海南大学研究生学期论文

A Functional Stylistic Study of a Classic

Chinese Poem

学院：外国语学院

专业：英语语言文学

姓名：余露

学号：09050201210006

完成时间：2010-08-28

【摘要】 韩礼德建构系统功能语法的目的之一就是为语篇分析提供一个框架。 本

文以系统功能语言学的理论为基础， 从功能文体学角度上分析元代著名散曲家

马致远的一首小令。文章首先对功能文体学作了简单的介绍，接着借用系统功能

语法理论丛及物性、主位和述位以及衔接这三个具有代表性的语义系统来分析该

小令的语言特征。并指出这些语言特征对实现全诗主题意义的作用。同时作者也

希望通过本文来检验系统功能语言学在诗歌分析中的可应用性.

【关键词】系统功能语法; 及物性; 主位和述位; 衔接; 诗歌分析

【Abstract】Halliday’s systemic functional linguistic offers a framework for discourse

analysis. Based on systemic functional linguistics, this paper studies a poem written

by Ma Zhiyuan who is a famous verse writer in Yuan dynasty. This paper first gives a

brief introduction of functional stylistics, and then it examines the linguistic features

of the poem by studying transitivity, theme and rheme and cohesion systems. By

studying the poem in the light of functional stylistics, the author would like to identify

the linguistic features which contribute to achieve the thematic significance of the

poem. It is hoped that the applicability of systemic functional linguistics to discourse

analysis is well tested.

【Key words】 Systemic functional grammar; transitivity; theme and rheme; cohesion,

poem analysis

Table of Contents

1. Introduction............................................................................................12. Theoretical Background.........................................................................2

2.1. An Introduction to Functional Stylistics........................................22.2. Previous Studies on Functional Stylistics.....................................3

3. Study a Poem in the Light of Functional Stylistics................................43.1. Introduction to the Poem...............................................................43.2. Poem Analysis in the Light of Functional Stylistics.....................5

3.2.1. Transitivity............................................................................53.2.2. Theme and Rheme................................................................73.2.3. Cohesion...............................................................................8

4. Conclusion..............................................................................................9References................................................................................................10

1. Introduction

As one of the most important forms in literature, poem enjoys special style which

brings people the beauty of rhythm, vision, and image and implied meaning (Zhang

Delu, 1998). Traditionally, poem studies focus on the analysis of meter and rhyme,

then with some introduction of the author and background of the poem, it comes to

the analysis of the structure, lines of the poem and metaphorical meanings, syntax,

punctuations and so forth for studying the stylistic features in the poem

(Thormborrow and Wareing, 2000, p.5).

Functional stylistics is short for systemic functional stylistics which refers to the

stylistics based on Halliday's systemic functional linguistics. It holds a history of 30

years since systemic functional linguistics started in 1970s. As the founder of

functional stylistics, on the symposium of stylistics held in the U.S.A. in 1969,

Halliday held his idea that the functional theory of language is an effective tool to

studying stylistics. Halliday (1985) identified three systemic functions which are also

called metafunctions: one is ideational function which expresses speaker's experience

in the real world. The second one is interpersonal function which expresses speaker's

attitude, comment and the relationship between speaker and listener. The third one is

textual function. The three functions are closely related to each other and they are the

three basic parts comprising the semantic potentials or systems of language.

Halliday's theory of metafunction is extensively employed in discourse analysis.

Just as he once stated that one of the purposes of constructing systemic functional

grammar is to provide an analytical framework for discourse analysis. Generally,

systemic functional grammar has great application on discourse analysis and stylistic

analysis; however, there are few studies on poems within this framework (Huang

Guowen, 2001, p.35). This paper is a systemic functional attempt to study a classical

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Chinese poem "天 净 沙 ·秋 思 " written by Ma Zhiyuan. It is hoped that the present

study will provide a good insight into Chinese ancient poem studies and that the

applicability of systemic functional linguistics to discourse analysis is well tested.

The author categorizes this paper into four parts. The first part is about

introduction in which the author gives brief information on what the main idea of the

paper is. In the second part, some related theories will be introduced. And also, the

author will briefly introduce similar or related studies which had been done by some

scholars at home and abroad. In the third part which is also the main part of the paper,

detailed analysis of the poem in the light of systemic functional grammar will be

made. Then based on all the theoretical background and exampled analysis, in the last

part, a conclusion will be made.

