3. The moving right frontier
-
Laurent Prévot
Abstract
This paper analyzes systematic cases of revision of the discourse structure entailing a modification of the right frontier. We show that the coordinating or subordinating nature of discourse relations plays a major role in this revision, examining in particular a relation typical in narratives, Result, as well as a family of dialog relations: content-relations introduced by interrogatives. Their complex behaviour shows that the Right Frontier Constraint, a major principle in most discourse theories, needs to be handled with care. We also generalize the discussion about problems due to the multiplication and the sophistication of discourse principles operating within SDRT, in particular the Maximize Discourse Coherence principle which constitutes an important improvement of the theory but also introduces some methodological issues.
Abstract
This paper analyzes systematic cases of revision of the discourse structure entailing a modification of the right frontier. We show that the coordinating or subordinating nature of discourse relations plays a major role in this revision, examining in particular a relation typical in narratives, Result, as well as a family of dialog relations: content-relations introduced by interrogatives. Their complex behaviour shows that the Right Frontier Constraint, a major principle in most discourse theories, needs to be handled with care. We also generalize the discussion about problems due to the multiplication and the sophistication of discourse principles operating within SDRT, in particular the Maximize Discourse Coherence principle which constitutes an important improvement of the theory but also introduces some methodological issues.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- 1. Constraints in discourse 1
-
Part I. The Right Frontier
- 2. Troubles on right frontier 29
- 3. The moving right frontier 53
-
Part II. Comparing Frameworks
- 4. Strong generative capacity of RST, SDRT and discourse dependency DAGSs 69
- 5. Rhetorical distance revisited: A parameterized approach 97
- 6. Underspecified discourse representation 117
-
Part III. The Cognitive Perspective
- 7. Dependency precedes independence: Online evidence from discourse processing 141
- 8. Accessing discourse referents introduced in negated phrases: Evidence for accomodation? 159
-
Part IV. Language Specific Phenomena
- 9. Complex anaphors in discourse 181
- 10. The discourse functions of the present perfect 201
- 11. German right dislocation and afterthought in discourse 225
- 12. A discourse-relational approach to continuation 249
- 13. German vorfeld-filling as constraint interaction 267
- Index 291
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- 1. Constraints in discourse 1
-
Part I. The Right Frontier
- 2. Troubles on right frontier 29
- 3. The moving right frontier 53
-
Part II. Comparing Frameworks
- 4. Strong generative capacity of RST, SDRT and discourse dependency DAGSs 69
- 5. Rhetorical distance revisited: A parameterized approach 97
- 6. Underspecified discourse representation 117
-
Part III. The Cognitive Perspective
- 7. Dependency precedes independence: Online evidence from discourse processing 141
- 8. Accessing discourse referents introduced in negated phrases: Evidence for accomodation? 159
-
Part IV. Language Specific Phenomena
- 9. Complex anaphors in discourse 181
- 10. The discourse functions of the present perfect 201
- 11. German right dislocation and afterthought in discourse 225
- 12. A discourse-relational approach to continuation 249
- 13. German vorfeld-filling as constraint interaction 267
- Index 291
