THEME AND RHEME IN TOBA BATAK SONG TEXTS BY VICTOR HUTABARAT.

THEME AND RHEME IN TOBA BATAK SONG TEXTS BY
VICTOR HUTABARAT

A Thesis

Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program in
Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora

By:
MAIDA
Registration Number: 8136112049

ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
2016

ABSTRACT
MAIDA, Theme and rheme in Toba Batak Song texts by Victor Hutabarat.
Thesis: English applied Linguistics Study Program, Post Graduate School, State

University of Medan, 2016.
This study was conducted to describe Theme and Rheme structure and their
development of Toba Batak song texts of Victor Hutabarat. The objectives study are
(1) to identify the types of themes and rhemes used in Toba Batak songs of Victor
Hutabarat (2) to identify the patterns of themes and rhemes in Toba Batak songs of
Victor Hutabarat (3) to describe why the themes and rhemes patterns are used in
Toba Batak songs of Victor Hutabarat. The data were obtained from Toba Batak song
texts and were analyzed by using some steps as normally applied in descriptive
qualitative research. The instruments of data collection were the clauses in Toba
Batak Song text. And the source of data used as the instrument is video record to
collect the data needed. The Toba Batak Song texts are; Di Jou Au Mulak, Pulo
Samosir, Borhat ma Dainang, Tangiang ni Dainang, Boru Panggoaran, Sai Anju ma
Au. Some findings are drawn, firstly there are four elements of thematic structures,
namely marked simple themes, unmarked simple themes, marked multiple themes,
unmarked multiple themes. Secondly, there are five types of thematic developments
which used in Toba Batak Song Text namely: constant theme, constant rheme, linear
theme, split theme, zigzag theme. As the result Marked Multiple Theme (MMT) was
47.05 %, Unmarked Multiple Theme was 28.23%, Unmarked Simple Theme was
20%, Marked Simple Theme was 4.70 %. And the last the reason of theme and rheme
pattern in Toba Batak Song is Marked Multiple Theme and constant theme are

dominantly used in Toba Batak Song text of Victor Hutabarat.

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ABSTRAK
MAIDA, Tema dan Rema didalam lagu Batak Toba oleh Victor Hutabarat.
Thesis. Program Linguistik Terapan Bahasa, Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri
Medan 2016.
Penelitian ini berkaitan dengan struktur dan pengembangan tema dan rema pada
lagu Batak Toba oleh Victor Hutabarat. Tujuan khusus dari penelitian ini adalah (1)
untuk menelusuri unsur-unsur tema dan rema yang digunakan dalam lagu Batak Toba
oleh Victor Hutabarat. (2) untuk menelusuri variasi pola tema dan rema dalam lagu
Batak Toba oleh Victor Hutabarat. (3) untuk menggambarkan alasan penggunaan
pola tema dan rema didalam lagu Batak Toba. Data diambil dari lirik lagu Batak Toba
dan dianalisa menggunakan beberapa tahapan yang senantiasa diaplikasikan dalam
metode deskriptif kualitatif. Pengumpulan data instrument adalah klausa didalam
lyric lagu Batak Toba. Dan sumber data yang digunakan adalah recorder untuk
mengumpulkan data yang dibutuhkan. Lagu- lagu Batak Toba adalah Di Jou Au
Mulak, Pulo Samosir, Borhat ma Dainang, Tangiang ni Dainang, Boru Panggoaran,
Sai Anju ma Au. Beberapa penemuan digambarkan sebagai berikut, pertama empat

unsur dalam struktur tema dan rema yaitu tema lazim sederhana dan tema tidak lazim
sederhana, tema lazim majemuk dan tema tidak lazim majemuk. Yang kedua, ada
enam jenis pengembangan tematik yaitu tema konstan, rema konstan, tema linear,
tema split, tema zigzag. Berdasarkan analisis data ditemukan tema lazim majemuk
47.05 %, tema tidak lazim majemuk 28.23%, tema tidak lazim sederhana 20%, tema
lazim sederhana 4.70 %. Dan akhirnya ditemukan tema lazim majemuk dan tema
konstan adalah tema yang paling dominant digunakan didalam lagu Batak Toba oleh
Victor Hutabarat.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alhamdulillahirabbil’alamin. Praise and thank to the Almighty Allah SWT, for the
blessings and guidance to the writer so that the writing of this thesis can finally be
accomplished as it should be. This thesis is a scientific writing that has to be
completed in order to fulfill one of the academic requirements for the degree of
Magister Humaniora at the English Applied Linguistics Study Program; Post
Graduate School, State University of Medan. It has also shown the responsibility and
capability of the writer as an academician to be able to conduct a research that would

