of just one structural element, embodying just one of the three metafuntion (such as the ideational, interpersonal or textual), whether the element is one word or more than one word, which are ususlly a nominal group, an adverbial group or prepositional group2021/8/66For example:2021/8/67a. Tom, Tom, the piper's son (T) // stole a pig and away did run (R)b. From house to house (T)// I went my way (R) The single structural element, which embodied just one kind of metafunction, can also be composed of two or more groups or phrase. For example:2021/8/68Multiple Theme Halliday (1994) claims that multiple themes of a clause contain more than one element including at least one experiential element, probably combined with other textual or interpersonal ahead of it.For example2021/8/692021/8/610Clausal Theme Halliday once made the illustration that "thematic structure appears throuhout the system of the language-within the clause, above the clause or below the clause" (Halliday, 1994) In a typical clause complex, the clause taking the initial position is called a clausal theme while the rest is the rheme. The clause which functions as a theme may itself have a theme and rheme.2021/8/611For example:2021/8/612 Types of Theme (2)unmarked theme 无标记主语marked theme 标记主语2021/8/613 (1) the subject as the theme in declarative clause. The unmarked theme systactically functions as a subject in declarative sentence, generally a noun or a nominal phrase. In this case the theme is said to be unmarked. I like the Walrue bestMy master allowed me two pence a dayunmarked theme rheme2021/8/614 (2) the finite and subject as the theme in interrogative clauses, which are characterized by proposing a qusetion about what is going on.Can you find me an acre of land?Is anybody at home?unmarked theme rheme2021/8/615 (3) the predicator as the theme in imperative clauses where a verb (a predicator), a pronoun or proper noun can serve as the theme Answer all five questions！ Let's go for a walk, shall we?unmarked theme rheme2021/8/616(4) the WH-element as the theme in WH-interrogative clauses.Who killed Cork Robin?How many miles to Lodon?unmarked theme rheme2021/8/617Thank you2021/8/618。