461:, and the lower two trees are dependency-based, whereby dependency inherently rejects the existence of finite VP-constituents. The noteworthy aspect of these examples is that topicalization does not result in a discontinuity, since there are no crossing lines in the trees. What this means is that such cases can be analyzed purely in terms of inversion. The topicalized expression simply "inverts" to the other side of its head.
441:. This point is illustrated here first using flatter structures that lack a finite VP-constituent (which means the entire sentence has the status of a large VP). Both constituency- and dependency-based analyses are given. The example itself is a piece of Yoda wisdom (as he speaks to Anakin), and is certainly of questionable acceptability in this regard. It is, however, perfectly understandable:
514:
The nodes in red mark the path of feature passing. Features (=information) about the topicalized expression are passed rightward through (and down) the tree structure to the governor of that expression. This path is present in both analyses, i.e. in the constituency-based a-analysis on the left and
489:
The movement analysis of discontinuities is one possible way to address those instances of topicalization that cannot be explained in terms of inversion. An alternative explanation is feature passing. One assumes that the topicalized expression is not moved or copied to the clause-initial position,
180:
Assuming that the a-sentences represent canonical word order, the b-sentences contain instances of topicalization. The constituent in bold is fronted to establish it as topic. The first two examples, which use topicalized adjuncts, are typical, but the last two examples with topicalized object
485:
Tree a. shows the canonical word order again, and tree b. illustrates what is known as the movement or copying analysis. The topicalized expression is first generated in its canonical position but is then copied to the front of the sentence, the original then being deleted.
515:
in the dependency-based b-analysis on the right. Since topicalization can occur over long distances, feature passing must also occur over long distances. The final example shows a dependency-based analysis of a sentence where the feature passing path is quite long:
464:
Instead of the flat trees just examined, most constituency grammars posit more layered structures that include a finite VP constituent. These more layered structures are likely to address topicalization in terms of
619:
For examples of topicalization used as a constituency test, see for instance
Allerton (1979:114), Borsley (1991:24), Napoli (1993:422), Burton-Roberts (1997:17), Poole (2002:32), Radford (2004:72), Haegeman
494:. The link is the path along which information about the topicalized expression is passed to the governor of that expression. A piece of Yoda wisdom is again used for illustration, the full sentence being
449:
429:
The theoretical analysis of topicalization can vary greatly depending in part on the theory of sentence structure that one adopts. If one assumes the layered structures associated with many
477:
506:
523:
490:
but rather it is "base" generated there. Instead of movement, there is feature passing, however. A link of a sort is established between the topicalized expression and its
30:
by having it appear at the front of the sentence or clause (as opposed to in a canonical position later in the sentence). This involves a phrasal movement of
73:
are often topicalized. Most languages allow topicalization, and in some languages, topicalization occurs much more frequently and/or in a much less
604:
448:
433:, all instances of topicalization will involve a discontinuity. If, in contrast, less layered structures are assumed as for example in
647:
See Mel'čuk (2003: 221) and
Starosta (2003: 278) for dependency grammar analyses of topicalization similar to the ones shown here.
409:-fronting. Further data, which will not be produced here, could show, however, that topicalization is unlike the other two major
803:. 1998. On the limits of syntax, with reference to topicalization and left-dislocation. In: Cullicover, P., McNally, L. (Eds.),
476:
505:
522:
571:
410:
43:
547:). A theory of topicalization is then built up in part by examining the nature of these catenae for feature passing.
875:
810:
561:
458:
62:
576:
491:
430:
414:
54:
438:
77:
manner than in
English. Topicalization in English has also received attention in the pragmatics literature.
683:
See for instance the account of functional uncertainty in
Lexical Functional Grammar (Bresnan 2001:64-69).
66:
295:
Shelly has indeed uncovered part of. - Topicalization out of object NP resulting in preposition stranding
739:
Hinrichs, E.W. and
Nakazawa, T 2000. Partial VP and split NP topicalization in German: an HPSG analysis
656:
Concerning the rejection of a finite VP constituent in dependency grammar, see Tesnière (1959:16ff.).
