Multiple Rheme And Its Configuration In Systemic Functional Grammar

Textual function within the framework of Systemic Functional Grammar focuses on the thematic structure, information structure and cohesion system. Within the theoretical framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics, departing from the notion that choices are meaningful, ideas about thematic systems and its semantic functions at the clausal rank have been in a more or less general agreement around functional linguistic literature, and systems of theme contain such subsystems as theme selection, theme highlighting, Mutiple Theme and so forth, but the borderline of Theme and Rheme remains controversial as it were, particularly analysis or definitions about the semantic function of the rest parts of a clause after theme demanding a definite defining criterion, thus some scholars dismiss systemic functional grammar as a theory of thematic prominence.In terms of the same defining principles as defining theme systems with concerns about a total accountability, this thesis is intended along the functional principle to define the borderline of Theme and Rheme, and further explore the systems of Rheme and its sequences of functional components for a hypothesis of Multiple Rheme in the English clause. The Multiple Rhematic structure is composed of enabling Linking Rheme, dynamic Textual Rheme and informatively-inherent Experiential Rheme. The structure takes on a variable pattern of information flow from Departure, Transition, Transfer to Culmination.This thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter One begins with the background of Theme-Rheme structure and proposes the purpose of study, the methodology of study as well as the organization of this thesis. Chapter Two makes a brief view about the relevant theoretical literature and the general criterion of defining Theme-Rheme structure. Chapter Three is intended to interpret the current researches about Theme-Rheme structure, such as the definition of Theme-Rheme terms, the defining criterion, the classification of theme, the relationship between theme structure and information structure and the underlying issues from the systemic functional approach. Chapter Four gives rise to a fully detailed interpretation about the systemic functional foundation of Multiple Rheme, including systemic foundation, functional foundation, probabilistic foundation and rank with delicacy. Chapter Five is mainly focusing on the defining evidence of Theme-Rheme, emphasizing the definition of Rheme as well as defining Theme-Rheme line in terms of functional criterion and further raising the hypothesis of Multiple Rheme with its configuration, sequencing arrangement, its functional terms and information flowing model.Chapter six concludes the major fingdings of the whole research and its implications while pointing out the inadequacies as well as the future researching directions.