It-clefts are IT (Inquiry Terminating) constructions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3765/salt.v22i0.2640Keywords:
clefts, only, exhaustivity, focus, focus-sensitivityAbstract
We offer a new analysis of the semantics of the English it-cleft, building on recent work on exclusive particles such as "only." The analysis emphasizes the discourse function of clefts – which, we claim, is to terminate a line of inquiry by marking an answer as complete. It accounts for the semantic effects – not previously appreciated – of focus placement within the cleft pivot. It also provides a solution to a previously discussed problem with the projection of exhaustivity from embedded contexts.Downloads
Published
2012-09-03
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Articles appearing in SALT are published under an author agreement with the Linguistic Society of America and are made available to readers under a Creative Commons Attribution License.