The MIC Approach to Word-OrderThe MIC Approach to Word-OrderThe MIC Approach to Word-OrderThe MIC Approach to Word-Order

Hélène WLODARCZYKHélène WLODARCZYKUniversité Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 4)Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris 4)

Centre for Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (CELTA)Centre for Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (CELTA)

What is word order ?What is word order ?

“…“…the temporal-sequential order of the three core-the temporal-sequential order of the three core-constituents of the clause vis-à-vis each other : - verb ; - constituents of the clause vis-à-vis each other : - verb ; - subject ; - object.” subject ; - object.” Givon T. 1994, 233Givon T. 1994, 233

Today’s word order typology Today’s word order typology is based on the assumption that is based on the assumption that word-order concerns the syntactic constituents of an word-order concerns the syntactic constituents of an utterance and therefore is determined by syntactic rules.utterance and therefore is determined by syntactic rules.

Problems occur when we search for universal definitions of Problems occur when we search for universal definitions of subject and object.subject and object.

Subject and objectSubject and objectas cross-linguistic universalsas cross-linguistic universals

Semantico-Syntactic definitions of subject and object (in Semantico-Syntactic definitions of subject and object (in terms of arguments and roles) are different for different types terms of arguments and roles) are different for different types of languages: nominative (active) languages and ergative of languages: nominative (active) languages and ergative languages (themselves of various types).languages (themselves of various types).

In the MIC framework, we propose In the MIC framework, we propose a universally valid a universally valid meta-meta-informative definition of the subject as the global centre of informative definition of the subject as the global centre of attention of an utteranceattention of an utterancecf. Wlodarczyk A. & H. 2006, cf. Wlodarczyk A. & H. 2006, Subject in the meta-informative centering theorySubject in the meta-informative centering theory..

Subject and objectSubject and objectas centres of attentionas centres of attention

In order to communicate non-linear semantic information the speaker In order to communicate non-linear semantic information the speaker has to select one of the participants of the semantic situation as the has to select one of the participants of the semantic situation as the global global primaryprimary centre of attentioncentre of attention, (i.e. the , (i.e. the subject of the utterance) of the utterance) about which he about which he predicatespredicates.A .A secondary centre of attention may be may be expressed as the expressed as the object..A A segmentsegment of an expression — representing an element of a semantic of an expression — representing an element of a semantic situation or a whole situation — is “centered” (treated by the speaker as situation or a whole situation — is “centered” (treated by the speaker as a Centre of Attention) if it has been a Centre of Attention) if it has been distinguished among other elements distinguished among other elements or situations by linguistic meta-informative markersor situations by linguistic meta-informative markers (syntactic, (syntactic, morphological, prosodic or any pragmatic marker).morphological, prosodic or any pragmatic marker).

“the subject and DO (direct object) may be viewed as the grammaticalized primary and secondary topic of the discourse at the time when the clause in which they partake is being processed.” (Givon 1994, 198) N.B. what Givon calls “topic” we call more generally the “centre of attention”.

Attention:Attention:from psychology to languagefrom psychology to language

““Attention defines the mental ability to Attention defines the mental ability to select select stimuli, stimuli, responses, memories, or thoughts that are behaviourally responses, memories, or thoughts that are behaviourally relevantrelevant, among the many others that are behaviourally , among the many others that are behaviourally irrelevant” irrelevant” (Corbetta, 1998, p. 831).

“it is likely that the most accessible (e.g., visually most salient) referent will be articulated before other referents taking part in the event and that it will be assigned as the most prominent grammatical constituent, for example, the Subject.” (Myachikov et al. 2009). From Russell Tomlin’s investigations.

Centres of AttentionCentres of Attentionin the MIC theoryin the MIC theory

In linguistics, we need a general concept to capture what is In linguistics, we need a general concept to capture what is common between Subject, Object, Topic and Focus. In MIC common between Subject, Object, Topic and Focus. In MIC theory, these concepts are called “Centre of Attention (CA)” theory, these concepts are called “Centre of Attention (CA)” and considered not only as psychological phenomena but also and considered not only as psychological phenomena but also segments of linguistic utterances. segments of linguistic utterances.

No judgment may be made without selecting at least one No judgment may be made without selecting at least one Centre of Attention (CA).Centre of Attention (CA).

