English Discourse Analysis:
Topic 7: Theme and
Thematic Progression
Rachel Whittaker (Grp 41)
Mick O’Donnell, Laura Hidalgo (Grp 46)
7. Theme
7.1 Theme in the clause: Hallidayan Model
• Theme: “what the clause is about”
• In English and Spanish, the first constituent of the
clause:
John
loves Mary
Theme
Rheme
Mary
is loved by John
Theme
Rheme
• The rest of the clause is called the “Rheme”
• May be marked in other ways in other languages
(e.g., “wa” particle in Japanese)
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7. Theme
7.1 Theme in the clause: Hallidayan Model
Types of Theme
1. Subject Theme (Unmarked theme)
John
loves Mary
Theme
Rheme
2. Adjunct Theme (partially marked)
On a clear day,
you can see forever
Theme
Rheme
3. Fronted Objects and Complements (Marked Themes)
Fish
I like
Theme
Rheme
A good bargain
it is not!
Theme
Rheme
7. Theme-Rheme, Thematic Progression
7.1 Theme in the clause
Different Themes (i.e. different types of information in thematic
position, realized as different constituents of the clause) create
different contexts for the message in the clause, and different
expectations in the reader or hearer. 1-6 show the same content
organized differently from the point of view of Theme:
RHEME
yellow canaries have been used to ‘test’ the air in mining.
have been used to ‘test’ the air in mining for centuries.
have used yellow canaries to ‘test’ the air for centuries.
yellow canaries have been used to ‘test’ the air for
centuries.
5 The air
has been ‘tested’ in mining for centuries by using yellow
canaries.
6 To ‘test’ the air yellow canaries have been used for centuries.
in mining,
1
2
3
4
THEME
For centuries
Yellow canaries
Miners
In mining,
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7. Theme
7.1 Theme in the clause: Berry’s Model
• Main difference in Berry’s model: Distinguishes
between:
– “Basic Theme” (the Subject) and
– “Additional Theme” (any fronted Adjuncts)
Halliday:
Berry:
On a clear day,
you can see forever
Theme
Rheme
On a clear day,
you
can see forever
Add. Theme
Basic Theme
Rheme
7. Theme
7.2 Theme in the text: thematic progression
• The basic assumption is that the sequence of themes selected
throughout a text are not random.
• Nor are they totally the consequence of other factors (e.g.,
passives to hide agency)
• The sequence of themes in a text are chosen by the writer so
as to create a coherent text.
• Called “Method
Method of Development
Development” (Fries) or
“Thematic
Thematic Progression
Progression” (Danes).
“…by analyzing the thematic structure of a text clause by clause,
we can gain an insight into its texture and understand how the
writer makes clear to us the nature of his underlying concerns”
(Halliday Introduction to Functional Grammar (1985), p67.
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7. Theme
7.2 Theme in the text: thematic progression
• In 1470 the Columbus Family moved to Savona, where Domenico
took over a tavern. In the same year, Columbus was on a Genoese
ship hired in the service of René I of Anjou to support his attempt to
conquer the Kingdom of Naples. In 1473 Columbus began his
apprenticeship as business agent for the important Centurione, Di
Negro and Spinola families of Genoa. Later he allegedly made a trip
to Chios, a Genoese colony in the Aegean Sea. In May 1476, he took
part in an armed convoy sent by Genoa to carry a valuable cargo to
northern Europe. He docked in Bristol, Galway, in Ireland and was
possibly in Iceland in 1477. In 1479 Columbus reached his brother
Bartolomeo in Lisbon, keeping on trading for the Centurione family.
He married Filipa Moniz Perestrello, daughter of the Porto Santo
governor, the Portuguese nobleman of Genoese origin Bartolomeu
Perestrello. In 1479 or 1480, his son Diego was born.
(FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Columbus)
•
Hallidayan Theme
Theme: first element of structure (except conjunctions)
Theme
In 1470
Rheme
the Columbus Family moved to Savona, where Domenico took over a
tavern.
In the same year, Columbus was on a Genoese ship hired in the service of René I of
Anjou to support his attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Naples.
In 1473
Columbus began his apprenticeship as business agent for the
important Centurione, Di Negro and Spinola families of Genoa.
Later
He allegedly made a trip to Chios, a Genoese colony in the Aegean
Sea.
