信息结构理论对写作教学的启示

Information Structure Theory and Its Application to Writing Instruction

语篇中的信息是以语言为载体所传出的消息内容.语篇生成过程是信息传递的过程.每一语句都是一个信息单元,包括已知信息(given information)和新信息(new information).语篇的展开一般是由已知信息到新信息不断循环交替推进的.语篇作者对已知信息和新信息的编排方式决定语篇质量.本文就无标记信息结构、信息度及信息可预设性对写作教学的启示作初步探讨.

Information in discourse refers to the informational contents carried out by language; therefore, the generation of a discourse can be regarded as the process of information transmission. Each sentence is an information unit, within which given and new information is distributed. Generally, discourse orders given information before new information and the way that a discourse composer deals with the given and new information gives rise to a qualified discourse. This paper aims to discuss some implications provided by unmarked information structure, informativity and presupposed given information and their application to writing instruction.