This paper examines the interface of syntax and information structure in old Abruzzese, which, as almost all the medieval (Italo-)Romance varieties, is characterized by a ‘verb second’ syntax (V2). The analysis of the data show how the configuration of word order is motivated by the discourse-pragmatic conditions and the semantic properties of the clause constituents. In the [ XVX ] system of old Abruzzese the subject and the object can occur both before and after the main verb. The distribution of these two grammatical relations in pre- or post-verbal position depends on the type of discourse role (topic and focus) that they take in different contexts.
L'interfaccia di sintassi e struttura informativa nell'abruzzese antico
Francesco Maria Ciconte
2025-01-01
Abstract
This paper examines the interface of syntax and information structure in old Abruzzese, which, as almost all the medieval (Italo-)Romance varieties, is characterized by a ‘verb second’ syntax (V2). The analysis of the data show how the configuration of word order is motivated by the discourse-pragmatic conditions and the semantic properties of the clause constituents. In the [ XVX ] system of old Abruzzese the subject and the object can occur both before and after the main verb. The distribution of these two grammatical relations in pre- or post-verbal position depends on the type of discourse role (topic and focus) that they take in different contexts.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
