Language Research

Non-Pro.Making Persian Topicalization Based on Functional Discourse Grammar

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mohsen Taheri 1
Ali Alizadeh 2
Hamed Mowlaei Kuhbanani 3

1 Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Literature and Humanities of Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Literature and Humanities of Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Linguistics and Translation Studies, Faculty of Iranian Studies, Dr. Hossein Tadgand, Vali Asr University (AJ), Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jolr.2023.344562.666788
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to explain the word order of topicalized constituents in non-pro.making persian topicalization based on Functional Discourse Grammar. Since this grammar does not believe in concepts such as movement, we will also seek to explain this process in base-generated procedures. Therefore, in this study, in order to achieve the above goals, the method of mapping the linguistic elements of sentences containing non-pro.making Persian topicalized constituents in morphosyntactic templates in four absolute initial, second, medial and final positions and infinite relative ones presented in Functional Discourse Grammar was considered. This study is based on a descriptive-analytical method and the examples are taken from selected samples of Persian speech and written texts, which after introducing the mechanisms of this grammar,have been analyzed based on the principles of this theory. The method of determining the order of constituents used in the present study is the dynamic method of FDG that is inspired by the method of determining the word order of Greenberg. In this approach instead of three categories of subject, object and verb, respectively, the concepts of actor, undergoer and predicate, determine the word order of the languages of the world. The results indicate that in marked constituents such as topicalization, considering the communicative intention of the speaker, various elements including ,thematic and non-thematic elements and even predicates can be topicalized and on the other hand, considering that, based on the principles of this grammar, the topicalized constituent in the interpersonal level is given priority in entering morphosyntactic templates, so the topicalization process is not the result of movement, but the topicalized element is produced in base-generated procedures in the same position. The results also show that Functional Discourse Grammar is an appropriate and efficient method by referring to the three principles of iconicity, domain integrity and functional stability in determining the constituent arrangement of sentences containing non-pro.making Persian topicalization.

Keywords

Functional Discourse Grammar
Non-Pro.Making Topicalization
Information Structure
Persian language
Focus
Azizian, Y., 2016. Analyzing & Describing Topicalization, Cleft & Pseudo-cleft in Persian from the Viewpoint of Construction Grammar. Linguistics PhD Thesis, Tehran:Tarbiat Modares University.[In Persian].
Butler, Ch., 2003. Structure And Function: A Guide to Three Major Structural- Functional. Amsterdam &Philadelphia PA: Benjamins.
Comrie, B., 1989. Language Universal & Linguistic Typology (2nd ed). Chicago. The University of Chicago Press.
Croft, W., 2001. Radical Construction Grammar: Syntactic Theory In Typological Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Croft, W., 2003. Typology And Universals. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Dabirmoghadam, M., 1990. About “ra” in Persian. Journal of Linguistics. 7 (1). 1-60.[In Persian].
Dabirmoghadam, M., 2005. About “ra” In Persian. Peisian Linguistic Studies, 83-146.[In Persian].
Dabirmoghadam, M., 2013. Typology Of Iranian languages. Tehran: Samt. [In Persian].
Dik, B., & Siewierska, A., 2007. The implementation of grammatical functions in  Functional Discourse Grammar. Journal of Alfa, São Paulo, 51 (2). 269-292.
Dik, S. C., 1997. The Theory Of Functinal Grammar: Questions Of Contrast & Context. Advances In Functional Grammar. Foris, 297-223.
Fanselow, G., DamirĆavar., 2002. “Distributed deletion”. Theoretical Approaches to Universals (LinguistikAktuell/Linguistics Today 49), 65-107. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Givón, T.,1984. Syntax: a Functional-Typological Introduction. Volume I. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Givón. T.,1978. Definiteness And Referentiality. Universal Of Human Language, 291-331.
Greenberg, H.,1963 . Some Universals of Grammar with Particular Reference to the Order of Meaningful Elements. Universals of Human Language. 73-113.
Hengeveld, K., 2013. A New Approach to Clausal Constituent Order. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Hengeveld, K., & Mackenzie, L. (2005). Dynamic Expression In Functional Discourse Grammar. Mouton de Gruyter, 53-86.
Hengeveld, K., & Mackenzie, L. (2005). Interpersonal Functions, Representational categories, & Syntactic Templates In Functional Discourse Grammar. Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Hengeveld, K., & Mackenzie, L.,2008. Functional Discourse Grammar: A Typologically-Based Theory of Language Structure. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kahnemuyipour, A., Shabani, M., 2018 “Split Noun Phrase Topicalization in Eshkevarat Gilaki”. The Linguistic Review.
Kahnemuyipour, A., Shabani, M. 2018 “Split Topicalization with(out) Resumption”. University of Toronto Mississauga & University of Guilan. Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Conference of the Canadian Linguistic Association.
Keizer, E.,2015 . A Functional Discourse Grammar for English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lambrecht, K.,1994 . Information Structure & Sentence Form: Topic, Focus, & the Mental Representations of Discourse Referents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lambrecht, K., 2001. Language Typology & Language Universals. An International Handbook. Vol. 2. Berlin: de Gruyter. 1050-1078.
Mackenzie, L. & Olbertz, H.,2013, . Casebook in Functional Discourse Grammar. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Moezipour, F., 2019. Discussion On Persian Left Arrangement and its Theoretical Challenges For Role & Reference Grammar. Linguistic studies, 11 (2), 45-64.[In Persian].
Mowlaei Kuhbanani, H.,2017. Persian Word Order & Constituent Extraposition Explanation Based On FDG. PhD Thesis. Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad.[In Persian].
Mowlaei Kuhbanani, H., Alizadeh, A., & Sharifi, Sh.,2020. Processing Explanation of Persian Clause Extraposition Process Based on FDG. Journal of Comparative Linguistic Research, (20). 311-330.[In Persian].
Nespor, M., & Vogel, I.,1986. Prosodic Phonology. Dordrecht: Foris Publications.
Núia, A., Keizer, E., & Payrato, L. , 2014. The interaction between context and grammar in Functional Discourse Grammar. Pragmatics. 185-201.
Oruji, M., 2012. Constituent movement to the beginning of the sentence in Persian: topicalization or focalization?. Journal Of Persian Academy. (8). 188-212.[In Persian].
Ott, D. 2011. Local Instability: The Syntax of Split Topics. Doctoral Dissertation. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University.
Prince, E.,1998. “On the Limits of Syntax, with Reference to Topicalization & Left-Dislocation”. Cullicover, P., McNally, L. (Eds.), Syntax & Semantics, (29), 281–302.
Rasekhmahand, M.,2010. Persian Clitics Near Verbs. Linguistic studies, 2 (2), 75-85.[In Persian].
Schiffrin, D., Tannen, D., Hamilton, H. E., 2008. The Handbook of Discourse Analysis. John Wiley & Sons.
Sharifi, Sh., 2004. New Persian Word Order Based On Typological Issues. PhD,Thesis. Ferdowsi University Of Mashhad.[In Persian].
Zandi, R. & Roshan, B.,2003 . Investigating the Use of Different NPs in Topic Position in Written Sentences of Persian Speaking Children. Journal of Peyk Noor (Humanities), 5. 19-26.[In Persian].
Language Research
Volume 14, Issue 1 - Serial Number 26
September 2023
Pages 103-133

  • Receive Date 15 June 2022
  • Revise Date 06 July 2022
  • Accept Date 30 July 2023

Home

Contact Us