Correct Information Units (CIU) analysis is one of the few measures of discourse that attempts to quantify discourse as a function of communicating information efficiently. Though this analysis is used reliably as a research tool, most studies' apply CIUs to structured discourse tasks and do not specifically describe how raters are trained. If certified clinical speech-language pathologists can likewise reliably apply CIU analysis within clinical settings to unstructured discourse, such as the discourse of people with aphasia (PWA), it may allow clinicians to quantify the information communicated efficiently in clinical populations with discourse deficits. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if using the outlined training module, clinicians are able to score CIUs with similar inter-rater reliability across both structured and unstructured discourse samples as researchers. Method: Four certified SLPs will undergo a two-hour training session in CIU analysis similar to that of a university research staffs' CIU training protocol. Each SLP will score CIUs in structured and unstructured language samples collected from individuals diagnosed with aphasia. The SLP' scores within the structured and unstructured discourse samples will be compared to those of a university research lab staffs'. This will determine (1) whether SLPs can reliably code CIUs when compared with research raters in a lab setting when both using the same two-hour CIU training and resources allotted; (2) whether there is a significant difference in reliability when structured and unstructured discourse is analyzed.

M. Tech. Language Practice / Mobile technology has advanced to a point whereby mobile phones are no longer devices anyone can live without. Text messaging has become so popular that now there are more text messages sent by mobile phones than calls made on mobile phones. This study set out to investigate the possible effects of text messaging language on the written school work (learners' ability to properly compose and formulate) of grade 11 English first additional language learners (EFAL) at a public high school in Soshanguve, Pretoria. To this end, the two objectives of the study were to: identify if there were any instances or uses of text messaging in the written school work of grade 11 English first additional language learners at a public school in Pretoria; and establish the possible effects (positive or negative) of text messaging on grade 11 English first additional language learners' written school work.

Thesis (MA (African Languages))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This study invesitgates a selection of hard news articles in isiZulu that were published in the newspaper Ilanga within the framework of genre theory. The study invokes in particular the orbital structure approach to the organisation of the structure of hard news articles advanced by White (1997) in analysing the isiZulu articles. Hard news reports are typically associated with eruptive violence, reversals of fortune and socially significant breaches of the moral order. Hard news reports are distinguished in terms of two types, namely those reports which are primarily grounded in a material event such as an accident, natural disaster, riot, or terrorist attack, and those reports grounded in a communicative event such as a speech, interview, or press release. The research in this study presents an analysis of four articles in isiZulu of each of these two types. The analysis of the isiZulu articles presents support for White’s view that both types of hard news reports exhibit the same generic structure, a mode of textual organisation unique to mass media which gives hard news its textual distinctiveness. Both types hard news reports achieve their informational and rhetorical objectives through a non-linear, orbital structure in which dependent ‘satelites’ elaborate, explain, contextualize and appraise a textually dominant nucleus.