556:
540:
457:
The upper two trees show the analysis using flat constituency-based structures that lack a finite VP
213:
I thought you said that Tom believes the explanation needs. - Topicalization of the object argument
885:
779:
Osborne, T., M. Putnam, and T. Groß 2012. Catenae: Introducing a novel unit of syntactic analysis.
629:
Concerning topicalization as discussed in the pragmatics literature, see for example Prince (1998).
27:
762:
Mel’čuk, I. 2003. Levels of dependency description: Concepts and problems. In Ágel et al. (eds.),
849:
566:
466:
434:
834:
732:
Groß, T. and T. Osborne 2009. Toward a practical dependency grammar theory of discontinuities.
600:
70:
752:
747:
Resource sensitivity in the syntax-semantics interface and the German split NP construction.
337:
the description of was really funny. - Topicalization impossible out of a subject in
English
880:
769:
704:Ágel, V., L. Eichinger, H.-W. Eroms, P. Hellwig, H. Heringer, and H. Lobin (eds.) 2003/6.
535:
is passed along the path marked in red down to the governor of the topicalized expression
437:, then many instances of topicalization do not involve a discontinuity, but rather just
674:
See for instance
Grewendorf (1988:66ff.), Ouhalla (1998: 136f.), Radford (2004: 123ff).
65:; an expression that can be topicalized is deemed a constituent. The topicalization of
189:
is important since without them, topicalization of an argument seems less acceptable:
46:
and is thus one of a number of established discontinuity types, the other three being
869:
418:
399:
she approves of the suggestion to make. - Topicalization impossible out of complex NP
58:
800:
35:
788:
Introducing
Transformational Grammar: From Principles and Parameters to Minimalism
638:
Two prominent sources on dependency grammar are Tesnière (1959) and Ágel (2003/6).
181:
arguments are comparatively rare. The appearance of the demonstrative determiners
47:
31:
368:
he relaxes after he's played. - Topicalization impossible out of adjunct clause
74:
853:
85:
Typical cases of topicalization are illustrated with the following examples:
713:
Essentials of grammatical theory: A consensus view of syntax and morphology.
264:
Bill is living in. - Topicalization of NP resulting in preposition stranding
829:
Dependency and valency: An international handbook of contemporary research,
706:
Dependency and valency: An international handbook of contemporary research.
764:
Dependency and valency: An international handbook of contemporary research
405:
Those examples illustrate the similar behavior of topicalization and
23:
39:
42:
to sentence-initial position. Topicalization often results in a
757:
Thinking syntactically: A guide to argumentation and analysis.
595:
Sportiche, Dominique; Koopman, Hilda; Stabler, Edward (2014).
202:
a. I thought you said that Tom believes the explanation needs
125:, everyone refused to answer. - Topicalization of the adjunct
727:
Aspekte der deutschen Syntax: Eine
Rektions-Bindungs-Analyse.
288:-fronting out of object NP resulting in preposition stranding
171:, I am terrified of. - Topicalization of the object argument
827:
Starosta, S. 2003. Lexicase grammar. In Ágel et al. (eds.),
309:-fronting are also islands and barriers to topicalization:
858:
van
Riemsdijk, H. (1989a). Movement and Regeneration. In:
469:
or copying, as illustrated with the following two trees:
26:
that establishes an expression as the sentence or clause
665:
See Groß and Osborne (2009:64-66) for such an analysis.
148:, I won't eat. - Topicalization of the object argument
102:, the boys roll rocks. -Topicalization of the adjunct
539:. The words corresponding to the nodes in red form a
496:
Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin
257:-fronting of NP resulting in preposition stranding
232:-movement insofar as the constituents that can be
822:An Introduction to Syntactic Analysis and Theory.
305:-fronting insofar as the islands and barriers to
820:Sportiche, D, H. Koopman, and E. Stabler. 2014.
807:, vol. 29. Academic Press, New York, pp. 281–302
741:Studies in contemporary phrase structure grammar
597:An Introduction to Syntactic Analysis and Theory
330:-fronting impossible out of a subject in English
196:Topicalization can occur across long distances:
862:Paola Benincà (ed.), 105–136. Dordrecht: Foris.
