Italian verb-based discourse particles in a comparative perspective
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Anna Cardinaletti
Abstract
This paper provides a syntactic analysis of Italian verb-based discourse particles. In spite of their utterance-peripheral distribution and their pragmatic content, they should be considered as integrated in the sentence with which they are associated. It is argued that sentence-initial and sentence-final particles are not derivationally related but are merged in different layers of the clause (CP and IP, respectively). Following Haegeman and Hill (2013) and (2014), it is proposed that sentence-initial particles occur in Speech Act projections above Rizzi’s (1997) ForceP. The interaction of particles and vocatives is also discussed. In a comparative perspective, some differences between Italian and West Flemish have been correlated with the different distribution of discourse particles, namely as specifiers and heads, respectively.
Abstract
This paper provides a syntactic analysis of Italian verb-based discourse particles. In spite of their utterance-peripheral distribution and their pragmatic content, they should be considered as integrated in the sentence with which they are associated. It is argued that sentence-initial and sentence-final particles are not derivationally related but are merged in different layers of the clause (CP and IP, respectively). Following Haegeman and Hill (2013) and (2014), it is proposed that sentence-initial particles occur in Speech Act projections above Rizzi’s (1997) ForceP. The interaction of particles and vocatives is also discussed. In a comparative perspective, some differences between Italian and West Flemish have been correlated with the different distribution of discourse particles, namely as specifiers and heads, respectively.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Issues in discourse-oriented syntax 1
- The derivation and interpretation of left peripheral discourse particles 13
- On the interpretation of modal particles in non-assertive speech acts in German and Bellunese 41
- Italian verb-based discourse particles in a comparative perspective 71
- Italian adverbs and discourse particles 93
- Is particle a (unified) category? 121
- The particle how 159
- The cartography of yes and no in West Flemish 175
- On polarity particles in Italian varieties 211
- Discourse and the syntax of the left periphery 229
- Index 251
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Issues in discourse-oriented syntax 1
- The derivation and interpretation of left peripheral discourse particles 13
- On the interpretation of modal particles in non-assertive speech acts in German and Bellunese 41
- Italian verb-based discourse particles in a comparative perspective 71
- Italian adverbs and discourse particles 93
- Is particle a (unified) category? 121
- The particle how 159
- The cartography of yes and no in West Flemish 175
- On polarity particles in Italian varieties 211
- Discourse and the syntax of the left periphery 229
- Index 251
