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Theme and Rheme

The document discusses the concepts of theme and rheme in systemic functional grammar. [1] Theme refers to the main idea or point of departure in a clause, while rheme is the rest of the message. [2] There are different types of themes, including topical themes about nominals or subjects, textual themes about context, and interpersonal themes about modals or vocatives. [3] The analysis of theme and rheme provides insights into clause organization and the speaker's intentions in a message.

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35 views

Theme and Rheme

The document discusses the concepts of theme and rheme in systemic functional grammar. [1] Theme refers to the main idea or point of departure in a clause, while rheme is the rest of the message. [2] There are different types of themes, including topical themes about nominals or subjects, textual themes about context, and interpersonal themes about modals or vocatives. [3] The analysis of theme and rheme provides insights into clause organization and the speaker's intentions in a message.

Uploaded by

Wiwit Melayu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Theme and Rheme

Name : Wiwit Melayu


Student No : 2310501
Class : Room 3/ 5th Floor
Course : Functional Grammar
Chapter : Theme and Rheme
Date : 14 November 2023

A. THEME AND RHEME


Systemic Functional Grammar focuses primarily on the options that the grammar provides
for both speakers and writers. According to Halliday (Halliday: 1994, cited in Dashela:
2021) there are three lines of meaning in the clause:
1. The Theme functions in the structure of the clause as a message since a clause itself has
meaning as a message, as a quantum of information; the theme is the point of departure
for the message. It is the element the speaker selects for grounding what he is going to
say.
2. The subject functions in the structure of clause as exchange. It is the element the speaker
makes responsible for the validity of what he is saying.
3. The actor functions in the structure of the clause as representations; the actor is the
active participant in the process. It is the element the speaker portrays the one that does
he deed. Theme, for Halliday, is the “point of departure; it is that with which the clause
is concerned” (Halliday: 1994, cited in Dashela: 2021).
According to Dashela (2021), the Theme is considered a universal component; in all
languages, there exists a mechanism for determining the subject or focus of a clause.
Furthermore, Halliday (1994) defines Theme as a function where a “special status is
assigned to one part of it the clause” (cited in Dashela 2011). Moreover, the theme can be
identified as the element which comes first the clause. Theme is then realized by what is
placed in initial position within the clause and this initial position gives the Theme a ‘special
status’ within the clause (Gerot and Wighell: 1994). Gerot and Wignell then elaborate the
terms of Theme and Rheme. According to Gerot and Wignell (1994) the theme is basically
what a sentence is about, and the rest of the sentence is called the rheme. In simpler terms,

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Theme and Rheme

the theme is the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, and the Rheme is the rest of the
message. For example:

You Are required to be familiar with this new place.


Theme Rheme

B. TYPES OF THEME
1. Topical Themes
According to Gerot and Wignell (1994), Theme can be defined as three things:
a. The first nominal group in the clause
b. Nominal group complexes =, adverbial groups. Prepositional phrases or embedded
clauses
c. A subject. The topical theme which is not the subject is called Marked Topical
Theme

Unmarked Topical Theme

Nominal group as Theme

I went to the mall


Theme Rheme

Marked Topical Theme

Complement as Theme

Her phone she lost


Theme Rheme

2. Textual Themes
According to Gerot and Wignell (1994), Textual Theme relate the clause to its context.
They can be Continuatives and/or Conjunctive Adjuncts and Conjunctions. Furthemore,

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Theme and Rheme

Gerot and Wignell state that there is one big difference between Conjunctive Adjuncts
and Conjunctions. Conjunctive Adjuncts are freer to move whereas Conjuntions are
pretty well restricted to being “at the beginning”.

Well, On the other hand, We Could wait


Cont. Conjunctive Topical
Rheme
Theme

3. Interpersonal Themes
They may be Modal Adjuncts, Vocatives, Finite or Wh-elements.

Perhaps We Can wait until next week


Modal Topical
Rheme
Theme

Dearly beloved We Are gathered here today


Vocative Topical
Rheme
Theme

4. Clause as Theme in a Clause Complex

If the dependent clause comes first Then it is the Theme for the whole Clause
Complex
Theme Rheme

5. Predicated Themes

It Was the lecturers [[who Made the decision


Theme Rheme Theme Rheme
Theme Rheme

C. CONCLUSION

3
Theme and Rheme

In conclusion, the analysis of Theme and Rheme within the framework of Systemic
Functional Grammar provides valuable insights into the organization and structure of
clauses. As emphasized by Halliday, Theme serves as the point of departure for a message,
grounding the speaker's intentions. Dashela and Halliday's universal perspective on Theme
reinforces its significance across languages, highlighting its role in determining the subject
or focus of a clause.
D. RESOURCES
Gerot Linda and Peter Wignell. 1994. Making Sense of Functional Grammar. Queensland:
Gerd Stabler.
Dashela, T. (2021). The analysis of theme and rheme in short story of sleeping beauty with a
systemic functional approach. SALEE: Study of Applied Linguistics and English
Education, 2(01). https://doi.org/10.35961/salee.v2i01.201

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