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Introducing constituent order (1)

Introducing constituent order (1). Fixed vs free constituent order Constituent order in English Fixed constituent order Given -> new ( end-focus principle ) Theme -> rheme ( topic -> comment ) Short -> long ( end-weight principle ). Introducing constituent order (2).

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Introducing constituent order (1)

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  1. Introducingconstituentorder (1) • Fixedvsfreeconstituentorder • Constituentorder in English • Fixedconstituentorder • Given -> new (end-focusprinciple) • Theme -> rheme (topic -> comment) • Short -> long (end-weightprinciple)

  2. Introducingconstituentorder (2) • Fronting – contrastbetween Danish/English: veryemphatic in English, not so in Danish Den film kender jeg ikke vsThatmovie I don’tknow ….and a fewYodaquotes: Agreewithyou, the Councildoes – yourapprentice, Skywalkerwillbe. Trulywonderful, the mind of a child is. Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has • Cleftsentences– used for emphasis ItwasYodawhotrained Luke SkywalkervsYodatrained Luke Skywalker What I likeaboutYoda is his uniquegrammarvs I likeYoda’suniquegrammar

  3. Constituentorder – inversion (1) • Partial inversion = the firstauxcomesbefore the subject - obligatory in: • In interrogative sentences: Do you speak English? • In wishes, etc.: May all yourdreamscome true. • In conditionalclausesleaving out ’if’: Shouldhewin, then.. • In sentencesbeginningwithnegative/restrictive adverbials: Not onlydoesheplay the piano; healsoplays the flute. • With so, such, neither, nor: I wasveryimpressed, and so were the judges. (NB: full inversion with ’to be’ as fullverb)

  4. Constituentorder – inversion (2) • Full inversion = the whole VP is placedbefore the subject – optionalwith the fronting of: • Certainplace adverbials (esp. literary): At the end of the roadlies/stands the castle • A Od as direct speech withreportingverbs: ”We’llhuntthemdown,” said George W Bush (NB: not when S is a pronoun) • A Cs : Fairlyobvious, but still valid were the results of the survey • A participle: Spyingonusthrough the window sat an unknown man, on his kneeson the lawn (not verycommonlyused…)

  5. Constituentorder – adverbials (1) • Initial position: before the S • Medial position: between S and P (unlesswith ’to be’) • With complexVPsafter the firstauxunlesscloselyattached to the mainverb (NB AmEdifferent) • Final position: after the P (and O/Cs/Co)

  6. Constituentorder – adverbials (2) Long As Short As Long As + short con/disjuncts + parenthetic long As + short con/disjuncts + indefinitefrequency + manner, place, + time, definitefreq S P- -P O/Cs/Co

  7. Constituentorder – adverbials (3) • Factors influencing the A position: • Weight: long and heavy vs. short and light As • Semantics: Conjuncts/disjuncts vs. adjuncts (manner, place, time, frequency) • Style: marked choices, theme-rheme, emphasis, length of O, etc.

  8. Constituentorder – problems for Danes • S-P: • Danish inversion when a mainsentence starts with an adverbial Hvis du har lyst, kan vi gå i biografen i morgen. I morgen skal jeg nemlig ingenting. • A: • In Danish, long As areverycommonin medial position • In Danish, S P A in mainsentences; S A P in clauses

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