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In:Expanding Horizons in Systemic Functional Linguistics: Interdisciplinary applications, multimodality, and theoretical advances
Edited by Claudia E. Stoian and Christian M.I.M. Matthiessen
[Studies in Functional and Structural Linguistics 80] 2027
► pp. 193–213

Chapter 9
Rethinking fragments

Textual prominence at the interface of clause and discourse in Systemic Functional Linguistics

ORCiD logo with link | Universidade de Vigo
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Abstract
This study re-examines fragmentary expressions in English from a Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) perspective, focusing on their interaction with the clause-level Theme-Rheme organisation and discourse-semantic periodicity. Building on earlier work that conceptualised fragments as thematic orienting points of departure, this paper explores whether fragmentary utterances can also carry focal prominence (functioning as New) or occupy (transitional) positions within the unfolding textual wave. Fragments are treated as entrenched form — meaning pairings rather than elliptical residues and may therefore operate strategically within the textual metafunction. The analysis highlights that their textual role is context-sensitive and reflects the dynamic interaction between clause-level organisation and higher-level periodic structuring across strata. Fragmentary constructions illustrate how textual prominence may be recalibrated as discourse unfolds.
By integrating non-canonical constructions into developments in SFL discourse semantics, this paper contributes to the understanding of how fragments participate in the organisation of meaning across clause and discourse.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Theoretical framework
    • 2.1The concept of fragment
    • 2.2The concepts of theme and fragment theme
    • 2.3The concept of Rheme and its relation to theme
  • 3.Very brief notes on method and scope
  • 4.Analysis of textual prominence in fragments
    • 4.1Fragments as expressions of thematic prominence
    • 4.2Fragments as expressions of focal prominence: Beyond thematic anchoring
    • 4.3Fragments and textual recalibration: From clause structure to discourse-semantic periodicity
  • 5.Discussion: Implications for theory and description
  • 6.Concluding remarks and future directions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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