Topicalization

The term topicalization ( derived from the English term derived from the topic) referred to in linguistics one preceded by a phrase that usually has the function of the phrase to be marked as Topik, ie as information that is already known in the context. In the grammar of English topicalization is a non-mandatory design in which a phrase is appended before the usual core proposition of the form SVO ( " dislocation" ). In the German grammar, however it is often customary to use the term topicalization in a purely grammatical sense as synonymous with the run-up cast, so for compulsory preceded by a phrase in front of the finite verb in declarative sentence, even if in a particular case there is a different meaning function.

Examples in German

Topicalization and apron Cast

The most normal form of the sentence is in many languages ​​one in which the subject has the function of a Topiks and for grammatical reasons anyway is at the beginning of a sentence. In the German Verbzweitsatz this is a normal sequence, although the subject is not set to the position at the beginning of a sentence:

If another member of a sentence, as in the example, the prepositional phrase, get a special function within the sentence, it is placed instead of the subject at the beginning of the sentence:

In the debate, here " Hans " get a contrast emphasis, while " in the house " and unstressed remain so marked as Topik; the sentence would be to use naturally in response to a question like: " Who shall go into the house " ( as mentioned above is thus " in the house ", it is set for the response set as Topik ). Pronounced with a different emphasis, but also the function of a contrast may " in the HOUSE" get:

Here then is no Topik at the beginning of a sentence (although it would still spoken in a purely grammatical sense of " topicalization " the prepositional phrase " in the house "). The function of the prefix in the context would be eg rejecting the idea that Hans elsewhere than going into the house.

Special case: split topicalization

Normally, the topicalization applies (in the sense of advance instrumentation) in German as a test to phrase status. In some cases ( Indefinites ), but it is possible that a file is apparently cleaved so that only a portion of which appears topicalized.

[ Many black beetle ] crawling around. [The Black Beetle ] crawling around [ many ]. left dislocation

Another way to put an Topik at the beginning of a sentence, is the left dislocation: Here the Topik stands outside the entire main set (incl. advance ), and is taken inside by a placeholder in the form of a pronoun again, as in Example ( 3):

Topiks can also be nachgeschoben by being appended after the complete main sentence containing a pronoun right, and explain the reference of the pronoun. Example ( 4) shows such a right dislocation:

Topiks can be explicitly introduced by special formulations such as:

Topicalization in English

In English, units which have the function of a Topiks, are appended in front of the subject at the beginning of a sentence. In this position, for example, appear often adverbial, which put local or times as the framework of the action:

In a more restricted fashion also objects of the verb can be drawn in the same way at the beginning of a sentence (the object is missing then at its base position that topicalization can therefore be described as a movement of the object):

In this regard, the Topikalsierung the prefix of question words ( " wh - movement " ) is similar: in both cases, eg the complement of a preposition be moved forward so that the preposition alone at the end of the block remains ( " Preposition Stranding ," a construction that is not possible in German ):

However, unlike the question sentence formation Topicalization triggers in English of no inversion of the auxiliary verb. - Topikalisierungskonstruktionen in English are free possible than in German, where only the apron or a dislocation structure are available. In English, multiple topicalization is possible also topicalization can as well as in main clauses and in subordinate clauses appear behind a conjunction. In the following example, both are combined: