Focus Licensing at the Left Periphery in Japanese Right Dislocation. (23rd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abe, Jun
• Is Part Of: Syntax. Volume 22:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2019-01-23
• Subjects: Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syntax -- Periodicals; 415
• DOI: 10.1111/synt.12168
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-0005

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, I argue that there is a designated focus position in the CP layer in Japanese and that this position is activated only in limited contexts, such as ellipsis contexts. I argue that in fact one of the best cases for such a designated focus position involves Japanese right dislocation. Assuming the biclausal analysis of this construction, which involves ellipsis, I argue that the postverbal phrase occupies the position in the CP layer designated for a focused phrase. Finally, addressing the question of whether Focus projections can be activated only in root clauses, I investigate what may be called massively pied‐piped cases of Japanese sluicing and demonstrate that Focus projections can be activated by the same types of embedded clauses as Topic projections.