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Topicalization is a mechanism of syntax that establishes an expression as the sentence or clause topic: in English, by having it appear at the front of the sentence or clause (as opposed to in a canonical position further to the right). Topicalization often results in a discontinuity and is thus one of a number of established discontinuity types (the other three being ''wh''-fronting, scrambling, and extraposition). Topicalization is also used as a constituency test; an expression that can be topicalized is deemed a constituent.〔For examples of topicalization used as a constituency test, see for instance Allerton (1979:114), Borsley (1991:24), Napoli (1993:422), Burton-Roberts (1997:17), Poole (2002:32), Radford (2004:72), Haegeman (2006:790).〕 The topicalization of arguments in English is rare, whereas circumstantial adjuncts are often topicalized. Most languages allow topicalization, and in some languages, topicalization occurs much more frequently than in English. ==Examples== Typical cases of topicalization are illustrated with the following examples: ::a. The boys roll rocks for entertainment. ::b. For entertainment, the boys roll rocks. -Topicalization of the adjunct ''for entertainment'' ::a. Everyone refused to answer because the pressure was too great. ::b. Because the pressure was too great, everyone refused to answer. - Topicalization of the adjunct ''because the pressure was too great'' ::a. I won't eat that pizza. ::b. That pizza, I won't eat. - Topicalization of the object argument ''that pizza'' ::a. I am terrified of those dogs. ::b. Those dogs, I am terrified of. - Topicalization of the object argument ''those dogs'' Assuming that the a-sentences represent canonical word order, the b-sentences contain instances of topicalization. The constituent in bold is fronted in order to establish it as topic. The two former examples with a topicalized adjunct are typical, whereas the two latter examples with a topicalized object argument are comparatively rare. The appearance of the demonstrative determiners ''that'' and ''those'' is important, since without them, topicalization of an argument seems less acceptable, e.g. ?''A pizza I won't eat''. Topicalization can occur across long distances, e.g. ::a. I thought you said that Tom believes the explanation needs such examples. ::b. Such examples I thought you said that Tom believes the explanation needs. - Topicalization of the object argument ''such examples'' over a long distance 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「topicalization」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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