On polarity particles in Italian varieties
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Jacopo Garzonio
Abstract
This article considers some constructions related with polarity emphasis in standard Italian and Italian dialects. In particular, the authors examine two constructions where the polarity particle is accompanied by a repetition of the whole propositional content of the stimulus assertion or question. The analysis of these cases is based on the idea that emphasis requires the syntactic presence of the proposition that has to be denied or confirmed. It is argued that the two constructions are not derivationally related, but are the two possible syntactic realizations of the same discourse context. The internal structure of emphatic constructions is also taken into consideration and compared with cases attested in the dialectal domain where polarity emphasis is marked by a special form of the polarity particle. All the examined cases suggest that polarity emphasis is a root phenomenon and the authors argue that this is explained by the presence of some ‘speaker oriented’ features and projections only in root left peripheries.
Abstract
This article considers some constructions related with polarity emphasis in standard Italian and Italian dialects. In particular, the authors examine two constructions where the polarity particle is accompanied by a repetition of the whole propositional content of the stimulus assertion or question. The analysis of these cases is based on the idea that emphasis requires the syntactic presence of the proposition that has to be denied or confirmed. It is argued that the two constructions are not derivationally related, but are the two possible syntactic realizations of the same discourse context. The internal structure of emphatic constructions is also taken into consideration and compared with cases attested in the dialectal domain where polarity emphasis is marked by a special form of the polarity particle. All the examined cases suggest that polarity emphasis is a root phenomenon and the authors argue that this is explained by the presence of some ‘speaker oriented’ features and projections only in root left peripheries.
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
