TOPICALIZATION OF CASE-MARKED NOMINALS: TOPICALIZATION OR LEFT DISLOCATION

Abstract

This paper tries to draw a line between topicalized and left dislocated constructions in Pashto. In Pashto topicalized constructions, there is a resumptive clitic pronoun in the originating place of the topicalized nominal if the topicalized nominal carries either ergative case or accusative case. This gives the impression that these constructions in Pashto are not truly topicalized; rather, they are instances of left dislocated constructions. However, through data and analysis it is established that such constructions are not left dislocated elements per say; rather, Pashto has a tri partite system vis-à-vis topicalization and left dislocation: some are topicalized, some are left dislocated, and some are topicalized with a resumptive clitic pronoun. The third type owes its origin to a larger over riding aspect of the Pashto language, namely, Pashto has syntactic split-ergativity along the dimension of tense. Thus, nominals bearing ergative and accusative cases are unable to move to A-bar position unless they are enabled to do so through the compensatory strategy of insertion of a resumptive clitic pronoun.