Language, text & Context - City University of Hong Konghallidaycentre.cityu.edu.hk/spelt/notes/10_Theme.pdf · Language, text & Context What’s going on? Who is involved? How is

1

1

We have looked at the clause from two perspectives

clause

experiential interpersonal

clause

2

text

Field Tenor

Mode

Language, text & Context

What’s going on?

Who is involved?

How is language used?

Experiential meanings

Interpersonal meanings

Textual meanings

3

clauseclause

Transitivity structure Mood structure

experiential interpersonal

4

interpersonal

Transitivity structure Mood structure

experiential

they had to make their own breakfast next morning

Trans

Mood Subj F Pred. Complement Adjunct

Actor Pro:Material Goal Circ: time

Mood Residue

5

The 3rd perspective:textual meaning

clause

interpersonal

clause

experiential

textual

6

text

Field Tenor

Mode

Language, text & Context

What’s going on?

Who is involved?

How is language used?

Experiential meanings

Interpersonal meanings

Textual meanings

2

1. Structural: Theme / Rheme structure

2. Non-structural: cohesion

7

2 aspects of the textual metafunction

8

What is the difference between the following clauses?

Exploring the Textual metafunction

9

Their own breakfast they had to make next morning.

They had to make their own breakfast next morning.

Next morning they had to make their own breakfast.

(clauses from Piggy Book by Anthony Brown)

Each clause begins with a different experiential and interpersonal function

10

Next morning they had to make their own breakfast.

Circ: time Actr Pro: Mat. Goal

Adjcirc S F Pred Complement

Each clause begins with a different experiential and interpersonal function

They had to make their own breakfast next morning.

Actor Pro: Mat. Goal Circ: time

Subject F P Complement Adjcirc

Their own breakfast they had to make next morning.

Goal Actr Pro: Mat. Circ: time

Complement S F P Adjcirc

Trans

Mood

Trans

Mood

Trans

Mood

11

What comes first in a clause is significant!

Theme

12

so each of the 3 clauses has a different Theme

Next morning they had to make their own breakfast

They had to make their own breakfast next morning

Their own breakfast they had to make next morning

Theme

The rest of the

clause is called

Rheme

3

13

1. Theme: what is it?

Theme is that element of a clause that a speaker or writer wants to use as the beginning of his/her message

the jumping off point or the point of departure

from which a speaker or writer proceeds

i.e.

e.g.

14

Theme

Mr Piggott opened it.

Inside was a piece of paper.

On the mantelpiece was an envelope.

from Piggy Book

15

In other words, the Theme of a clause typically indicates its speech function

Theme and MoodThe part of the clause that is put first as

Theme depends on the Mood of the clause, i.e. whether it is:

Interrogative declarative imperative

16

Consider: Why do we ask a WH- question?

Theme and Mood

so we put first the WH- element that represents this item, i.e.

e.g.When is Mum coming home?

We want the hearer to tell us some specific piece of information -

the person or thing,, time, place, reason, manner etc

who, what, when, where, why, how etc

17

Theme in WH- interrogatives

“Where ’s Mum?”

“But what shall we do?”

“When is Mum coming home?”

“How should I know?”

18

“Where ’s Mum?”Mood analysis Adjunctcirc P F Subject

Theme Rheme

Residue Mood

Theme analysis

“When is she coming home?”

Mood analysis

Theme Rheme

Adjcirc F Subject Pred. Adjunct

Res- Mood -idue

Theme analysis

What did they eat?Mood analysis

Theme Rheme

Complement F Subject Pred

Res- Mood -idue

Theme analysis

4

19

Why do we ask a yes/no question?

Theme and Mood

so the polarity element attached to the Finite

comes first, together with the Subject, i.e.

e.g. Isn’t Mum back yet?

We want the hearer to tell us whether or not something is the

case concerning the Subject

20

Theme in Yes/No interrogatives

Shouldn’t you be going?

Have the guests arrived yet?

Did the children go to sleep?

Aren’t you tired?

2111 Is this for real?

Identify Theme in these questions

Didn’t you like your first week at school?

Mood F S P C

Mood Residue

Theme Theme Rheme

22

Why do we issue a command?

Theme and Mood

so we thematise the doing that is to be done, i.e.

e.g.

Hurry up with the meal, Mum

we want some doing to get done

the verb

23

Task 2

Identify the Theme in each clause in the following text:

24

1 Beat butter and vanilla,

2 add sugar gradually.

3 Add eggs one at a time,

4 Add flour, custard flour

5 and mix together,.

6 Spoon into muffin cases.

7 Cut raspberries into four

8 and place on top of muffin

9 Cut apple into very small pieces,

11 and stew until tender.

12 Place on top with raspberries.

13 Bake for approx 20 mins at 180 degrees.

5

25

Why do we make a statement?

Theme and Mood

we want to tell the hearer about something – usually the Subject

Therefore, the typical point of departure in statements is the Subject

e.g.

