Topic (linguistics)

The Topik ( [ tɔpɪk ], of Engl. Topic ) is the unit in linguistics within a spoken utterance, is predicated on something or of acting the utterance, that is the topic. The notion of the topic was influenced by the Prague School as part of the theme - rheme structure, while Topik is more common in the current linguistic theory terminus.

It represents the Topik represents one of the two primary states that are in the information structure of utterances is important. Its counterpart is the focus. Both are objects of investigation of discourse pragmatics.

The term Topik (which is what something predicated ) is also the engl. Term compared with comment, which means as much as what is said about it. Translated into German one speaks of comment and, for example, among other things, by Topik comment Outline

Examples

• German: " The woman is singing a song. " ( with normal intonation! )
• Japanese: ". Onna ha uta o utatte imasu " ( onna = " woman " )

In Japanese, the Topik by post position (particle ) ha (pronounced wa) in the German it is the intonation, the diatheses active and passive voice and the word sequence ( topicalization ) which are used to express the Topiks.

To mark a Topik clearly, one can in German also the phrase " as far as ... / As / regards, ( so ) ... " use:

"As for the woman: She sings a song. "

Swell

• Robert Detrick Van Valin: A synopsis of Role and Reference Grammar. In: Robert D. Van Valin, Jr.: Advances in Role and Reference Grammar. Benjamins, Amsterdam and Philadelphia 1993, pp. 23-25 ​​. (especially on this topic )