周永鵬
摘 要:概要寫(xiě)作,基于篇章整體理解,是一種較為復(fù)雜的寫(xiě)作形式,重點(diǎn)考查學(xué)生的理解、概括和轉(zhuǎn)寫(xiě)能力。在概要寫(xiě)作中,學(xué)生可以通過(guò)運(yùn)用“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論的主位推進(jìn)模式,對(duì)語(yǔ)篇進(jìn)行分析,理解語(yǔ)篇內(nèi)涵,把握行文邏輯,提高概要寫(xiě)作的質(zhì)量。
關(guān)鍵詞:主位結(jié)構(gòu);主位推進(jìn)模式;概要寫(xiě)作;語(yǔ)篇分析
概要寫(xiě)作是一種控制性的寫(xiě)作形式,要求考生就所給的閱讀材料用簡(jiǎn)潔、精練的語(yǔ)言進(jìn)行簡(jiǎn)要概括,寫(xiě)出文章的主要大意。概要寫(xiě)作需要學(xué)生在整體性把握文章結(jié)構(gòu)和中心思想的基礎(chǔ)上,運(yùn)用分析、判斷、推理、歸納和概括的思維能力,準(zhǔn)確提取關(guān)鍵信息,梳理整合與構(gòu)建全文大意。這對(duì)學(xué)生的語(yǔ)言基礎(chǔ)知識(shí)、閱讀能力和思維品質(zhì)均提出了更高的要求。筆者在教學(xué)中指導(dǎo)學(xué)生運(yùn)用“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論進(jìn)行概要寫(xiě)作?!爸魑唤Y(jié)構(gòu)”理論可以使學(xué)生了解和掌握有關(guān)中心內(nèi)容的信息在語(yǔ)篇中的分布情況?!盵1]因此,教師在教學(xué)過(guò)程中可以充分利用“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”的主位推進(jìn)模式分析語(yǔ)篇的走向、整體布局以及宏觀結(jié)構(gòu),引導(dǎo)學(xué)生以最貼近作者表達(dá)思想的方式進(jìn)行解讀,避開(kāi)不必要的文字干擾,提高學(xué)生的語(yǔ)篇理解能力和閱讀效率,從而提高概要寫(xiě)作的質(zhì)量。筆者將結(jié)合實(shí)例,探討“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論在英語(yǔ)概要寫(xiě)作中的實(shí)踐應(yīng)用。
一、有關(guān)“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論的論述
(一)主位與述位
人們說(shuō)話時(shí),總是按照某些詞語(yǔ)在交際中所體現(xiàn)的功能來(lái)確定哪些話先說(shuō),哪些話后說(shuō)。主位(Theme,簡(jiǎn)稱T)是句子的第一個(gè)成分,是說(shuō)話的出發(fā)點(diǎn),是說(shuō)話人要強(qiáng)調(diào)的部分,一般表示已知信息;述位(Rheme,簡(jiǎn)稱R)是圍繞主位展開(kāi)的部分,是圍繞主題所說(shuō)的話,是對(duì)主位的敘述、描寫(xiě)和說(shuō)明,一般表示引發(fā)的新信息。以Halliday為代表的系統(tǒng)功能學(xué)派區(qū)分了單項(xiàng)主位、句項(xiàng)主位以及復(fù)項(xiàng)主位。其中復(fù)項(xiàng)主位有內(nèi)部結(jié)構(gòu),又可進(jìn)一步劃分為語(yǔ)篇主位、人際主位和話題主位[2]。
例1:They(T) have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves(R).(單項(xiàng)主位)
例2:If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed(T), he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents(R).(句項(xiàng)主位)
例3:And in a year, he(T) collected reliable information on 1,600 shoes(R).(復(fù)項(xiàng)主位)
例3中,And是語(yǔ)篇主位,表示與上文的聯(lián)結(jié)關(guān)系;in a year是人際主位,表示說(shuō)話人對(duì)時(shí)間的主觀估計(jì);he是概念主位,表示話題。話題是復(fù)項(xiàng)主位必不可少的成分,它可能與語(yǔ)篇主位、人際主位同時(shí)出現(xiàn)。學(xué)會(huì)分析主位結(jié)構(gòu)并找出語(yǔ)篇中每句話的主位和述位,是掌握主位推進(jìn)模式的第一步。
(二)主位推進(jìn)模式
