ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-133-021 · ATLAS 251

Left-hand anticipation

The anticipation of an expression at the left margin to which a pronoun frequently refers back in the following sentence.

Explanation

Anticipation of an expression at the beginning of a sentence to which a pronoun frequently refers in the following sentence. An object is established at the beginning of the sentence as a common point of reference.

Example

The new neighbor—I met him yesterday.

Counterexample

In the sentence “I met the neighbor,” the object is normally placed at the beginning.

Distinction

Distinguishing from topicalization: In the sentence “I met the neighbor,” the object normally appears in the front.

Effect on thought and perception

An object is established before the sentence as a common point of reference.

Resonance

Left-shifting makes a directed relationship perceptible: An object is established as a common point of reference before the sentence.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Left-hand anticipation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-133-021. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-133-021

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-133-021

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