Topicalisation of the noun phrase in colloquial Cairene Arabic
This study aims at characterising a phenomenon which is here called the ~topicalisation~ of the Noun Phrase in Colloquial Cairene Arabic (CCA). The Approach is outlined by the Extended Standard Theory TG model, but relevant Functionalist views have been considered to account for Topic-comment alignment in the dialect. Part I, therefore, lays the necessary background for such a discussion in connection with traditional Arabic grammars, and grammars of the Standard variety and CCA. Then follows an exposition of Topic-comment discussions in universal theory, presented under the labels of the various schools of linguistics: this is seen to place the issue in a wider perspective and provide a basis for the definition of terms to be adopted in the present study in Chapter 3. Part II is devoted to the relevant movement rules that apply to the NP, with particular reference to initial position in the sentence. Surface Structure word order is seen as a Topic-comment alignment. A number of rules are suggested to cover this area of CCA syntax, based on an argument that a Verb-initial Basic Structure is required to account for the facts of topicalisation. Essentially, this study views Surface Structure as effected by a
Kamel, Salwa A.
Linguistics
Topicalisation of the noun phrase in colloquial Cairene Arabic. This study aims at characterising a phenomenon which is here called the ~topicalisation~ of the Noun Phrase in Colloquial Cairene Arabic (CCA). The Approach is outlined by the Extended Standard Theory TG model, but relevant Functionalist views have been considered to account for Topic-comment alignment in the dialect. Part I, therefore, lays the necessary background for such a discussion in connection with traditional Arabic grammars, and grammars of the Standard variety and CCA. Then follows an exposition of Topic-comment discussions in universal theory, presented under the labels of the various schools of linguistics: this is seen to place the issue in a wider perspective and provide a basis for the definition of terms to be adopted in the present study in Chapter 3. Part II is devoted to the relevant movement rules that apply to the NP, with particular reference to initial position in the sentence. Surface Structure word order is seen as a Topic-comment alignment. A number of rules are suggested to cover this area of CCA syntax, based on an argument that a Verb-initial Basic Structure is required to account for the facts of topicalisation. Essentially, this study views Surface Structure as effected by a
topicalisation noun_phrase colloquial arabic study aim characterise phenomenon call topicalisation noun_phrase colloquial arabic outline extended standard theory model relevant functionalist view consider account topic comment alignment dialect part therefore lay necessary background discussion connection traditional arabic_grammar grammar standard_variety follow exposition topic comment discussion universal theory present label various school linguistics see place issue wider perspective provide_basis definition_term adopt present_study part_devote relevant movement rule apply particular_reference initial_position sentence surface structure word_order see topic comment alignment number rule suggest cover_area syntax base argument verb initial basic_structure require account_fact topicalisation essentially study view surface structure effect