Mood and Theme-Rheme Realizations in Three Indonesian Fairy Tales and Their English Translations: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach

Abstract

This study explores the interpersonal and textual metafunctions in Indonesian fairy tales and their English translations employing the Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) approach. Particularly, it examines clause mood under the interpersonal metafunction and theme rheme structures, focusing on marked and unmarked themes under the textual metafunction. A descriptive qualitative method was employed, with data sourced from three Indonesian fairy tales: Lang Kunduk, Lebang Sialang, and The Shrewdness of a Mouse Deer, along with their English versions. The data, consisting of dialogues and narrative passages, were analyzed through documentary analysis, which involved identifying, coding, and categorizing mood types and thematic elements. Findings reveal a predominance of declarative mood in both the original and translated texts within the framework of interpersonal function. Meanwhile, interrogative and imperative moods are indicated less frequently. Yet, it still plays a significant role in character interaction. The translated versions largely retain the original mood patterns, with minor shifts due to grammatical and stylistic differences. The theme rheme analysis shows a strong preference for unmarked topical themes, while marked, textual, and interpersonal themes are strategically used for emphasis, coherence, and perspective. The thematic structures are generally preserved in translation, with slight modifications aligning with English discourse conventions. Overall, the study affirms the value of SFL in analyzing narrative structure and meaning across languages.