On word order in Gostivar Turkish

Abstract

This study, first, determines whether G.T. is a free word order language or a configurational language. An analysis of quantifier scope relations in simplex structures in G.T. suggests that G.T. is a configurational language. Hence, a question is raised as to whether G.T. is SVO or SOY language. Focus and quantifier scope relations are used as a testing ground. Simplex sentences with a postverbal complement can receive both focused and non-focused reading on the postverbal complement in G.T, a fact which provides an evidence for the underlyingly SVO structure. It is also evident that in G. T. simplex sentences with a preverbal complement can receive both focused and non-focused reading on the preverbal complement, indicating that such constructions are SOY. Evidence from the structures with quantifier phrases also implies that both SVO and SOY structures are base generated in G. T. The study also gives a description of the word order at phrasal level. The analysis of the phrasal categories shows that there are some phrasal projections which are strictly head-final as well as those which show a variation between headfinal and head-initial nature. Furthennore, wh - constructions are analyzed, the evidence of which shows that wh-constructions in G.T. reveal SOY properties. In conclusion, the study argues that G.T. exhibits properties of a language undergoing a syntactic change with respect to word order. The evidence shows the co-existence of both SOy and SVO structures as base generated in G.T. The SOY nature of G.T. is seen as a result of the fact that G.T. is a Turkic language which is SOY. On the other hand, the SVO properties of G.T. can be argued to reflect the influence of the surrounding IE languages, i.e. Macedonian and Albanian, which are SVO languages.