Mr Piggott lived with his two sons, Simon and Patrick in a nice house with a nice garden, and a

nice car in the nice garage. 26

1 You’re not your usual self, Craig,

5 the school humanitarian has been picking on him

7 Poor little Craig’s gone all tender and confused and gentle.

Identify Theme in these statements

27

Summary: Theme and Mood

Subject is typical Theme in declaratives

Finite + Subject is typical Theme in

polar interrogatives

Predicator is typical Theme in imperatives

WH- is typical Theme in WH-interrogatives

28

Task 3

• Identify Theme in the following clauses

29

1 A man was walking in a park

2 he came across a penguin.

3 He took him to a policeman

4 he said,

5 “I have found this penguin.

6 Should I leave him here?”

7 The policeman replied,

8 “Take him to the zoo!”

9 The next day, the policeman again saw the man in the park with the penguin

10 The policeman was very surprised

11 (the policeman) asked,

12 “Are you still carrying that penguin about?

13 Didn’t you take him to the zoo?” 30

In addition to Subject, Finite and Predicator, the other elements of the

clause from the interpersonal perspective are

Complement Adjunct

i.e. the nominal

group that is

NOT Subject

How, when,

where, why, etc

They had to make their own breakfast next morning

6

31

Inside the house was his wife

marked Theme

occurs when an element other than the Subjectis Thematised in a declarative clause

Theme: marked Rheme

Adjunctcirc Finite Predicator Subject

the clause is declarative so the unmarked Theme would have

been the Subject 32

The next day, the policeman again saw the man in the park with the penguin

Adjcirc Subject F P Complement

Theme: marked

Rheme


been the Subject

33

Their own breakfast

they hadto make

next morning

Mood

Theme

marked Theme

Theme:marked Rheme

Complement Subject F Pred. Adjcirc


been the Subject34

Next morning they hadto make

their own breakfast

Mood

Theme

marked Theme

Theme:marked Rheme

Adjunctcirc Subject F Pred. Complement


been the Subject

35

On the mantlepiece was an envelope

marked Theme

Theme: marked Rheme

Adjunct Pred F Subject

the clause is declarative so the unmarked Theme would be the

Subject36

Mr Piggot lived with his two sons

Subject Finite Predicator Adjunct

Subject is unmarked Theme in declaratives

he called every morning


Theme Rheme

Theme Rheme

7

37

FAQ

How much of the beginning of a clause is Theme?

e.g.

Well actually probably I need to leave early

Can you stay long?

Theme extends up to and includes the first

experiential element of the clause38

Well actually probably I need to leave early

Can you stay long?

So to determine how much of the first part

of the clause is Theme, we need to

consider Transitivity

Theme extends up to and includes the

first experiential element of the clause

Theme extends up to and includes the

first experiential element of the clause

Can you stay long?

Transitivity Actor Pro:Mat Circ

Theme1st experiential

element

well actually probably I need to leave early

Trans Actor Pro: Mat Circ

Theme

Finite Subject Predicator AdjCircMood

S F Pred AdjCircMood

40

Can you stay long?

transitivity Actor Pro:Mat Circ


Actor Pro: Mat Circ

The part of Theme that is the first experiential

element is called Topical Theme

Topical Theme

Topical Theme

Rheme

Rheme

41

Identify the Theme

42

Apparently the school humanitarian has been picking

on him

and (the school humanitarian has been) treating him

with care and kindness.

8

43

He put his arm around my shoulder

and he told me

he liked me.

He said

I was different and unusual

and he told me

he would look after me.

44

Task 4

Identify the extent of the Theme in the clauses of the following text extract

BUT

First, retrieve any items presupposed by ellipsis

45

1. Have you ever watched two rams [[butting heads]] on one of

those nature programs?

2. A picture is worth a thousand words, Aries.

3. You take charge

4. because people [[born under your sign]] are natural leaders,

5. and you are indefatigable

6. (you make good doctors or explorers).

7. But you can be self-centred and impatient

8. when faced with others [[who are slow or moderate]].

9. Sometimes, though, you are unwilling to lock horns in battle,

10. and so you avoid confrontation.

when (you are) faced with others [[who are slow or moderate]].

46

11. Arians are very straightforward,

12. usually intellectual, objective and in search of challenges.

13. You're very passionate,

14. but sometimes that hunger can drive you to promiscuity.

15. While they may have questions about their mates,

16. Arians are extremely devoted to their offspring.

17. Got a headache?

18. It's no surprise –

19. your sign rules the head.

20. And be careful,

21. because those [[born under Aries]] are prone to accidents.

(Arians are) usually intellectual, objective and in search of challenges.

(Have you) Got a headache?

47

Theme summary

48

9

49

Topical Theme

50

51

Trouble in Athens Theme

52

1 Mr Day was a teacher at a school in a big city in the north of England.

2 He usually went to France or Germany for a few weeks during his

summer holidays,

3 and he spoke French and German quite well.

4 But one year Mr Day said to one of his friends

5 “I’m going to have a holiday in Athens

6 but I don’t speak Greek,

7 so I’ll go to evening classes

8 and (I’ll) have Greek lessons for a month

9 before I go.”

10 He studied very hard for a month,

53

11 and then his holidays began

12 and he went to Greece.