Centering is a structuring operation within the utterance (not Centering is a structuring operation within the utterance (not only within a text).only within a text).

The default relation between the The default relation between the subject and the active rolesubject and the active role

In active (non ergative) languages, there is a In active (non ergative) languages, there is a default relation between the default relation between the subject and the active rolesubject and the active role when when the verb is in the active voicethe verb is in the active voice… … and a and a default relation between the object and the passive role default relation between the object and the passive role when when the the verb is in the passive voiceverb is in the passive voice..X did Y.I have tipped waiters,Y did X.and I have been tipped by waiters.George Orwell, Down and Out in Paris and London, an example from an article by Michel Viel (professor of English linguistics at CELTA)

N.B. In ergative languages (at least one type of them) there is a default N.B. In ergative languages (at least one type of them) there is a default relation between the constituent in the absolutive case and the passive relation between the constituent in the absolutive case and the passive role.role.

The Prototypical (default) Solidarity The Prototypical (default) Solidarity between CAs and Semantic Rolesbetween CAs and Semantic Roles

The Prototypical (default) Solidarity The Prototypical (default) Solidarity between CAs and Semantic Rolesbetween CAs and Semantic Roles

Nominative Languages Ergative languages

(1a) Global CA or Subject || Active agent || Nominative case

(1b) Global CA or Subject || Passive agent || Absolutive case

(2a) Local CA Object || Passive agent || Accusative case

(2b) Local CA Object || Active agent || Ergative case

What is Information ?What is Information ?

In the age of unification of cognitive sciences, the term information should be used similarly in linguistics and in information science.

Information is the semantic content of an utterance. InformationInformation is produced when relations are established

between entities. The components of semantic situations are: The components of semantic situations are:(1) static or dynamic (1) static or dynamic frames (states, events and processes)frames (states, events and processes),,(2) their (2) their roles roles (enacted by animate (enacted by animate agents agents and/or inanimate and/or inanimate

figuresfigures))(3) and (3) and anchors anchors (indicators of spatio-temporal relations).(indicators of spatio-temporal relations).

In linguistic messages information is always partial: speakers express only what is obligatory (grammaticized in their language) and what is relevant from their point of view or what they pay attention to.

What is Meta-Information ?What is Meta-Information ?

Meta-Information is information about another information. In order to achieve the ordering of non-linear mental representations as texts (sequences of linguistic utterances), the speaker must select one or more Centre(s) of Attention (CA) and predicate about it/them.

Although meta-information belongs to the pragmatic dimension of language it is not a mere supplement to the semantic and syntactic structures of utterances.

What linguists usually call “What linguists usually call “information structure” information structure” following following the Prague School’s tradition we name the Prague School’s tradition we name meta-informationmeta-information..

Meta-informationMeta-informationand the theory of mindand the theory of mind

In this place, I would like to quote prof. Elisabeth Leiss (2007, p. 95) :

“[…] functional categories essentially create a shared viewpoint for both speaker and hearer. […] There is a good reason to believe that linguistic devices which create a shared view point and thus are essential for the development of a theory of mind are universals of language.”

In our view, In our view, the double level of information and meta-the double level of information and meta-informationinformation seems to belong to such universals. Meta- seems to belong to such universals. Meta-information establishes the necessary shared viewpoint information establishes the necessary shared viewpoint about entities and situations chosen as centres of attention about entities and situations chosen as centres of attention in communication. in communication.

What is syntax ?What is syntax ?

The core of syntax The core of syntax does not reflect directly does not reflect directly information information (the (the semantic level) but semantic level) but meta-information meta-information (the pragmatic level) of (the pragmatic level) of the utterance.the utterance.Syntax is a means of expression (along with morphology, Syntax is a means of expression (along with morphology, phonology and prosody) used to linearise the information phonology and prosody) used to linearise the information content communicated in an utterance.content communicated in an utterance.Meta-information is directly reflected by the elementary Meta-information is directly reflected by the elementary syntactic structure of utterancessyntactic structure of utterances which can be represented by which can be represented by constituency constituency trees.trees.On the other hand, On the other hand, Information (the content of utterances) has Information (the content of utterances) has to be reconstructed by the hearerto be reconstructed by the hearer and can be represented by and can be represented by dependency trees.dependency trees.

