Topics and Givenness
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Michael Rochemont
Abstract
In this article I explore the relationship between topics, givenness and deaccenting, and specifically, the hypothesis that deaccenting is directly a function of topichood. I argue that, where relevant, topics depend on one form of givenness (familiarity) and deaccenting on another (salience). Familiarity yields the requirement that topics are referential. Salience yields the requirement that deaccenting is dependent on coreference to or entailment by a discourse antecedent (Schwarzschild’s GIVENness). I argue for a novel theory of GIVENness calculation, which yields an account not only of non-focused deaccented expressions but also of the specific deaccenting of Second Occurrence Focus expressions.
Abstract
In this article I explore the relationship between topics, givenness and deaccenting, and specifically, the hypothesis that deaccenting is directly a function of topichood. I argue that, where relevant, topics depend on one form of givenness (familiarity) and deaccenting on another (salience). Familiarity yields the requirement that topics are referential. Salience yields the requirement that deaccenting is dependent on coreference to or entailment by a discourse antecedent (Schwarzschild’s GIVENness). I argue for a novel theory of GIVENness calculation, which yields an account not only of non-focused deaccented expressions but also of the specific deaccenting of Second Occurrence Focus expressions.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Contents IX
- Exploring the Architecture of Topic at the Interface of Grammar and Discourse 1
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Part I: Semantic and Discourse-pragmatic Correlates of Topicality
- Topics and Givenness 47
- The Role of Topics in Licensing Anaphoric Relations in VP-ellipsis 67
- Topic Marking and Illocutionary Force 95
- Topics, Conversational Dynamics and the Root/Non-root Distinction: Adverbial Clauses at the Discourse-syntax Interface 139
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Part II: Variation in the Grammatical Encoding of Topicality: Clause-internal, Clause-external and Null Topics
- Why Topicalize VP? 173
- Information-structural Constraints on PP Topicalization from NPs 203
- Stage Topics and their Architecture 223
- Topicality in Icelandic: Null Arguments and Narrative Inversion 249
- Apropos the Topic 273
- Discourse Topic vs. Sentence Topic Exploiting the Right Periphery of German Verb-second Sentences 293
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PART III: Topics from the Diachronic Perspective
- Topichood and the Margins of the German Clause from a Historical Perspective 337
- Stylistic Fronting at the Interface of Syntax and Discourse 373
- Index 425
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Contents IX
- Exploring the Architecture of Topic at the Interface of Grammar and Discourse 1
-
Part I: Semantic and Discourse-pragmatic Correlates of Topicality
- Topics and Givenness 47
- The Role of Topics in Licensing Anaphoric Relations in VP-ellipsis 67
- Topic Marking and Illocutionary Force 95
- Topics, Conversational Dynamics and the Root/Non-root Distinction: Adverbial Clauses at the Discourse-syntax Interface 139
-
Part II: Variation in the Grammatical Encoding of Topicality: Clause-internal, Clause-external and Null Topics
- Why Topicalize VP? 173
- Information-structural Constraints on PP Topicalization from NPs 203
- Stage Topics and their Architecture 223
- Topicality in Icelandic: Null Arguments and Narrative Inversion 249
- Apropos the Topic 273
- Discourse Topic vs. Sentence Topic Exploiting the Right Periphery of German Verb-second Sentences 293
-
PART III: Topics from the Diachronic Perspective
- Topichood and the Margins of the German Clause from a Historical Perspective 337
- Stylistic Fronting at the Interface of Syntax and Discourse 373
- Index 425