In May 1476,
He took part in an armed convoy sent by Genoa to carry a valuable
cargo to northern Europe.
He
docked in Bristol, Galway, in Ireland and was possibly in Iceland in
1477.
In 1479
Columbus reached his brother Bartolomeo in Lisbon, keeping on
trading for the Centurione family.
He
married Filipa Moniz Perestrello, daughter of the Porto Santo
governor, the Portuguese nobleman of Genoese origin Bartolomeu
Perestrello.
In 1479 or 1480, his son Diego was born.
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Berry separates fronted adjunct as separate element: doing this, one can see that
the Theme line is always about Columbus and his family, fronted Adjuncts are
used to change time.
Conj
Adjunct
In 1470
In the
same year,
In 1473
Basic Theme
the Columbus
Family
Columbus
Columbus
Later
He
In May
1476,
he
and
In 1479
He
(he)
Columbus
He
In 1479 or
1480,
his son Diego
Rheme
moved to Savona, where Domenico took over a tavern.
was on a Genoese ship hired in the service of René I of Anjou
to support his attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Naples.
began his apprenticeship as business agent for the important
Centurione, Di Negro and Spinola families of Genoa.
allegedly made a trip to Chios, a Genoese colony in the
Aegean Sea.
took part in an armed convoy sent by Genoa to carry a
valuable cargo to northern Europe.
docked in Bristol, Galway, in Ireland
was possibly in Iceland in 1477.
reached his brother Bartolomeo in Lisbon, keeping on trading
for the Centurione family.
married Filipa Moniz Perestrello, daughter of the Porto Santo
governor, the Portuguese nobleman of Genoese origin
Bartolomeu Perestrello.
was born.
• Coming from San Francisco, go over the Golden Gate Bridge
and continue going north on 101 until you get to Petaluma.
Take the first off ramp. This will be Petaluma Blvd. South,
actually the old highway. Go on into the center of town. On
your left, you will see Walnut Park. Go a few blocks further to
Western Avenue. Turn left. This will take you out of town.
From Petaluma Blvd., you will be traveling 1.9 miles before
you need to make another turn. While on Western Ave., be
looking for 2 signs on your right. They will say, "Walker Creek
Ranch" and "Helen Putnam Park". The signs will direct you to
your left. Turn left. This will be Chileno Valley Road, and is
marked with a small street sign as well.
(From: http://www.chilenobnb.com/directions.html)
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Berry--style analysis
Berry
Conj
Adjunct
Coming from
San Francisco,
and
On your left,
and
Basic Theme
Rheme
over the Golden Gate Bridge
go
continue
Take
This
Go
you
Go
Turn
This
From Petaluma you
Blvd.,
While on
be
Western Ave.,
They
The signs
Turn
This
(it)
going north on 101 until you get to Petaluma.
the first off ramp.
will be Petaluma Blvd. South, actually the old highway.
on into the center of town.
will see Walnut Park.
a few blocks further to Western Avenue.
left.
will take you out of town.
will be traveling 1.9 miles before you need to make
another turn.
looking for 2 signs on your right.
will say, "Walker Creek Ranch" and "Helen Putnam Park".
will direct you to your left.
left.
will be Chileno Valley Road,
is marked with a small street sign as well.
Hallidayan
Theme
Marrickville
Council
To that end
To assist in
promoting
increased dog
awareness
Rheme
believes that the education of dog owners about their
responsibilities is preferable to prosecutions and fines
the Council endorses all efforts to make dog owners aware of
the Laws regarding their dog and the reason behind them.
Council is supplying [this booklet as a tool for dog owners to
become better equipped in the day-to-day management and
care of their pet].
Berry
Additional Theme Central Theme
Marrickville
Council
To that end
the Council
To assist in
promoting
increased dog
awareness
Council
Rheme
believes that the education of dog owners about
their responsibilities is preferable to prosecutions
and fines
endorses all efforts to make dog owners aware of
the Laws regarding their dog and the reason
behind them.
is supplying [this booklet as a tool for dog owners
to become better equipped in the day-to-day
management and care of their pet].
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7. Theme
7.3 Elements of Thematic progression
• In a continuous text, the Theme (as Subject) usually draws
upon an entity introduced earlier in the text
• (obviously except the first sentence)
Constant
Theme
Linear theme
(Digression)
This brooch was designed by Jessie M. King.
It
is in the Art Noveaux style
This brooch was designed by Jessie M. King.
