Information Structure and the Syntax-Phonology Interface

Abstract

The article proposes a theory of grammar relating syntax, discourse semantics, and intonational prosody. The full range of English intonational tunes distinguished by Beckman and Pierrehumbert (1986) and their semantic interpretation in terms of focus and information structure are discussed, including “discontinuous” themes and rhemes. The theory extends an earlier account based on Combinatory Categorial Grammar, which directly pairs phonological and logical forms without intermediary representational levels.