评价型强势主位结构的功能理据分析

Motivational Analysis of the Evaluative Enhanced Theme Construction

评价型强势主位结构大体相当于传统语法的外位结构(语义结构主要由"评价项+评价对象"组成)。本文从末端重心原则、信息包装、主位包装、客观性4个方面探讨EETC的理据;解释评价对象位于EETC的末端而评价项位于句首的原因,解释评价部分特殊的句法特征。尽管这些因素都不是评价型强势主位结构特有的,但它们共同作用、相互制约、相互平衡,共同构成EETC的功能理据。

This paper explores the motivational factors of the Evaluative Enhanced Theme Constructions（EETC,which is traditionally called extraposition） within the framework of functional grammar.We consider four factors： the end-weight principle,information packaging,Theme packaging,and objectivity.Different from related studies in the literature which are often interested in the placement of the Evaluated at the end of the construction,we pay attention to the placement of the Evaluator in the Theme position and consider the EETC as a Theme packaging device.At the same time,we notice that when some of the factors fail to provide motivation for choosing the EETC,others will be found in play.We do not need to choose between such factors to explain the EETC for they are compatible and in cooperation with each other.We conclude that although none of the functional properties in isolation is unique to the EETC,the combination,co-working,and trading-off between them motivate the choice of the EETC instead of its non-enhanced counterpart.