每一個(gè)句子都有自己的主位和述位,當(dāng)一個(gè)句子獨(dú)立存在時(shí),它是靜止而不再變化的。而在語(yǔ)篇中,前后句子的主位和述位就不再是孤立的,它們之間按照一定的內(nèi)在語(yǔ)言規(guī)律不斷地發(fā)生聯(lián)系和變化。這種動(dòng)態(tài)變化表現(xiàn)在句子的相互銜接和信息的演化推進(jìn),已知信息引發(fā)新信息,新信息又不斷地成為已知信息,并以此為出發(fā)點(diǎn)再觸發(fā)另一個(gè)新信息。隨著各句主位的向前推進(jìn),整個(gè)語(yǔ)篇逐漸鋪開(kāi),直至形成一個(gè)能相對(duì)表達(dá)某一完整意義的整體。捷克語(yǔ)言學(xué)家F. Danes將這種語(yǔ)篇的聯(lián)系和變化稱為主位推進(jìn)模式[3]。在整個(gè)語(yǔ)篇的信息發(fā)展過(guò)程中,主位推進(jìn)模式體現(xiàn)了作者的行文脈絡(luò)和思維方式,是語(yǔ)篇整體性和連貫性的重要保證。主位推進(jìn)模式是人腦思維特征和一般規(guī)律的反映,它為我們?cè)诟乓獙?xiě)作中把握文章主題、分析文本結(jié)構(gòu)提供了全新的視角[4]。語(yǔ)篇的基本主位推進(jìn)模式主要有四種:主位同一型、述位同一型、延續(xù)型和交叉型[5]。
1.主位同一型(主位相同,述位不同)
T1—R1
T2(=T1)—R2
...
Tn(=T1)—Rn
如:TV(T1) doesnt take the place of reading for most children(R1); it(T2=T1) takes the place of similar sorts of recreation, such as listening to the radio and playing sports(R2).
2.述位同一型(主位不同,述位相同)
T1—R1
T2—R2(=R1)
...
Tn—Rn(=R1)
如:Scholars from a number of organizations(T1) have for many years been documenting dying languages and the cultures they reflect(R1). Mark Turin, a scientist at the Macmillan Center, Yale University(T2), is following in that tradition(R2=R1).
3.延續(xù)型(前句述位成為后一句主位)
T1—R1
T2(=R1)—R2
...
Tn(=Rn-1)—Rn
如:These robots(T1) will be able to distinguish when someone is happy or sad(R1). This(T2=R1) allows them to respond more appropriately to the user(R2).endprint
4.交叉型(前句主位是后句述位)
T1—R1
T2—R2(=T1)
...
Tn—Rn(=Tn-1)
如:Smart meters(T1) could help bridge this information gap by helping people see how changing their behaviour directly affects their energy use(R1); some studies(T2) have shown that households can achieve up to 15% energy savings using smart meters(R2=T1).
大多數(shù)的語(yǔ)篇推進(jìn)模式比較復(fù)雜多樣,經(jīng)常是兩種或兩種以上模式混合在一起使用。主位推進(jìn)不是語(yǔ)篇發(fā)展的唯一模式,有時(shí)由于語(yǔ)境的變化或者交際的需要甚至?xí)霈F(xiàn)違反主位推進(jìn)模式的語(yǔ)言行為,只要語(yǔ)篇能夠保持宏觀的發(fā)展連貫,則語(yǔ)篇是完全正確的。
二、“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論在概要寫(xiě)作語(yǔ)篇分析中的應(yīng)用
寫(xiě)好一篇概要的起點(diǎn)是把握文章的主旨,理清作者的行文思路。所謂思路,就是作者重點(diǎn)想表達(dá)些什么,是如何向讀者一步步傳遞的。他是從什么地方開(kāi)始說(shuō)起;過(guò)了一段時(shí)間,又從什么地方引入新的話題;已知信息和新信息是如何銜接和掛鉤的;語(yǔ)篇結(jié)束的時(shí)候,他關(guān)心的問(wèn)題又是什么[6]。當(dāng)我們接觸一個(gè)語(yǔ)篇時(shí),可以按照語(yǔ)句出現(xiàn)的先后順序切分主位和述位,然后運(yùn)用主位推進(jìn)模式觀察分析信息交互傳遞和行文思路演進(jìn),從而把握文章脈絡(luò),鎖定概要寫(xiě)作要點(diǎn)。下面筆者以2014年廣東英語(yǔ)高考閱讀理解D篇為例,具體看看作者在語(yǔ)篇發(fā)展中如何把全文的主位結(jié)構(gòu)向前推進(jìn)的(為了便于學(xué)生理解,筆者對(duì)例文第一、二段內(nèi)容的分段進(jìn)行了適當(dāng)調(diào)整)。
【Para 1】Scientists today(T1) are making greater effort to study ocean currents(R1). Most(T2=T1) do it using satellites and other high-tech equipment(R2). However, ocean expert Curtis Ebbesmeyer(T3=T1) does it in a special way—by studying movements of random floating garbage(R3).
