The Study Of Discourse Coherence Based On Dynamic Context

Coherence is a major property of discourse. In the past three decades, coherence research has always been an important area in discourse analysis. Discourse is not only a static product, but also a dynamic process. That is, discourse is not only the result or product of language using, but also the interaction between speaker and listener (writer and reader).Context plays an important role in communication and has a powerful impact on coherence. Traditionally the study of context mainly emphasizes the functions of the external world from the static angle. However, this static approach towards coherence cannot account persuasively for the coherence of discourse because discourse is also a dynamic process. Hence, in order to obtain a whole image of coherence, it is also necessary to employ dynamic context to make a dynamic analysis on discourse.For this thesis, the study of discourse is based on Hallidayan theoretical framework on systematic-functional linguistics, and from the aspect of social culture to investigate the relationship between dynamic context and discourse coherence. In the thesis the author mainly uses the method of exemplification to do the research. The thesis investigates coherence from the point of view of dynamic context, and we will study if the context is activated in the communicative process and if context changes in communication and how the three contextual variables interact in coherent discourse.The thesis consists of six chapters with the arrangement as the following: Chapter 1 introduces the theoretical backgrounds, the significance and purpose of the study and presents the organization of the thesis. Chapter 2 reviews the major coherence studies and theories in the past three decades. Chapter 3 clarifies the relationship between cohesion and coherence, and expounds the role of dynamic context in discourse coherence. Chapter 4 investigates the relationship between the three contextual variables and the discourse coherence. Chapter 5 illustrates how the interaction of the three contextual variables impact on coherence. Chapter 6 summarizes the major findings and the contributions of the study and suggests limitations and further directions for the research.