从功能语法和文化视角看英语It-句型

Examination and Interpretation of It-Sentence Pattern in English from the Perspective of Functional Grammar and Culture

It-句型包括由"非指代性it"作形式主语的三种句子。依据功能语法主-述位理论可知,英语中相当一部分这类句子的主位-述位结合都构成如此信息结构:"方向+细节"或"态度+现象";通过调查,再结合英汉语言-文化对比研究之已有成果,发现这一句型实际上是具有英语文化特色的,体现着西方人思维方式之特征。

It- Sentence Pattern includes three types of sentences introduced by non-referring ＂It＂ as a form subject. According to Theme-rheme theory in functional grammar, it can be learned that the theme- rheme structure in a considerable portion of this type of English sentences presents such an ＂information structure＂： ＂direction ＋ detail＂ or ＂attitude ＋ phenomenon＂ ; through our investigation, taking into consideration the existing research findings in the area of language-cultural differences between English and Chinese, it can be further learned that this sentence pattern is actually a feature of English culture, which embodies the characteristics of Western ways of thinking.