【解析】本段拋出了全文的話題——“洋流研究”,敘述的起點(diǎn)是當(dāng)今研究洋流的科學(xué)家(scientists today),這些科學(xué)家的不同之處在于他們的研究方法有別。大多數(shù)科學(xué)家使用衛(wèi)星和其他高科技設(shè)備,而海洋專家Curtis Ebbesmeyer的方法相比較則顯得與眾不同,他是通過(guò)追蹤隨意漂浮的垃圾推算出洋流走向。本段落主要運(yùn)用的是主位同一型的推進(jìn)模式,句際的語(yǔ)義聯(lián)系如下:T1是scientists today,是敘述的起點(diǎn),明確洋流研究的人員主體;T2與T1是部分和整體的關(guān)系;T3的話題主位與T1是個(gè)體和全體的關(guān)系。
通過(guò)推進(jìn)模式的分析,可得T3和T2都是包含在T1中,說(shuō)明他們都是同一個(gè)領(lǐng)域的研究人員。因?yàn)檠芯糠椒ú煌?,所以他們之間形成互補(bǔ)的對(duì)比關(guān)系。通過(guò)對(duì)比,引出文章的主題——海洋專家Curtis Ebbesmeyer獨(dú)特的洋流研究方法。至此,讀者已經(jīng)明白what is his research,鎖定本文的中心話題。因此,本段的要點(diǎn)應(yīng)該是:Different from other ocean scientists, Ebbesmeyer studies ocean currents by tracking random floating garbage.
【Para 2】A scientist with many years experience(T1), he started this type of research in the early 1990s when he heard about hundreds of athletic shoes washing up on the shores of the northwest coast of the United States(R1). There were so many shoes(T2=R1) that people were setting up swap meets to try and match left and right shoes to sell or wear(R2). Ebbesmeyer(T3=T1) found out in his researches that the shoes—about 60,000 in total—fell into the ocean in a shipping accident(R3). He(T4=T3) phoned the shoe company and asked if they wanted the shoes back(R4). As expected(T5=R4), the company told him that they didnt(R5). Ebbesmeyer(T6=T4) realized this could be a great experiment(R6). If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed(T7=R6), he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents(R7).endprint
【解析】本段以有著多年海洋研究經(jīng)驗(yàn)積累的科學(xué)家Ebbesmeyer為核心,逐步敘述他獨(dú)特的洋流研究方法的靈感起源。本段落主要運(yùn)用了主位同一型和延續(xù)型的推進(jìn)模式,句際的語(yǔ)義聯(lián)系如下:T1是a scientist with many years experience,指出該研究方法創(chuàng)始人;T2與R1是同義關(guān)系(there were so many shoes=hundreds of athletic shoes);T3與T1是等值關(guān)系(Ebbesmeyer=a scientist with many years experience);T4與T3是等值關(guān)系(he=Ebbesmeyer);T5與R4是拓展關(guān)系(asked if they wanted the shoes back→as expected,說(shuō)明結(jié)果符合Ebbesmeyer的期待);T6與T4是等值關(guān)系(Ebbesmeyer=he);T7與R6是拓展關(guān)系(a great experiment→If he learned when and where ...,進(jìn)一步解釋實(shí)驗(yàn)具體的做法)。
通過(guò)推進(jìn)模式的分析,本段多處句子中Ebbesmeyer作為主位出現(xiàn),可知他在這種獨(dú)特研究方法的形成中起到主導(dǎo)作用。整個(gè)過(guò)程以時(shí)間為發(fā)展線索,重點(diǎn)講述了how he got the idea,從發(fā)現(xiàn)沖上海灘邊的大批運(yùn)動(dòng)鞋得到靈感開(kāi)始,到最后決定通過(guò)記錄這些鞋的起始點(diǎn)、終結(jié)點(diǎn)、掉落時(shí)間以及運(yùn)動(dòng)路徑來(lái)了解洋流運(yùn)動(dòng)。另外,shoes在本段的述位中重復(fù)出現(xiàn),說(shuō)明這批運(yùn)動(dòng)鞋和Ebbesmeyer開(kāi)創(chuàng)性的前沿實(shí)驗(yàn)有密不可分的關(guān)系。因此,本段的要點(diǎn)應(yīng)該是:Ebbesmeyer got the idea from the hundreds of shoes washed up the Pacific Northwest.
