UNPACKING URDU SYNTAX: A STUDY OF CONSTITUENCY AND INFORMATION STRUCTURE THROUGH PREPOSING

Abstract

Urdu language follows a word order of SOV (Subject-Object- Verb) which is quite flexible. This flexibility, on one hand, allows syntactic reconfiguration and on the other hand, provides a rich platform for syntactic analysis. This paper aims to analyze how preposing operates as a test for identifying constituents as well as serves as an interface between syntax and information structure. The study draws on Chomsky’s Transformational Generative Grammar and Lambrecht Information Structure theory.  Through data analysis and theoretical discussion, the study investigates how does preposing determine syntactic units; and how does fronting constituents affect focus and emphasis. The study contributes to the deeper understanding of Urdu syntax by testing constituents through preposing and by analyzing how preposing helps packaging information to achieve communicative goals.