Meta-informativeMeta-informative pivots of discoursepivots of discourse

Pragmatic levelsPragmatic levelsCentres of AttentionCentres of Attention

GlobalGlobal LocalLocal

Meta-Level 1 : Meta-Level 1 : basebase Utterance Utterance SubjectSubject ObjectObject

Meta-Level 2 : Extended UtteranceMeta-Level 2 : Extended Utterance

Super-extended UtteranceSuper-extended Utterance

TopicTopic

Strong TopicStrong Topic

FocusFocus

Strong FocusStrong Focus

Meta-Level 3 : Dialogue/TextMeta-Level 3 : Dialogue/Text GeneralGeneral

ThemeTheme

ParticularParticular

ThemeTheme

N.B. Level ø corresponds to the situation itself, it is not expressed directly N.B. Level ø corresponds to the situation itself, it is not expressed directly in linguistic utterances. In case of a binary relation, it can be represented in linguistic utterances. In case of a binary relation, it can be represented by the logical formula by the logical formula p(x, y) p(x, y) in which in which xx enacts the active role and enacts the active role and yy the the passive passive role.role.

Communicative, Cognitive & Communicative, Cognitive & Referential Motivation of O/NReferential Motivation of O/N

Three kinds of motivations of meta-informative statuses Old and New:Three kinds of motivations of meta-informative statuses Old and New:

(a)(a) TThe communicative he communicative motivation is explicit and speech bound. The motivation is explicit and speech bound. The situation spoken about is either connected to another one mentioned situation spoken about is either connected to another one mentioned before (anaphoric) or to be mentioned (cataphoric) or it is a modal before (anaphoric) or to be mentioned (cataphoric) or it is a modal situation (ex. either reported or to be reported). situation (ex. either reported or to be reported).

(b) The (b) The cognitivecognitive motivation is related to the acquisition of knowledge. motivation is related to the acquisition of knowledge. Situations appear as already known (registered) or unknown Situations appear as already known (registered) or unknown (unregistered).(unregistered).

(c) The (c) The referential or ontologicalreferential or ontological motivation depends on the motivation depends on the knowledge stored in long term memory; the situation spoken about is knowledge stored in long term memory; the situation spoken about is treated either as a class (generic, general, habitual or potential) or an treated either as a class (generic, general, habitual or potential) or an instance (specific, particular, occasional or actual). instance (specific, particular, occasional or actual).

Grounding and RefinementGrounding and Refinementof the Meta-informative Old or New Statusof the Meta-informative Old or New Status

CombinabilityCombinabilityof Centres of Attention with Semantic Rolesof Centres of Attention with Semantic Roles

TopicTopic Subject Subject Active roleActive role

FocusFocus ObjectObject Passive Passive rolerole

Meta-informative paraphrasingMeta-informative paraphrasing

Meta-informative competence consists in being able to present the same information in different meta-informative orders : being able to choose freely the correspondence between a Centre of Attention and a Semantic Role.

We call this meta-informative rewording or paraphasing skill.

Word order is among the most important means of meta-informative paraphrasing.

Meta-informative paraphrases in EnglishMeta-informative paraphrases in English

1a. Mary treats Peter. (Active voice + [Subject || Active r.] + [Object || Passive r.])1b. Peter is treated by Mary.(Passive voice + [Subject || Passive r.] + [Object || Active r.] )2a. As for Mary, she treats Peter.(Active voice + [Topic || Subject || Active r.] + [Object || Passive r.])2b. As for Peter, he is treated by Mary.(Passive voice + [Topic || Subject || Passive r.] + [Object || Active r.] )3a. As for Mary ,it is Peter whom she treats . (Active voice + [Topic || Subject || Active r.] + [Focus || Object || Passive r.])3b. As for Peter, it is Mary who treats him.(Active voice + [Topic || Object || Passive r.] + [Focus || Subject || Active r.])4a. As for Peter, it is by Mary that he is treated . (Passive voice + [Topic || Subject || Passive r.] + [Focus || Object || Active r.])4b. ?? As for Mary, it is by her that Peter is treated . (Passive voice + [Topic || Object || Active r.] + [Focus || Subject || Passive r.])etc.

