|
POLYU
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SEMINAR:
A Study on Topical Theme in Chinese
Professor Fang Yan Professor of English and Linguistics, Department of Foreign Languages, Tsinghua University Deputy-Chair of International Systemic-Functional Linguistics Executive Committee Vice-Chairperson of Functional Linguistics Association of China
Wednesday 29 March 2006 Abstract During the past 20 years, some Chinese scholars (Zhang & Fang Mei, 1994; Wu, 2001; Li and Zhao, 2002; Zheng, 2004, etc.) and I myself have produced papers concerning various aspects of Theme (Fang, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2001; Fang & Ai, 1995a, 1995b, 1995c; Fang & McDonald, 2001; Fang et al.,1995). The first part of this paper is devoted to a summary of the main contributions made in the papers written by Fang Yan or Fang Yan and others, because in the 80’s and the beginning of the 90’s, they were among the few who studied Theme in Chinese in a rather comprehensive way.
In the second part, the paper focuses a study on different aspects of Topical Theme. Firstly, after comparing the definitions on Topic given by several linguists (Hocket, 1958; Chomsky, 1965; Chao, 1968; Li & Thompson, 1981; Halliday, 1985, 1994; Zhu, 1981; Shi, 2001), it argues that in Chinese, a language “without formal signals” (Li & Thompson, 1981), Topic or Topical Theme should be defined from the functional perspective. Theme in Chinese is, therefore, defined as the point of departure of a message with Topical Theme being that with which the clause is concerned. Theme may be marked off from Rheme by a pause and/or a textual particle such as a, ba, me, ne (Refer to Chao, 1968: 67; Zhu, 1981:95; Fang et al, 1995). The paper also presents reasons and advantages in defining Theme in this way. Secondly, it discusses types and functions of Topical Theme. It argues that there are two types of Topical Theme: Contextual Topical Theme and Experiential Topical Theme, which differ somewhat in function and meaning. Thirdly, it revisits Marked Theme and discusses some particular features of Marked Theme in Chinese. Fourthly, it deals with the phenomenon of reversibility of Theme and Rheme in both Simple Thematic structure and Multiple Thematic structure in oral Chinese (Zhang & Fang, 1994). After that, the paper arrives at the conclusion that SFL is a more appropriate model for the study of Chinese, as it starts with and puts a stress on the study of meaning and at the same time makes a point of finding its realization in form. This model provides a clear framework of realization between the multiple strata of semantics, lexico-grammar and phonology, which can be used for analysis not only on the clause level, but also on the clause complex and discourse level. However, in applying the SFL model, attention should be paid to the particular features of the Chinese language. ALL ARE WELCOME Parking is available – please contact Zoe Mak to organise a parking voucher. (Tel. 2766 7573, egzoemak@inet.polyu.edu.hk ) |