Different kinds of ‘theme’ according to Paltridge
by Enno Lüllmann
At first, a short definition of ‘theme‘:
Paltridge defines a ‘theme’ as the starting point of a clause. It expresses what the clause is about.
Combined with the ‘rheme’, a theme contributes to the texture of a text.
Now, what is a ‘rheme‘?
A ‘rheme’ is the remainder of a clause. It expresses what the sentence has to say abot the ‘theme’.
Thus, a ‘rheme’ is everything of the clause that is NOT a ‘theme’.
This still might sound a bit weird, but the following example should help to understand:
source: http://www.ran.de/de/fussball/nationalmannschaft/1005/Bilder/format/lahm1000_485x364.jpg
Philipp Lahm is the skipper of the German team.
In this sentence, ‘Philipp Lahm’ is the theme, and the rest of the sentence is the rheme, it tells us something about the theme ‘Philipp Lahm’.
1. TOPICAL THEME
‘Philipp Lahm’ in the sentence above is even more than merely a ‘theme’ – it is a certain kind of theme, namely a ‘topical theme’.
Themes of this kind are noun phrases at the beginning of a clause.
2. TEXTUAL THEME
Textual themes are conjunctions at the beginning of a clause.
To have an example, we can lengthen the sentence from above:
Philipp Lahm is the skipper of the German team and is 5 feet and 7 inches tall.
Other conjunctions such as ‘but’, ‘although’ or ‘even if’ are of course also possible.
But in this case I think ‘and’ is more appropriate.
3. INTERPERSONAL THEME
Interpersonal themes express a point of view. Thus, they are marked by expressions such as ‘of course’, ‘surely’, ‘frankly’ or ‘hopefully’.
Recently, The Sun contained an interpersonal theme by quoting the ‘German legend’ Franz Beckenbauer:
‘Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group.’
‘Stupidly’ expresses the point of view of ‘Kaiser Franz’.
4. MULTIPLE THEME
A theme component that comprises more than one theme element is called a ‘multiple theme’.
The quote of Franz Beckenbauer can again serve as an example.
‘Stupidly‘ is an interpersonal theme, ‘the English‘ is a topical theme. Makes two themes.
Any other combination of topical, textual and interpersonal themes in the theme component also results in a multiple theme.
5. CONSTANT THEME
The last three kinds of themes are all ‘patterns of thematic progression’.
Thematic progression serves to develop texts and thus to construct information flow.
The pattern of a ‘constant theme’ is rather simple. It can be found when the theme of a sentence is repeated in the subsequent sentence (or sentences):
Philipp Lahm is the skipper of the German team.
He is 5 feet and 7 inches tall.
The repetition of the theme ‘Philipp Lahm’ makes the theme constant.
6. LINEAR THEME
A ‘linear theme’ can be found when a part of the rheme of the first sentence appears to be the theme of the subsequent sentence (or sentences).
Remember: A rheme expresses what the sentence has to say about the theme.
Philipp Lahm is the skipper of the German team.
The German team has only one player that is as small as Philipp Lahm, namely Marko Marin.
source: http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/member_photos/group1/subgrp388/heikowestermannmario_294966.jpg
The function of ‘the German team’ has changed from being one part of the rheme to being the theme. ‘Marko Marin’, being a part of the rheme of the second sentence, could now serve as the theme of a third one. And so on.
7. SPLIT RHEME
Not exactly a theme, but clearly making this list complete.
When a second and a third sentence contain themes that are parts of the rheme of a first sentence, we are concerned with a ‘split rheme’:
The smallest players of the German team are Philipp Lahm and Marko Marin.
Philipp Lahm is 5 feet and 7 inches tall.
Marko Marin is 5 feet and 7 inches tall, too.
Obviously, the rheme of the first sentence is split into themes. ‘Philipp Lahm’ is the theme of the second, ‘Marko Marin’ the theme of the third sentence.
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