Thesis (MA (African Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Issues relating to persuasive-message production motivated this study to investigate the extent to which married Xhosa men use persuasive messages in their conversations. The study also explored the influence goals that married Xhosa men wish to attain when they engage in persuasive interactions. The study furthermore aimed to determine the persuasive strategies used by married Xhosa men in their persuasive messages. Dillard and Marshall (2003) defined persuasion as an occurrence that comprises longer, naturally impromptu messages concentrating mainly on a large body of discussion with preferred topics of social, political and commercial importance. Goals have been given much attention, since they play a major role in persuasive messages. Dillard and Marshall (2003) distinguished between two types of goals: primary goals and secondary goals. Primary goals are also referred to as influence goals and are defined as the state of affairs that people wish to bring about (Dillard & Marshall, 2003). The two authors mentioned also identified different types of primary goals, referring to them as motivations behind the source’s influence attempt. Different types of primary goals have been found in various works, including the works of Dillard (2003), Wilson and Sabee (2003), Wilson (2002), Cody et al. (1994), Dillard et al. (1989), Wilson and Kunkel (2000) and Schrader and Dillard (1998). This study examined the approaches, such as directness or indirectness, that married Xhosa men use when conveying their messages. It endeavoured to discover the persuasive problems encountered by these men and other issues related to the production of a persuasive message. In this study, the goal of giving advice appeared to be the one used most by the men. The study revealed that the main reason for the men giving advice was to help people in their society to lead healthy lifestyles. It also showed that the common use of the advisory goal is valued in Xhosa culture and that it is, to a certain extent, appreciated by those who are being advised. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kwessies wat verband hou met die skep van oorredende boodskappe was die dryfveer agter hierdie studie wat ondersoek ingestel het na die mate waartoe getroude Xhosamans oorredende boodskappe in hulle gesprekke gebruik. Die studie het ook die invloed van doelstellings wat getroude Xhosamans graag wil bereik wanneer hulle by oorredende interaksies betrokke raak, verken. Die studie het verder ten doel gehad om die oorredende strategieë wat deur getroude Xhosamans in hulle oorredende boodskappe gebruik word, te bepaal. Dillard en Marshall (2003) het oorreding gedefinieer as gebeurtenis wat langer boodskappe, wat van nature impromptu is, behels en wat hoofsaaklik op groot massa bespreking met verkose onderwerpe van sosiale, politieke en kommersiële belang konsentreer. Heelwat aandag is aan doelstellings gegee aangesien dit belangrike rol in oorredende boodskappe speel. Dillard en Marshall (2003) onderskei twee soorte doelstellings: primêre doelstellings en sekondêre doelstellings. Primêre doelstellings word ook invloeddoelstellings genoem en dit word gedefinieer as die toedrag van sake wat mense teweeg wil bring (Dillard & Marshall, 2003). Genoemde twee outeurs noem ook geïdentifiseerde verskillende soorte primêre doelstellings, en beskryf hierdie soort as motiverings agter die bron se poging tot invloed. Verskillende soorte primêre doelstellings is in verskeie werke aangetref, met inbegrip van die werk van Dillard (2003), Wilson en Sabee (2003), Wilson (2002), Cody et al. (1994), Dillard et al. (1989), Wilson en Kunkel (2000) en Schrader en Dillard (1998). Hierdie studie het die benaderings, soos direktheid of indirektheid, ondersoek wat getroude Xhosamans gebruik wanneer hulle boodskappe oordra. Daar is probeer om die oorredende probleme wat deur hierdie mans teëgekom word en ander kwessies wat met die produksie van oorredende boodskap verband hou, vas te stel. In hierdie studie lyk dit asof die doel om raad te gee dié is wat die meeste deur die mans gebruik word. Die studie het aan die lig gebring dat die hoofrede waarom die mans raad gee, is om mense in hulle gemeenskap te help om gesonde lewenstyle te handhaaf. Dit het ook getoon dat daar aan die gewone gebruik van die raadgewende doel in die Xhosakultuur waarde geheg word en dat dit, tot sekere mate, deur diegene wat raad gegee word, gewaardeer word. / ISISHWANKATHELO: Imicimbi enxulumene nokuveliswa