【Para 3】The Pacific Northwest(T1) is one of the worlds best areas for beachcombing because winds and currents join here(R1). As a result(T2=R1), there is a group of serious beachcombers in the area(R2). Ebbesmeyer(T3) got to know a lot of them and asked for their help in collecting information about where the shoes landed(R3=R2). In a year he(T4=T3) collected reliable information on 1,600 shoes(R4). With this data(T5=R4), he and a colleague were able to test and improve a computer program designed to model ocean currents, and publish the findings of their study(R5).
【解析】本段的敘述起點(diǎn)是西北太平洋沿岸,即Ebbesmeyer研究方法的主要實(shí)踐陣地。由于該地是海風(fēng)和洋流的匯集地,得天獨(dú)厚的地理?xiàng)l件吸引了許多beachcombers(海灘搜尋者)。因此,Ebbesmeyer主動(dòng)和beachcombers熟悉起來(lái),請(qǐng)求他們幫忙搜集沖到海岸上的鞋的有關(guān)信息。他和他的同事憑借收集到的數(shù)據(jù),不斷測(cè)試和完善一款電腦程序,以此來(lái)模擬洋流運(yùn)動(dòng),最后成功地發(fā)表了他們的研究成果。本段落主要運(yùn)用的是述位同一型和延續(xù)型的推進(jìn)模式,句際的語(yǔ)義聯(lián)系如下:T1是the Pacific Northwest,交代了Ebbesmeyer研究方案的實(shí)施陣地;T2與R1是因果關(guān)系(one of the worlds best areas for beachcombing→as a result);R3與R2是重現(xiàn)關(guān)系(got to know a lot of them and asked for their help=a group of serious beachcombers);T3作為新話題出現(xiàn),表示Ebbesmeyer作為主要研究實(shí)施者的介入;T4與T3是等值關(guān)系(he=Ebbesmeyer);T5與R4是等值關(guān)系(this data=reliable information on 1, 600 shoes)。
通過(guò)推進(jìn)模式的分析,本段中the Pacific Northwest作為另起一個(gè)段落首句的主位出現(xiàn),將讀者的視角帶到Ebbesmeyer洋流研究的實(shí)施領(lǐng)地。整個(gè)段落敘述了如何把洋流研究設(shè)想付諸實(shí)踐,也就是how he did the research。這個(gè)研究需要收集大量沖上海岸的鞋的信息,因此Ebbesmeyer不可能單槍匹馬行動(dòng),必須爭(zhēng)取到數(shù)量眾多的beachcombers的幫助。段落中關(guān)于鞋的信息數(shù)據(jù)information/data多次以主位或述位的形式出現(xiàn),這些數(shù)據(jù)最終會(huì)被輸入到經(jīng)過(guò)反復(fù)測(cè)試和完善的電腦程序computer program來(lái)模擬洋流走向。因此,本段的要點(diǎn)應(yīng)該是:Ebbesmeyer asked beachcombers for help in collecting information on shoes and used it to model the patterns of ocean currents in a computer program.
【Para 4】As the result of his work(T1), Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean(R1). He(T2=R1) has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand(R2). They(T3=R2) have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves(=R3).endprint
【解析】本段總結(jié)全文,重點(diǎn)講述了Ebbesmeyer在該領(lǐng)域中的廣泛影響力以及這項(xiàng)洋流研究的進(jìn)展近況。當(dāng)別人發(fā)現(xiàn)漂浮在海上的不尋常物體時(shí),就會(huì)立馬想到去咨詢這位頗有名聲的海洋科學(xué)家。他甚至組建了一個(gè)an association,由海灘搜尋者、海洋專家以及500名來(lái)自西非和新西蘭的志愿者共同組成。他們的工作是記錄所有掉落在海上漂浮的物件,包括土豆和手套等。本段落主要運(yùn)用的是延續(xù)型的推進(jìn)模式,句際的語(yǔ)義聯(lián)系如下:T1是as the result of his work,起到承上啟下的過(guò)渡作用;T2與R1是遞進(jìn)關(guān)系(Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist→he has even started ...);T3與R2是等值關(guān)系(they=beachcombers, ocean experts and 500 subscribers)。
通過(guò)推進(jìn)模式的分析,可知T1收束全文,對(duì)his work產(chǎn)生的影響力進(jìn)行總結(jié)以及how his research progresses。洋流研究專家Ebbesmeyer已經(jīng)證明隨意漂浮的垃圾能夠推算出洋流走向,這不是開(kāi)玩笑。他不但沒(méi)有停止研究的步伐,還創(chuàng)建了一個(gè)由海灘搜尋者、海洋專家和志愿者組成的團(tuán)隊(duì),記錄所有的漂浮垃圾。因此,本段的要點(diǎn)應(yīng)該是:Ebbesmeyer is a well-known scientist and has started an association to follow any floating object.