2. Theoretical Background

2.1. An Introduction to Functional Stylistics

The theoretic basis of functional stylistics is M.A.K. Halliday’s systemic

functional linguistics. Halliday takes language as a system network of making

meaning. Each system in the network represents a choice: not a conscious decision

made in real time but a set of possible alternatives which is called meaning potential

(Zhu Yongsheng, 2001, p.64).

Halliday also proposes that language has three meta-functions: the ideational, the

interpersonal and the textual function. The ideational function expresses the speaker’s

experience in the actual world and thinking in the speaker’s inner world as well as

logic relations among things such as coordination and subordination. Ideational

function is realized by transitivity system, voice system and polarity system. The

interpersonal function sets up and maintains social relations. It refers to speakers’

function as an intruder expressing his or her comments, attitude and the relative roles

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compared with the listener. Interpersonal function is realized by mood system,

modality system and intonation system. The textual function organized the previous

two functions by constructing a whole text through which the writer can deliver his

meaning coherently and cohesively. Textual function is realized by theme system,

information system and cohesion system. These three functions constitute the

semantic system of language and are termed metafunctions (Halliday, 1985).

2.2. Previous Studies on Functional Stylistics

Halliday has established a set of theories on functional grammar. He also applies

his theories to functional stylistics analysis. Halliday uses systemic functional

linguistics to analyze the novel “the inheritor” in his paper “Linguistics Function and

Literary Style: an Inquiry into the Language of William Golding’s ‘The Inheritor’”. In

this paper, Halliday focuses on the transitivity of the researched text. By analyzing its

transitivity, Halliday successfully reveals the relationship between the use of

processes and the characters of the persons in the novel. This has served as a good

example for functional stylistic analysis (Shen Dan, 2008, p.211-212).

From then on, a lot of scholars employed this theory to analyze different texts.

Mary Ellen Ryder analyzed transitivity in one part of a romantic novel “Love Me

Forever” in her paper “Smoke and Mirror: Event Patterns in the Discourse Structure

of a Romance Novel”

In China, scholars also pay much attention to functional analysis. Some of them

are devoted to introducing the newest theories, such as Hu Zhaunglin, Zhu

Yongsheng. And others apply the theories to practical analysis, such as Dai Fan and

Huang Guowen. Professor Dai Fan studies a short poem written by Guillaume

Appolinaire by examining the textual and interpersonal grammatical metaphor and

that of lexical grammar and analyzing the transitivity, lexical sets the changing of

pronouns, references and their contribution to the meaning of the poem. Professor

Huang Guowen applied functional stylistics to the analysis of different translated texts

of Du Mu’s poem “Qing Ming”

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3. Study a Poem in the Light of Functional Stylistics

3.1. Introduction to the Poem

Ma Zhiyuan, one of the most famous playwrights in Yuan dynasty. his "天净沙·

秋思" is considered one of the best . That is why it enjoys the reputation as the father

of autumn thoughts. Wang Guowei commented that " 天 净 沙 · 秋 思 " is as good as

Jueju of Tang dynasty. The poem is as follows:

天净沙

秋思

枯藤老树昏鸦，

小桥流水人家，

古道西风瘦马。

夕阳西下，

断肠人在天涯。

This poem only has 28 words; however, it means a lot. Besides, the poem is so

well-sounded and simply-rhymed that it is very easy to read and recite. That is one of

the reasons that the poem can be intoned by generations. The author, Ma Zhiyuan,

was into official career when he was young. However, he could not really make much

official achievements within that special period. In another word, Ma leads a

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wandering life and lives in poverty. The poem just reflects his real life. 枯藤、老树、

昏鸦(dry vines, old tree, crows at dusk) these images can bring out melancholy to a

poet who is in his low spirit. 小桥、流水(low bridge and running stream) are supposed

to be pleasant images, however, these images are contrasted with others' cottages（人

家） instead of his. Therefore, these would get the poet more melancholic and miss

his own home more. together with 古道、西风、瘦马(ancient road, west wind and lean

horse)" , all the images add to his depression on fulfilling nothing in official career

and loneliness because of being homeless. the last line 断 肠 人 在 天 涯 (one with

breaking heart at the sky’s edge) which is also the topic line, finally put all the images

into a statement that expresses all those sadness and loneliness the poet want to

convey.

