4.1.3. Contrastive focus
Contrastive focus comprises notions such as corrective, selective and replacing focus. Contrastive focus marking is obligatory in DGS. The marking itself is similar to that of information focus, using raised eyebrows, head nods, and wide-open eyes simultaneously to the focused constituents.
As DGS also uses body shifts to mark contrast in general, contrastive focus constituents may also be accompanied by (sideward) body leans. In discourse, the contrasted and focused constituent often occurs as a single constituent answer as in example (b).
Person A: who shoe eat? peter?
Person B:
hs foc
a. poss1 dog shoe eat
‘No, my dog ate the shoe.’
hs foc
b. poss1 dog
‘No, my dog ate the shoe.’
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 405)
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.