King was British.
This brooch was designed by Jessie M. King.
Theme
Return
King was British.
It
Derived
Theme
is made of enamel and silver.
King was Scottish.
Her husband was also an artist.
Berry--style analysis
Berry
Conj
Adjunct
Coming from
San Francisco,
and
Basic
Theme
go
continue
Take
This
Go
Rheme
over the Golden Gate Bridge
going north on 101 until you get to Petaluma.
the first off ramp.
will be Petaluma Blvd. South, actually the old highway.
on into the center of town.
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7. Theme
7.4 Thematic Progression and Genre
• In some cases, the basic thematic patterns are defined by the
genre:
– Description:
• Basic pattern will be a sequence of sentences with the
entity being described as theme:
The Mona Lisa is a 16th-century portrait.
It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci
• In some cases, derived themes will be used to describe
related aspects of the entity.
The picture depicts a seated women.
The history of the panel has been much discussed.
• Digressions (linear theme) will also occur, providing
more detail of the entities introduced in the Rhemes:
The picture depicts a seated women.
She is believed to be Lisa del Giocondo
Conj
and
and
Adjunct
Theme
Rheme
Mona Lisa (also known as La
Gioconda or La Joconde)
is a 16th-century portrait painted in oil on
a poplar panel by Leonardo di ser Piero da
Vinci during the Renaissance in Florence,
Italy.
The work
is currently owned by the Government of
France.
(it)
is on display at the Musée du Louvre in
Paris under the title Portrait of Lisa
Gherardini, wife of Francesco del
Giocondo.
The painting
is a half-length portrait
(it)
depicts a seated woman whose facial
expression is frequently described as
enigmatic.
The ambiguity of the subject's
expression, the
monumentality of the
composition, and the subtle
modeling of forms and
atmospheric illusionism
were novel qualities that have contributed
to the continuing fascination and study of
the work.
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7. Theme
7.4 Thematic Progression and Genre
• History Recount:
– Basic pattern again themes being persons or places of
historical interest.
The Soviet Union and the U.S. emerged as opposing superpowers…
Liberalism reflected in the civil rights movemen
– Fronted Adjuncts will be used to mark change of time period:
In 1779, Cook reached Botany Bay.
7. Theme
7.4 Thematic Progression and Genre
• Instructions:
– Basic pattern: theme is either the reader or the action they
perform:
Adjunct
Theme
Rheme
Tell
us what matters most to your group and the people in your
community.
What
are the most important points you want to get across?
Think
about examples of good practice, as well as areas that should be
improved.
Read
about the new essential standards for quality and safety that we
expect all health and social care services to meet.
We
are interested in all recent experiences of care.
You
should ...
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7. Theme
7.5 Editing Theme to Improve Document Impact
• The choice of thematic pattern says something about a
company or institution.
– Corporate Focus:
Focus
– Customer Focus
Focus:
– Product Focus:
Focus
We sell watering systems for home gardens
You can buy watering systems for your garden.
Watering systems for home gardens are available.
Before (corporate focus):
In summer,
Make
our Tourist Information Centre your first call.
Our friendly team
We
We
we
provide an extensive range of services ...
can book accommodation ...
supply tickets for local events ...
organise a varied programme of Scenic Coach
Tours of the Cotswalds
stock a wide range of maps, walking trails...
can help you with advice on ...
We
We
After (product focus):
Make
An extensive range of services
Accomodation
Tickets for local events
A varied programme of Scenic
Coach Tours of the Cotswalds
A wide range of maps, walking
trails, etc.
If you need advice on...
our Tourist Information Centre your first call.
is provided by our friendly team...
can be booked for you...
are available...
can be booked during summer.
are available in the office
we can help
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7. Theme
7.6 Maintaining thematic progression in translation
•
•
•
•
•
In different languages, the unmarked form for expression can vary.
Sometimes under translation, the translator, in looking for the best
translation of individual sentences, and does not maintain the Method of
Development of the original text.
Original:
– Det er lett å overse blindhet i tidlig spedbarnsa blikkbevegelsene
tilsynelatende ser normale ut
[It is easy to overlook blindness in early infancy because eye
movements seemingly normal are]
Translated as:
– Blindness easily goes undetected in early infancy because looking
movements seem normal
If the translator is aware of the method of development f a text, they can
try to preserve these patterns under translation.
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