The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme
The Hallidayan notions of theme and rheme pose an interesting challenge to linguists in their attempts to pin them down more specifically. This paper argues that since the thematic structure of the clause organises it as a message, a useful starting point in theme–rheme research is an understanding...
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sg-ntu-dr.10356-1006602020-03-07T12:10:41Z The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme Leong, Ping Alvin School of Humanities and Social Sciences Language and Communication Centre DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology The Hallidayan notions of theme and rheme pose an interesting challenge to linguists in their attempts to pin them down more specifically. This paper argues that since the thematic structure of the clause organises it as a message, a useful starting point in theme–rheme research is an understanding of how clausal messages are typically processed by language users. A cognitive psychological model is constructed in this paper. It views theme as an element that generates a boundary of acceptability within which it is permissible for the rheme to occur. Underlying the thematic structure of the clause is a principle dictating that the theme must be acceptably developed by the rheme. This principle forms the basis of a test to identify and delimit the thematic head. Accepted version 2013-12-10T01:07:31Z 2019-12-06T20:26:05Z 2013-12-10T01:07:31Z 2019-12-06T20:26:05Z 2000 2000 Journal Article Leong, P. A. (2000). The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme. Language sciences, 22(1), 1-26. 0388-0001 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/100660 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/18180 10.1016/S0388-0001(99)00003-0 en Language sciences © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. This is the author created version of a work that has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by Language Sciences, Elsevier Science Ltd. It incorporates referee’s comments but changes resulting from the publishing process, such as copyediting, structural formatting, may not be reflected in this document. The published version is available at: [DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0388-0001(99)00003-0]. application/pdf |
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DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology Leong, Ping Alvin The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
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The Hallidayan notions of theme and rheme pose an interesting challenge to linguists in their attempts to pin them down more specifically. This paper argues that since the thematic structure of the clause organises it as a message, a useful starting point in theme–rheme research is an understanding of how clausal messages are typically processed by language users. A cognitive psychological model is constructed in this paper. It views theme as an element that generates a boundary of acceptability within which it is permissible for the rheme to occur. Underlying the thematic structure of the clause is a principle dictating that the theme must be acceptably developed by the rheme. This principle forms the basis of a test to identify and delimit the thematic head. |
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School of Humanities and Social Sciences |
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School of Humanities and Social Sciences Leong, Ping Alvin |
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Article |
author |
Leong, Ping Alvin |
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Leong, Ping Alvin |
title |
The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
title_short |
The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
title_full |
The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
title_fullStr |
The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
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The inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
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inference-boundary model reinterpreting theme and rheme |
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2013 |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10356/100660 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/18180 |
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