‘Phasing’ contrast at the interfaces
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Mara Frascarelli
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the interpretation of markedness at the interfaces. Special attention is given to the analysis of (specific types of) Topic constituents, aimed to show the feature-compositional nature of discourse categories. In particular, the notion of contrast is addressed, showing that discourse features are systematically associated with specific functional heads and require validation through Agree to obtain interpretation at the interfaces. In this line of analysis, the notion of phase proves to play a crucial role insofar as the syntactic visibility of embedded discourse-semantic features is dependent on their location in the edge or head (as opposed to the complement position) within the hosting phase. Keywords: contrast; conversational dynamics; givenness; phase; syntax-prosody interface
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the interpretation of markedness at the interfaces. Special attention is given to the analysis of (specific types of) Topic constituents, aimed to show the feature-compositional nature of discourse categories. In particular, the notion of contrast is addressed, showing that discourse features are systematically associated with specific functional heads and require validation through Agree to obtain interpretation at the interfaces. In this line of analysis, the notion of phase proves to play a crucial role insofar as the syntactic visibility of embedded discourse-semantic features is dependent on their location in the edge or head (as opposed to the complement position) within the hosting phase. Keywords: contrast; conversational dynamics; givenness; phase; syntax-prosody interface
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Information structure, agreement and CP 1
- The complementiser system in spoken English 11
- ‘Phasing’ contrast at the interfaces 55
- The alternation between improper indirect questions and DPs containing a restrictive relative 83
- Referentiality in Spanish CPs 117
- Binding at the syntax-information structure interface 141
- Deriving “wh-in-situ” through movement in Brazilian Portuguese 175
- On ‘focus movement’ in Italian 193
- Clause-typing by [2] – the loss of the 2nd person pronoun du 'you' in Dutch, Frisian and Limburgian dialects 217
- Degree phrase raising in relative clauses 255
- Low, high and higher applicatives 275
- On richness of tense and verb movement in Brazilian Portuguese 297
- Vocalic adjustments under positional markedness in Catalan and other Romance languages 319
- On sloppy readings, ellipsis and pronouns 337
- Index 371
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Information structure, agreement and CP 1
- The complementiser system in spoken English 11
- ‘Phasing’ contrast at the interfaces 55
- The alternation between improper indirect questions and DPs containing a restrictive relative 83
- Referentiality in Spanish CPs 117
- Binding at the syntax-information structure interface 141
- Deriving “wh-in-situ” through movement in Brazilian Portuguese 175
- On ‘focus movement’ in Italian 193
- Clause-typing by [2] – the loss of the 2nd person pronoun du 'you' in Dutch, Frisian and Limburgian dialects 217
- Degree phrase raising in relative clauses 255
- Low, high and higher applicatives 275
- On richness of tense and verb movement in Brazilian Portuguese 297
- Vocalic adjustments under positional markedness in Catalan and other Romance languages 319
- On sloppy readings, ellipsis and pronouns 337
- Index 371