3.2. Poem Analysis in the Light of Functional Stylistics

Halliday’s metafunction linguistics refers to ideational function, interpersonal

function, and textual function. Ideational function is realized by transitivity system,

voice system and polarity system. Interpersonal function is realized by mood system,

modality system and intonation system. Textual function is realized by theme system,

information system and cohesion system. Hereby the author will analyze the poem 天

净沙·秋思(autumn thoughts) in the perspective of transitivity, theme and rheme and

cohesion systems

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3.2.1. Transitivity

Transitivity is a semantic system. One of the major grammatical systems in

ideational function is transitivity which specifies the different types of process that are

recognized in the language and the structures by which they are expressed. The basic

semantic framework for the representation of process consists of three components:

the process itself, participants in the process, and circumstances associated with the

process (Hu Zhuanglin, 2001, p.258). Halliday recognizes six process types which are

material processes, mental processes, relational processes, behavioral processes,

verbal processes and existential processes.

As for the first three lines in the poem, ''' there are nine noun groups which

depicts nine images. However, they are not just noun groups. we can understand each

line as a sentence or a clause. "枯藤、老树、昏鸦(dry vines, old tree, crows at dusk) "

are real things in the existing world. so here we can take it as There exists 枯藤、老树

昏 鸦 . Then we can analyze it in the perspective of existence process. Existential

process is the process of existing, which expresses the notion that something exists or

happens. It expresses the mere existence of entity without predicating anything else of

it.

The things exist in the poem do not appear at any time. They are representatives

of the autumn. So with an existence process, the author depicts the season of autumn.

It is not an ordinary autumn or a harvest autumn as most people expected. The

adjectives "枯(dry)、老(old)、昏(at dusk)" help to present a bleak autumn which paves

what is going on next.

The above existence process can also be interpreted as a behavior process. since

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all the images are seen by the poet, we can read them as the poet sees 枯藤、老树、昏

鸦 . Behavior process is the physical action intentionally made by the agent (Li Jiyan,

2009, p.21). We know there are lots of images in the autumn, like golden field, fruitful

trees, etc. Why does the poet only catch these images? The answer is obvious. What

he catches in his eyes mirrors what is in his mind. As I mentioned in the poem

introduction part, the poet failed to make any achievements in his official career and

he is in a really low spirit and tough situation. He is homeless or far away from home.

That is why what he catches in his eyes are those images like "枯藤、老树、昏鸦"

''古道西风瘦马 (ancient road, west wind and lean horse) '' seems to consist of

three noun groups. when we read it carefully, we can figure out a whole sentence like

"on the 古道 " , 西风 (west wind) blows. the poet rides 瘦马 (lean horse) . in the

sentence, we can work out on the 古道(ancient road) is the circumstance where things

are happening. “West wind blows” is a material process. For the readers, while west

wind blows, it is supposed to be really cold. Then the feeling of coldness arises

among readers who will feel sympathetic for the poet. In this cold autumn, everybody

might stay at home with their family members; however, the poet rides a slim horse

alone on an ancient street (not many people might be there)

The poet rides a slim horse is a material process with agent and verb omitted.

Material process is the process of doing. They express the notion that some entity

does something. It is one of the most salient types of processes are those involving

physical actions: running, throwing, cooking and so on. In this process, who is the

agent is not important. The point is the slim horse which indicates that the horse rider

is in poor situation.

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" 断 肠 人 在 天 涯 (one with breaking heart at the sky’s edge) " is a complete

sentence. obviously a relational process is involved in the sentence with the word 在 .

Relational process is the process of being. It expresses the notion that something is

something else or like something else. "在" (is in someplace) vividly identifies the

relation of 断肠人 and 天涯 . So the last sentence finally tells what the situation is in

the poem-----a lonely guy is far away from home. Then the implied meaning of all the

images depicted in the first four lines becomes much clearer. Readers would easily get

what the poet wants to express and might arouse the resonance if the readers had been

in the same situation.