kwemiyalezo yotshintsho lwengqondo iye yaphembelela ukuba kuphandwe ubungakanani bokusetyenziswa kwemiyalezo etshintsha ingqondo kwincoko ngamadoda amaXhosa atshatileyo. Esi sifundo sikwaphonononga ezona njongo zoxinzelelo la madoda athi abe nomnqweno wokuzifezekisa xa ezibandakanya kwiinkqubo zotshintsho lwengqondo. Ngaphezu koko, esi sifundo sikwajolise ekufumaniseni amaqhinga okutshintsha ingqondo athi asetyenziswe ngamadoda amaXhosa atshatileyo kwimiyalezo yawo yokutshintsha ingqondo. Njengoko kuchaziwe ngu Dillard no Marshall (2003), utshintsho lwengqondo sisenzeko esiquka imiyalezo emide, engalungiselelwanga kwangendalo, egxila ngakumbi kwiingxoxo ezinemiba eliqela enemixholo engentlalo, ezopolitiko nezingokubaluleka korhwebo. Iinjongo abantu abathi bafune ukuzifezekisa zinikwe ingqwalasela enkulu nanje ngoko zidlala indima ephambili kwimiyalezo etshintsha ingqondo. UDillard no Marshall bangowama-(2003) bohlula phakathi kweentlobo ezimbini zeenjongo abantu abanazo nabathi banqwenele ukuzifezekisa; iinjongo ezisisiseko (Primary goals) kunye neenjongo zenqanaba lesibini (Secondary goals). Iinjongo ezisisiseko zikwabizwa ngokuba ziinjongo ezinoxinixelelo (influence goals) kwaye zichazwa ngokuba ziinjongo abathi abantu banqwenele ukuzifezekisa ngu Dillard no Marshall bangowama-(2003). Bakwalatha iintlobo ezahlukeneyo zeenjongo ezisisiseko abakwazibiza ngokuba ziimpembelelo ezithi ziphembelele umzamo wokutshintsha ingqondo womvelisi womyalezo lowo. Ezi ntlobo zahlukeneyo zeenjongo ezisisiseko zifunyaniswe kwimisebenzi eyahlukeneyo, misebenzi leyo equka umsebenzi ka- Dillard no Marshall bangowama-(2003), ka-Wilson no Sabee bangowama-(2003), ka- Wilson wangowama-(2002), ka-Cody et al. bangowama-(1994), ka-Dillard et al. bangowama-(1989), ka-Wilson no Kunkel bangowama-(2000), kwakunye noka Schrader no Dillard bangowama-(1998). Esi sifundo sikwaphonononga nendlela athi amadoda amaXhosa atshatileyo ayisebenzise xa egqithisa imiyalezo yawo, umzekelo ukuthi ngqo (Directness) okanye ukungathi ngqo (Indirectness) kwimiyalezo yawo. Esi sifundo sikwazama ukufumanisa iingxaki zotshintsho lwengqondo ezithi zifunyanwe ngala madoda kuquka neminye imiba enxulumene nokuveliswa kwemiyalezo yotshintsho ingqondo. Kwesi sifundo injongo yokunika icebiso ibonakala iyeyona isetywenziswa kakhulu ngamadoda amaXhosa atshatileyo. Esi sifundo sivelisa ukuba iyonke injongo yokucebisa kula madoda kukunceda abantu ekuhlaleni ukuba babenobomi obusempilweni. Ukusetyenziswa kakhulu kwenjoko yokucebisa kwesi sifundo kukwabonakalisa ukuba injonjo yokucebisa ixatyiswe kakhulu kwinkcubeko yamaXhosa kwaye ngokwezinga elithile ikwathakazelelwa ngabo banikwa icebiso

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the defining characteristics of the genre-theory analytically for isiXhosa. The five chosen genre texts in isiXhosa, extracted from five Bona magazine, deal with social problems. Firstly the study investigates the theory of genre-based approach. The genre-based approach forms the framework for the analysis of the isiXhosa texts. The ethnography of writing posited in the theory of text construction of Grabe and Kaplan (1996) is explored. This theory is accepted as an underlying framework for teaching writing in isiXhosa in Curriculum 2005. The ethnography of writing entails addressing the following questions: who writes, what, to whom, for what purpose, why and how. Secondly, the write parameter, which is extensively examined, deals with the six learning outcomes such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, thinking and reasoning, language structure, in relation to the assessment standards, as a realisation of communicative purpose. The text-linguistic characteristics of the genre approach involving Grabe and Kaplan's model of writing are explored in the five isiXhosa magazine texts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie ondersoek die onderskeidende kenmerke van die genre-teorie analities vir isiXhosa. Die vyf genre-tekste van die BONA tydskrif wat gekies word, handeloor sosiale probleme. Die studie ondersoek eerstens die teorie van die genre-gebaseerde benadering. Die genre-gebaseerde benadering vorm die raamwerk vir die analise van die isiXhosa tekste. Die etnografie van skryf soos gepostuleer in die teorie van tekskonstruksie van Grabe en Kaplan (1996) word ondersoek. Hierdie teorie word aanvaar as onderliggende raamwerk in die onderrig van skryfvaardighede in Kurrikulum 2005. Die etnografie van skryf, behels die ondersoek van die vrae: wie skryf wat aan wie, vir watter doel, wanneer, waarom, en