28. Communicative structure of the sentence. Fsp

Functional Sentence Perspective–arrangement of clause constituents in the process of communication. Helps to:

reveal the informational importance of different clause constituents;

organize the message in such a way as to point out the centre/focus of communication

Communicative structure of the clause = THEME + RHEME

Theme

• what the speaker or writer takes as his/her ‘point of departure’ in the clause.

• is realised by the first clause constituent

Rheme

• the rest of the message

Characteristics of the THEME

• the starting point of communication; a signal of the structure that is likely to follow;

• the bearer of the Given;

• less important communicatively than the Rheme;

• dependent on the previous utterance (backward-looking); performs a linking function.

Beowolf, … is perhaps the earliest important poem in any modern European language. It was probably written between A.D. 650 and 750…

Characteristics of the RHEME

• is based on the Theme;

• contains information about the Theme, comments upon it;

• is the bearer of the New;

• is more important communicatively than the Theme, contains the informational focus of the utterance;

• is dynamic, pushes the communication forward (forward-looking).

 

No one-to-one correspondence between THEME – RHEME and clause constituents

Typical communicative functions for clause constituents:

• Subject group – Theme

• Predicate group – Rheme

* rhematic Subject: Later, there was a storm.

• Adverbials – equally frequent both as Theme and Rheme:

In different periods of his life, he wrote different kinds of poetry. (T)

His first book of poems was written in 1798. (R)

• Objects and Complements – typically Rheme:

His experiences included war and repression, poverty and fear and injustice.

* rarely Theme – mostly in emotional speech (Marked Themes):

Morality you might respect, salaried morality – no! For science Joyce had a great respect.

• Thematic fronting (thematisation) – moving the clause constituent to the initial position.

Typical thematic patterns of the clause

• S (T) — P (R):

Our jobs / take too much out of us.

• Adv (T) — S+P (R):

In different periods of his life / he wrote different kinds of poetry.

• S+P (T) — Adv/O/C (R):

It is so easy / to waste our lives.

30. Grammatical aspects of the Text

In modern linguistics text is considered to be the main unit of linguistic analysis. Discourse refers to a continuousstrech of utt larger than a sent.text<->discourse(t-physical product, surface structure, monologue, discourse- dynamic process, deep structure, dialogue)

Supraphrasal unity-2 or more connected sent characterized by the topical unity & semantic-syntactic cohesion.upraph u ch-ed by communicative dynamism: new inf is based on the inf which has been communicated in the previous sent.

A text has texture (текстура, или фактура), and this is what distinguishes it from other linguistic units. The texture is provided by the cohesive relation (когезивные отношения, связующие отношения,) or the co-reference (отнесённости к объекту внеязыковой действительности - реальной или воображаемо) of two elements appearing in anaphoric or cataphoric relations .

Grammatical Cohesive Devices:Anaphora (анафора) is a kind of mng rel bw speech expressions where a subsequent element is interpreted with reference to an initial one. Anaphora is pointing back to some previous item. The presupposed element may be located elsewhere in the preceding context

Cataphora (катафора) is a kind of mng rel where the presupposing element is preceding the presupposed one. Thus cataphora is pointing forwards.

Tie (связка, связь) is a single instance of cohesion (отдельны» случай когезии) and the rel bw a pair of elements standing in anaphoric or cataphoric relations

Personal reference (референция, производимая при помощи личных и притяжательных местоимении) is reference by means of function in the speech situation, through the category of person. This reference is performed by personal and possessive (including absolute) pronouns.

Demonstrative reference (указательная референция) is reference by means of location, on a scale of proximity. It is a form of verbal pointing

Comparative reference (сравнительная референция) is indirect reference by means of identity or similarity. It is based on comparison

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Participants of Mental processes:

1. Experiencer / Senser – a conscious animate being who perceives, knows, likes, etc.

The rider heard a noise.

The horse sensed danger.

2. Phenomenon – a thing, fact, situation, which is perceived, known, liked, etc.

Phil knows the answer.

Tom saw a snake.

Children like going to the circus.

Participants of Relational processes:

1. the Carrier of the relation – the main participant;

2. Attribute:

• qualifying – Tom seems generous;

• identifying – Tom became a policeman.

3. Circumstance:

The Post Office is over there.

4. Possession: That car is mine.

Participants of Verbal processes

1. Sayer

2. Recipient

3. Verbiage:

John told me the whole truth.

Participants of Existential processes:

1. Existent

2. Circumstance (usually Location):

There was a big platform near the beach.

22. Compound Setence. Semantic relations between the clauses.

Compound S consists of 2 or more clauses of equal rank which are joined to form 1 syntactic whole, both in meaning & intonation. Such clauses are called coordinate, or conjoins. They are regarded as independent, for there is no hierarchy. The clauses may be joined syndetically\ asyndetically. Asyndetic coordination – with no special connector: Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them. Syndetic – expressed by special coordinators (coordinating conjunctions or conjunctive adverbs – conjuncts)

E.g. The door opened ad I came in.

There are 4 types of coordination: copulative, disjunctive, adversative & causative-consecutive.

Copulative coordination. The clauses are simply linked together to express 2 or more related facts by means of the following coordinators: and, (and) neither, neither…nor, nor, not only…but (also), also, even, besides, furthermore, moreover, likewise, either, too, indeed, plus… A man is as old as he feels, & a woman is as old as she looks. And is more frequently used: a) chronological sequence: - The clock struck 5 & the 1^st visitor arrived. b) cause & consequence – We heard a strange noise on the roof, and mother suggested calling the police. c) contrast:- In winter the days are short & the nights are long. d) condition: Give me some money & I’ll buy us smth. E) comment or explanation:- There is only 1 thing to do now - & that’s to sell our shares.

Disjunctive coordination. Compound Ss with disjunctive coordination express an alternative, which is achieved with the help of the following coordinators: or, or else, either…or, otherwise.

Either he will live now or we all should go. Disjunctive Ss are used to give advice, a warning & an order. Such Ss consist of an imperative clause & a clause opening with or\otherwise & containing a V in the future tense: Hurry up, or you’ll be late again.

Adversative coordination. In compound Ss with adversative coordination the statements expressed by the clauses are contrasted in meaning. Coordinators: but, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, and\but yet, whereas, while, whilst, only: Knowledge makes one laugh, but wealth makes one dance.

Causative-consecutive coordination expresses the idea of cause & consequence, Coordinators: for, hence, consequently, then, therefore, thus, accordingly, so: God helps the poor, for the rich can help themselves.