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In:Studies in Historical Ibero-Romance Morpho-Syntax
Edited by Miriam Bouzouita, Ioanna Sitaridou and Enrique Pato
[Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics 16] 2018
► pp. 99–122

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Chapter 5
Stylistic fronting in Old Spanish texts

 | Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Published online: 17 July 2018
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/ihll.16.05elv
Abstract
This paper provides new evidence on Stylistic Fronting in Old Spanish. The data show significant differences in the distribution and restrictions of Stylistic Fronting in main and subordinate clauses. They also provide new evidence about the syntagmatic split of phrases occurring simultaneously in many cases of Stylistic Fronting. I also address the question of whether this kind of fronting may be viewed as an instance of the emphatic movement or focus. Looking at textual evidence, the focal or expressive character of these expressions is not always easy to prove. These data lead to the conclusion that Stylistic Fronting should be viewed as a by-product or an epiphenomenon derived from multiple causes and motivations.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Textual evidence
    • 2.1Subject gap
    • 2.2Initial position in main sentences
    • 2.3Subordinate sentences
  • 3.Focus meaning?
  • 4.Stylistic fronting in main clauses
  • 5.Split phrases and analytical futures
  • 6.Stylistic fronting in subordinate clauses
  • 7.Summary and conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
References (37)
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