Information Structure.ppt

Information Structure 信息结构 一 信息结构概览 人们在交际中所传递的信息通常由已知信息和新信息组成。已知信息通常由主语表示， 即说话人或写文章的人认为对方已知的人或事或物，这是传递信息的出发点 新信息通常由谓语表示， 即说话或写文章的人认为对方还不知道的新内容， 是信息传递的着重点。 由此， 形成了英语相对固定的正常语序(Regular word order): 主语+谓语 因此，新信息中最为关键的部分常出现在句子末端， 称之为末端中心（End Focus）。 凡是语法结构较复杂的词数较多的信息片段（Piece of information）一般出现在句末，称之为末端重量（End weight） 末端中心和末端重量是排列英语语序的重要原则：要求把新的中心信息和中心信息和重量信息安排在句子尾部。 在英语造句中极力避免头重脚轻，即避免主语过长的句子，谓语部分在正常句式总要比主语长一些。 He rested He took a rest (AmE) / He had a rest ( BrE) 倘若改变了上述英语中相对固定的正常语序，即采用后移(Postponement)，外位(Extra position)，分隔(Discontinuity)， 前置(Fronting )，倒装(Inversion )， 分裂(Cleaving)等修辞手段所产生的非正常语序(Irregular word order) 就可以达到种种不同的强调的修辞效果。 二 后置 Postponement 在写作时按末端重量原则把认为重要的内容置于句末，这种修辞手段叫做后置() （一）Passive voice The rain destroyed the flowers. The flowers were destroyed by the rain. (二)外位 Extrapostion (1) 不定式词组做真正主语 To get there by bus takes him an hour. It takes him an hour to get there by bus Not to publish my book might be better. It might be better not to publish my book. (2)动名词词组作真正主语 Playing with fire is dangerous. It’s dangerous playing with fire. Hartley: Gentlemen, it has been a privilege playing with your tonight. (3)主语从句作真正主语 It says on papers that… It is hoped that… It is said that… It goes without saying that… It is supposed that… It is quite clear that… It is must be pointed out that… It is often said that… It is well known that… It can be easily proved that… It will be seen from this that… It is generally considered that… （三） 分隔 Discontinuity 1. 宾语从句的分隔 Just then I noticed, for the first time, that Monsieur Hamel wore his fine green coat. I believe, too, that I had never listened so attentively. 三 前移 Fronting 把在正常语序中出现较晚的成分，通常是宾语，宾语补语，主语补语，前移到句首，给人一种突然地感觉， 这种修辞叫前移。 Upon the education of the people of this country the fate of this country depends. Her appearance all admired, while her personality few praised. A scandal I call it. 丑闻！我把这叫丑闻。 Very strange it seemed.这可真怪了，让人觉得。 四 倒装Inversion （一）全部倒装（主谓倒装） 1. 地方状语（ 如there，here）时间状语（then，now） 方式状语（thus，hence）位