Pronouns, functional sentence perspective and intonation

Authors

CHAMONIKOLASOVÁ Jana

Year of publication 1991
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Brno Studies in English 19
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Field Linguistics
Keywords pronouns; functional sentence perspective; intonation
Description The paper presents the results of a functional and prosodic analysis of pronouns occurring in English scripted dialogues. Pronouns display a strong tendency towards thematicity and low prosodic prominence. Most 'central' (i.e. personal, possessive, and reflexive) pronouns are unstressed and function as the theme proper. Other pronominal categories tend to be diathematic and to carry more prominent prosodic features. All pronouns with the exception of relative pronouns can become the rheme proper and carry the intonation centre. The most dynamic pronouns are demonstrative pronouns, which are an important means of expressing emotiveness in English. This capacity is shared by personal pronouns. The percentage of rhematic elements within the group of central pronouns, however, is quite low. A comparatively high percentage of rhematic elements occur within the group of indefinite pronouns; indefinite pronouns, however, usually do not become carriers of emotiveness.

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