hoe. Tweedens, die skryf parameter, wat uitgebreid ondersoek word met verwysing na die Xhosa tekste, hou ook verband met die leeruitkomste van luister, lees, praat, denkvaardighede en taalstruktuur, met betrekking tot die assesseringsstandaarde, as 'n realisering van kommunikatiewe doelstelling. Die tekslinguisitiese eienskappe word ondersoek soos gepostuleer deur Grabe en Kaplan t.o.v. die vyf Xhosa tydskrifartikels. / ISICATSHULWA Lo msebenzi uphonononga ukwakhiwa kwe thiyori yegenre ngokuhlalutyiweyo. Itekisi zegenre ezintlanu zijonga iingxaki zasekuhlaleni yaye zicatshulwe kumabali amahlanu encwadi ekuthiwa yiBona. Okokuqala lo msebenzi uphanda ithiyori ebanzi ngendlela ethi igenre ijongwe ngayo. Le yimvelaphi yohlobo Iwetekisi yolwimi IwesiXhosa. Indlela yokubhala amagama ivela kwithiyori ka Grabe no Kaplan (1996). Le thiyori yamkelekile njengesiseko sokufundisa ukubhala. Iquka indlela yokubhala enale mibuzo: ngubani obhalayo, ebhala ntoni, ebhalela bani, siyintoni isizathu, ngoba kutheni, ebhala njani. Imigaqo okanye imimiselo yokubhala iyavavanywa yaye iza kujongana neziphumo zokufunda ezithandathu ezizezi: ukumamela, ukuthetha, ukufunda nokubona, ukubhala, ukucinga nokuqiqa, ukwakhiwa kolwimi nokusetyenziswa, nendlela yokuhlola njengenjongo yokudlulisa umba lowo. Ezi mpawu zolwimi Iwetekisi yokusetyenziswa kwegenre zizakujongwa banzi kusetyenziswa Ie ndlela yokubhala ka Grabe no Kaplan. Iziphumo zemfundo eyile: ukufunda nokubona, ukubhala, ukucinga nokuqiqa ziza kunikwa uqwalaselo olulodwa. Okokugqibela abafundi bebanga lesixhenxe baza kuba nakho ukukubona ukuvisisana nokudibana kokubhala ukucinga ukuqiqa kunye nemiqathango yokuhlolwa.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis employs the theoretical framework of text construction advanced by Grabe and Kaplan (1996) for the analysis of human rights magazine texts in isiXhosa. The theory employed in this study includes linguistic elements, which can be included in teaching methodology for developing the learners' analytic skills in analyzing the discourse structure of written texts. These kinds of analytic skills are strongly reflected in Curriculum 2005 for the learning area languages. The thesis employs a range of textlinguistic strategies for analyzing written genre texts on human and civil rights issues. It is argued that the incorporation of these strategies by teachers in the process of language teaching in Curriculum 2005 will enable the learners to analyse texts successfully and to gain an awareness about how language is used in texts. For the purpose of analysis in this thesis, texts from the Bona magazine with contents ranging on human and community or civil rights were collected. The thesis demonstrates that text analysis involves to a large extent, an investigation of generic factors such as the communicative purpose, the culture and the community in which the text is produced. Following the discussion of the generic features of texts, a broad definition of the term text is explored, and the textlinguistic construction and certain levels of analysis are identified. In addition to this, the study demonstrates that analysis of the linguistic structure of texts needs to incorporate the discussion of the parameters of the ethnography of writing advanced by Grabe and Kaplan (1996). The ethnography of writing entails that a detailed analysis of texts should address the following questions: 'Who writes what to whom, for what purpose, why, when and how?' The study explores the implications and rationale for incorporating text analysis in language teaching and learning. Lastly, the relationship between the theoretical underpinnings assumed in this study, and the learning outcomes of Curriculum 2005 are explored. This study demonstrates that the theoretical framework of Grabe and Kaplan (1996) which underlies in the construction of written texts, will not only introduce the language learner to an inclusive language pedagogy, but can be employed for effective text analysis of isiXhosagenre texts on human rights in popular magazineslike Bona. