communicative dynamism (CD)

A fundamental concept of the PRAGUE SCHOOL theory of LINGUISTICS, whereby an UTTERANCE is seen as a process of gradually unfolding MEANING, each part of the utterance contributing variously (‘dynamically’) to the total communicative effect. Some parts of an utterance will contribute little to the meaning, because they reflect only what has already been communicated: these ‘thematic’ aspects would be considered to have the lowest degree of CD. By contrast, ‘rhematic’ aspects have the highest degree of CD, containing new information which advances the communicative process. Other aspects are also recognized.