ABSTRACT
There are various instances of left-peripheral phenomena in German clause structure that can be descriptively distinguished as follows. Topicalization is a clause pattern typical of declarative main clauses and verb-second complements: a single Xmax occupies the position preceding the finite verb called the Vorfeld in a topological theory of German clause structure. There are no categorial constraints on the fronting of the topicalized element, nor is the fronting correlated with particular intonational requirements. Furthermore, no specific functional properties concerning topic or focus are associated with the preposed element. Typical examples of topicalization in German are given in(1):
Den Studenten hat Maria gestern getroffen. the student-ACC has Maria-NOM yesterday met ‘Mary met the student yesterday.’
Mit dem Studenten hat Maria gestern gesprochen. with the student has Maria-NOM yesterday spoken ‘Mary talked to that student yesterday.’
Gestern hat Maria mit dem Studenten gesprochen. yesterday has Maria-NOM with the student spoken