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis maak gebruik van die teoretiese model van Grabe en Kaplan (1996) vir die analise van menseregte tydskrifartikels in isiXhosa. Die teorie wat aangewend word in die studie sluit linguistiese elemente in wat ingesluit kan word in taalonderrigmetodologie vir die ontwikkeling van leerders se analitiese vaardighede in die analise van diskoersstrukture van skriftelike tekste. Hierdie soort analitiese vaardighede word sterk gereflekteer in Kurrikulum 2005 vir die leerarea van tale. Die tesis wend 'n verskeidenheid tekslinguistiese strategieë aan vir die analise van geskrewe genre tekste oor menseregte en burgerlike regte vraagstukke. Daar word betoog in die studie dat die insluiting van hierdie strategieë deur onderwysers in die proses van taalonderrig in Kurrikulum 2005 leerders in staat sal stelom tekste suksesvol te ontleed en 'n bewussyn te kry van hoe taal in tekste gebruik word. Vir die doeleindes van analise is hierdie tesis is tekste gebruik uit die BONA tydskrif met 'n inhoud oor menseregte en gemeenskaps- en burgerlike regte. Die tesis demonstreer dat teksanalise in 'n groot mate 'n ondersoek behels van generiese faktore soos kommunikatiewe doelstelling, die kultuur en die gemeenskap waarin die teks geproduseer word. Na 'n bespreking van die generiese faktore van tekste word 'n breë definisie van die term "teks" ondersoek, en die tekslinguistiese konstruksie en bepaalde vlakke van analise word geïdentifiseer. Hierbenewens demonstreer die studie dat die linguistiese analise van tekste die bespreking moet insluit van die parameters van die etnografie van geskrewe tekste soos voorgestaan deur Grabe en Kaplan (1996). Die etnografie van geskrewe tekste behels dat die analise van tekste die volgende vrae ondersoek: Wie skryf wat vir wie vir watter doel, waarom, wanneer en hoe? Die studie ondersoek die implikasies en motivering vir die insluiting van teksanalise in taalonderrig. Laastens word die verhouding tussen die teoretiese grondslae, wat aanvaar word in hierdie studie, en die leeruitkomste van Kurrikulum 2005 ondersoek. Die studie toon aan dat die teoretiese raamwerk van Grabe en Kaplan (1996), wat onderliggend is aan die konstruksie van geskrewe tekste, kan aanvaar word om leerders in te lei in 'n meer inklusiewe taalonderrig en kan aangewend word vir effektiewe teksanalise van isiXhosa genre tekste gebaseer op die menseregte in populêre tydskrifte soos Bona.

Thesis (MA (African Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to explore interpersonal persuasive messages of Xhosaspeaking women. The findings suggest that the majority of attempts at interpersonal persuasion take place in close and often personal relationships. The findings further show that the majority of Xhosa-speaking women tend to persuade those they are familiar with, such as husbands, children, siblings and friends. Specific cultural aspects also influence the persuasive messages of these women, such as collectivism, indirectness, politeness and ubuntu (caring). Research conducted by Cody et al. (1994), Dillard (1989) and Rule et al. (1985) suggests that individuals seek to persuade others for a variety of reasons. They discovered that the most sought-after influence goals are the following: give advice, gain assistance, share activity, change orientation, change relationship, obtain permission and enforce rights and obligations. These seven influence goals cover a large portion of the persuasive landscape, and were dealt with considerably in this research. The data for this research were collected from Xhosa-speaking women situated in the Eastern Cape, specifically in the region of East London. A total of 20 women in the age range of 30 to 45 participated by writing self-reports in which they attempted to influence their friends, colleagues or family members. Participants also had to relate persuasive incidents that recently took place. In addition, they were asked to mention whether the process of gaining compliance was successful or not. The research data were analysed and evaluated against the following: 1. Different types of influence goals 2. Message dimensions (explicitness, dominance and argument) 3. Evidence in a persuasive message 4. Emotional appeals (threat and guilt appeals) 5. Cultural and conversational constraints The data analysis revealed that the findings of this study among Xhosa-speaking women are on par with the findings of the study by S.R. Wilson (2002) on culture and conversational constraints, as well as with other research conducted by Dillard (1998) in the field of message production. