Pronouns, functional sentence perspective and intonation
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 1991 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Brno Studies in English 19 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| 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. |