"This study presents new insights into null subjects, topic drop and the interpretation of topic-dropped elements. Besides providing an empirical data survey, it offers explanations to well-known problems, e.g. syncretisms in the context of null-subject licensing or the marginality of dropping an element which carries oblique case. The book constitutes a valuable source for both empirically and theoretically interested (generative) linguists."--
In a revision of her 2014 doctoral dissertation at the University of Potsdam, Trutkowski analyzes two different kinds of ellipsis in German, both of which involve omitting an argument in the sentence-initial position of a declarative verb-second clause. She refers to the standard notions known to those familiar with the German topological field model (Topologisches Feldermodell) and a standard version of generative grammar theory. He main focus is topic drop, which she discusses in terms of (the lack of) identity between antecedent and gap, and the interpretation of the gap. The final chapter considers null subjects at the syntax-pragmatics interface. Annotation ©2016 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
This study presents new insights into null subjects, topic drop and the interpretation of topic-dropped elements. Besides providing an empirical data survey, it offers explanations to well-known problems, e.g. syncretisms in the context of null-subject licensing or the marginality of dropping an element which carries oblique case. The book constitutes a valuable source for both empirically and theoretically interested (generative) linguists.