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om interpersoonlike oorredingsboodskappe van ’n aantal Xhosasprekende vroue te ondersoek. Die bevindinge doen aan die hand dat die meerderheid pogings tot interpersoonlike oorreding in nabye en dikwels persoonlike verhoudings plaasvind. Die bevindinge van die navorsing toon ook dat die meerderheid Xhosasprekende vroue daartoe geneig is om diegene waarmee hulle vertroud is, te oorreed. Dit sluit gades, kinders, broers en susters en vriende in. Sekere kulturele aspekte beïnvloed ook die oorredingsboodskappe van hierdie vroue, soos kollektivisme, indirektheid, beleefdheid en ubuntu (omgee). Navorsing uitgevoer deur Cody et al. (1994), Dillard (1989) en Rule et al. (1985) voer aan dat individue ander mense om verskeie redes probeer oorreed. Hulle het uitgevind dat die algemeenste doelwitte van beïnvloeding die volgende is: gee advies, verkry bystand, deel aktiwiteit, verander oriëntasie, verander verhouding, verkry toestemming, dwing regte af en verpligtinge. Hierdie sewe doelwitte van beïnvloeding dek ’n groot gedeelte van die gebied van oorreding, en word omvattend in hierdie studie behandel. Die data vir die navorsing is ingesamel van Xhosasprekende vroue in die Oos-Kaap, spesifiek in die Oos-Londen-gebied. Twintig vroue tussen die ouderdom van 30 en 45 het deelgeneem deur verslae te skryf waarin hulle gepoog het om hul vriende, kollegas of familielede te beïnvloed. Die deelnemers moes ook verslag doen van oorredingsinsidente wat onlangs plaasgevind het. Hulle is gevra om te meld of die proses om toegewing te verkry suksesvol was al dan nie. Die navorsingsdata is ontleed en teen die volgende geëvalueer: 6. Verskillende soorte doelwitte van beïnvloeding 7. Boodskapdimensies (uitdruklikheid, dominansie en argument) 8. Bewyse in ’n oorredingsboodskap 9. Emosionele beroepe (dreigemente en beroepe om skuldgevoelens) 10. Kulturele en gespreksbeperkings Die data-ontleding het aangetoon dat die bevindinge van hierdie studie onder Xhosasprekende vroue ooreenstem met dié van ’n studie deur S.R. Wilson (2002) oor kulturele en gespreksbeperkings, asook met navorsing deur Dillard (1998) op die gebied van boodskapproduksie.

Thesis (DLitt (Ancient Studies)) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / The purpose of this study is to investigate the information structure of Biblical Hebrew narrative, and develop accounts of topic and focus in Biblical Hebrew, respectively. Both topic and focus categories have been determined for Biblical Hebrew (cf. chapters 3 and 5), as well as the information structure strategies that these categories can fulfill in discourse. For topic categories, four different categories of information structure topics in Biblical Hebrew have been distinguished. These are 1. Primary topics 2. Secondary topics 3. Tail topics 4. Topic frames In addition, associated with topics are topic contrastiveness as well as deictic orientations or text-world frames. All these categories, when present, are part of the topical framework of a discourse. For focus structure categories, three different types of focus structure in Biblical Hebrew have been distinguished. These are: 1. Predicate focus 2. Sentence focus 3. Argument focus Again, like in the case of topics, contrastiveness is associated with focus structures. The strategies of information structure topics and focus structures in theme developments were distinguished. For topics, the following information structure strategies or functions stand out: 1. Topic continuity 2. Topic promotion 3. Topic shift 4. Topic deictic text-world framing 5. Topic contrasting For focus structures, the following information structure strategies or functions stand out: 1. Commenting on topics 2. Presenting unidentifiable or inactive participants 3. Reporting, that is, event-reporting and state-reporting of out-of-the-blue, unexpected, discourse new events or states. Some reporting re-directs the theme, other reporting, especially that of states, supports the theme. 4. Identifying referents, either as identifying contrastive, unexpected referents or deictic text-world frames, or by announcing theme macrowords. Contrastiveness is a pragmatic overlay in the case of many focus constituents, especially presupposed information that is focused on. In other words, the three focus structures are used in certain strategies: 1. Predicate focus structures are used for commenting in topic-comment articulations. 2. Sentence focus structures are used for presentational sentences, and for themeredirecting and theme-supporting, event-reporting and state-reporting sentences. The word-order is generally marked. 