The Dynamics of Focus Structure

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

In this book, Nomi Erteschik-Shir develops a new theory of focus structure, integrating insights from syntax, semantics, phonology and pragmatics. She explores the role of focus structure in grammar, examining the interface between focus structure and syntax, the semantics of focus structure and the intonation associated with it. Dr Shir defines a grammatical level of f-structure (focus structure) which is an annotated s-structure in which topic and focus constituents are marked. F-structure feeds both PF (Phonological Form) and semantics and is sensitive to lexical information. Dr Shir argues that f-structure and not LF (Logical Form) is the input to a semantic rule of predication. One of the major results of Dr Shir's analysis is that wh-movement turns out to be subject to the same constraint which accounts for anaphora and other subject-object asymmetries.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherCambridge University Press
Number of pages296
ISBN (Electronic)9780511519949
ISBN (Print)9780521592178, 9780521024174
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1998

Publication series

NameCambridge Studies in Linguistics
PublisherCambridge University Press
Volume84

Keywords

  • Grammar, Comparative and general
  • Sujet et prédicat
  • 17.58 syntacto-semantic aspects
  • Focus (taalkunde)
  • Generatieve grammatica
  • Focus (Linguistics)
  • Focus (Linguistique)

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