Functions of word order and intonation in information structuring in Puyuma

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Paper in conference proceeding

Abstract

This paper presents the first results of analyzing the functions of intonation and word order in Puyuma. Puyuma is an endangered Austronesian language spoken in Taiwan. As other languages of this branch, Puyuma is verb initial and displays variations in word order, so that VOS, SVO and VSO are attested. The aim of our study is to explain these word variations. We investigate the connection between information structure, word order and intonation in three Formosan languages: Puyuma, Seediq and Bunun. We show that in Puyuma information structure is reflected in word order while the main function of intonation is to cue phrasing. The study is performed on semi-spontaneous speech.

Details

Authors
Organisations
Research areas and keywords

Subject classification (UKÄ) – MANDATORY

  • General Language Studies and Linguistics

Keywords

  • intonation, word order, information structure, phrasing, Puyuma
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 6th International Conference on Speech Prosody, Vols I and II
PublisherTongji Univ Press
Pages123-126
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Publication categoryResearch
Peer-reviewedYes
Event6th International Conference on Speech Prosody - Shanghai, PEOPLES R CHINA
Duration: 2012 May 22 → 2012 May 25

Conference

Conference6th International Conference on Speech Prosody
Period2012/05/22 → 2012/05/25

Bibliographic note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Linguistics and Phonetics (015010003)