The derivation and interpretation of left peripheral discourse particles
-
Josef Bayer
Abstract
German discourse particles are known to appear in clause-medial position and to resist displacement to the left or to the right. Nevertheless, there seems to be an exception: discourse particles in interrogatives can be moved to the left as a consequence of forming a constituent with a wh-phrase. In this paper, we focus on such cases of co-constituency of discourse particles and wh-elements in German wh-questions. We propose a successive-cyclic movement account for their distribution. Relying on the combination of key aspects of the Minimalist Program, we present a derivational model that also accounts for cases of stacked particles as they may appear in the left clausal periphery. We then turn to the interpretation of these configurations. In comparison with constructions in which the particle stays in situ, we notice an interpretive distinctness that requires the notion of emphasis for intensity to account for the extra pragmatic effect that these left peripheral structures convey.
Abstract
German discourse particles are known to appear in clause-medial position and to resist displacement to the left or to the right. Nevertheless, there seems to be an exception: discourse particles in interrogatives can be moved to the left as a consequence of forming a constituent with a wh-phrase. In this paper, we focus on such cases of co-constituency of discourse particles and wh-elements in German wh-questions. We propose a successive-cyclic movement account for their distribution. Relying on the combination of key aspects of the Minimalist Program, we present a derivational model that also accounts for cases of stacked particles as they may appear in the left clausal periphery. We then turn to the interpretation of these configurations. In comparison with constructions in which the particle stays in situ, we notice an interpretive distinctness that requires the notion of emphasis for intensity to account for the extra pragmatic effect that these left peripheral structures convey.
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
