From polarity to modality: the case of bien
M. Lluïsa Hernanz (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
December 1, 2003, 12noon
Abstract:
This talk addresses affirmative emphatic constructions in Spanish, as well as their connection with a variety of phenomena in the broad area of polarity and modality. The study focuses on the analysis of the assertive particle bien (literally, "well"), which contrasts with other positive polarity markers, as sí. The analysis is based on Rizzi's (1997) proposals on the structure of the clausal left periphery. In order to capture both sides of the nature of bien-sentences - i.e., their emphatic value and their presuppositional value -, it will be claimed that two functional projections on the left periphery of the sentence are involved: FocusP and ForceP.
Last Modified: November 27, 2003