THEME AND RHEME FROM THE POINTS OF VIEW OF PRAGUE LINGUISTIC CIRCLE AND M. A. K. HALLIDAY’S SYSTEMIC-FUNCTIONAL SCHOOL

Abstract

The article presents analysis of the interpretation of theme and rheme - crucial terms for functional analysis - by representatives of the two most prominent scientific approaches to the functional perspective - Prague linguistic circle functionalists and M.A.K. Halliday’s systemic-functional school. Comprehensive comparison and analysis of these approaches is still lacking, though overlapping and often conflicting terminology of these two schools call for it. Even the basic terms - theme and rheme - still need certain clarification. Comparison of the two schools’ view on these terms as (based on the analysis of works by W. Mathesius, J. Firbas, M.A.K. Halliday, P.H. Fries) showed that the systemic-functional approach to the theme-rheme devision seriously diverges from the principles of the Prague linguist circle. The divergence is made less apparent by M.A.K. Halliday’s usage of the traditional terms theme and rheme, though filling them with new content.