Object Shift and Remnant VP-Topicalisation in Optimality Theory

Abstract

This chapter shows how object shift in remnant VP-topicalisation constructions can be accounted for in the optimality-theoretical analysis of object shift set out in Part I of the book. Sections 8.2–8.7 discuss various asymmetries related to object shift during remnant topicalisation: between object shift of a DO and object shift of an IO (section 8.2), between Danish and Swedish particle verb and let-constructions (sections 8.3 and 8.4), between stranding of a subject and stranding of an object (section 8.6), and between remnant topicalisation out of a main clause and remnant topicalisation out of an embedded clause (section 8.7). In addition, the excursus in section 8.5 shows that object shift is not only order preserving but also clause-bound.