3.2.2. Theme and Rheme

Theme is an important part of textual function. The Theme is the element which

serves as the point of departure of the message ； it is that with which the clause is

concerned ． The remainder of the message ， the part in which the Theme is

developed， is called the Rheme．In other words， the Theme is one element in a

particular structural configuration，which organizes the clause as a message；this is

the configuration Theme+Rheme ． Within that configuration ， the Theme is the

starting point for the message；it is what the clause is going to be about．So，part of

the meaning of any clause lies in which element is chosen as its Theme (Hu

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Zhuanglin, Zhu Yongsheng, et al., 2008, p.84). The significance of studying theme

structure is to learn the distribution of main information in discourse. Having a good

knowledge of theme structure can help readers find out the starting point of speaker

and what kind of message the speaker is trying to send.

"小桥 流水 人家" are three noun groups. however, we can understand it as the

流水 water flows under the 小桥 bridge near 人家 people's house. the theme is 流水

rheme is 人家 . The theme depicts some images not as sad as those in the first line but

something pleasant; however, the point is not that. the rheme 人家 is the point. Water

flows around others' house instead of the poet’s. so the rheme 人家 arouses the poet's

qualms of homesickness. the images in the first line present some sad feelings to the

poet, here this line adds to the sadness and loneliness.

"夕阳西下" "夕阳" is the theme while 西下 is the rheme. Theme in fact contains

old information. "昏鸦" in the first line already tells it is at dusk. so here comes 夕阳 .

if it is 夕阳 , of course it goes down west. but why the poet add 西下 to 夕阳 ? why

do not he just write 夕阳 as a noun group as he did in the first three lines? 西下 added

to 夕阳 makes people more aware that it is late and it is time to go back home. Birds

are going back to their nests; some houses are preparing for their dinner; but where is

the poet's home? Where should he go? then " 西下" makes the poet's situation seem

much worse or more sad. The others have home to go back, even those birds. But he

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is still alone walking outside. Then readers will try to think about where the poet is

going to stay. This structure provides more imagination space for the reader.

3.2.3. Cohesion

Halliday and Hasan (1985) classified the person system into first person, second

person and third person. Only the third person in the personal references system

carries the function of cohesion and they are often anaphoric which means referring

backward. In the whole poem, there are only two complete sentences. one is 夕阳西

下 . the other is 断肠人在天涯 . As I have mentioned in the above parts, actually the

first three lines involve a subject or an agent though they are presented in the form of

noun groups. Its structure is just as follows:

(the poets sees) 枯藤 老树 昏鸦 小桥 流水 人家.

(the poet) rode a slim horse.

"断肠人" in the last line actually is the poet who sees 枯藤 老树 昏鸦 小桥 流

水 人家 and rides the horse. so the subject of the last line 断肠人 is also the subject of

the first three lines. without 断肠人 in the last line, readers may have a hard time

identifying the very theme of the poem and then understanding in what kind of mood

and situation the poet was. so here the subject " 断 肠 人 " works as a word for

cohesion, thus the meanings of the other lines turn to be much clearer. In addition, if

the poet identifies the subject at the very beginning of the poem, there is not much

imagination space for the readers. Then the poem might lose some power or beauty.

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4. Conclusion

According to Widdowson (2000), there is no authoritative interpretation to a

poem since poem involves a lot of semantic potentials through its typical pattern or

structure. (p.16) "天净沙·秋思" s author Ma leads a wandering life. That is why we

say the poem mirrors his real life. When the poem is presented to readers, the feeling

of loneliness and sadness might be aroused, especially when the readers had the same

experience of being far away from home or homeless.

There is no doubt that the powers of a poem and its effect on readers have a lot to

do with the content and how it is expressed (Dai Fan, 2001, p.14). In the light of

systemic functional grammar, this paper studies the transitivity, theme and rheme and

cohesion in the poem. Although functional stylistics still needs further study, this

paper's analysis of the poem reveals that functional stylistics can serve as a standard

or framework for studying texts of different styles and reader's subjective

understanding of texts can be built upon objective standards.

The application of systemic functional linguistics to stylistics helps readers to

obtain a better understanding of the poem and enhances the power and beauty of the

poem and of course in turn, it is proved that systemic functional grammar enjoys

extensive applicability.

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References:

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Edward Arnold.

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of Language in a Social-semiotic Perspective. Victoria: Deakin University Press.

[3] Widdowson, H.G. (2000). Practical stylistics: an approach to poetry. Oxford:

Oxford University Press.

[4] Thornborrow, J. and Wareing, S. (2000). Patterns in Language: Stylistics for

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