Re: topic/focus or theme/rheme

Raimundus A. Brown scripsit:

> Yes, indeed.  Breton seems to have this problem.  The Welsh order "Si=F4=
n
> aeth i'r lyfrgell", which is the colloquial form of the literary "Si=F4=
n a
> aeth i'r lyfrgell" ([It is] John who went to the library - the relative=
> pronoun "a" usually being omitted in speech), has become the normal
> 'unfocussed' form:
This has also become the rule in the Gascon variety of Occitan,
but with the relative pronoun preserved:

        Lo men frair que 't voler'e parlar.
        (the) my brother who to-you wishes to-talk
        My brother would like to talk to you.

The presence of "que" or its emphatic relatives "be" and "ja"
(< BENE, IAM) is mandatory in every affirmative main clause or sentence
complement.  So speaking historically, Gascon has no sentences,
only topics with attached relative clauses!

-- =

John Cowan      http://www.ccil.org/~cowan              cowan@ccil.org
        You tollerday donsk?  N.  You tolkatiff scowegian?  Nn.
        You spigotty anglease?  Nnn.  You phonio saxo?  Nnnn.
                Clear all so!  'Tis a Jute.... (Finnegans Wake 16.5)