Discourse functions of zero pronouns in tai dam1

Abstract

© 2017, University of Hawaii Press. All rights reserved. The aim of this study is to explore zero pronouns in Tai Dam through a discourse approach using Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG). The objectives of this paper are as follows: (1) to explore the syntactic distribution of zero pronouns in Tai Dam, and (2) to analyze the discourse functions of zero pronouns in Tai Dam narratives. The research data used in this paper were collected from the texts of Tai Dam folktales of Tai Dam living in Petchaburi Province in central Thailand. Five folktales were analyzed for the study. The main findings include the following: (a) Zero pronouns can occur in both Theme and Rheme positions; (b) In thematic positions, they function as unmarked topical themes; (c) As for discourse functions of zero pronouns in terms of co-references, the two types of co-reference of zero pronouns in Tai Dam include zero anaphora and zero cataphora; (d) The main discourse functions of zero pronouns are to signal an active referent in narrative discourse and to highlight a participant.