contribute to the development of scientific knowledge.
However, without the assistance of these following numbers of people who have
given valuable suggestions and useful influences on the writing of this thesis, it
would be much more difficult for the writer to finish her work. She is then deeply
indebted to these people and would like to express her sincere thanks.
The writer would like to deliver her grateful appreciation and gratitude to her first
adviser Prof. Amrin Saragih, M.A.,Ph.D, and her second adviser Prof. Dr. Syahron
Lubis, M.A. for their great care, patient guidance, excellent advices, and precious
time in guiding her in the process of completing this thesis.
Her gratefulness also goes to the Head and Secretary of the English Applied
Linguistics Study Program, Dr. Rahmad Husein, M.Ed. and Dr. Anni Holila
Pulungan, M. Hum for their kind support toward the prerequisites of the thesis
submission as well as the encouragement to work hard toward the thesis proposal.

iii

Her sincere gratitude is also given to Prof. Dr. Bornok Sinaga, M.Pd, as the Director
of Postgraduate School at State University of Medan.
Furthermore, the writer would like thanks to Prof. Dr. Busmin Gurning M.Pd,
Prof. Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M.S., and Dr. Rahmad Husein, M.Ed. for their

constructive comments and suggestions in advancing the thesis quality.
Her deepest gratitude and tremendous appreciations are presented to her parents,
Drs. Ismail Nasution and Asnah Saragih for their never ending support, care and love
to encourage her to learn and pursue her education to the master degree. To all her
beloved families who always pour her with all their compassion; especially to her
younger sisters, Balqis Reffinda and Nida Amalia.
Last but not least, the writer would like to thank all of her beloved friends in B4
Class, Applied Linguistics Study Program, Post Graduate School at State University
of Medan, Cika Ersika Puspita Dani, Bundo Marita Sari Sitanggang, Ika Cwantika,
Mia Fitri Tinambunan, Kak Lisna Rifka Diana, Nurul Hidayah Azmi, Kak Friska,
Rozy, Kak Muvidah, Buk Elmariyanti, Pak Karyanto, Dhea pudan, Teteh Geulis,
Rukiah in my living cost, Mr. Andre as our best friend and my beloved brother
Ahmad Rijan. Thank you very much for their time to discuss and exchange ideas
while working on the thesis as well as their prayers, encouragement and support.

Medan,
The Writer,

September 2016

Maida
Reg. Number.8136112049
iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

ABSTRACT ..............................................................................................................i
ABSTRAK ................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENT ...........................................................................................v
LIST OF FIGURE....................................................................................................vii
LIST OF TABLE......................................................................................................viii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1
1.1 The Background of the Study ............................................... 1
1.2 The Problem of the Study .................................................... 6
1.3 The Objectives of the Study ................................................. 7
1.4 The Scope of the Study ........................................................ 7
1.5The Significance of the Study ............................................... 8
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................. 9

2.1 Systemic Functional Grammar ............................................. 9
2.2 Thematic Structure Theme .................................................... 12
2.2.1 Theme.......................................................................... 12
2.2.1.1. Simple and Multiple Theme ............................ 14
2.2.2.1 Ideational .......................................................... 15
2.2.2.2. Interpersonal .................................................... 15
2.2.2.3. Textual ............................................................. 16
2.2.1 Rheme ......................................................................... 19
2.2.3 Mark and Unmark Theme ........................................... 19
2.2.3.1 Theme in Declarative Clause ............................ 21
2.2.3.2 Theme in Interrogative Clause ......................... 22
2.2.3.3 Theme in Imperative Clause ............................. 23
2.3 Thematic Developments........................................................ 24
2.3.1. Constant Theme Pattern .............................................. 25
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2.3.2. Linear Theme Pattern .................................................................. 26
2.3.3 Split Rheme Pattern ...................................................................... 26
2.3.4. Zig- Zag Pattern ........................................................................... 26
2.4 Clause .................................................................................................... 29