13 When he came back a few weeks later

14 his friend said to him,

15 “Did you have any trouble

16 when you were in Athens, Dick?”

17 “No, I didn’t have any trouble,”

18 answered Mr Day,

19 “but the Greeks did (have trouble)”

54

summary

10

55 56

What do we call the part of the clause in

front of the Topical Theme?

57

Ask yourself: what function do these elements have in

any other structure? e.g.

Can you stay long?

Actor Pro:Mat Circ

What do we call the part of the clause in front of the

Topical Theme?

Topical Theme Rheme

Q: What is the function of “can”?

A: It is the Finite element in Mood structure and

Mood structure expresses Interpersonal meaning so ….

F Subject Pred Adj

58

Can you stay long?

F Subject Pred Adj



Interpersonal TopicalRheme

Theme

Actor Pro:Mat Circ

59

What is the function of “well”; “actually”; “probably”

What do we call the part of the clause in front

of the Topical Theme?


Actor Pro: Mat Circ

Topical Theme

Rheme

Mood

Adjunct

Modal

Adjunct

Continuative

(textual)

Adjmood Modal Adj Subject Pred Adj

60




Actor Pro: Mat Circtext interpers interpers Topical

Rheme

Mood

AdjunctModal

Adjunct

Continuative

(textual)

Theme

Adjmood Modal Adj Subj F/P AdjM O O D Adj

11

61

So there may be multiple themes:

1. elements having an experiential function,

plus

2. Interpersonal elements having no

experiential function ; plus

3. Textual items having no experiential

function

Topical Theme

Interpersonal Theme

Textual Theme

62

Typical Interpersonal Themes

• non-referential Subjects: existential there;

• vocatives and endearments: Stephen, Mummy,

darling;

• modal expressions: usually, probably, I think,

would, could, might, can;

• Finite auxiliaries: e.g. don't,

These items are part of Theme only when they come at or near the beginning of the clause

63

Typical textual Themes

1. conjunctions: if, because, when, and etc

2. continuatives: non-referential here, now;

yeah/yes, no, OK, well, right etc

These items are part of Theme only when they come at or near the beginning of the clause

64

multiple Themes

Is Mum coming home?

Finite Subject Predicator Adjunct

Yes/No interrogatives

Interper Topical Rheme

Theme

Actor Pro: Mat Range

always occur in

65

Don’t spill coffee on the mat

Finite Predicator Complement Adjunct

Pro: Mat Goal Circ

multiple Themes

in negative imperatives

Interpersonal Topical RhemeTheme

always occur in

66

Do be careful

Finite Predicator Complement

in emphatic imperatives

multiple Themes

Interpers Topical Rheme

Theme

Pro: Relational Attribute

always occur in

12

67

before he went offto his very important job


Actor Pro: Material CircTextual Topical

RhemeTheme

conjunction

multiple Themesalways occur when there is

68

and then she went to work


Actor Pro: Material CircText1 Text2 Topical

RhemeTheme

conjunctions

multiple Themesalways occur when there are

69

PLEASE come back

Predicator

Pro: Mat.

Interper Topical

Theme

multiple Themes

70

problem Theme

existential ‘there’ construction

There was no-one [[to greet them]]

S F/P CPro: Ex. Existent

Interpers TopicalRheme

Theme

71 72

Piggy Bookby Anthony Browne (1986)

London: Walker Books

Mr Piggott lived with his two sons, Simon and

Patrick in a nice house with a nice garden, and a

nice car in the nice garage. Inside the house

was his wife.//

13

73

“Hurry up with the breakfast, dear,” he called

every morning, before he went off to his very

important job. “Hurry up with the breakfast,

Mum,” Simon and Patrick called before they

went off to their very important school.

After they left the house, Mrs Piggott washed all

the breakfast things… made all the beds…

vacuumed all the carpets… and then she went to

work.

//

//

//

// //

//

//

// //

//

//

74

Retrieve items presupposed by ellipsis

After they left the house, Mrs Piggott washed

all the breakfast things… (Mrs Piggott) made

all the beds… (Mrs Piggott) vacuumed all the

carpets… and then she went to work.

//

//

//

// //

75

Summary of Themes in Piggy Book extract

76

Theme Rheme3 “Hurry up with the breakfast, dear,”

4 he (=Mr Piggott) called every morning,

5 before he (=Mr Piggott) went off to his (=Mr Piggott’s) very important job.

6 “Hurry up with the breakfast, Mum,”

7 Simon & Patrick called

before they

(=Simon & Patrick)

went off to their (=S.&P.’s) very important school.

8

Textual Theme Topical Theme

77

Theme Rheme9 After they (= S.& P.) left the house,

10 Mrs Piggott washed all the breakfast things…

12 (Mrs Piggott) made all the beds…

13 (Mrs Piggott) vacuumed all the carpets…

14 and then she (=Mrs Piggott) went to work.

Textual Theme Topical Theme

Documents

Language, text & Context - City University of Hong Konghallidaycentre.cityu.edu.hk/spelt/notes/10_Theme.pdf · Language, text & Context What’s going on? Who is involved? How is