Conceptual IsomorphismConceptual Isomorphismbetween between BaseBase and Extended utterences and Extended utterences

Conceptual IsomorphismConceptual Isomorphismbetween between BaseBase and Extended utterences and Extended utterences

Subject

ObjectVerb

Predicate

Base utterance

Topic

Background Focus

Comment

Extended utterance

Global Aboutness

Local Aboutness

Global Aboutness

Local Aboutness

Global CA Global CA

Local CA Local CA

Canonical Word OrderCanonical Word Order

The concept of canonical word order is not operative if we do The concept of canonical word order is not operative if we do not distinguish between base and extended utterances.not distinguish between base and extended utterances.

Word order is a meta-informative marker in any type of Word order is a meta-informative marker in any type of languages.languages.

In the MIC framework, both so called rigid word order (RWO) and free word order (FWO) languages can be dealt with in a consistent way: in both types of languages word-order is a meta-informative marker used to highlight centres of attention and to distinguish between old and new information.

FWO and RWOFWO and RWOin the MIC frameworkin the MIC framework

In so called In so called Restrictive Word Order languagesRestrictive Word Order languages (e.g. English, French), word (e.g. English, French), word order is mainly the marker of centres of attention of order is mainly the marker of centres of attention of the first meta-the first meta-informative levelinformative level : subject, object. : subject, object.

In so called Free Word Order Languages (e.g. Polish, Russian), it is mainly In so called Free Word Order Languages (e.g. Polish, Russian), it is mainly the marker of centres of attention of the marker of centres of attention of the second meta-informative level the second meta-informative level : : topic and focus.topic and focus.

German seems to be typologically intermediary (to be verified).German seems to be typologically intermediary (to be verified).

From Centre of Attention to Semantic RoleFrom Centre of Attention to Semantic RolePartiality of Information & InterpretationPartiality of Information & Interpretation

A car hit a pedestrian.Global CA Global CA Local CALocal CA

Meta-Inf.Meta-Inf. SubjectSubject ObjectObjectInform.Inform. Which role ?Which role ? Passive rolePassive role

The drunken driver hit a pedestrian with his car.

Global CA Global CA Local CA Instrument Local CA Instrument

Meta-InfMeta-Inf.. SubjectSubject Direct Object Indirect Object Direct Object Indirect ObjectInform.Inform. Active role Active role Passive role Passive role Median role Median role

The meta-informative suject-predicate pattern makes it possible to keep The meta-informative suject-predicate pattern makes it possible to keep information partial or even to say something about a centre of attention information partial or even to say something about a centre of attention without knowing precisely the role enacted by the participant it points at.without knowing precisely the role enacted by the participant it points at.

Subject and Object are independent Subject and Object are independent of semantic roles (German ex.)of semantic roles (German ex.)

#1a Das Kind ass den Apfel. the child (Nom. or Acc.) ate the Apple (Acc.)The child ate the apple.

#1b Den Apfel ass das Kind.the Apple (Acc.) ate the child (Nom. or Acc.).(As regards) the apple, the child ate it.

#2a Das Kind ass das Eis.The child (Nom. or Acc.) ate the ice cream (Acc.)

#2b Das Eis ass das Kind.the ice cream (Acc.) ate the child (Nom. or Acc.).

In utterance #2b, nobody would interpret the child as the passive role.

Different interpretationsDifferent interpretationsof an utterance (German example)of an utterance (German example)

Die Regierung betrachtet das Volk the government (Nom. or Acc.) considers the people (Nom. or Acc.)

als korrupt. (From a PHD thesis by Sabine Mohr)as corrupt

Any German native-speaker will prefer, even out of context and in a written Any German native-speaker will prefer, even out of context and in a written form without any prosodic marker, the interpretation in which form without any prosodic marker, the interpretation in which the peoplethe people fill the fill the active role and active role and the government the government the passive role, because, as the author of the the passive role, because, as the author of the dissertation puts it, “… it is part of our knowledge of the world that usually dissertation puts it, “… it is part of our knowledge of the world that usually people consider the government corrupt and that it is not the other way people consider the government corrupt and that it is not the other way round.”round.”