2.5 Information Structure ............................................................................ 31
2.6 Ellipsis and Substitution ........................................................................ 32
2.7 Language and Culture ............................................................................ 32
2.8 Batak Society ......................................................................................... 33
2.9 Relevant Studies .................................................................................... 34
2.10 Conceptual Framework........................................................................ 37
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................. 40
3.1 Research Design .................................................................................... 40
3.2 Data and the Source of Data .................................................................. 40
3.3 The Instrument of Data Collection ....................................................... 41
3.5 The Technique of Data Collection......................................................... 41
3.6 The Technique of Data Analysis ........................................................... 42
CHAPTER IV: DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION . 43
4.1 The Data Description ............................................................................. 43
4.2 Data Analysis ......................................................................................... 43
4.2.1 Pattern of Theme Structure used in Toba Batak Song of V.H............ 44
4.2.2 Pattern of Theme Development used in Toba Batak Song
of Victor Hutabarat ..................................................................... 47
4.2.3 Thematic Structure and Development Realization ............ 48
4.3 Findings ................................................................................. 51

4.4 Discussion ............................................................................. 51
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION ..................................... 54
5.1 Conclusion............................................................................. 54
5.2 Suggestion ............................................................................. 55
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 56
APPENDICES ..................................................................................................... 58
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LIST OF FIGURE
Page

Figure I: Conceptual Framework .......................................................................... 38

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LIST OF TABLE
Page

Table 2.1 The Context – Meaning – Wording Relationship ................................. 10
Table 2.2 The example of Theme and Rheme Structure ....................................... 12

Table 2.3 Types of Theme .................................................................................... 13
Table 2.4 The example of Multiple Themes ......................................................... 17
Table 2.5 Components of Multiple Themes .......................................................... 18
Table 2.6 The example of Rheme ......................................................................... 19
Table 2.7 The example of Unmarked Multiple Theme ......................................... 20
Table 2.8 Marked and Unmarked Themes in Toba Batak Songs of Victor
Hutabarat ............................................................................................... 20
Table 2.9 Theme in Declarative Clause ................................................................ 21
Table 2.10 Theme in Interrogative Clause ............................................................ 22
Table 2.11 Theme in Imperative Clause ............................................................... 23
Table 2.12 The example of rank ........................................................................... 29
Table 2.13 Grammatical units ............................................................................... 30
Table 2.14 The Example of Information structure ................................................ 31
Table 4.1 Description of the Clause division of Selected songs ........................... 43
Table 4.2 Patterns of Themes in Toba Batak Songs of Victor Hutabarat ............. 45
Table 4.3 Patterns of Themes Structure in Toba Batak Songs of Victor
Hutabarat ............................................................................................... 46
Table 4.4 Pattern of Thematic Development types in Toba Batak Songs of Victor
Hutabarat ............................................................................................... 47

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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 CONCLUSIONS
This study focused on the theme and rheme in Toba Batak song by Victor
Hutabarat. It was aimed to find out the types the types of themes and rhemes used
in Toba Batak songs of Victor Hutabarat, to identify the patterns of themes and
rhemes in Toba Batak songs of Victor Hutabarat and to describe why the themes
and rhemes pattern as they are in Toba Batak songs of Victor Hutabarat. After
analyzing the data some conclusions are drawn as the following.
(1.) There are four types of Theme used in the Toba Batak Song of Victor
Hutabarat namely: Marked Simple Theme, Marked Multiple Theme,
Unmarked Simple Theme and Unmarked Multiple Theme. Marked
Multiple Theme is dominates in the Toba Batak Song of Victor
Hutabarat.
(2.) There are five types of thematic development used in Toba Batak Song of
Victor Hutabarat. They are constant theme, constant rheme, linear theme,
split theme, zigzag theme.
(3.) The realization of thematic structures in Toba Batak Songs are Marked
Multiple Theme take the higest or the biggest number of all four types, it
reaches of 47.05%, Unmarked Multiple Theme becomes the second one
by number 24 clauses with the percentage of 28.23 %; and Unmarked
Simple Theme is the third by number 17 clauses with the percentage of

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20 % and Marked Simple is the lowest number 4 clauses with the
percentage of 4.70 %.

5.2 SUGGESTIONS
In relation to the conclusion, suggestions are stoged as the following:
(1.) To the other researchers, it is suggested that this study could be further
expanded, elaborated and explored in other field in order to contribute the
analysis through the theme and rheme structure and their developments.
(2.) To all the readers, it is suggested to use the study as references for
understanding the application of theme and rheme structure and their
developments.

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