通過(guò)以上運(yùn)用“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”理論的主位推進(jìn)模式對(duì)語(yǔ)篇進(jìn)行分析,我們對(duì)語(yǔ)篇有了整體性的把握,對(duì)每個(gè)段落的中心話題和要點(diǎn)信息也熟諳在心。在對(duì)語(yǔ)篇深入分析的基礎(chǔ)上,我們可以將所有要點(diǎn)提取出來(lái),運(yùn)用銜接和連貫手段把它們串聯(lián)成一個(gè)整體,簡(jiǎn)潔、精準(zhǔn)、流暢自然地還原原文的行文思路和內(nèi)容精髓。
【One possible version】
Different from other ocean scientists, Ebbesmeyer studies ocean currents by tracking random floating garbage. He got the idea from the hundreds of shoes washed up the Pacific Northwest. To put it into practice, he asked beachcombers for help in collecting information on shoes and used it to model the patterns of ocean currents in a computer program. Now he is a well-known scientist and has started an association to follow any floating object. (73 words)
概要寫(xiě)作要求學(xué)生能夠?qū)φZ(yǔ)篇內(nèi)在的組織、思想的表達(dá)以及條理結(jié)構(gòu)有著清晰的認(rèn)識(shí),因此教師在教學(xué)過(guò)程中需要站在篇章的角度,真正把語(yǔ)篇當(dāng)作傳遞信息的基本意義單位進(jìn)行研究,運(yùn)用主位推進(jìn)程序來(lái)審視文本、明確主線、理清脈絡(luò),幫助學(xué)生準(zhǔn)確地把握語(yǔ)篇的內(nèi)部邏輯關(guān)系和作者原始的思路軌跡。在概要寫(xiě)作教學(xué)中,運(yùn)用“主位結(jié)構(gòu)”的主位推進(jìn)模式引導(dǎo)學(xué)生抓住作者的主位結(jié)構(gòu)安排和推進(jìn),有利于文本的主題歸納、語(yǔ)篇的準(zhǔn)確解讀以及要點(diǎn)的快速提取,達(dá)到撥云見(jiàn)日、事半功倍的效果。語(yǔ)言理論是英語(yǔ)教學(xué)實(shí)踐的支撐,離開(kāi)理論的語(yǔ)言教學(xué)只能是無(wú)本之木,無(wú)源之流?!爸魑唤Y(jié)構(gòu)”理論是系統(tǒng)功能語(yǔ)言學(xué)的一個(gè)重要組成部分,新高考呼吁教學(xué)方法的變革,不失時(shí)機(jī)地把主位推進(jìn)模式運(yùn)用到高中英語(yǔ)概要寫(xiě)作教學(xué)中,發(fā)揮其指導(dǎo)實(shí)踐的作用,必將產(chǎn)生深遠(yuǎn)的影響和普遍的思考。
參考文獻(xiàn):
[1]胡壯麟,朱永生,張德錄. 系統(tǒng)功能語(yǔ)法概論[M].長(zhǎng)沙:湖南教育出版社,1989:431.
[2]HALLIDAY M A K. An introduction to functional grammar[M]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2000: 74.
[3]DANES F. Papers on functional sentence perspective[M]. Prague: Academia, 1974:106-128.
[4]楊斐翡.主位推進(jìn)與語(yǔ)篇連貫[J].西安外國(guó)語(yǔ)學(xué)院學(xué)報(bào),2004(4):7-10.
[5]徐盛桓.主位和述位[J].外語(yǔ)教學(xué)與研究,1982(1):23-25.
[6]朱永生.主位推進(jìn)模式與語(yǔ)篇分析[J].外語(yǔ)教學(xué)與研究,1995(3):6-12.endprint