3. Argument focus is used for unexpected, contrastive identification, and for the announcement of theme macrowords. The word-order is marked, similar to sentence focus structures. All the topic and focus categories and their respective information structure strategies have a link with the theme of a discourse. Theme has been defined in this study as the developing and coherent core or thread of a discourse in the mind of the speaker-author and hearerreader, functioning as the prominent macrostructure of the discourse (chapter 7 (7.4.4)). The information structure with its topics and focus structures and its strategies, can be used as a tool to identify and analyse themes. These categories and strategies together are called theme traces when they occur in marked syntactic constructions or in other prominence configurations like relexicalisation, end-weight, and repetition of macrowords. Theme traces are defined with the following wording: A theme trace is a clue in the surface form of a discourse, viewed from the perspective of information structure, that points to the cognitive macrostructure or theme of a text. This clue is in the form of (1) a marked syntactical configuration, be it marked word-order or marked in the sense of explicit and seemingly “redundant”, all signaling some thematic sequencing strategy, or (2) some recurring concept(s) signaling some prominence and coherence (chapter 7 (7.5.4)). By investigating these theme traces, the analyst will have a tool to study themes in discourse. This theme traces tool will assist in the demarcation of the sections in the developing theme of a text by means of a variety of boundary features, and once these thematic units have been established, the study of the topic framework together with the focus content will yield a verifiable understanding of the macrostructure of a text in Biblical Hebrew. Global themes are contrasted with local themes. Global themes occur in the higher-level thematic groupings, like whole narratives and smaller episodes within the narratives. Within the episodes are sub-units like scenes and thematic paragraphs, the smallest thematic unit. In scenes and thematic paragraphs, local themes occur. Between the different thematic units, a variety of theme sequential strategies occur. Theme shifting is a wider information structure strategy that is in operation in discourse. For instance, topic promotion, topic shift, and topic text-world framing are all cases of theme shifting. To study the theme of a narrative discourse from the perspective of the information structure, four steps of a theme-tracing model have been suggested, and applied to Genesis 17.

The African National Congress (ANC) has effected a shift in political discourse since the succession by President Jacob Zuma from Thabo Mbeki following the 2007 National Elective Conference in Polokwane. Subsequent political re-alignments have led to a strengthening of the tripartite alliance, and a perceived policy shift. However the current state of political play has made evident the tensions within the alliance, fronted by the trade unions on the left, and the elitist culture that has developed within the upper echelons of the ANC. This research examines how the political and economic discourses represented by different ruling factions of the ANC-led alliance transcend into assumptions regarding the role and function of the media. It plots policy developments and shifting ANC elite discourse on the media at various conjunctures since the early 1990s. Developments in the South African media are primarily studied from a political economy approach to ownership, control and transformation, as informed by the economic policies of the ANC. Specific focus is given to the economics of the five press houses, Independent Newspapers, Media 24, Caxton, Avusa and M&G Media. A critical content analysis, informed by a critical approach on discourse theory, is undertaken on various editorials and exposition pieces in five newspapers, Daily News, Witness, Citizen, Sunday Times and Mail and Guardian during the ANC elective conference in Polokwane, December 2007. This sample represents the five press houses under study. This study will offer insight into the English-language press" response to the power struggle and succession debate, represented by Zuma on the one hand and Mbeki on the other, and therefore engage Zuma's critique of the media being politically out-of-synch with society. This content analysis in context with the examination into the political economic transformation of the press, as well as personal representation of the ANC elites in the press, will be used to analyse the general discourse of English-language press at this time. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Du, Juanjuan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 275-280). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.