Analects Of Interaction Between The Articles Meaning And Information Structure And Characterization

This thesis explores the interaction and representation between discourse meaning and Information Structure. On the basis of the theoretical exposition of discourse meaning and discourse analysis, the thesis first points out that language should be conceived as a dynamic process and the various locations of discourse meaning can be identified through sentential, contextual and co-textual links respectively, and that discourse meaning is achieved and represented cognitively. While doing discourse analysis what we should always bear in mind is that context is both static and dynamic, but more dynamic than static, and that the generation of discourse meaning is advanced in such a dynamic and progressively changing way.Then it discusses Information Structure from the aspects of Given/New information, information focus and the relationship between the two. An information unit needs to contain Given information and New information, and the interplay of New and Given generates information for the effective conveyance of the message and thus achieves the purpose of a smooth and meaningful communication. The ordering of organizing information generally abides by the normal, unmarked order, which means that Given information, in the long or full form, is placed before New one, in the short form. However, the dichotomy of Given and New is not static but dynamic as either Given information or New information is closely connected to the context in which a communicative event takes place and it is not an easy job to determine the boundaries between Given information and New information. It is also elucidated that information focus usually represents New information and that under some special circumstances the element containing Given information can be focused on and made prominent.Finally, with the assistance of Discourse Representation Theory and detailed sample analysis of discourse materials in combination with news discourse, classroom discourse, public discourse and advertising discourse, the present thesis demonstrates that discourse meaning interacts with Information Structure and is generated in a dynamic way to achieve communication, whether discourse taking the form of speech or text. In the process of the dynamic generation of discourse meaning both spatial and temporal dimension of language use impose universal constraints on verbal interaction. The stability and variability in a certain context are constantly interacting. Also the involvement of pragmatic strategies should be seriously taken into account.Some important findings are attached to the concluding part as an end to the thesis, emphasizing that discourse is the language in use within multiple contexts for the purpose of communication, and thus the production and interpretation of discourse should both be comprehended contextually and cognitively.