The Role of aŋ in Ilonggo Information Structure
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2016
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Swarthmore College. Dept. of Linguistics
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Thesis (B.A.)
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Abstract
In Ilonggo (an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines), the article aŋ is known to mark
constituents with "emphasis".
To accommodate this quality of "emphasis)), the literature on Ilonggo morphosyntax has classically
labeled aŋ as either a topic marker (Wolfenden 1975) or a focus marker (Wolfenden 1971, Spitz
2001). I demonstrate that aŋ does not fit exclusively into either of these functions, but that it plays a
role in the articulation of both topics expressions and focus marking.
To evaluate the claims that aŋ is a topic marker or a focus marker, I apply Lambrechtls (1994) theory
of information structure. This theory asserts that topical denotata (entities) are coded through topic
expressions, which include lexical NPs and unaccented pronouns which establish a topic relation
between the denotatum and the proposition of the sentence. Focus denotata are coded through
focus marking, which are prosodic and morphosyntactic markers that establish a focus relation
between the denotatum and the proposition.
Aŋ is capable of expressing three types of topic expressions: lexical NPs with a reference-oriented
function (aŋ sapat, 'the animar), role-oriented "optional)) lexical NPs (which can be dropped if
assumed in context), and role-oriented specified pronouns (aŋ duwa sila, 'the two of them} This functional capacity is partially attributed to mls inherently non-implicit nature; aŋ can only appear
before explicitly stated lexical NPs and pronouns that have been preceded by specifiers.
Aŋ's role in focus marking is ultimately unclear. Aŋ does appear within constituents that refer to
focus elements, as shown in (Cb):
However, it is presently impossible to determine if V itself is marking constituents with focus, or if
phrases preceded by aŋ are simply viable targets for some presently invisible focus marking (i.e.
prosodic accents). Despite these unknown variables, it is established that aŋ can certainly appear in
constituents that express focus elements.
Through this analysis, I ultimately prove that the titles "topic marker)) and "focus marker)) are
inherently inaccurate in describing how aŋ contributes to the articulation of information structure in
Ilonggo. The mechanisms for expressing topic and focus appear to be more nuanced and complex
than the use of a single grammatical marker.