Conjunctions as Topicalizers: More on Southeast Asian Languages
Author(s):
Clark, Marybeth
Format:
Conference presentation
Citation:
Papers From The First Annual Meeting Of The Southeast Asian Linguistics Society 1991
Language:
English
Abstract:
A topicalizing function is illustrated by discourse analysis of equivalent conjunctions of three languages: Vietnamese thi, White Hmong los, & Black Tai ko. In addition to a syntactic clause-linking function, the conjunction in each case is shown to highlight the content of a preceding noun phrase, time phrase, subordinate clause, or main clause as a stated background for an unexpected new development expressed by the predication of the following clause. Stative & nonstative predications following topicalized noun phrases are exemplified, as is the linking of independent clauses. The conjunction introduces a main clause after a topicalized nonsubject noun phrase, time phrase, or subordinate clause. An inchoative semantic feature cluster is suggested for the combination of topicalizing & introductory functions seen in these conjunctions; parallels with English then are noted. 43 References. J. Hitchcock