Topics, Conversational Dynamics and the Root/Non-root Distinction: Adverbial Clauses at the Discourse-syntax Interface
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Mara Frascarelli
Abstract
The composition and extent of the phrasal hierarchies in the left periphery of different clause types has been a major concern in recent research, mainly concentrating on the root/non-root distinction. This chapter intends to address this issue for adverbial clauses, assuming information structure and prosodic elicitation as diagnostics; specifically, the present analysis focuses on what Topic types are admitted in the C-domains of diverse adverbial clauses, through a systematic interface investigation based on original Italian data. A novel perspective is thus proposed to shed new light on the syntactic mapping and the formal properties of (central vs. peripheral) adverbial clauses, embedding the relevant proposal in a cartographic framework of analysis.
Abstract
The composition and extent of the phrasal hierarchies in the left periphery of different clause types has been a major concern in recent research, mainly concentrating on the root/non-root distinction. This chapter intends to address this issue for adverbial clauses, assuming information structure and prosodic elicitation as diagnostics; specifically, the present analysis focuses on what Topic types are admitted in the C-domains of diverse adverbial clauses, through a systematic interface investigation based on original Italian data. A novel perspective is thus proposed to shed new light on the syntactic mapping and the formal properties of (central vs. peripheral) adverbial clauses, embedding the relevant proposal in a cartographic framework of analysis.
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
