Heavy NP shift in context: On the interaction of information structure and subextraction from shifted constituents
-
Andreas Konietzko
Abstract
The study investigates whether context affects subextraction from heavy DPs, both in situ and ex situ (HNPS). The study provides evidence that the contextual factors givenness and newness play a crucial role in licensing subextraction, while ordering preferences such as given>new are less decisive for the acceptability of subextraction. Experimental evidence suggests that subextraction receives contextual support if the heavy DP is discourse new irrespective of whether the heavy DP is in situ or shifted. Provided that newness is typically associated with focus, the study provides new evidence for the sensitivity of extraction to information structure. In particular, evidence is provided for the hypothesis that extraction takes place from focused and is dispreferred from discourse given constituents, which are identified as the relevant information- structural domains for subextraction from heavy DPs.
Abstract
The study investigates whether context affects subextraction from heavy DPs, both in situ and ex situ (HNPS). The study provides evidence that the contextual factors givenness and newness play a crucial role in licensing subextraction, while ordering preferences such as given>new are less decisive for the acceptability of subextraction. Experimental evidence suggests that subextraction receives contextual support if the heavy DP is discourse new irrespective of whether the heavy DP is in situ or shifted. Provided that newness is typically associated with focus, the study provides new evidence for the sensitivity of extraction to information structure. In particular, evidence is provided for the hypothesis that extraction takes place from focused and is dispreferred from discourse given constituents, which are identified as the relevant information- structural domains for subextraction from heavy DPs.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents VII
- Exploring the concepts of Freezing: Theoretical and empirical perspectives 1
-
Part I: Theoretical advancement
- Criterial Freezing in small clauses and the cartography of copular constructions 29
- Freezing Effects in a free-Merge System 66
- Freezing in complex prefields 105
-
Part II: Empirical domains
- The Freezing points of the (Dutch) adjectival system 143
- Freezing in it-clefts: Movement and focus 195
- Criterial Freezing in the syntax of particles 225
- Only syntax 264
- Freezing and phi-feature agreement: On the role of [PERSON] 284
- Freezing, Topic Opacity and Phase-based Cyclicity in Subject Islands 317
-
Part III: Interface extensions
- Freezing: Between grammar and processing 353
- Heavy NP shift in context: On the interaction of information structure and subextraction from shifted constituents 387
- Freezing as a probabilistic phenomenon 403
- An experimental study on freezing and topicalization in English 430
- Index 451
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents VII
- Exploring the concepts of Freezing: Theoretical and empirical perspectives 1
-
Part I: Theoretical advancement
- Criterial Freezing in small clauses and the cartography of copular constructions 29
- Freezing Effects in a free-Merge System 66
- Freezing in complex prefields 105
-
Part II: Empirical domains
- The Freezing points of the (Dutch) adjectival system 143
- Freezing in it-clefts: Movement and focus 195
- Criterial Freezing in the syntax of particles 225
- Only syntax 264
- Freezing and phi-feature agreement: On the role of [PERSON] 284
- Freezing, Topic Opacity and Phase-based Cyclicity in Subject Islands 317
-
Part III: Interface extensions
- Freezing: Between grammar and processing 353
- Heavy NP shift in context: On the interaction of information structure and subextraction from shifted constituents 387
- Freezing as a probabilistic phenomenon 403
- An experimental study on freezing and topicalization in English 430
- Index 451
