Theme and Function in Language
Lesson Five
Functions
Ideational function - transitivity/processes
Interpersonal function – mood (declarative,
interrogative, imperative, etc.)
Textual function –
Theme and Rheme
Given and New
Theme
What comes first in the clause.
Ther are three types of theme:
Topical
Interpersonal
Textual
Topical Theme
Topical theme
I
’ve given blood 36 times.
This
was in Geneva.
In Greece
they give you nothing.
Can be assigned a transitivity function (participant,
process or circumstance)
Interpersonal Theme
Interpersonal theme
Do
you
give blood?
Can
you
carry my bag for me?
I think
they
take a pint.
Maybe
Stephen
could help.
Stephen
,
do
you
want more soup?
Can be assigned a mood element, be an adjunct or a
vocative.
Textual Theme
Textual theme
Oh
,
they
give you a cup of tea.
No
,
you
wouldn’t.
So
,
they
could do it quickly.
…
and
he
proposes marriage
Discourse markers, fillers, conjunctions, etc.
Multiple Theme
Multiple theme
No
,
well
,
I mean
,
they
don’t know.
Tea and bikkies
But in Switzerland they give you a cognac. Here they give you tea and bikkies.
(factual information, no next speaker)
They give you a cognac in Switzerland, though. They give you tea and bikkies here.
They give you a cognac in Switzerland, though. Here they give you tea and bikkies.
But in Switzerland they give you a cognac. They give you tea and bikkies here.
But they give you a cognac in Switzerland. They give you tea and bikkies here.
These don’t
sound
as good. Where is the difference? In the
order
. The native
speaker’s skill as narrator, being sensitive to textual meaning. She wishes to end
the talk and gives importance to places.
The ‘Numbat’ text: topical theme
underlined, textual theme in italics
Comment
The ‘Flash floods’ text.
Comment
Comparison
Explore the concepts of theme and function in language including topical, interpersonal, and textual themes. Learn how themes come first in a clause and can be assigned transitivity functions, moods, and more. See examples and visual representations to enhance your understanding.
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Presentation Transcript
Functions Ideational function - transitivity/processes Interpersonal function mood (declarative, interrogative, imperative, etc.) Textual function Theme and Rheme Given and New
Theme Whatcomes first in the clause. Therare three typesof theme: Topical Interpersonal Textual
Topical Theme Topical theme I ve given blood 36 times. This was in Geneva. In Greece they give you nothing. Can be assigned a transitivity function (participant, process or circumstance)
Interpersonal Theme Interpersonal theme Do you give blood? Can you carry my bag for me? I think they take a pint. Maybe Stephen could help. Stephen , do you want more soup? Can be assigned a mood element, be an adjunctor a vocative.
Textual Theme Textual theme Oh, they give you a cup of tea. No, you wouldn t. So, they could do it quickly. and he proposes marriage Discourse markers, fillers, conjunctions, etc.
Multiple Theme Multiple theme No, well, I mean, they don t know.
Tea and bikkies But in Switzerland theygive you a cognac. Here theygiveyou tea and bikkies. (factual information, no next speaker) Theygive you a cognac in Switzerland, though. Theygive you tea and bikkies here. Theygive you a cognac in Switzerland, though. Here theygive you tea and bikkies. But in Switzerland theygive you a cognac. Theygive you tea and bikkies here. But they give you a cognac in Switzerland. Theygive you tea and bikkies here. Thesedon t sound as good. Where is the difference? In the order. The native speaker s skill as narrator, being sensitive to textual meaning. She wishes to end the talk and gives importance to places.
The Numbat text: topical theme underlined, textual theme in italics
