Eckhard Bick - VISL

The examples show that the normal "predicative word classes" are EF, while the
"subject word classes" are ABCD. This is unproblematic, as long as different pattern
slots are filled in with members of different word class groups. Where, however,
ABCD-material meets ABCD-material, or EF-material meets EF-material, as possible in
patterns (1), (2) and (3), position is the determining factor. Thus, the position left of the
verb in (1) and (2) forces a (topic-) subject reading, and the "middle" position in (3)
forces a (focus-) predicative reading.
Since Portuguese allows for omission of the subject (which, in a way, is
"incorporated" into the verbal inflexion ending), structures 1-4 may be collapsed into a
single pattern: focus-predicative. All nominal material (ABCDEF) can be
located in the single remaining slot. Because copula verbs can not ordinarily be
intransitive, no ambiguity arises: the verb's only complement is the (focus-) predicative.
However, when collapsing structures 5-7 into predicative , we arrive at an
ambiguity as to topic/focus for word classes EF, with the omitted subject's now empty
"trace" position being located either left or right of the verb. In the first case, the
predicative is to be interpreted as focus-predicative, in the second as topicpredicative.
The first is typical for contrastive negative sentences with (focal) stress on
the predicative, the second is used in affirmation sentences with (focal) stress on the
verb.
focus topic
predicative predicative
5'. Casada nunca foi.
6'. Idiota é.
7' Para mim, perigosos são.
In a question, focus is automatically placed on the interrogative word. However, only
structure 5 provides for a fronted focus. In 1 and 6 the interrogative topic and focus are
reversed, focus filling the topic position of the analogue declarative sentence. Thus,
structures 1, 5 and 6 yield the following interrogative patterns:
1''. focus-subject topic-predicative
O que é novo ?
5''. focus-predicative topic-subject
O que ele é ?
6''. focus-predicative topic-subject
- 274 -