Base and extended utterances expressingBase and extended utterances expressingthe same information (German example)the same information (German example)

Base utterance: subject + predicate (entirely N or O depending on the position in the text or discourse)Das Volk betrachtet Die Regierung als korrupt.Extended utterances:(1)Topic + commenta) topic = subjectDas Volk // betrachtet Die Regierung als korrupt.The people, they consider the government as corrupt.b) topic = objectDie Regierung // betrachtet das Volk als korrupt.(As regards) the government, the people consider it as corrupt.(2) Focus +backgrounda) focus = subjectDas Volk // betrachtet Die Regierung als korrupt.It is the people who consider the government as corrupt.a) focus = objectDie Regierung // betrachtet das Volk als korrupt.It is the government whom the people consider as corrupt. ... Etc (utterances with both topic and focus)

From active to passive voice:From active to passive voice:preserving the global CA preserving the global CA in translationin translation

A topicalized object in a Slavic language may be (under coherence A topicalized object in a Slavic language may be (under coherence conditions) translated into the subject of a passive verb in English. conditions) translated into the subject of a passive verb in English. This preserves the same participant as global CA however it removes This preserves the same participant as global CA however it removes the topicalisation. Stylistically, the English passive construction the topicalisation. Stylistically, the English passive construction corresponds better to the written style of the Russian utterance.corresponds better to the written style of the Russian utterance.

Rus. Knigu vzjal student.Lit. The book a student took it.The book was taken by a student.

Topic and Focus markersTopic and Focus markersIn all types of languages In all types of languages CCAAs of extended utterances are s of extended utterances are distinguished or highlighted segmentsdistinguished or highlighted segments..

The markers of topicalisation and focalisation areThe markers of topicalisation and focalisation are• • Intonation (ascending: topic, descending: focus) and Intonation (ascending: topic, descending: focus) and pausepause• • Word order (especially first and last position in an Word order (especially first and last position in an utterance)utterance)• • Dislocation and cleavingDislocation and cleaving• • Emphasizing particles and adverbsEmphasizing particles and adverbs• • Stressed forms of personal pronounsStressed forms of personal pronouns• • Place of conjonctions and subordinate clausesPlace of conjonctions and subordinate clausesEEtc.tc.

Markers of CAs of base utterancesMarkers of CAs of base utterancesin FWO (Slavic) languagesin FWO (Slavic) languages

In Polish and Russian, so called Free Word Order languages, the main In Polish and Russian, so called Free Word Order languages, the main mark of the subject or object is the case form (nominative for the subject mark of the subject or object is the case form (nominative for the subject ; accusative, genitive or instrumental for the direct obect).; accusative, genitive or instrumental for the direct obect).

In In basebase utterances, SVO order may be used either in utterances, SVO order may be used either in entirely new entirely new or or entirely old entirely old utterances. However entirely new utterances may have the utterances. However entirely new utterances may have the VOS order.VOS order.

Any change of the SVO order in Polish or Russian utterances is Any change of the SVO order in Polish or Russian utterances is characteristic of extended utterances:characteristic of extended utterances:any displaced Sany displaced Subject or Object is either topicalised or focalised.ubject or Object is either topicalised or focalised.

Word OrderWord Orderin Polish & Russian Base Utterancesin Polish & Russian Base Utterances

Entirely Entirely new new basebase utterances: SV(O) or V(O)S order utterances: SV(O) or V(O)S order#1 Pol. Odwiedził mnie wczoraj niespodziewanie dawny visited me yesterday unexpectedly old kolega mojego brata.friend of my brother“An old friend of my brother visited me yesterday unexpectedly.”#2 Rus. Nastupilo nelovkoe molchanie. followed embarrassing silence“There followed an embarrassing silence.”Entirely Entirely old old basebase utterances: SVO order utterances: SVO order#3 Pol. Francuzi jadają żaby. French people eat frogs.“French people eat frogs.”#4 Rus. Tverdost‘ preodolevaet prepjatsvie. Firmness overcomes obstacle. “Firmness overcomes obstacles.”

From base to extended utteranceFrom base to extended utterancein Slavic languages compared to Englishin Slavic languages compared to English

Canonical word order (whole new utterance):Canonical word order (whole new utterance):#1 Kot zjadł ciasto. (Koshka sjela pirozhnoje.)A cat ate a cake.A cat ate a cake.Change in word order and prosody are fundamental markers in Change in word order and prosody are fundamental markers in Slavic languages: the OVS order results in weakly topicalisation Slavic languages: the OVS order results in weakly topicalisation of the object (by left dislocation) and weakly focalization of the of the object (by left dislocation) and weakly focalization of the subject (right dislocation)subject (right dislocation)#2 Ciasto zjadł kot .Particles may underline the focusParticles may underline the focus #3 To kot zjadl ciasto.#4 It’s the cat who ate the cake.or the topicor the topic#5 Ciasto to zjadł kot #6 The cake it is the cat who ate it#6 The cake it is the cat who ate it

Focalisation in Polish and EnglishFocalisation in Polish and English

Languages which cannot easily change the order of constituents around the verb use complicated syntactic devices such as cleaving and anaphoric pronouns.

