Theme and Rheme: An Alternative Account: 266 (Europaische Hochschulschriften/European University Studies/Publications Universitaires Europeennes Reihe ... 21: Linguistics/Serie 21: Linguistique) - Softcover

Leong, Ping Alvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3039101293 ISBN 13: 9783039101290

Publisher: Verlag Peter Lang, 2004

Synopsis

This book argues for the inclusion of a cognitive psychological component in the analysis of theme and rheme, the basic building blocks of the message structure of language. The inference-boundary (IB) model is presented and justified as an explanatory model of the message structure of the clause and, above it, the text. It views theme as an element that is capable of generating a boundary of acceptability within which it is permissible for the rheme to occur. It explains why and how an initial element is considered to be thematic. The IB model also acknowledges the operation of a principle - the principle of acceptable message development - that underlies all that we say and write. This principle forms the basis of a simple test to identify and delimit the thematic portion.

About this title

About the Author

The Author: Leong Ping, Alvin, is an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore). He obtained a Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2001 under an NUS research scholarship. His current research interests are in systemic functional linguistics, hypertext theory, and stylistics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Verlag Peter Lang
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3039101293
• ISBN 13: 9783039101290
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 329