topicalization

Topicalization is a mechanism of syntax that establishes an expression as the sentence or clause topic by having it appear at the front of the sentence or clause (as opposed to in a canonical position later in the sentence). This involves a phrasal movement of determiners, prepositions, and verbs to sentence-initial position. Topicalization often results in a discontinuity and is thus one of a number of established discontinuity types, the other three being wh-fronting, scrambling, and extraposition. Topicalization is also used as a constituency test; an expression that can be topicalized is deemed a constituent. The topicalization of arguments in English is rare, whereas circumstantial adjuncts are often topicalized. Most languages allow topicalization, and in some languages, topicalization occurs much more frequently and/or in a much less marked manner than in English. Topicalization in English has also received attention in the pragmatics literature.

==Examples== Typical cases of topicalization are illustrated with the following examples: a. The boys roll rocks for entertainment. b. For entertainment, the boys roll rocks. -Topicalization of the adjunct for entertainment a. Everyone refused to answer because the pressure was too great. b. Because the pressure was too great, everyone refused to answer. - Topicalization of the adjunct because the pressure was too great a. I won't eat that pizza. b. That pizza, I won't eat. - Topicalization of the object argument that pizza a. I am terrified of those dogs. b. Those dogs, I am terrified of. - Topicalization of the object argument those dogs