A Contrastive Analysis Of Thematic Progression Patterns In EST Discourses And Their Translations

The theme-rheme theory and thematic progression are the core elements of textual function in functional grammar advocated by the famous linguist Halliday. The theme-rheme theory has stronger explanatory power to the scientific discourse analysis and EST (English for Science and Technology) translation from the theoretical perspective. It is very helpful to study EST translation systematically and logically based on the framework of the theme-rheme theory for our further understanding of the theory’s content and its function. This thesis attempts to give the detailed description and explanation to the theme-rheme theory and aims to discuss the E-C translation strategies of EST discourse from the perspective of theme-rheme theory and thematic progression. This thesis analyzes thematic progression pattern in the chosen ten EST passages and their Chinese versions, based on theme-rheme theory advocated by Halliday and six thematic progression patterns advocated by linguists in China and abroad. Through the analysis, the author attempts to find out the difference of thematic progression pattern applied in EST and its Chinese version, and tries to analyze the reasons for the difference. The result of this study shows that the frequencies of thematic progression patterns used in EST discourse and its Chinese version are different. Intersection TP (Thematic Progression) pattern is used more frequently in Chinese version than that in EST discourse. The major reason of this phenomenon is summarized by the author that different expressions of different languages are determined by different thinking patterns, which also determine the different frequencies of thematic progression pattern----the main discourse organizing method of language expression. The screwed-type thinking pattern of Chinese people leads to the more frequent use of intersection TP pattern in Chinese than in English. From the view of thematic progression, we can more effectively direct the E-C translation of EST and its Chinese version analysis.