Talking themes

The Thematic Structure of Talk

Bibliographic Data

ID5966033
AuthorsAlvin Leong Ping (Nanyang Technological University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume7
Issue6
Pages701-732
Publication date2005-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDiscourse Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-4456 • E-ISSN: 1461-7080
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1461445605055423
OpenAlexW2096309384
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited41

This article examines the thematic structure and progression of an extract of a spontaneous conversation using the inference-boundary model (an amended version of the Hallidayan theme-rheme framework) and the thematic progression framework of Daneš. This article argues that equal attention should be paid to both thematic and rhematic progression. Insofar as rheme carries the body of the message, it would be tremendously helpful for us to gain an understanding of the patterned behaviour of the rhematic element and how theme and rheme together shape the message in the unfolding discourse. The article also examines the different patterns of theme-rheme development in the extract. The boxed, gapped, holistic, and multiple developments, including their variant forms, are presented and discussed

Conversation · Conversation analysis · Geography · Inference · Linguistics · Sociology · Thematic map · Thematic structure · World Wide Web · Communication · Computer Science · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Philosophy · Artificial Intelligence