| Abstrakt: |
The article discusses the role of semantic features in Turkish word order. The aim of the article is to investigate one particular type of restriction on word order, namely the restriction caused by the semantic features [+definite] and [+animate] of NPs. The constraints on word order variation related to the semantic features [+definite] and [ +animate] of NPs appear to center on two syntactic positions, namely the S-initial and the immediately preverbal. The S-initial position does not seem to favor indefinite NPs. except for certain subjects under particular conditions, whereas the immediately preverbal position appears to be the natural position for indefinite NPs. Such constraints lend support to the pragmatic functions associated with these syntactic positions, that is, the S-initial being the "topic" and the immediately preverbal being the "focus" position. Thus, the pragmatic function of word order in Turkish follows from the pragmatic load of the particular syntactic positions. |