388:does she approve of the suggestion to make? -
852:(Eds.), (pp. 410-465). Blackwell Publishing.
692:See Osborne et al. (2013) concerning catenae.
8:
860:Dialect Variation and the Theory of Grammar.
749:Universität Stuttgart, Fakultät Philosophie.
599:. Wiley Blackwell. pp. 68–70, 189–191.
69:in English is rare, whereas circumstantial
854:https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470996591.ch62
377:a. She approves of the suggestion to make
361:-fronting impossible out of adjunct clause
587:
326:was the description of really funny? -
284:has Shelly indeed uncovered part of? -
273:a. Shelly has indeed uncovered part of
392:-fronting impossible out of complex NP
720:Syntactic theory: A unified approach.
7:
357:does he relax after he's played? -
301:Also, topicalization is similar to
61:. Topicalization is also used as a
776:New York: Oxford University Press.
531:Information about the topicalized
236:-fronted can also be topicalized:
127:because the pressure was too great
123:Because the pressure was too great
116:because the pressure was too great
14:
790:, second edition. London: Arnold.
715:London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
839:Éleménts de syntaxe structurale.
815:English syntax: An introduction.
521:
504:
475:
447:
346:a. He relaxes after he's played
114:a. Everyone refused to answer
1:
729:Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag.
228:Topicalization is similar to
774:Syntax: Theory and problems.
817:Cambridge University Press.
572:Discontinuity (linguistics)
543:(Latin for 'chain', plural
902:
734:SKY Journal of Linguistics
708:Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
262:That one house on the hill
244:that one house on the hill
562:Constituent (linguistics)
431:phrase structure grammars
848:. In M. Everaert, &
577:Phrase structure grammar
91:a. The boys roll rocks
824:Malden, MA: Blackwell.
759:Malden, MA: Blackwell.
722:London: Edward Arnold.
315:a. The description of
844:van Hoof, H. (2006).
797:. New York: Palgrave.
253:is Bill living in? -
242:a. Bill is living in
160:a. I am terrified of
846:Split topicalization
805:Syntax and Semantics
725:Grewendorf, G. 1988
557:Catena (linguistics)
425:Theoretical analyses
217:over a long distance
841:Paris: Klincksieck.
711:Allerton, D. 1979.
191:A pizza I won't eat
718:Borsley, R. 1991.
567:Dependency grammar
435:dependency grammar
22:is a mechanism of
876:Generative syntax
786:Ouhalla, J 1999.
766:, vol.1, 188-229.
606:978-1-4051-0017-5
319:was really funny.
104:for entertainment
100:For entertainment
93:for entertainment
63:constituency test
893:
850:H. van Riemsdijk
835:Tesnière, Lucien
795:Syntactic theory
793:Poole, G. 2002.
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36:prepositions
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811:Radford, A.
620:(2006:790).
459:constituent
251:Which house
32:determiners
886:Word order
870:Categories
770:Napoli, D.
736:22, 43-90.
699:References
415:scrambling
324:Whose aunt
173:those dogs
169:Those dogs
162:those dogs
150:that pizza
146:That pizza
139:that pizza
55:scrambling
439:inversion
366:Starcraft
348:Starcraft
67:arguments
51:-fronting
551:See also
537:spouting
492:governor
467:movement
335:His aunt
317:his aunt
293:Our plan
275:our plan
81:Examples
71:adjuncts
545:catenae
413:types:
881:Syntax
837:1959.
813:2005.
781:Syntax
772:1993.
755:2006.
603:
541:catena
75:marked
57:, and
38:, and
24:syntax
583:Notes
397:Pasta
379:pasta
187:those
40:verbs
28:topic
601:ISBN
417:and
395:c. *
386:What
384:b. *
364:c. *
355:What
353:b. *
333:c. *
322:b. *
282:What
185:and
183:that
291:c.
280:b.
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249:b.
209:b.
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872::
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