Vooropstelling, kohesie en koherensie in die poësie van T.T. Cloete

Abstract

The theoretical basis of the relation between foregrounding, cohesion and coherence is the object of this study. It was therefore necessary to determine to what degree foregrounded elements encountered in a text give rise to the realization and subsequent coherence within that text. It proved to be a matter of importance that the reader recognize the various forms of foregrounding, as well as cohesion, in order to understand poetry in general by way of text coherence, but also the poetry of T.T. Cloete in particular. A theoretical search was launched and description proposed of the terms 'foregrounding', 'cohesion' and 'coherence'; and the relation between them was indicated. It was found that forms of language manifestation focused the attention on cohesion in a text, and that realization of this by the reader constitutes textuality. A third important aim of the research was to interpret the inter- relationship between various forms of cohesion in order to arrive at a coherent interpretation of the texts. This study is an answer to these aims. Central to this study was to come to an understanding of T.T. Cloete's poetry, based on the aims mentioned above. The result emanating form the proposed aims was the formulation of certain hypotheses. It was furthermore found that: 1. Foregrounded elements serve as as a point of contact and an angle of approach for the reader of T.T. Cloete's poetry. 2. There is a definite relation between foregrounding and cohesion in T.T. Cloete's poetry. 3. The readers realization of coherence is manifested in relief against foregrounding and cohesion. 4. The approach to a text by way of foregrounding, cohesion and coherence is a practical strategy to the reading of poetry.