Pseudo-cleft constructions#25 What he saw was the giant figure of an almost naked white man emerging from the bush. (Tarzan)#26 What is important is the conclusion. (from a French original by Henri Poincaré, La Science et l’hypothèse : Ce qui importe, c'est la conclusion). In Slavic languages the possibility to put any constituent (with its case mark) at the end of the utterance avoids using such pseudo-cleft constructions.#27 [...] na razie znana jest tylko wersja 'nieoficjalna' (Donosy 1996) (Literally “for the time being known is only unofficial version”)To translate an utterance in which it is the subject that appears at the very end, English can use a pseudo-cleft sentence :#28 For the time being, what is known is only an ’unofficial’ version.

Topic and focus markers in Slavic languages Topic and focus markers in Slavic languages compared to Englishcompared to English

Intonation, particles and word order in Slavic languagesIntonation, particles and word order in Slavic languages #1 (To) kot zjadl ciasto. Cleaving in English (intonation Cleaving in English (intonation –– pitch accent pitch accent –– is also possible) is also possible)#2 It’s the cat who ate the cake.OVS order in Polish: topicalised object (by left dislocation) and OVS order in Polish: topicalised object (by left dislocation) and weakly focalized subject (after the verb)weakly focalized subject (after the verb)#3 Dziś lody funduje MarekLitteral English translation : Litteral English translation : #4 *Today icecream offers MarekIt is however possible to translate the weak focus of Polish original It is however possible to translate the weak focus of Polish original into a strong focus in English:into a strong focus in English:#5 Today it is Marek who offers icecream.Polish utterance with a strong focusfocus :#6 Dziś to Marek funduje lody.

Stylistic evaluation of extended Stylistic evaluation of extended utterances (literary/colloquial) ?utterances (literary/colloquial) ?

In European grammars (beginning from Greek and Latin tradition) In European grammars (beginning from Greek and Latin tradition) either no attention was paid to topicalisation and focalisation , when either no attention was paid to topicalisation and focalisation , when they are expressed only by prosody or word-order, or they were they are expressed only by prosody or word-order, or they were considered as typical of colloquial speech considered as typical of colloquial speech when marked by when marked by dislocation and cleaving (cf. Miller & Fernandez-Vest “Spoken and dislocation and cleaving (cf. Miller & Fernandez-Vest “Spoken and written language” in Bernini & Schwartz 2006).written language” in Bernini & Schwartz 2006).

However, our investigations give evidence for the fact that However, our investigations give evidence for the fact that the the old/new opposition is used as an argumentation device old/new opposition is used as an argumentation device even in even in written style.written style.# Et cependant, ces deux changements (TOPIC), nous les regardons l'un et l'autre comme des déplacements... (Henri Poincaré, La Science et l’hypothèse)

# #50 La machine elle-même (TOPIC), plus elle se perfectionne, plus elle s'efface derrière son rôle. (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,Terre des hommes)

How to recognize a topicalized subject How to recognize a topicalized subject in a written textin a written text

Good actors are able to read as Good actors are able to read as topic and comment topic and comment what seems to a what seems to a grammarian only grammarian only subject and predicatesubject and predicate..

An example from the novel Vol de Nuit by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:— Mais, monsieur Robineau, on ne choisit pas ! — C'est le règlement. « Le règlement, pensait Rivière, est semblable aux rites d'une religion qui semblent absurdes mais façonnent les hommes. »

To interpret the second occurrence of « le règlement » as a topicalized subject it is necessary to take into acount its anaphoric character.

Topic or subject prominent languages ?Topic or subject prominent languages ?

Both base and extended utterances exist in all types of languages.The following investigation should be thoroughly conducted on large parallel corpora : do speakers of some types of languages prefer to use (use more frequently) one of the two different utterances: base or extended ?

