left periphery

Definitions

The part of a syntactic tree above the inflectional phrase(s) (expressing tense, aspect, and/or mood), where topic, focus, illocutionary force, etc. are expressed.

Equivalents

Examples

“Four kinds of elements typically occurring in the left periphery will be taken into account: interrogative and relative pronouns, topics and focalized elements.”

“The polar-question particle sheds useful light⟳ on the syntax of the BH [Biblical Hebrew] left periphery. [...] With an overt Force⟳ head and the obligatory movement of the finite verb to the Topic head, the structure⟳ of the left periphery becomes more visible.”

CEFR level