英语句首状语分句的话语和句法特征

On the Discursive and Syntactic Features of Initial position for Adverbial Clauses in English

文章论述了位于句首位置的状语分句可构成一个截然不同的句法结构类型,并且阐明了这种结构特征有助于解释句首位置、语篇组织功能和从属结构之间的相互关系。确切地说,句首状语分句具有两个结构参数特征:一个是与状语分句内部结构有关的参数,另一个是该状语分句对主句的作用。还阐述了这些特征能解释为什么句首位置与语篇组织功能有密切的关系,以及为什么它被作为判定从属地位的标准。

This paper deals with adverbial clauses in initial position constituting a distinct construction type within the clause combinations in English and their specific constructional features used to explain the ob- served correlation between initial position, discourse - organizing function and subordination. Specifically, this study argues that initial adverbial clauses can be characterized in terms of two constructional parameters, one relating to the internal structure of the adverbial clause, and another relating to its status with respect to the main clause. It demonstrates that these features can explain why initial position is typically related with discourse organizing function and why it can be used as a criterion for subordinate status.