Persian Possessive Construction Left Dislocation based on Optimality Perspective

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 PhD in General Linguistics, Department of Linguistics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Associate Professor in Department of Linguistics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Associate Professor in Department of Linguistics, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

This study investigates non-canonical syntax in the Persian language from a non-hierarchical perspective, emphasizing the significant role of information-structural triggers, including topic and focus, in shaping the non-canonical order of left-dislocated possessive constructions. We apply Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky, 1993; 2004) to account for the grammatical and pragmatic properties of these constructions. Additionally, we utilize Syntax First Alignment (Newson, 2004; 2010) to explore the constraints and discourse-pragmatic reasons for left-dislocated possessive constructions, particularly those related to left dislocation in Persian.
While left dislocation may resemble preposing, it differs in that a co-referential pronoun occupies the canonical position of the marked constituent (Schiffrin & Hamilton, 2008). Dabir-Moghaddam (2005) explains that left dislocation involves moving an item to the sentence-initial position, with a resumptive pronoun taking its original place.

Keywords

References

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ZABANPAZHUHI (Journal of Language Research)
Volume 15, Issue 48
December 2023
Pages 201-223

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