Organizing the message
Topic
Topic
What are we going to say something about?
topic
topic marker
passive
Merkitys
A topic is the starting point of a message: who or what we are going to say something about. It may already be under discussion, or the speaker may choose it now. Languages can mark it with word order, pauses, or special words, but some have no separate topic marker. Topic sets the frame; Focus and emphasis highlights the main answer, new point, or correction.
Näin tunnistat sen
Look for the person, thing, or setting that provides the starting point for the information added by the rest of the message.