Slavic languages, in which object NP front dislocation is frequent could be considered “topic prominent” but are not generally considered as such because, in traditional Slavic grammars, the fronting of an object is treated as a stylistic or “expressive” device and is rarely identified as a topicalisation.

On the other hand, English or French are considered “subject-prominent” languages because topic marking by supra-segmental devices is not identifiable in written texts and because explicit topic-markers are considered as stylistically lower than subject markers.

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Orderin Typology in Typology (sample 1)(sample 1)

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Orderin Typology in Typology (sample 1)(sample 1)

As Centering is governed by constituency rules, quite As Centering is governed by constituency rules, quite naturally Word Order is dependent upon centering.naturally Word Order is dependent upon centering.

A brief check of about 50 languages shows that the SVO A brief check of about 50 languages shows that the SVO word order is canonical in more than half of the languages word order is canonical in more than half of the languages checked.checked.

Total number of languages: 53Total number of languages: 53(among them, Indo-European languages: 24)(among them, Indo-European languages: 24)SVO-26, SOV-15,SVO-26, SOV-15, VSO-11, VOS-1VSO-11, VOS-1?OVS-0,*OSV-0?OVS-0,*OSV-0 Neither OSV nor OVS are found. This is due to the fact Neither OSV nor OVS are found. This is due to the fact

that the Local CA cannot precede the Global CAthat the Local CA cannot precede the Global CA. If this were . If this were confirmed, confirmed, the MIC theory would have a predictive potential.the MIC theory would have a predictive potential.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/Linguistics/Languageslist.htm

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Orderin Typology in Typology (sample 2)(sample 2)

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Orderin Typology in Typology (sample 2)(sample 2)

From From “The World Atlas of Language Structures Online”“The World Atlas of Language Structures Online”

Subject-object-verb (SOV) – 497 Subject-object-verb (SOV) – 497 Subject-verb-object (SVO) – 436Subject-verb-object (SVO) – 436Verb-subject-object (VSO) - 85Verb-subject-object (VSO) - 85Verb-object-subject (VOS) - 26Verb-object-subject (VOS) - 26Object-verb-subject (OVS) - 9Object-verb-subject (OVS) - 9Object-subject-verb (OSV) - 4Object-subject-verb (OSV) - 4Lacking a dominant word order - 171Lacking a dominant word order - 171 total: 1228total: 1228..

http://wals.info/feature/description/81

LESS FREQUENT

RATHER RARE

VERY RARE

FREQUENT

RARE

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Order(sample 3)(sample 3)

Centering and Word OrderCentering and Word Order(sample 3)(sample 3)

Database Database “CHILDES” cited by Hoffman in her paper“CHILDES” cited by Hoffman in her paper

Subject-object-verb (SOV) – 48% Subject-object-verb (SOV) – 48% Subject-verb-object (SVO) – 25%Subject-verb-object (SVO) – 25%Object-verb-subject (OVS) Object-verb-subject (OVS) –– 13% 13%Object-subject-verb (OSV) Object-subject-verb (OSV) –– 8% 8%Verb-subject-object (VSO) - 6%Verb-subject-object (VSO) - 6%Verb-object-subject (VOS) - < 1%Verb-object-subject (VOS) - < 1%

Hoffman B., 1996, “Word Order, Information Structure and Centering in Turkish”, in Prince E., Joshi A. & Walker M. eds, Centering in Discourse, Oxford University Press.

LESS FREQUENT

RATHER RARE

VERY RARE

FREQUENT

VERY RARE

The data from canonical word order databases (although varying) bring some evidence to the constituency relation between the global and local centres of attention. The problem of such databases lies in the universal definition of subject and object. This is the reason why I began this lecture by the necessity to propose such a definition.

Conclusion:Conclusion:Word order typologyWord order typology

In the MIC framework we show that topic and subject are comparable because both are global centres of attention, and in the same way, focus and object are both local centres. The first term of each pair belongs to a different meta-informative levels than the second one.The means of expression of these two levels differ from one type of langages to another, but the distinction between two levels seems to be present in all types of languages.

It remains necessary to investigate in large corpuses whether and why some languages make use of extended utterances more frequently than others: for structural, stylistic or cultural reasons ?

© Hélène WLODARCZYK