The syntax-phonology interface in focus and topic constructions in Italian / by Mara Frascarelli.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frascarelli, Mara.

Contributor:

George R. Fink Memorial Fund.

Series:

Studies in natural language and linguistic theory ; v. 50.

Studies in natural language and linguistic theory ; v. 50

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Italian language--Syntax.

Italian language.

Italian language--Phonology.

Italian language--Prosodic analysis.

Italiano--Sintaxis.

Local Subjects:

Italiano--Sintaxis.

Physical Description:

ix, 224 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Dordrecht ; Boston ; London : Kluwer Academic Publishers, [2000]

Summary:

..."this work represents a key case study in the study of the prosody and syntax interactions." (Pilar Prieto, Lingua 115, 2005)

Contents:

1.1 The Notions of Focus and Topic 2

1.2 Minimalist Framework 3

1.2.2 Chains and Movement Conditions 8

1.3 Linear Order 9

1.4 Prosodic Phonology 11

1.5 The Interface Analysis 13

1.6 Organization 14

Chapter 2 Prosodic Analysis 17

2.1 Diagnostics 18

2.1.1 [Phi]-Domain Rules in Italian: Raddoppiamento Sintattico Sintattico and Rhythm Rule 19

2.1.2 I-Domain Rules in Italian: Gorgia Toscana and Intervocalic Spirantization 21

2.2 Starting Hypotheses and Methodology 22

2.2.1 The Initial Hypotheses on Focus and Topic 22

2.2.2 Data and Methods of Analysis 23

2.3 The Domain of Focus 24

2.3.1 The [+F] Constituent Nonrecursive Side 24

2.3.2 Focus Restructuring for New, Non-Contrastive Foci 28

2.3.3 [+F] Postverbal Subject 30

2.3.4 Restructuring in Broad Focus Sentences 31

2.3.5 The [+F] Constituent Recursive Side 32

2.3.6 The Recursive [Phi]-Boundary with [+F] [Phi]-Head Constituents 33

2.3.6.1 The Extraposition Process 34

2.3.6.2 Extraposition and Focus Restructuring 36

2.3.7 The Recursive [Phi]-Boundary with [+F] Pre-Head Constituents 37

2.3.8 The Incorporation of Extraprosodic Material 40

2.3.9 The Recursive [Phi]-Boundary of New Focus 41

2.3.10 Conclusions on Focus Restructuring and Cross-Linguistic Considerations 42

2.4 The Domain of Topic 45

2.4.1 Branching Topics 47

2.4.2 Non-Branching Topics 48

2.4.3 Topic Postverbal Subject 50

2.4.4 The Case of [+F] Verbs: Topic and Focus Adjacency 53

2.4.5 Back to Focus: the Prosody of Syntactic Focus 56

2.5 The Phonological Interpretation of Restructuring Processes 59

2.5.1 The Nature of Focus Restructuring 59

2.5.2 The Nature of Topic Restructuring 61

2.6 The Prosodic Domains of Focus and Topic - Redefining Mapping Rules 62

2.7 Main Prominence Assignment 65

2.8 A Cross-Linguistic Survey of Focus and Topic Domains and Restructuring Processes 67

2.8.1 Focus Constructions in Hausa 68

2.8.2 Focus Constructions in Chichewa 72

2.8.3 English Heavy NP-Shift Constructions 74

2.8.4 Topic Constructions in Serbo-Croatian 76

Chapter 3 Syntactic Analysis 83

3.1 The Syntactic Analysis of Focus Structures 84

3.1.1 An Overview of Previous Analyses 84

3.1.2 Focus as a Feature-Checking Process 86

3.1.2.1 [+F] Feature-Checking Analysis and LF Interpretation 88

3.1.2.2 [+F] as a Strong Feature and its Checking Category 93

3.1.2.3 [+F] Feature-Checking and Cross-Linguistic Variation 96

3.1.3 Focus in Italian 97

3.1.3.1 Syntactic Focus 98

3.1.3.2 In Situ Focus: VP Internal Argument 103

3.1.3.3 In Situ Focus: Postverbal Subject Constructions 106

3.1.3.4 Evidence for Verb Raising to F[degree]: The Case of 'Aux-to-COMP' movement 112

3.1.4 FP as a Multi-Functional Projection 118

3.1.4.1 The [+wh] Feature in Italian 118

3.1.4.2 The [+neg] Feature in Italian 121

The Syntactic Status of non 124

[+neg] Feature-Checking and NEG-Focus Relations 127

3.1.5 A Cross-Linguistic Analysis of Focus 129

3.1.5.1 Focus in English 129

3.1.5.2 Focus in Hungarian 132

3.1.5.3 Focus in Modern Greek 135

3.2 The Syntactic Analysis of Topic Structures 136

3.2.1 An Overview of Previous Analyses 136

3.2.2 Topic as a Base-Generated Constituent 137

3.2.2.1 Binding Theory: Basic Tenets 140

3.2.3 The Syntax of Clitics in Italian 141

3.2.4 The Analysis of Left Topicalization in Italian 144

3.2.4.1 Obligatory vs. Optional Clitic Resumption 145

3.2.4.2 LT and Island Effects 148

3.2.4.3 LT as an Island for Extraction 151

3.2.4.4 LT in Subordinate Clauses 154

3.2.4.5 Lack of Subjacency and Weak Cross-Over Effects 156

3.2.4.6 Iteration and Word Order 157

3.2.5 The Analysis of Right Topicalization in Italian 159

3.2.5.1 An Overview of Previous Analyses 159

3.2.5.2 Left-Generated Right-Hand Topic 161

3.2.5.3 Multiple Topics, Parasitic Gaps and Clitic Resumption 163

3.2.5.4 RT, Lack of Island Effects and Presence in Subordinate Clauses 164

3.2.5.5 Direct Object Right-Hand Topic and Clitic Optionality 167

3.2.5.6 Hanging Topic 169

3.2.6 A Cross-Linguistic Analysis of Topic 171

3.2.6.1 Topic in English 171

3.2.6.2 Topic in Modern Greek 174

3.2.6.3 Topic in Chichewa 176

Chapter 4 The Syntax-Phonology Interface 193

4.0 The Syntax-Phonology Connection in Focus and Topic Structures 193

4.1 Focus Interface Analysis 195

4.2 Topic Interface Analysis 198

4.3 Implications of the Analysis for Grammatical Theory and for Further Research 200

4.3.1 Focus and Anti-Agreement 200

4.3.2 Case Checking and 'Default Case' 203

4.3.3 Multiple Topics and Clitic Availability 204

4.3.4 Antisymmetry and Feature-Checking 204

4.3.5 Leftward Clause Movement and Scope Considerations in Right-Hand Topic Constructions 205

4.3.6 Prosodic Domains, Focus Restructuring and the Head Parameter 206.

Notes:

Revised version of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--1997.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-216) and indexes.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George R. Fink Memorial Fund.

ISBN:

0792362403

9780792362401

OCLC:

43615763

Publisher Number:

99939677406

Online:

Publisher description